Copper tolerance of the soft-rot fungus Phialophora malorum grown in-vitro revealed by microscopy and global protein expression. (February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Karunasekera, Hasanthi; Pettersson, Jean; Mi, Jia; Bergquist, Jonas; Daniel, Geoffrey
• Is Part Of: International biodeterioration & biodegradation. Volume 137(2019)
• Page Start: 147
• Page End: 152
• Publication Date: 2019-02
• Subjects: Copper tolerance -- ICP-AES -- LC-MS/MS -- Phialophora malorum -- Proteomics -- Soft rot fungi; Biodegradation -- Periodicals; Bioremediation -- Periodicals; Biodegradation -- Periodicals; Biodégradation -- Périodiques; Biorestauration -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 620.11223
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ibiod.2018.12.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0964-8305

Abstract

Abstract: In this study, we used proteomics in conjunction with microscopy to study differences in the proteome and hyphal morphology of the copper tolerant soft rot fungus Phialophora malorum grown in media containing 0.064, 0.64% Cu as CuSO4 . Unique proteins were found in the control and the copper-treated (0.064% CuSO4 ) samples. Of five unique proteins found in the 0.064% CuSO4 treated cultures, ATP synthase subunit alpha is considered to play an important role in copper tolerance as it is involved in the biosynthesis of fatty acids and steroids and may relate to morphological changes associated with hyphal cell walls of the fungus when grown in the presence of copper. ICP-AES analyses showed total mycelial Cu to increase with media Cu with 5246- and 16535 μg Cu/g dry wt mycelia respectively found in 0.064 and 0.64% Cu-cultures after 6 weeks growth. Rubeanic acid staining of 0.064% mycelia showed Cu bound in intracellular bodies while most Cu was found as extracellular precipitates on the surfaces of hyphae in 0.64% Cu. SEM showed hyphal surfaces enrobed in fibrillar polysaccharides to which Cu was bound. Highlights: The soft rot fungus Phialophora malorum was studied to understand its mechanisms of high Cu-tolerance. P. malorum mycelia grown in 0.064% CuSO4 media bound Cu intracellularly in deposits. In 0.64% Cu cultures, Cu adsorbed as extracellular precipitates on hyphal surfaces. Proteomics showed up-regulation of proteins in Cu-media indicating their likely involvement in Cu-tolerance.