Paxillus Involutus Research Articles

Site fertility and soil water-table level affect fungal biomass production and community composition in boreal peatland forests.

A substantial amount of below-ground carbon (C) is suggested to be associated with fungi, which may significantly affect the soil C balance in forested ecosystems. Ergosterol from in-growth mesh bags and litterbags was used to estimate fungal biomass production and community composition in drained peatland forests with differing fertility. Extramatrical mycelia (EMM) biomass production was generally higher in the nutrient-poor site, increased with deeper water table level and decreased along the length of the recovery time. EMM biomass production was of the same magnitude as in mineral-soil forests. Saprotrophic fungal biomass production was higher in the nutrient-rich site. Both ectomycorrhizal (ECM) and saprotrophic fungal community composition changed according to site fertility and water table level. ECM fungal community composition with different exploration types may explain the differences in fungal biomass production between peatland forests. Melanin-rich Hyaloscypha may indicate decreased turnover of biomass in nutrient-rich young peatland forest. Genera Lactarius and Laccaria may be important in nutrient rich and Piloderma in the nutrient-poor conditions, respectively. Furthermore, Paxillus involutus and Cortinarius sp. may be important generalists in all sites and responsible for EMM biomass production during the first summer months. Saprotrophs showed a functionally more diverse fungal community in the nutrient-rich site.

Mushroom Poisoning Outbreaks - China, 2020.

Summary What is already known about this topic? Acute liver failure, rhabdomyolysis, acute renal failure, and hemolysis caused by poisonous mushrooms are the most important mushroom poisoning threats to the Chinese population. The most notorious lethal mushrooms are the species from genera Amanita, Lepiota, and Galerina that cause acute liver failure, and Russula subnigricans that leads to rhabdomyolysis. What is added by this report? In 2020, the total number of investigations reached 676, involving an estimated 102 species of poisonous mushrooms, 24 of which were newly recorded in China. Gyromitra venenata was newly discovered in incidents in Yunnan and Guizhou provinces and were the first reported poisonings due to gyromitrins in China since 2000. The rare poisoning Shiitake mushroom dermatitis was recorded in China. Hemolysis poisoning caused by Paxillus involutus was recorded for the second time since the beginning of the new century, resulting in one death in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. What are the implications for public health practice? Promoting knowledge about safe consumption of mushrooms is essential to reduce mushroom poisonings. It is not wise to collect and eat wild mushrooms. For southwestern provinces such as Yunnan, especially, caution must be exercised with unfamiliar mushroom species.

Secretion of Iron(III)-Reducing Metabolites during Protein Acquisition by the Ectomycorrhizal Fungus Paxillus involutus.

The ectomycorrhizal fungus Paxillus involutus decomposes proteins using a two-step mechanism, including oxidation and proteolysis. Oxidation involves the action of extracellular hydroxyl radicals (•OH) generated by the Fenton reaction. This reaction requires the presence of iron(II). Here, we monitored the speciation of extracellular iron and the secretion of iron(III)-reducing metabolites during the decomposition of proteins by P. involutus. X-ray absorption spectroscopy showed that extracellular iron was mainly present as solid iron(III) phosphates and oxides. Within 1 to 2 days, these compounds were reductively dissolved, and iron(II) complexes were formed, which remained in the medium throughout the incubation. HPLC and mass spectrometry detected five extracellular iron(III)-reducing metabolites. Four of them were also secreted when the fungus grew on a medium containing ammonium as the sole nitrogen source. NMR identified the unique iron(III)-reductant as the diarylcyclopentenone involutin. Involutin was produced from day 2, just before the elevated •OH production, preceding the oxidation of BSA. The other, not yet fully characterized iron(III)-reductants likely participate in the rapid reduction and dissolution of solid iron(III) complexes observed on day one. The production of these metabolites is induced by other environmental cues than for involutin, suggesting that they play a role beyond the Fenton chemistry associated with protein oxidation.

Phosphate availability and ectomycorrhizal symbiosis with Pinus sylvestris have independent effects on the Paxillus involutus transcriptome

Many plant species form symbioses with ectomycorrhizal fungi, which help them forage for limiting nutrients in the soil such as inorganic phosphate (Pi). The transcriptional responses to symbiosis and nutrient-limiting conditions in ectomycorrhizal fungal hyphae, however, are largely unknown. An artificial system was developed to study ectomycorrhizal basidiomycete Paxillus involutus growth in symbiosis with its host tree Pinus sylvestris at different Pi concentrations. RNA-seq analysis was performed on P. involutus hyphae growing under Pi-limiting conditions, either in symbiosis or alone. We show that Pi starvation and ectomycorrhizal symbiosis have an independent effect on the P. involutus transcriptome. Notably, low Pi availability induces expression of newly identified putative high-affinity Pi transporter genes, while reducing the expression of putative organic acid transporters. Additionally, low Pi availability induces a close transcriptional interplay between P and N metabolism. GTP-related signalling was found to have a positive effect in the maintenance of ectomycorrhizal symbiosis, whereas multiple putative cytochrome P450 genes were found to be downregulated, unlike arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. We provide the first evidence of global transcriptional changes induced by low Pi availability and ectomycorrhizal symbiosis in the hyphae of P. involutus, revealing both similarities and differences with better-characterized arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.

Dynamics of ectomycorrhizal mycobiota (Basidiomycota) communities on a former agricultural land (West Carpathians)

Ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECM) are very important in fundamental forest ecosystems. They play a very important role in the succession process, e.g., afforestation of former agricultural areas. Species richness and relative abundance of ECM macromycetes fruiting bodies were determined in spruce monocultures of different ages. Fifty-one ECM species were found; the most dominant were Ramaria formosa, Hygrophorus pustulatus, Lactarius aurantiacus, L. rufus, Paxillus involutus, and others. The highest average abundance was found in a 21-year-old forest stand; the highest number of species was found in a 51-year-old stand. Average monthly temperature (p < 0.001), precipitation (p < 0.01), and soil carbon content (p < 0.05) had the most significant impact on the dynamics of species richness and abundance. The highest values of abundance and species richness were noted in summer 2016 and autumn 2017 and 2018. The highest values of mycorrhizal percentage were recorded in 21-year-old forest stands (41.95%), and the lowest values were recorded in 51-year-old stands (35.86%). Shannon index values (H´) indicate a slightly lower species diversity of ECM fungi in young stands (1.65) compared with older stands (1.71). The values of species richness and fruiting bodies abundance were statistically strongly significant (p < 0.001) during seasonality (month) and through the interaction (month/year). Amanita muscaria, Chalciporus piperatus, Russula aeruginea, and Suillus grevillei were found as indication species in the youngest stands. Amanita rubescens, Imleria badia, Inocybe lacera, and Tricholoma equestre were found as indication species in the oldest stands.

Protective effect of coumarin-pi against t-BHP-induced hepatotoxicity by upregulating antioxidant enzymes via enhanced Nrf2 signaling.

Coumarin-pi, a new coumarin derivative isolated from the mushroom Paxillus involutus, has antioxidative activity, but the underlying mechanism against intracellular oxidative stress is still unclear. This study investigated its cytoprotective effects and the antioxidative mechanism in tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced HepG2 cells. The results demonstrated that coumarin-pi suppressed t-BHP-stimulated cytotoxicity, cell apoptosis, and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Additionally, coumarin-pi promoted nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression and upregulated the protein expression of antioxidantenzymes, including heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), NAD(P)H: quinone oxidase (NQO1), glutamyl cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC), and glutamate-cysteine ligase regulatory subunit (GCLM). After coumarin-pi treatment, transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatic analysis revealed that 256 genes were differentially expressed; interestingly, only 20 genes were downregulated, and the rest of the genes were upregulated. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) functional annotation were used to identify changes in metabolic pathways. Collectively, the results presented in this study indicate that coumarin-pi has a protective effect against t-BHP-induced cellular damage and oxidative stress.

Integrated proteomic and metabolomic analyses revealed molecular adjustments in Populus × canescens colonized with the ectomycorrhizal fungus Paxillus involutus, which limited plant host growth.

Ectomycorrhizae (ECMs) are a highly context-dependent interactions that are not always beneficial for the plant host, sometimes leading to a decrease in plant growth. However, the molecular status of these plants remains unknown. We studied Populus × canescens microcuttings characterized by impaired growth in response to colonization by a Paxillus involutus strain via integrative proteomics-metabolomics analyses. The analysed strain was characterized by low compatibility and formed only mantles, not a Hartig net, in the majority of root tips. The increased abundance of photosynthetic proteins and foliar carbohydrates co-occurred with signals of intensified resource exchange via the stems of colonized plants. In the roots, intensified C metabolism resulted in the biosynthesis of secondary C compounds unavailable to the fungal partner but also C skeletons necessary to increase insufficient N uptake from the hyphae. The stress response was also detected in colonized plants but was similar to that reported previously during mutualistic ECM interactions. In colonized poplar plants, mechanisms to prevent imbalanced C/N trade-offs were activated. Root metabolism strongly depended on features of the whole plant, especially the foliar C/N budget. However, despite ECM-triggered growth impairment and the foliar nutrient status, the fungal partner was recognized to be a symbiotic partner.

Metabolome adjustments in ectomycorrhizal Populus × canescens associated with strong promotion of plant growth by Paxillus involutus despite a very low root colonization rate.

It is believed that resource exchange, which is responsible for intensified growth of ectomycorrhizal plants, occurs in the fungus-plant interface. However, increasing evidence indicates that such intensified plant growth, especially root growth promotion, may be independent of root colonization. Nevertheless, the molecular adjustments in low-colonized plants remain poorly understood. Here, we analysed the metabolome of Populus × canescens microcuttings characterized by significantly increased growth triggered by inoculation with Paxillus involutus, which successfully colonized only 2.1±0.3% of root tips. High-throughput metabolomic analyses of leaves, stems and roots of Populus × canescens microcuttings supplemented with leaf proteome data were performed to determine ectomycorrhiza-triggered changes in N-, P- and C-compounds. The molecular adjustments were relatively low in low-colonized (M) plants. Nevertheless, the levels of foliar phenolic compounds were significantly increased in M plants. Increases of total soluble carbohydrates, starch as well as P concentrations were also observed in M leaves along with the increased abundance of the majority of glycerophosphocholines detected in M roots. However, compared with the leaves of the non-inoculated controls, M leaves presented lower concentrations of both N and most photosynthesis-related proteins and all individual mono- and disaccharides. In M stems, only a few compounds with different abundances were detected, including a decrease in carbohydrates, which was also detected in M roots. Thus, these results suggest that the growth improvement of low-colonized poplar trees is independent of an increased photosynthesis rate, massively increased resource (C:N) exchange and delivery of most nutrients to leaves. The mechanism responsible for poplar growth promotion remains unknown but may be related to increased P uptake, subtle leaf pigment changes, the abundance of certain photosynthetic proteins, slight increases in stem and root amino acid levels and the increase in flavonoids (increasing the antioxidant capacity in poplar), all of which improve the fitness of low-colonized poplars.

Comparative mitogenome analysis of two ectomycorrhizal fungi (Paxillus) reveals gene rearrangement, intron dynamics, and phylogeny of basidiomycetes

In this study, the mitogenomes of two Paxillus species were assembled, annotated and compared. The two mitogenomes of Paxillus involutus and P. rubicundulus comprised circular DNA molecules, with the size of 39,109 bp and 41,061 bp, respectively. Evolutionary analysis revealed that the nad4L gene had undergone strong positive selection in the two Paxillus species. In addition, 10.64 and 36.50% of the repetitive sequences were detected in the mitogenomes of P. involutus and P. rubicundulus, respectively, which might transfer between mitochondrial and nuclear genomes. Large-scale gene rearrangements and frequent intron gain/loss events were detected in 61 basidiomycete species, which revealed large variations in mitochondrial organization and size in Basidiomycota. In addition, the insertion sites of the basidiomycete introns were found to have a base preference. Phylogenetic analysis of the combined mitochondrial gene set gave identical and well-supported tree topologies, indicating that mitochondrial genes were reliable molecular markers for analyzing the phylogenetic relationships of Basidiomycota. This study is the first report on the mitogenomes of Paxillus, which will promote a better understanding of their contrasted ecological strategies, molecular evolution and phylogeny of these important ectomycorrhizal fungi and related basidiomycete species.

Nitrogen acquisition from mineral-associated proteins by an ectomycorrhizal fungus.

In nitrogen (N)-limited boreal forests, trees depend on the decomposing activity of their ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungal symbionts to access soil N. A large fraction of this N exists as proteinaceous compounds associated with mineral particles. However, it is not known if ECM fungi can access these mineral-associated proteins; accordingly, possible acquisition mechanisms have not been investigated. With tightly controlled isotopic, spectroscopic, and chromatographic experiments, we quantified and analyzed the mechanisms of N acquisition from iron oxide mineral-associated proteins by Paxillus involutus, a widespread ECM fungus in boreal forests. The fungus acquired N from the mineral-associated proteins. The collective results indicated a proteolytic mechanism involving formation of the crucial enzyme-substrate complexes at the mineral surfaces. Hence, the enzymes hydrolyzed the mineral-associated proteins without initial desorption of the proteins. The proteolytic activity was suppressed by adsorption of proteases to the mineral particles. This process was counteracted by fungal secretion of mineral-surface-reactive compounds that decreased the protease-mineral interactions and thereby promoted the formation of enzyme-substrate complexes. The ability of ECM fungi to simultaneously generate extracellular proteases and surface-reactive metabolites suggests that they can play an important role in unlocking the large N pool of mineral-associated proteins to trees in boreal forests.

Role of the proteome in providing phenotypic stability in control and ectomycorrhizal poplar plants exposed to chronic mild Pb stress

Lead is a dangerous pollutant that accumulates in plant tissues and causes serious damage to plant cell macromolecules. However, plants have evolved numerous tolerance mechanisms, including ectomycorrhizae, to maintain cellular Pb2+ at the lowest possible level. When those mechanisms are successful, Pb-exposed plants should exhibit no negative phenotypic changes. However, actual molecular-level plant adjustments at Pb concentrations below the toxicity threshold are largely unknown, similar to the molecular effects of protective ectomycorrhizal root colonization. In this study, we (1) determined the molecular adjustments in plants exposed to Pb but without visible Pb stress symptoms and (2) examined ectomycorrhizal root colonization (the role of fungal biofilters) with respect to molecular-level Pb perception by plant root cells. Biochemical, microscopic, proteomic and metabolomic studies were performed to determine the molecular status of Populus × canescens microcuttings grown in agar medium enriched with 0.75 mM Pb(NO3)2. Noninoculated and inoculated with Paxillus involutus poplars were analyzed in two independent comparisons of the corresponding control and Pb treatments. After six weeks of growth, Pb caused no negative phenotypic effects. No Pb-exposed poplar showed impaired growth or decreased leaf pigmentation. Proteomic signals of intensified Pb sequestration in the plant cell wall and vacuoles, cytoskeleton modifications, H+-ATPase-14-3-3 interactions, and stabilization of protein turnover in chronically Pb-exposed plants co-occurred with high metabolomic stability. There were no differentially abundant root primary metabolites; only a few differentially abundant root secondary metabolites and no Pb-triggered ROS burst were observed. Our results strongly suggest that proteome adjustments targeting Pb sequestration and ROS scavenging, which are considerably similar but less intensive in ectomycorrhizal poplars than in control poplars due to the P. involutus biofilter (as confirmed in a mineral study), were responsible for the metabolomic and phenotypic stability of poplars exposed to chronic mild Pb stress.

Regulation of fungal decomposition at single-cell level

Filamentous fungi play a key role as decomposers in Earth’s nutrient cycles. In soils, substrates are heterogeneously distributed in microenvironments. Hence, individual hyphae of a mycelium may experience very different environmental conditions simultaneously. In the current work, we investigated how fungi cope with local environmental variations at single-cell level. We developed a method based on infrared spectroscopy that allows the direct, in-situ chemical imaging of the decomposition activity of individual hyphal tips. Colonies of the ectomycorrhizal Basidiomycete Paxillus involutus were grown on liquid media, while parts of colonies were allowed to colonize lignin patches. Oxidative decomposition of lignin by individual hyphae growing under different conditions was followed for a period of seven days. We identified two sub-populations of hyphal tips: one with low decomposition activity and one with much higher activity. Active cells secreted more extracellular polymeric substances and oxidized lignin more strongly. The ratio of active to inactive hyphae strongly depended on the environmental conditions in lignin patches, but was further mediated by the decomposition activity of entire mycelia. Phenotypic heterogeneity occurring between genetically identical hyphal tips may be an important strategy for filamentous fungi to cope with heterogeneous and constantly changing soil environments.

Importance of cap mushrooms in 137Cs migration in Chernihiv region

Forest ecosystems are of great importance in redistribution and fixation of radionuclides in the environment. Especially in recent decades, as a result of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant the estimation of radionuclide levels in toxic and edible mushrooms has been of interest because some of them have been proven to be hyperaccumulators of pollutants. This study investigates 137Cs contents in soil, duff and mushrooms from forest ecosystems of Chernihiv region. In 2018, the specific activity of the experimental polygon soils was low and ranged from 62 to 400 Bq/kg. The highest level of radiation background was recorded at the place of selection of toxic mushroom Paxillus involutus — 0.16 μSv/hour, and the lowest — at the point of selection of Tricholo maequestre — 0.08 μSv/hour. The specific activity of 137Cs in the forest litter of the experimental polygon was in the range from 627 to 2366 Bq/kg and it was an order of magnitude higher than that for soil samples. Experimental studies have shown that mushrooms were the most radioactive contaminated component of forest ecosystems. Excessive 137Cs content for acceptable level in mushrooms was found to be an order of magnitude or two orders of magnitude compared with the soil on which the fruit bodies were found, namely 38 times in the Leccinum scabrum Bull. ex Fr., 36 times in Russula vesca Fr., in the Amanita phalloides Secr. and Tricholoma equestre Carolus Linnaeus — in 33 times and in Armillaria mellea Kumm. — 30 times. The mushrooms role in increasing the migration ability of radionuclides has been determined. Scientific studies have shown a significant increase in the bioavailability of radionuclides 137Cs in forest ecosystems with the help of fungus-macromycetes and associated probably increase in the incidence of disease in sampling areas.

Regulation of the leaf proteome by inoculation of Populus \xd7 canescens with two Paxillus involutus isolates differing in root colonization rates

During ectomycorrhizal symbioses, up to 30% of the carbon produced in leaves may be translocated to the fungal partner. Given that the leaf response to root colonization is largely unknown, we performed a leaf proteome analysis of Populus × canescens inoculated in vitro with two isolates of Paxillus involutus significantly differing in root colonization rates (65 ± 7% vs 14 ± 7%), together with plant growth and leaf biochemistry analyses to determine the response of plant leaves to ectomycorrhizal root colonization. The isolate that more efficiently colonized roots (isolate H) affected 9.1% of the leaf proteome compared with control plants. Simultaneously, ectomycorrhiza in isolate H-inoculated plants led to improved plant growth and an increased abundance of leaf proteins involved in protein turnover, stress response, carbohydrate metabolism, and photosynthesis. The protein increment was also correlated with increases in chlorophyll, foliar carbon, and carbohydrate contents. Although inoculation of P. × canescens roots with the other P. involutus isolate (isolate L, characterized by a low root colonization ratio) affected 6.8% of the leaf proteome compared with control plants, most proteins were downregulated. The proteomic signals of increased carbohydrate biosynthesis were not detected, and carbohydrate, carbon, and leaf pigment levels and plant biomass did not differ from the noninoculated plants. Our results revealed that the upregulation of the photosynthetic protein abundance and levels of leaf carbohydrate are positively related to rates of root colonization. Upregulation of photosynthetic proteins, chlorophyll, and leaf carbohydrate levels in ectomycorrhizal plants was positively related to root colonization rates and resulted in increased carbon translocation and sequestration underground.

Influence of Ammonium on Formation of Mineral-Associated Organic Carbon by an Ectomycorrhizal Fungus.

The interactions between dissolved organic matter (DOM) and mineral particles are critical for the stabilization of soil organic matter (SOM) in terrestrial ecosystems. The processing of DOM by ectomycorrhizal fungi contributes to the formation of mineral-stabilized SOM by two contrasting pathways: the extracellular transformation of DOM (ex vivo pathway) and the secretion of mineral-surface-reactive metabolites (in vivo pathway). In this study, we examined how changes in nitrogen (N) availability affected the formation of mineral-associated carbon (C) from these two pathways. DOM was extracted from forest soils. The processing of this DOM by the ectomycorrhizal fungus Paxillus involutus was examined in laboratory-scale studies with different levels of ammonium. At low levels of ammonium (i.e., under N-limited conditions), the DOM components were slightly oxidized, and fungal C metabolites with iron-reducing activity were secreted. Ammonium amendments decreased the amount of C metabolites, and no additional oxidation of the organic matter was detected. In contrast, the hydrolytic activity and the secretion of N-containing compounds increased, particularly when high levels of ammonium were added. Under these conditions, C, but not N, limited fungal growth. Although the overall production of mineral-associated organic C was not affected by ammonium concentrations, the observed shifts in the activities of the ex vivo and in vivo pathways affected the composition of organic matter adsorbed onto the mineral particles. Such changes will affect the properties of organic matter-mineral associations and, thus, ultimately, the stabilization of SOM.IMPORTANCE Nitrogen (N) availability plays a critical role in the cycling and storage of soil organic matter (SOM). However, large uncertainties remain in predicting the net effect of N addition on soil organic carbon (C) storage due to the complex interactions between organic matter, microbial activity, and mineral particles that determine the formation of stable SOM. Here, we attempted to disentangle the effects of ammonium on these interactions in controlled microcosm experiments including the ectomycorrhizal fungus P.involutus and dissolved organic matter extracted from forest soils. Increased ammonium levels affected the fungal processing of the organic material as well as the secretion of extracellular metabolites. Although ammonium additions did not increase the net production of mineral-adsorbed C, changes in the decomposition and secretion pathways altered the composition of the adsorbed organic matter. These changes may influence the properties of the organic matter-mineral associations and, thus, the stabilization of SOM.

Amelioration of nitrate uptake under salt stress by ectomycorrhiza with and without a Hartig net.

Summary Salt stress is an important environmental cue impeding poplar nitrogen nutrition. Here, we characterized the impact of salinity on proton‐driven nitrate fluxes in ectomycorrhizal roots and the importance of a Hartig net for nitrate uptake.We employed two Paxillus involutus strains for root colonization: MAJ, which forms typical ectomycorrhizal structures (mantle and Hartig net), and NAU, colonizing roots with a thin, loose hyphal sheath. Fungus‐colonized and noncolonized Populus × canescens were exposed to sodium chloride and used to measure root surface pH, nitrate (NO 3 −) flux and transcription of NO3 − transporters (NRTs; PcNRT1.1, ‐1.2, ‐2.1), and plasmalemma proton ATPases (HAs; PcHA4, ‐8, ‐11). Paxillus colonization enhanced root NO 3 − uptake, decreased surface pH, and stimulated NRTs and HA4 of the host regardless the presence or absence of a Hartig net. Under salt stress, noncolonized roots exhibited strong net NO 3 − efflux, whereas beneficial effects of fungal colonization on surface pH and HAs prevented NO 3 − loss. Inhibition of HAs abolished NO 3 − influx under all conditions.We found that stimulation of HAs was crucial for the beneficial influence of ectomycorrhiza on NO 3 − uptake, whereas the presence of a Hartig net was not required for improved NO 3 − translocation. Mycorrhizas may contribute to host adaptation to salt‐affected environments by keeping up NO 3 − nutrition.

Coumarin-pi, a new antioxidant coumarin derivative from Paxillus involutus

Chemical investigation of Paxillus involutus lead to the isolation of a new coumarin derivative coumarin-pi (1), and three known compounds (2-4). The structure of the new compound was elucidated by interpretation of 1D and 2D NMR data. Compound 1 possesses a rare benzofuranylcoumarin skeleton. The isolated compounds were evaluated for antioxidant activities and coumarin-pi (1) exhibited significant activity with IC50 value of 16.3 μg/mL.

Morphological and ecophysiological root and leaf traits in ectomycorrhizal, arbuscular-mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal Alnus incana seedlings

Background and aimsThe aim was to assess possible benefits or drawbacks of arbuscular-mycorrhizal (AM) and ectomycorrhizal (EM) colonisation compared to no mycorrhizas (NM) in seedlings of the same host species. Eight broadleaf species were tested for mycorrhiza formation. Grey alder (Alnus incana) and four fungal species were selected for further experiments.MethodsGrey alder seedlings were inoculated with AM fungi Rhizophagus intraradices and Glomus hoi or EM fungi Paxillus involutus plus an ascomycete isolated from Alnus roots or mock-inoculated (NM).ResultsEM formed in 70% of root tips and AM in 30% of root length. AM plants were smaller than EM and NM, but their specific root length (SRL) and specific leaf area (SLA) were highest. Net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and shoot water potential did not differ between treatments. Foliar Ca, K, Mg, Mn, N, P and S concentrations (mg g−1) were highest in AM plants. However, total foliar contents (mg per plant) were lowest in AM plants, except for P, K and Zn.ConclusionsThe larger SRL and SLA suggest more efficient resource usage in AM plants, even though these were smaller than EM and NM plants. Grey alder is proposed as a new model species for comparisons between mycorrhiza types in cold climates.

The Brown Roll-Rim Mushroom, Paxillus involutus (Agaricomycetes), as a Promising Biomedical Research Resource.

The brown roll-rim mushroom (Paxillus involutus) quickly produces biomass in nature, although, being a mycorrhizal fungus, it is rather poorly maintained in culture. Information about its toxic properties is controversial. Until the mid-20th century, the species was considered as an edible fungus; however, data later accumulated regarding its poisonous properties, leading to the term "Paxillus syndromeP. involutus. Since mushrooms can have quite a few unidentified antigens complementary to B-lymphocyte receptors, this is a hidden danger of using unfractionated mushroom raw materials for preventive and oncotherapy purposes, and we hope that this article stimulates immunological groups worldwide to identify the "X" antigen related to the Paxillus syndrome. Oncotherapy effects of the known bioactive complexes of P. involutus are associated with a specific inhibition of some growth receptors of the cancer cell, whereas experimentation with purified substances of P. involutus and various families of growth receptors of cancer cell has good prospects. A clear speciation is fixing within the P. involutus complex. The key for identification of species of P. involutus complex is given and cultural characteristics of P. involutus strains kept at Komarov Botanical Institute Basidiomycetes Culture Collection are presented.

Cross-Chemistry Leads to Product Diversity from Atromentin Synthetases in Aspergilli from Section Nigri

Non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS)-like enzymes catalyze the non-oxidative homodimerization of aromatic α-keto acids, but the exact reactionmechanism is unknown. The furanone-forming thioesterase domain of the Aspergillus terreus aspulvinone E synthetase MelA displays a predicted quinone-forming motif, whereby its catalytic triad contains an essential cysteine indicating an unusual thioester intermediate. To convert MelA into a quinone-forming atromentin synthetase its thioesterase domain was replaced with that from a Paxillus involutus or A. terreus atromentin synthetase. Phylogenetic proximity of donor and acceptor seemsimportant, as only replacement with the A. terreus thioesterase was functional. Heterologous expression of atromentin synthetases in Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus oryzae revealed host-dependent product formation whereby cross-chemistry directed atromentin biosynthesis in A. niger toward atrofuranic acid. Screening of aspergilli from section Nigri identified an atromentin synthetase in Aspergillus brasiliensis that produced atrofuranic acid in the homologous host. Therefore, cross-chemistry on quinone cores appears common to section Nigri.