Ubiquinone System Research Articles

Ubiquinone systems of the genus Cladosporium and morphologically similar taxa.

The ubiquinone (coenzyme Q) systems of 14 species of Cladosporium were determined. The genus was divided into two groups based on the distribution of the major ubiquinones, Q-10 and Q-10(H2). The group containing Q-10 consisted of six species, four of which were human pathogens, whereas the group containing Q-10(H2) consisted of eight plant pathogenic and/or saprophytic species. The results presented here agree with phylogenetic and physiological studies which have shown that the human-pathogenic species of Cladosporium represent a homogeneous, cohesive group.

Ubiquinone systems of the genus Cladosporium and morphologically similar taxa

The ubiquinone (coenzyme Q) systems of 14 species of Cladosporium were determined. The genus was divided into two groups based on the distribution of the major ubiquinones, Q-10 and Q-10(H 2). The group containing Q-10 consisted of six species, four of which were human pathogens, whereas the group containing Q-10(H 2) consisted of eight plant pathogenic and/or saprophytic species. The results presented here agree with phylogenetic and physiological studies which have shown that the human-pathogenic species of Cladosporium represent a homogeneous, cohesive group.

Yeasts associated with termites: a phenotypic and genotypic characterization and use of coevolution for dating evolutionary radiations in asco- and basidiomycetes

Thirtynine yeast isolates or dimorphic fungi were obtained from the hindgut of the lower termites Mastotermis darwiniensis (Mastotermitidae), Zootermopsis angusticollis, Z. nevadensis (Hodotermitidae), Neotermes jouteli (Kalotermitidae), Reticulitermes santonensis, Heterotermes indicola (Rhinotermitidae) and the roach Cryptocercus punctulatus. Using RAPD-PCR the 39 yeast isolates were assigned to 13 different species. Commonly yeast species were specific to the termite species isolates from. There were only two yeast species which were found in different species of lower termites. Based on phenotypic characters Debaryomyces hansenii showed a high score in four species. The qualitative and quantitative yeast cell wall monosaccharide composition, the ubiquinone system, partial sequencing of 18S ribosomal DNA (bases 1273 to 948; numbering according to the gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae), and the ultrastructure of septal pores indicate that 11 yeast species belong to the Endomycetales. Although ascospores were lacking, two of these species were identified to belong to the genus Debaryomyces. One remaining yeast isolate was identified as a Sporothrix anamorph representative for the filamentous Ascomycetes (Ophiostomataceae s. str.); the second species showed affinities to the Basidiomycetes in particular to the genus Trichosporon. Comparing an additional 18S rDNA fragment (bases 595 to 993) and RAPD-PCR data using different species type strains of the genus Sporothrix, the filamentous ascomycete was genotypically identified as Sporothrix albicans. Sporothrix. albicans, although phylogenetically closely related to S. schenckii var. schenckii and Ophiostoma stenoceras remains genotypically distinct. An emended species description of S. albicans is presented. Evidence is provided that the yeasts isolated from the hindgut can be considered symbionts.

Leptographium costaricense sp. nov., a new species from roots of Talauma sambuensis from Costa Rica

Leptographium costaricense , a new species of Hyphomycetes, isolated from the rhizoplane of Talauma sambuensis from the lowland rainforest in Costa Rica, is characterized by dark, mononematous, penicillately branched conidiophores, with 2–5 series of metulae and relatively small truncate conidia produced in a slimy brownish matrix. Light and scanning electron microscopy showed that conidial production is both annellidic and sympodial. It is equipped with an ubiquinone system of Co-Q-10H 2 . Leptographium costaricense is most similar to L. reconditum that is known from soil in South Africa. The two species can, however, be distinguished by a more complex conidiogenous apparatus in L. costaricense and differences in the mol% G+C values of their DNA. Both species share no DNA relatedness based on DNA-DNA reassociation studies.

A reappraisal of intrageneric classification of Talaromyces based on the ubiquinone systems

Ubiquinone profiles of 25 strains ofTalaromyces were determined using reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography. Together with data of earlier authors, examination of the most recently described species allowed us to solve some taxonomic problems in the intrageneric classification. Ubiquinone Q-10(H2) was found in the majority ofTalaromyces species with aPenicillium anamorph, which are mostly placed in seriesFlavi andLutei of sectionTalaromyces. Flavi andLutei are closely related and homogeneous taxa based on their morphological characters used in the section. However, exceptionol prfiles were consistently shown byT. trachyspermus and the allied taxa of seriesTrachyspermi of the sectionTalaromyces, in which a mixture of ubiquinone Q-10(H2) and ubiquinone Q-10(H4) was found. Thus the accommodation ofT. trachyspermus and the allied taxa in the sectionTalaromyces was not supported by their ubiquinone systems.Trachyspermi is distinguished from other taxa ofTalaromyces by its production of white ascomata and rapid growth at 37°C. A new section,Trachyspermus, is proposed herein. SectionEmersonii showed heterogeneity; the ubiquinone profiles (Q-10(H2) or Q-10 and Q-10(H2)) inTalaromyces with aGeosmithia anamorph were relatively homogeneous, whereas those of another group with aPaecilomyces anamorph were considerably variable. OnlyTalaromyces with aGeosmithia anamorph can be placed in the sectionEmersonii.

Electrophoretic comparison of enzymes as a chemotaxonomic aid among Aspergillus taxa: (3) The identity of the xerophilic species A. penicillioides in subgenus Aspergillus section Restricti.

The identity of the xerophilic species Aspergillus penicillioides and related taxa has been studied chemotaxonomically using polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis. In a dendrogram based on the calculated similarity values of five enzymes, 14 isolates of A. penicillioides in subgenus Aspergillus section Restricti and 28 isolates of related taxa in subgenus Aspergillus formed 22 clusters at a 60% similarity level. A. penicillioides isolates were scattered over the 11 clusters. In the ubiquinone systems, all isolates of A. penicillioides, including IFO 8155 (originally described as A. vitricolae [sic]), had the Q-9 system, which was the same ubiquinone system as Eurotium spp. A case study based on comparisons between the similarity values in enzyme patterns and the homology values in DNA relatedness in subgenus Circumdati section Flavi clearly indicates that Aspergillus isolates at a 60% or greater similarity level in enzyme patterns are considered to be conspecific. According to this guideline, A. penicillioides isolates are extremely diverse and presumably assigned to several species and we revive the name A. vitricola for IFO 8155 (ex holotype). Further molecular systematic studies are needed to clarify the identity and speciation of A. penicillioides.

Molecular and Chemical Taxonomic Differentiation of Candida boidinii Ramirez Strains

Molecular and chemical taxonomic characteristics, including DNA base composition, electrophoretic karyotype, restriction fragment length polymorphism of genes coding for rRNA, cellular fatty acid composition, and ubiquinone systems, were studied for 19 strains of Candida boidinii Ramirez. Electrophoretic karyotype and restriction fragment length polymorphism demonstrated marked differences among these strains. A combination of molecular and chemical analyses can serve as a reliable tool for culture authentication and quality control of industrial strains.

Taxonomic characterization of novel aerobic bacteriochlorophyll-containing bacteria isolated from soil.

Aerobic bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) a-containing bacteria (designated as strains NS89, NS102, and NS130) were isolated from soil samples in Japan and their taxonomic characteristics were investigated. These strains were obligately aerobic, Gram-negative, and non-motile cocci, and formed irregular colonies on agar media. The strains could not utilize methanol as a sole carbon and energy source and sulfate as a sole sulfur source. Strain NS130 required divalent cations (Ca 2+ or Mg 2+ ) for growth in liquid culture. The cations were not necessary for the growth of strains NS89 and NS102 in liquid culture, however, the cations promoted growth. Light stimulated the growth of strains NS89 and NS102, but not the growth of strain NS130. The absorption spectra of membrane fractions of strains NS89 and NS102 had a large peak at 856 nm that was derived from BChla, while the spectrum of strain NS130 had a large peak at 872 nm. Membrane fractions of the three strains showed photochemical activity. The guanine plus cytosine contents of DNA of strains NS89, NS102, and NS130 were 70.3, 71.0, and 70.5 mol%, respectively. The ubiquinone system of the strains was Q-10, and the major cellular fatty acid was octadecenoic acid (C 18:1 ) (57-68%). The three strains contained 2-hydroxy and 3-hydroxy fatty acids, and 2-hydroxyoctadecenoic acid (2-OH C 18:1 ) was 11-12%.

Phylogenetic perspectives on basidiomycete systematics: evidence from the 18S rRNA gene

Basidiomycete systematics has a history of dramatic change with the introduction of new forms of information. We present a new class level taxonomy for basidiomycetes consisting of the Urediniomycetes emend., Ustilaginomycetes, and Hymenomycetes. The primary source of characters for this analysis is the 18S rRNA gene. Other characters such as cellular carbohydrate composition, major ubiquinone system, 5S rRNA sequence, basidium morphology, and septum and spindle pole body ultrastructure are considered. Comparison of the new class system to other basidiomycete taxonomies is made. Use of 18S sequence to test the monophyly of an order is made in an examination of the Filobasidiales. Key words: basidiomycetes, molecular systematics, taxonomy, Filobasidiales, basidiomycetous yeasts.

Ubiquinone system, GC contents and cellular fatty acid composition of species of the form-genus Malbranchea and Coccidioides immitis for chemotaxonomic study

Ubiquinone system, GC contents and cellular fatty acid (CFA) composition were analyzed as criteria for chemotaxonomy ofMalbranchea species andCoccidioides immitis, which are suggested to be phylogenetically related. Based on the major ubiquinone,Malbranchea spp. were divided into two groups, of which one group possessed the same major ubiquinone asC. immitis. Similar GC contents and CFA profiles were obtained for the species ofMalbranchea andC. immitis. On the basis of these criteria the relationships between the fungi are discussed.

Characteristics of Newly Isolated Xanthobacter Strains and Fatty Acid Compositions and Quinone Systems in Yellow-Pigmented Hydrogen-Oxidizing Bacteria

Newly isolated Xanthobacter strains were characterized. In addition, the fatty acid compositions and quinone systems of gram-negative, yellow-pigmented, hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria belonging to the genera Xanthobacter, Hydrogenophaga, and Variovorax and related species were studied. Xanthobacter strains are nitrogen-fixing organisms that have a Q-10 ubiquinone system; the cellular fatty acids of these organisms include high levels of C18:1 acid, and their hydroxy fatty acids include high levels of 3-OH C16:0 acid. Hydrogenophaga strains are polarly flagellated organisms that have a Q-8 ubiquinone system. These bacteria can be divided into two groups on the basis of cellular fatty acid and hydroxy fatty acid compositions. Variovorax strains are peritrichously flagellated, non-nitrogen-fixing organisms that have a Q-8 ubiquinone system; the cellular fatty acids of these strains include high levels of C16:0, C16:1 and C18:1 acids, and their hydroxy fatty acids include 3-OH C10:0 and 2-OH C14:0 acids. Xanthobacter, Hydrogenophaga, and Variovorax strains can be clearly distinguished from each other on the basis of their quinone systems and cellular fatty acid compositions.

Acremonium-like submerged conidiation in Paecilomyces nostocoides and P. lilacinus

Paecilomyces nostocoides, in which conidia of smaller or larger sizes appear in chains, was newly isolated from Japan. In addition to the typicalPaecilomyces-type conidiation, the Japanese isolate showed additionalAcremonium-like submerged conidiation in and/or on some agar media. The submerged conidiation was also observed in the ex-type strains, but not in the type specimens ofP. nostocoides. The same submerged conidiation was observed inP. lilacinus, the species most similar toP. nostocoides. The species definitions ofP. nostocoides andP. lilacinus were emended to include the submerged conidiation.Paecilomyces-type conidia were uninucleate in bothP. nostocoides andP. lilacinus. Paecilomyces nostocoides andP. lilacinus had the Q-10(H2) ubiquinone system.

The ubiquinone system in Oomycetes

Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q) systems of 32 strains belonging to Oomycetes (Saprolegniales and Lagenidiales) were investigated. The fungi were isolated from various animals with fungal infections and both freshwater and marine environments. The major component in the fungi was Coenzyme Q-9 without exception.

Ubiquinone system of the form-genus Chrysosporium

The ubiquinone (coenzyme Q: Q) system of 17 strains of the form-genusChrysosporium was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and found to show a heterogeneous distribution of the major ubiquinone. Q-9, Q-10 or Q-10(H2) was found to be the major ubiquinone in 3, 9 and 5 strains, respectively. It was further demonstrated that the teleomorphs of the species characterized by Q-9 and Q-10 could be classified into two separate families, Arthrodermataceae (Q-9) and Onygenaceae (Q-10), which were defined within the revised order Onygenales by Currah. Teleomorphs ofChrysosporium species having Q-10(H2) have not been found. This paper also includes the ubiquinone system of dermatophytes which relate to the form-genusChrysosporium morphologically.

Synonymy of Candida methylica with Candida boidinii and of Candida methanolophaga with Candida succiphila.

Some Candida species which can use methanol as a sole carbon source were studied by performing chemotaxonomic tests; we determined the ubiquinone systems of these organisms, their DNA base compositions, their electrophoretic karyotypes, and their DNA relatedness values. The type strains of Candida methanolophaga and Candida succiphila had similar DNA base compositions and exhibited 90% DNA relatedness. All Candida boidinii and Candida methylica strains had DNA G + C contents of 30.8 to 31.0 mol%, and these organisms exhibited 87 to 101% DNA relatedness to the type strain of C. boidinii. We propose that C. methanolophaga and C. methylica should be synonyms of C. succiphila and C. boidinii, respectively.

Identification of Penicillium sp. NR 6564 and taxonomic notes on P. janthinellum

The fungal strain NR 6564, which produces a new series of antifungal antibiotics, Ro 09-1470 and its congeners, was identified as Penicillium janthinellum from its cultural and morphological properties. The identification was confirmed by analysis of the ubiquinone system and DNA-DNA hybridization.

Ticogloea, a new genus of hyphomycetes from roots of Ticodendron incognitum from Costa Rica

Ticogloea guttulata , classified in a new genus of Hyphomycetes, was isolated from the rhizoplane of Ticodendron incognitum from the premontane rain forest in Costa Rica. It is characterized by holoblastic, solitary, aseptate, dark brown conidia, produced on simple or short-stalked cells, which are polyblastic and arise in dense clusters from aerial hyphae or hyphal bundles. Ultrastructure of its cell wall and septal pore indicates an affinity to Ascomycetes; it is equipped with an ubiquinone system of CoQ-10H 2 . Related genera of Hyphomycetes are compared and discussed.

Xenorhabdus japonicus sp. nov. associated with the nematode Steinernema kushidai

A new species, Xenorhabdus japonicus, is proposed as the bacterial symbiont of Steinernema kushidai isolated from field soil in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. Xenorhabdus japonicus could be distinguished phenotypically and genetically from other Xenorhabdus spp. The type strain of the species, SK-1, a Gram-negative, facultative anaerobe and peritrichously flagellated rod, has colonies with primary and secondary forms. The strain can be differentiated from the type strain of Xenorhabdus nematophilus by several characters, including the formation of arginine dehydrolase, phenylalanine deaminase and lysine decarboxylase, the assimilation of inosine and L-proline and acid production from inositol. The major cellular fatty acids are 16:0, cyclo 17:0 and 18:1. The ubiquinone system is Q-8. The G+C content of DNA is 45.9 mol%. The DNA of strain SK-1 has 20 to 58% homology with that of the type strains of other Xenorhabdus spp.

DNA relatedness and chemotaxonomic feature of aerobic bacteriochlorophyll-containing bacteria isolated from coasts of Australia.

Thirty-seven strains of aerobic bacteriochlorophyll (Bchl)-containing bacteria (ABB) isolated previously from the coasts of Australia were compared with the authentic ABB, Erthrobacter and Roseobacter. They were divided into four groups (GI-GIV) on the basis of cell color, absorption spectrum type of Bchl in the near infrared region and cell morphology. Furthermore, some members of GI and GII were separated genetically into 3 and 4 respectively based on the levels of DNA homology. Among the 37 strains tested, only strain OCh273, a strain of GIV, showed comparatively high DNA homologies (ca. 50%) with the type strains of Roseobacter spp., and the other 36 strains showed low DNA homologies (1 to 12%) with the type strains of Erythrobacter longus and Roseobacter spp. The ubiquinone system of all strains was Q-10 and themajor cellular fatty acid (CFA) was C 18:1 acid except in five strains. The major CFA in four (OCh208, OCh229, OCh246 and OCh268) of the five strains was C 17:1 and that of the remaining strain (OCh492) was C 16:0 . The guanine plus cytosine contents of the DNA of the 37 test strains examined were from 53.0 to 74.8 mol%

Ubiquinone systems of Coccidioides immitis, the causative agent of coccidioidomycosis

The ubiquinone (coenzyme Q) systems of eleven strains of Coccidioides immitis were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The ubiquinone profile of the fungi was shown to be homogeneous: in all of the strains, ubiquinone-10 (Q-10) was demonstrated to be the major component, with Q-9 as a minor component. The results imply that the ubiquinone system may serve as an additional phenotypic criterion for identifying the fungus.