Comparative responses to mode of oral administration and dose of ochratoxin A or nephrotoxic extract of Penicillium polonicum in rats

Administration of Penicillium polonicum extract to male Sprague-Dawley rats (200 g), either mixed in feed or given daily by gavage, for 5 days, had no clinical effects. However, at necropsy on day 6 marked histopathological changes occurred in renal tubule epithelia, including mitotic figures, karyomegalic nuclei, and frequent apoptosis identified specifically by TUNEL methodology and confocal microscopy. Ochratoxin A given similarly to rats (daily, 1 mg or 0.2 mg) was also clinically asymptomatic except for the 1 mg dose given by gavage; rats in this group lost weight. Marked renal tubular necrosis, though even without any significant accompanying apoptosis, was evident only at this higher dose by gavage; it was associated also with the highest incidence of renal DNA adducts and a disproportionately high concentration of ochratoxin A in plasma on day 6. Significantly fewer renal DNA adducts were detected in rats given 1 mg ochratoxin A in feed. The study demonstrates the potential for exaggerated toxicological responses to ochratoxin A administered by gavage through predicted consequential surges in the circulating concentration of the mycotoxin.     

On the origin of the electrostatic surface potential of Aspergillus niger spores in acidic environments

The electrostatic surface potential of fungal spores is generally regarded as potentially influencing spore aggregation and pellet formation in submerged cultures of filamentous fungi. Spores of Aspergillus niger are typically characterized by negative zeta potentials over a wide range of pH values. In this study, this particular behavior is ascribed to the presence of an extensive melanin coating. It is proposed on the basis of zeta potential and pigment extraction experiments that this outermost layer affects the pH-dependent surface potential in two manners: (i) by the addition of negative charges to the spore surface and (ii) by the pH-dependent release of melanin pigment. Chemical analyses revealed that deprotonation of melanin-bound carboxyl groups is most probably responsible for pigment release under acidic conditions. These findings were incorporated into a simple model which has the ability to qualitatively explain the results of zeta potential experiments and, moreover, to provide the basis for quantitative investigations on the role of electrostatics in spore aggregation.     

Transformation of Aspergillus niger using the homologous orotidine-5′-phosphate-decarboxylase gene

Summary A homologous transformation system for the filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger has been developed, based on the orotidine-5-phosphate-decarboxylase gene. A. niger Pyr^– mutants have been selected from 5-fluoroorotic acid resistant mutants. These mutants were found to comprise two complementation groups, pyrA and pyrB. The A. niger OMP-decarboxylase gene was isolated from a gene library by heterologous hybridization with the Neurospora crassa pyr4 gene. The cloned gene is capable to transform A. nidulans pyrG mutants at high frequencies. Transformation of A. niger pyrA mutants occurs with moderate frequencies (about 50 transformants/g DNA) whereas the pyrB mutants cannot be complemented with the cloned OMP-decarboxylase gene. Analysis of the DNA of the A. niger PyrA⁺ transformants showed that transformation resulted in integration of the vector DNA into the genome by homologous recombination. Both gene replacements and integration of one or more copies of the complete vector have been observed.     

Effects of topical corticosteroids on inflammatory mediator–induced eicosanoid release by human airway epithelial cells

Background: Airway epithelial cells are among the first cells to come in contact with aerosolized corticosteroids. However, the relative potencies and time course of action of the several commonly used aerosolized corticosteroids on eicosanoid production by airway epithelial cells are unknown. Objectives: This study compared the effects of fluticasone, budesonide, and triamcinolone on eicosanoid output by human airway epithelial cells in vitro. We also determined the spectrum of eicosanoids affected and the mechanism for corticosteroid action. Methods: Cultured BEAS-2B airway epithelial cells (a transformed cell line) were exposed to corticosteroids (1 nmol/L to 1 μmol/L) for 2 to 48 hours and then assayed for basal- and bradykinin (BK)-stimulated eicosanoid output. The eicosanoid profile was identified by HPLC in tritiated arachidonic acid prelabelled cells, and PGE₂, the major eicosanoid product, was quantitated by RIA. The effect of corticosteroids on the immunoreactivity of key proteins involved in eicosanoid metabolism (ie, cyclooxygenase [COX], phospholipase A2 [PLA₂], and Clara cell protein, a PLA₂ inhibitor) was determined by Western blotting. Results: Eicosanoid output was largely confined to prostaglandins with values of 5 ± 2 and 82 ± 35 ng PGE₂/10⁶ cells for basal- and BK stimulation, respectively (n = 8). All 3 corticosteroids inhibited basal- and BK-induced PGE₂ output in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Fluticasone and budesonide completely eliminated PGE₂ output in nanomolar concentrations in contrast to triamcinolone, which required micromolar concentration. The rank order of potency was: fluticasone = budesonide > triamcinolone. The time course of action for PGE₂ inhibition also differed, with budesonide acting more slowly than the other 2 corticosteroids (P = .04). All 3 corticosteroids markedly reduced COX2 with little effect on COX1, cPLA₂ (Type IV), or iPLA₂ (Type VI) immunoreactivity or their relative distribution in cytosol versus membrane fractions. Clara cell protein immunoreactivity was undetectable in control and corticosteroid-treated cell lysates. Conclusion: These results show that in a human airway epithelial cell line, the 3 inhaled corticosteroids commonly used to treat asthma differ in onsets of action as inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis and vary considerably in potency. All 3 corticosteroids act mechanistically in similar fashion by inhibiting COX2 synthesis. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 1999;103:1081-91.)     

The use of RFLP analysis in classification of the black Aspergilli: reinterpretation of the Aspergillus niger aggregate

Summary By studying ribosomal banding patterns in ethidium bromide-stained gels of chromosomal digests we are able to provide a rapid and reliable classification of a number of taxonomically important isolates of the black Aspergilli. This classification is supported by Southern blots using several pectin lyase genes, isolated from A. niger CBS 120.49, as probes. Taxonomy on the basis of RFLP analysis leads to a classification which is completely different from, but more reliable than, the current one which is mainly based on morphological characteristics. The 23 Aspergillus niger isolates investigated could be divided into two distinct groups on the basis of our results. We propose that these groups represent two different species: A. niger and A. tubigensis. This is supported by preliminary results showing failure of heterokaryon formation between typical representatives of both groups.     

Structure of the Aspergillus niger pelA gene and its expression in Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus nidulans

Summary Aspergillus niger pectin lyases are encoded by a multigene family. The complete nucleotide sequence of the pectin lyase PLA-encoding gene pelA has been determined. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence with the deduced amino acid sequence of the other characterized pectin lyase, PLD, shows that the proteins share 69% amino acid identity. When grown on media with pectin as the sole carbon source, A. niger transformants containing multiple copies of the pelA gene show raised mRNA levels and overexpression of the gene product PLA compared with the wild-type strain. PLA was purified and characterized. In A. nidulans transformants PLA is also produced in medium containing a high concentration of glucose and no pectin.Deceased April 30, 1988     

Cloning of an Aspergillus niger invertase gene by expression in Trichoderma reesei

The filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger produces two glycosylated forms of the sucrose-hydrolysing enzyme, invertase. In contrast, some Trichoderma species lack invertase and are unable to utilise sucrose as a sole carbon source. Using an A. niger genomic library constructed in a cosmid vector containing the ura5 gene of Podospora anserina as a selectable marker, and the T. reesei ura5^- strain as a sucrose-minus recipient strain, an A. niger invertase gene (suc1) has been cloned by a sib selection procedure. PAGE and enzyme analysis confirmed that transformants had acquired invertase activity. The cloned gene contained DNA sequences which were complementary to the amino-acid sequences of tryptic peptides found in invertase purified from A. niger. The suc1 invertase gene can be used as a dominant selectable marker for the transformation of Trichoderma strains.     

Purification and characterisation of an Aspergillus niger invertase and its DNA sequence

A secreted invertase was purified 23-fold by ultrafiltration, ion-exchange, and gel filtration chromatography from the culture supernatant of 18h sucrose-grown cultures of Aspergillus niger. The purified enzyme hydrolysed sucrose and raffinose but there was no detectable hydrolysis of inulin, melezitose or PNPG. Invertase activity was optimal at pH 5.5 and 50°C. The molecular mass of reduced invertase was 115 kDa, as determined by SDS gel electrophoresis. The native molecular weight of between 225 kDa and 250 kDa, estimated by electrophoresis under non-denaturing conditions, suggests that the protein is a dimer of identical subunits. The suc1 gene encoding this protein was completely sequenced. The translated sequence yields a protein of 566 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 61 kDa, suggesting that carbohydrates represent about 50% of the mass of the protein.     

Effects of temperature on the susceptibility of insect cells to infection by baculoviruses

Three insect cell lines were tested for susceptibility to baculovirus infection by use of a typical endpoint assay procedure. Cell lines from Spodoptera frugiperda (IPLB-Sf21AE), Lymantria dispar (IPLB-LdEIta), and Heliothis virescens (IPLB-HvE6s) in 96-well tissue culture plates were each infected with dilutions of extra cellular virus suspensions of the Autographa californica nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV). In addition, the L. dispar and H. virescens cells were also infected with L. dispar nucleopolyhedrovirus, and Helicoverpa zea nucleopolyhedrovirus, respectively. Each cell/virus combination was incubated at three temperatures: 22, 27 and 32 °C and wells were scored for positive infection (presence of occlusion bodies in cell nuclei) at 2 to 4 day intervals for up to 4 weeks. The resulting data were analyzed by the Spearman-Kärber method, providing virus titers for each combination of virus, cell line, and temperature. The results were categorized by accuracy (assuming the highest titer achieved was the most accurate) and by rapidity of maximum titer. AcMNPV reached the highest titer in each line at 22 °C although equivalent titers were reached with both AcMNPV and HzSNPV in the HvE6a line at all three temperatures. This line actually reported about 100-fold less AcMNPV than the other two lines with the same virus sample. Alternatively, the Sf21AE and LdEIta lines reached 10-fold higher titers at the lowest temperature as compared with the higher temperatures, although also at a slower rate.     

Foreign DNA sequences are received by a wild-type strain of Aspergillus niger after co-culture with transgenic higher plants

Different transgenic plants of Brassica napus, Brassica nigra, Datura innoxia and Vicia narbonensis expressing the hph gene under the control of the 35s promoter were co-cultivated with mycelial material of Aspergillus niger in microcosms under sterile conditions. A significantly higher number of hygromycin B-resistant colonies of re-isolated fungi was obtained if compared with co-cultures with non-transgenic plants. The hph gene and other foreign sequences could be detected in some of the resistant strains only for a short time after selection, indicating a rapid loss of foreign DNA. A more stable transgenic strain was obtained after co-culture with transgenic plants of D. innoxia including a high number of hph copies in their genome. DNA with detected pUC sequences was prepared to transform E. coli DH5. One of the recovered plasmids is shown to include pieces of the plant-transforming vector and a foreign sequence. The 35s-regulated expression of genes is studied in A. niger.     

Cloning and expression of a second Aspergillus niger pectin lyase gene (pelA): Indications of a pectin lyase gene family in A. niger

Summary Using the previously cloned Aspergillus niger N756 pectin lyase D gene as a probe, the corresponding pelD gene has been isolated from a genomic library of the loboratory strain A. niger N400. This gene encodes PLD, previously described as PLI, which is one of the two major pectin lyases isolated from the commeriial pectinase preparation Ultrazym^®. Heterologous hybridization of the A. niger N400 genomic library with the pelD gene led to the isolation of another five genes: pelA, B, C, E, and F. These genes differ in their hybridization patterns with probes containing either the entire pelD gene, or 5 or 3 parts thereof. By partial sequencing, and expression in an A. niger transformant containing multiple copies of the pelA gene, we show that this gene, which hybridizes strongest with the pelD gene, encodes the other major pectin lyase from Ultrazym^®, PLII.     

Pathogenesis of craniofacial and body wall malformations induced by ochratoxin A in mice

Ochratoxin A (OA), a mycotoxin commonly found in soils and on moldy food such as cereal grains, is a potent teratogen. The present investigation was designed to examine the teratogenicity of OA administered acutely at early post-implantation stages in mice, with particular emphasis on the pathogenetic basis of induced malformations. Maternal OA administration on gestational day (GD) 7 or 8 resulted in excessive cell death in selected cell populations. After a single dose of 2–4 mg/kg, excessive amounts of cell death was notable within 6 hours, and persisted to 36 hours post-treatment. As observed in GD 14 or 18 fetuses, the spectrum of induced craniofacial malformations included exencephaly, midfacial clefting, cleft lip, as well as hypotelorism, and synophthalmia associated with holoprosencephaly. Body wall defects involved either the abdominal wall alone, or in combination with the thoracic wall, resulting in partial or complete exposure of the viscera. Potential mechanisms for OA-induced selective cell killing are discussed. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Effects of contrast media on production of active oxygen forms by neutrophils

Effects of contrast media on the production of active oxygen forms by mouse neutrophils are studied. X-Ray contrast media decrease and magnetic resonance contrast media increase the production of active oxygen forms. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 124, No. 8, pp. 182–184, August, 1997     

The oliC3 gene of Aspergillus niger: isolation,sequence and use as a selectable marker for transformation

Summary The oliC3 gene of Aspergillus niger has been isolated and sequenced. This gene encodes an oligomycinresistant variant of the mitochondrial ATP synthase subunit 9. In transformation experiments the gene can serve as a semi-dominant selectable marker for A. niger. It was possible to recognize transformants in which oliC3 had integrated at the homologous oliC locus, as opposed to elsewhere in the genome, by observation of phenotypes on medium containing oligomycin. DNA sequencing has allowed comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence with subunit 9 proteins from other species and comparison of 5 untranslated sequences with those from other fungi.     

Isolation of auxotrophic mutants of Aspergillus niger by filtration enrichment and lytic enzymes

Summary More than 100 auxotrophic mutants of Aspergillus niger were isolated using filtration enrichment. The mutants obtained in this way were predominantly aminoacid requiring. Hardly any vitamin-deficient mutants were found. The limitations of the method turned out to be due to cross feeding in liquid medium and non-specific loss of ungerminated conidiospores. To circumvent these problems an enrichment method has been used in which conidiospores that germinated on solid medium were selectively killed by the lytic enzyme preparation Novozym 234. We found auxotrophic mutants at high frequencies and several new types of mutants. Optimal conditions for the enrichment procedures have been determined. Essential factors appeared to be segregation of the conidia after mutagenic treatment, in order to obtain synchronization of germination, and the incubation time of the conidia on minimal medium prior to enzymic treatment. Under appropriate conditions Novozym enrichment proved to be very efficient. Depending on the type of mutants desired, one or both procedures can provide an effective method for the enrichment of mutants with a metabolic defect. The Novozym method can be adapted to other fungi and some of the observations that are described may also be of importance to improve other enrichment methods that are based on the selective killing of germinating conidiospores.     

Species- and sex-specific variations in binding of ochratoxin A by renal proteins in vitro

The mycotoxin ochratoxin A (OTA) is a potent renal carcinogen in rodents and induces renal fibrosis in pigs. Furthermore, OTA has been associated with the development of renal tumors and nephropathies in humans. Large species- and sex-differences are observed in sensitivity toward OTA-mediated toxicity and carcinogenicity, yet neither the mechanism(s) resulting in OTA toxicity nor the reasons for the observed species- and sex-specificities are known. This paper investigated variations in OTA handling viz binding to renal proteins which could possibly explain the observed differences in OTA susceptibility in vivo and in vitro. The results obtained via a modification of a standard receptor-binding assay demonstrated the presence of at least one homogeneous binding component in renal cortical homogenates from pig, mouse, rat and humans. This component was shown to bind OTA in a specific and saturable manner. A range of compounds selected for their affinity for steroid receptors and/or for various known organic anion transporters were employed in a competition assay to answer the question whether this homogenous OTA binding component represents a steroid-like receptor component or one of the known organic anion transporters of the kidney. Although many of the compounds were able to compete with OTA for protein-binding, the competition patterns displayed a distinct species specificity and did not correspond to the competition patterns associated with presently known organic anion transporters of the kidney in the mouse, rat or human. The data thus suggests the presence of a new organic anion transporter or more likely, a cytosolic binding component of unknown function with high affinity and capacity for OTA binding in humans, rats, mice and possibly pigs.     

Genetic maps of eight linkage groups of Aspergillus niger based on mitotic mapping

Summary This paper provides a genetic map of Aspergillus niger. At present 84 markers have been assigned to eight linkage groups. The chromosomal location of 60 markers is presented in this paper. The allocation of markers is based on recombination due to mitotic crossing over. Various methods for selection and analysis of homozygous recombinants were applied, using colour, auxotrophic and resistance markers. In addition, transformants carrying the heterologous Aspergillus nidulans gene coding for acetamidase (amdS) were used for mitotic mapping of markers in several linkage groups. In most of the transformants the amdS insert appeared to be centromere-distal to all known genetic markers, thus extending the eight linkage groups has been determined. On the basis of these and earlier experiments tentative genetic markers were found on both arms of the chromosomes, except for chromosomes II and IV. The genetic distance between markers and the centromere varies from about 10^-4 (LG I, II, V) up to more than 10^-2 (LGIII, VI, VIII). The total frequency of mitotic recombination per genome in this fungus has been estimated to be at least 1.2×10^-1.     

Diminished IL-10 production in subjects with allergy after infection with influenza A virus

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have documented a link between respiratory viral infections and the expression of asthma and other allergic disorders. Results from other studies have suggested that diminished production of IL-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, may contribute to the pathophysiologic features of these diseases. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine whether diminished IL-10 production and TH2 cytokine skewing occur in allergic, as compared with nonallergic, subjects after experimental infection with the influenza A virus. METHODS: PBMCs were isolated from 11 subjects with allergy and 14 subjects with no allergy before and after influenza A infection and stimulated with either mitogen (PHA) or antigen (influenza A). Supernatants were assayed for IL-10, IL-4, and IFN-gamma by ELISA. RESULTS: PBMC IL-10 production was significantly diminished in subjects with allergy, as compared with subjects with no allergy, after experimental infection with influenza A virus. However, significant TH2 skewing and enhanced airway symptoms were not observed in these same subjects. CONCLUSIONS: These data provide further support that subjects with allergy have an intrinsic inability to upregulate IL-10 production in response to inflammatory stimuli and extend this observation to include respiratory viral infections. Future studies in this area could lead to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of asthma and other allergic disorders