Chitin synthases(UDP-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine: chitin 4-beta-N-acetyl-D-glucosaminyl transferase, EC 2.4.1.16) catalyze the synthesis of chitin from UDP-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine. Two zymogenic type of chitin synthase gene(TmCHS1 and TmCHS2) were amplified and its nucleotide sequences were determined. By the amino acid comparison and UPGMA tree grouping, TmChs1 and TmChs2 were classified as class II and class IV chitin synthases respectively. The class II type TmChs1 was grouped with others of Agaricales ectomycorrhizal mushroom. Additionally the phylogenetic tree was well adapted to Hymenomycete previously classified by morphological and physiological characteristics.
Agaricales ; Base Sequence ; Chitin Synthase* ; Chitin* ; Clone Cells* ; Cloning, Organism* ; Transferases ; Tricholoma*

Depending on the acquisition of developmental competence, the expression of genes for beta-1,3-glucan synthase and chitin synthase was affected in different ways by Aspergillus nidulans LAMMER kinase. LAMMER kinase deletion, DeltalkhA, led to decrease in beta-1,3-glucan, but increase in chitin content. The DeltalkhA strain was also resistant to nikkomycin Z.
Aspergillus nidulans* ; Organelle Biogenesis* ; Cell Wall* ; Chitin ; Chitin Synthase ; Mental Competency ; Phosphotransferases*

BACKGROUND: The species of dermatophytes have been identified and classified by morphological and biochemical characterization as well as by mating experiments. But these techniques are either time consuming or lacking specificity. Recently molecular analysis has been introduced to the field of medical mycology. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the phylogeny and taxomomy of the dermatophytes using sequence analysis of the chitin synthase 1 (CHS1) gene. METHODS: 15 species of dermatophytes (6 strains of T.rubrum, 4 strains of T. mentagrophytes subtypes, M. canis, M. gypseum, E. floccosum, T. verrucosum, and T. tonsurans) were cultured on Sabouraud dextrose broth and their DNA were extracted by bead-beating method. Cloning and sequencing of PCR product were done. RESULTS: The size of specific bands among dermatophytes was 615 bp in CHS1 gene. Phylogenetic analysis of sequences revealed that 6 strains of T. rubrum showed genetically identical pattern in intraspecies, but subtypes of T. mentagrophytes were different. The other dermatophytes showed different pattern in interspecies. CONCLUSION: The phylogenetic analysis of CHS1 gene provided useful information for classification and understanding the evolution of dermatophytes species.
Arthrodermataceae* ; Chitin Synthase* ; Chitin* ; Classification* ; Clone Cells ; Cloning, Organism ; DNA ; Glucose ; Mycology ; Phylogeny* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sequence Analysis*

Bitter rot caused by the fungal genus Colletotrichum is a well-known, common disease of apple and causes significant yield loss. In 2013, six fungal strains were isolated from Fuji apple fruits exhibiting symptoms of bitter rot from Andong, Korea. These strains were identified as Colletotrichum fructicola and C. siamense based on morphological characteristics and multilocus sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer rDNA, actin, calmodulin, chitin synthase, and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase Pathogenicity tests confirmed the involvement of C. fructicola and C. siamense in the development of disease symptoms on apple fruits. This is the first report of C. fructicola and C. siamense causing bitter rot on apple fruit in Korea.
Actins ; Calmodulin ; Chitin Synthase ; Colletotrichum* ; DNA, Ribosomal ; Fruit* ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Korea* ; Multilocus Sequence Typing ; Oxidoreductases ; Virulence

BACKGROUND: Arthroderma (A.) benhamiae, one of three telemorphs of Trichophyton (T.) mentagrophytes, has not been isolated until recently in Korea, but in Japan the first report on it was made in 1998. OBJECTIVE: To identify A. benhamiae for the first time in Korea. METHODS: Twelve strains suggestive of A. benhamiae grossly and microscopically were detected among 1, 059 of T. mentagrophytes isolated at the Catholic Skin Clinic, Daegu, from 1998 to 2000. They were examined by mating tests and molecular methods. In mating tests, they were respectively crossed with "+" and "-" tester strains of A. vanbreuseghemii, A. benhamiae African race, A. benhamiae Americano-European race. Molecular methods included the sequence analysis of internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region of ribosomal DNA and chitin synthase 1 (CHS1) gene, and random amplified DNA polymorphism (RAPD) with random primer OPAO-15 (5'-GAA GGC TCC C-3'). RESULTS: Mating tests revealed that 12 strains of T. mentagrophytes consisted of 6 of A. benhamiae, 4 of A. vanbreuseghemii and 2 of indeterminate. Six strains of A. benhamiae, all isolated from the patients with a history of contact with rabbits, included 1 of Americano-European race and 5 of African race of Americano-European race and 5 of African race. One clinical isolate, a strain of A. benhamiae Americano-European race "-" in mating tests, was almost identical with the standard strains of A. benhamiae Americano-European race with molecular methods as 99.2% (351/354) similarity of ITS2 sequence, 99.1% (313/ 316) similarity of CHS1 sequence, and similar RAPD pattern. Five clinical strains of A. benhamiae African race were identical with standard strains in ITS2 and CHS1 gene and RAPD pattern. CONCLUSION: The first isolation of 6 strains of A. benhamiae in Korea was reported. Five were identified as A. benhamiae African race "+", and 1 as A. benhamiae Americano-European race "-".
Arthrodermataceae* ; Chitin Synthase ; Continental Population Groups ; Daegu ; DNA ; DNA, Ribosomal ; Humans ; Japan ; Korea* ; Rabbits ; Sequence Analysis ; Skin ; Trichophyton

BACKGROUND: Arthroderma (A.) benhamiae, one of three telemorphs of Trichophyton (T.) mentagrophytes, has not been isolated until recently in Korea, but in Japan the first report on it was made in 1998. OBJECTIVE: To identify A. benhamiae for the first time in Korea. METHODS: Twelve strains suggestive of A. benhamiae grossly and microscopically were detected among 1, 059 of T. mentagrophytes isolated at the Catholic Skin Clinic, Daegu, from 1998 to 2000. They were examined by mating tests and molecular methods. In mating tests, they were respectively crossed with "+" and "-" tester strains of A. vanbreuseghemii, A. benhamiae African race, A. benhamiae Americano-European race. Molecular methods included the sequence analysis of internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region of ribosomal DNA and chitin synthase 1 (CHS1) gene, and random amplified DNA polymorphism (RAPD) with random primer OPAO-15 (5'-GAA GGC TCC C-3'). RESULTS: Mating tests revealed that 12 strains of T. mentagrophytes consisted of 6 of A. benhamiae, 4 of A. vanbreuseghemii and 2 of indeterminate. Six strains of A. benhamiae, all isolated from the patients with a history of contact with rabbits, included 1 of Americano-European race and 5 of African race of Americano-European race and 5 of African race. One clinical isolate, a strain of A. benhamiae Americano-European race "-" in mating tests, was almost identical with the standard strains of A. benhamiae Americano-European race with molecular methods as 99.2% (351/354) similarity of ITS2 sequence, 99.1% (313/ 316) similarity of CHS1 sequence, and similar RAPD pattern. Five clinical strains of A. benhamiae African race were identical with standard strains in ITS2 and CHS1 gene and RAPD pattern. CONCLUSION: The first isolation of 6 strains of A. benhamiae in Korea was reported. Five were identified as A. benhamiae African race "+", and 1 as A. benhamiae Americano-European race "-".
Arthrodermataceae* ; Chitin Synthase ; Continental Population Groups ; Daegu ; DNA ; DNA, Ribosomal ; Humans ; Japan ; Korea* ; Rabbits ; Sequence Analysis ; Skin ; Trichophyton

Organophosphate fungicides include edifenphos, iprobenfos and tolclofos-methyl. Edifenphos inhibits cell wall synthesis by reduction in chitin synthase activity and inhibits the action of acetylcholinesterase. Thus, exposure to this chemical results in excessive salivation, lacrimation, urination, defecation, gastrointestinal motility and emesis symptoms, just like other organophosphate insecticides. Although edifenphos is an organophosphate fungicide, it is the only agricultural chemical which inhibits the action of pralidoxime and atropine, an activity which in turn, inhibits treatment. Thus, we have to treat these cases as soon as possible with atropine and pralidoxime, using the same approach as used for exposure to other organophosphate insecticides. In this report we evaluate the results of treatment of 4 patients who were intoxicated by fungicides (3 cases with edifenphos and 1 case with iprobenfos).
Acetylcholinesterase ; Atropine ; Cell Wall ; Chitin Synthase ; Defecation ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; Humans ; Insecticides ; Organothiophosphorus Compounds ; Pralidoxime Compounds ; Salivation ; Urination ; Vomiting

The filamentous Ascomycota Colletotrichum gloeosporioides sensu lato is a fungus that has been reported worldwide as a causal agent of anthracnose disease in avocado and other crops. In Mexico, this species affects fruits from an early stage of development in the orchard until the post-harvest stage. Although fungicides are continuously applied to control Colletotrichum species, pericarp cankers and soft rot mesocarp in fruits are still frequently observed. Considering the lack of a precise description of the causative agent, the aim of the current study was to determine the pathogens involved in this symptomatology. Twenty-four isolates were consistently obtained from the pericarp of avocado fruits cv. “Hass” collected in the central avocado-producing area of Mexico. Morphological features such as colony growth, conidia size, and mycelial appressorium were assessed. Bayesian multilocus phylogenetic analyses were performed using amplified sequences of the internal transcribed spacer region of the nuclear ribosomal DNA; actin, chitin synthase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase partial genes; and APn2-Mat1-2 intergenic spacer and mating type Mat1-2 partial gene from the nine selected isolates. In addition, fruits were inoculated with a conidial suspension and reproducible symptoms confirmed the presence of Colletotrichum fructicola in this area. This pathogenic species can now be added to those previously reported in the country, such as C. acutatum, C. boninense, C. godetiae, C. gloeosporioides, and C. karstii. Disease management programs to reduce the incidence of anthracnose should include C. fructicola to determine its response to fungicides that are routinely applied, considering that the appearance of new species is affecting the commercial quality of the fruits and shifting the original population structure.
Actins ; Ascomycota ; Chitin Synthase ; Colletotrichum* ; Disease Management ; DNA, Ribosomal ; Fruit* ; Fungi ; Incidence ; Mexico ; Oxidoreductases ; Persea* ; Spores, Fungal

We identified a gene for beta-1,3-glucan synthesis (GBG1), a nonessential gene whose disruption alters cell wall synthesis enzyme activities and cell wall composition. This gene was cloned by functional complementation of defects in beta-1,3-glucan synthase activity of the the previously isolated Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutant LP0353, which displays a number of cell wall defects at restrictive temperature. Disruption of the GBG1 gene did not affect cell viability or growth rate, but did cause alterations in cell wall synthesis enzyme activities: reduction of beta-1,3-glucan synthase and chitin synthase III activities as well as increased chitin synthase I and II activities. GBG1 disruption also showed altered cell wall composition as well as susceptibility toward cell wall inhibitors such as Zymolyase, Calcofluor white, and Nikkomycin Z. These results indicate that GBG1 plays a role in cell wall biogenesis in S. cerevisiae
Aminoglycosides ; Benzenesulfonates ; beta-Glucans ; Organelle Biogenesis ; Cell Survival ; Cell Wall ; Chitin Synthase ; Clone Cells ; Complement System Proteins ; Genes, vif ; Humans ; Hydrolases ; Saccharomyces ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae