Aspergillus Metabolome Database for Mass Spectrometry Metabolomics

The Aspergillus Metabolome Database is a free online resource to perform metabolite annotation in mass spectrometry studies devoted to the genus Aspergillus. The database was created by retrieving and curating information on 2811 compounds present in 601 different species and subspecies of the genus Aspergillus. A total of 1514 scientific journals where these metabolites are mentioned were added as meta-information linked to their respective compounds in the database. A web service to query the database based on m/z (mass/charge ratio) searches was added to CEU Mass Mediator; these queries can be performed over the Aspergillus database only, or they can also include a user-selectable set of other general metabolomic databases. This functionality is offered via web applications and via RESTful services. Furthermore, the complete content of the database has been made available in .csv files and as a MySQL database to facilitate its integration into third-party tools. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first database and the first service specifically devoted to Aspergillus metabolite annotation based on m/z searches

26th Fungal Genetics Conference at Asilomar

Program and abstracts from the 26th Fungal Genetics Conference, March 15-20, 2011

XXI Fungal Genetics Conference Abstracts

XXI Fungal Genetics Conference Abstract

Proteomic and Metabolomic Characteristics of Extremophilic Fungi Under Simulated Mars Conditions

Filamentous fungi have been associated with extreme habitats, including nuclear power plant accident sites and the International Space Station (ISS). Due to their immense adaptation and phenotypic plasticity capacities, fungi may thrive in what seems like uninhabitable niches. This study is the first report of fungal survival after exposure of monolayers of conidia to simulated Mars conditions (SMC). Conidia of several Chernobyl nuclear accident-associated and ISS-isolated strains were tested for UV-C and SMC sensitivity, which resulted in strain-dependent survival. Strains surviving exposure to SMC for 30 min, ISSFT-021-30 and IMV 00236-30, were further characterized for proteomic, and metabolomic changes. Differential expression of proteins involved in ribosome biogenesis, translation, and carbohydrate metabolic processes was observed. No significant metabolome alterations were revealed. Lastly, ISSFT-021-30 conidia re-exposed to UV-C exhibited enhanced UV-C resistance when compared to the conidia of unexposed ISSFT-021

Program and abstracts from the 24th Fungal Genetics Conference

Abstracts of the plenary and poster sessions from the 24th Fungal Genetics Conference, March 20-25, 2007, Pacific Grove, CA

Abstracts from the 25th Fungal Genetics Conference

Abstracts from the 25th Fungal Genetics Conferenc

Morphological and molecular adaptation of Aspergillus niger to simulated spaceflight and Mars-like conditions

The International Space Station (ISS) is an indoor-closed environment in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Outside of the ISS, radiation is the most challenging factor outside. In turn, inside the ISS, spaceflight microgravity is the one factor that cannot be evaded. Aspergillus niger and Penicillium rubens are two common isolates of the ISS microbiota. As filamentous fungi, they form highly resistant airborne spores that can easily spread and colonize the spacecraft habitat. Fungi surface-associated growth (or biofilm formation), can biodegrade surfaces and clog life-support systems, and their spores can potentially infect the humans on board. In contrast, on Earth filamentous fungi play an important role in biotechnology, producing a widerange of compounds of interest, from food to antibiotics. Because of this, envisioned long-term spaceflight missions going far beyond low Earth orbit, to the Moon or Mars, will require an intensification of the fungal research, not only in relation to astronaut health and spacecraft safety, but also establishing opportunities for fungal-based biotechnology in space. Thus, this thesis aims to answer three main questions: i) can A. niger spores resist space radiation, and if yes, could they endure interplanetary space travel? ii) if brought to the surface of Mars, could A. niger spores survive the martian environment? and iii) how does simulated microgravity affect A. niger colony growth and biofilm formation? In total, four strains of A. niger were analyzed in this thesis: the industrial and highly pigmented wild-type strain (N402), a strain defective in pigmentation (ΔfwnA), a strain defective in DNA repair (ΔkusA), and a strain defective in polar growth (ΔracA). To assess the level of resistance and survival limits of fungal spores in a long-term interplanetary mission scenario, A. niger spores were exposed to high radiation doses of X-rays and cosmic radiation (helium- and iron-ions) and of UV-C radiation. Results show that wild-type spores of A. niger were able to withstand high doses of the all tested types of space radiation. This suggests that A. niger spores might endure space travel, when considering the radiation factor alone. To evaluate the survival of A. niger to Mars surface conditions, dried spores were launched in a stratospheric balloon mission called MARSBOx. Throughout the mission, A. niger spores were exposed to desiccation, simulated martian atmosphere and pressure, as well as to full UV-VIS radiation. Results revealed that the highly pigmented wild-type spores would survive in a Mars-like middle stratosphere environment with radiation exposure, even as a spore monolayer (106 spores/ml), i.e. with no self-shielding. Spore survival to space radiation and martian conditions suggest that current planetary protection guidelines should be revisited integrating the high resistance of fungal spores. Furthermore, A. niger colony growth and biofilm formation under simulated microgravity was investigated. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) pictures reveal never-before seen ultrastructure of A. niger colonies and biofilms (i.e. vegetative mycelium embedded in extracellular matrix). Results reveal changes in biofilm thickness, spore production and dry biomass, suggesting an increased potential for A. niger to colonize spaceflight habitats. Lastly, P. rubens was proven as a model organism for a spaceflight biofilm experiment aboard the International Space Station. Overall, this thesis highlights the extraordinary resistance of fungal spores to extraterrestrial conditions and reveals their ability to cope with spaceflight microgravity. This advocates for future research that will enable better monitoring and controlling of fungal contaminations in space habitats, and that will help establish filamentous fungi as valuable companions of human space exploration.2021-10-2

The relevance of fungi in astrobiology research – Astromycology

Since the very first steps of space exploration, fungi have been recorded as contaminants, hitchhikers, or as part of missions’ crews and payloads. Because fungi can cause human disease and are highly active decomposers, their presence in a space-linked context has been a source of major concern given their possible detrimental effects on crews and space structures. However, fungi can also be beneficial and be used for many space applications. The exact effects on fungi are not always clear as they possess high adaptability and plasticity, and their phenotypes and genotypes can undergo several changes under the extreme conditions found in space, thus leading to different results than those we would have on Earth. Understanding and analysing these aspects is the subject of astromycology, a research field within astrobiology. The impending situation of a resurgent space race is expected to boost astromycology’s visibility and importance. However, researchers lack both a framework and a solid base of knowledge from which to contextualise their work. This critical review addresses this gap by conceptualising the field of astromycology, covering key research and current questions pertaining to the field, and providing a relevant research instrument for future work

XXIII Fungal Genetics Conference

Program and abstracts from the 23rd Fungal Genetics Conference and Poster Abstracts at Asilomar, March 15-20, 200

Characterization and regulation of biosynthetic gene clusters in Aspergillus niger

Fungi produce a broad range of secondary metabolites with various bioactivities that have allowed them to be used as antibiotics and pharmaceutical drugs. The genes encoding secondary metabolites are commonly organized contiguously into biosynthetic gene clusters. The close spacing of functionally related genes facilitates the identification of multiple parts of a secondary metabolite pathway, its regulation, and provides the possibility of discovering novel bioactive compounds. However, (i) the function of each genes within biosynthetic gene cluster is often not well defined, (ii) the regulation of gene clusters is very complex and, so far, remains mostly uncharacterized. Herein, three Aspergillus niger gene clusters were investigated. The transcriptional regulation of two clusters thought to be involved in malformins production and one unknown cluster not associated with any metabolites, was studied. The overexpression of transcription factors and knocked out of backbone enzymes were done by gene replacement. The production of malformins and others secondary metabolites was assessed by comparative metabolomics and transcriptomics using mass spectrometry and RNA-sequencing, respectively