Absence of mutations associated with resistance to benzimidazole in the beta-tubulin gene of Ascaris suum

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Benzimidazoles are commonly used for the control of veterinary nematodes. Resistance to benzimidazoles has been associated with three single nucleotide polymorphisms in the β-tubulin gene of common nematodes. However, these mutations are infrequent in the genus Ascaris spp. METHODS: In order to determine mutations associated with benzimidazole resistance in Ascaris suum, worms were collected from slaughtered pigs and a partial region of the β-tubulin gene was sequenced. RESULTS: All parasites showed the wildtype genotype for codons 167, 198, and 200 of the β-tubulin gene. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of genetic sequences associated with benzimidazole resistance in A. suum.

The expression of beta-tubulin gene in myelodysplastic syndrome evoluting to leukemia / 中华内科杂志

Objective Based on our previous established cohort of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), we investigated the potential effect of beta-tubulin (TUBB) gene in the transformation of MDS into acute leukemia Methods From our nested case-control study cohort of MDS patients, we chose 11 paired transformed and nontransformed MDS patients.TUBB gene expression was tested by quantitative real-time PCR.TUBB-siRNA transfection was used to down-regulate TUBB gene expression in SKM-1 cell line.The function of TUBB gene in SKM-1 cell line was evaluated by cell proliferation, soft agar clone formation and electron microscope.Results TUBB gene expression in MDS patients in transformed group were significantly higher than that in control group (2.91 ± 0.41 vs 0.90 ± 0.23, P ＜0.01).After TUBB-siRNA transfection, A450/630nm of SKM-1 cells at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h were 0.299 ± 0.045, 0.526 ± 0.034 and 0.652 ± 0.035, respectively, which were significantly decreased than those in negative-siRNA group (0.438 ±0.074, 0.858 ±0.064 and 0.974 ±0.044) (P ＜0.05).Soft agar clone formation in TUBB-siRNA group was (7.0 ±0.2)％, which was significantly reduced than that of negative-siRNA group (25.0 ± 0.2)％ (P ＜ 0.01).Electron microscope showed significant apoptotic signs in TUBB-siRNA group, including vacuoles in cytoplasm and karyorrhexis.Conclusion Our results indicate that TUBB gene may play a role in the transformation of MDS into acute leukemia by affecting the proliferation of malignant clones.

Identification and Characterization of Eurotium rubrum Isolated from Meju in Korea

We isolated and identified a strain of Eurotium rubrum from Meju that has not been reported in Korea. This fungus is yellowish brown; reverse dark brown on CYA and PDA while yellow on 2% MEA at 25degrees C. Cleistothecia are first bright yellow and gradually turned brown. Mycerial growth on CYA attained a diameter of 30 mm at 20degrees C, 37 mm at 25degrees C and 32 mm at 30degrees C after 15 days. The isolate grew slower on 2% MEA (< 20 mm 15 days at 25degrees C) compared to CYA and PDA (< 40 mm 15 days at 25degrees C). Cleistothecia are superficial, yellow to light brown, globose to subglobose, 40~75 microm in diameter. Asci are 8-spored and globose to subglobose 8~11 microm. Ascospores are disciform, 4.0~5.0 microm in length and 4.2~4.5 microm in width. Conidia are ovate or bacillar, finely roughened to densely spinulose, 4.6~6.0 microm in length and 3.0~4.3 microm in width. Compared to known Eurotium rubrum, the Korean isolate showed 99% sequence similarity in ITS rDNA (554 bp) and calmodulin (750 bp) gene and 100% in beta-tubulin (1016 bp) gene. The E. rubrum isolate also had weak beta-glucosidase and protease activities.

Characterization of a Sapstaining Fungus, Ophiostoma floccosum, Isolated from the Sapwood of Pinus thunbergii in Korea

An Ophiostoma fungus was isolated from a stump of Pinus thunbergii in a forest on the West coast of Korea. Microscopic analysis using a light microscope, a stereo microscope, and a scanning electron microscope revealed that it had morphological features of Pesotum and Sporothix synanarmorphs. Based on the beta-tubulin gene sequence analysis, the fungus was identified as the anamorph of Ophiostoma floccosum. Mycological properties of the species including its growth properties on different culture media were described.

Two Species of Penicillium Associated with Blue Mold of Yam in Korea

During 2007 survey of post-harvest diseases of yam performed in May and June, severe tuber loss caused by blue mold was observed in Iksan, Cheonbuk Province. Two species of Penicillium were isolated from the infected tubers. Based on beta-tubulin gene sequence analysis, and cultural and morphological characteristics, the isolates were identified as Penicillium sclerotigenum and P. polonicum. P. sclerotigenum, which is a novel to Korea, is presently described and illustrated.

Six Species of Penicillium Associated with Blue Mold of Grape

Grape fruits with blue mold symptoms were collected from house storages in different locations in Korea and were investigated for their association with Penicillium species. A total of 12 isolates of Penicillium were isolated from the collected fruits. Based on morphological and cultural characteristics and beta-tublin gene sequence data analysis, they were identified as P. bialowiezense, P. citrinum, P. echinulatum, P. expansum, P. solitum and unidentified Penicillium species. P. solitum was the predominant followed by P. expansum. P. bialowiezense and P. echinulatum were newly recorded in Korea. beta-Tubulin gene sequences could be used to distinguish each species of Penicillium and the molecular groups were correlated well with the morphological species. The unidentified species was supposed to be a new species, not previously reported in literature.

Two New Records of Penicillium Associated with Blue Moldy Bulbs of Lily in Korea

Two new records of Penicillium from blue moldy bulbs of lily are reported in Korea. The Korean isolates of P. albocoremium (Frisvad) Frisvad and P. tulipae Overy and Frisvad were phylogenetically identical to the reference species based on DNA sequence of the beta-tubulin gene. P. albocoremium and P. tulipae are described and illustrated.

First Report of Penicillium brasilianum and P. daleae Isolated from Soil in Korea

In this study, a total of 300 isolates of Penicillium and related teleomorphic genera were collected from soils of 17 locations in Korea from April to May, 2004. Ninety four isolates were identified as the species of Penicillium subgenus Furcatum based on cultural and morphological characteristics and beta-tubulin gene sequences. Among the species, Korean isolates of P. brasilianum Bat. and P. daleae K. M. Zalessky were phylogenetically identical to the reference species based on DNA sequence of the beta-tubulin gene. Here we described and illustrated P. brasilianum and P. daleae that are new in Korea.