Chemotaxis of the amphibian pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and its response to a variety of attractants

Moss, Angela S.; Reddy, Nikla S.; Dortaj, Ida M.; Francisco, Michael J. San

doi:10.3852/mycologia.100.1.1

Cited by 57 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Infectivity of chytrid zoospores was discussed by Canter & Jaworski (1978, indicating light perception by zoospores and inhibition of zoospore attachment to hosts in dark conditions. Chytrid zoospores can also use photosynthesis-related excretion products from their hosts to find or recognize the latter, implying that light can interfere with chemotaxis in determining chytridiomycosis within phytoplankton populations (Moss et al 2008). High nutrient concentrations are favourable for algal growth, and can in turn also enhance the development of parasites (Canter & Lund 1969).…”

Section: Factors That Influence the Development Of Fungal Epidemicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Parasitic fungi of phytoplankton: ecological roles and implications for microbial food webs

Rasconi¹,

Jobard²,

Sime-Ngando³

2011

Aquat. Microb. Ecol.

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Microbial parasites typically are characterized by their small size, short generation time, and high rates of reproduction, with a simple life cycle occurring generally within a single host. They are diverse and ubiquitous in aquatic ecosystems, comprising viruses, prokaryotes, and eukaryotes. Recently, environmental 18S rDNA surveys of microbial eukaryotes have unveiled major infecting agents in pelagic systems, consisting primarily of chytrids (Chytridiomycota). Chytrids are external eucarpic parasites that infect diverse prokaryotic and eukaryotic algae, primarily diatoms and filamentous species. They produce specialized rhizoidal systems within host cells, i.e. the nutrient conveying system for the formation of fruit bodies (sporangia) from which propagules (motile uniflagellated zoospores) are released into the environment. In this review, we summarize the ecological potential of parasites of phytoplankton and infer the implications for food web dynamics. We focus on chytrids, together with other parasitic eukaryotes, with special emphasis on (1) the role of microparasites in driving the structure of phytoplankton communities, (2) the role of chytrid zoospores in matter and energy transfer, and (3) the potential consequences of infections for food web dynamics. We raise the question of genetic potential from host -parasite interactions and also of how environmental factors might affect the host -parasite relationships in the pelagic realm.

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Section: Factors That Influence the Development Of Fungal Epidemicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Parasitic fungi of phytoplankton: ecological roles and implications for microbial food webs

Rasconi¹,

Jobard²,

Sime-Ngando³

2011

Aquat. Microb. Ecol.

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“…This comparison is biologically relevant because both life stages exhibit unique characteristics that could help elucidate disease process. Although zoospores are host-independent, they do exhibit chemotaxis (Moss et al 2008) and are important in initiating the disease cycle. Sporangia are of obvious interest because they are embedded in host tissue and generate additional zoospores, thereby contributing to increased pathogen loads and pathogen transmission.…”

Section: Functional Approachesmentioning

confidence: 99%

A molecular perspective: biology of the emerging pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis

Rosenblum

Fisher

James³

et al. 2009

Dis. Aquat. Org.

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Ten years after the first discovery of the chytrid pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), the catastrophic effect of Bd on wild amphibian populations is indisputable. However, a number of persistent questions remain about Bd's origin and mechanisms of pathogenicity. Here we discuss the promise of genetic and genomic tools for answering these previously intractable questions about the biology and evolutionary history of Bd. Full genomes of 2 Bd strains have recently been sequenced, and Bd research on this species using population genetics, phylogenetics, proteomics, comparative genomics and functional genomics is already underway. We review some of the insights gleaned from the first studies using these genome-scale approaches focusing particularly on Bd's genomic architecture, patterns of global genetic variation, virulence factors and genetic interactions with hosts. Avenues of future research promise to be particularly fruitful and highlight the need for integrative studies that unite genetic, ecological and spatial data in both Bd and its amphibian hosts. KEY WORDS:Genetics · Genomics · Ecological genomics · Pathogenicity · Chytrid · Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis Resale or republication not permitted without written consent of the publisherContribution to DAO Special 4 'Chytridiomycosis: an emerging disease'

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“…Casein is a model substrate that is often used in the study of proteases (North 1982). Our observation that casein serves as an attractant to Bd (Moss et al 2008), as well as the work of Piotrowski et al (2004) that showed that Bd can degrade casein, served as the motivation for using NFDM in this study. Our attempts to study protease activity in Bd using collagen or keratin as substrates did not yield enough material for broad-spectrum analysis of proteases.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 75%

“…The greatest amount of elastase activity was seen when Bd was grown in 1% NFDM over a period of 5 d as compared with H-broth (data not shown). The choice of 1% NFDM was based on previous observations that Bd can degrade casein (Piotrowski et al 2004) and is attracted to casein (Moss et al 2008). Therefore, 5-d-old cultures of Bd grown in 1% NFDM were used for all elastase characterization studies.…”

Section: Assays For Enzymatic Activitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Identification and partial characterization of an elastolytic protease in the amphibian pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis

Moss¹,

Carty²,

Francisco³

2009

Dis. Aquat. Org.

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Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is a fungus that causes chytridiomycosis, a disease that has been implicated as a cause of amphibian population declines worldwide. Infected animals experience hyperkeratosis and sloughing of the epidermis due to penetration of the keratinized tissues by the fungus. These symptoms have led us to postulate that Bd produces proteases that play a role in the infection process. Here, we show that Bd is capable of degrading elastin in vitro, a protein found in the extracellular matrix of the host animal. Elastolytic enzyme activity was partially purified using ion exchange chromatography and size-exclusion filtration from cultures grown in inducing media. The elastolytic activity of the purified fraction had a pH optimum of 8, was strongly inhibited by EDTA and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), and was partially inhibited by an elastasespecific inhibitor. This activity was also enhanced by the presence of Mg 2+ and Ca 2+ but not Zn 2+. An antiserum directed against Aspergillus fumigatus serine protease (Alp) was found to react with a polypeptide of approximately 110 kDa from the purified material. Using immunofluorescence, this antiserum was also observed to react with zoospores and sporangia grown on toad skin. These observations suggest that Bd may produce proteases similar to those produced by other pathogenic fungi that are capable of degrading proteins found in the extracellular matrix. The proteolytic activity exhibited in vitro might aid the organism in its ability to colonize and destroy the epidermis of its amphibian host.

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Chemotaxis of the amphibian pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and its response to a variety of attractants

Cited by 57 publications

References 26 publications

Parasitic fungi of phytoplankton: ecological roles and implications for microbial food webs

Parasitic fungi of phytoplankton: ecological roles and implications for microbial food webs

A molecular perspective: biology of the emerging pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis

Identification and partial characterization of an elastolytic protease in the amphibian pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis

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