Fungi have provided us with life-changing small bioactive molecules, with the best-known examples being the first broad-spectrum antibiotic penicillin, immunosuppressive cyclosporine, and cholesterol-lowering statins. Since the 1980s, exploration of chemical diversity in nature has been highly reduced.
A standard draft genome sequence of the white rot saprotrophic fungus Trametes hirsuta 072 (Basidiomycota, Polyporales) is presented. The genome sequence contains about 33.6 Mb assembled in 141 scaffolds with a G+C content of ~57.6%. The draft genome annotation predicts 14,598 putative protein-coding open reading frames (ORFs).
Fungi are rich in complexes of cryptic species that need a combination of different approaches to be delimited, including genomic information. Beauveria (Cordycipitaceae, Hypocreales) is a well-known genus of entomopathogenic fungi, used as a biocontrol agent. In this study we present a polyphasic taxonomy regarding two widely distributed complexes of Beauveria: B. asiatica and B. bassiana s.lat. Some of the genetic groups as previously detected within both taxa were either confirmed or fused using population genomics. High levels of divergence were found between two clades in B. asiatica and among three clades in B. bassiana, supporting their subdivision as distinct species. Morphological examination focusing on the width and the length of phialides and conidia showed no difference among the clades within B. bassiana while conidial length was significantly different among clades within B. asiatica. The secondary metabolite profiles obtained by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) allowed a distinction between B. asiatica and B. bassiana, but not between the clades therein. Based on these genomic, morphological, chemical data, we proposed a clade of B. asiatica as a new species, named B. thailandica, and two clades of B. bassiana to respectively represent B. namnaoensis and B. neobassiana spp. nov. Such closely related but divergent species with different host ranges have potential to elucidate the evolution of host specificity, with potential biocontrol application.
One of the most important representatives of the cytokine family is the transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF beta 1). The purpose of the review is to study the biological role and clinical significance of TGF beta 1. Using PubMed databases, eLIBRARY, Google Scholar, keywords “cytokines”, “TGF beta 1” found 25,518 sources, 50 selected for analysis. TGF beta 1 is a polyvalent cytokine first isolated from platelets in the 1990s.TGF beta 1 belongs to the family of dimeric polypeptides with a molecular weight of 25 kDa. The gene encoding TGF beta 1 is found in humans on chromosome 19. TGF beta 1 has a pleiotropic effect on the proliferation and differentiation of a wide range of cells, and therefore regulates many physiologic and pathophysiologic processes: immune response, apoptosis, fibrogenesis, and carcinogenesis. TGF beta 1 has an effect on almost all organs and tissues. TGF beta 1 is a key marker that can be used in the diagnosis of a number of diseases. It is necessary to further study the role of TGF beta 1 in the pathophysiologic mechanisms of various diseases, as well as in the development of approaches to targeted therapy.
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