Conservation of cytoplasmic organization in the cystidia ofSuillusspecies

Abstract

Cystidia of Suillus americanus and S. granulatus (Boletales) were examined cytochemically and ultrastructurally with cells prepared by freeze substitution. We present the first study showing ultrastructural details and cytological functions of the cystidium to be conserved in two closely related species. The results are presented for inclusion in the AFTOL Structural and Biochemical Database <http://aftol.umn.edu> to aid in the application of morphological characters to phylogenetic studies. The cystidia of these Suillus species appear to be united by a series of conserved characters, including specialized secretion mechanisms, smooth tubular endoplasmic reticulum and abundant free ribosomes. The conservation of these subcellular traits among members of this genus suggests that ultrastructural details of cystidia may provide a suite of phylogenetically informative characters. Inclusion of such characters in phylogenetic analyses might resolve or provide support for monophyletic groups at the level of family or genus.

Colocalization of Amanitin and a Candidate Toxin-Processing Prolyl Oligopeptidase in Amanita Basidiocarps

“…Besides the amatoxins and phallotoxins, examples of biologically active molecules from mushrooms include psilocybin, lovastatin, muscarine, ibotenic acid, muscimol, strobilurins, pleuromutilin, and illudins (1,27). Specialized mushroom structures known or suspected to contain toxic compounds include cystidia in genera such as Inocybe, Russula, and Strobilurus, which are poisonous to mammals or insects (13,15,17,23). Conocybe apala, which makes phalloidin, has specialized secretory cells that are toxic to nematodes (12).…”

Systematics and Evolution

“…Specialized cell types, such as cystidia and paraphyses, are also potential sources of characters, but homoplasy may be a problem with interpretation at certain taxonomic ranks (Bellemere 1994;Jenkinson et al 2008;Padamsee et al 2008;Pfister and Kimbrough 2001) but are incompletely surveyed. Host-parasite interactions show remarkable structural variations in some fungal groups and have been used for taxonomic purposes (Bauer et al 2001;Bergerow et al 2006).…”