Fungus punches its way in
Article Abstract:
It has been possible to use an optical method to measure the forces produced by a single appressorium. This research supports earlier predictions about the magnitude of the appressorium's invasive force. It is known that the appressorium obtains its invasive force from its turgor pressure, which has been measured by incubating appressoria in solutions of increasing osmolality until they deflate to atmospheric pressure. There is still uncertainty about some aspects of the mechanical interaction between the appressorium and resistant surfaces.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1999
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Pathogenic fungus harbours endosymbic bacteria for toxin production
Article Abstract:
A demonstration that rhizoxin is not biosynthesized by the fungus itself, but by endosymbiotic, that is, intracellular living, bacteria of the genus Burkhloderia is presented. The findings unveil a remarkably complex symbiotic-pathogenic relationship that extends the fungus-plant interaction to a third, bacterial, key-player, and opens new perspectives for pest control.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 2005
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Autocatalytic cleavage of Clostridium difficile toxin B
Article Abstract:
Clostridium difficile bacterial toxin uses eukaryotic signals for induced autoproteolysis to deliver its toxic domain into the cytosol of target cells. It is suggested that toxin B is cleaved by a cytosolic factor of the eukaryotic target cell during its cellular uptake, which is an autocatalytic process dependent on the host cytosolic inositolphosphate cofactors.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 2007
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