Implications of cysteine metabolism in the heavy metal response in Trichoderma harzianum and in three Fusarium species
We studied the ability of four different fungal species, Trichoderma harzianum, Fusarium antophyllum, Fusarium compactum and Fusarium phyllophilum, to grow in the presence of heavy metals, and monitored their cysteine and glutathione content and the activity of O-acetylserine(thiol)lyase (OASTL), which is involved in cysteine biosynthesis. Zn and Pb did not affect fungal growth or sporulation at the concentrations used, whereas Cd and Hg did. In most cases, cysteine and glutathione content was higher when fungi were grown in the presence of toxic metals. As T. harzianum and F. phyllophilum presented the best growth rate on Cd and Hg, they were selected to further analyse the accumulation of…
Autophagy
In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide…