A synchrotron FTIR microspectroscopy investigation of fungal hyphae grown under optimal and stressed conditions.
Synchrotron FTIR can provide high spatial resolution (<10 microm pixel size) in situ biochemical analyses of intact biotissues, an area of increasing importance in the post-genomic era, as gene functions and gene networks are coming under direct scrutiny. With this technique, we can simultaneously assess multiple aspects of cell biochemistry and cytoplasmic composition. In this paper, we report the first results of our synchrotron FTIR examination of hyphae of three important fungal model systems, each with sequenced genomes and a wealth of research: Aspergillus, Neurospora, and Rhizopus. We have analyzed the FTIR maps of Aspergillus nidulans cells containing the hypA1 allele, a well-characterized single-gene temperature-sensitive morphogenetic mutation. The hypA1 cells resemble wildtype at 28 degrees C but have growth defects at 42 degrees C. We have also investigated Neurospora and Rhizopus cultures grown in media with optimal or elevated pH. Significant differences between the spectra of the three fungi are likely related to differences in composition and structure. In addition, high spatial resolution synchrotron FTIR spectroscopy provides an outstanding method for monitoring subtle subcellular changes that accompany environmental stress.
Szeghalmi
Adriana
A
Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, 360 Parker Building, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Canada, kmgough@ms.umanitoba.ca.
Kaminskyj
Susan
S
Gough
Kathleen M
KM
D015169:Colony Count, Microbial / Q000379:methods*; D025301:Hyphae / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods*; D016533:Mycological Typing Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology*; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared / Q000379:methods*