title: Influence of chitosan and its derivatives on cell development and physiology of Ustilago maydis.
abstract: Ustilago maydis, a dimorphic fungus causing corn smut disease, serves as an excellent model to study different aspects of cell development. This study shows the influence of chitosan, oligochitosan and glycol chitosan on cell growth and physiology of U. maydis. These biological macromolecules affected the cell growth of U. maydis. In particular, it was found that chitosan completely inhibited U. maydis growth at 1mg/mL concentration. Microscopic studies revealed swellings on the surface of the cells treated with the polymers, and chitosan caused complete destruction of the membrane and formation of vesicles on the periphery of the cell. Oligochitosan and chitosan caused changes in oxygen consumption, K(+) efflux and H(+)-ATPase activity. Oligochitosan induced a faster consumption of oxygen in the cells, while glycol chitosan provoked slower oxygen consumption. It is noteworthy that chitosan completely inhibited the fungal respiratory activity. The strongest effects were exhibited by chitosan in all evaluated aspects. These findings showed high sensitivity of U. maydis to chitosan and provided evidence for antifungal effects of chitosan derivatives. To our knowledge, this is a first report showing that chitosan and its derivatives affect the cell morphology and physiological processes in U. maydis.
authors.affiliation: Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Departamento de Microbiología, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Col. Sto. Tomas, Del. Miguel Hidalgo CP 11340, México, D.F., Mexico.
authors.forename: Dario Rafael
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Olicón-Hernández
authors.affiliation: Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro de Desarrollo de Productos Bióticos, Laboratorio de Fitopatología, Carreta Yautepec-Jojutla, Km. 6, calle CEPROBI 8, San Isidro, Apartado Postal 24, Yautepec CP 62731, Morelos, Mexico.
authors.forename: Ana N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Hernández-Lauzardo
authors.affiliation: Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica, Circuito Interior S/N, Ciudad Universitaria CP 04510, México, D.F., Mexico.
authors.forename: Juan Pablo
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Pardo
authors.affiliation: Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Departamento de genética molecular, Circuito Exterior S/N, Ciudad Universitaria CP 04510, México, D.F., Mexico.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Peña
authors.affiliation: Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro de Desarrollo de Productos Bióticos, Laboratorio de Fitopatología, Carreta Yautepec-Jojutla, Km. 6, calle CEPROBI 8, San Isidro, Apartado Postal 24, Yautepec CP 62731, Morelos, Mexico.
authors.forename: Miguel G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Velázquez-del Valle
authors.affiliation: Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Departamento de Microbiología, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Col. Sto. Tomas, Del. Miguel Hidalgo CP 11340, México, D.F., Mexico. Electronic address: lupegs@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Guadalupe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Guerra-Sánchez
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002686:Chitin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D048271:Chitosan / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D017136:Ion Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009844:Oligosaccharides; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000187:drug effects; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D014588:Ustilago / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D025262:Vacuolar Proton-Translocating ATPases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D005656:Fungal Proteins; D009844:Oligosaccharides; C118638:glycol-chitosan; C493484:oligochitosan; D002686:Chitin; D048271:Chitosan; D025262:Vacuolar Proton-Translocating ATPases; D011188:Potassium
keywords: Chitosan; Glycol chitosan; Oligochitosan