Radioadapted Wangiella dermatitdis Senses Radiation in its Environment in a Melanin-dependent Fashion

Publication date: Available online 12 November 2019Source: Fungal BiologyAuthor(s): Mackenzie E. Malo, Connor Frank, Ekaterina DadachovaAbstractBlack fungi have the ability to withstand varied and extreme stresses, in part due to the presence of the pigment melanin. Melanin contributes to increased structural integrity and enhanced resistance to chemical and radiation stress. These advantages impart biological benefit in the form of improved health and fitness, specifically in extreme conditions. Our goal in this study was to exploit the radiation sensing nature of melanized fungus in order to develop a radioadapted strain that would be capable of detecting and responding to radiation in the environment. The protracted exposure of Wangiella dermatitidis, a naturally melanized fungal strain, to a mixed source of radiation resulted in altered electron transport properties not observed in the non-exposed naïve cultures, or in the albino mutant wdpsk1. We then tested the ability of the previously exposed strains to respond to different forms of radiation in their environment, while being shielded from direct exposure to the radiation. The melanized fungus responded to gamma radiation resulting in increased colony growth, but this effect was not improved by previous exposure to radiation. Beta particle radiation had an inhibitory effect on colony growth. The previously exposed strain demonstrated growth stimulation in response to a radiation field generated by alpha particles abo...
Source: Fungal Biology - Category: Biology Source Type: research