[8] Mucor circinelloides was found to be able to produce 3-nitropropionic acid as well as have low cytotoxicity. 1980). Morphology and taxonomy The dimorphic form of the species mainly exists and grows vegetatively as either a filamentous hyphae (mould form) or as spherical yeast (yeast form). These molds live throughout the environment. The dimorphic Mucor circinelloides requires an anaerobic atmosphere and the presence of 30% CO 2 to grow as a multipolar budding yeast, otherwise hyphal growth predominates. Nowadays, Mucor circinelloides lipids have gained a special attention because they can be easily converted into biodiesel, suggesting that Mucor biomass could be an alternative to plant oils as a feedstock for biodiesel production. The sporangia contain the entire columella and spores that are mucus bound. [2] Colonies also fill up the entire Petri dish of malt extract agar, producing colony colours similar to those observed on CYA. We use cookies to help provide and enhance our service and tailor content and ads. Mucormycosis (previously called zygomycosis) is a serious but rare fungal infection caused by a group of molds called mucormycetes. [6], Mucor circinelloides has good growth and sporulation between 5-10 ℃[4][5] and very poor growth at 37 ℃ which is also the maximum growth temperature. [6] Sporangiophores are ellipsoid (6-7 μm in diameter) or subglobose (4-6 μm in diameter). Columellae were subglobose to pyriform and about 35 μm wide. Mucor circinelloides reproduce asexually. Dimorphism is strongly influenced by carbon metabolism, and hence the type of metabolism likely affects fungus virulence. The identity of the isolate was supported by its microscopic morphology and its ability to convert into yeast forms under anaerobic conditions. [5] In larger sporangia, the membranes are deliquescent, whereas they are persistent in the smaller ones and rupture at maturity. 1969, Schipper 1978, Domsch et al. [6] On Czapek Yeast Autolysate (CYA) plates, the colony growth is low and sparse, most often spreading across the entire Petri dish. Environmental factors determine the morphology the organism will assume. As well as being ubiquitous in nature and a common laboratory contaminant, Mucor spp. 1A). [3], Mucor circinelloides is one of the common species in the genus Mucor. Sporangiospores were hyaline and ellipsoidal to obovoidal and measured 4.0 to 7.0 μm in length and 3.5 to 5.0 μm in width. [3] The length and number of tall sporangiophores decrease with lower temperatures. in zygomycete fungi, a mutant of Mucor circinelloides was generated that lacks pkaR1, one of the regulatory subunits of PKA. It has a worldwide distribution, found mostly in soil, dung and root vegetables. janssenii. By continuing you agree to the use of cookies. [6], Mucor circinelloides is potentially a rich source of antioxidants and other secondary metabolites which could be used in the development of nutraceuticals and natural antioxidants. Maximum biomass levels and the specific growth rate decreased at elevated levels of ergosterol and Tween 80. Expression analysis during the dimorphic shift and colony morphology suggested a role for PKAR in the control of morphology and branching. [2], Mucor circinelloides is considered an emerging pathogen, although it has only been associated rarely with very human disease and have been limited to cutaneous infection. Dimorphic M. circinelloides, a zygomycete in the order Mucorales, occurs in a filamentous form or a yeast-like morphology in response to environmental conditions. Possible effects of carbon dioxide and the added fatty acid/sterol mixture on supporting yeast growth by influencing the fluidity of the plasma membrane or affecting polarised growth are discussed. Microscopic morphology of Mucor circinelloides on PDA after 6 days at 30°C, showing sporangium (white arrow), sporangiospores (black arrowhead), and chlamydospores produced singly and in short chains (black arrows). However, the virulence characteristics of this pathogen have not been fully elucidated. [6], Mucor circinelloides reproduce asexually. The typical morphological characteristics of the genus Mucor are illustrated in Figure 1. Microscopic morphology of Mucor circinelloides on PDA after 6 days at 30°C, showing sporangium (white arrow), sporangiospores (black arrowhead), and chlamydospores produced singly and in short chains (black arrows). [3][4] Ketoacidotic patients are particularly at risk for infection by M. [4] M. circinelloides is one of the five most significant fungus out of these 20 along with M. hiemalis, M. piriformis, M. plumbeus and M. Their impact on growth and morphological development was assessed at a range of concentrations. [7] Numerous chlamydospores are also produced. In this work, we identified four ADP-ribosylation factor (Arf)-encoding genes (arf1–arf4) and study their role in the morphogenesis and virulence. Recently, advances were made in transformation of Mucor, and it has become possible to transform M. circinelloides to express heterologous proteins. However, only a few thermotolerant species are of medical importance and human infections are only rarely reported. Sporangiophores were either long and erect or short with slightly recurved (circinate) lateral branches, characterizing the species as Mucor circinelloides (Fig. Calcineurin is a conserved virulence factor in many pathogenic fungi, and calcineurin inhibition or deletion of the calcineurin regulatory subunit (CnbR) in Mucor results in a shift … The Mucor circinelloides pkaR and pkaC genes, encoding the regulatory (PKAR) and catalytic (PKAC) subunit of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA), have been cloned recently. 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