Richard Honour

Richard Honour

Jun 02, 2015

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Toxic Tales

Fungi are a proven valuable resource for the discovery of novel antimicrobial drugs. Enhanced screening and sequencing technologies reveal a high number of cryptic secondary metabolites anticipated to exhibit novel antimicrobial activity. These metabolites are presumed to be epigenetically silenced under laboratory conditions, but may be induced by toxic chemicals. Our investigations address the production of novel antimicrobial agents by natural forest fungi, as induced by targeted sewage sludge toxins. Several antibiotics, as relevant examples, are produced by the Basidiomycota within the kingdom Fungi, including Plectasin, Austrocortilutein, Austrocortirubin, Coprinol, Oudemansin A and Pterulone:

1. Plectasin: An antibiotic from Pseudoplectania nigrella. Preclinical tests show activity against Gram-positive bacteria (Streptococcus and Staphylococcus) that are resistant to all existing antibiotics. Kristensen, HH et al (2010). Plectasin, a Fungal Defensin, Targets the Bacterial Cell Wall Precursor Lipid II. Science 328 (5982): 1168–1172.

2. Austrocortilutein: An antibacterial metabolite found in Dermocybe splendida. Elsworth C, Gill M, Saubern S (2000). Biosynthesis of tetrahydroanthraquinones in fungi. Phytochemistry 55 (1): 23–7.

3. Austrocortirubin: An antibacterial metabolite found in Dermocybe splendida. Beattie KD, Rouf R, Gander L, May TW, Ratkowsky D, Donner CD et al. (2010). Antibacterial metabolites from Australian macrofungi from the genus Cortinarius. Phytochemistry 71 (8-9): 948–55.

4. Coprinol: An antibiotic isolated from Coprinus spp. Z Naturforsch C. 2001 Jan-Feb;56(1-2):31-4. Coprinol, a new antibiotic cuparane from Coprinus spp. Johansson M, Sterner O, Labischinski H, Anke T.

5. Oudemansin A: An antibiotic made by Collybia spp. Production of antibiotics by Collybia nivalis, Omphalotus olearis, Favolaschia spp. and Pterula spp. on natural substrates. Z. Naturforsch., C, J. Biosci. 53 (5-6): 318–24. 1998.

6. Pterulone: A fungal metabolite isolated from the mycelium and liquid cultures of wood-decay fungi in the genus Pterula. Engler M, Anke T, Sterner O, Brandt U. (1997). Pterulinic acid and Pterulone, two novel inhibitors of NADH ubiquinone oxidoreductase produced by Pterula spp. I. Production, isolation and biological activities. Journal of Antibiotics 50 (4): 325–9.

We are exploring the few Basidiomycota members that are tolerant of sewage sludge toxins, and that thrive in a harsh, toxic environment, while nearly all other higher fungi are inhibited or perish.

Hypholoma fasiculare, thriving on decaying wood buried in toxic sewage sludge.

Mycena spp. emerging from a sludge-filled stream bed.

Mycena spp. emerging from a forest trail covered in toxic sewage sludge.

One more Basidiomycota member thriving in a sludge-covered forest access trail.

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About This Project

The Precautionary Group

We've discovered a few new mushrooms thriving in this harsh environment of land-disposed sewage sludge in Snoqualmie, Washington. We're testing these mushrooms for new antimicrobial properties. Microbes that survive exposure to toxic sewage sludge engage adaptive mechanisms that transform toxins into secondary metabolites.

Blast off!

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