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Growth media effects on morphology and 17β-HSD activity in the fungusCurvularia lunata

  • Physiology and Metabolism
  • Original Articles
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Abstract

The filamentous fungusCurvularia lunata has enzymatic activities of biotechnological significance. Its 11β-hydroxylase actvity produces hydrocortisone, and its 17-ketosteroid reductase (17β-HSD) activity is important in the production of 17β-hydroxysteroids. We have examined the effects of different media on the 17β-HSD activity, and on the morphology and ultrastructure ofC. lunata in the search for a correlation between high enzymatic activity, morphology and ultrastructure. The highest 17β-HSD activity per dry weight ofC. lunata was seen in Czapek medium, while more product per volume was formed in malt extract broth. In all growth media tested, the highest 17β-HSD activity coincided with the exponential phase of growth. In Czapek broth medium, fungal hyphae formed pellets, while in malt extract and yeast nitrogen base broth media, the fungus formed branched hyphae dispersed throughout the media. Scanning electron microscopy revealed differences in the thickness of hyphal cells; those of the fungus grown in Czapek and yeast nitrogen base media were much thicker than those in malt extract medium. Transmission electron microscopy showed melanized cell walls in the fungus grown in malt extract and Czapek media, but not in yeast nitrogen base medium. Our results show that theC. lunata with the highest 17β-HSD activity grow as dispersed, melanized mycelia with thin hyphae.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, SI 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Tea Lanišnik Rižner

  2. Institute of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, SI 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Rok Romih

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Correspondence to Tea Lanišnik Rižner.

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Lanišnik Rižner, T., Romih, R. Growth media effects on morphology and 17β-HSD activity in the fungusCurvularia lunata . Ann. Microbiol. 57, 635–643 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03175366

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03175366

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