Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 29 in total

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  1. Chow KS, Ghazali AK, Hoh CC, Mohd-Zainuddin Z
    BMC Res Notes, 2014 Feb 01;7:69.
    PMID: 24484543 DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-7-69
    BACKGROUND: One of the concerns of assembling de novo transcriptomes is determining the amount of read sequences required to ensure a comprehensive coverage of genes expressed in a particular sample. In this report, we describe the use of Illumina paired-end RNA-Seq (PE RNA-Seq) reads from Hevea brasiliensis (rubber tree) bark to devise a transcript mapping approach for the estimation of the read amount needed for deep transcriptome coverage.

    FINDINGS: We optimized the assembly of a Hevea bark transcriptome based on 16 Gb Illumina PE RNA-Seq reads using the Oases assembler across a range of k-mer sizes. We then assessed assembly quality based on transcript N50 length and transcript mapping statistics in relation to (a) known Hevea cDNAs with complete open reading frames, (b) a set of core eukaryotic genes and (c) Hevea genome scaffolds. This was followed by a systematic transcript mapping process where sub-assemblies from a series of incremental amounts of bark transcripts were aligned to transcripts from the entire bark transcriptome assembly. The exercise served to relate read amounts to the degree of transcript mapping level, the latter being an indicator of the coverage of gene transcripts expressed in the sample. As read amounts or datasize increased toward 16 Gb, the number of transcripts mapped to the entire bark assembly approached saturation. A colour matrix was subsequently generated to illustrate sequencing depth requirement in relation to the degree of coverage of total sample transcripts.

    CONCLUSIONS: We devised a procedure, the "transcript mapping saturation test", to estimate the amount of RNA-Seq reads needed for deep coverage of transcriptomes. For Hevea de novo assembly, we propose generating between 5-8 Gb reads, whereby around 90% transcript coverage could be achieved with optimized k-mers and transcript N50 length. The principle behind this methodology may also be applied to other non-model plants, or with reads from other second generation sequencing platforms.

  2. Ho CL, Tan YC, Yeoh KA, Ghazali AK, Yee WY, Hoh CC
    BMC Genomics, 2016;17:66.
    PMID: 26781612 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-016-2368-0
    Basal stem rot (BSR) is a fungal disease in oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) which is caused by hemibiotrophic white rot fungi belonging to the Ganoderma genus. Molecular responses of oil palm to these pathogens are not well known although this information is crucial to strategize effective measures to eradicate BSR. In order to elucidate the molecular interactions between oil palm and G. boninense and its biocontrol fungus Trichoderma harzianum, we compared the root transcriptomes of untreated oil palm seedlings with those inoculated with G. boninense and T. harzianum, respectively.
  3. Ghazali AK, Eng SA, Khoo JS, Teoh S, Hoh CC, Nathan S
    Microb Genom, 2021 02;7(2).
    PMID: 33565959 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000527
    Burkholderia pseudomallei, a soil-dwelling Gram-negative bacterium, is the causative agent of the endemic tropical disease melioidosis. Clinical manifestations of B. pseudomallei infection range from acute or chronic localized infection in a single organ to fulminant septicaemia in multiple organs. The diverse clinical manifestations are attributed to various factors, including the genome plasticity across B. pseudomallei strains. We previously characterized B. pseudomallei strains isolated in Malaysia and noted different levels of virulence in model hosts. We hypothesized that the difference in virulence might be a result of variance at the genome level. In this study, we sequenced and assembled four Malaysian clinical B. pseudomallei isolates, UKMR15, UKMPMC2000, UKMD286 and UKMH10. Phylogenomic analysis showed that Malaysian subclades emerged from the Asian subclade, suggesting that the Malaysian strains originated from the Asian region. Interestingly, the low-virulence strain, UKMH10, was the most distantly related compared to the other Malaysian isolates. Genomic island (GI) prediction analysis identified a new island of 23 kb, GI9c, which is present in B. pseudomallei and Burkholderia mallei, but not Burkholderia thailandensis. Genes encoding known B. pseudomallei virulence factors were present across all four genomes, but comparative analysis of the total gene content across the Malaysian strains identified 104 genes that are absent in UKMH10. We propose that these genes may encode novel virulence factors, which may explain the reduced virulence of this strain. Further investigation on the identity and role of these 104 proteins may aid in understanding B. pseudomallei pathogenicity to guide the design of new therapeutics for treating melioidosis.
  4. Wong YC, Naeem R, Abd El Ghany M, Hoh CC, Pain A, Nathan S
    Front Cell Infect Microbiol, 2022;12:1062682.
    PMID: 36619746 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1062682
    INTRODUCTION: Burkholderia pseudomallei, a soil-dwelling microbe that infects humans and animals is the cause of the fatal disease melioidosis. The molecular mechanisms that underlie B. pseudomallei's versatility to survive within a broad range of environments are still not well defined.

    METHODS: We used the genome-wide screening tool TraDIS (Transposon Directed Insertion-site Sequencing) to identify B. pseudomallei essential genes. Transposon-flanking regions were sequenced and gene essentiality was assessed based on the frequency of transposon insertions within each gene. Transposon mutants were grown in LB and M9 minimal medium to determine conditionally essential genes required for growth under laboratory conditions. The Caenorhabditis elegans infection model was used to assess genes associated with in vivo B. pseudomallei survival. Transposon mutants were fed to the worms, recovered from worm intestines, and sequenced. Two selected mutants were constructed and evaluated for the bacteria's ability to survive and proliferate in the nematode intestinal lumen.

    RESULTS: Approximately 500,000 transposon-insertion mutants of B. pseudomallei strain R15 were generated. A total of 848,811 unique transposon insertion sites were identified in the B. pseudomallei R15 genome and 492 genes carrying low insertion frequencies were predicted to be essential. A total of 96 genes specifically required to support growth under nutrient-depleted conditions were identified. Genes most likely to be involved in B. pseudomallei survival and adaptation in the C. elegans intestinal lumen, were identified. When compared to wild type B. pseudomallei, a Tn5 mutant of bpsl2988 exhibited reduced survival in the worm intestine, was attenuated in C. elegans killing and showed decreased colonization in the organs of infected mice.

    DISCUSSION: The B. pseudomallei conditional essential proteins should provide further insights into the bacteria's niche adaptation, pathogenesis, and virulence.

  5. Ghazali AK, Firdaus-Raih M, Uthaya Kumar A, Lee WK, Hoh CC, Nathan S
    Microbiol Spectr, 2023 Mar 01;11(2):e0383522.
    PMID: 36856434 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03835-22
    Burkholderia pseudomallei, a soil and water saprophyte, is responsible for the tropical human disease melioidosis. A hundred years since its discovery, there is still much to learn about B. pseudomallei proteins that are essential for the bacterium's survival in and interaction with the infected host, as well as their roles within the bacterium's natural soil habitat. To address this gap, bacteria grown under conditions mimicking the soil environment were subjected to transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis. A dual RNA-seq approach was used on total RNA from spleens isolated from a B. pseudomallei mouse infection model at 5 days postinfection. Under these conditions, a total of 1,434 bacterial genes were induced, with 959 induced in the soil environment and 475 induced in bacteria residing within the host. Genes encoding metabolism and transporter proteins were induced when the bacteria were present in soil, while virulence factors, metabolism, and bacterial defense mechanisms were upregulated during active infection of mice. On the other hand, capsular polysaccharide and quorum-sensing pathways were inhibited during infection. In addition to virulence factors, reactive oxygen species, heat shock proteins, siderophores, and secondary metabolites were also induced to assist bacterial adaptation and survival in the host. Overall, this study provides crucial insights into the transcriptome-level adaptations which facilitate infection by soil-dwelling B. pseudomallei. Targeting novel therapeutics toward B. pseudomallei proteins required for adaptation provides an alternative treatment strategy given its intrinsic antimicrobial resistance and the absence of a vaccine. IMPORTANCE Burkholderia pseudomallei, a soil-dwelling bacterium, is the causative agent of melioidosis, a fatal infectious disease of humans and animals. The bacterium has a large genome consisting of two chromosomes carrying genes that encode proteins with important roles for survival in diverse environments as well as in the infected host. While a general mechanism of pathogenesis has been proposed, it is not clear which proteins have major roles when the bacteria are in the soil and whether the same proteins are key to successful infection and spread. To address this question, we grew the bacteria in soil medium and then in infected mice. At 5 days postinfection, bacteria were recovered from infected mouse organs and their gene expression was compared against that of bacteria grown in soil medium. The analysis revealed a list of genes expressed under soil growth conditions and a different set of genes encoding proteins which may be important for survival, replication, and dissemination in an infected host. These proteins are a potential resource for understanding the full adaptation mechanism of this pathogen. In the absence of a vaccine for melioidosis and with treatment being reliant on combinatorial antibiotic therapy, these proteins may be ideal targets for designing antimicrobials to treat melioidosis.
  6. Yew SM, Chan CL, Lee KW, Na SL, Tan R, Hoh CC, et al.
    PLoS One, 2014;9(8):e104352.
    PMID: 25098697 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0104352
    Dematiaceous fungi (black fungi) are a heterogeneous group of fungi present in diverse environments worldwide. Many species in this group are known to cause allergic reactions and potentially fatal diseases in humans and animals, especially in tropical and subtropical climates. This study represents the first survey of dematiaceous fungi in Malaysia and provides observations on their diversity as well as in vitro response to antifungal drugs. Seventy-five strains isolated from various clinical specimens were identified by morphology as well as an internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-based phylogenetic analysis. The combined molecular and conventional approach enabled the identification of three classes of the Ascomycota phylum and 16 genera, the most common being Cladosporium, Cochliobolus and Neoscytalidium. Several of the species identified have not been associated before with human infections. Among 8 antifungal agents tested, the azoles posaconazole (96%), voriconazole (90.7%), ketoconazole (86.7%) and itraconazole (85.3%) showed in vitro activity (MIC ≤ 1 µg/mL) to the largest number of strains, followed by anidulafungin (89.3%), caspofungin (74.7%) and amphotericin B (70.7%). Fluconazole appeared to be the least effective with only 10.7% of isolates showing in vitro susceptibility. Overall, almost half (45.3%) of the isolates showed reduced susceptibility (MIC >1 µg/mL) to at least one antifungal agent, and three strains (one Pyrenochaeta unguis-hominis and two Nigrospora oryzae) showed potential multidrug resistance.
  7. Chan CL, Yew SM, Ngeow YF, Na SL, Lee KW, Hoh CC, et al.
    BMC Genomics, 2015 Nov 18;16:966.
    PMID: 26581579 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-015-2200-2
    BACKGROUND: Daldinia eschscholtzii is a wood-inhabiting fungus that causes wood decay under certain conditions. It has a broad host range and produces a large repertoire of potentially bioactive compounds. However, there is no extensive genome analysis on this fungal species.

    RESULTS: Two fungal isolates (UM 1400 and UM 1020) from human specimens were identified as Daldinia eschscholtzii by morphological features and ITS-based phylogenetic analysis. Both genomes were similar in size with 10,822 predicted genes in UM 1400 (35.8 Mb) and 11,120 predicted genes in UM 1020 (35.5 Mb). A total of 751 gene families were shared among both UM isolates, including gene families associated with fungus-host interactions. In the CAZyme comparative analysis, both genomes were found to contain arrays of CAZyme related to plant cell wall degradation. Genes encoding secreted peptidases were found in the genomes, which encode for the peptidases involved in the degradation of structural proteins in plant cell wall. In addition, arrays of secondary metabolite backbone genes were identified in both genomes, indicating of their potential to produce bioactive secondary metabolites. Both genomes also contained an abundance of gene encoding signaling components, with three proposed MAPK cascades involved in cell wall integrity, osmoregulation, and mating/filamentation. Besides genomic evidence for degrading capability, both isolates also harbored an array of genes encoding stress response proteins that are potentially significant for adaptation to living in the hostile environments.

    CONCLUSIONS: Our genomic studies provide further information for the biological understanding of the D. eschscholtzii and suggest that these wood-decaying fungi are also equipped for adaptation to adverse environments in the human host.

  8. Tan KK, Tan YC, Chang LY, Lee KW, Nor'e SS, Yee WY, et al.
    J Infect Dev Ctries, 2017 Jun 01;11(5):420-425.
    PMID: 30943180 DOI: 10.3855/jidc.7598
    INTRODUCTION: Currently available tests have limitations for the identification of Brucella species and strains, and their genetic lineage. The genome sequence of the rpoB gene encoding the β-subunit of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase was investigated for its use in genotyping Brucella melitensis.

    METHODOLOGY: Complete rpoB gene sequences of globally distributed Brucella melitensis strains were analyzed. Single nucleotides polymorphisms (SNPs) of the rpoB gene sequences were identified and used to type Brucella melitensis strains.

    RESULTS: Six DNA polymorphisms were identified, of which two (nucleotides 3201 and 558) were novel. Analysis of the geographical distribution of the strains revealed a spatial clustering pattern with rpoB type 1 representing European and American strains, rpoB type 2 representing European, African, and Asian strains, rpoB type 3 representing Mediterranean strains, and rpoB type 4 representing African (C3201T) and European (C3201T/T558A) strains.

    CONCLUSIONS: We report the discovery of two novel SNPs of rpoB gene that can serve as useful markers for epidemiology and geographical tracking of B. melitensis.

  9. Tan IKP, Foong CP, Tan HT, Lim H, Zain NA, Tan YC, et al.
    J Biotechnol, 2020 Apr 10;313:18-28.
    PMID: 32171790 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2020.03.006
    The polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) producing capability of four bacterial strains isolated from Antarctica was reported in a previous study. This study analyzed the PHA synthase genes and the PHA-associated gene clusters from the two antarctic Pseudomonas isolates (UMAB-08 and UMAB-40) and the two antarctic Janthinobacterium isolates (UMAB-56 and UMAB-60) through whole-genome sequence analysis. The Pseudomonas isolates were found to carry PHA synthase genes which fall into two different PHA gene clusters, namely Class I and Class II, which are involved in the biosynthesis of short-chain-length-PHA (SCL-PHA) and medium-chain-length-PHA (MCL-PHA), respectively. On the other hand, the Janthinobacterium isolates carry a Class I and an uncharacterized putative PHA synthase genes. No other gene involved in PHA synthesis was detected in close proximity to the uncharacterized putative PHA synthase gene in the Janthinobacterium isolates, therefore it falls into a separate clade from the ordinary Class I, II, III and IV clades of PHA synthase (PhaC) phylogenetic tree. Multiple sequence alignment showed that the uncharacterized putative PHA synthase gene contains all the highly conserved amino acid residues and the proposed catalytic triad of PHA synthase. PHA biosynthesis and in vitro PhaC enzymatic assay results showed that this uncharacterized putative PHA synthase from Janthinobacterium sp. UMAB-60 is funtional. This report adds new knowledge to the PHA synthase database as we describe scarce information of PHA synthase genes and PHA-associated gene clusters from the antarctic bacterial isolates (extreme and geographically isolated environment) and comparing with those from non-antarctic PHA-producing bacteria.
  10. Leow SS, Lee WK, Khoo JS, Teoh S, Hoh CC, Fairus S, et al.
    Mol Biol Rep, 2020 Dec;47(12):9409-9427.
    PMID: 33222119 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-020-06003-3
    The Nile rat (Arvicanthis niloticus) is a novel diurnal carbohydrate-sensitive rodent useful for studies on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and the metabolic syndrome. Hepatic responses to T2DM and any interventions thereof can be evaluated via transcriptomic gene expression analysis. However, the study of gene expression via real-time reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) requires identification of stably expressed reference genes for accurate normalisation. This study describes the evaluation and identification of stable reference genes in the livers from Control Nile rats as well as those supplemented with Water-Soluble Palm Fruit Extract, which has been previously shown to attenuate T2DM in this animal model. Seven genes identified as having stable expression in RNA-Sequencing transcriptome analysis were chosen for verification using real-time RT-qPCR. Six commonly used reference genes from previous literature and two genes from a previous microarray gene expression study in Nile rats were also evaluated. The expression data of these 15 candidate reference genes were analysed using the RefFinder software which incorporated analyses performed by various algorithms. The Hpd, Pnpla6 and Vpp2 genes were identified as the most stable across the 36 samples tested. Their applicability was demonstrated through the normalisation of the gene expression profiles of two target genes, Cela1 and Lepr. In conclusion, three novel reference genes which can be used for robust normalisation of real-time RT-qPCR data were identified, thereby facilitating future hepatic gene expression studies in the Nile rat.
  11. Toh YF, Yew SM, Chan CL, Na SL, Lee KW, Hoh CC, et al.
    PLoS One, 2016;11(9):e0162095.
    PMID: 27626635 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0162095
    Pyrenochaeta unguis-hominis is a rare human pathogen that causes infection in human skin and nail. P. unguis-hominis has received little attention, and thus, the basic biology and pathogenicity of this fungus is not fully understood. In this study, we performed in-depth analysis of the P. unguis-hominis UM 256 genome that was isolated from the skin scraping of a dermatitis patient. The isolate was identified to species level using a comprehensive multilocus phylogenetic analysis of the genus Pyrenochaeta. The assembled UM 256 genome has a size of 35.5 Mb and encodes 12,545 putative genes, and 0.34% of the assembled genome is predicted transposable elements. Its genomic features propose that the fungus is a heterothallic fungus that encodes a wide array of plant cell wall degrading enzymes, peptidases, and secondary metabolite biosynthetic enzymes. Antifungal drug resistance genes including MDR, CDR, and ERG11/CYP51 were identified in P. unguis-hominis UM 256, which may confer resistance to this fungus. The genome analysis of P. unguis-hominis provides an insight into molecular and genetic basis of the fungal lifestyles, understanding the unrevealed biology of antifungal resistance in this fungus.
  12. Wong YC, Abd El Ghany M, Ghazzali RNM, Yap SJ, Hoh CC, Pain A, et al.
    Front Microbiol, 2018;9:1118.
    PMID: 29896180 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01118
    A Burkholderia cenocepacia infection usually leads to reduced survival and fatal cepacia syndrome in cystic fibrosis patients. The identification of B. cenocepacia essential genes for in vivo survival is key to designing new anti-infectives therapies. We used the Transposon-Directed Insertion Sequencing (TraDIS) approach to identify genes required for B. cenocepacia survival in the model infection host, Caenorhabditis elegans. A B. cenocepacia J2315 transposon pool of ∼500,000 mutants was used to infect C. elegans. We identified 178 genes as crucial for B. cenocepacia survival in the infected nematode. The majority of these genes code for proteins of unknown function, many of which are encoded by the genomic island BcenGI13, while other gene products are involved in nutrient acquisition, general stress responses and LPS O-antigen biosynthesis. Deletion of the glycosyltransferase gene wbxB and a histone-like nucleoid structuring (H-NS) protein-encoding gene (BCAL0154) reduced bacterial accumulation and attenuated virulence in C. elegans. Further analysis using quantitative RT-PCR indicated that BCAL0154 modulates B. cenocepacia pathogenesis via transcriptional regulation of motility-associated genes including fliC, fliG, flhD, and cheB1. This screen has successfully identified genes required for B. cenocepacia survival within the host-associated environment, many of which are potential targets for developing new antimicrobials.
  13. Chow KS, Mat-Isa MN, Bahari A, Ghazali AK, Alias H, Mohd-Zainuddin Z, et al.
    J Exp Bot, 2012 Mar;63(5):1863-71.
    PMID: 22162870 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/err363
    The cytosolic mevalonate (MVA) pathway in Hevea brasiliensis latex is the conventionally accepted pathway which provides isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) for cis-polyisoprene (rubber) biosynthesis. However, the plastidic 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway may be an alternative source of IPP since its more recent discovery in plants. Quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) expression profiles of genes from both pathways in latex showed that subcellular compartmentalization of IPP for cis-polyisoprene synthesis is related to the degree of plastidic carotenoid synthesis. From this, the occurrence of two schemes of IPP partitioning and utilization within one species is proposed whereby the supply of IPP for cis-polyisoprene from the MEP pathway is related to carotenoid production in latex. Subsequently, a set of latex unique gene transcripts was sequenced and assembled and they were then mapped to IPP-requiring pathways. Up to eight such pathways, including cis-polyisoprene biosynthesis, were identified. Our findings on pre- and post-IPP metabolic routes form an important aspect of a pathway knowledge-driven approach to enhancing cis-polyisoprene biosynthesis in transgenic rubber trees.
  14. Kuan CS, Ismail R, Kwan Z, Yew SM, Yeo SK, Chan CL, et al.
    PLoS One, 2016;11(6):e0156119.
    PMID: 27280438 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0156119
    A yeast-like organism was isolated from the skin scraping sample of a stasis dermatitis patient in the Mycology Unit Department of Medical Microbiology, University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The isolate produced no pigment and was not identifiable using chromogenic agar and API 20C AUX. The fungus was identified as Metschnikowia sp. strain UM 1034, which is close to that of Metschnikowia drosophilae based on ITS- and D1/D2 domain-based phylogenetic analysis. However, the physiology of the strain was not associated to M. drosophilae. This pathogen exhibited low sensitivity to all tested azoles, echinocandins, 5-flucytosine and amphotericin B. This study provided insight into Metschnikowia sp. strain UM 1034 phenotype profiles using a Biolog phenotypic microarray (PM). The isolate utilized 373 nutrients of 760 nutrient sources and could adapt to a broad range of osmotic and pH environments. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the isolation of Metschnikowia non-pulcherrima sp. from skin scraping, revealing this rare yeast species as a potential human pathogen that may be misidentified as Candida sp. using conventional methods. Metschnikowia sp. strain UM 1034 can survive in flexible and diverse environments with a generalist lifestyle.
  15. Yew SM, Chan CL, Ngeow YF, Toh YF, Na SL, Lee KW, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2016 05 31;6:27008.
    PMID: 27243961 DOI: 10.1038/srep27008
    Cladosporium sphaerospermum, a dematiaceous saprophytic fungus commonly found in diverse environments, has been reported to cause allergy and other occasional diseases in humans. However, its basic biology and genetic information are largely unexplored. A clinical isolate C. sphaerospermum genome, UM 843, was re-sequenced and combined with previously generated sequences to form a model 26.89 Mb genome containing 9,652 predicted genes. Functional annotation on predicted genes suggests the ability of this fungus to degrade carbohydrate and protein complexes. Several putative peptidases responsible for lung tissue hydrolysis were identified. These genes shared high similarity with the Aspergillus peptidases. The UM 843 genome encodes a wide array of proteins involved in the biosynthesis of melanin, siderophores, cladosins and survival in high salinity environment. In addition, a total of 28 genes were predicted to be associated with allergy. Orthologous gene analysis together with 22 other Dothideomycetes showed genes uniquely present in UM 843 that encode four class 1 hydrophobins which may be allergens specific to Cladosporium. The mRNA of these hydrophobins were detected by RT-PCR. The genomic analysis of UM 843 contributes to the understanding of the biology and allergenicity of this widely-prevalent species.
  16. Kuan CS, Yew SM, Toh YF, Chan CL, Lim SK, Lee KW, et al.
    PLoS One, 2015;10(12):e0145932.
    PMID: 26716988 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0145932
    Peritonitis is the leading complication of peritoneal dialysis, which is primarily caused by bacteria rather than fungi. Peritonitis is responsible for approximately 18% of the infection-related mortality in peritoneal dialysis patients. In this paper, we report the isolation of a rare fungus, Quambalaria cyanescens, from the peritoneal fluid of a man after he switched from continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis to nocturnal intermittent peritoneal dialysis. Based on the morphological examination and multigene phylogeny, the clinical isolate was confirmed as Q. cyanescens. This pathogen exhibited low sensitivity to all tested echinocandins and 5-flucytosine. Interestingly, morphological characterization revealed that Q. cyanescens UM 1095 produced different pigments at low temperatures (25°C and 30°C) on various culture media. It is important to monitor the emergence of this rare fungus as a potential human pathogen in the tropics. This study provides insight into Q. cyanescens UM 1095 phenotype profiles using a Biolog phenotypic microarray (PM). Of the 760 nutrient sources tested, Q. cyanescens UM 1095 utilized 42 compounds, and the fungus can adapt to a broad range of osmotic and acidic environments. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the isolation of Q. cyanescens from peritoneal fluid, revealing this rare fungus as a potential human pathogen that may be misidentified using conventional methods. The detailed morphological, molecular and phenotypic characterization of Q. cyanescens UM 1095 provides the basis for future studies on its biology, lifestyle, and potential pathogenicity.
  17. Yew SM, Chan CL, Soo-Hoo TS, Na SL, Ong SS, Hassan H, et al.
    Genome Announc, 2013;1(3).
    PMID: 23723391 DOI: 10.1128/genomeA.00158-13
    Pyrenochaeta, classified under the order Pleosporales, is known to cause diseases in plants and humans. Here, we report a draft genome sequence of a Pyrenochaeta sp. isolated from a skin scraping, with an estimated genome size of 39.4 Mb. Genes associated with the synthesis of proteases, toxins, plant cell wall degradation, and multidrug resistance were found.
  18. Ng KP, Yew SM, Chan CL, Soo-Hoo TS, Na SL, Hassan H, et al.
    Eukaryotic Cell, 2012 Jun;11(6):828.
    PMID: 22645233 DOI: 10.1128/EC.00133-12
    Pleosporales is the largest order in the fungal class Dothideomycetes. We report the 36,814,818-bp draft genome sequence and gene annotation of UM1110, a Pleosporales isolate associated with unclassified genera that is potentially a new fungal species. Analysis of the genome sequence led to the finding of genes associated with fungal adhesive proteins, secreted proteases, allergens, and pseudohyphal development.
  19. Ng KP, Ngeow YF, Yew SM, Hassan H, Soo-Hoo TS, Na SL, et al.
    Eukaryotic Cell, 2012 May;11(5):703-4.
    PMID: 22544898 DOI: 10.1128/EC.00074-12
    Daldinia eschscholzii is an invasive endophyte that is most commonly found in plant tissues rich in secondary metabolites. We report the draft genome sequence of D. eschscholzii isolated from blood culture. The draft genome is 35,494,957 bp in length, with 42,898,665 reads, 61,449 contigs, and a G+C content of 46.8%. The genome was found to contain a high abundance of genes associated with plant cell wall degradation enzymes, mycotoxin production, and antifungal drug resistance.
  20. Ng KP, Yew SM, Chan CL, Soo-Hoo TS, Na SL, Hassan H, et al.
    Eukaryotic Cell, 2012 May;11(5):705-6.
    PMID: 22544899 DOI: 10.1128/EC.00081-12
    Cladosporium sphaerospermum is one of the most widely distributed allergens causing serious problems in patients with respiratory tract disease. We report the 26,644,473-bp draft genome sequence and gene annotation of C. sphaerospermum UM843. Analysis of the genome sequence led to the finding of genes associated with C. sphaerospermum's melanin biosynthesis, allergens, and antifungal drug resistance.
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