mTORC2/Rictor is essential for coelomocyte endocytosis in Apostichopus japonicus.

Endocytosis plays an important role in the immune defence systems of invertebrates through the interaction between the mechanical target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2) and the AGC kinase family. Rictor is the most important unique subunit protein of mTORC2 and is thought to regulate almost all functions of mTORC2, including endocytosis. In the present study, a novel invertebrate Rictor homologue was identified from Apostichopus japonicus (designated as AjRictor) via the rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). Spatial expression analysis indicated that AjRictor is ubiquitously expressed in all the examined tissues and has the highest transcript level in coelomocytes. Vibrio splendidus challenge in vivo and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure in vitro could remarkably up-regulate the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of AjRictor compared with the control group. AjRictor knockdown by 0.49- and 0.69-fold resulted in the significant decrease in endocytosis rate by 0.53- (P < 0.01) and 0.59-fold (P < 0.01) in vivo and in vitro compared with the control group, respectively. Similarly, the treatment of coelomocytes with rapamycin for 24 h and the destruction of the assembly of mTORC2 markedly decreased the endocytosis rate of the coelomocytes by 35.92% (P < 0.05). We detected the expression levels of endocytosis-related molecular markers after AjRictor knockdown and rapamycin treatment to further study the molecular mechanism between mTORC2 and endocytosis. Our results showed that AGC kinase family members (PKCα and Pan1) and the phosphorylation level of AktS473 were remarkably decreased after reducing mTORC2 activity; thus, mTORC2/Rictor plays a key role in the immune regulation of endocytosis in coelomocytes. Our current study indicates that mTORC2/Rictor is involved in the coelomocyte endocytosis of sea cucumber and plays an essential regulation role in defending pathogen invasion.

Atividade antifúngica de extratos de Momordica charantia L. sobre Colletotrichum musae / Antifungal activity of Momordica charantia L. extracts against Colletotrichum musae

Os objetivos do presente trabalho foram avaliar os efeitos de extratos de Momordica charantia sobre o crescimento micelial e a germinação de conídios de Colletotrichum musae, e a eficiência destes extratos no controle da antracnose, causada por C. musae, em bananas. Extratos aquoso e hidroetanólico, obtidos de folhas e ramos, na concentração de 50 por cento em relação ao volume adicionado, em meio sólido, proporcionaram 71 e 65 por cento de inibição do crescimento micelial, respectivamente, enquanto que em meio líquido, a inibição do crescimento micelial foi de 86 e 81 por cento, respectivamente. Somente o extrato aquoso e o tiofanato metílico, nas concentrações de 50 por cento e 1000 µg mL-1 respectivamente, proporcionaram 100 por cento de inibição da germinação de esporos de C. musae. Os extratos metanólico e aquoso inibiram em 80 e 70 por cento, respectivamente, o desenvolvimento das lesões em bananas, quando aplicados até dois dias antes da inoculação do fungo. Estes resultados foram semelhantes ao tratamento com tiofanato metílico, que inibiu 80 por cento do desenvolvimento das lesões. Confirma-se a presença de substância antifúngica nos extratos de M. charantia e outros estudos devem ser realizados para viabilizar seu uso no controle da antracnose da banana.

The aims of the present work were to evaluate the effects of Momordica charantia extracts on mycelial growth and conidial germination of Colletotrichum musae, as well as the efficiency of these extracts in controlling anthracnose caused by C. musae in bananas. Water and hydroethanol extracts were obtained from leaves and branches at 50 percent concentration relative to the added volume. In solid medium, extracts led to 71 and 65 percent mycelial growth inhibition, respectively, whereas in liquid medium the mycelial growth was inhibited at 86 and 81 percent, respectively. Only water extract and thiophanate-methyl, at 50 percent and 1000 µg mL-1, respectively, resulted in 100 percent inhibition of C. musae spore germination. Methanol and water extracts inhibited by 80 and 70 percent, respectively, the development of lesions in bananas when applied until two days before fungal inoculation. These results were similar to those of the treatment with thiophanate-methyl, which inhibited 80 percent development of lesions. The presence of antifungal substance was confirmed in M. charantia extracts. Future studies must be performed to make its use viable for the control of anthracnose in bananas.

Bilateral thalamic necrosis following ingestion of ridge gourd infested with coelomycete fungi (Diplodia).

Bilateral thalamic lesions detected on magnetic resonance imaging have a wide differential diagnosis. This report describes a previously healthy young man who developed bilateral thalamic necrosis with seizures, vomiting, hepatitis, neutrophilic leukocytosis and metabolic acidosis following consumption of raw dried fruits of the ridge gourd plant (Luffa acutangula) prescribed by a traditional medicine practitioner. These fruits were subsequently shown to be infested with spores and conidiomata of Diplodia, a coelomycete fungus known to cause neurotoxicity in farm animals. The patient made a partial recovery with supportive care, and has persistent deficits consistent with bilateral medial thalamic damage. This is the first report of neurological toxicity attributable to Diplodia in humans, and this entity should be considered in the differential diagnosis of bilateral thalamic lesions in the appropriate clinical setting.