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Growth Phase-Dependent Changes in the Carbohydrate Metabolism of Penicillium Strains from Diverse Temperature Classes in Response to Cold Stress

Summary

This study examined how different fungal strains from cold and warm environments respond to sudden temperature drops. Researchers tracked enzyme activity related to energy production and found that fungi adapted to cold environments handle stress better than warmth-loving fungi. The type of enzyme activity and how old the fungal cells were both affected the response to cold, providing insights that could help predict how disease-causing fungi behave in cold conditions.

Background

Cold stress induces oxidative stress in aerobic organisms through increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Fungi exhibit varying responses to temperature stress depending on their thermal adaptation and growth phase. Limited data exists on carbohydrate metabolism changes in cold-adapted fungi from polar and temperate habitats.

Objective

To investigate metabolic responses to cold stress in three Penicillium strains with different temperature preferences (psychrotolerant Antarctic, mesophilic Antarctic, and temperate mesophilic) during exponential and stationary growth phases. The study aimed to assess enzyme activity changes in glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle pathways.

Results

Cold stress significantly increased enzymatic activities in both glycolytic and TCA cycle pathways, with more pronounced effects at 6°C than 15°C. Mesophilic strains showed greater metabolic response than the psychrotolerant strain. Stationary-phase cells exhibited lower baseline enzyme activities compared to exponential-phase cells, with diminished responses to stress despite increased activity.

Conclusion

Temperature preference and growth phase significantly influence fungal survival under cold-induced oxidative stress. The psychrotolerant Antarctic strain demonstrated enhanced tolerance to low-temperature stress through more efficient metabolic regulation. Findings provide insights into fungal pathogen behavior under cold conditions relevant to agriculture and medicine.
  • Published in:International Journal of Molecular Sciences,
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: 41096577
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