Mycosporines in carotenogenic yeasts

DIEGO LIBKIND,; RUBEN SOMMARUGA,; HORACIO ZAGARESE; ROSA GIRAUDO, MARÍA

SYSTEMATIC AND APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY

Año: 2005 vol. 28 p. 749 - 754

0723-2020

ABSTRACT: We assessed the ability to produce mycosporines (MYCs) in 157 pigmented yeast strains (8 genera, 25 species) isolated from natural environments of Patagonia (Argentina). The strains belonged to four taxonomic groups: the Sporidiobolales and Erythrobasidium clade of the class Urediniomycetes, and Cystofilobasidiales and Tremellales of the class Hymenomycetes. Induction of mycosporines did not occur in all yeast strains tested and appeared to be an exclusive trait of members of the Erythrobasidium clade and Tremellales. This is the first report on production of MYCs by pigmented yeast species from the latter group, as well as the first extensive screening of mycosporinogenic yeasts. The consistent occurrence of MYCs in some specific phylogenetic groups suggests this trait bears evolutionary significance and that the presence/absence of MYC may have potential applications in yeast systematics.