Prototheca

One of the first applications of the HPLC method was the investigation of differences in toxin profiles between shellfish species from various localities ( ). It became apparent immediately that there were vast differences in these toxin profiles even among shellfish from the same beach. There were subtle differences between the various shellfish species, and butter clams had a completely different suite of toxins than the other clams and mussels. It was presumed that all of the shellfish fed on the same dinoflagellate population, so there must have been other factors influencing toxin profiles such as differences in toxin uptake, release, or metabolism. These presumptions were strengthened when toxin profiles in the littleneck clam (Prototheca Staminea) were examined. It was found that, in this species, none of the toxin peaks in the HPLC chromatogram had retention times that matched the normal PSP toxins. It was evident that some alteration in toxin structure had occurred that was unique in this particular shellfish species. 

The apochlorotic alga (protozoan) Prototheca zopfli is able to degrade aliphatic hydrocarbons (Walker and Pore 1978 Koenig and Ward 1983). 

Koenig DW, HB Ward (1983) Prototheca zopfii Kruger strain UMK-13 growth on acetate or -alkanes. Appl Environ Microbiol 45 333-336. 

Walker JD, RS Pore (1978) Growth of Prototheca isolates on -hexadecane and mixed-hydrocarbon substrate. Appl Environ Microbiol 35 694-697. 

Coumarin (2H-l-benzopyran-2-one) is a known inhibitor of cellulose formation,355-357 and Hopp and coworkers358 found that, in membranes from the alga Prototheca zopfii, it inhibits the transfer in vitro of the lipid-linked cello-oligosaccharide to its protein acceptor (see Section II,2,b). 

On the basis of these findings, Pont Lezica and co workers341 proposed a scheme, involving glucolipids and a glucoprotein as intermediates, for the biosynthesis of cellulose in Prototheca zopfii this is shown in Scheme 2. 

Scheme 2. —Proposed Scheme for the Reactions Involved in the Synthesis of Cellulose in the Green Alga Prototheca zopfii (After Hopp and Coworkers141). [Abbreviations used are Dol = dolichol, Glc = D-glucose, Dol-P = dolichol phosphate, -P-P = diphosphate, and P, = inorganic phosphate.]...

Chlorophyta (algae) Prototheca zopfii saturated 18-21 c.h., reversed-phase t.I.c." 53... 

Prototheca is a ubiquitous achlorophyllous green alga (fig. 1) that lives on decaying organic matter and exhibits a yeast-like growth pattern. Human infection usually involves the skin and underlying tissues. R wickerhamii (fig. 1) is recovered most often from human specimens, while P. zopfli usually is associated with infections in animals [75]. 

T. beigelii, T. capitatum Cryptococcus neoformans Coccidioides immitis Paracoccidioides brasiliensis Histoplasma capsulatum Torulopsis glabrata Mucor indicus Prototheca wickerhamii Prototheca zopfii... 

Of the many Prototheca species, only P. wickerhamii and P zopfii cause disease in humans. Infection only occurs when the body s defence system is seriously impaired. Liver involvement is rare. In one noteworthy case, a... 

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