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Six species new for science, i.e. Aspicilia pseudoabbasiana, A. pseudovulcanica, A. subepiglypta, A. subgeographica, A. subgoettweigensis, and A. submamillata, are described, illustrated and compared with closely related taxa. A new name Aspicilia abbasiana (for Aspicilia volcanica) and a new combination Rimularia geumodoensis (for Aspicilia geumodoensis) are proposed. Aspicilia cf. pacifi ca, Buellia coniops, Circinaria contorta, C. leprosescens, Lichenostigma bolacinae, Phaeospora peregrina, and Rosellinula fr ustulosae are reported for the fi rst time for Korea. A preliminary key to the identifi cation of aspicilioid taxa in the Eastern Asian region is provided.

Lichens are known to produce a variety of secondary metabolites including polyketides, which have valuable biological activities. Some polyketides are produced solely by lichens. The biosynthesis of these compounds is primarily governed by iterative type I polyketide synthases. Hypogymnia physodes synthesize polyketides such as physodic, physodalic and hydroxyphysodic acid and atranorin, which are non-reducing polyketides. Two novel non-reducing polyketide synthase (PKS) genes were isolated from a fosmid genomic library of a mycobiont of H. physodes using a 409bp fragment corresponding to part of the reductase (R) domain as a probe. H. physodes PKS1 (Hyopks1) and PKS2 (Hypopks2) contain keto synthase (KS), acyl transferase (AT), acyl carrier protein (ACP), methyl transferase (ME) and R domains. Classification based on phylogeny analysis using the translated KS and AT domains demonstrated that Hypopks1 and Hypopks2 are members of the fungal non-reducing PKSs clade III. This is the first report of non-reducing PKSs containing the R domain-mediated release mechanisms in lichens, which are also rare fungal type I PKS in non-lichenized filamentous fungi.

This paper provides a description of Opegrapha herbarum, Opegrapha viridis and Phaeographis subdividens, all newly identified in the Republic of Korea. The characteristic features of O. herbarum include Varia-type asci, Subelevata-type ascospores, a lack of secondary metabolites and a saxicolous habitat. O. viridis possesses Calcarea-type asci, Vulgata-type ascospores and no chemicals in the thallus. P. subdividens is recognizable by its curved to sinuous lirellae, divergent labia, a brown and uniformly thick proper exciple which is open at its base, 3~4-septate ascospores, and lack of secondary metabolites. All three taxa are now reported to exist on Bogil Island in the Republic of Korea.

Detailed descriptions of five species of the lichen genus Canoparmelia Elix & Hale. are presented. Until now, three species of the genus Canoparmelia, including C. apata (Krempelh.) Elix & Hale, C. owariensis (Asah.) Elix, and C. texana (Tuck.) Elix & Hale have been reported in South Korea. Canoparmelia carneopruinata (Zahlbr.) Elix & Hale, C. crozalsiana (de Lesd.) Elix & Hale, and C. ecaperata (Müll. Arg.) Elix & Hale are new to the South Korean lichen flora. An artificial key is provided for all species of Canoparmelia, including the three new records.

Descriptions for 5 Caloplaca species new for science (C. chejuensis S. Y. Kondr. et J.-S. Hur, Caloplaca coreana S. Y. Kondr. et J.-S. Hur, C. galbina S. Y. Kondr. et J.-S. Hur (all from Korea), C. loekoesii S. Y. Kondr. et J.-S. Hur (from Korea and China), and C. safavidiorum S. Y. Kondr. et B. Zarei-Darki (from Iran)), as well as descriptions of 3 rediscovered species (Caloplaca diffluens (Hue) Zahlbr. (from Korea and China), C. multicolor (Hue) S. Y. Kondr. et J.-S. Hur, and C. spodoplaca (Nyl.) Zahlbr. (both from Korea), which were described from Korea and Japan more than one century ago and not recorded from that time), including diagnostic characters important for the present taxonomy of the genus Caloplaca s. l., are provided. The new combination, Caloplaca multicolor (Hue) S. Y. Kondr. et J.-S. Hur (Basionym: Lecidea multicolor Hue), is proposed.

A taxonomic study of the genus Porpidia in western China revealed two species hithertounknown to science, Porpidia squamosa and P. shangrila, along with three new records for the country:P. flavicunda, P. soredizodes and P. thomsonii. Detailed taxonomic descriptions, ecological and chemicalcharacters, and illustrations are provided for the new taxa, and brief taxonomic descriptions providedfor the newly reported taxa. A key to all known Chinese Porpidia species is also provided.Key words: key, saxicolous lichens, taxonomyAccepted for publication 14 April 2012 IntroductionPorpidia Ko¨rb., one of the largest genera seg-regatedfrom Lecidea (Hertel1975),hasbeenwell studied in different parts of the world(Hertel 1975; Gowan 1989; Fryday 2005).Previously only seven species have been re-ported from China (Wei 1991), with mostbeing discovered by Hertel (1977). SinceHertel’s work no further research has beencarried out on the genus in China.Ourstudy wasmainly focused onthewest-ern part of China, which covers nine pro-vinces, Gansu, Guizhou, Ningxia, Qinghai,Shaanxi, Sichuan, Tibet, Yunnan, and Xin-jiang, and one municipality, Chongqing. Itis a region of sunken basins, rolling plateaux,and towering massifs at altitudes varyingfrom less than 500 m to more than 4000 m.The areaincludesfive mainmountainranges:Tianshan, Kunlun, Qilian, Hengduan andHimalaya Mountains; the highest tablelandon Earth is also located in this region.Porpidia specimens were mainly collectedfrom the mountainous regions at an altitudeof more than 1000 m. The first two authorscarried out the field survey, in the most partfrom the mountainous region in south-western China. We also identified many pre-viously unexamined specimens of Porpidialodged in various herbaria in China [HMAS,KUN, SDNU]; these specimens were col-lected from the western part of China. Ourstudies led to the discovery of two new spe-cies, described here in detail, and three newrecords for the Chinese lichen mycota.Materials and Methods

A new species, Lecidella oceanica Lu L. Zhang & Xin Y. Wang, is described here. The new species has been collected from the southwest coast of South Korea and is characterized by small, subimmersed or sessile apothecia, colorless hypothecium and the presence of capistratone, isoarthothelin and thiophanic acid. We also report L. asema is for the first time from South Korea and new localities for L. enteroleucella.

Lobaria (Schreb.) Hoffm is a common foliose lichen genus found on the Korean Peninsula, yet until now, no revision study has been done on this genus. After careful examination of specimens deposited in the Korean Lichen Research Institute (KoLRI), nine distinct species of Lobaria were confirmed. Morphological characteristics such as the presence or absence of isidia, or whether or not the surface was ridged or smooth, and chemical characteristics such as the result of the medulla reaction were of significant importance in the differentiation of species. Here, we provided detailed descriptions together with a key to all the known Korean species.

A total of twenty four lichen species belonging to six families were collected from mountainous region of Nepal. The methanol extracts of each species were tested for antimicrobial and antioxidant activities in vitro . It was found that extracts of twenty one lichen species were active against B. subtilis and seven species were active against S. aureus . Similarly, in DPPH assay, three species Peltigera sp., Cladonia sp., and Canoparmelia sp. showed comparable activity with commercial standard, BHA. In ABTS + assay, extracts of Parmoterma sp., Ramalina sp., Peltigera sp. and Cladonia sp. showed stronger activity than ascorbic acid. The observed data after comparison with previously published reports indicated that the high altitude lichens contain stronger antioxidant and antibacterial constituents. Similarly, the methanol extracts of Heterodermia sp. and Ramalina sp. showed comparable toxicity eff ect with commercial standard berberine chloride indicating a potent source of anticancer drugs.

During a comprehensive study of Cladonia from South Korea, 41 taxa were recognized, including C. dehiscens, C. floerkeana, C. macroptera, and C. rappii var. exilior, new to South Korea. Brief information and discussion are provided for each taxon, together with a key to the taxa recorded from South Korea.

Seven foliicolous species growing in tropical regions of Vietnam are reported as new to the country. Described are Arthonia accolens, Calenia aspidota, Calopadia subcoerulescens, Coenogonium minimum, Fellhanera rhapidophylli, F. semecarpi, and Porina subnitidula. Among them, Coenogonium minimum and Porina subnitidula are reported for the first time from the paleotropics.

Two new species, Lecanora hafelliana L. Lü, Y. Joshi & Hur and L. loekoesii Y. Joshi, L. Lü & Hur, are described as new to science from South Korea and eight species, L. campestris (Schaer.) Hue, L. cenisia Ach., L. nipponica H. Miyaw., L. perplexa Brodo, L. plumosa Müll. Arg., L. polytropa (Hoffm.) Rabenh., L. subrugosa Nyl. and L. sulcata (Hue) H. Miyaw., are recorded from South Korea for the first time. Lecanora hafelliana is characterized by the presence of hafellic acid, which is reported for the first time in this genus, while L. loekoesii is characterized by multispored asci and a thallus containing norstictic acid.

In 1915 Hue described Lecanora (sect. Placodium) aequata growing over quartzite rocks from Busan and the Kangwon Provinces of South Korea. Later Zahlbruckner (1931) transferred it to the genus Caloplaca. Careful examination of syntype material of L. aequata lodged at The Natural History Museum, UK (BM) demonstrates that the species is conspecific with C. cinnabarina (Ach.) Zahlbr. and we henceforth synonymize it with that species.

Pilophorus fruticosus Li S. Wang & Xin Y. Wang is described from south-west China. It is characterized by the presence of densely dichotomously branched, partly decorticated pseudopodetia, and by having single, spherical apothecia on the apices of the pseudopodetia. The species grows on siliceous rocks in alpine regions of the Yunnan Province. A detailed description and illustrations are provided. The new taxon is compared with other Pilophorus species.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the antibacterial activity of lichen-forming fungi (LFF) against Helicobacter pylori, and to optimize the culture conditions of LFF for maximum production of natural antibiotics against H. pylori. To accomplish this, a screening assay was first conducted among 19 species of LFF. The extract of Nephromopsis pallescens (KOLRI-040516) exhibited the strongest anti-ff. pylori activity. Bioautograghic TLC and HPLC analysis identified usnic acid as the main antibacterial substance produced by JV. pallescens. The growth of JV. pallescens and production of antibacterial substances produced by the fungus were then investigated under several culture conditions including the culture media, initial medium pHs, incubation temperatures, and the degree of aeration. The results indicated that culture in MY medium with an initial pH of 6.0, a temperature of 15°C and a low degree of aeration supported the largest usnic acid production of the fungus (16.4 ug usnic acid/g dry biomass). Especially, aeration was found to be an important factor that affect both growth and usnic acid production of N. pallescens.

Usnea longissima has long been used as a traditional medicine in China, India, Turkey, Canada and Europe. This lichen can produce several bioactive compounds that primarily belong to the polyketide family. The enzymes responsible for the production of these compounds are the polyketide synthases, but the biosynthetic processes in lichens are still unclear. In this study, a cultured mycobiont of Usnea longissima was used to isolate and characterize a polyketide synthase gene (UlPKS1). Complete sequence information regarding UlPKS1 (6,468 bp) was obtained by screening a Fosmid genomic library using a 512-bp fragment corresponding to part of the ketosynthase (KS) domain. Sequence analysis of UlPKS1 suggested that it contained features of a non-reducing fungal type I PKS with a starter unit of ACP transacylase (SAT), ketosynthase (KS), product template (PT), acyl carrier protein (ACP) transacylase, acyltransferase (AT) and thioesterase (TE) domain, and had five intervening introns. The domain organization of UlPKS1 (SAT-KS-AT-PT-ACP-ACP-TE) was quite similar to that of aromatic PKSs, and phylogenetic analysis showed that UlPKS1 belonged to the clade of lichenized fungal non-reducing PKS. RT-PCR analyses revealed that the expression of UlPKS1 was down-regulated by glycine and high concentrations of sorbitol, inositol and fructose and up-regulated by sucrose and glucose. Here, we introduce a non-reducing PKS gene in the lichen-forming fungus U. longissima, with a domain structure similar to the structure of orsellinic acid synthase A (OrsA) which is required for orsellinic acid biosynthesis in Aspergillus nidulans.

Bacterial canker was first observed on the kiwifruit cv. ‘Hort16A (Actinidia chinensis)’ in Jeju Province, Korea, in spring 2006. Die back or blight on young canes, often with red-rusty exudation on canes or trunks, and dark brown irregular spots surrounded with yellowish halos on leaves are the typical symptoms. These symptoms closely resemble those caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae on the kiwifruit cv. ‘Hayward (Actinidia deliciosa)’. A sudden outbreak and rapid spread of the bacterial canker resulted in the death of severely infected vines and eradication of completely devastated orchards of the kiwifruit cv. ‘Hort16A’. Contaminated pruning shears and climatic conditions appear to have been responsible for the sudden outbreak and rapid spread of the epidemics on the kiwifruit cv. ‘Hort16A’ vines. The causal bacterium was isolated from diseased vines of the kiwifruit cv. ‘Hort16A’ and identified as P. syringae pv. actinidiae, which is the same bacterial pathogen responsible for cank...

Six new records of foliicolous lichens for Vietnam are described and illustrated. These are: Aderkomyces albostrigosus f. albostrigosus, A. albsostrigosus f. aggregatus, Asterotherium rotuliforme, Byssoloma vanderystii, Fellhanera emarginata and Trichothelium minutum. The species were collected at Thác Dray Sap region (commonly called Dray Sac Waterfall) situated in the Central Highland part of Vietnam.

Eleven species are recognized of which C. bogilana and C. subflavorubescens are described here as new to science while nine species (C. cinnabarina, C. decipiens, C. ferruginea, C. inconspecta, C. pellodella, C. scopularis, C. stantonii, C. squamosa and C. subsoluta) are reported for the first time for South Korea. Both new species are peculiar due to their secondary chemistry; anthraquinones along with atranorin, gyrophoric acid and lecanoric acid in C. bogilana, and gyrophoric acid together with anthraquinones in C. subflavorubescens.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant properties of an edible lichen Ramalina conduplicans. The extract exhibited potent anti-linoleic acid peroxidation activity, free radical-scavenging activity, and reducing power. The total phenolic contents were found to be high in the extract. Activity-guided bioautographic thin layer chromatography (TLC) and HPLC identified sekikaic acid and homosekikaic acid as the main free radical-scavenging compounds in R. conduplicans extract (IC(50) [50% inhibition concentration] = 0.082 and 0.276 mg/ml, respectively). The results suggested that this edible lichen species have the potential to be utilized as food additives or as protective drugs.

Taxonomic studies on lichen genus Pilophorus in China revealed a hitherto unknown species to science, which is here described as new: Pilophorus yunnanensis L. S. Wang & X. Y. Wang. It is characterized by small, simple, unbranched pseudopodetia having numerous scales, single (rarely two) globose apothecia at the tip and the lack of a columella. The species is reported from high elevations in Yunnan Province in southwestern China and was collected from siliceous rocks exposed to sun. Description and figures are provided on the basis of this material and the new taxon is compared with other Pilophorus species.

In the present paper three new species viz. Thalloloma nitidum, Thelotrema isidiosum and T. megasporum belonging to lichen family Graphidaceae are described from the Philippines and compared with the closely related taxa.

The accumulation of selected heavy metals in the fruticose lichen Usnea aurantiacoatra is reported in the vicinity of the Korean research station on Barton Peninsula, King George Island, West Antarctica. To assess the impact of human activities in the study area, all samples were divided into five groups according to distance from the research station. The corresponding heavy metal levels in samples near the station were relatively higher than those collected far from the station. In particular, a very high level of Pb near the station strongly suggests the anthropogenic release of this pollutant. The relationship between trace metal content and age of the lichen was investigated, but no significant difference was found. When evaluating the vertical distribution of heavy metals in lichen thalli, most elements, particularly Pb, accumulated preferentially in the upper parts, probably due to the morphology of U. Aurantiacoatra. Therefore, the vertical distribution of heavy metals in fruticose lichens should be considered to enhance data quality in biomonitoring studies.

The causal agents of bacterial blossom blight in kiwifruit were isolated from flowers displaying symptoms in Korea. The pathogens were characterized by biochemical and physiological tests, and identified on the basis of 16S rDNA and 16S-23S internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences. Pathogenicity tests demonstrated that the blossom blight of kiwifruit in Korea is caused by two pathogens, Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae and P. fluorescens. Carbon source utilization and DNA-DNA hybridization experiments confirmed P. fluorescens as one of the causal agents of blossom blight of kiwifruit. P. syringae pv. syringae and P. fluorescens can be distinguished from each other by the symptoms they produce in flowers. P. syringae pv. syringae primarily affected the stamen, while P. fluorescens caused rotting of all internal tissues of buds or flowers.

This study was performed to elucidate the anti-proliferative effects and the apoptotic mechanisms of extracts from Lethariella zahlbruckneri in HT-29 human colon cancer cells. Both the acetone extract (AEL) and methanolic extract (MEL) of L. zahlbruckneri decreased viable cell numbers in a dose- and time-dependent manner in HT-29 cells. The AEL showed stronger cytotoxicity than MEL. Cell death induced by AEL increased cell populations in the sub-G1 phase, as well as the formation of apoptotic bodies and nuclear condensation, whereas MEL did not. Therefore, the potential of AEL to induce apoptosis was examined. Apoptosis induced by AEL was associated with the activation of initiator caspases-8 and -9, as well as the effector caspase-3. AEL stimulated Bid cleavage. This indicated that the apoptotic action of caspase-8-mediated Bid cleavage leads to the activation of caspase-9. AEL increased the expression of the pro-apoptotic protein, Bax, and decreased the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2. AEL also increased the expression of the caspase-independent mitochondrial apoptosis factor, AIF, in HT-29 cells. These results indicate that AEL inhibited HT-29 cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis, which might be mediated via both caspase-dependent and -independent pathways.

Total 222 lichen specimens of North Korea including 23 family, 54 genera and 119 species were newly obtained from the Hungarian Natural History Museum for the last 3 years. Among them, 12 species were added to Korean lichen checklist as new. All the species were deposited at the herbarium of Korea National Arboretum. In addition, unpublished list of lichen species distributed in Mt. Myohang was kindly donated from the Hungarian Natural History Museum. The list was originally prepared by North Korean lichenologists and kept in the museum from 1988. In the list, 26 family, 57 genera and 179 species of lichens were described and 17 species were included as new reports. This list provided 29 lichen species as new to the Korean Peninsula. This information will make significant contribution to lichenological study in the Korean Peninsula.

Lichen-forming fungi (LEF) were isolated from 67 Hungarian lichen species from ascospores or thallus fragments. LFF were successfully isolated from 26 species with isolation rate of 38.8%. Of the total number of isolation from ascospores (27 species) and thallus fragments (40 species), 48% and 32.5% of the species were successfully isolated, respectively. Comparison of rDNA sequences of ITS regions between the isolated LFF and the original thallus confirmed that all the isolates originated from the thallus fragments were LEF. The following 14 species of LEF were newly isolated in this study; Acarospora cervina, Bacidia rubella, Cladonia pyxidata, Lasallia pustulata, Lecania hyaline, Lecanora argentata, Parmelina tiliacea, Parmotrema chinense, Physconia distorta, Protoparmeliopsis muralis, Ramalina pollinaria, Sarcogyne regularis, Umbilicaria hirsuta, Xanthoparmelia conspersa and X. stenophylla. Antifungal activity of the Hungarian LFF was evaluated against plant pathogenic fungi of Colletotrichum acutatum, C. coccodes and C. gloeosporioides, causal agent of anthracnose on hot pepper. Among the 26 isolates, 11 LFF showed more than 50% of inhibition rates of mycelial growth of at least one target pathogen. Especially, LFF of Evernia prunastri, Lecania hyalina and Lecanora argentata were remarkably effective in inhibition of mycelial growth of all the tested pathogens with antibiotic mode of action. On the other hands, five isolates of Cladonia furcata, Hypogymnia physodes, Lasallia pustulata, Ramalina fastigiata and Ramalina pollinaria exhibited fungal lytic activity against all the three pathogens. Among the tested fungal pathogens, C. coccodes seemed to be most sensitive to the LFF. The Hungarian LFF firstly isolated in this study can be served as novel bioresources to develop new biofungicides alternative to current fungicides to control hot pepper anthracnose pathogenic fungi.

An antagonistic bacterium of Bacillus subtilis BD0310 against Colletotrichum theae-sinensis was isolated from the phylloplane of tea trees at a tea plantation in Korea. SC (suspension concentrate)-type biofungicide was formulated with the antagonist. Cell viability and antifungal activity of B. subtilis were maintained in the formulation more than 12 months at room temperature. The antagonist was sensitive only to copper sulfate among the chemical pesticides currently registered for tea trees in Korea. Greenhouse application demonstrated that the biofungicide controlled more effectively the disease in a protective mode than in a curative mode. Field trial showed that alternate applications of the biofungicide and chemical fungicide were more effective in controlling tea anthracnose than single application of the biofungicide or chemical fungicide with less use of chemicals. This study suggests that the biofungicide of B. subtilis 8D0310 is an effective method for biological control of anthracnose in tea plantations.

Eight lichen species, Cetraria aculeata, Cladonia furcata, Pseudephebe pubescens, Sphaerophorus globosus, Stereocaulon alpinum, Umbilicaria antarctica, Usnea antarctica and Usnea aurantiacoatra, were collected from King George Island, maritime Antarctica, for the evaluation of antioxidant activities. Anti-linoleic acid peroxidation activity, free radical scavenging activity, reducing power and superoxide anion scavenging activity were assessed of methanol and acetone extract of the lichens in vitro. Extract of Umbilicaria antarctica, Cladonia furcata, Sphaerophorus globosus and Usnea antarctica were found to have strong in vitro antioxidant properties. In general, acetone extract exhibited stronger activities than methanol extract. The activity-guided bioautographic TLC and HPLC analysis demonstrated that lecanoric acid was the main antioxidant compound in the acetone extract of Umbilicaria antarctica, the most potent antioxidant lichen species among the test species. The results suggested that several Antarctic lichens and their substances can be used as novel bioresources of natural antioxidants.

Antifungal activities of natural substrances from Eucalyptus darlympleana, E. globules, E. gunnii and E. unigera were evaluated against postharvest pathogens of kiwifruits, Botrytis cinerea, Botryosphaeria dothidea, and Diaporthe actinidiae, to screen effective natural substances as an alternative to chemical fungicides. Methanol extract of the Eucalyptus trees showed strong antagonistic activity against the pathogenic fungi. Among them, E. unigera and E. darlympleana effectively inhibited mycelial growth of the pathogens. For chemical identification of the antifungal substances, the methanol extract of E. darlympleana leaves was successively partitioned with CH(2)Cl(2), EtOAc, n-BuOH and H(2)O. Among the fractions, CH,Cl, and n-BuOH showed strong inhibitory activity of mycelial growth of the fungi. Five compounds were isolated from EtOAc and n-BuOH fractions subjected to SiO(2) column chromatography. Two phenolic compounds (gallic acid and 3,4-dihydroxy-benzoic acid) and three flavonoid compounds (quercetin, quercetin-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnoside, quercetin-3-O-beta-D-glucoside) were identified by (1)H-NMR and (13)C-NMR spectroscopy. Among them, only gallic acid was found to be effective in mycelial growth and spore germination of B. cinerea at relatively high concentrations. The results suggest that gallic acid can be a safer and more acceptable alternative to current synthetic fungicides controlling soft rot decay of kiwifruit during postharvest storage.

Antifungal activity of Korean and Chinese lichen-forming fungi (LFF) was evaluated against plant pathogenic fungus of Colletotrichum acutatum, causal agent of anthracnose on hot pepper. This is the first attempt to evaluate antifungal activity of LFF, instead of lichen thalli, against C. acutatum. Total 100 LFF were isolated from the lichens with discharged spore method or tissue culture method. Among the 100 isolates, 8 LFF showed more than 50% of inhibition rates of mycelial growth of the target pathogen. Especially, Lecanora argentata was highly effective in inhibition of mycelial growth of C. accutatum at the rate of 68%. Antifungal activity of other LFF was in the order of Cetrelia japonica (61.4%), Ramalina conduplicans (59.5%), Umbilicaria esculenta (59.5%), Ramalina litoralis (56.7%), Cetrelia braunsiana (56.5%), Nephromopsis pallescensn (56.1%), and Parmelia simplicior (53.8%). Among the tested LFF, 61 isolates of LFF exhibited moderate antifungal activity against the target pathogen at the inhibition rates from 30 to 50%. Antifungal activity of the LFF against C. acutatum was variable at the species level rather than genus level of LFF. This study suggests that LFF can be served as a promising bioresource to develop novel biofungicides.

Various kinds of leaf spots and blights were found in kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) orchards on 2006 in Korea. Disease incidences were quite variable between open-field and rain-proof shelter. Rate of diseased leaves was recorded as about 70% at open-field orchards in late season but use of rain-proof vinyl shelters alleviated the disease incidences by 20%. Angular leaf spots appeared at early infection stage on June and several other symptoms were also recognized as the disease developed afterward. On September, brown leaf blights were the most frequent, followed by grayish brown ring spots, silvering gray leaf blights, zonate leaf blights, dark brown ring spots and angular leaf spots at open-field orchards. Four fungal species were frequently isolated from the disease symptoms. Phomopsis sp. was the most predominant fungus associated with the leaf spot and blight symptoms on kiwifruit, followed by Glomerella cingulata, Alternaria alternata and Pestalo-tiopsis sp. Phomopsis sp. was commonly isolated from angular leaf spots, silvering gray leaf blights, and zonate brown leaf blights. G. cingulata, A. alternata and Pestalotiopsis sp. were isolated from grayish brown ring spots (anthracnose), brown ring spots and zonate dark brown leaf blights. Typical symptoms appeared on the wounded and unwounded leaves, which were inoculated by each of Phomopsis sp., G. cingulata, and Pestalotiopsis sp., but A. alternata caused symptoms only on the wounded leaves.

Bacillus subtilis BD0310 isolated from tea leaves was used for the development of a biofungicide against Pestitalotiopsis longiseta causing gray blight of tea plants. After mass culture of the antagonistic bacteria, the biofungicide formulated as a suspension concentrate was evaluated for its control efficacy against the gray blight of tea plant in a greenhouse and a tea plantation, respectively. Spray of the biofungicide 2 days before inoculation of P. longiseta inhibited more efficiently the development of gray blight compared with spray of the biofungicide 2 days after inoculation of the pathogen onto the leaves of tea plants in a greenhouse. In the field investigation under application of the biofungicide in 2005 and 2006, control efficiencies increased according to the number of spray of the biofungicide. Control efficiencies of the biofungicide were 52.4%, 66.7%, 71.4% and 85.7% against gray blight in 4 times spray of the biofungicide alone at 7 days interval, 6 times spray of the biofungicide alone at 7 days interval, 2 times alternate spray of biofungicide and chemical fungicide at 7 days interval and 4 times spray of chemical fungicide alone at 7 days interval, respectively. Therefore, the alternate application of the biofungicide and chemical fungicide at 7 days interval can increase the control efficiency with reduction of the amount of chemical fungicides and the number of spray for the control of gray blight of tea plants in the field.

Lichen is a symbiotic association which lichen-forming fungi associate with green algae or cyanobacteria capable of producing food by photosynthesis. Lichen is one of the most widely distributed eukaryotic organisms on every kind of surface of soils, rocks and trees. Lichen-forming fungi commonly colonize on the surface of barks of dead or dying trees, which they use merely as a means of support without parasitizing. Lichen consortium of Parmotrema autrosinense and several crustose lichens heavily colonized on the surface of P. mume in Suncheon, Jeonnam province in Korea. The lichen consortium on the surface of P. mume gave the affected trees a dull gray appearance and suppressed their normal growths. Severely affected twigs or branches resulted in the death when the lichen thalli were not rubbed off the barks of P. mume. Twigs or branches of P. mume were recovered from blight syndrome when the lichen thalli were rubbed off, The recovered twigs or branches became healthy and clean when 20 or thiophanate-methyl paste were treated on the barks of P. mume. This is the first report of lichen diseases on P. mume caused by colonization of consortium of several crustose lichens including P. autrosinense.

Functional Analyses of Three Gα and One Gβ Subunits in Gibberella zeaeComparison between Wild Strains of Pitoporus betulinus Collected from a Single TreeEcological Study of Sparassis crispa in Gwan...

Lichen thalli of Dirinaria applanata heavily colonized on the twigs of dead or dying Rhododendron trees in Solok island, Jeonnam province in Korea. Pathogenesis of the lichen on the trees was investigated to find out the possibility of lichen as a causal agent. Histological examination of the lichen colonized twigs was attempted with differential staining technique. Lichen-forming fungus colonized only on the surface of bark and there was no direct penetration of fungal hyphae into the plant tissues. Symbiotic algae of the lichen was also examined. The isolated algal cells were inoculated on artificially induced wounds of the healthy trees. Histological examination of the inoculated tissues showed that some algal cells were successfully colonized inside the tissues without any pathogenic symptoms, even 2 months later, The extract of the lichen thalli was also examined using 10% of DMSO solution. Treated tissues showed no pathogenic symptoms, even 4 weeks later. The results suggested that the lichen was not directly involved in the death of the trees.

A new species and 2 new records of lichen genus Buellia were discovered from Chuja-do Island in Jeju Province during a recent floristic survey: B. chujana X. Y. Wang, S. Y. Kondr., L. Lőkos & J.-S. Hur sp. nov., B. halonia (Ach.) Tuck., and B. mamillana (Tuck.) W. A. Weber. The new species is characterized by a brown, areolate thallus, the presence of perlatolic acid, and a saxicolous habitat. Together with previously recorded species, 10 Buellia species were confirmed from Jeju-do Island. Among these species, 3 growing in the exposed rocky area contained xanthone (yellowish lichen thallus, UV + orange), indicating that production of xanthone in this genus might be a defense strategy against the harm of UV light. Although the genus Buellia has been thoroughly studied in Korea before, novel species have been discovered continuously, and large species diversity has been found in this crustose genus, even from a small rocky island. This study indicates that the coastal area harbors a vast number of crustose lichen species, and there is great potential to discover unknown lichens in the coastal rocky area in Korea.

Lichens are symbiotic organisms that produce various unique chemicals that can be used for pharmaceutical purposes. With the aim of screening new anti-cancer agents that inhibit cancer cell motility, we tested the inhibitory activity of seven lichen species collected from the Romanian Carpathian Mountains against migration and invasion of human lung cancer cells and further investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying their anti-metastatic activity. Among them, Alectoria samentosa, Flavocetraria nivalis, Alectoria ochroleuca, and Usnea florida showed significant inhibitory activity against motility of human lung cancer cells. HPLC results showed that usnic acid is the main compound in these lichens, and (+)-usnic acid showed similar inhibitory activity that crude extract have. Mechanistically, beta-catenin-mediated TOPFLASH activity and KITENIN-mediated AP-1 activity were decreased by (+)-usnic acid treatment in a dose-dependent manner. The quantitative real-time PCR data showed that (+)-usnic acid decreased the mRNA level of CD44, Cyclin D1 and c-myc, which are the downstream target genes of both beta-catenin/LEF and c-jun/AP-1. Also, Rac1 and RhoA activities were decreased by treatment with (+)-usnic acid. Interestingly, higher inhibitory activity for cell invasion was observed when cells were treated with (+)-usnic acid and cetuximab. These results implied that (+)-usnic acid might have potential activity in inhibition of cancer cell metastasis, and (+)-usnic acid could be used for anti-cancer therapy with a distinct mechanisms of action.

Lichens produce various unique chemicals that can be used for pharmaceutical purposes. To screen for novel lichen secondary metabolites showing inhibitory activity against lung cancer cell motility, we tested acetone extracts of 13 lichen samples collected in Chile. Physciosporin, isolated from Pseudocyphellaria coriacea (Hook f. & Taylor) D.J. Galloway & P. James, was identified as an effective compound and showed significant inhibitory activity in migration and invasion assays against human lung cancer cells. Physciosporin treatment reduced both protein and mRNA levels of N-cadherin with concomitant decreases in the levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers such as snail and twist. Physciosporin also suppressed KITENIN (KAI1 C-terminal interacting tetraspanin)-mediated AP-1 activity in both the absence and presence of epidermal growth factor stimulation. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that the expression of the metastasis suppressor gene, KAI1, was increased while that of the metastasis enhancer gene, KITENIN, was dramatically decreased by physciosporin. Particularly, the activity of 3'-untranslated region of KITENIN was decreased by physciosporin. Moreover, Cdc42 and Rac1 activities were decreased by physciosporin. These results demonstrated that the lichen secondary metabolite, physciosporin, inhibits lung cancer cell motility through novel mechanisms of action.

As a result of symbiotic associations between mycobiont and photobiont, lichens can produce distinct and unique metabolites. Moreover, lichens are occasionally subjected to protect themselves from harsh environmental conditions during the growth. Therefore, lichen metabolites are expected to have various biological activities including antineoplastic action, for which it should suppress more than one of characteristics of the tumor progression. Here, we reviewed anticancer activity of lichen metabolites with molecular mechanisms by exerting cytotoxicity through regulation of cell cycle or induction of cell death, and by modulation of immune activity, angiogenesis, or energy metabolism. Alongside with these points, research will be expanded to yet unexplored areas by targeting cancer-specific signaling pathways.

Antifungal activity of Korean and Chinese lichen-forming fungi(LFF) was evaluated against plant pathogenic fungi of Botryosphaeria dothidea, Botrytis cinerea, Diaporthe actinidiae, Pestalotiopsis longiseta, Pythium sp., Rhizoctonia solani, and Sclerotium cepivorum. The LFF were isolated from Cladonia scabriuscula, Melanelia sp., Nephromopsis asahinae, Nephromopsis pallescens, Parmelia laevior, Pertusaria sp., Ramalina conduplicans, Ramalina sinensis, Ramalina sp., Umbilicaria proboscidea and Vulpicida sp. with discharged spore method. The isolates were deposited in the herbarium of Korean Lichen Research Institute(KoLRI) in Sunchon National University. The LFF of Melanelia sp., P. laevior, Pertusaria sp., R. conduplican and Ramalina sp. exhibited strong antifungal activity against all of the pathogenic fungi examined. Among them, LFF of P. laevior showed more than 90% of inhibition in fungal hyphae growth, compared with control. The results imply that LFF can be served as a promising bioresource to develop novel biofungicides. Mass cultivation of the LFF is now under progress in laboratory conditions for chemical identification of antifungal substances.

Notes on Three Species of the Genus Euphoriomyces (Laboulbeniales) from KoreaTaxonomic Studies on Myelochroa from KoreaMolecular Analysis of Korean Anzia opuntiella (Lichenized Ascomycota) Based on...

Anthracnose severely occurred on begonia (Begonia semperflorens Link.) nurseries in Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk in July, 2004. More than of begonia seedlings were diseased in the greenhouse surveyed and diseased leaves per plant were in average. Yellowish spots occurred on the leaves of begonia as initial symptoms, and they coalesced irregularly to form large brown pleomorphic lesions. Severely infected leaves were defoliated, resulting in abnormal growth of the entire plant. Colletotrichum sp. was repeatedly isolated from the diseased plants and was identified as Colletotrichum acutatum on the basis of the mycological characteristics on potato dextrose agar and RAPD analysis. Pathogenicity of the fungus was also confirmed by artificial inoculation on healthy plants. The optimum temperature for mycelial growth of C. acutatum was around . The fungus was sensitive to azoxystrobin, bitertanol, diethofencarb-carbendazim, difenoconazole and tebuconazole. This is the first report on the anthracnose of begonia caused by C. acutatum in Korea.

Isolation of Inonotus obliquus from Betula costata in KoreaTaxonomic Study on Some Unrecorded Taxa of Korean AphyllophoralesSurveys of Host Plants of Pestalotiopsis spp. in KoreaBacillus subtilis B...