Cvetomir M. Denchev

Checklist of the larger basidiomycetes in Bulgaria

A comprehensive checklist of the species of larger basidiomycetes in Bulgaria does not exist. The checklist provided herein is the first attempt to fill that gap. It provides a compilation of the available data on the larger basidiomycetes reported from, or known to occur in Bulgaria. An alphabetical list of accepted names of fungi, recognized as occurring in Bulgaria, is given. For each taxon, the distribution in Bulgaria is presented. Unpublished records about the distribution of some species are also added. The total number of the correct names of species is 1537. An index of synonyms based on literature records from Bulgaria is appended. It includes 1020 species and infraspecific taxa. A list of excluded records of 157 species, with reasons for their exclusion, is also given.

Fungal substances as modulators of NF-κB activation pathway

MCF7 breast cancer cell line, carrying a luciferase reporter gene under the control of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)-responsive promoter, was established and used for the screening of fungal organic extracts for their ability to interfere with the NF-κB activation pathway. Twenty-eight crude fungal extracts, out of 242, were found to inhibit NF-κB reporter activity by more than 40%. Furthermore, positive extracts were used to evaluate their antiproliferative activity as well as their ability to influence the phosphorylation and degradation levels of IκBa. Fungal extracts prepared from Marasmius oreades and Cyathus striatus showed significant inhibitory effects on the NF-κB activation pathway. Taken together, our results support the notion of the presence of novel activities that might be utilized as cancer therapeutics.

Marasmius oreades substances block NF-κB activity through interference with IKK activation pathway

The activation pathway of nuclear transcription factor kappa B (NF-κB) is a key mechanism for the progression of carcinogenesis at the molecular level. NF-κB is related to the promotion of cell proliferation, inhibition of apoptosis, and the enhancement of tumor metastasis and angiogenesis. Marasmius oreades culture liquid extract, which was previously shown to affect NF-κB activation through inhibition of the phosphorylation of the inhibitory protein kappa B (IκBα), was subjected to liquid chromatography in order to investigate the specific mechanism of action of the active moieties present in the extract. Four fractions were obtained and tested for their abilities to block NF-κB activation pathway at different molecular levels. All fractions showed an anti-proliferative potential with no apparent cytotoxicity on MCF7 breast cancer cell line. Two out of the four fractions strongly affected the phosphorylation of IκBα and the NF-κB reporter activity in MCF7 breast cancer cell line. In addition, these two fractions prevented the p65 nuclear translocation and seemed to interfere with the IκB kinase (IKK) activation pathway. The IKK pathway is a major cellular signaling pathway set at a crossroad leading to NF-κB activation by a variety of stimuli. Also, these two fractions induced apoptosis of MCF7 cells. This study adds additional valuable data to our knowledge on the anticancer potential of fungal metabolites. It is the first report showing the medicinal value of M. oreades as a natural source of low-molecular-weight bioactive substances able to affect the process of tumorogenesis through the direct blockage of NF-κB activation at the IKK level.

Species of Urocystis (Ustilaginomycetes) on Anemone in Japan.

Three species ofUrocystis onAnemone (Ranunculaceae) are reported based on comparative morphology with specimens collected in Japan.Urocystis anemones, U. japonica, andU. pseudoanemones sp. nov. are separated by the number of ustilospores and sterile cells surrounding the ustilospores in the spore balls. Morphological characteristics, host plants and geographical distribution of these three species are also reported.

Contribution to the smut fungi of Greece

Abstract: After examination of specimens in the herbarium of the Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin, eight species of smut fungi are reported for the first time from Greece: Microbotryum dianthorum on Dianthus viscidus, Sporisorium pulverulentum on Saccharum strictum, Tilletia fusca on Vulpia ciliata, T. lolii on Lolium temulentum, Urocystis dactylidina on Dactylis glomerata subsp. hackelii, U. johansonii on Juncus bufonius, U. ornithogali on Ornithogalum sp. and U. ulei on Festuca jeanpertii. Four species of smut fungi are recorded on new host plants making new fungus-host combinations: Microbotryum dianthorum on Dianthus viscidus, Tranzscheliella williamsii on Stipa isoldeae, Urocystis dactylidina on Dactylis glomerata subsp. hackelii and U. ulei on Festuca jeanpertii. Two plant species are reported as new hosts of smut fungi already known from Greece: Stipa isoldeae for Tranzscheliella williamsii, and Lygeum spartum for T. hypodytes. All ten species of smut fungi are illustrated. A description is also provided for Urocystis agropyri, recorded in Greece on Thinopyrum junceum. Citation: Denchev T. T. & Denchev C. M. 2016: Contribution to the smut fungi of Greece. — Willdenowia 46: 233–244. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3372/wi.46.46204 Version of record first published online on 28 July 2016 ahead of inclusion in August 2016 issue.

New Bulgarian records of fungi associated with glacial relict plants

The paper contributes to knowledge of Bulgarian fungal diversity on glacial relict vascular plants. Eleven new country records of ascomycetes and anamorphic fungi are presented with descriptions, namely Asteromella silvarum, Cainiella johansonii, Gnomoniella vagans, Hendersonia culmicola, Leptosphaerulina dryadis, Melasmia mougeotii, Phaeosphaeria nardi, Pseudomassaria islandica, Septoria macropoda, S. tenella, and Sydowiella dryadis. Microbotryum silenes-acaulis is also an addition to the list reflecting the recent changes in M. violaceum s. lat. New data are included about the distribution of Leptosphaeria doliolum, Nodulosphaeria modesta, Ophiognomonia gei-montani, and Phaeosphaeria juncina, all previously recorded in Bulgaria. In addition, a brief review is presented of previously encountered fungal species on glacial relicts in the country.

Two new smut fungi on Ventenata (Poaceae): Tilletia elizabethae from Slovakia and T. ventenatae from Turkey

Abstract: Two new smut fungi on Ventenata (Poaceae), Tilletia elizabethae (Tilletiaceae) on V. dubia from Slovakia, and T. ventenatae on V. subenervis from Turkey, are described and illustrated. They differ from all other Tilletia species by specialization on Ventenata. Tilletia elizabethae is distinguished from T. ventenatae by having larger spores and a dark cinnamon spore mass, while the spore mass of T. ventenatae is very dark reddish brown. Citation: Denchev T. T. & Denchev C. M. 2018: Two new smut fungi on Ventenata (Poaceae): Tilletia elizabethae from Slovakia and T. ventenatae from Turkey. — Willdenowia 48: 177-183. doi: https://doi.org/10.3372/wi.48.48201 Version of record first published online on 2 July 2018 ahead of inclusion in August 2018 issue.

Tilletia tripogonellae (Tilletiaceae), A New Smut Fungus on Tripogonella spicata (Poaceae) from Argentina

A new smut fungus from Argentina, Tilletia tripogonellae T. Denchev & Denchev (Tilletiaceae), on Tripogonella spicata (Poaceae : Cynodonteae), is described and illustrated. It differs from all other species of Tilletia by being specialized on Tripogonella. Morphologically it differs from other known species of Tilletia on host plants from the subtribe Tripogoninae (Tilletia eragrostiellae, T. poonensis, T. savilei, T. tripogonis) by having a reticulate (vs. tuberculate or echinate) spore wall. A key to the smut fungi, that infect Eragrostiella, Tripogonella, Oropetium, and Tripogon, is provided.

First records of two freshwater lichens, Hydropunctaria scabra and Verrucaria alpicola, from Bulgaria

Two lichen-forming fungi, Hydropunctaria scabra and Verrucaria alpicola (Verrucariaceae, Ascomycota), are reported for the fi rst time from Bulgaria. Descriptions and ecological observations based on the Bulgarian populations are provided. For Verrucaria alpicola the ability to survive a continuous submersion over a period of at least four years is confi rmed.

Contributions to the smut fungi of Africa. 3. First record of Microbotryum polygoni-alati

Microbotryum polygoni-alati, known only from India and China, is reported for the fi rst time from Africa (from Ethiopia).