Adaptation of fungi, including yeasts, to cold environments

A wide range of cold environments exist, with an equally broad variety of fungi and yeasts that have adapted to such
environments. These adaptations, which affect membranes, enzymes and other cellular components, such as radical
scavenging molecules, display a great potential for exploitation in biotechnology. Alterations have been detected in
membrane lipids, with an increase in fatty acid unsaturated bonds that enhance their fluidity. We report new data on the
different phospholipid composition in membrane lipids in the same fungal species from both Antarctic and temperate
regions. The decrease in temperature causes intracellular oxidative stress by inducing the generation of reactive oxygen
species. We report the results of the first analysis of the non-enzymatic antioxidant response and phenolic compound
production by an Antarctic strain of Geomyces pannorum. A survey on yeasts from the cryosphere is reported with a focus on
their adaptation to a cold environment. Some studies have shown that the number of macrofungi in glacier forefronts rises as
deglaciation increases. The survival success of many plants in such areas may be attributed to their mycorrhizal associations.
We highlighted the macrofungal biodiversity of some Italian alpine habitats, in which we Inocybe microfastigiata, Laccaria
montana and Lactarius salicis-herbaceae were recorded for the first time in Lombardy (Italy).