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J. Fungi, Volume 10, Issue 11 (November 2024) – 76 articles

Cover Story (view full-size image): Red rot disease reduces sugarcane yield and quality, posing a significant threat to Florida’s industry. Although Colletotrichum falcatum, the causal agent in Florida, was first morphologically identified in 1984, molecular and pathological data remain limited, highlighting the need for comprehensive characterization. Phylogenetic analyses of five genetic markers confirmed C. falcatum as the cause of red rot in Southern Florida. Additionally, disease progression was detailed at the cellular level, and the pathogenicity of representative strains was assessed. The local varieties CP96-1252 and CP89-2143 showed greater host resistance. These findings represent the first report of C. falcatum causing red rot in southern Florida, provide insights for red rot management, and support future breeding programs for enhanced sugarcane resistance. View this paper
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19 pages, 6343 KiB  
Article
Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Swiftly Manipulates the Transcriptional Regulation in Citrus sinensis During the Early Infection Stage
by Siyu Zhang, Xinyou Wang, Wei Zeng, Leijian Zhong, Xiaoyong Yuan, Zhigang Ouyang and Ruimin Li
J. Fungi 2024, 10(11), 805; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10110805 - 20 Nov 2024
Viewed by 425
Abstract
Citrus spp. represent an economically important fruit tree crop worldwide. However, molecular mechanisms underlying the interaction between citrus and the Colletotrichum gloeosporioides remain largely unexplored. In this study, we analyzed the physiological and transcriptomic changes in Citrus sinensis at different stages of incubation [...] Read more.
Citrus spp. represent an economically important fruit tree crop worldwide. However, molecular mechanisms underlying the interaction between citrus and the Colletotrichum gloeosporioides remain largely unexplored. In this study, we analyzed the physiological and transcriptomic changes in Citrus sinensis at different stages of incubation with C. gloeosporioides. The results indicated that C. gloeosporioides infection rapidly triggered necrosis in the epicarp of C. sinensis fruits, decreased the total flavonoid contents, and suppressed the activity of catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase enzymes. Upon inoculation with C. gloeosporioides, there were 4600 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with 1754 down-regulated and 2846 up-regulated after six hours, while there were only 580 DEGs with 185 down-regulated and 395 up-regulated between six and twelve-hours post-inoculation. Gene Ontology and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis indicated that the DEGs, which exhibited consistent up-regulation, were associated with metabolic processes and stress responses. Through Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis, 11 key genes have been identified that could potentially play a role in the transcriptional regulation of this process, including the transcription factor bHLH189. Furthermore, the infection of C. gloeosporioides had a notable effect on both the flavonoid metabolism and the metabolic pathways related to reactive oxygen species. Our findings help to understand the interaction between citrus and C. gloeosporioides and unveil how new insights into how C. gloeosporioides circumvents citrus defense mechanisms. Full article
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16 pages, 4595 KiB  
Article
Effects of Two Trichoderma Strains on Apple Replant Disease Suppression and Plant Growth Stimulation
by Wen Du, Pengbo Dai, Mingyi Zhang, Guangzhu Yang, Wenjing Huang, Kuijing Liang, Bo Li, Keqiang Cao, Tongle Hu, Yanan Wang, Xianglong Meng and Shutong Wang
J. Fungi 2024, 10(11), 804; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10110804 - 20 Nov 2024
Viewed by 575
Abstract
Fusarium oxysporum, the pathogen responsible for apple replant disease (ARD), is seriously threatening the apple industry globally. We investigated the antagonistic properties of Trichoderma strains against F. oxysporum HS2, aiming to find a biological control solution to minimize the dependence on chemical [...] Read more.
Fusarium oxysporum, the pathogen responsible for apple replant disease (ARD), is seriously threatening the apple industry globally. We investigated the antagonistic properties of Trichoderma strains against F. oxysporum HS2, aiming to find a biological control solution to minimize the dependence on chemical pesticides. Two of the thirty-one Trichoderma strains assessed through plate confrontation assays, L7 (Trichoderma atroviride) and M19 (T. longibrachiatum), markedly inhibited = F. oxysporum, with inhibition rates of 86.02% and 86.72%, respectively. Applying 1 × 106 spores/mL suspensions of these strains notably increased the disease resistance in embryonic mung bean roots. Strains L7 and M19 substantially protected Malus robusta Rehd apple rootstock from ARD; the plant height, stem diameter, leaf number, chlorophyll content, and defense enzyme activity were higher in the treated plants than in the controls in both greenhouse and field trials. The results of fluorescent labeling confirmed the effective colonization of these strains of the root soil, with the number of spores stabilizing over time. At 56 days after inoculation, the M19 and L7 spore counts in various soils confirmed their persistence. These results underscore the biocontrol potential of L7 and M19 against HS2, offering valuable insights into developing sustainable ARD management practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Fungal Pathogenesis and Disease Control)
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8 pages, 2208 KiB  
Communication
First Report of Diaporthe goulteri on Soybean in Germany
by Behnoush Hosseini, Maximilian Gerhard Gröbner and Tobias Immanuel Link
J. Fungi 2024, 10(11), 803; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10110803 - 20 Nov 2024
Viewed by 463
Abstract
Diaporthe (anamorph: Phomopsis) species are endophytes or fungal pathogens for many different plant species. Soybean (Glycine max) can be infected by many different Diaporthe species; among them, D. caulivora and D. longicolla are responsible for the most significant damages. Diaporthe [...] Read more.
Diaporthe (anamorph: Phomopsis) species are endophytes or fungal pathogens for many different plant species. Soybean (Glycine max) can be infected by many different Diaporthe species; among them, D. caulivora and D. longicolla are responsible for the most significant damages. Diaporthe goulteri is a species that was only recently described and has so far been found on sunflower (Helianthus annuus) in Australia and an unknown host in Thailand. Here, we report isolation of D. goulteri from soybean in southern Germany, molecular species identification, and additional morphological description. We also show that D. goulteri can infect soybean and describe the symptoms we observed, both on the plant where the isolate came from and following artificial inoculation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Fungal Diseases and Crop Protection)
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15 pages, 1741 KiB  
Article
Population Structure and Mating Type Distribution of Cercospora sojina from Soybeans in Indiana, United States
by Guohong Cai, Leandro Lopes da Silva, Natalia Piñeros-Guerrero and Darcy E. P. Telenko
J. Fungi 2024, 10(11), 802; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10110802 - 19 Nov 2024
Viewed by 738
Abstract
Frogeye leaf spot on soybeans is traditionally considered as a southern disease in the United States but its impact in North Central USA has been rising in recent years. In this study, we investigated the population structure and mating type distribution in the [...] Read more.
Frogeye leaf spot on soybeans is traditionally considered as a southern disease in the United States but its impact in North Central USA has been rising in recent years. In this study, we investigated the population structure and mating type distribution in the C. sojina population from Indiana, USA. Based on 27 single nucleotide polymorphism markers, 49 multi-locus genotypes (MLGs) were identified in 234 isolates collected from 29 counties in Indiana in 2020. Bayesian analysis grouped the 49 MLGs into three clusters. This grouping was supported by principal coordinate analysis and, in large part, by the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean and minimal spanning tree. Only one mating-type idiomorph was found in each isolate and in each MLG. The MAT1-1 idiomorph was found in 22 MLGs and the MAT1-2 idiomorph was found in 27 MLGs. Based on clone-corrected data, the distribution of mating-type idiomorphs did not deviate significantly from 1:1 ratio in Indiana as a whole and in 22 out of 24 counties where two or more MLGs were found. Thirty MLGs contained QoI-resistant isolates and 22 MLGs contained QoI-sensitive isolates, with three MLGs containing both types of isolates. MLG1, the most common MLG with 90 isolates, contained mostly QoI-resistant isolates. Interestingly, MLG1 was also the dominant genotype in the Tennessee population collected in 2015, suggesting that MLG1 has been a dominant genotype in a wider region for many years. Based on the standard index of association (r¯d), the Indiana population as a whole was in significant linkage disequilibrium. However, in five out of 16 counties where three or more MLGs were found, the null hypothesis of linkage equilibrium was not rejected. Tests of linkage disequilibrium between locus pairs showed that 33.3% of locus pairs on the same contigs were in significant disequilibrium and 17.7% of locus pairs on different contigs were in significant disequilibrium. The possibility of a cryptic sexual stage was discussed. Full article
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25 pages, 7671 KiB  
Article
Exogenous L-Arginine Enhances Pathogenicity of Alternaria alternata on Kiwifruit by Regulating Metabolisms of Nitric Oxide, Polyamines, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), and Cell Wall Modification
by Di Wang, Lingkui Meng, Haijue Zhang, Rong Liu, Yuhan Zhu, Xinyu Tan, Yan Wu, Qingchao Gao, Xueyan Ren and Qingjun Kong
J. Fungi 2024, 10(11), 801; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10110801 - 19 Nov 2024
Viewed by 675
Abstract
Black spot, one of the major diseases of kiwifruit, is caused by Alternaria alternata. A comprehensive investigation into its pathogenicity mechanism is imperative in order to propose a targeted and effective control strategy. The effect of L-arginine on the pathogenicity of A. [...] Read more.
Black spot, one of the major diseases of kiwifruit, is caused by Alternaria alternata. A comprehensive investigation into its pathogenicity mechanism is imperative in order to propose a targeted and effective control strategy. The effect of L-arginine on the pathogenicity of A. alternata and the underlying mechanisms were investigated. The results showed that treatment with 5 mM L−1 of L-arginine promoted spore germination and increased the colony diameter and lesion diameter of A. alternata in vivo and in vitro, which were 23.1% and 9.3% higher than that of the control, respectively. Exogenous L-arginine treatment also induced endogenous L-arginine and nitric oxide (NO) accumulation by activating nitric oxide synthase (NOS), arginine decarboxylase (ADC) and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC). In addition, exogenous L-arginine triggered an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels by activating the activity and inducing gene expression upregulation of NADPH oxidase. The hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and superoxide anion (O2.−) levels were 15.9% and 2.2 times higher, respectively, than in the control group on the second day of L-arginine treatment. Meanwhile, antioxidant enzyme activities and gene expression levels were enhanced, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and glutathione reductase (GR). In addition, exogenous L-arginine stimulated cell wall-degrading enzymes in vivo and in vitro by activating gene expression. These results suggested that exogenous L-arginine promoted the pathogenicity of A. alternata by inducing the accumulation of polyamines, NO, and ROS, and by activating systems of antioxidants and cell wall-degrading enzymes. The present study not only revealed the mechanism by which low concentrations of L-arginine increase the pathogenicity of A. alternata, but also provided a theoretical basis for the exclusive and precise targeting of A. alternata in kiwifruit. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Control of Postharvest Fungal Diseases)
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16 pages, 4327 KiB  
Article
The Expanding Truffle Environment: A Study of the Microbial Dynamics in the Old Productive Site and the New Tuber magnatum Picco Habitat
by Mara Rondolini, Maurizio Zotti, Gilberto Bragato, Leonardo Baciarelli Falini, Lara Reale and Domizia Donnini
J. Fungi 2024, 10(11), 800; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10110800 - 19 Nov 2024
Viewed by 737
Abstract
Truffles are valuable underground mushrooms with significant economic importance. In recent years, their cultivation has achieved satisfactory results, but not for all species. The harvesting of white truffles (Tuber magnatum Picco) is still dependent on natural production, which is at risk due [...] Read more.
Truffles are valuable underground mushrooms with significant economic importance. In recent years, their cultivation has achieved satisfactory results, but not for all species. The harvesting of white truffles (Tuber magnatum Picco) is still dependent on natural production, which is at risk due to various issues, such as improper forest management. A useful practice to protect natural resources is to promote the expansion of productive forests. In this study, we investigate the dynamics of the microbiome in an old and new truffle forest using an amplicon sequencing approach of the fungal ITS region and the prokaryotic 16S rRNA gene. We monitor the soil biological community’s development to compare differences and similarities between the primary productive forest and the expanding area over a two-year sampling period. In particular, we observed the colonization of vacant ecological niches by certain fungi, such as those belonging to the genus Mortierella. Additionally, we examined the competitive interactions between saprotrophs and ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECM). In both study areas, the bacterial community was dominated by Pseudomonadota, Planctomycetota, and Actinomycetota. The behavior of the Tuber genus differed significantly from other ECMs and displayed positive correlations with bacterial taxa such as Ktedonobacter, Zavarzinella, and Sphingomonas. The present work provides an initial overview of expanding white truffle habitats. Further, more specific research is needed to explore potential connections between individual taxa. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Perspectives on Tuber Fungi)
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21 pages, 7230 KiB  
Article
Identification and Characterization of Colletotrichum Species Associated with Maize in Sichuan, China
by Rui Yang, Ying Li, Henan Zhao, Xiaofang Sun, Wen Chen, Pan Li, Xuehu Li, Cuiping Wu, Miaomiao Ma and Guoshu Gong
J. Fungi 2024, 10(11), 799; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10110799 - 18 Nov 2024
Viewed by 617
Abstract
Colletotrichum species are the most common cause of maize anthracnose, which often manifests as leaf spots. However, field observations often reveal symptoms similar to those caused by other leaf spot pathogens, such as Curvularia and Bipolaris. In this study, 99 isolates were [...] Read more.
Colletotrichum species are the most common cause of maize anthracnose, which often manifests as leaf spots. However, field observations often reveal symptoms similar to those caused by other leaf spot pathogens, such as Curvularia and Bipolaris. In this study, 99 isolates were identified using tissue separation and single-spore isolation techniques. As preliminary measures of species diversity, all 99 isolates were identified morphologically, and the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) gene sequences were phylogenetically analyzed. Furthermore, 48 representative strains were selected for molecular identification using multi-locus phylogenetic analyses based on five gene loci (ITS, TUB, ACT, GAPDH, and CAL). Finally, 10 species of Colletotrichum isolated from maize leaf spots were identified. Colletotrichum cliviicola was the most dominant species (24.2%), followed by C. fructicola (18.2%), C. karstii (16.1%), C. siamense (13.1%), C. boninense (7.1%), C. kahawae (7.1%), C. brevisporum (6.1%), C. truncatum (5.1%), C. gigasporum (2.0%), and C. gloeosporioides (1.0%). For the first time, pathogenicity tests revealed that C. cliviicola, C. fructicola, C. siamense, C. karstii, and C. truncatum are the causative agents of maize anthracnose. Additionally, C. boninense was identified as an endophytic fungus on healthy maize. In conclusion, this study is the first to identify the pathogen of maize anthracnose in Sichuan Province. It provides valuable insights for accurately diagnosing and managing maize anthracnose. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Fungal Evolution, Biodiversity and Systematics)
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20 pages, 6222 KiB  
Article
Extracellular Biosynthesis, Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized by Filamentous Fungi
by Iuliana Răut, Mariana Constantin, Raluca Șuică-Bunghez, Cristina Firincă, Elvira Alexandrescu, Ioana Cătălina Gîfu, Mihaela Doni, Lucian-Gabriel Zamfir, Ana-Maria Gurban and Luiza Jecu
J. Fungi 2024, 10(11), 798; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10110798 - 16 Nov 2024
Viewed by 564
Abstract
The green synthesis of metal nanoparticles has received substantial attention due to their applications in various domains. The aim of the study was to obtain silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by green synthesis with filamentous fungi, such as Cladosporium cladosporoides, Penicillium chrysogenum, and [...] Read more.
The green synthesis of metal nanoparticles has received substantial attention due to their applications in various domains. The aim of the study was to obtain silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by green synthesis with filamentous fungi, such as Cladosporium cladosporoides, Penicillium chrysogenum, and Purpureocillium lilacinum. Fungal species were grown on nutrient media and aqueous mycelium extracts were used to reduce Ag+ to Ag (0). The silver nanoparticles were analyzed by various techniques, such as UV-Visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and Zeta potential. The formation of silver nanoparticles was confirmed by UV-Vis spectroscopy and the color change of the mixture containing metal precursor and aqueous mycelium extract. FTIR displayed different functional groups as capping and reducing agents for the biosynthesis of AgNPs. SEM and TEM provided information on the particles’ morphology. DLS diagrams indicated mean particle diameters in the 124–168 nm region. All biosynthesized AgNPs had negative zeta values, which is a sign of good stability. Silver nanoparticles were evaluated for antimicrobial activity, and the most active were those synthesized with metabolites from Cladosporium, leading to 93.75% inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus, 67.20% of Escherichia coli, and 69.56% of Candida albicans. With the highest microbial inhibition percentage and a very good Poly Dispersion Index (Pd I), Cladosporium cladosporoides was selected as an environmentally friendly source of silver nanoparticles that could be used as a potential antimicrobial agent. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Biotechnology and Bioprocesses)
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18 pages, 2208 KiB  
Article
Ppn2 Polyphosphatase Improves the Ability of S. cerevisiae to Grow in Mild Alkaline Medium
by Irina A. Eliseeva, Lubov Ryazanova, Larisa Ledova, Anton Zvonarev, Airat Valiakhmetov, Maria Suntsova, Aleksander Modestov, Anton Buzdin, Dmitry N. Lyabin, Ivan V. Kulakovskiy and Tatiana Kulakovskaya
J. Fungi 2024, 10(11), 797; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10110797 - 16 Nov 2024
Viewed by 667
Abstract
Inorganic polyphosphates and respective metabolic pathways and enzymes are important factors for yeast active growth in unfavorable conditions. However, particular proteins of polyphosphate metabolism remain poorly explored in this context. Here we report biochemical and transcriptomic characterization of the CRN/PPN2 yeast strain (derived [...] Read more.
Inorganic polyphosphates and respective metabolic pathways and enzymes are important factors for yeast active growth in unfavorable conditions. However, particular proteins of polyphosphate metabolism remain poorly explored in this context. Here we report biochemical and transcriptomic characterization of the CRN/PPN2 yeast strain (derived from Ppn1-lacking CRN strain) overexpressing poorly studied Ppn2 polyphosphatase. We showed that Ppn2 overexpression significantly reduced lag phase in the alkaline medium presumably due to the ability of Ppn2 to efficiently hydrolyze inorganic polyphosphates and thus neutralize hydroxide ions in the cell. With RNA-Seq, we compared the molecular phenotypes of CRN/PPN2 and its parent CRN strain grown in YPD or alkaline medium and detected transcriptomic changes induced by Ppn2 overexpression and reflecting the adaptation to alkaline conditions. The core set of upregulated genes included several genes with a previously unknown function. Respective knockout strains (∆ecm8, ∆yol160w, ∆cpp3, ∆ycr099c) exhibited defects of growth or cell morphology in the alkaline medium, proving the functional involvement of the respective proteins in sustaining growth in alkaline conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Stress Research in Filamentous Fungi and Yeasts)
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14 pages, 1227 KiB  
Article
The Rising Threat of Mucormycosis: Oman’s Experience Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic
by Amina Al-Jardani, Adil Al-Wahaibi, Azza Al Rashdi, Bram Spruijtenburg, Noora AlBulushi, R. Sandhya Rani, Hanan AlKindi, Fatma Al-Yaquobi, Bader Al-Rawahi, Asma AlBalushi, Saleh Al Azri, Jacques F. Meis, Iman AlBuloshi, Seif Al-Abri, Ahmed Al-Harrasi, Abdullah M. S. Al-Hatmi and Amal Al Maani
J. Fungi 2024, 10(11), 796; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10110796 - 15 Nov 2024
Viewed by 645
Abstract
Mucormycosis is a rare, severe fungal infection mainly affecting immunocompromised individuals. Because of limited data on its epidemiology in Oman, we present this national, multicentric, retrospective review that includes all cases of proven mucormycosis between 2006 and 2022 in Oman. There were 51 [...] Read more.
Mucormycosis is a rare, severe fungal infection mainly affecting immunocompromised individuals. Because of limited data on its epidemiology in Oman, we present this national, multicentric, retrospective review that includes all cases of proven mucormycosis between 2006 and 2022 in Oman. There were 51 cases of mucormycosis reported in Oman. The annual incidence of mucormycosis was 0.38–0.69 cases per million population before COVID-19. During the pandemic, the incidence rose significantly to 1.76 in 2020, 5.31 in 2021, then decreased to 0.87 per million population in 2022. Diabetes was observed in 82.4% (n = 42) of the cases, COVID-19 in 47.1% (n = 24), and other chronic diseases in 72.6%. The use of steroids was reported in 33.3% (n = 17) and many patients (64.7%, n = 33) had multiple risk factors. The overall mortality rate was 41.2% (n = 21) and most deaths occurred within a month of diagnosis. Mortality rate among patients diagnosed with COVID-19 was 58.3% (14/24). Survival analysis showed a statistically significant association between COVID-19 status and patient survival (p = 0.024). Annual incidence of mucormycosis in Oman rose during the pandemic. This study highlights the epidemiological features of mucormycosis and emphasizes the importance of its inclusion in the national notifiable communicable diseases priority list as well as the importance of enhancing diagnostic capacities to detect and improve patient outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Invasive Fungal Infections 2024)
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24 pages, 5479 KiB  
Article
Oestrogen Detoxification Ability of White Rot Fungus Trametes hirsuta LE-BIN 072: Exoproteome and Transformation Product Profiling
by Olga S. Savinova, Tatiana S. Savinova and Tatyana V. Fedorova
J. Fungi 2024, 10(11), 795; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10110795 - 15 Nov 2024
Viewed by 575
Abstract
White rot fungi, especially representatives of the genus Trametes spp. (Polyporaceae), are effective destructors of various xenobiotics, including oestrogens (phenol-like steroids), which are now widespread in the environment and pose a serious threat to the health of humans, animals and aquatic organisms. In [...] Read more.
White rot fungi, especially representatives of the genus Trametes spp. (Polyporaceae), are effective destructors of various xenobiotics, including oestrogens (phenol-like steroids), which are now widespread in the environment and pose a serious threat to the health of humans, animals and aquatic organisms. In this work, the ability of the white rot fungus Trametes hirsuta LE-BIN 072 to transform oestrone (E1) and 17β-oestradiol (E2), the main endocrine disruptors, was shown. More than 90% of the initial E1 and E2 were removed by the fungus during the first 24 h of transformation. The transformation process proceeded predominantly in the direction of the initial substrates’ detoxification, with the radical oxidative coupling of E1 and E2 as well as their metabolites and the formation of less toxic dimers in various combinations. A number of minor metabolites, in particular, less toxic estriol (E3), were identified by HPLC-MS. The formation of E1 from E2 and vice versa were shown. The exoproteome of the white rot fungus during the transformation of oestrogens was studied in detail for the first time. The contribution of ligninolytic peroxidases (MnP5, MnP7 and VP2) to the process of the extracellular detoxification of oestrogens and their possible metabolites is highlighted. Thus, the studied strain appears to be a promising mycodetoxicant of phenol-like steroids in aquatic environments. Full article
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22 pages, 9617 KiB  
Article
The Role of Aspergillus niger in Regulating Internal Browning Involves Flavonoid Biosynthesis and the Endophytic Fungal Community of Pineapple
by Fei Shen, Guang Wang and Shijiang Zhu
J. Fungi 2024, 10(11), 794; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10110794 - 15 Nov 2024
Viewed by 584
Abstract
Endophytic fungi are commonly used to control plant diseases, overcoming the drawbacks of chemical agents. The internal browning (IB) of postharvest pineapple fruit, a physiological disease, leads to quality losses and limits industrial development. This work investigated the relationship among the effects of [...] Read more.
Endophytic fungi are commonly used to control plant diseases, overcoming the drawbacks of chemical agents. The internal browning (IB) of postharvest pineapple fruit, a physiological disease, leads to quality losses and limits industrial development. This work investigated the relationship among the effects of Aspergillus niger (An) on IB controlling, flavonoid metabolism and the endophytic fungal community of pineapple through metabolomics, transcriptomics, microbiomics and microorganism mutagenesis technology. We obtained an endophyte An that can control the IB of pineapple and screened its mutant strain AnM, through chemical mutagenesis, that cannot control IB. The transcriptome of fungi showed that An and AnM were different in oxidative metabolism. Transcriptome and metabolome analyses of pineapple showed that An upregulated genes of flavonoid synthesis, including dihydroflavonol 4-reductase and flavonoid 3′-monooxygenase and increased the flavonoid content in pineapple fruit, i.e., Hispidulin, Hispidulin-7-O-Glucoside, and Diosmetin, while AnM could not. Microbiomics analysis identified an increase in the abundance of eight endophytic fungi in An-inoculated fruit, among which the abundance of six endophytic fungi (Filobasidium magnum, Naganishia albida, A. niger, Aureobasidium melanogenum, Kwoniella heveanensis and Lysurus cruciatus) was positively correlated with the content of three flavonoids mentioned above but not in AnM-inoculated fruit. Overall, this suggested, for the first time, that A. niger alleviated IB mainly by enhancing flavonoid synthesis and content and the abundance of endophytic fungi and by regulating the interaction between flavonoid content and endophytic fungi abundance in pineapple. This work adds to the understanding of the IB mechanism in postharvest pineapple and provides a new green approach for reducing postharvest losses and controlling physiological diseases. Full article
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10 pages, 949 KiB  
Brief Report
Evaluation of a New Automated Mono-Test for the Detection of Aspergillus Galactomannan: Comparison of Aspergillus Galactomannan Ag VirCLIA® Mono-Test with PlateliaTM Aspergillus Ag ELISA Assay
by Giuliana Lo Cascio, Valentina Lepera, Annarita Sorrentino, Domenico Caleca, Paolo Gigante, Gabriella Tocci, Alda Bazaj, Annalisa Mancini, Marina Bolzoni, Evelina Cattadori, Davide Gibellini, Chiara Gorrini, Claudio Farina, Roberta Schiavo and on behalf of the Medical Mycology Committee (CoSM)—Italian Association of Clinical Microbiology (AMCLI)
J. Fungi 2024, 10(11), 793; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10110793 - 15 Nov 2024
Viewed by 552
Abstract
The analytical performance of the new Aspergillus Galactomannan Ag VirCLIA® mono-test (Vircell S.L.) was compared to the Platelia™ Aspergillus Ag ELISA assay (Bio-Rad). Prospective serum and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples from patients at risk of invasive aspergillosis (IA) were tested using both [...] Read more.
The analytical performance of the new Aspergillus Galactomannan Ag VirCLIA® mono-test (Vircell S.L.) was compared to the Platelia™ Aspergillus Ag ELISA assay (Bio-Rad). Prospective serum and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples from patients at risk of invasive aspergillosis (IA) were tested using both the Aspergillus Galactomannan Ag VirCLIA® mono-test and the Platelia™ Aspergillus Ag ELISA assay. Concordance, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated using the manufacturer-recommended cutoff levels. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and the Youden index were performed to determine the optimal cutoff. A total of 187 serum samples and 73 BAL samples were analyzed with both assays. The concordance between the Aspergillus Galactomannan Ag VirCLIA® mono-test and the Platelia™ Aspergillus Ag ELISA assay was 87.8%, with a Cohen’s kappa of 0.75. The sensitivity and specificity of the Aspergillus Galactomannan Ag VirCLIA® mono-test were 78.6% and 96.2%, respectively, with positive and negative predictive values of 94.8% and 83.3%. The ROC curve for the Aspergillus Galactomannan Ag VirCLIA® mono-test demonstrated an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.87, and the Youden index at the manufacturer’s established cutoff was 0.73. This new Aspergillus Galactomannan Ag VirCLIA® mono-test exhibited adequate analytical and clinical performance, showing good correlation with the Platelia™ Aspergillus Ag ELISA assay. The single-sample, semi-automated test is user-friendly, allowing small laboratories to perform the test on demand without the need for batch evaluations, providing a useful solution for timely diagnostic support for clinicians. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Invasive Fungal Infections 2024)
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12 pages, 4781 KiB  
Article
Response of the Endophytic Microbiome in Cotinus coggygria Roots to Verticillium Wilt Infection
by Yanli Cheng, Juan Zhao, Yayong Liu, Taotao Zhang, Tom Hsiang, Zhihe Yu and Wentao Qin
J. Fungi 2024, 10(11), 792; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10110792 - 15 Nov 2024
Viewed by 680
Abstract
Verticillium wilt caused by Verticillium dahliae Kleb. is a lethal soil-borne fungal disease of Cotinus coggygria. The plant endophytic microbiome plays an important role in maintaining plant health and disease resistance, but it is unclear how the endophytic microbiome of C. coggygria [...] Read more.
Verticillium wilt caused by Verticillium dahliae Kleb. is a lethal soil-borne fungal disease of Cotinus coggygria. The plant endophytic microbiome plays an important role in maintaining plant health and disease resistance, but it is unclear how the endophytic microbiome of C. coggygria roots varies in response to Verticillium wilt occurrence. In this study, the endophytic microbial diversity, community composition, dominant species, and co-occurrence network of C. coggygria under Verticillium wilt-affected and healthy conditions were assessed using Illumina sequencing. Compared with healthy plants, the bacterial alpha diversity indices of Verticillium wilt-affected plants decreased significantly, while the fungal alpha diversity indices showed obvious increases. The relative abundance of dominant taxa including Proteobacteria, Actinobacteriota, Ascomycota, and Basidiomycota at the phylum level, as well as Gammaproteobacteria, Thermoleophilia, Dothideomycetes, and Agaricomycetes at the class level, differed significantly between Verticillium wilt-affected and healthy plants. Co-occurrence networks revealed that the fungal network of Verticillium wilt-affected roots was denser with more negative interactions, which may be relevant to functional changes from reciprocity to competition in the microbial community, in response to V. dahliae infection. The results enhanced our understanding on the relationships between the endophytic microbiome and Verticillium wilt, which could provide information for the management of this disease in C. coggygria. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Research in Soil Borne Plant Pathogens)
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34 pages, 12661 KiB  
Article
Discovery of Alanomyces manoharacharyi: A Novel Fungus Identified Using Genome Sequencing and Metabolomic Analysis
by Shiwali Rana and Sanjay K. Singh
J. Fungi 2024, 10(11), 791; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10110791 - 14 Nov 2024
Viewed by 608
Abstract
In this study, a new species of Alanomyces was isolated as an endophyte from the bark of Azadirachta indica from Mulshi, Maharashtra. The identity of this isolate was confirmed based on the asexual morphological characteristics as well as multi-gene phylogeny based on the [...] Read more.
In this study, a new species of Alanomyces was isolated as an endophyte from the bark of Azadirachta indica from Mulshi, Maharashtra. The identity of this isolate was confirmed based on the asexual morphological characteristics as well as multi-gene phylogeny based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit (LSU) nuclear ribosomal RNA (rRNA) regions. As this was the second species to be reported in this genus, we sequenced the genome of this species to increase our knowledge about the possible applicability of this genus to various industries. Its genome length was found to be 35.01 Mb, harboring 7870 protein-coding genes as per Augustus and 8101 genes using GeMoMa. Many genes were annotated using the Clusters of Orthologous Groups (COGs) database, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), Gene Ontology (GO), Swiss-Prot, NCBI non-redundant nucleotide sequences (NTs), and NCBI non-redundant protein sequences (NRs). The number of repeating sequences was predicted using Proteinmask and RepeatMasker; tRNA were detected using tRNAscan and snRNA were predicted using rfam_scan. The genome was also annotated using the Pathogen–Host Interactions Database (PHI-base) and AntiSMASH. To confirm the evolutionary history, average nucleotide identity (ANIb), phylogeny based on orthologous proteins, and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were carried out. Metabolic profiling of the methanolic extract of dried biomass and ethyl acetate extract of the filtrate revealed a variety of compounds of great importance in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry. The characterization and genomic analysis of the newly discovered species Alanomyces manoharacharyi highlights its potential applicability across multiple industries, particularly in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics due to its diverse secondary metabolites and unique genetic features it possesses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Taxonomy, Systematics and Evolution of Forestry Fungi, 2nd Edition)
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14 pages, 322 KiB  
Article
Prevalence and Risk Factors Predicting Onychomycosis in Patients with and Without Diabetes Mellitus in Spain: A Cross-Sectional Study
by David Navarro-Pérez, José Luis Lázaro-Martínez, Sara García-Oreja, Teresa Pérez-Pérez, Francisco Javier Álvaro-Afonso and Aroa Tardáguila-García
J. Fungi 2024, 10(11), 790; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10110790 - 14 Nov 2024
Viewed by 803
Abstract
Background: A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of onychomycosis (ONM) and its causative pathogens in populations with and without diabetes in Spain. The association between the presence of ONM, different risk factors, and comorbidities was also examined. Methodology: A total [...] Read more.
Background: A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of onychomycosis (ONM) and its causative pathogens in populations with and without diabetes in Spain. The association between the presence of ONM, different risk factors, and comorbidities was also examined. Methodology: A total of 160 patients with diabetes and 160 individuals without diabetes were recruited consecutively. A single investigator recorded the relative data of each patient and sampled nail dust and detritus for microbiological culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses of patients who showed clinical signs of fungal infection. Results: The prevalence of ONM was 36.88% (59/160) in the population with diabetes, 17.5% (28/160) in the population without diabetes, and 34.35% (45/131) in the population with diabetic foot. Dermatophyte fungi were most frequently identified, although the proportion was higher among those without diabetes than those with diabetes (19/28 and 28/59, respectively). However, the rate of mixed infections was higher in the population with diabetes compared to those without diabetes (13/59 and 2/28, respectively). A statistically significant association was found between the presence of diabetes and the risk of ONM (p < 0.001; odds ratio (OR) = 2.754; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.652–4.679). The risk factors associated with ONM among the patients with diabetes were a history of minor amputation, revascularisation, or cardiovascular disease, a low educational level, HbA1c values > 7%, hyperkeratosis, and subungual detritus. Among the patients without diabetes, nail thickening and chromonychia were associated with ONM. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the early diagnosis of ONM and knowledge of risk factors among patients with diabetes could enable the prevention of ONM, complications, and serious injuries through education for professionals and patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Infections: New Challenges and Opportunities, 2nd Edition)
19 pages, 4211 KiB  
Article
Isolation, Identification, and Analyzing the Biological Characteristics of Pathogens Causing Stem Rot of Lanzhou Onion During Postharvest Storage and Studying the Influence of Pathogen Infection on the Active Components of Lanzhou Onion
by Ruoxing Wang, Hui Zhang, Qingru Zhang, Jihui Xi, Kunhao Jiang, Jinzhu Li, Huali Xue and Yang Bi
J. Fungi 2024, 10(11), 789; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10110789 - 14 Nov 2024
Viewed by 566
Abstract
This study was conducted in order to explore the pathogens that cause stem rot of fresh onions during postharvest storage, identify the incidence of stem rot, investigate the influence of pathogen infection on the active components of onion, and provide a theoretical basis [...] Read more.
This study was conducted in order to explore the pathogens that cause stem rot of fresh onions during postharvest storage, identify the incidence of stem rot, investigate the influence of pathogen infection on the active components of onion, and provide a theoretical basis for disease control during the postharvest storage of fresh onions. The pathogens were isolated and purified from the junction between the rotten and healthy tissues of onion stem rot that occurred naturally during storage at room temperature by tissue separation; then, the pathogens were identified by morphological and molecular biological techniques, the biological characteristics of the pathogens were analyzed, and finally, the influence of pathogen infection on the active ingredients of onion was studied. The results suggested that the main pathogens causing stem rot of fresh onions during postharvest storage were Talaromyces pinophilus, Trichoderma simmonsii, and Talaromyces minioluteus. The optimum colony growth conditions for T. pinophilus were as follows: a temperature of 30 °C, a pH of 7, light for 24 h, maltose as a carbon source, and peptone as a nitrogen source; the lethal temperature was 65 °C for 15 min. For T. simmonsii, the lethal temperature was 60 °C for 15 min, and the optimum sporulation conditions were a temperature of 25 °C, a pH of 5–7, light for 24 h, a carbon source of sucrose, and a nitrogen source of yeast powder. For T. minioluteus, the lethal condition was 65 °C for 15 min; the optimum colony growth conditions were a temperature of 25 °C, a pH of 8–9, 24 h of darkness, a carbon source of maltose, and a nitrogen source of peptone. The relative content of sulfur compounds, as the active components of onions, was much lower in the infected onions than in the healthy onions due to infection by the pathogens T. pinophilus, T.simmonsii, and T.minioluteus. This study will provide a theoretical basis for further effective control of the occurrence of postharvest stem rot diseases of onions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Control of Postharvest Fungal Diseases, 2nd Edition)
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9 pages, 1737 KiB  
Case Report
Invasive Aspergillosis with Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis Following High-Dose Corticosteroid Therapy: A Challenging Case of Rhino-Orbital-Cerebral Mycosis
by Faruk Karakeçili, Orçun Barkay, Betül Sümer, Umut Devrim Binay, Kemal Buğra Memiş, Özlem Yapıcıer and Mecdi Gürhan Balcı
J. Fungi 2024, 10(11), 788; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10110788 - 13 Nov 2024
Viewed by 654
Abstract
Invasive aspergillosis is a rare but severe fungal infection primarily affecting immunocompromised individuals. The Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has introduced new complexities in managing aspergillosis due to the widespread use of corticosteroids for treating COVID-19-related respiratory distress, which can increase susceptibility to fungal [...] Read more.
Invasive aspergillosis is a rare but severe fungal infection primarily affecting immunocompromised individuals. The Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has introduced new complexities in managing aspergillosis due to the widespread use of corticosteroids for treating COVID-19-related respiratory distress, which can increase susceptibility to fungal infections. Here, we present a challenging case of progressive cerebral aspergillosis complicated by cavernous sinus thrombosis (CST) in a 67-year-old male with a history of COVID-19. The patient, initially misdiagnosed with temporal arteritis, received pulse corticosteroid therapy twice before presenting with persistent left-sided headaches and vision loss. Cranial imaging revealed findings consistent with fungal sinusitis, Tolosa–Hunt syndrome, and orbital pseudotumor, which progressed despite initial antifungal therapy. Subsequent magnetic resonance imaging indicated an invasive mass extending into the left cavernous sinus and other intracranial structures, raising suspicion of aspergillosis. A transsphenoidal biopsy confirmed Aspergillus infection, leading to voriconazole therapy. Despite aggressive treatment, follow-up imaging revealed significant progression, with extension to the right frontal region and left cavernous sinus. The patient then developed visual impairment in the right eye and was diagnosed with CST secondary to fungal sinusitis. Management included a combination of systemic antifungals and antibiotics; however, the patient declined surgical intervention. This case underscores the diagnostic challenges and rapid progression associated with cerebral aspergillosis in post-COVID-19 patients treated with corticosteroids. This report highlights the need for heightened clinical suspicion and prompt, targeted interventions in similar cases to improve patient outcomes. Further research is required to understand the optimal management of invasive fungal infections. Full article
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10 pages, 1469 KiB  
Article
The Effects of COVID-19 on Antifungal Prescribing in the UK—Lessons to Learn
by Katharine Pates, Zhendan Shang, Rebeka Jabbar, Darius Armstrong-James, Silke Schelenz, Jimstan Periselneris, Rossella Arcucci and Anand Shah
J. Fungi 2024, 10(11), 787; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10110787 - 13 Nov 2024
Viewed by 572
Abstract
Fungal infections are increasingly prevalent; however, antifungal stewardship attracts little funding or attention. Previous studies have shown that knowledge of guidelines and scientific evidence regarding antifungals is poor, leading to prescribing based on personal experiences and the inherent biases this entails. We carried [...] Read more.
Fungal infections are increasingly prevalent; however, antifungal stewardship attracts little funding or attention. Previous studies have shown that knowledge of guidelines and scientific evidence regarding antifungals is poor, leading to prescribing based on personal experiences and the inherent biases this entails. We carried out a retrospective study of inpatient antifungal usage at two major hospitals. We assessed the longitudinal trends in antifungal usage and the effect of COVID-19 on antifungal prescription, alongside levels of empirical and diagnostically targeted antifungal usage. Our results showed that the longitudinal patterns of total systemic antifungal usage within the trusts were similar to national prescribing trends; however, the composition of antifungals varied considerably, even when looking exclusively at the more homogenous group of COVID-19 patients. We showed a high level of empirical antifungal use in COVID-19 patients, with neither trust adhering to international recommendations and instead appearing to follow prior prescribing habits. This study highlights the significant challenges to optimise antifungal use with prescribing behaviour largely dictated by habit, a lack of adherence to guidelines, and high rates of empirical non-diagnostic-based prescribing. Further research and resources are required to understand the impact of antifungal stewardship on improving antifungal prescribing behaviours in this setting and the effects on outcome. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Progress and Challenges in Antimicrobial Resistance)
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18 pages, 3124 KiB  
Review
Roles of Different Signaling Pathways in Cryptococcus neoformans Virulence
by Fawad Mahmood, Jun-Ming Chen, Ammar Mutahar Al-Huthaifi, Abdullah Ali Al-Alawi and Tong-Bao Liu
J. Fungi 2024, 10(11), 786; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10110786 - 13 Nov 2024
Viewed by 816
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is a widespread fungal pathogen that can infect the human central nervous system (CNS) and cause fungal meningitis, leading to hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide each year. Previous studies have demonstrated that many signal transduction pathways are crucial for the [...] Read more.
Cryptococcus neoformans is a widespread fungal pathogen that can infect the human central nervous system (CNS) and cause fungal meningitis, leading to hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide each year. Previous studies have demonstrated that many signal transduction pathways are crucial for the morphological development and virulence of C. neoformans. In this review, data from over 116 research articles have been compiled to show that many signaling pathways control various characteristics of C. neoformans, individually or in association with other pathways, and to establish strong links among them to better understand C. neoformans pathogenesis. Every characteristic of C. neoformans is closely linked to these signaling pathways, making this a rich area for further research. It is essential to thoroughly explore these pathways to address questions that remain and apply a molecular mechanistic approach to link them. Targeting these pathways is crucial for understanding the exact mechanism of infection pathogenesis and will facilitate the development of antifungal drugs as well as the diagnosis and prevention of cryptococcosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cryptococcus Infections and Pathogenesis)
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13 pages, 1931 KiB  
Article
Molecular Biodiversity in Fusarium subglutinans and F. temperatum: A Valuable Tool to Distinguish the Two Sister Species and Determine the Beauvericin Chemotype
by Antonia Susca, Alessandra Villani, Miriam Haidukowski, Filomena Epifani, Antonio F. Logrieco and Antonio Moretti
J. Fungi 2024, 10(11), 785; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10110785 - 13 Nov 2024
Viewed by 581
Abstract
Fusarium subglutinans and F. temperatum are widely distributed maize pathogens recognized as distinct species with a species-specific chemotype based on patterns of mycotoxins. Recent comparative genomic analysis revealed that genomes of both species carry a complete beauvericin (Bea) biosynthetic genes cluster, [...] Read more.
Fusarium subglutinans and F. temperatum are widely distributed maize pathogens recognized as distinct species with a species-specific chemotype based on patterns of mycotoxins. Recent comparative genomic analysis revealed that genomes of both species carry a complete beauvericin (Bea) biosynthetic genes cluster, but the key gene Bea1 in F. subglutinans is not functional likely due to a large insertion (NRPS22ins) and multiple mutations (SNP298 and SNP528). We used the recently published genome sequences for these species to develop PCR markers for investigating the distribution of three main mutations in the Bea1 gene in a large collection of strains of both species from around the world. We also designed a PCR assay for a rapid and reliable discrimination of both species in the evaluation of crop exposure to mycotoxins. Overall, our results showed that SNP528 was the most common mutation, followed by NRPS22ins and SNP298. Moreover, phylogenetic analyses suggest that non-synonymous SNPs have occurred first, and that the resulting inactivation of BEA production has caused the accumulation of other polymorphisms, including the NRPS22ins, in the entire gene-coding region. The screening for genetic differences between these species could guide future crop management strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Diversity in Europe, 3rd Edition)
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13 pages, 7367 KiB  
Article
A New Genus Neotricholomopsis Gen. Nov and Description of Neotricholomopsis globispora Sp. Nov. (Phyllotopsidaceae, Agaricales) from Northwestern China Based on Phylogeny, Morphology, and Divergence Time
by Longfei Fan, Biyue Wang, Xue Zhong, Hongmin Zhou, Shunyi Yang and Xiaohong Ji
J. Fungi 2024, 10(11), 784; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10110784 - 13 Nov 2024
Viewed by 597
Abstract
While investigating macrofungi diversity in Gansu province, northwestern China, five fresh and fleshy specimens were collected, which are characterized by nearly white to buff hemispherical pileus with waved margins, a disc depressed with coral to brownish red fibrillose scales, adnate to sub-decurrent lamellae [...] Read more.
While investigating macrofungi diversity in Gansu province, northwestern China, five fresh and fleshy specimens were collected, which are characterized by nearly white to buff hemispherical pileus with waved margins, a disc depressed with coral to brownish red fibrillose scales, adnate to sub-decurrent lamellae with four relatively regular rows of lamellulae, a stipe that is central, hollow, frequently straight to curved; basidiospores that are globose to subglobose, 5.0–6.0 × (3.5−) 4.0–5.0 (−5.5) μm, narrowly clavate cheilocystidia predominantly, pleurocystidia and caulocystidia not observed; and a cutis pileipellis, with hyphae slightly inflated in the KOH. The results of phylogeny analysis indicated that the species forms an independent lineage in Phyllotopsidaceae based on the ITS (ITS5/ITS4) and nLSU (LR0R/LR7) dataset. Molecular clock analyses suggested the common ancestor of Neotricholomopsis emerged later than upper Cretaceous with a mean crown age of 229.36 Mya (95% highest posterior density of 129.63–343.08 Mya). These five specimens were described as an unreported taxon based on the phylogeny analysis combined with morphological examination and ecological and geographical distribution. Detailed descriptions, illustrations, and phylogenetic trees to demonstrate the placement of this species and discussions with its related species are provided. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity, Phylogeny and Ecology of Forest Fungi)
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12 pages, 2158 KiB  
Article
An Algerian Soil-Living Streptomyces alboflavus Strain as Source of Antifungal Compounds for the Management of the Pea Pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. pisi
by Marco Masi, Dorsaf Nedjar, Moustafa Bani, Ivana Staiano, Maria Michela Salvatore, Karima Khenaka, Stefany Castaldi, Jesus Garcia Zorrilla, Anna Andolfi, Rachele Isticato and Alessio Cimmino
J. Fungi 2024, 10(11), 783; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10110783 - 12 Nov 2024
Viewed by 631
Abstract
Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. pisi (Fop) poses significant threats to pea cultivation worldwide. Controlling this disease is mainly achieved through the integration of various disease management procedures, among which biological control has proven to be a safe [...] Read more.
Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. pisi (Fop) poses significant threats to pea cultivation worldwide. Controlling this disease is mainly achieved through the integration of various disease management procedures, among which biological control has proven to be a safe and effective approach. This study aims to extract and identify antifungal secondary metabolites from Streptomyces alboflavus KRO3 strain and assess their effectiveness in inhibiting the in vitro growth of Fop. This bacterial strain exerts in vitro antagonistic activity against Fop, achieving highly significant inhibition over one week. The ethyl acetate extract, obtained from its ISP2 agar medium culture, also exhibited strong antifungal activity, maintaining an inhibition rate of approximately 90% at concentrations up to 250 µg/plug compared to the control. Thus, the organic extract has been fractionated using chromatographic techniques and its bioguided purification allowed us to isolate the main bioactive compound. This latter was identified as metacycloprodigiosin using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), and specific optical rotation data. Metacycloprodigiosin demonstrates dose-dependent inhibitory activity against the phytopathogen with an effective concentration of 125 µg/plug. The other secondary metabolites present in the ethyl acetate extract were also identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). This study highlighted the potential of S. alboflavus KRO3 strain and its antimicrobial compounds for the management of the pea pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. pisi. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Investigators in Bioactive Fungal Metabolites, 2nd Edition)
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15 pages, 9567 KiB  
Article
Antifungal Action of Metallic Nanoparticles Against Fungicide-Resistant Pathogens Causing Main Postharvest Lemon Diseases
by Carina G. Baigorria, Luciana Cerioni, Mario A. Debes, Ana E. Ledesma, Patricio Alastuey, Mónica Tirado, Sabrina I. Volentini and Viviana A. Rapisarda
J. Fungi 2024, 10(11), 782; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10110782 - 11 Nov 2024
Viewed by 523
Abstract
Postharvest fungal diseases are the main cause of economic losses in lemon production. The continued use of synthetic fungicides to control the diseases favors the emergence of resistant strains, which encourages the search for alternatives. The aim of this study was to assess [...] Read more.
Postharvest fungal diseases are the main cause of economic losses in lemon production. The continued use of synthetic fungicides to control the diseases favors the emergence of resistant strains, which encourages the search for alternatives. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) as antifungal agents against local isolates of Penicillium digitatum and Penicillium italicum, each of them in a fungicide-sensitive and -resistant version, and a Geotrichum citri-aurantii isolate. NPs of ZnO, CuO, and Ag were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopy and microscopy, presenting average sizes < 25 nm and spherical shapes. ZnO-NPs did not present antifungal activity at the assayed conditions, while the minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFCs) were 1000 and 10 µg mL−1 for CuO-NPs and Ag-NPs, respectively. The NPs’ antimicrobial action included conidial membrane permeability and strong intracellular disorganization. Moreover, the Ag-NPs reduced green mold incidence on inoculated lemons when applied to the fruit. Taken together, Ag-NPs were effective in inhibiting both fungicide-sensitive and -resistant isolates of the main lemon postharvest pathogens, suggesting their potential use as an alternative approach. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Management of Postharvest Fungal Diseases of Fruits and Vegetables)
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15 pages, 2303 KiB  
Article
Key Amino Acid Residues of the Agt1 Transporter for Trehalose Transport by Saccharomyces cerevisiae
by Anqi Chen, Yuhan Cheng, Liushi Meng and Jian Chen
J. Fungi 2024, 10(11), 781; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10110781 - 11 Nov 2024
Viewed by 626
Abstract
Trehalose is crucial for the stress resistance of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, primarily through its stabilization of proteins and membranes. The Agt1 transporter, a member of the Major Facilitator Superfamily, mediates trehalose uptake, a key process for maintaining cellular integrity under stress. Despite its [...] Read more.
Trehalose is crucial for the stress resistance of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, primarily through its stabilization of proteins and membranes. The Agt1 transporter, a member of the Major Facilitator Superfamily, mediates trehalose uptake, a key process for maintaining cellular integrity under stress. Despite its importance, the molecular mechanisms of Agt1-mediated trehalose transport remain underexplored. In this study, we expressed and purified the trehalase enzyme TreA from E. coli to develop reliable trehalose assays. We screened 257 wild S. cerevisiae isolates, identifying strains with enhanced trehalose transport capacities. Comparative analyses, including structural modeling and molecular docking, revealed that specific Agt1 variants exhibited significantly higher transport efficiency, influenced by key residues in the transporter. Molecular dynamics simulations and steered molecular dynamics provided further insights, particularly into the role of the Agt1 channel head region in substrate recognition and binding. Site-directed mutagenesis validated these findings, showing that mutations at critical residues, such as 156Q, 164L, 256Q, 395E, 396R, and 507Y significantly reduced transport activity, while 137Q, 230T, and 514 N increased efficiency under certain conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Fungal Cell Biology, Metabolism and Physiology)
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15 pages, 12638 KiB  
Article
Spatiotemporal Pattern of a Macrofungal Genus Phylloporia (Basidiomycota) Revealing Its Adaptive Evolution in China
by Xue-Wei Wang and Li-Wei Zhou
J. Fungi 2024, 10(11), 780; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10110780 - 10 Nov 2024
Viewed by 460
Abstract
The understanding of distribution and the evolutionary scenario is crucial for the utilization and conservation of biological resources; nevertheless, such explorations rarely focus on macrofungi. The current study selects a macrofungal genus, Phylloporia, and explores its spatiotemporal pattern in China. A total of [...] Read more.
The understanding of distribution and the evolutionary scenario is crucial for the utilization and conservation of biological resources; nevertheless, such explorations rarely focus on macrofungi. The current study selects a macrofungal genus, Phylloporia, and explores its spatiotemporal pattern in China. A total of 117 available occurrence records of Phylloporia in China were summarized for the current analyses. Ensemble modeling supports the highly suitable habitat of Phylloporia concentrated in southern, especially southeastern, China, where the ancestor of Phylloporia originated 77.74 million years ago and then dispersed to other parts of China. Benefitting from the available suitable habitats, Phylloporia rapidly diversified after its divergence in Southeast China. Then, the net diversification rate slowed down when the rapidly diversifying species filled available niches in Southeast China and the dispersed species in other parts of China inhabited the less suitable and unsuitable habitats. During adaptive evolution, precipitation, temperature and the host plant are the major environmental variables that shape the spatiotemporal pattern of Phylloporia. In conclusion, the current study reveals the adaptive evolutionary scenario of Phylloporia and provides the first exploration of the spatiotemporal pattern of macrofungi. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Taxonomy, Systematics and Evolution of Forestry Fungi, 2nd Edition)
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9 pages, 2558 KiB  
Communication
Quantitative Monitoring of Cyclic Glycine–Proline in Marine Mangrove-Derived Fungal Metabolites
by Jing Lin, Fei Qin, Zeye Lin, Weijian Lin, Minxin You, Li Xu, Lei Hu and Yung-Husan Chen
J. Fungi 2024, 10(11), 779; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10110779 - 10 Nov 2024
Viewed by 576
Abstract
This study developed and validated a robust UPLC-MS/MS method for quantifying cyclic glycine–proline (cGP) in mangrove-derived Penicillium and Aspergillus strains. The method demonstrated excellent linearity, precision, and recovery, with detection limits as low as 4.8 ng/mL. Penicillium pedernalense extract achieved a cGP content [...] Read more.
This study developed and validated a robust UPLC-MS/MS method for quantifying cyclic glycine–proline (cGP) in mangrove-derived Penicillium and Aspergillus strains. The method demonstrated excellent linearity, precision, and recovery, with detection limits as low as 4.8 ng/mL. Penicillium pedernalense extract achieved a cGP content of 67.45 ± 1.11 ng/mL, with a corresponding fermentation yield of 29.31 ± 0.61 mg/L. This surpassed Penicillium steckii, which reached a content of 31.71 ± 0.31 ng/mL, with a yield of 8.51 ± 0.15 mg/L. This quantitative approach for metabolite analysis provides a viable method for screening these fungal strains, highlighting their potential for sustainable production of cyclic glycine–proline (cGP). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Gift of Marine Fungi: Abundant Secondary Metabolites)
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38 pages, 5296 KiB  
Review
Recent Updates on the Secondary Metabolites from Fusarium Fungi and Their Biological Activities (Covering 2019 to 2024)
by Prosper Amuzu, Xiaoqian Pan, Xuwen Hou, Jiahang Sun, Muhammad Abubakar Jakada, Eromosele Odigie, Dan Xu, Daowan Lai and Ligang Zhou
J. Fungi 2024, 10(11), 778; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10110778 - 9 Nov 2024
Viewed by 716
Abstract
Fusarium species are commonly found in soil, water, plants, and animals. A variety of secondary metabolites with multiple biological activities have been recently isolated from Fusarium species, making Fusarium fungi a treasure trove of bioactive compounds. This mini-review comprehensively highlights the newly isolated [...] Read more.
Fusarium species are commonly found in soil, water, plants, and animals. A variety of secondary metabolites with multiple biological activities have been recently isolated from Fusarium species, making Fusarium fungi a treasure trove of bioactive compounds. This mini-review comprehensively highlights the newly isolated secondary metabolites produced by Fusarium species and their various biological activities reported from 2019 to October 2024. About 276 novel metabolites were revealed from at least 21 Fusarium species in this period. The main metabolites were nitrogen-containing compounds, polyketides, terpenoids, steroids, and phenolics. The Fusarium species mostly belonged to plant endophytic, plant pathogenic, soil-derived, and marine-derived fungi. The metabolites mainly displayed antibacterial, antifungal, phytotoxic, antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic activities, suggesting their medicinal and agricultural applications. This mini-review aims to increase the diversity of Fusarium metabolites and their biological activities in order to accelerate their development and applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Fungal Cell Biology, Metabolism and Physiology)
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16 pages, 1110 KiB  
Article
Unraveling the Potential of Yarrowia lipolytica to Utilize Waste Motor Oil as a Carbon Source
by Sílvia M. Miranda, Isabel Belo and Marlene Lopes
J. Fungi 2024, 10(11), 777; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10110777 - 8 Nov 2024
Viewed by 701
Abstract
This study evaluated the potential of Y. lipolytica (CBS 2075 and DSM 8218) to grow in waste motor oil (WMO) and produce valuable compounds, laying the foundation for a sustainable approach to WMO management. Firstly, yeast strains were screened for their growth on [...] Read more.
This study evaluated the potential of Y. lipolytica (CBS 2075 and DSM 8218) to grow in waste motor oil (WMO) and produce valuable compounds, laying the foundation for a sustainable approach to WMO management. Firstly, yeast strains were screened for their growth on WMO (2–10 g·L−1) in microplate cultures. Despite limited growth, the CBS 2075 strain exhibited comparable growth to control conditions (without WMO), while DSM 8218 growth increased 2- and 3-fold at 5 g·L−1 and 10 g·L−1 WMO, respectively. The batch cultures in the bioreactor confirmed the best performance of DSM 8218. A two-stage fed-batch strategy–growth phase in aliphatic hydrocarbons, followed by the addition of WMO (one pulse of 5 g·L−1 or five pulses of 1 g·L−1 WMO), significantly increased biomass production and WMO assimilation by both strains. In experiments with five pulses, CBS 2075 and DSM 8218 strains reached high proteolytic activities (593–628 U·L−1) and accumulated high quantities of intracellular lipids (1.3–1.7 g·L−1). Yeast lipids, mainly composed of oleic and linoleic acids with an unsaturated/saturated fraction > 59%, meet the EU biodiesel standard EN 14214, making them suitable for biodiesel production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Yeast Lipid Production)
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27 pages, 42639 KiB  
Article
Three New Species and Five New Host Records from Chaetomiaceae with Anti-Phytopathogenic Potential from Cover Crops Astragalus sinicus and Vicia villosa
by Ning Qian, Yuhong Wu, Wei Zhang, Jun Yang, Vijai Bhadauria, Guozhen Zhang, Jiye Yan and Wensheng Zhao
J. Fungi 2024, 10(11), 776; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10110776 - 8 Nov 2024
Viewed by 659
Abstract
Cover crops, typically planted during off-seasons and requiring less agronomic manipulation, may provide abundant fungal resources. Certain species of Chaetomiaceae could serve as potential agents for controlling plant diseases and developing bioorganic fertilizers. Eight species from five genera of Chaetomiaceae were identified from [...] Read more.
Cover crops, typically planted during off-seasons and requiring less agronomic manipulation, may provide abundant fungal resources. Certain species of Chaetomiaceae could serve as potential agents for controlling plant diseases and developing bioorganic fertilizers. Eight species from five genera of Chaetomiaceae were identified from healthy Astragalus sinicus and Vicia villosa, two major cover crops, through multigene phylogenetic analysis, morphological identification, and pairwise homoplasy index testing. The identified species comprise three new species: Achaetomium astragali, Subramaniula henanensis, and S. sichuanensis, as well as five known but new host record species: Botryotrichum murorum, Chaetomium coarctatum, C. pseudocochliodes, C. pseudoglobosum, and Collariella pachypodioides. Dual culture tests revealed that isolates of all eight Chaetomiaceae species exhibited antagonistic effects on multiple phytopathogens. Among the identified fungi, the NSJA2 isolate, belonging to C. coarctatum, exhibited significant relative inhibition effects on 14 out of 15 phytopathogens tested in this study, indicating its broad-spectrum antagonistic effects. Additionally, NSJA2 exhibited excellent salt tolerance. Overall, our study has identified multiple fungi with anti-phytopathogens potential, among which NSJA2 exhibits high potential for practical application. This finding paves the way for further exploration and exploitation of NSJA2 as a promising biocontrol agent. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Fungal Evolution, Biodiversity and Systematics)
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