Search Results (104)

The European part of Russia has been characterized by a remarkably low documented diversity of entomopathogenic fungi, particularly when compared to the high species richness recorded in the Russian Far East. This pattern has persisted through decades of primarily morphology-based studies, which require critical reassessment using modern molecular methods. Here, we introduce a new species, Cordyceps biarmica, described from its asexual stage collected in the taiga of Arkhangelsk Oblast, representing a notable addition to the known diversity of the genus Cordyceps in the region. The fungus was isolated from a poorly preserved lepidopteran cocoon with pulvinate, unbranched conidiomata. Morphological features of its pure culture revealed an Isaria-like asexual morph characterized by solitary or verticillate phialides on a subspherical to subcylindrical base, bearing conidia in imbricate chains twisted in spirals. Multilocus phylogenetic analysis of a five-locus dataset (ITS, nrLSU, rpb1, rpb2, and tef1-α) was conducted using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference. The isolate was robustly placed within Cordyceps s.s., forming a distinct monophyletic lineage separate from other closely related well-supported taxa, including Cordyceps cateniannulata, C. exasperata, C. locastrae, C. polyarthra, C. sandindaengensis, and C. spegazzinii. Full article

The genus Fusarium comprises multiple species recognized as plant pathogens in both annual and perennial crops. Some phytopathogenic species of this genus can be transmitted by insect vectors, which introduce them into woody plant species of ecological and agroeconomic importance. Among these species, Fusarium kuroshium stands out, but studies are limited because it is a quarantine pathogen that requires special biosafety measures for its culture. This fungus produces fusaric acid (FA), a virulence factor that is widespread in Fusarium spp. To gain insight into the role of this phytotoxin in virulence, we exposed leaves of four woody host species (Liquidambar styraciflua, Persea americana, Citrus sinensis, and Populus nigra) of F. kuroshium to FA in vitro. The plant tissue exhibited varying degrees of cell death and physiological alterations, including a reduction in biomass, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), elevated electrolyte leakage, and loss of photosynthetic pigments. A chemical analysis demonstrated that the flavonoid and isoflavonoid pathways, in addition to linoleic and linolenic acid metabolism, were markedly affected by FA. Following the quantification of phenolic compounds in leaves, 11 metabolites were identified whose concentrations increased in response to FA stress. The findings of this study indicate that phenolic compounds play a significant role in the response to FA stress. Particularly, scopoletin has a protective effect on leaves of Liquidambar styraciflua. Full article

Hymenopellis raphanipes is a high-value edible fungus with a short shelf life and high perishability, which poses significant challenges for quality control and safety assurance throughout its supply chain. Ensuring effective traceability is essential for improving production management, strengthening consumer trust, and supporting brand development. This study proposes a comprehensive traceability system tailored to the full lifecycle of Hymenopellis raphanipes, addressing the operational needs of producers and regulators alike. Through detailed analysis of the entire supply chain, from raw material intake, cultivation, and processing to logistics and sales, the system defines standardized traceability granularity and a unique hierarchical coding scheme. A multi-layered system architecture is designed, comprising a data acquisition layer, network transmission layer, storage management layer, service orchestration layer, business logic layer, and user interaction layer, ensuring modularity, scalability, and maintainability. To address performance bottlenecks in traditional systems, a multi-chain collaborative traceability model is introduced, integrating a mainchain–sidechain storage mechanism with an on-chain/off-chain hybrid management strategy. This approach effectively mitigates storage overhead and enhances response efficiency. Furthermore, data integrity is verified through hash-based validation, supporting high-throughput queries and reliable traceability. Experimental results from its real-world deployment demonstrate that the proposed system significantly outperforms traditional single-chain models in terms of query latency and throughput. The solution enhances data transparency and regulatory efficiency, promotes sustainable practices in green agricultural production, and offers a scalable reference model for the traceability of other high-value agricultural products. Full article

Dark septate endophytes (DSEs) are commonly found in saline environments, such as the Flooding Pampas (Argentina), where the forage grass Chloris gayana has been introduced. This study evaluated the effect of salinity on the DSE fungus Exserohilum rostratum, isolated from C. gayana, and its contribution to the grass’s salinity tolerance. Two greenhouse experiments were conducted under three salinity levels (0, 40, and 80 meq Na·L⁻¹), with and without fungal inoculation. Fungal growth, root colonization, functional traits, plant biomass, chemical composition, and salinity tolerance indices were assessed. The fungus tolerated salinity and colonized roots, showing qualitative evidence of enzyme production and phosphate solubilization. In both experiments, shoot and root biomass decreased with increasing salinity. Inoculation significantly enhanced shoot biomass only under non-saline conditions in the first experiment, whereas in the second experiment no inoculation effect was observed on shoots. For roots, no effect of inoculation occurred in the first experiment, but a positive interaction between salinity and inoculation was recorded in the second experiment, where moderate salinity increased root biomass in inoculated plants. The K/Na and Ca/Na ratios decreased under salinity regardless of inoculation, indicating limited influence on ionic balance. These results suggest that although E. rostratum tolerates salinity and expresses functional traits, its ability to enhance plant performance under stress is context-dependent and restricted to specific conditions. Full article

The term chromosomal imprinting was introduced to denote the parent-of-origin-dependent behavior of chromosomes in the fungus gnat originally named Sciara coprophila (current taxonomic name is Bradysia coprophila). Such behavior is observed in Sciara coprophila embryos, where paternal X chromosomes (X_p) are specifically eliminated during the 7th–8th cleavage divisions. Elimination is regulated by a controlling element (CE) that has been mapped to heterochromomere II (H2) within the sub-telomeric short arm of polytene X chromosomes. Here, using a combination of a new Sciara genome assembly, along with ChIP-Seq and MeDIP analyses, we show that a 1.2 Mb region within the CE locus has a repressive epigenetic signature that is characterised by enrichments of H3K9me3, H4K20me3 and 5′-methyl cytosine (5meC). These data provide evidence for a model where the H3K9me3/HP1/H4K20me3 pathway operates to assemble a heterochromatin-like complex at the CE that renders it silent on X_p chromosomes that are not eliminated. In this regard, our findings support the idea that the H3K9me3/HP1/H4K20me3 pathway represents the most evolutionarily conserved mechanism linked to chromosomal imprinting in animals. Full article

Monascus purpureus is a filamentous fungus known for producing pharmaceutically valuable secondary metabolites, including azaphilone pigments and lovastatin. Lovastatin is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor widely used to manage hypercholesterolaemia, while Monascus pigments serve as natural colourants with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. This study evaluated the impact of quorum-sensing molecules (QSMs)—tyrosol (0.3 mM), farnesol (0.2 mM) and linoleic acid (0.4 mM)—on pigment and lovastatin yields in shake flasks and 2.5 L stirred-tank bioreactors. QSMs were introduced 48 h post-inoculation in shake flasks and 24 h in bioreactors. All QSMs increased yellow (OD₄₀₀), orange (OD₄₇₀), and red (OD₅₁₀) pigments and lovastatin concentration relative to the control, with scale-up further enhancing yields. Farnesol produced the most pronounced effect: in flasks, OD₄₀₀ 7.10 (1.86-fold), OD₄₇₀ 8.00 (2.12-fold), OD₅₁₀ 7.80 (2.08-fold), and 74.6 mg/L lovastatin (2.05-fold); in bioreactors, OD₄₀₀ 11.9 (2.06-fold), OD₄₇₀ 15.1 (2.71-fold), OD₅₁₀ 13.7 (2.47-fold), and 97.2 mg/L lovastatin (2.48-fold). This was followed by tyrosol treatment and then linoleic acid. These findings demonstrate that QSMs—particularly farnesol—significantly (p < 0.01) stimulate pigment and lovastatin biosynthesis in M. purpureus. Quorum sensing modulation represents a promising, scalable strategy to optimise fungal fermentation for industrial metabolite production. Full article

Pyrethroids are chemical insecticides used on a large scale in agriculture, horticulture, and forest protection. In order to reduce their use in IPM, alternative methods of controlling insect pests are introduced, such as the use of biopesticides based on entomopathogenic fungi (EPF). Species of the Beauveria genus are characterized by a very broad spectrum of action, which is why they are often used to produce preparations based on EPF. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of different doses of tested pyrethroids on the colony growth and metabolic activity of EPF from the Beauveria genus. In vitro, the effect of three pyrethroids (deltamethrin, λ-cyhalothrin, and α-cypermethrin) added to SDA medium at a dose 10 times lower than the recommended field dose (A), the recommended field dose (B), and 10 times higher than the recommended field dose (C) on colony growth and metabolic activity of B. bassiana and B. brongniartii was tested. The research carried out showed that pyrethroid insecticides used in the experiment showed various toxic effects towards the tested EPF of the genus Beauveria. The studies conducted showed that on the 20th day of the observation, λ-cyhalothrin used in the recommended field dose limited the growth of B. bassiana to the least extent in relation to the other tested pyrethroids. However, with respect to the fungus B. brongniartii, no toxic effect of this pyrethroid was found. Based on the results obtained, it was found that λ-cyhalothrin used in the recommended field dose and 10 times lower than recommended significantly increased the metabolic activity of B. bassiana. In relation to the B. brongniartii strain, detlamethrin used in each of the tested concentrations significantly affected its viability. Full article

Ustiloxins are a kind of cyclopeptide mycotoxins produced by rice false smut pathogen Villosiclava virens, which seriously threatens the safe production of rice and health of humans and animals. Hydroxylation, a biotransformation reaction that regio- and stereoselectively introduces a hydroxyl group into the molecule catalyzed by the hydroxylase produced by organisms, has been considered an efficient way to detoxify mycotoxins. In this study, the endophytic fungus Petriella setifera Nitaf10 was found to be able to detoxify ustiloxin A, the main toxic component in V. virens. In addition to the two main transformed products previously identified, ustiloxins A1 and A2, an additional transformed product was obtained by using cell-free extract (CFE) of P. setifera Nitaf10 prepared with 5 mmol/L of pH 9.0 carbonate-buffered solution (CBS). It was structurally characterized as a novel ustiloxin analog named 13-hydroxy ustiloxin A (1) by analysis of the 1D and 2D NMR and HRESIMS spectra as well as by comparison with known ustiloxins. Biotransformation reaction of ustiloxin A was found to proceed via hydroxylation, and was possibly catalyzed by the intracellular hydroxylase in the CFE. The cytotoxic and phytotoxic activities of 13-hydroxy ustiloxin A (1) were much weaker than those of ustiloxin A. Detoxification of ustiloxin A by hydroxylation of P. setifera will be an efficient strategy. Full article

This article explores the concept of ‘Tibetan Buddhist plant-hood’ within the doctrinal and ethnographic contexts of Tibetan Buddhism, proposing it as a framework to understand the karma-intricate relationships between plants, sentient beings, and spiritual entities. By drawing on canonical Tibetan Buddhist texts, this article examines sentience in Tibetan terms, then introduces the notion of procedural sentiency, an extended Buddhist conceptual tool that reveals the dynamic processes through which insentient forms acquire ethical and spiritual significance. Examining specific cases, such as sacred trees, Tibetan highland barley, and Yartsa Gunbu (caterpillar fungus), plants are conceived as embedded within more-than-human Tibetan societies that span the material, spiritual, and ecological worlds. This study also addresses the ethical tensions and relational reconfigurations arising from plant–human interactions, as informed by Buddhist practices and cosmological perspectives. This endeavour aspires to establish Himalayan conceptual frameworks that engage in meaningful dialogues with broader environmental discourses, fostering an integrative perspective on the interplay between local practices, cosmologies, and global theoretical paradigms. Full article

Macrocybe gigantea is a rare high-temperature edible fungus known for its resistance to browning. Previous studies suggested that the anti-browning property of the SCAU4 strain might be associated with low expression levels of the TYR7523 gene. In this study, an overexpression vector for the TYR7523 gene was constructed and introduced into SCAU4 mycelium using an Agrobacterium-mediated transformation method. After three rounds of hygromycin resistance screening, successful transformants were identified through PCR amplification and validated by qRT-PCR analysis, confirming a 3.47-fold upregulation of TYR7523 expression. The overexpression strain OE7523 was compared with the wild-type SCAU4 strain in terms of growth rate, browning degree, and tyrosinase activity. Although there was no significant difference in growth rate on the mother culture medium, OE7523 showed faster growth on the stock culture and mycelium culture medium. In the late storage period, OE7523 exhibited a higher browning degree and tyrosinase activity than SCAU4, suggesting a potential role of TYR7523 in fruiting body browning. Physiological analyses indicated that low TYR7523 expression may contribute to storage tolerance, while high expression influenced postharvest browning and preservation duration. The results provide data support for further study on the function of TYR7523 gene of Macrocybe gigantea. Full article

Classical Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) models were developed primarily for continuous data, allowing dimensionality reduction while preserving relationships between predictors and responses. However, their application to binary data is limited. This study introduces Binary Partial Least Squares Regression (BPLSR), a novel extension of the PLSR methodology designed specifically for scenarios involving binary predictors and responses. BPLSR adapts the classical PLSR framework to handle the unique properties of binary datasets. A key feature of this approach is the introduction of a triplot representation that integrates logistic biplots. This visualization tool provides an intuitive interpretation of relationships between individuals and variables from both predictor and response matrices, enhancing the interpretability of binary data analysis. To illustrate the applicability and effectiveness of BPLSR, the method was applied to a real-world dataset of strains of Colletotrichum graminicola, a pathogenic fungus. The results demonstrated the ability of the method to represent binary relationships between predictors and responses, underscoring its potential as a robust analytical tool. This work extends the capabilities of traditional PLSR methods and provides a practical and versatile solution for binary data analysis with broad applications in diverse research areas. Full article

Unique genes refer to genes specific to a particular organism and play crucial roles in the biological functions, evolutionary processes, and adaptations to external environments. However, the roles of unique genes in plant pathogenic fungi remain largely unexplored. In this study, we identified a novel unique gene in the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae, named MoUNG (M. oryzae unique gene), through T-DNA insertion mutagenesis. The disruption of the MoUNG promoter region in the T-DNA insertion mutant (T30-104) led to an almost loss of MoUNG expression. MoUNG has no functional domains and lacks homologues in other organism. It is highly expressed during the early-infection stage between 16 and 32 h post-inoculation (HPI), in contrast to its expression in mycelia and at the later infection stage of 48 HPI. Notably, attempts to knock out MoUNG were unsuccessful, so we examined the T30-104 mutant and found it showed significantly reduced growth, conidiation, and pathogenicity. Introducing the full-length MoUNG with its promoter into T30-104 restored these phenotypic defects. Additionally, subcellular localization assays revealed that MoUNG exhibits a dot-like distribution within the cytoplasm of mycelium, conidium, appressorium, and invasive hypha. Furthermore, knock-down of MoUNG produced results similar to those observed with the insertion mutation. In conclusion, we identified a novel unique gene MoUNG in M. oryzae and demonstrated its involvement in growth, conidiation, and pathogenicity. Full article

The exocyst complex in eukaryotic cells modulates secretory vesicle transportation to promote exocytosis. The exocyst is also required for the hyphal growth and pathogenic development of several filamentous phytopathogens. Obligate biotrophic powdery mildew fungi cause considerable damage to many cash crops; however, the exocyst’s roles in this group of fungi is not well studied. To verify the functions of the exocyst in powdery mildew fungus, we identified two exocyst subunits, EqSec5 and EqSec6, from Erysiphe quercicola, a powdery mildew fungus that infects the rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis. When GFP-fused EqSec5 and EqSec6 were introduced into E. quercicola and another phytopathogenic fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae, they primarily localized to the hyphal tip region. Inducing gene silencing of EqSec5 or EqSec6 caused growth and infection defects, and those defects could not be fully restored under the NADPH oxidase inhibitor treatment to the plant. The silenced strains also induced the host defense response including reactive oxygen species accumulation and callose deposition. The silencing of EqSec5 or EqSec6 also inhibited the secretion of the effector protein EqIsc1, interrupting plant salicylic acid biosynthesis. Yeast two-hybrid and gene overexpression assays suggested that EqSec5 and EqSec6 interact with each other and can complement each other’s function during host infection. Overall, our study provides evidence that the exocyst in this powdery mildew fungus facilitates effector secretion, hyphal growth, and infection. Full article

During the isolation, identification, and assessment of nematode-trapping fungi (NTF) against nematodes, we discovered an unusual fungus in decaying wood from Morelos State, Mexico. This isolate exhibited some characteristics similar to those of the Arthrobotrys genus; however, we found that it did not match any previously reported species within this genus after conducting morphological and phylogenetic analyses using the ITS, TEF, and RPB2 regions. This new species displays conidiophores with two or three stems emerging from the same initial site and conidiophores with only a single stem and aerial thickened hyphae from which single conidiophores emerge, forming 3D adhesive nets. The conidia, which have one or two septa, range from obovoid to ellipsoidal, crowned by four to six conidia. This report provides evidence that this species has not been described before, and we hereby introduce it as a new species, naming it Arthrobotrys mendozadegivensis. This species displayed a predatory activity of 76.92%, and its liquid culture filtrates in Sweet Potato Dextrose Broth and Czapek–Dox Broth were effective in killing 40.90% and 34.91% of Haemonchus contortus larvae, respectively. This study provides information about a previously unreported species of nematophagous fungus, which is important for systematics and has potential biotechnological applications against nematodes that affect the livestock industry. Full article

The great utility that plastics generate for society has generated a large amount of waste, producing tons of garbage from this material that damages the ecosystem, human health, and farmland. Likewise, the issue of the absence of electricity in low-income areas is critical for society. This research proposes a novel solution to simultaneously solve these two problems, which, through single-chamber microbial fuel cells, introduce plastic waste and the fungus Paecilomyces. The microbial fuel cells (MFCs) showed a maximum electric current of 0.547 ± 0.185 mA with a peak voltage of 0.575 ± 0.106 V on day 36; on this day, the MFCs operated with a pH of 6.524 ± 0.360 and electrical conductivity of 264.847 ± 6.395 mS/cm. These results demonstrate the potential of this system to generate electricity from plastic waste, addressing the issue of electricity scarcity in low-income areas. The chemical oxygen demand was also reduced by 85.47%, indicating the system’s ability to degrade plastic waste. The power density calculated on day 36 was 0.0624 ± 0.0053 mW/cm² at a current density of 0.0052 mA/cm² and an internal resistance of 55.254 ± 7.583 Ω. The reducing action of the fungus on the plastic was demonstrated in the FTIR transmittance spectrum because the characteristic peaks (3378, 2854–2911, 1642, 1472, and 720 cm⁻¹) of the plastic suffered reductions in the final state, and the micrographs of the plastic surfaces showed the lifting of layers and the formation of irregular structures and a decrease in the thickness of the plastic sample of 139.66 ± 4.19 µm. Full article