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Frontiers in Plant Science 2022High temperature negatively affects reproductive process significantly, leading to tremendous losses in crop quality and yield. Zhinengcong (ZNC), a crude extract from...
High temperature negatively affects reproductive process significantly, leading to tremendous losses in crop quality and yield. Zhinengcong (ZNC), a crude extract from the endophytic fungus , has been shown to improve plant growth and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. We show here that ZNC can also alleviate heat stress-induced reproductive defects in , such as short-term heat-induced inhibition on pollen viability, germination and tube growth, and long-term heat stress-induced pollen developmental defects. We further demonstrated that ZNC alleviates heat stress by downregulating the expressions of ROS production-related genes, RBOHs, and upregulating antioxidant related genes and the activities of the corresponding enzymes, thus preventing the over accumulation of heat-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) in anther, pollen grain and pollen tube. Furthermore, spraying application of ZNC onto tomato plants under long-term heat stress promotes fruit and seed bearing in the field. In summary, plant endophytic fungus extract ZNC promotes the reproductive process and yield of tomato plants under heat stress and presents excellent potential in agricultural applications.
PubMed: 36092397
DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.977881 -
Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi = Zhongguo... May 2023Natural Cordyceps sinensis as an insect-fungal complex, which is developed after Ophiocordyceps sinensis infects a larva of Hepialidae family. Seventeen genotypes of O....
Natural Cordyceps sinensis as an insect-fungal complex, which is developed after Ophiocordyceps sinensis infects a larva of Hepialidae family. Seventeen genotypes of O. sinensis have been identified in natural C. sinensis. This paper summarized the literature reports and GenBank database regarding occurrence and transcription of the mating-type genes of MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 idiomorphs in natural C. sinensis, in Hirsutella sinensis(GC-biased Genotype #1 of O. sinensis), to infer the mating pattern of O. sinensis in the lifecycle of natural C. sinensis. The mating-type genes and transcripts of MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 idiomorphs were identified in the metagenomes and metatranscriptomes of natural C. sinensis. However, their fungal sources are unclear because of co-colonization of several genotypes of O. sinensis and multiple fungal species in natural C. sinensis. The mating-type genes of MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 idiomorphs were differentially present in 237 H. sinensis strains, constituting the genetic control of the O. sinensis reproduction. Transcriptional control of the O. sinensis reproduction includes: differential transcription or silencing of the mating-type genes of MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 idiomorphs, and the MAT1-2-1 transcript with unspliced intron I that contains 3 stop codons. Research on the H. sinensis transcriptome demonstrated differential and complementary transcriptions of the mating-type genes of MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 idiomorphs in Strains L0106 and 1229, which may become mating partners to accomplish physiological heterothallism. The differential occurrence and transcription of the mating-type genes in H. sinensis are inconsistent with the self-fertilization hypothesis under homothallism or pseudohomothallism, but instead indicate the need of mating partners of the same H. sinensis species, either monoecious or dioecious, for physiological heterothallism, or heterospecific species for hybridization. Multiple GC-and AT-biased genotypes of O. sinensis were identified in the stroma, stromal fertile portion(densely covered with numerous ascocarps) and ascospores of natural C. sinensis. It needs to be further explored if the genome-independent O. sinensis genotypes could become mating partners to accomplish sexual reproduction. S. hepiali Strain FENG experienced differential transcription of the mating-type genes with a pattern complementary to that of H. sinensis Strain L0106. Additional evidence is needed to explore a hybridization possibility between S. hepiali and H. sinensis, whether they are able to break the interspecific reproductive isolation. Genotypes #13~14 of O. sinensis feature large DNA segment reciprocal substitutions and genetic material recombination between 2 heterospecific parental fungi, H. sinensis and an AB067719-type fungus, indicating a possibility of hybridization or parasexuality. Our analysis provides important information at the genetic and transcriptional levels regarding the mating-type gene expression and reproduction physiology of O. sinensis in the sexual life of natural C. sinensis and offers crucial reproductive physiology evidence, to assist in the design of the artificial cultivation of C. sinensis to supplement the increasing scarcity of natural resource.
Topics: Cordyceps; Genes, Mating Type, Fungal; Reproduction
PubMed: 37282943
DOI: 10.19540/j.cnki.cjcmm.20230213.102 -
The Journal of Antimicrobial... Feb 2021To provide a basis for clinical management decisions in Paecilomyces variotii infection.
OBJECTIVES
To provide a basis for clinical management decisions in Paecilomyces variotii infection.
METHODS
Unpublished cases of invasive P. variotii infection from the FungiScope® registry and all cases reported in the literature were analysed.
RESULTS
We identified 59 cases with P. variotii infection. Main baseline factors were presence of indwelling devices in 29 cases (49.2%), particularly peritoneal catheters (33.9%) and prosthetic heart valves (10.2%), haematological or oncological diseases in 19 (32.2%), major surgery in 11 (18.6%), and diabetes mellitus in 10 cases (16.9%). The most prevalent infection sites were peritoneum (n = 20, 33.3%) and lungs (n = 16, 27.1%). Pain and fever were frequent (n = 35, 59.3% and n = 33, 55.9%, respectively). Diagnosis was established by culture in 58 cases (98.3%). P. variotii caused breakthrough infection in 8 patients. Systemic antifungals were given in 52 patients (88.1%). Amphotericin B was administered in 39, itraconazole in 15, and posaconazole in 8 patients. Clinical isolates were frequently resistant to voriconazole, whereas the above-mentioned antifungals showed good in vitro activity. Infections of the blood and CNS caused high mortality. Overall mortality was 28.8% and death was attributed to P. variotii in 10 cases.
CONCLUSIONS
P. variotii causes life-threatening infections, especially in immunocompromised and critically ill patients with indwelling devices. Patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis are at particular risk. Multidisciplinary management is paramount, including molecular techniques for diagnosis and treatment with efficacious systemic antifungals. Amphotericin B, itraconazole and posaconazole are regarded as treatments of choice. Combination with flucytosine may be considered. Surgical debridement and removal of indwelling devices facilitate favourable outcome.
Topics: Antifungal Agents; Byssochlamys; Humans; Mycoses; Paecilomyces; Registries; Voriconazole
PubMed: 33254240
DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkaa481 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2022The utility of fungi as stabilizing and reducing agents in the biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles is striking due to the production of large quantities of...
The utility of fungi as stabilizing and reducing agents in the biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles is striking due to the production of large quantities of biomolecules of minute toxic residuals. During the current study, sunlight- and dark-assessed silver nanoparticles were synthesized from wasp nest fungus, , at different pHs. Synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) at 6 pH were found to be more prominent than at 7 and 8 pHs. AgNPs were within the 20- to 90-nm range and were polygonal and elongated in shape. FTIR spectra of light-mediated AgNPs showed diverse transmittance bands than the silver nanoparticles synthesized in the dark. The synthesized AgNPs were found with diverse antimicrobial activities against pathogenic MTCC bacterial strains, i.e., , , , , and fungus, . Aqueous filtrate and filtrate-mediated AgNPs combined with methanol solvent extract of yeast extract manitol broth (YEMB) had more inhibitory effects on all bacteria and . Furthermore, the combined effect of AgNPs and methanol solvent extract from YEMB culture filtrate was found more effective against , while AgNPs combined with methanol solvent of aqueous filtrate had inhibitory effects on and
PubMed: 35464920
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.841666 -
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology Sep 2019Bacteria and fungi were isolated from eight different soil samples from different regions in Kazakhstan contaminated with oil or salt or aromatic compounds. For the...
Bacteria and fungi were isolated from eight different soil samples from different regions in Kazakhstan contaminated with oil or salt or aromatic compounds. For the isolation of the organisms, we used, on the one hand, typical hydrocarbons such as the well utilizable aliphatic alkane tetradecane, the hardly degradable multiple-branched alkane pristane, and the biaromatic compound biphenyl as enrichment substrates. On the other hand, we also used oxygenated derivatives of alicyclic and monoaromatic hydrocarbons, such as cyclohexanone and p-tert-amylphenol, which are known as problematic pollutants. Seventy-nine bacterial and fungal strains were isolated, and 32 of them that were clearly able to metabolize some of these substrates, as tested by HPLC-UV/Vis and GC-MS analyses, were characterized taxonomically by DNA sequencing. Sixty-two percent of the 32 isolated strains from 14 different genera belong to well-described hydrocarbon degraders like some Rhodococci as well as Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, Fusarium, Candida, and Yarrowia species. However, species of the bacterial genus Curtobacterium, the yeast genera Lodderomyces and Pseudozyma, as well as the filamentous fungal genera Purpureocillium and Sarocladium, which have rarely been described as hydrocarbon degrading, were isolated and shown to be efficient tetradecane degraders, mostly via monoterminal oxidation. Pristane was exclusively degraded by Rhodococcus isolates. Candida parapsilosis, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani, and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa degraded cyclohexanone, and in doing so accumulate ε-caprolactone or hexanedioic acid as metabolites. Biphenyl was transformed by Pseudomonas/Stenotrophomonas isolates. When p-tert-amylphenol was used as growth substrate, none of the isolated strains were able to use it.
Topics: Bacteria; Biodegradation, Environmental; Fungi; Hydrocarbons; Petroleum; Soil Microbiology; Soil Pollutants
PubMed: 31346684
DOI: 10.1007/s00253-019-10032-9 -
Scientific Reports Jul 2022Melanin-containing fungi (black molds) have the capacity to thrive under extreme environmental conditions such as the elevated radiation levels inside the former...
Melanin-containing fungi (black molds) have the capacity to thrive under extreme environmental conditions such as the elevated radiation levels inside the former Chernobyl reactors. These fungi have been hypothesized to grow toward and use gamma radiation as an energy source, but the literature does not clearly address which energies of the electromagnetic spectrum, if any, positively affect fungal growth. The goal of this work was to characterize the response of non-melanized and melanized fungi to two distinct electromagnetic wavelengths, i.e., ultraviolet (UV) and gamma ray, keeping absorption and other potentially confounding variables constant. Exposure to UV or gamma radiation induced significant changes in fungi pigmentation, but not growth rate of Cladosporium cladosporioides and Paecilomyces variotii. Specifically, increased pigmentation of both fungi was observed in samples exposed to UV, while decreased pigmentation was observed for gamma-irradiated samples. These results provide new insights into the role of electromagnetic energies on growth of fungi and provide an impetus to examine additional energies and types of radiation to develop a fundamental understanding of this phenomenon.
Topics: Byssochlamys; Cladosporium; Gamma Rays; Melanins; Pigmentation; Ultraviolet Rays
PubMed: 35840596
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16063-z -
Chemical Biology & Drug Design Sep 2023Oxidative stress is a key process in the development of neurodegenerative diseases. More attention is needed to screen natural antioxidants and explore pharmacological...
Oxidative stress is a key process in the development of neurodegenerative diseases. More attention is needed to screen natural antioxidants and explore pharmacological mechanisms. Natural product polysaccharides with no toxic side effects have powerful antioxidant activity. Two purified intracellular polysaccharide fractions (IPS1 and IPS2) from Paecilomyces cicadae TJJ1213 was isolated. Then, a model of H O -induced oxidative stress in PC12 cells was established to investigate the neuroprotective role of IPS and elucidate the potential protection mechanism. Results showed that IPS1 and IPS2 reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, inhibited the leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and Ca and attenuated the expression of apoptotic proteins. In addition, western blots displayed that IPS1 and IPS2 significantly inhibited mitophagy induced by H O in PC12 cells via PINK/Parkin pathway. Therefore, IPS1 and IPS2 deserved further investigation as protective agents against neurodegenerative diseases.
Topics: Rats; Animals; PC12 Cells; Oxidative Stress; Antioxidants; Reactive Oxygen Species; Polysaccharides; Apoptosis; Neuroprotective Agents; Hydrogen Peroxide
PubMed: 37072242
DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.14253 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2024Four new polyketides (-) and seven known compounds (-) including three polyketides and four sterols were isolated from the fermented extracts of YMF1.00003. The new...
Four new polyketides (-) and seven known compounds (-) including three polyketides and four sterols were isolated from the fermented extracts of YMF1.00003. The new chemical structures were determined through the analysis of the nuclear magnetic resonance and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and their configurations were subsequently confirmed by nuclear overhauser effect spectroscopy, the calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra, and quantum chemical calculations of the NMR data (qcc NMR). Based on the results of pre-activity screening and compound structure target prediction, certain metabolites were assayed to evaluate their cytotoxic and protein kinase Cα inhibitory activities. Results indicated that 3β-hydroxy-7α-methoxy-5α,6α-epoxy-8(14),22-dien-ergosta () exhibited potent cytotoxic activity, with half-maximal inhibitory concentration values of 3.00 ± 0.27 to 15.69 ± 0.61 μM against five tumor cells, respectively. The new compound gunniiol A () showed weak cytotoxic activity at a concentration of 40 μM. At a concentration of 20 μg/mL, compounds , , and exhibited protein kinase Cα inhibition by 43.63, 40.93, and 57.66%, respectively. This study is the first to report steroids demonstrating good cytotoxicity and polyketides exhibiting inhibitory activity against protein kinase Cα from the extracts of .
PubMed: 38444802
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1347601 -
IDCases 2020species was first recognized to cause human disease in 1963. It is a rare cause of invasive fungal infection, with cases sporadically reported in immunocompromised...
species was first recognized to cause human disease in 1963. It is a rare cause of invasive fungal infection, with cases sporadically reported in immunocompromised patients. Here we report the first case of pulmonary in an immunocompetent patient that was successfully treated with amphotericin B and posaconazole.
PubMed: 32670792
DOI: 10.1016/j.idcr.2020.e00885 -
The Journal of General Virology Nov 2023is a thermo-tolerant, ubiquitous fungus commonly found in food products, indoor environments, soil and clinical samples. It is a well-known biocontrol agent used...
is a thermo-tolerant, ubiquitous fungus commonly found in food products, indoor environments, soil and clinical samples. It is a well-known biocontrol agent used against phytopathogenic fungi and its metabolites have many industrial applications. Rare reports of related human infections have been found in the medical literature. In this study, we report for the first time the infection of isolated from a soil sample collected in a rice field with a double-stranded RNA virus, Paeciliomyces variotii partitivirus 1 (PvPV-1) in the family harboured icosahedral virus particles 30 nm in diameter with two dsRNA segments 1758 and 1356 bp long. Both dsRNA1 and dsRNA2 have a single open reading frame encoding proteins of 63 and 40 kDa, respectively. These proteins have significant similarity to the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and capsid protein encoded by the genomic segments of several viruses from the family . Phylogenetic analysis revealed that PvPV-1 belongs to the family but in an unclassified group/genus, tentatively nominated Zetapartitivirus. PvPV-1 was found to increase the growth rate of the host fungus, as indicated by time course experiments performed on a range of different media for virus-infected and virus-free isogenic lines. Further, dual-culture assays performed for both isogenic lines confirmed the antagonistic potential of against other phytopathogenic fungi. The findings of this study assist us in understanding as a potential biocontrol agent, together with plant-fungus-virus interactions.
Topics: Humans; Phylogeny; Byssochlamys; Capsid Proteins; Soil
PubMed: 38015047
DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001925