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Scientific Reports May 2024Auricularia heimuer, the third most frequently cultivated edible mushroom species worldwide, has high medicinal value. However, a shortage of molecular marker hinders...
Auricularia heimuer, the third most frequently cultivated edible mushroom species worldwide, has high medicinal value. However, a shortage of molecular marker hinders the efficiency and accuracy of genetic breeding efforts for A. heimuer. High-throughput transcriptome sequencing data are essential for gene discovery and molecular markers development. This study aimed to clarify the distribution of SSR loci across the A. heimuer transcriptome and to develop highly informative EST-SSR markers. These tools can be used for phylogenetic analysis, functional gene mining, and molecular marker-assisted breeding of A. heimuer. This study used Illumina high-throughput sequencing technology to obtain A. heimuer transcriptome data. The results revealed 37,538 unigenes in the A. heimuer transcriptome. Of these unigenes, 24,777 (66.01%) were annotated via comparison with the COG, Pfam, and NR databases. Overall, 2510 SSRs were identified from the unigenes, including 6 types of SSRs. The most abundant type of repeats were trinucleotides (1425, 56.77%), followed by mononucleotides (391, 15.58%) and dinucleotides (456, 18.17%). Primer pairs for 102 SSR loci were randomly designed for validity confirmation and polymorphism identification; this process yielded 53 polymorphic EST-SSR markers. Finally, 13 pairs of highly polymorphic EST-SSR primers were used to analyze the genetic diversity and population structure of 52 wild A. heimuer germplasms, revealing that the 52 germplasms could be divided into three categories. These results indicated that SSR loci were abundant in types, numbers, and frequencies, providing a potential basis for germplasm resource identification, genetic diversity analysis, and molecular marker-assisted breeding of A. heimuer.
Topics: Microsatellite Repeats; Expressed Sequence Tags; Gene Expression Profiling; Transcriptome; Genetic Markers; Agaricales; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; Basidiomycota; Polymorphism, Genetic; Molecular Sequence Annotation; Phylogeny
PubMed: 38811679
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63080-1 -
Microorganisms Apr 2024Microbes naturally inhabit bamboo-based materials in outdoor environments, sequentially contributing to their deterioration. Fungi play a significant role in...
Microbes naturally inhabit bamboo-based materials in outdoor environments, sequentially contributing to their deterioration. Fungi play a significant role in deterioration, especially in environments with abundant water and favorable temperatures. Alkali treatment is often employed in the pretreatment of round bamboo to change its natural elastic and aesthetic behaviors. However, little research has investigated the structure and dynamics of fungal communities on alkali-treated round bamboo during natural deterioration. In this work, high-throughput sequencing and multiple characterization methods were used to disclose the fungal community succession and characteristic alterations of alkali-treated round bamboo in both roofed and unroofed habitats throughout a 13-week deterioration period. In total, 192 fungal amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) from six phyla were identified. The fungal community richness of roofed bamboo samples declined, whereas that of unroofed bamboo samples increased during deterioration. The phyla Ascomycota and Basidiomycota exhibited dominance during the entire deterioration process in two distinct environments, and the relative abundance of them combined was more than 99%. A distinct shift in fungal communities from Basidiomycota dominant in the early stage to Ascomycota dominant in the late stage was observed, which may be attributed to the increase of moisture and temperature during succession and the effect of alkali treatment. Among all environmental factors, temperature contributed most to the variation in the fungal community. The surface of round bamboo underwent continuous destruction from fungi and environmental factors. The total amount of cell wall components in bamboo epidermis in both roofed and unroofed conditions presented a descending trend. The content of hemicellulose declined sharply by 8.3% and 11.1% under roofed and unroofed environments after 9 weeks of deterioration. In addition, the contact angle was reduced throughout the deterioration process in both roofed and unroofed samples, which might be attributed to wax layer removal and lignin degradation. This study provides theoretical support for the protection of round bamboo under natural weathering.
PubMed: 38792687
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12050858 -
Microorganisms Apr 2024To understand how the soil microbial community structure responds to vegetation restoration in alpine mining areas, this study specifically examines the grassland... (Review)
Review
To understand how the soil microbial community structure responds to vegetation restoration in alpine mining areas, this study specifically examines the grassland ecosystem in the Qianmalong mining area of the Qilian Mountains after five years of artificial restoration. High-throughput sequencing methods were employed to analyze soil bacteria and fungi microbial characteristics in diverse grassland communities. Combined with modifications in vegetation diversity as well as soil physicochemical properties, the impact of vegetation restoration on soil microbiome diversity in this alpine mining area was investigated. The findings indicated that the dominant plants were , spp., and . As the extent of the grassland's restoration increased, the number of plant species, importance values, and plant community diversity showed an increasing trend. The plant functional groups were mainly dominated by Cyperaceae, followed by Poaceae. Plant height, density, plant cover, frequency, and aboveground biomass showed an increasing trend, and soil water content (SWC) increased. While soil pH and soil electrical conductivity (EC) exhibited a declining trend, available phosphorus (AP), total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), nitrate nitrogen (NO-N), soil organic carbon (SOC), and soil water content (SWC) showed an increasing trend. The dominant bacterial communities were Actinobacteriota, Proteobacteria, Acidobacteriota, Chloroflexi, Firmicutes, and Gemmatimonadota, while the dominant fungal communities were Ascomycota, Mortierellomycota, Basidiomycota, unclassified_k_Fungi, and Glomeromycota. Significant differences were detected within soil microbial community composition among different degrees of restoration grasslands, with bacteria generally dominating over fungi. SWC, TP, and TN were found to be the main soil physicochemical factors affecting the distribution of soil bacterial communities' structure; however, SOC, TN, and NO-N were the primary factors influencing the soil distribution of fungal communities. The results of this study indicate that different degrees of vegetation restoration in alpine mining areas can significantly affect soil bacterial and fungal communities, and the degree of restoration has varying effects on the soil bacteria and fungi community structure in alpine mining areas.
PubMed: 38792684
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12050854 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024spore powder, valued for its nutritional and medicinal properties, contains polysaccharides crucial for its efficacy. However, the complex structural nature of these...
spore powder, valued for its nutritional and medicinal properties, contains polysaccharides crucial for its efficacy. However, the complex structural nature of these polysaccharides necessitates further investigation to fully realize their potential. This study aimed to investigate the effects of acid heat treatment on spore polysaccharides (GLSPs) to enhance their properties and application in antitumor activity. The GLSP was obtained via acid heat treatment, concentration, and centrifugal separation. This process led to a notable reduction in polysaccharide molecular weight, increasing water solubility and bioavailability. Analytical techniques including NMR spectroscopy and methylation analysis revealed a polysaccharide composition comprising four distinct monosaccharides, with molecular weights of 3291 Da (Mw) and 3216 Da (Mn). Six different linkage modes were identified, with a molar ratio of 1:5:2:3:4:3. In vivo experiments demonstrated the GLSP's significant inhibitory effect on the growth of four tumor models (sarcoma S180, Lewis lung cancer, liver cancer H22, and colon cancer C26) in mice, with no observed toxicity. These findings suggest the GLSP's potential as an antitumor therapeutic agent for clinical use.
Topics: Animals; Reishi; Mice; Spores, Fungal; Antineoplastic Agents; Polysaccharides; Fungal Polysaccharides; Cell Line, Tumor; Molecular Weight
PubMed: 38792209
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29102348 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Postharvest rot is an urgent problem affecting the storage of winter jujube. Therefore, the development of new technologies for efficient and safe preservation is very...
Postharvest rot is an urgent problem affecting the storage of winter jujube. Therefore, the development of new technologies for efficient and safe preservation is very important. This study aimed to elucidate the fungal microbiota found on the epidermis of jujube during the storage period using high-throughput sequencing, as well as to monitor the changes in quality indexes throughout this period. Through internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing, we identified two phyla (Basidiomycota and Ascomycota) and six genera (Cryptococcus, Bulleromyces, Sporidiobolus, Alternaria, Pseudozyma, and Sporobolomyces), which potentially contribute to the spoilage and deterioration of jujube, referred to as "core fungal taxa". A high correlation was further found between preservation indices (including decay rate, firmness, and total soluble solids) and the growth of multiple core fungi over time. These findings will provide insights and a theoretical basis for further research on preservation techniques related to biological control during date fruit storage.
PubMed: 38790773
DOI: 10.3390/foods13101473 -
Genes May 2024Pathogen perception generates the activation of signal transduction cascades to host defense. White pine blister rust (WPBR) is caused by J.C. Fisch and affects a...
Pathogen perception generates the activation of signal transduction cascades to host defense. White pine blister rust (WPBR) is caused by J.C. Fisch and affects a number of species of . One of the most severely affected species is Engelm (whitebark pine). WPBR resistance in the species is a polygenic and complex trait that requires an optimized immune response. We identified early responses in 2-year-old seedlings after four days of fungal inoculation and compared the underlying transcriptomic response with that of healthy non-inoculated individuals. A de novo transcriptome assembly was constructed with 56,796 high quality-annotations derived from the needles of susceptible and resistant individuals in a resistant half-sib family. Differential expression analysis identified 599 differentially expressed transcripts, from which 375 were upregulated and 224 were downregulated in the inoculated seedlings. These included components of the initial phase of active responses to abiotic factors and stress regulators, such as those involved in the first steps of flavonoid biosynthesis. Four days after the inoculation, infected individuals showed an overexpression of chitinases, reactive oxygen species (ROS) regulation signaling, and flavonoid intermediates. Our research sheds light on the first stage of infection and emergence of disease symptoms among whitebark pine seedlings. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data encoding hypersensitive response, cell wall modification, oxidative regulation signaling, programmed cell death, and plant innate immunity were differentially expressed during the defense response against .
Topics: Pinus; Plant Diseases; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Disease Resistance; Basidiomycota; Transcriptome; Seedlings; Gene Expression Profiling; Plant Proteins
PubMed: 38790231
DOI: 10.3390/genes15050602 -
Genes May 2024Leaf rust caused by the pathogen () is a destructive fungal disease of wheat that occurs in almost all wheat-growing areas across the globe. Genetic resistance has...
Leaf rust caused by the pathogen () is a destructive fungal disease of wheat that occurs in almost all wheat-growing areas across the globe. Genetic resistance has proven to be the best solution to mitigate the disease. Wheat breeders are continuously seeking new diversified and durable sources of resistance to use in developing new varieties. We developed recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations from two leaf rust-resistant genotypes (Kenya Kudu and AUS12568) introduced from Kenya to identify and characterize resistance to and to develop markers linked closely to the resistance that was found. Our studies detected four QTL conferring adult plant resistance (APR) to leaf rust. Two of these loci are associated with known genes, and , residing on chromosomes 1B and 7B, respectively. The remaining two, and , contributed by Kenya Kudu and AUS12568 respectively, are putatively new loci for resistance. Both and were found to interact additively with in significantly reducing the disease severity at adult plant growth stages in the field. We further developed a suite of six closely linked markers within the locus and four within the region. Among these, markers and , flanking , and , distal to , were identified as the most closely linked and reliable for marker-assisted selection. The markers were validated on a selection of 64 Australian wheat varieties and found to be polymorphic and robust, allowing for clear allelic discrimination. The identified new loci and linked molecular markers will enable rapid adoption by breeders in developing wheat varieties carrying diversified and durable resistance to leaf rust.
Topics: Triticum; Disease Resistance; Plant Diseases; Quantitative Trait Loci; Puccinia; Kenya; Genetic Markers; Chromosome Mapping; Basidiomycota; Genotype; Chromosomes, Plant
PubMed: 38790212
DOI: 10.3390/genes15050583 -
Genes Apr 2024f. sp. () is adept at overcoming resistance in wheat cultivars, through variations in virulence in the western provinces of China. To apply disease management... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
f. sp. () is adept at overcoming resistance in wheat cultivars, through variations in virulence in the western provinces of China. To apply disease management strategies, it is essential to understand the temporal and spatial dynamics of populations. This study aimed to evaluate the virulence and molecular diversity of 84 old isolates, in comparison to 59 newer ones. By using 19 Chinese wheat differentials, we identified 98 pathotypes, showing virulence complexity ranging from 0 to 16. Associations between 23 gene pairs showed linkage disequilibrium and have the potential for gene pyramiding. The new isolates had a higher number of polymorphic alleles (1.97), while the older isolates had a slightly higher number of effective alleles, Shannon's information, and diversity. The Gansu population had the highest diversity ( = 0.35), while the Guizhou population was the least diverse. Analysis of molecular variance revealed that 94% of the observed variation occurred within populations across the four provinces, while 6% was attributed to differences among populations. Overall, populations displayed a higher pathotypic diversity of > 2.5 and a genotypic diversity of 96%. This underscores the need to develop gene-pyramided cultivars to enhance the durability of resistance.
Topics: Puccinia; Triticum; China; Virulence; Plant Diseases; Genetic Variation; Linkage Disequilibrium; Disease Resistance
PubMed: 38790172
DOI: 10.3390/genes15050542 -
BMC Microbiology May 2024Cobweb disease is a fungal disease that commonly affects the cultivation and production of edible mushrooms, leading to serious yield and economic losses. It is...
BACKGROUND
Cobweb disease is a fungal disease that commonly affects the cultivation and production of edible mushrooms, leading to serious yield and economic losses. It is considered a major fungal disease in the realm of edible mushrooms. The symptoms of cobweb disease were found during the cultivation of Lyophyllum decastes. This study aimed to identify the causative pathogen of cobweb disease and evaluate effective fungicides, providing valuable insights for field control and management of L. decastes cobweb disease.
RESULTS
The causal agent of cobweb disease was isolated from samples infected and identified as Cladobotryum mycophilum based on morphological and cultural characteristics, as well as multi-locus phylogeny analysis (ITS, RPB1, RPB2, and TEF1-α). Pathogenicity tests further confirmed C. mycophilum as the responsible pathogen for this condition. Among the selected fungicides, Prochloraz-manganese chloride complex, Trifloxystrobin, tebuconazole, and Difenoconazole exhibited significant inhibitory effects on the pathogen's mycelium, with EC50 values of 0.076 µg/mL, 0.173 µg/mL, and 0.364 µg/mL, respectively. These fungicides can serve as references for future field control of cobweb disease in L. decastes.
CONCLUSION
This study is the first report of C. mycophilum as the causing agent of cobweb disease in L. decastes in China. Notably, Prochloraz-manganese chloride complex demonstrated the strongest inhibitory efficacy against C. mycophilum.
Topics: China; Fungicides, Industrial; Phylogeny; Agaricales; Ascomycota; DNA, Fungal; Triazoles; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Strobilurins; Acetates; Dioxolanes; Imines
PubMed: 38789974
DOI: 10.1186/s12866-024-03326-0 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Human fungal diseases are infections caused by any fungus that invades human tissues, causing superficial, subcutaneous, or systemic diseases. Fungal infections that... (Review)
Review
Human fungal diseases are infections caused by any fungus that invades human tissues, causing superficial, subcutaneous, or systemic diseases. Fungal infections that enter various human tissues and organs pose a significant threat to millions of individuals with weakened immune systems globally. Over recent decades, the reported cases of invasive fungal infections have increased substantially and research progress in this field has also been rapidly boosted. This review provides a comprehensive list of human fungal pathogens extracted from over 850 recent case reports, and a summary of the relevant disease conditions and their origins. Details of 281 human fungal pathogens belonging to 12 classes and 104 genera in the divisions ascomycota, basidiomycota, entomophthoromycota, and mucoromycota are listed. Among these, stands out as the genus with the greatest potential of infecting humans, comprising 16 species known to infect humans. Additionally, three other genera, , , and , are recognized as significant genera, each comprising 10 or more known human pathogenic species. A phylogenetic analysis based on partial sequences of the 28S nrRNA gene (LSU) of human fungal pathogens was performed to show their phylogenetic relationships and clarify their taxonomies. In addition, this review summarizes the recent advancements in fungal disease diagnosis and therapeutics.
PubMed: 38787278
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13050426