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Allergologie Select 2024None.
None.
PubMed: 38756207
DOI: 10.5414/ALX02444E -
Persoonia Jun 2023Black yeasts comprise a group of of the order with highly variable morphology, a great diversity of ecological niches and life cycles. Despite the ubiquity of these...
Black yeasts comprise a group of of the order with highly variable morphology, a great diversity of ecological niches and life cycles. Despite the ubiquity of these fungi, their diversity in freshwater sediments is still poorly understood. During a survey of culturable from river and stream sediments in various sampling sites in Spain, we obtained 47 isolates of black yeasts by using potato dextrose agar supplemented with cycloheximide. A preliminary morphological study and sequence analyses of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) and the large subunit (LSU) of the nuclear rDNA revealed that most of the isolates belonged to the family . We have confidently identified 30 isolates representing the following species: , , , , , and . However, we encountered difficulty in assigning 17 cultures to any known species within . Combining phenotypic and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses based on the ITS, LSU, β-tubulin (2) and translation elongation factor 1-α (1-α) gene markers, we propose the new genus in the to accommodate the novel species . Other novel species in this family include , , , , , , and . The new species , closely related to , is described, and the phylogeny of the genus in the family is discussed. By utilizing these four markers, we were able to strengthen the phylogenetic resolution and provide more robust taxonomic assessments within the studied group. Our findings indicate that freshwater sediments may serve as a reservoir for intriguing black yeasts, which warrant further investigation to address gaps in phylogenetic relationships, particularly within . : Torres-Garcia D, García D, Réblová M, et al. 2023. Diversity and novel lineages of black yeasts in Chaetothyriales from freshwater sediments in Spain. Persoonia 51: 194-228. doi: 10.3767/persoonia.2023.51.05.
PubMed: 38665982
DOI: 10.3767/persoonia.2023.51.05 -
Journal of Fungi (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2024, a perennial herbaceous plant found in southwest China, has the potential to be used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Endophytic fungi that reside within...
, a perennial herbaceous plant found in southwest China, has the potential to be used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Endophytic fungi that reside within medicinal herbs play an important ecological role in their host plants and can serve as a valuable source for identifying active components. However, little is known about the diversity, and structure of endophytic fungi in . In this study, we investigated the community structure and diversity of endophytic fungi in the leaves, stems, and roots of at both 1- and 2-year-growth stages using a modern culture-independent method using both culture-independent (high-throughput sequencing, HTS) and culture-based methods. Using HTS, our results revealed that the richness and diversity of endophytic fungi in varied depending on the organs and growth stages. Specifically, stems and leaves exhibited significantly higher diversity compared to roots. Additionally, the highest diversity of endophytic fungi was observed in the stems of the 2-year-old plants. At the genus level, , , and were the most abundant endophytic fungi in 1-year-old samples, while , , and were prevalent in 2-year-old samples. A total of 55 endophytic fungal strains belonging to two phyla and 24 genera were isolated from 150 plant tissue segments using culture-based methods. The anti-acetylcholinesterase activity of these isolates was evaluated in vitro and five of them, PCAM010, PCBM027, LP41, SR60, and SM81, showed strong activity (>50% inhibition rate). These findings will serve as a theoretical basis and practical guide for comprehending the structural composition, biological diversity and bioactivity of endophytic fungi in .
PubMed: 38535204
DOI: 10.3390/jof10030195 -
PloS One 2024Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal human motor neuron disease leading to muscle atrophy and paralysis. Mutations in superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) are...
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal human motor neuron disease leading to muscle atrophy and paralysis. Mutations in superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) are associated with familial ALS (fALS). The SOD1 mutants in ALS have a toxic-gain of function by destabilizing the functional SOD1 homodimer, consequently inducing fibril-like aggregation with a cytotoxic non-native trimer intermediate. Therefore, reducing SOD1 oligomerization via chemical modulators is an optimal therapy in ALS. Here, we report the discovery of Phialomustin-B, an unsaturated secondary metabolite from the endophytic fungus Phialophora mustea, as a modulator of SOD1 aggregation. The crystal structure of the SOD1-Phialomustin complex refined to 1.90 Å resolution demonstrated for the first time that the ligand binds to the dimer interface and the lateral region near the electrostatic loop. The aggregation analyses of SOD1WT and the disease mutant SOD1A4V revealed that Phialomustin-B reduces cytotoxic trimerization. We propose that Phialomustin-B is a potent lead molecule with therapeutic potential in fALS.
Topics: Humans; Superoxide Dismutase-1; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Cytoskeleton; Muscular Atrophy
PubMed: 38446760
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298196 -
Journal of Fungi (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2024This study used the ITS approach based on Illumina MiSeq sequencing to assess the endosphere and rhizosphere fungal communities in healthy and diseased faba bean plants....
This study used the ITS approach based on Illumina MiSeq sequencing to assess the endosphere and rhizosphere fungal communities in healthy and diseased faba bean plants. The findings indicate that the most predominant phyla in all samples were Ascomycota (49.89-99.56%) and Basidiomycota (0.33-25.78%). In healthy endosphere samples, Glomeromycota (0.08-1.17%) was the only predominant phylum. In diseased endosphere samples, Olpidiomycota (0.04-1.75%) was the only predominant phylum. At the genus level, (0.47-35.21%) was more abundant in rhizosphere soil, while (3.48-91.16%) was predominant in the endosphere roots of faba bean plants. Significant differences were observed in the alpha diversity of rhizosphere samples from different germplasm resources ( < 0.05). The fungal community structures were clearly distinguished between rhizosphere and endosphere samples and between healthy and diseased endosphere samples ( < 0.05). was significantly enriched in diseased endosphere samples, whereas was enriched in healthy endosphere samples. and were enriched in diseased rhizosphere samples, while was enriched in healthy rhizosphere samples. Diseased samples displayed more strongly correlated genera than healthy samples. Saprotrophs accounted for a larger proportion of the fungal microbes in rhizosphere soil than in endosphere roots. This study provides a better understanding of the composition and diversity of fungal communities in the rhizosphere and endosphere of faba bean plants as well as a theoretical guidance for future research on the prevention or control of faba bean root rot disease.
PubMed: 38276030
DOI: 10.3390/jof10010084 -
Frontiers in Plant Science 2023Brown Stem Rot (BSR), caused by the soil borne fungal pathogen , can reduce soybean yields by as much as 38%. Previous allelism studies identified three Resistant to...
Brown Stem Rot (BSR), caused by the soil borne fungal pathogen , can reduce soybean yields by as much as 38%. Previous allelism studies identified three Resistant to brown stem Rot genes (, and ), all mapping to large, overlapping regions on soybean chromosome 16. However, recent fine-mapping and genome wide association studies (GWAS) suggest , and are alleles of a single locus. To address this conflict, we characterized the locus using the Williams82 reference genome (Wm82.a4.v1). We identified 120 Receptor-Like Proteins (RLPs), with hallmarks of disease resistance receptor-like proteins (RLPs), which formed five distinct clusters. We developed virus induced gene silencing (VIGS) constructs to target each of the clusters, hypothesizing that silencing the correct RLP cluster would result in a loss of resistance phenotype. The VIGS constructs were tested against resistant genotypes L78-4094 (), PI 437833 (), or PI 437970 (, infected with or mock infected. No loss of resistance phenotype was observed. We then developed VIGS constructs targeting two RLP clusters with a single construct. Construct B1a/B2 silenced resistance in L78-4094, confirming at least two genes confer -mediated resistance to . Failure of B1a/B2 to silence resistance in PI 437833 and PI 437970 suggests additional genes confer BSR resistance in these lines. To identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) responding to silencing, we conducted RNA-seq of leaf, stem and root samples from B1a/B2 and empty vector control plants infected with or mock infected. B1a/B2 silencing induced DEGs associated with cell wall biogenesis, lipid oxidation, the unfolded protein response and iron homeostasis and repressed numerous DEGs involved in defense and defense signaling. These findings will improve integration of resistance into elite germplasm and provide novel insights into fungal disease resistance.
PubMed: 38259908
DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1292605 -
Journal of Pesticide Science May 2023To elucidate the cause of brown stem rot in the adzuki bean, we re-evaluated the phytotoxins produced in cultures of the causative agent, f. sp. . The ethyl...
To elucidate the cause of brown stem rot in the adzuki bean, we re-evaluated the phytotoxins produced in cultures of the causative agent, f. sp. . The ethyl acetate-soluble acidic fraction of the culture, as well as the neutral fraction, inhibited the growth of alfalfa seedlings. In the neutral fraction, known phytotoxins gregatin A, B, and C or D and penicilliol A were present. Although the phytotoxins in the acidic fraction were unstable, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the partially purified material suggested that one phytotoxin present was the non-methylated gregatin desmethyl-gregatin A (gregatinic acid A).
PubMed: 37361487
DOI: 10.1584/jpestics.D22-070 -
Journal of Fungi (Basel, Switzerland) May 2023Soybean () acreage is increasing dramatically, together with the use of soybean as a source of vegetable protein and oil. However, soybean production is affected by... (Review)
Review
Soybean () acreage is increasing dramatically, together with the use of soybean as a source of vegetable protein and oil. However, soybean production is affected by several diseases, especially diseases caused by fungal seed-borne pathogens. As infected seeds often appear symptomless, diagnosis by applying accurate detection techniques is essential to prevent propagation of pathogens. Seed incubation on culture media is the traditional method to detect such pathogens. This method is simple, but fungi have to develop axenically and expert mycologists are required for species identification. Even experts may not be able to provide reliable type level identification because of close similarities between species. Other pathogens are soil-borne. Here, traditional methods for detection and identification pose even greater problems. Recently, molecular methods, based on analyzing DNA, have been developed for sensitive and specific identification. Here, we provide an overview of available molecular assays to identify species of the genera , , , , , , , , , , , and causing soybean diseases. We also describe the basic steps in establishing PCR-based detection methods, and we discuss potentials and challenges in using such assays.
PubMed: 37233298
DOI: 10.3390/jof9050587 -
Mycoscience 2022Some Asian fungi are morphologically very similar to European species but belong to different species. A fungus that resembles , which commonly occurs on the petioles of...
Some Asian fungi are morphologically very similar to European species but belong to different species. A fungus that resembles , which commonly occurs on the petioles of in Europe, was found on the petioles of spp. and other tree leaves in Japan. The apothecia of this fungus were smaller than those of , suggesting that it is a different species. To examine this possibility, specimens of this fungus were collected from various hosts in Japan. A detailed morphological examination elucidated that this fungus differed from in smaller apothecia, marginal cells of the ectal excipulum, and conidia. The ITS sequence difference between this fungus and was 3.3-4.3%, and they formed distinct clades in the phylogenetic analysis, supporting that they are different species. Consequently, a new species, is described. Since an undescribed phialophora-state was observed in the cultures of for the first time, the morphology under culture is also reported in detail.
PubMed: 37090199
DOI: 10.47371/mycosci.2022.07.003 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2023Chromoblastomycosis (CBM) is a form of chronic mycosis that affects the skin and mucous membranes and is caused by species of dematiaceous fungi including Exophiala...
INTRODUCTION
Chromoblastomycosis (CBM) is a form of chronic mycosis that affects the skin and mucous membranes and is caused by species of dematiaceous fungi including Exophiala spp., Phialophora spp., and Fonsecaea spp. The persistence of this disease and limitations associated with single-drug treatment have complicated efforts to adequately manage this condition.
METHODS
In this study, a microdilution assay was used to explore the synergistic antifungal activity of everolimus (EVL) in combination with itraconazole (ITC), voriconazole (VRC), posaconazole (POS), and amphotericin B (AMB) against a range of clinical dematiaceous fungal isolates.
RESULTS
These analyses revealed that the EVL+POS and EVL+ITC exhibited superior in vitro synergistic efficacy, respectively inhibiting the growth of 64% (14/22) and 59% (13/22) of tested strains. In contrast, the growth of just 9% (2/22) of tested strains was inhibited by a combination of EVL+AMB, and no synergistic efficacy was observed for the combination of EVL+VRC.
DISCUSSION
Overall, these findings indicate that EVL holds promise as a novel drug that can be synergistically combined with extant antifungal drugs to improve their efficacy, thereby aiding in the treatment of CBM.
Topics: Humans; Antifungal Agents; Everolimus; Amphotericin B; Mycoses; Voriconazole; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Fungi
PubMed: 36909734
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1131416