Search Results (126)

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance and the increasing incidence of cancer have highlighted the urgent need to develop new drugs; therefore, the discovery of new bioactive molecules is an important goal for future research. In this study, freshwater fungi isolated from submerged Phragmites australis from Egypt were screened for antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities. Using ITS1 and ITS4 primers, eight frequently occurring Sordariomycetes taxa were identified and were then selected for further evaluation of bioactivity. Ethyl acetate crude extracts (A–H) were evaluated for antimicrobial activity using the agar disk-diffusion method. Extracts A and E, derived from Chaetomium globosum SCUF0000404 (PX596738) and Chaetomium madrasense SCUF0000401 (PX596735), respectively, showed broad-spectrum activity at 100 mg/mL against bacterial pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 (15.33 and 18.00 mm), Streptococcus pyogenes ATCC 19615 (11.00 mm), Escherichia coli ATCC 35218 (10.33 and 10.67 mm), Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 700603 (14.00 and 16.67 mm), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 (13.33 and 16.33 mm), and show antifungal activity against Candida albicans ATCC 14053 (20.33 mm), Candida krusei ATCC 6258 (15.67 and 15.33 mm), Trichosporon asahii AMS 187 (17.00 and 17.67 mm), Exserohilum rostratum AMS 1077 (34.00 and 33.67 mm), and Trichophyton indotineae AMS 180 (38.33 and 34.00 mm). Selective cytotoxic effects on the breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 were observed by extracts A and E at IC₅₀ = 309 and 277 μg/mL, while non-selective cytotoxic effects on the normal HUVEC cell line were found with IC₅₀ = 919 and 796 μg/mL, respectively. Characterization of the most effective extracts A and E by high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS) shows that they have a wide range of secondary metabolites, including cytochalasans, azaphilone alkaloids, steroids, terpenoids, flavonoids, and phenols. These findings underscore the chemical diversity and therapeutic potential of freshwater fungi from Egypt. Full article

The genus Xylaria comprises numerous species, particularly prevalent in tropical ecosystems such as those of Ecuador. Despite its ecological importance, the taxonomy of the genus remains challenging, and much of its diversity in the Neotropics remains under-documented. This study provides a preliminary characterization of the Xylaria diversity at the Estación Científica San Francisco, an Andean biodiversity hotspot in Southern Ecuador. Through an integrated approach including detailed macro- and micro-morphological descriptions and nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA ITS and LSU) phylogenetic analyses, 20 Xylaria specimens were examined. As a result, ten species were recognized: Xylaria adscendens, X. cf. anisopleura, X. apiculata, X. curta, X. enterogena, X. fissilis, X. globosa, X. aff. telfairii, X. tuberoides, and X. aenea, the latter representing a new record for Ecuador. The phylogenetic analysis presented here serves as a preliminary systematic positioning of these specimens within the genus rather than a comprehensive global reconstruction. While these ribosomal markers provided preliminary insights into species relationships, partial incongruence with morphospecies highlights the evolutionary complexity of certain lineages and underscores the need for future multilocus studies. Furthermore, four additional phylotypes found in their anamorphic state are documented, suggesting that local diversity exceeds current records. By providing detailed morphological documentation supported by preliminary barcode data from a poorly sampled region, this study contributes vital information to the global understanding of Xylaria and underscores the importance of Southern Ecuador as a reservoir of fungal diversity. Full article

Currently, our understanding of the fungi associated with Dracaena species is limited. There is a clear need for more comprehensive information, especially in the context of Thailand. In our study, we collected dead Dracaena leaves with fungal structures from limestone outcrops in seven Thai provinces: Chiang Mai, Kanchanaburi, Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Ratchaburi, Songkhla, and Tak. The fungi in these samples were isolated and identified using a combination of morphological characteristics and a multi-loci phylogeny (ACT, CHS-1, GAPDH, ITS, LSU, and TUB2). We are thrilled to introduce seven taxa belonging to four families within three orders (Chaetosphaeriales, Glomerellales, and Xylariales). Our detailed morphological descriptions and updated phylogenetic trees of two new species (Zygosporium dracaenae, and Z. dracaenicola) and five new host/geographical records (Colletotrichum dracaenophilum, C. gigasporum, C. truncatum, Malaysiasca phaii, and Neoleptosporella camporesiana) represent a significant step forward in our understanding of this field. Full article

Seed endophytic microbiota are crucial for plant early development and stress resistance. Pinus massoniana is a key ecological and economic tree species in China, yet it is severely threatened by pine wilt disease (PWD). However, the community composition of P. massoniana seed endophytic microbiota and the persistent symbiosis formed via vertical transmission in seeds remain unclear. We analyzed the endophytic bacterial and fungal microbiota of P. massoniana seeds from four geographic regions using high-throughput 16S rRNA and ITS sequencing to characterize community structure, diversity, and functional potential, providing a basis for endophytic microbiota-based strategies to enhance resistance to PWD. Results showed that both alpha and beta diversity analyses indicated that seed endophytic microbial communities of P. massoniana differed among regions. Bacterial communities were dominated by Pseudomonadota (phylum), Gammaproteobacteria (class), and the genera Klebsiella, norank_f_Pectobacteriaceae, and Lactobacillus. Fungal communities were primarily composed of Ascomycota and Basidiomycota (phylum), Sordariomycetes (class), and the genera Rosellinia, Aspergillus, and Coniophora. Correlation network analysis revealed that fungal networks were characterized by a higher proportion of positive correlations, whereas bacterial networks were more complex. Notably, several genera detected in seeds, including Pseudomonas, Bacillus, and Trichoderma, have also been reported in mature P. massoniana tissues, indicating a potential for putative vertical transmission from mother plants. Functional prediction further suggested that these taxa were enriched in pathways related to terpenoid and polyketide metabolism and saprotrophic functions, which have been implicated in PWD resistance and have been previously reported to exert nematode-suppressive or plant growth-promoting effects. Overall, this study elucidates the community structure and ecological characteristics of seed endophytic microbiota in P. massoniana and identifies potentially beneficial microbial taxa, providing potential support for the future utilization of P. massoniana endophytic microbiota in PWD research. Full article

Cyst nematodes are persistent soilborne pests that severely impact crop productivity worldwide. Their protective cysts enable long-term survival and host diverse fungal communities that remain largely unexplored as potential sources of biological control agents. In this study, we isolated culturable fungi from cysts of Globodera, Heterodera, and Punctodera, as well as from soils collected across Swiss potato fields between 2018 and 2024. Sequencing identified 78 fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs), predominantly belonging to Ascomycota (73%), mainly Sordariomycetes (59%) and Eurotiomycetes (8%), with additional representatives from Mortierellomycota and Basidiomycota. Fusarium was the most abundant genus, followed by Clonostachys, Chaetomium, and Pochonia, while 28% of isolates remained unclassified, indicating potentially novel taxa. Selected fungi, including Orbilia brochopaga CH-02, Clonostachys rosea CH-04 and CH-15, and Pochonia chlamydosporia CH-51, significantly reduced motility, infection and root galling of Meloidogyne incognita in vitro and in planta. Notably, CH-02 reduced root galling by 63%, highlighting its strong mechanical and antagonistic activity. These results demonstrate that cyst nematodes harbor a rich and functionally diverse fungal community with substantial biocontrol potential, providing a foundation for developing sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical nematicides in crop protection. Full article

Ginger holds significant economic importance in both China and worldwide agriculture. Fungi from the family Plectosphaerellaceae are globally recognized as aggressive plant pathogens. However, the effects of Plectosphaerellaceae species on ginger have been poorly understood. In this research, we identified two novel Musidium species (M. shandongensis sp. nov. and M. zingiberis sp. nov.), one newly recorded species (Gibellulopsis serrae) and one new host record (Plectosphaerella cucumerina) from the rotten rhizomes and roots of ginger in Shandong Province, China, utilizing morphological observations combined with multilocus phylogenetic analysis of the 28S large subunit (LSU), internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1-α) gene, along with pathogenicity analyses. Key diagnostic features include M. shandongensis exhibiting abundant mycelium ropes and coils, M. zingiberis showing dark olivaceous colonies, G. serrae producing brown chlamydospores, and P. cucumerina displaying conspicuous guttulae conidia. Comparative analyses with closely related taxa were based on detailed morphological descriptions, illustrations, and phylogenetic analyses. Artificial inoculation of healthy ginger in vitro and in vivo assays caused characteristic symptoms, such as wilt, leaf yellowing, and rhizome necrosis, identical to those observed on naturally infected plants. Our findings broaden current knowledge on the diversity of Plectosphaerellaceae associated with ginger, revealing them as serious threats to ginger cultivation in China. Full article

Decaying wood, as a unique substrate, which contains cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and nitrogen-containing compounds, harbors significant fungal biodiversity, particularly among dematiaceous hyphomycete species. This study uses a combination of morphological and molecular systematics methods. Phylogenetic analyses of ITS, LSU, RPB2 and TEF1 sequences were conducted using the maximum likelihood (ML) and the Bayesian inference (BI) method. Combined with the morphological characteristics, four new species of Distoseptispora, D. bawanglingensis sp. nov., D. changjiangensis sp. nov., D. daanyuanensis sp. nov. and D. jianfenglingensis sp. nov., were identified from decaying wood collected in Hainan and Fujian provinces, China. This study provides detailed descriptions, illustrations, and phylogenetic trees with the aim of clarifying the taxonomic status of these four new species, thereby enhancing our understanding of the species diversity of Distoseptispora in Hainan and Fujian provinces, China. Full article

Reclaimed land refers to artificially created soil formed by filling in seawater, leading to rapid ecological changes. Undeveloped reclaimed areas offer opportunities to explore previously unknown soil ecological resources. The Shihwa reclaimed land is an undeveloped area where microbiome-based studies of the microbial community have not yet been conducted. The soil from the Sihwa reclaimed land (SR, SL) showed higher pH (8.9), EC (7.5 dS/m), and Na⁺ content (13.4 cmol⁺/kg), but lower levels of organic matter and phosphorus compared to typical agricultural soils (NL, NS). These unfavorable conditions had a negative effect on lettuce growth, as both fresh and dry weights in the SL treatment (32.5 g and 0.39 g, respectively) were significantly lower than those in the NL treatment (40.4 g and 0.45 g). At the phylum level, Actinobacteria (51.6%) dominated the original reclaimed soil (SR), but after lettuce cultivation (SL), there was an increase in Cyanobacteria (25.3%) and Proteobacteria (29.4%). At the order level, Streptomycetales (35.2%) and Bacillales (13.5%) were predominant in SR, whereas in SL, Oscillatoriales (23.5%)—which have photosynthetic ability—as well as organic matter-degrading orders such as Rhodobacterales and Flavobacteriales, became dominant. For the eukaryotic community at the phylum level, Ascomycota was predominant in all samples; however, in NL, the relative proportions of Chlorophyta (22%) and Mucoromycota (8.9%) were higher, indicating increased diversity. At the order level, Eurotiales (28.5%), Hypocreales (20.2%), and Wallemiales (14.4%) were predominant in SR, but after lettuce cultivation, Wallemiales disappeared and Eurotiales increased to 40.0%. Additionally, Glomerellales and Sordariomycetes_o were detected only in SL and NL, suggesting that symbiotic fungal activity in the rhizosphere was promoted. Full article

Verticillium-like fungi within the Sordariomycetes hold significant ecological and economic importance, especially in biocontrol. This study describes two novel species, Leptobacillium gasaense and Ovicillium yunnanense, and provides DNA sequence data and identification keys for the genera Leptobacillium and Ovicillium. The genus Muscodor, known for its considerable biotechnological value, comprises endophytes characterized by sterile mycelia that produce antibiotic volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Historically, the classification of Muscodor has relied on culture characteristics, VOC chemical profiles, and molecular phylogenetic analyses. However, culture characteristics and VOC profiles lack a definitive diagnostic value. Although asexual morphological traits are crucial for genus-level classification, no conidiogenous structures have been observed in Muscodor. Here, we report the asexual morphological characteristics of Muscodor and describe M. coffeanus as a new record in China, supported by both its asexual morphology and molecular phylogenetic evidence. Full article

A wide range of microorganisms, including endophytes, frequently interact with forest trees. The role of endophytes in industrial conifers has not been fully investigated. The Yezo spruce Picea jezoensis is widely used for logging in Russia and Japan. In this work, the endophytic communities of bacteria and fungi in healthy needles, branches, and fresh wood of P. jezoensis from Primorsky Territory were analyzed using metagenomic analysis. The results indicate that the diversity of endophytic communities in P. jezoensis is predominantly influenced by the specific tree parts (for both bacteria and fungi) and by different tree specimens (for fungi). The most abundant bacterial classes were Alphaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria and Actinobacteria. Functional analysis of KEGG orthologs (KOs) in endophytic bacterial community using PICRUSt2 and the PLaBAse PGPT ontology revealed that 59.5% of the 8653 KOs were associated with plant growth-promoting traits (PGPTs), mainly, colonization, stress protection, bio-fertilization, bio-remediation, vitamin production, and competition. Metagenomic analysis identified a high abundance of the genera Pseudomonas and Methylobacterium-Methylorubrum in P. jezoensis, which are known for their potential growth-promoting activity in other coniferous species. The dominant fungal classes in P. jezoensis were Dothideomycetes, Sordariomycetes, and Eurotiomycetes. Notably, the genus Penicillium showed a pronounced increase in relative abundance within the fresh wood and needles of Yezo spruce, while Aspergillus displayed elevated abundance specifically in the fresh wood. It is known that some of these fungi exhibit antagonistic activity against phytopathogenic fungi. Thus, our study describes endophytic communities of the Yezo spruce and provides a basis for the production of biologicals with potential applications in forestry and agriculture. Full article

The cellulose-binding domain and inter-domain linker play crucial roles in the degradation of crystalline cellulose by cellulases. Although significant differences exist in the degradation efficiency of cellobiohydrolase I (CBH I) derived from different fungal sources, the relationship between this efficiency diversity and variations in the non-catalytic region remains poorly understood. In this study, we found significant differences in the length and amino acid composition of the linker region of CBH I derived from Sordariomycetes and Eurotiomycetes. By replacing the non-catalytic region of Penicillium oxalicum CBH I with the corresponding segment from Trichoderma reesei, the cellulose conversion efficiency of the extracellular enzyme system doubled under the same protein dosage, and the adsorption of CBH I onto cellulose was improved. While replacing only the cellulose-binding domain improved the degradation efficiency of the enzyme system, additional replacement of the linker region resulted in greater enhancement. Improved degradation efficiency due to non-catalytic region replacement was observed under various conditions, including higher cellulose substrate concentration, reduced cellulose crystallinity, use of pretreated straw as a substrate, and degradation at physiological temperature. These findings provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying crystalline cellulose degradation by filamentous fungi. Full article

Fungal cell walls, composed of polysaccharides and proteins, play critical roles in adaptation, cell division, and protection against environmental stress. Their polyglucan components are continuously remodeled by various types of glycosyl hydrolases (GHs) and transferases (GTs). In Saccharomyces cerevisiae and other ascomycetes, enzymes of the Dfg5 subfamily, which belong as GTs to the GH76 family, cleave an α1,4 linkage between glucosamine and mannose to facilitate covalent linkage of GPI-anchored proteins to the cell wall’s polyglucans. In contrast, the functions of other fungal GH76 subfamilies are not understood. We characterized CtGH76 from the sordariomycete Chaetomium thermophilum, a member of the Fungi/Bacteria-mixed GH76 subfamily, revealing conserved structural features and functional divergence within the GH76 family. Notably, our structural characterization by X-ray crystallography combined with glycan fragment screening indicated that CtGH76 can recognize GPI-anchors like members of the Dfg5 subfamily but shows a broader promiscuity toward other glycans with central α1,6-mannobiose motifs due to the presence of an elongated glycan-binding canyon. These findings provide new insights into GH76 enzyme diversity and fungal cell wall maturation. Full article

Anthropogenic nitrogen (N) enrichment alters soil biotic (e.g., microbial metabolism) and abiotic (e.g., pH and mineralogy) properties, substantially affecting the persistence and storage of soil organic carbon (SOC). However, the response of relatively persistent mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC) to N enrichment and the underlying mechanisms are not well understood, leading to significant uncertainties regarding SOC stability under continuous N input. Based on a 15-year field N fertilisation experiment (0, 28.5, 60.0, 72.0 g N m⁻² yr⁻¹), we studied the responses of MAOC to N input and the associated changes in soil mineralogy and microbiology. N fertilisation significantly reduced MAOC content by 16.0%. The loss of MAOC was primarily attributed to soil acidification (pH decreased from 6.4 to 4.2), leading to exchangeable calcium (Ca) leaching and loss of Ca-bound organic carbon by 37.9% on average. Furthermore, N-induced shifts in dominant microbial keystone taxa from K-strategists (e.g., Actinobacteriota and Sordariomycetes) to r-strategists (e.g., Subgroups 4 and 6 Acidobacteriota) impeded the formation of MAOC through the reduction of microbial carbon use efficiency and oxidase activity (e.g., phenol oxidases and peroxidases). These results suggest that keystone taxa play crucial roles in regulating carbon metabolism and are responsible for MAOC reduction. Moreover, our data pinpoint the importance of Ca leaching for SOC destabilisation, particularly in near-neutral and neutral soils. Full article

The genus Macgarvieomyces (Magnaporthales, Sordariomycetes, Ascomycota) currently includes three species, which are associated with leaf spots on plants belonging to the Cyperaceae and Juncaceae families and are known only in Europe and New Zealand. During a comprehensive survey conducted between 2020 and 2022 targeting host plants from these families across various regions of Iran, six novel species of Macgarvieomyces—M. caspica, M. cyperi, M. junci-acuti, M. juncigenus, M. salkadehensis, and M. schoeni—were uncovered. These species were identified based on detailed morphological characterizations and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses using ITS-rDNA, RPB1, ACT, and CAL gene regions. This study provides thorough descriptions and illustrations of the new taxa, including information on their morphology, ecological preferences, and geographic distribution. The phylogenetic relationships among the species are also discussed. This work significantly enhances the known diversity of Macgarvieomyces associated with Cyperaceae and Juncaceae, expands their geographic distribution, and underscores the value of integrating morphological and molecular data in fungal taxonomy; accordingly, the findings of this study lay the groundwork for future ecological and evolutionary studies of this genus. Full article

Soil carbon dynamics and microbial communities are critical to soil health. However, the specific effects of mulching on soil microbial community and carbon dynamics in semi-arid rainfed regions remain insufficiently understood. This study aims to identify optimal mulching practices that promote soil carbon sequestration and enhance soil microbial functionality. Mulching treatments were applied in furrows before maize sowing, including black plastic film (TB), white plastic film (TW), straw mulching without sowing (TC), and straw mulching with sowing (TG), and were compared with flat sowing without mulching (TN). Results revealed that TG treatment promoted soil carbon dynamics by increasing total carbon (9%), organic carbon (19%), microbial biomass carbon (100%), easily oxidized carbon (10%), particulate-associated carbon (77%), carbon stability index (7%), active carbon fraction (45%), dissolved carbon proportion (30%), and microbial quotient (34%) compared to TN. A higher abundance and composition of bacterial communities were observed compared to fungal communities. The highest bacterial abundance of Kaistobacter, iii1_15, Sinobacteraceae, and Xanthomonadaceae, and fungal abundance of unspecified fungi, Laiosphaeriaceae, and Sordariomycetes, with the dominant aerobic respiration metabolic pathway involved in organic matter decomposition, were observed in TG and TC. The results indicated that TG treatment most effectively promoted carbon fractions and microbial activity that could strengthen soil health. Full article