Fungal biology最新文献

{"title":"In silico search reveals the association of lichens with black yeast-like fungi in the order Chaetothyriales","authors":"Flavia de Fatima Costa ,&nbsp;Bruno Paulo Rodrigues Lustosa ,&nbsp;Camila Pereira Perico ,&nbsp;Ricardo Belmonte-Lopes ,&nbsp;João Lucas Vitório Ribeiro Carvalho ,&nbsp;Emanuel L. Razzolini ,&nbsp;Germana Davila dos Santos ,&nbsp;Bruna Jacomel Favoreto de Souza Lima ,&nbsp;Cristina Maria de Souza-Motta ,&nbsp;Roberto Tadeu Raittz ,&nbsp;Yinggai Song ,&nbsp;Laura Selbmann ,&nbsp;G. Sybren de Hoog ,&nbsp;Jacques Meis ,&nbsp;Vania Aparecida Vicente","doi":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101618","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101618","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Lichens exemplify a unique symbiotic relationship between fungi and algae or cyanobacteria, where fungi (mycobionts) provide structural support, while algae or cyanobacteria (photobionts) provide nutrients. Recent discoveries in the order Chaetothyriales have led to the description of several lichenicolous species, underscoring an intricate relationship of some black yeast-like fungi with lichens. The present study aims to investigate public metagenomic data of lichens available in the SRA database, covering a total of 2888 samples. The analysis incorporated 122 molecular marker sequences (barcodes and padlock probes) previously documented in the literature for species classified within Chaetothyriales. Additionally, 11 novel barcodes for species recently identified in lichens of the genera <em>Cladophialophora</em> and <em>Paracladophialophora</em> are described. The selected metagenomes were then compared with molecular marker sequences using local BLASTn (v2.6.0+), considering only alignments with a coverage cut-off and 100 % identity (perfect match). Reads from each sample were retrieved from the SRA as a multifasta file and analyzed with the SWeeP method for vector-based, alignment-free sequence analysis. The analysis identified fungi that are known as environmental inhabitants and, occasionally, opportunistic pathogens of vertebrates, including species in the genera <em>Cladophialophora</em>, <em>Cyphellophora</em>, and <em>Exophiala</em>. These species were distributed across 11 BioProjects from various locations around the world. The findings of this study corroborate extant knowledge concerning fungal colonization in diverse extremophilic environments, including deserts, tundra, and rocky surfaces.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12683,"journal":{"name":"Fungal biology","volume":"129 6","pages":"Article 101618"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144312750","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparative analysis of the cellulolytic enzymatic ability of strains belonging to the genus Cladorrhinum (Podosporaceae, Sordariales, Ascomycota) and preliminary data for Cladorrhinum samala INTA-AR 59","authors":"Mara Edith Martin ,&nbsp;Juan Santiago Guidobono ,&nbsp;Eliana Melignani ,&nbsp;Laura Gasoni ,&nbsp;Mario Carlos Nazareno Saparrat ,&nbsp;Viviana Andrea Barrera","doi":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101617","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101617","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Cladorrhinum</em>, a genus of soil fungi belonging to the Podosporaceae family within the Sordariales order of the Ascomycota phylum, comprises several species with diverse physiological capabilities. While there are existing data on the cellulolytic activity of <em>Cladorrhinum bulbillosum</em> and <em>Cladorrhinum foecundissimum</em>, no reports are available on the potential of other species in this genus. In this study, different strains of <em>Cladorrhinum</em> were evaluated for carboxymethyl cellulase (CMCase) activity on solid medium, and the strains exhibiting the highest activity levels were selected. In liquid culture, <em>Cladorrhinum samala</em> INTA-AR 59 and <em>C. samala</em> INTA-AR 7 revealed maximum levels of endo-1,4-β-glucanase activity at 14 incubation d (27.55 ± 3.39 IU/L and 17.52 ± 0.87 IU/L, respectively), while <em>C. samala</em> INTA-AR 156 exhibited it at 31 incubation d (13.32 ± 3.59 IU/L). Concerning β-glucosidase activity, <em>C. samala</em> INTA-AR 59 and <em>C. samala</em> INTA-AR 156 displayed maximum levels of activity at 38 d (17.52 ± 0.87 IU/L and 0.5 ± 0.21 IU/L, respectively), and INTA-AR 7 at 31 d (9.44 ± 1.02 IU/L). Additionally, we present data on CMCase activity obtained through zymogram analysis of the <em>C. samala</em> INTA-AR 59 strain.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12683,"journal":{"name":"Fungal biology","volume":"129 6","pages":"Article 101617"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144338637","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The nitrogen regulator AreA modulates lipid metabolism through uga2 in Mucor circinelloides","authors":"Xiuwen Wang ,&nbsp;Hassan Mohamed ,&nbsp;Qing Liu ,&nbsp;Zhaosen Fan ,&nbsp;Yuanda Song","doi":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101616","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101616","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Oleaginous filamentous fungus <em>Mucor circinelloides</em> harbors a GATA transcription activator AreA, which regulates nitrogen metabolism. In our previous study, deletion of AreA resulted in increased lipid production, while its overexpression reduced lipid synthesis. Although it is not a direct lipogenesis regulator, AreA influences metabolic flux by modulating nitrogen utilization pathways, which in turn affects carbon distribution. One such pathway is the GABA shunt, an alternative route that bypasses two steps of TCA cycle and contributes to replenishing TCA intermediates under nitrogen-limited conditions. The <em>uga2</em> gene, encoding succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase, plays a key role in this shunt. We constructed UGA2-knockout strain in wild-type, AreA-knockout and AreA-overexpression strains, respectively. Results showed that single knockout of <em>uga2</em> increased fatty acid content from 24.5 % to 32.7 %, while double knockout of <em>areA</em> and <em>uga2</em> exhibited the highest fatty acid content at 36.1 %. The <em>areA</em> overexpression combined with <em>uga2</em> knockout also resulted in increased lipid accumulation up to 32.4 %. The gene expression levels and enzyme activities related to fatty acid synthesis showed that deletion of <em>uga2</em> may lead to carbon-nitrogen metabolism disequilibrium, shifting carbon flux towards lipogenesis. This indicated that AreA might regulate lipid metabolism through the modulation of <em>uga2</em> in <em>M. circinelloides</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12683,"journal":{"name":"Fungal biology","volume":"129 6","pages":"Article 101616"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144279426","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Boscalid – a new selectable marker for Ascochyta lentis and Ascochyta rabiei","authors":"Johannes W. Debler,&nbsp;Robert C. Lee,&nbsp;Karam B. Singh,&nbsp;Lars G. Kamphuis,&nbsp;Bernadette M. Henares","doi":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101615","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101615","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Ascochyta lentis</em> and <em>Ascochyta rabiei</em> are fungal pathogens affecting lentil and chickpea crops, respectively. They employ effector proteins to facilitate infection, and understanding the role of effector genes is crucial for unravelling host–pathogen interactions and developing disease-resistant crops. Traditional methods for studying effectors in lentil and chickpea face challenges, such as the ability to perform gene overexpression or knockout studies, due to the difficulty of effector protein infiltration and the limitations of using non-host plants for expression studies. Here, we introduce an alternative tool to enhance the genetic modification toolkit for <em>A. lentis</em> and <em>A. rabiei</em> by developing boscalid-resistant mutants using targeted mutations in the succinate dehydrogenase subunit B (SdhB). This allows for the generation of multiple gene knockouts and gene complementation in <em>A. lentis</em>, where previously only one selectable marker was available. By using the SdhB H277L mutation, we transformed both pathogens and successfully selected transformants using the fungicide boscalid as the selective agent. The method was validated through gene complementation studies of <em>AlScd1</em> in <em>A. lentis</em> and <em>ArPks1</em> in <em>A. rabiei</em>, restoring wild type melanin production phenotypes and demonstrating the utility of the new marker system. Additionally, we generated double knockouts in both pathogens, highlighting the potential for more sophisticated genetic studies. The boscalid resistance marker system described here represents a significant advancement in the functional genomics of Ascochyta species, providing a new tool for dissecting the molecular mechanisms underlying pathogenicity and host–pathogen interactions. This approach opens new avenues for research on disease management strategies for lentil and chickpea.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12683,"journal":{"name":"Fungal biology","volume":"129 5","pages":"Article 101615"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144262471","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Identification of a novel pathogen of the glacial relict Drosera rotundifolia and the impact of the fungus on the conservation of the plant and its habitat","authors":"Lilla Szendrei ,&nbsp;Annamária Tóth ,&nbsp;Mátyás Szépligeti ,&nbsp;László Palkovics ,&nbsp;János Ágoston","doi":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101614","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101614","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Round-leaved sundew (<em>Drosera rotundifolia</em> L.) is a protected glacial relict plant inhabiting <em>Sphagnum</em> bogs, which are endangered habitats in Hungary. In 2020 and 2021 greyish mycelium growth was observed on the hibernacula of <em>D. rotundifolia</em> in Czech Republic, Germany and Hungary. Samples have been collected in possession of the required permits. The fungus was isolated and identified with classical and molecular methods. Koch's postulates were fulfilled. The novel pathogen was identified as the highly polyphagous <em>Botrytis cinerea</em> in each sample. Simultaneously, field assessments of wild Hungarian populations were carried out. Throughout the survey of three different Hungarian collection sites, altogether 207 hibernacula were carefully examined for gray mold symptoms. Interestingly, only plants grown on milled peat substrate were affected by the pathogen. The antifungal and antimicrobial properties of <em>Sphagnum</em> mosses have been reported by other researchers, which could aid in the protection of <em>D. rotundifolia</em> hibernacula. These results indicate that live <em>Sphagnum</em> moss is a better substrate for this species than milled peat, both for commercial production and for <em>in situ</em> conservation. This information can be vital to the survival and conservation of this species. <em>Sphagnum</em> bogs may protect and allow the expansion and re-establishment of <em>D. rotundifolia</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12683,"journal":{"name":"Fungal biology","volume":"129 6","pages":"Article 101614"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144366373","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mycogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles using endophytic fungi and their characterization, biological activities, including in-silico studies with special reference to Fusarium wilt of tomato","authors":"Susmita Jana ,&nbsp;Dona Das ,&nbsp;Sankar Bhattacharyya ,&nbsp;Subrata Raha","doi":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101610","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101610","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nanoparticle research is currently a topic of significant scientific interest, due to its vast array of application in biological field. An effort was made to produce silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from two endophytic fungi; <em>Fusarium oxysporum</em> (FoAgNPs) and <em>Fusarium proliferatum</em> (FpAgNPs), which were isolated from a Pteridophyte <em>Pyrrosia lanceolata</em> (L.) Farw. The AgNPs were characterised using UV–Vis spectroscopy, exhibiting sizes ranging from 3 nm to 27 nm and displaying a polycrystalline nature as determined by scanning and transmission microscopy, along with SAED pattern analysis. Additionally, we identify phenolic groups at 1067.12 cm⁻¹ as the capping agent that facilitates the reduction of silver ions and stabilizes the nanoparticles evaluated via FTIR. The <em>in vitro</em> antibacterial potency AgNPs had the maximum activity against <em>Escherichia fergusonii</em>, followed by <em>Proteus mirabilis</em>; for both organisms, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value was 10 μg/ml. AgNPs also demonstrated strong antifungal activity against various plant pathogens, MIC was 15 μg/ml. Additionally, SEM analysis revealed that AgNPs caused pathogen hypha shrinkage and deformation, indicating structural deterioration in cellular and organelle structures due to ROS production. Further, the antifungal efficacy of manufactured AgNPs was investigated against <em>F. oxysporum</em> f.sp. <em>lycopersici</em> in <em>Solanum lycopersicum</em>, a plant pathogen affecting tomato growth and yield, and nano-formulation (150 ppm) completely prevented infection in the greenhouse settings. Biogenic AgNPs at 40 ppm enhanced root-shoot length in <em>Vigna radiata</em> seeds compared to untreated seeds, suggesting phyto-stimulatory action. The cytotoxicity assessment indicated that the synthesized AgNPs are safe for a variety of bio-applications. Furthermore, we chose NADPH Oxidase (<em>F. oxysporum</em> f.sp. <em>lycopersici</em>) as the protein to perform the molecular docking and results indicates that the active site of the selected protein serves as a critical region for inhibiting disease propagation. The study findings enhanced our knowledge of the antifungal properties and mechanisms of AgNPs, providing a novel perspective on utilising this antifungal alternative for the treatment of plant diseases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12683,"journal":{"name":"Fungal biology","volume":"129 5","pages":"Article 101610"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144272486","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The role of Pep4 protease in Cryptococcus neoformans cell survival and virulence factors","authors":"Gabrielle Felizardo ,&nbsp;Adrián Adolfo Álvarez Padilla ,&nbsp;Amanda Teixeira de Melo ,&nbsp;Ricardo Ferreira Lima ,&nbsp;Grasielle Pereira Jannuzzi ,&nbsp;Kevin Felipe Cruz Martho ,&nbsp;Sandro Rogério de Almeida ,&nbsp;Karen Spadari Ferreira ,&nbsp;Renata Castiglioni Pascon ,&nbsp;Marcelo Afonso Vallim","doi":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101611","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101611","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cryptococcosis is a systemic mycosis caused by <em>Cryptococcus neoformans</em> with significant clinical importance, mainly affecting immunodeficient patients. The treatment options are limited to a few drugs, and resistance to them has been reported. Therefore, research is essential to broaden knowledge regarding the biology of this yeast, aiming to identify traits that could serve as new targets for antifungal drugs. This study aims to expand the current understanding of the autophagy process in this pathogenic yeast. Autophagy is a conserved intracellular degradation and recycling process among eukaryotes, indispensable in cellular homeostasis. In <em>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</em>, the <em>PEP4</em> gene encodes a protease required during the final stages of autophagy, playing a role in the maturation and activation of vacuolar hydrolases, which contributes to cell survival under conditions of nutritional deprivation and stress. However, <em>PEP4</em> has never been studied in <em>C. neoformans</em>. Thus, we evaluated the impact of <em>PEP4</em> deletion on the expression of virulence factors and the cell response to multiple stress conditions. Our results demonstrated that the <em>pep4</em>Δ mutant exhibited attenuated virulence in <em>Galleria mellonella</em> and a decreased fungal burden in macrophages. Notably, we observed the accumulation of autophagic bodies in the <em>pep4</em>Δ strain under nutrient starvation, suggesting a defect in the final steps of autophagic degradation. These findings suggest that the Pep4 protein of <em>C. neoformans</em> plays a crucial role in vacuolar function and the adaptation and survival of yeast cells under stressful conditions, as well as in the host–pathogen interaction.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12683,"journal":{"name":"Fungal biology","volume":"129 5","pages":"Article 101611"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144223220","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Transcriptome analysis reveals the molecular mechanisms of the 8-day infection cycle of Ecytonucleospora hepatopenaei in Litopenaeus vannamei and the host's molecular responses","authors":"Yan Rong ,&nbsp;Yi Qiao ,&nbsp;Tingyue Liu ,&nbsp;Xiaohui Cao ,&nbsp;Ge Jiang ,&nbsp;Jie Cheng ,&nbsp;Huiwen Jiang ,&nbsp;Xianping Fan ,&nbsp;Hui Shen","doi":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101613","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101613","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Ecytonucleospora hepatopenaei</em> (EHP), an emerging microsporidian, has caused significant economic losses to the Asian aquaculture industry. This study investigates the infection dynamics of EHP through deep transcriptomic sequencing of infected shrimp samples at different time points. The analysis revealed distinct periodic changes in metabolism, immune response, and DNA repair during EHP infection. Shrimp rapidly mobilize energy metabolism and activate immune pathways in the early stage (day 2), followed by immune suppression and metabolic regulation in the mid-stage (days 4–6), and enhanced immune responses by day 8. Trend analysis supports an 8-day infection cycle, with periodic changes in gene expression profiles, especially in energy metabolism, protein synthesis and degradation, and immune responses. Host gene expression displays a phased response aligning with EHP proliferation and its life cycle. EHP's gene expression also shows periodicity, with upregulation of proliferation-associated genes on days 4 and 10. Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) identified key gene modules related to metabolic adaptation and immune suppression, indicating EHP's adaptation to the host environment. The study reveals a cyclical pattern of interaction between EHP and its host, providing insights into EHP's pathogenic mechanisms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12683,"journal":{"name":"Fungal biology","volume":"129 5","pages":"Article 101613"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144223535","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Identification of entomopathogenic fungus Cordyceps cicadae isolated from soil using common cutworm Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) as bait and its high virulence comparable to generalist Metarhizium anisopliae complex","authors":"Duong Danh Thanh ,&nbsp;Oumi Nishi ,&nbsp;Naoya Wasano ,&nbsp;Chisa Yasunaga-Aoki","doi":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101612","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101612","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The common cutworm (<em>Spodoptera litura,</em> Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is one of the most widespread pest insects affecting various crops in Asian countries. To screen promising biological control agents for this pest, we isolated 49 potential entomopathogenic fungal isolates from 25 soil samples using <em>S. litura</em> and four additional insect species as baits. The results revealed a high occurrence (24 %) of <em>Cordyceps cicadae</em> in soil through the bait method with all five insect baits, following the <em>Metarhizium anisopliae</em> complex (52 %), despite <em>Cordyceps cicadae</em> generally being known as a specialist entomopathogenic fungus of cicada nymphs. Molecular phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that <em>Cordyceps cicadae</em> isolates from soil and natural cicada nymphs clustered together at a terminal node with previously reported <em>Cordyceps cicadae</em> from cicada nymphs and <em>C. lepidopterorum</em> from lepidopteran larvae. Virulence assays against last-instar larvae of <em>S. litura</em> revealed significant variability in virulence among <em>C. cicadae</em> strains derived from soil and cicada nymphs. Among these, <em>C. cicadae</em> S17, isolated from soil using <em>S. litura</em> as bait, exhibited virulence comparable to the most virulent strains of the <em>M. anisopliae</em> complex and was also virulent against third-instar larvae and pupae. Our findings indicate that <em>C. cicadae</em> exhibit a broader host range than previously recognized, with potential applications in biological control for larvae and pupae of <em>S. litura</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12683,"journal":{"name":"Fungal biology","volume":"129 5","pages":"Article 101612"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144223219","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sterol aminoacylation regulates conidiation and sclerotia formation in Aspergillus oryzae","authors":"Daisuke Yokokawa ,&nbsp;Shunsuke Tatematsu ,&nbsp;Makoto Imai ,&nbsp;Yoshihiro Takara ,&nbsp;Yusuke Saga ,&nbsp;Frédéric Fischer ,&nbsp;Hubert D. Becker ,&nbsp;Harushi Nakajima ,&nbsp;Tetsuo Kushiro","doi":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101609","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101609","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ergosterol is a major fungal membrane component that contributes to membrane functions. We recently discovered novel ergosterol derivatives conjugated with amino acids, namely two aminoacylated ergosterols (Erg-aa), 1-ergosteryl-L-aspartate (Erg-Asp) and 1-ergosteryl-glycine (Erg-Gly), and the synthase involved (ErdS and ErgS, respectively). These enzymes are widely conserved in fungi belonging to the Dikarya subkingdom. However, the physiological role of Erg-aa remains unknown. Here, we report that Erg-aa are involved in conidiation and sclerotia formation in <em>Aspergillus oryzae</em>. The deletion of <em>AoerdS</em> or <em>AoergS</em> led to the reduction of conidia, accompanied by the downregulation of conidiation-regulating genes. In contrast, these deletants formed sclerotia considerably. <em>AoerdS</em> inducible strains also decreased conidia and promoted sclerotia formation under <em>AoerdS</em> suppressing condition, whereas the opposite morphology was observed under <em>AoerdS</em> inductive condition. We also investigated the effects of synthetic Erg-aa on fungal growth. Externally added Erg-Asp slightly promoted conidiation but did not affect sclerotia formation. On the other hand, Erg-Gly promoted the elongation of aerial hyphae and reduced both conidia and sclerotia. Finally, the deletion of <em>AoerdS</em> or <em>AoergS</em> altered susceptibility to ergosterol associating agents, indicating that ergosterol aminoacylation may change the physicochemical properties of ergosterol. Our findings expand the biological role of sterol modification in fungi.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12683,"journal":{"name":"Fungal biology","volume":"129 5","pages":"Article 101609"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144229903","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}