{"title":"Characterization of a High-Affinity Copper Transporter <i>CTR1a</i> in the White-Nose Syndrome Causing Fungal Pathogen <i>Pseudogymnoascus destructans</i>.","authors":"Saika Anne, Alyssa D Friudenberg, Ryan L Peterson","doi":"10.3390/jof10100729","DOIUrl":"10.3390/jof10100729","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Copper is an essential micronutrient and the ability to scavenge tightly bound or trace levels of copper ions at the host-pathogen interface is vital for fungal proliferation in animal hosts. Recent studies suggest that trace metal ion acquisition is critical for the establishment and propagation of <i>Pseudogymnoascus destructans</i>, the fungal pathogen responsible for white-nose syndrome (WNS), on their bat host. However, little is known about these metal acquisition pathways in <i>P. destructans.</i> In this study, we report the characterization of the <i>P. destructans</i> high-affinity copper transporter VC83_00191 (<i>Pd</i>CTR1a), which is implicated as a virulence factor associated with the WNS disease state. Using <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> as a recombinant expression host, we find that <i>Pd</i>CTR1a can efficiently traffic Cu ions into the yeast cytoplasm. Complementary studies in the native <i>P. destructans</i> fungus provide evidence that <i>Pd</i>CTR1a transcripts and protein levels are dictated by Cu-bioavailability in the growth media. Our study demonstrates that <i>Pd</i>CTR1a is a functional high-affinity copper transporter and is relevant to Cu homeostasis pathways in <i>P. destructans.</i></p>","PeriodicalId":15878,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Fungi","volume":"10 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2024-10-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11509074/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142501917","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pak-Ting Hau, Anson Shiu, Emily Wan-Ting Tam, Eddie Chung-Ting Chau, Michaela Murillo, Eva Humer, Wai-Wai Po, Ray Chun-Wai Yu, Joshua Fung, Sai-Wang Seto, Chi-Ching Tsang, Franklin Wang-Ngai Chow
{"title":"Diversity and Antifungal Susceptibilities of Yeasts from Mangroves in Hong Kong, China-A One Health Aspect.","authors":"Pak-Ting Hau, Anson Shiu, Emily Wan-Ting Tam, Eddie Chung-Ting Chau, Michaela Murillo, Eva Humer, Wai-Wai Po, Ray Chun-Wai Yu, Joshua Fung, Sai-Wang Seto, Chi-Ching Tsang, Franklin Wang-Ngai Chow","doi":"10.3390/jof10100728","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10100728","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>While mangrove ecosystems are rich in biodiversity, they are increasingly impacted by climate change and urban pollutants. The current study provides first insights into the emergence of potentially pathogenic yeasts in Hong Kong's mangroves. Sediment and water samples were collected from ten urban and rural mangroves sites. Initial CHROMagar<sup>TM</sup> Candida Plus screening, representing the first application of this differential medium for water and soil samples collected from a non-clinical environment, enabled the rapid, preliminary phenotypic identification of yeast isolates from mangroves. Subsequent molecular profiling (ITS and/or 28S nrDNA sequencing) and antifungal drug susceptibility tests were conducted to further elucidate yeast diversity and drug resistance. A diversity of yeasts, including 45 isolates of 18 distinct species across 13 genera/clades, was isolated from sediments and waters from Hong Kong mangroves. Molecular profiling revealed a dominance of the <i>Candida</i>/<i>Lodderomyces</i> clade (44.4%), a group of notorious opportunistic pathogens. The findings also reveal a rich biodiversity of non-<i>Candida</i>/<i>Lodderomyces</i> yeasts in mangroves, including the first reported presence of <i>Apiotrichum domesticum</i> and <i>Crinitomyces flavificans</i>. A potentially novel <i>Yamadazyma</i> species was also discovered. Remarkably, 14.3% of the ubiquitous <i>Candida parapsilosis</i> isolates displayed resistance to multiple antifungal drugs, suggesting that mangroves may be reservoirs of multi-drug resistance. Wildlife, especially migratory birds, may disseminate these hidden threats. With significant knowledge gaps regarding the environmental origins, drug resistance, and public health impacts of pathogenic yeasts, urgent surveillance is needed from a One Health perspective. This study provides an early warning that unrestrained urbanization can unleash resistant pathogens from coastal ecosystems globally. It underscores the necessity for enhanced surveillance studies and interdisciplinary collaboration between clinicians, ornithologists, and environmental microbiologists to effectively monitor and manage this environmental health risk, ensuring the maintenance of 'One Health'.</p>","PeriodicalId":15878,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Fungi","volume":"10 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2024-10-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11508678/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142501921","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Di Wang, Haijue Zhang, Lingkui Meng, Xinyu Tan, Rong Liu, Qingchao Gao, Yan Wu, Yuhan Zhu, Xueyan Ren, Yongcai Li, Qingjun Kong
{"title":"Exogenous Nitric Oxide Induces Pathogenicity of <i>Alternaria alternata</i> on Huangguan Pear Fruit by Regulating Reactive Oxygen Species Metabolism and Cell Wall Modification.","authors":"Di Wang, Haijue Zhang, Lingkui Meng, Xinyu Tan, Rong Liu, Qingchao Gao, Yan Wu, Yuhan Zhu, Xueyan Ren, Yongcai Li, Qingjun Kong","doi":"10.3390/jof10100726","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10100726","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Black spot caused by <i>Alternaria alternata</i> is one of the most common postharvest diseases in fruit and vegetables. A comprehensive investigation into its pathogenicity mechanism is imperative in order to propose a targeted and effective control strategy. The effect of nitric oxide (NO) on the pathogenicity of <i>A. alternata</i> and its underlying mechanism was studied. The results showed that treatment with 0.5 mM L<sup>-1</sup> of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) (NO donor) increased the lesion diameter of <i>A. alternata</i> in vivo and in vitro, which was 22.8% and 13.2% higher than that of the control, respectively. Exogenous NO treatment also induced endogenous NO accumulation by activating nitric oxide synthase (NOS). In addition, NO triggered an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. NO enhanced activities and gene expression levels of NADPH oxidase (NOX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and glutathione reductase (GR). Moreover, NO stimulated cell wall degrading enzymes by activating the corresponding gene expression in vivo and in vitro. These results suggested that exogenous NO promoted the pathogenicity of <i>A. alternata</i> by inducing ROS accumulation and activating antioxidants and cell wall degrading enzymes. The present results could establish a theoretical foundation for the targeted control of the black spot disease in pear fruit.</p>","PeriodicalId":15878,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Fungi","volume":"10 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2024-10-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11508668/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142501940","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jawad Safiia, Marco Aurelio Díaz, Hassan Alshaker, Christine J Atallah, Paul Sakr, Dimitrios G Moshovitis, Ahmad Nawlo, Andres E Franceschi, Alexis Liakos, Sophia Koo
{"title":"Recent Advances in Diagnostic Approaches for Mucormycosis.","authors":"Jawad Safiia, Marco Aurelio Díaz, Hassan Alshaker, Christine J Atallah, Paul Sakr, Dimitrios G Moshovitis, Ahmad Nawlo, Andres E Franceschi, Alexis Liakos, Sophia Koo","doi":"10.3390/jof10100727","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10100727","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Mucormycosis, an invasive fungal infection caused by members of the order Mucorales, often progresses fulminantly if not recognized in a timely manner. This comprehensive review discusses the latest developments in diagnostic approaches for mucormycosis, from traditional histopathology and culture-based methods to advanced and emerging techniques such as molecular assays, imaging, serology, and metabolomics. We discuss challenges in the diagnosis of mucormycosis and emphasize the importance of rapid and accurate identification of this life-threatening infection.</p>","PeriodicalId":15878,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Fungi","volume":"10 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2024-10-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11509022/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142501905","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mohamed A Fayed, Timothy M Evans, Eyad Almasri, Kathryn L Bilello, Robert Libke, Michael W Peterson
{"title":"Overview of the Current Challenges in Pulmonary Coccidioidomycosis.","authors":"Mohamed A Fayed, Timothy M Evans, Eyad Almasri, Kathryn L Bilello, Robert Libke, Michael W Peterson","doi":"10.3390/jof10100724","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10100724","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Coccidioidomycosis is a disease caused by soil fungi of the genus <i>Coccidioides</i>, divided genetically into <i>Coccidioides immitis</i> (California isolates) and <i>Coccidioides posadasii</i> (isolates outside California). Coccidioidomycosis is transmitted through the inhalation of fungal spores, arthroconidia, which can cause disease in susceptible mammalian hosts, including humans. Coccidioidomycosis is endemic to the western part of the United States of America, including the central valley of California, Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of western Texas. Cases have been reported in other regions in different states, and endemic pockets are present in these states. The incidence of reported cases of coccidioidomycosis has notably increased since it became reportable in 1995. Clinically, the infection ranges from asymptomatic to fatal disease due to pneumonia or disseminated states. The recognition of coccidioidomycosis can be challenging, as it frequently mimics bacterial community-acquired pneumonia. The diagnosis of coccidioidomycosis is frequently dependent on serologic testing, the results of which can take several days or longer to obtain. Coccidioidomycosis continues to present challenges for clinicians, and suspected cases can be easily missed. The challenges of coccidioidomycosis disease, from presentation to diagnosis to treatment, remain a hurdle for clinicians, and further research is needed to address these challenges.</p>","PeriodicalId":15878,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Fungi","volume":"10 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2024-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11508864/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142516477","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aline De Oliveira Campos, Mark D Harrison, David L Marshall, Peter James Strong
{"title":"Distributions of Lanostene-Derived Triterpenoids and Glucan Content in the Fruiting Bodies of the Australian <i>Ganoderma</i> Species.","authors":"Aline De Oliveira Campos, Mark D Harrison, David L Marshall, Peter James Strong","doi":"10.3390/jof10100723","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10100723","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Lanostene-derived triterpenoids and β-glucans are important metabolites in <i>Ganoderma</i> mushrooms associated with benefits to human health. The medicinal value of the Australian <i>Ganoderma</i> species remains unclear, with no data on triterpenoid distribution or glucan content. In the present study, 22 Australian <i>Ganoderma</i> specimens were analyzed for triterpenoid and glucan contents. Thirty-two triterpenoids were identified in the fruiting bodies of 19 of the specimens. Distinct patterns in triterpenoid distribution between laccate and matte fruiting bodies were observed, leading to the classification of four groups of <i>Ganoderma</i>. Most of the glucans in the <i>Ganoderma</i> fruiting bodies were β-glucans (~99%), with a nominal α-glucan content (~1%). The β-glucan content ranged from 19.5 to 43.5% (<i>w</i>/<i>w</i>). A range of antioxidant activities was observed for methanol extracts using the ABTS (1.8 to 8.4 mg GAE.g<sup>-1</sup>), DPPH (1.7 to 9.4 mg GAE/g<sup>-1</sup>) and FRAP (24.7 to 111.6 mmol FeSO<sub>4</sub>.g<sup>-1</sup>) assays, with four specimens presenting relatively high radical scavenging and reducing activities. For the first time, we demonstrated that Australian <i>Ganoderma</i> mushrooms contain medicinal triterpenoids, including ganoderic acid A, and we established a link between its distribution and the fruiting body morphology. However, further research is required to isolate diploid clones and determine factors that impact triterpenoid and glucan synthesis in these strains.</p>","PeriodicalId":15878,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Fungi","volume":"10 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2024-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11509325/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142501920","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Three New Species of Mytilinidioid Fungi (Dothideomycetes, Ascomycota) from Mexico.","authors":"Tania Raymundo, César R Martínez-González, Michelle Martínez-Pineda, Aurora Cobos-Villagrán, Isabel Ramírez-Rosales, Ricardo Valenzuela","doi":"10.3390/jof10100725","DOIUrl":"10.3390/jof10100725","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Mytilinidioid fungi are conchiform in nature, with the appearance of bivalve shells or wedge-shaped, rigid, brittle, and carbonaceous hysterothecia growing on the bark of gymnosperms or angiosperms. Based on their morphological characteristics and molecular markers (<i>ITS</i> and <i>LSU</i>), this study describes three new species of mytilinidioid fungi: <i>Ericboehmia mexicana</i> of the family Hysteriaceae of the order Hysteriales and <i>Lophium pinicola</i> and <i>Mytilinidion mexicanum</i> of the family Mytilinidiaceae of the order Mytilinidiales. The first species grows on <i>Liquidambar styracyphlua</i>, the second species grows on <i>Pinus patula</i>, and the third species grows on <i>Acacia californica</i> subsp. <i>pringlei</i>. The specimens studied were deposited in the ENCB Herbarium.</p>","PeriodicalId":15878,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Fungi","volume":"10 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2024-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11514609/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142501914","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yu-Peng Zhang, Yue Li, Karen K Nakasone, Shuang-Hui He
{"title":"<i>Stratocorticium sinensis</i> gen. et sp. nov. and <i>Cericium gloeocystidiatum</i> sp. nov. (<i>Cyphellaceae</i>, <i>Agaricales</i>) from East Asia.","authors":"Yu-Peng Zhang, Yue Li, Karen K Nakasone, Shuang-Hui He","doi":"10.3390/jof10100722","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10100722","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Cyphellaceae</i>, a small and under-studied family of <i>Agaricales</i>, includes mostly saprophytic taxa with varied basidiomes. In this study, we focus on wood-decay species with corticioid or stereoid basidiomes. Phylogenetic analyses of concatenated <i>ITS</i>-<i>nrLSU</i> sequences uncovered seven generic lineages of corticioid or stereoid fungi-<i>Acanthocorticium</i>, <i>Cericium</i>, <i>Chondrostereum</i>, <i>Cunninghammyces</i>, <i>Gloeostereum</i>, <i>Granulobasidium</i>, and <i>Stratocorticium</i> gen. nov. The genus <i>Cericium</i> is shown to be in the <i>Cyphellaceae</i> family, and two new species, <i>Cericium gloeocystidiatum</i> and <i>Stratocorticium sinensis</i>, are described from East Asia. Morphologically, <i>Ce</i>. <i>gloeocystidiatum</i> is characterized by resupinate basidiomes with smooth hymenophores, a dimitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae and micro-binding hyphae, cystidia with resinous-like or golden yellow contents, and ellipsoid basidiospores. <i>Stratocorticium</i> is monotypic, differing from <i>Cericium</i> by a trimitic hyphal system of clamped generative, micro-binding, and brown, thick-walled skeletal-like hyphae, clavate to cylindrical cystidia with homogenous, colorless contents, and hyphidia. Descriptions and illustrations are provided for the new taxa and <i>Cericium luteoincrustatum</i>, and a key to corticioid or stereoid genera in <i>Cyphellaceae</i> is included.</p>","PeriodicalId":15878,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Fungi","volume":"10 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2024-10-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11509246/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142501889","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Molecular Mechanism of <i>Mok I</i> Gene Overexpression in Enhancing Monacolin K Production in <i>Monascus pilosus</i>.","authors":"Zhiwei Huang, Lishi Xiao, Wenlan Mo, Yaru Zhang, Yiyang Cai, Simei Huang, Zhiting Chen, Chuannan Long","doi":"10.3390/jof10100721","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10100721","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Monascus</i> species are capable of producing various active metabolites, including monacolin K (MK) and pigments. Studies have shown that the overexpression of the <i>mok I</i> gene from the MK synthesis gene cluster in <i>Monascus</i> species can significantly increase MK production; however, the molecular mechanism has not yet been fully elucidated. Therefore, this study focused on the <i>mok I</i> gene of <i>Monascus pilosus</i> to construct overexpression strains of the <i>mok I</i> gene, resulting in high-yield MK production. Sixteen positive transformants were obtained, seven of which produced 9.63% to 41.39% more MK than the original strain, with no citrinin detected in any of the transformants. The qRT-PCR results revealed that the expression levels of <i>mok I</i> in the transformed strains TI-13, TI-24, and TI-25 increased by more than 50% compared to the original strain at various fermentation times, with the highest increase being 10.9-fold. Furthermore, multi-omics techniques were used to analyze the molecular mechanisms underlying enhanced MK production in transformed strains. The results indicated that <i>mok I</i> overexpression may enhance MK synthesis in <i>M. pilosus</i> by regulating the expression of key genes (such as <i>MAO</i>, <i>HPD</i>, <i>ACX</i>, and <i>PLC</i>) and the synthesis levels of key metabolites (such as delta-tocopherol and alpha-linolenic acid) in pathways linked to the biosynthesis of cofactors, the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, tyrosine metabolism, ubiquinone and other terpenoid-quinone biosynthesis, alpha-linolenic acid metabolism, and glycerophospholipid metabolism. These findings provide a theoretical basis for further study of the metabolic regulation of MK in <i>Monascus</i> species and for effectively enhancing their MK production.</p>","PeriodicalId":15878,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Fungi","volume":"10 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2024-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11508744/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142501953","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The <i>Aspergillus flavus hacA</i> Gene in the Unfolded Protein Response Pathway Is a Candidate Target for Host-Induced Gene Silencing.","authors":"Perng-Kuang Chang","doi":"10.3390/jof10100719","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10100719","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Fungal HacA/Hac1 transcription factors play a crucial role in regulating the unfolded protein response (UPR). The UPR helps cells to maintain endoplasmic reticulum (ER) protein homeostasis, which is critical for growth, development, and virulence. The <i>Aspergillus flavus hacA</i> gene encodes a domain rich in basic and acidic amino acids (Bsc) and a basic leucine zipper (bZip) domain, and features a non-conventional intron (Nt20). In this study, CRISPR/Cas9 was utilized to dissect the Bsc-coding, bZip-coding, and Nt20 sequences to elucidate the relationship between genotype and phenotype. In the Bsc and bZip experimental sets, all observed mutations in both coding sequences were in frame, suggesting that out-of-frame mutations are lethal. The survival rate of transformants in the Nt20 experiment set was low, at approximately 7%. Mutations in the intron primarily consisted of out-of-frame insertions and deletions. In addition to the wild-type-like conidial morphology, the mutants exhibited varied colony morphologies, including sclerotial, mixed (conidial and sclerotial), and mycelial morphologies. An ER stress test using dithiothreitol revealed that the sclerotial and mycelial mutants were much more sensitive than the conidial mutants. Additionally, the mycelial mutants were unable to produce aflatoxin but still produced aspergillic acid and kojic acid. RNAi experiments targeting the region encompassing Bsc and bZip indicated that transformant survival rates generally decreased, with a small number of transformants displaying phenotypic changes. Defects in the <i>hacA</i> gene at the DNA and transcript levels affected the survival, growth, and development of <i>A. flavus</i>. Thus, this gene may serve as a promising target for future host-induced gene-silencing strategies aimed at controlling infection and reducing aflatoxin contamination in crops.</p>","PeriodicalId":15878,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Fungi","volume":"10 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2024-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11508391/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142501909","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}