Aflatoxin B1 Control by Various Isolates.

The climate-change-coupled fungal burden in crop management and the need to reduce chemical pesticide usage highlight the importance of finding sustainable ways to control . This study examines the effectiveness of 50 isolates obtained from corn rhizospheres against in both solid and liquid co-cultures. The presence and quantity of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and AFB1-related compounds were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry analysis.

An ascomycete H4 variant with an unknown function.

Histone variants leading to altered nucleosome structure, dynamics and DNA accessibility occur frequently, albeit rarely for H4. We carried out a comprehensive scrutiny of fungal genomes, which revealed the presence of a novel H4 variant (H4E) in the ascomycetes, throughout the Pezizomycotina, in basal species of the Taphrinomycotina and also in the Glomeromycota. The coding cognate genes show a specific intron/exon organization, different from H4 canonical genes.

Vertical and horizontal gene transfer shaped plant colonization and biomass degradation in the fungal genus Armillaria.

The fungal genus Armillaria contains necrotrophic pathogens and some of the largest terrestrial organisms that cause tremendous losses in diverse ecosystems, yet how they evolved pathogenicity in a clade of dominantly non-pathogenic wood degraders remains elusive. Here we show that Armillaria species, in addition to gene duplications and de novo gene origins, acquired at least 1,025 genes via 124 horizontal gene transfer events, primarily from Ascomycota. Horizontal gene transfer might have affected plant biomass degrading and virulence abilities of Armillaria, and provides an explanation for their unusual, soft rot-like wood decay strategy.

Development of a Multicomponent Microbiological Soil Inoculant and Its Performance in Sweet Potato Cultivation.

The cultivation and consumption of sweet potato () are increasing globally. As the usage of chemical fertilizers and pest control agents during its cultivation may lead to soil, water and air pollution, there is an emerging need for environment-friendly, biological solutions enabling increased amounts of healthy crop and efficient disease management. Microbiological agents for agricultural purposes gained increasing importance in the past few decades.

Characterization of the antagonistic potential of the glyphosate-tolerant SZMC 25872 strain against the plant pathogenic bacterium .

The utilization of microorganisms with biocontrol activity against fungal and bacterial pathogens of plants is recognized as a promising, effective, and environment-friendly strategy to protect agricultural crops. We report the glyphosate-tolerant SZMC 25872 isolate as a novel strain with antagonistic potential towards the plant pathogenic bacterium . In our studies, the growth of the SZMC 25872 and SZMC 14557 isolates in the presence of 74 different carbon sources, and the effect of 11 carbon sources utilized by both strains on the biocontrol efficacy was examined.

Molecular Characterization of Novel Mycoviruses in Seven Strains.

The presence of viruses is less explored in Mucoromycota as compared to other fungal groups such as Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. Recently, more and more mycoviruses are identified from the early-diverging lineages of fungi. We have determined the genome of 11 novel dsRNA viruses in seven different strains with next-generation sequencing (NGS).

Was the Dominant Genus Found during Diversity Tracking of Potentially Pathogenic Indoor Fungal Isolates.

Viable airborne pathogenic fungi represent a potential health hazard when exposing vulnerable persons in quantities exceeding their resilience. In this study, 284 indoor fungal isolates from a strain collection of indoor fungi were screened for pathogenic potential through the ability to grow in neutral pH at 37 °C and 30 °C. The isolates were collected from 20 locations including 14 problematic and 6 non-problematic ordinary buildings.

Survival and growth of microscopic fungi derived from tropical regions under future heat waves in the Pannonian Biogeographical Region.

Warming and heat waves are predicted by different climate models in the near future in the Pannonian Biogeographical Region (PBR). These climatic effects may have impact on the prevalence and distribution of certain fungal species of this area. In this study the effects of predicted climate scenarios were tested on fungi being endemic or unintentionally introduced by global trade from regions of warm temperate climate.

Characterization of Four Novel dsRNA Viruses Isolated from Strains.

We previously screened the total nucleic acid extracts of 123 strains for the presence of dsRNA molecules without further molecular analyses. Here, we characterized five novel dsRNA genomes isolated from four different   strains with next-generation sequencing (NGS), namely Mucor hiemalis virus 1a (MhV1a) from WRL CN(M) 122; Mucor hiemalis virus 1b (MhV1b) from NRRL 3624; Mucor hiemalis virus 2 (MhV2) from NRRL 3616; and Mucor hiemalis virus 3 (MhV3) and Mucor hiemalis virus (MhV4) from NRRL 3617 strains. Genomes contain two open reading frames (ORF), which encode the coat protein (CP) and the RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), respectively.

Genome organization and evolution of a eukaryotic nicotinate co-inducible pathway.

In a regulon including 11 genes (, , , , , , , , , and ) is inducible by a nicotinate metabolic derivative, repressible by ammonium and under stringent control of the nitrogen-state-sensitive GATA factor AreA and the specific transcription factor HxnR. This is the first report in a eukaryote of the genomic organization of a possibly complete pathway of nicotinate utilization. In the regulon is organized in three distinct clusters, this organization is variable in the .

and -like Species from European Indoor Environments Include sp. nov.

The genus is a frequently occurring fungal taxon world-wide. and -like species occur in indoor environments, where they can degrade cellulose-based building materials, thereby causing structural damage. Furthermore, several species of this genus may also cause adverse effects on human health.

Characterization of Three Pleiotropic Drug Resistance Transporter Genes and Their Participation in the Azole Resistance of .

Mucormycosis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection caused by certain members of the fungal order Mucorales. This infection is associated with high mortality rate, which can reach nearly 100% depending on the underlying condition of the patient. Treatment of mucormycosis is challenging because these fungi are intrinsically resistant to most of the routinely used antifungal agents, such as most of the azoles.

Post-Flood Impacts on Occurrence and Distribution of Mycotoxin-Producing Aspergilli from the Sections , and in Indoor Environment.

Mycotoxin-producing Aspergilli (, and ), usually associated with contaminated food, may also cause respiratory disorders and are insufficiently studied in water-damaged indoor environments. Airborne ( = 71) and dust borne ( = 76) Aspergilli collected at post-flood and control locations in Croatia resulted in eleven different species based on their calmodulin marker: , , and (); (); and , , , and (). Most of the airborne (73%) and dust borne (54%) isolates were found at post-flood locations, and the highest concentrations measured in indoor air (5720 colony-forming units (CFU)/m) and dust (2.

Classification of , , and related genera (): An overview of families, genera, subgenera, sections, series and species.

The is a relatively large order of with members frequently having positive and negative impact on human activities. Species within this order gain attention from various research fields such as food, indoor and medical mycology and biotechnology. In this article we give an overview of families and genera present in the and introduce an updated subgeneric, sectional and series classification for and .

Characterization of the Plant Growth-Promoting Activities of Endophytic Fungi Isolated from .

Endophytic fungi in symbiotic association with their host plant are well known to improve plant growth and reduce the adverse effects of both biotic and abiotic stresses. Therefore, fungal endophytes are beginning to receive increased attention in an effort to find growth-promoting strains that could be applied to enhance crop yield and quality. In our study, the plant growth-promoting activities of endophytic fungi isolated from various parts of (a medicinally important plant in Mongolia and China) have been revealed and investigated.

New Species of the Genus : and from Fungal Keratitis Cases in South India.

Members of the genus are melanin-producing dematiaceous fungi of increasing clinical importance as causal agents of both local and invasive infections. This study contributes to the taxonomical and clinical knowledge of this genus by describing two new species based on isolates from corneal scrapings of South Indian fungal keratitis patients. The phylogeny of the genus was updated based on three phylogenetic markers: the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the ribosomal RNA gene cluster as well as fragments of the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase () and translation elongation factor 1-α () genes.

Agricultural systems as potential sources of emerging human mycoses caused by Trichoderma: a successful, common phylotype of Trichoderma longibrachiatum in the frontline.

Trichoderma species are abundant in different agricultural habitats, but some representatives of this genus, mainly clade Longibrachiatum members are also emerging as causative agents of various human diseases with even fatal outcome. Strains of these species frequently show resistance to commonly used azole antifungals. Based on previous data it is hypothesized that Trichoderma isolates identified in human infections derive from environmental-including agricultural-origins.

Characterization of Strains From Human Keratomycoses: Molecular Identification, Antifungal Susceptibility Patterns and Cyclopiazonic Acid Producing Abilities.

appears to be an emerging aetiological agent of human keratomycoses in South India. The investigated strains were isolated from six suspected fungal keratitis patients attending a tertiary care eye hospital in Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu, India), and were initially identified by the microscopic examinations of the scrapings and the cultures. Our data suggest that could be easily overlooked when identification is carried out based on morphological characteristics alone, while the sequence analysis of the calmodulin gene can be used successfully to recognize this species accurately.

Comparative genomics reveals the origin of fungal hyphae and multicellularity.

Hyphae represent a hallmark structure of multicellular fungi. The evolutionary origins of hyphae and of the underlying genes are, however, hardly known. By systematically analyzing 72 complete genomes, we here show that hyphae evolved early in fungal evolution probably via diverse genetic changes, including co-option and exaptation of ancient eukaryotic (e.

Detection and Molecular Characterization of Novel dsRNA Viruses Related to the Family in .

is an oleaginous fungus belonging to the Mucoromycotina subphylum. Our group had previously detected four double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) bands in the NRRL 1296 strain by gel electrophoresis. Here we describe the molecular characterization of its dsRNA elements as well as the discovery of four novel dsRNA viruses: Umbelopsis ramanniana virus 1 (UrV1), Umbelopsis ramanniana virus 2 (UrV2), Umbelopsis ramanniana virus 3 (UrV3), and Umbelopsis ramanniana virus 4 (UrV4).

Host metabolite producing endophytic fungi isolated from Hypericum perforatum.

In the present study, endophytic fungi have been isolated from various parts of the medicinal herb Hypericum perforatum (St. John's Wort), which is known as a source of medically important metabolites. The isolated strains were cultured in liquid media and their ability to synthesize hypericin, the secondary metabolite of the host and its suspected precursor, emodin was tested analyzing the extracts of the fermentation broth and the mycelia.

Megaphylogeny resolves global patterns of mushroom evolution.

Mushroom-forming fungi (Agaricomycetes) have the greatest morphological diversity and complexity of any group of fungi. They have radiated into most niches and fulfil diverse roles in the ecosystem, including wood decomposers, pathogens or mycorrhizal mutualists. Despite the importance of mushroom-forming fungi, large-scale patterns of their evolutionary history are poorly known, in part due to the lack of a comprehensive and dated molecular phylogeny.