Pub Date : 2025-08-05DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101636
Yifan Kong , Yang Yang , Shaoxiong Zhu, Limei Yang, Bo Huang
Basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors are essential regulators of various biological processes, including growth, development, and stress responses in eukaryotes. Despite their importance, the specific roles of bHLH factors in entomopathogenic fungi remain inadequately understood. In this study, we identified and characterized the bHLH transcription factor MrbHLH2 in the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium robertsii, which is widely used in biological control. Subcellular localization studies confirmed that MrbHLH2 is predominantly located in the nuclei of conidia. The deletion of MrbHLH2 (ΔMrbHLH2) resulted in enhanced tolerance to osmotic and heat stress, while simultaneously decreasing tolerance to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Notably, ΔMrbHLH2 exhibited significantly reduced virulence, as indicated by a 0.83-day increase in LT50 compared to the wild-type strain, along with delayed appressorium formation, impaired cuticle penetration and downregulation of several virulence-related genes. This study contributes to the understanding of bHLH transcription factors in entomopathogenic fungi and underscores the potential of targeting these factors to enhance the biocontrol efficacy of fungal pathogens.
{"title":"The transcription factor MrbHLH2 significantly affects stress resistance and insect virulence in Metarhizium robertsii","authors":"Yifan Kong , Yang Yang , Shaoxiong Zhu, Limei Yang, Bo Huang","doi":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101636","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101636","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors are essential regulators of various biological processes, including growth, development, and stress responses in eukaryotes. Despite their importance, the specific roles of bHLH factors in entomopathogenic fungi remain inadequately understood. In this study, we identified and characterized the bHLH transcription factor MrbHLH2 in the entomopathogenic fungus <em>Metarhizium robertsii</em>, which is widely used in biological control. Subcellular localization studies confirmed that MrbHLH2 is predominantly located in the nuclei of conidia. The deletion of <em>MrbHLH2</em> (Δ<em>MrbHLH2</em>) resulted in enhanced tolerance to osmotic and heat stress, while simultaneously decreasing tolerance to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Notably, Δ<em>MrbHLH2</em> exhibited significantly reduced virulence, as indicated by a 0.83-day increase in LT<sub>50</sub> compared to the wild-type strain, along with delayed appressorium formation, impaired cuticle penetration and downregulation of several virulence-related genes. This study contributes to the understanding of bHLH transcription factors in entomopathogenic fungi and underscores the potential of targeting these factors to enhance the biocontrol efficacy of fungal pathogens.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12683,"journal":{"name":"Fungal biology","volume":"129 6","pages":"Article 101636"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144779658","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}
Pub Date : 2025-07-31DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101635
Jinyue Sun , Jia-Neng Pan , Tianzhu Zhang , Xiaodong Zheng , Wen-Wen Zhou
Penicillium expansum is a phytopathogen causing postharvest disease of many fruits, which has led to enormous losses. Therefore, it is of great significance to take efficient methods to control this notorious phytopathogen. In this study, zinc, an essential trace element for human body, has been found to be able to effectively inhibit the P. expansum mycelial growth on PDA and burst of ROS in the fungal hyphae. Additionally, the transmission electron microscope (TEM) analysis indicated that zinc induces autophagy and autophagic vacuoles in P. expansum. Furthermore, the zinc inhibits the activity of six key enzymes (PDH, SDH, CS, IDH, MDH, KGDH) in TCA pathway to inhibit the growth of P. expansum. The decrease of ATPase activity indicated that the function of mitochondria in P. expansum was destroyed after the treatment of zinc. Finally, the sodium alginate (SA)@ZnCl2 coatings were verified to be effective in inhibiting the postharvest disease of pear and crabapple. Collectively, all the above results showed that zinc had great efficacy in suppressing P. expansum on fruit surfaces by inducing autophagy.
{"title":"ZnCl2 inhibits postharvest disease on pear and crabapple by inducing autophagy of Penicillium expansum","authors":"Jinyue Sun , Jia-Neng Pan , Tianzhu Zhang , Xiaodong Zheng , Wen-Wen Zhou","doi":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101635","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101635","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Penicillium expansum</em> is a phytopathogen causing postharvest disease of many fruits, which has led to enormous losses. Therefore, it is of great significance to take efficient methods to control this notorious phytopathogen. In this study, zinc, an essential trace element for human body, has been found to be able to effectively inhibit the <em>P. expansum</em> mycelial growth on PDA and burst of ROS in the fungal hyphae. Additionally, the transmission electron microscope (TEM) analysis indicated that zinc induces autophagy and autophagic vacuoles in <em>P. expansum</em>. Furthermore, the zinc inhibits the activity of six key enzymes (PDH, SDH, CS, IDH, MDH, KGDH) in TCA pathway to inhibit the growth of <em>P. expansum</em>. The decrease of ATPase activity indicated that the function of mitochondria in <em>P. expansum</em> was destroyed after the treatment of zinc. Finally, the sodium alginate (SA)@ZnCl<sub>2</sub> coatings were verified to be effective in inhibiting the postharvest disease of pear and crabapple. Collectively, all the above results showed that zinc had great efficacy in suppressing <em>P. expansum</em> on fruit surfaces by inducing autophagy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12683,"journal":{"name":"Fungal biology","volume":"129 6","pages":"Article 101635"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144772526","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}
Vitamin D is critically important for sustainable human health, and the rising prevalence of deficiency-related diseases has increased interest in natural sources. This study explores the potential of epiphytic lichen-forming fungi, known for their unique metabolites, as a novel biosource of vitamin D3 for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. Fourteen epiphytic lichen species were collected using a stratified sampling method from four mountainous forests in the Marmara Region of Türkiye. Vitamin D3 contents of the samples were analysed in relation to six ecological variables: study area layer, stand type, tree species, altitude, aspect, and air humidity and temperature. Extraction methods including maceration, Soxhlet, and supercritical CO2 techniques were applied, followed by HPLC analysis. Olive oil-based maceration was identified as the most efficient extraction method. One-way ANOVA showed significant associations between vitamin D3 content and lichen species (p = 0.024), layer, stand, and tree species. Concentrations ranged from 0.6 to 20.33 μg/g, with Bryoria fuscescens, Evernia prunastri, and Pseudevernia furfuracea yielding the highest values. The highest vitamin D3 levels were detected in Uludağ, especially in coniferous forests dominated by Pinus nigra. The results indicated that forest layer, stand, altitude, and tree species significantly influence vitamin D3 amounts, while aspect and humidity do not. This is the first study to comprehensively report natural vitamin D3 content in lichens, filling an important scientific gap and demonstrating their potential as an eco-sustainable resource for vitamin D3 production
{"title":"Exploring vitamin D3 profile of epiphytic lichen forming fungi in forest ecosystems: Influence of habitat-dependent ecological variables","authors":"Gülşah Çobanoğlu , Hilmi Özdemir , Mehmet Özdemir , Gafura Aylak Özdemir , Emrah Özdemir , Fatma Ebru Koç , Ahmet Özcan","doi":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101634","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101634","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Vitamin D is critically important for sustainable human health, and the rising prevalence of deficiency-related diseases has increased interest in natural sources. This study explores the potential of epiphytic lichen-forming fungi, known for their unique metabolites, as a novel biosource of vitamin D<sub>3</sub> for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. Fourteen epiphytic lichen species were collected using a stratified sampling method from four mountainous forests in the Marmara Region of Türkiye. Vitamin D<sub>3</sub> contents of the samples were analysed in relation to six ecological variables: study area layer, stand type, tree species, altitude, aspect, and air humidity and temperature. Extraction methods including maceration, Soxhlet, and supercritical CO<sub>2</sub> techniques were applied, followed by HPLC analysis. Olive oil-based maceration was identified as the most efficient extraction method. One-way ANOVA showed significant associations between vitamin D<sub>3</sub> content and lichen species (p = 0.024), layer, stand, and tree species. Concentrations ranged from 0.6 to 20.33 μg/g, with <em>Bryoria fuscescens</em>, <em>Evernia prunastri</em>, and <em>Pseudevernia furfuracea</em> yielding the highest values. The highest vitamin D<sub>3</sub> levels were detected in Uludağ, especially in coniferous forests dominated by <em>Pinus nigra</em>. The results indicated that forest layer, stand, altitude, and tree species significantly influence vitamin D<sub>3</sub> amounts, while aspect and humidity do not. This is the first study to comprehensively report natural vitamin D<sub>3</sub> content in lichens, filling an important scientific gap and demonstrating their potential as an eco-sustainable resource for vitamin D<sub>3</sub> production</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12683,"journal":{"name":"Fungal biology","volume":"129 6","pages":"Article 101634"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144724675","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}
Pub Date : 2025-07-28DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101633
Li Long , Maohang Jia , Shuang Feng , Zhangfu Long , Heng Xu
Cadmium (Cd) contamination in edible fungi poses a significant threat to food safety. However, targeted strategies to regulate Cd uptake and enhance Cd stress tolerance in Morchella sextelata remain largely unexplored. Given that M. sextelata mycelia can autonomously adsorb beneficial metal ions to promote growth, regulating Cd absorption through ion–ion interactions emerges as a promising approach. In this study, under 1 mg/L Cd stress, the exogenous application of Fe2+ and Mn2+ at a 1:1 M ratio significantly increased mycelial biomass by 20.49 % and 22.11 %, respectively, and effectively reduced Cd accumulation. In contrast, Mg2+ led to a moderate biomass increase of 8.94 %. Notably, Fe2+ effectively inhibited Cd accumulation in mycelia, reducing Cd content by 81.76 %. Moreover, the addition of divalent ions significantly alleviated osmotic stress in the mycelia, preventing the efflux of sugars and proteins. LC-MS/MS-based metabolomic profiling identified 1446 metabolites. One-way ANOVA revealed distinct metabolic changes associated with metal ion treatments under Cd stress. KEGG pathway enrichment indicated that histidine metabolism plays a key role in the Cd stress mitigation process. VIP (Variable Importance in Projection) analysis further identified key metabolites involved in the repair response. Correlation analysis highlighted carnitine as a core metabolite significantly associated with phenotypic improvements across all treatments. In summary, this study presents the first attempt to regulate Cd accumulation in M. sextelata through divalent ion application. It provides novel insights into the physiological and metabolic mechanisms underlying this ion-mediated mitigation strategy
食用菌中的镉污染对食品安全构成重大威胁。然而，调节羊肚菌Cd吸收和增强其Cd胁迫耐受性的定向策略在很大程度上仍未被探索。鉴于M. sextelata菌丝体能够自主吸附有益金属离子促进生长，通过离子-离子相互作用调节Cd的吸收是一种很有前途的途径。在本研究中，在1 mg/L Cd胁迫下，外源施用1:1 M比例的Fe2+和Mn2+分别显著提高了菌丝生物量20.49%和22.11%，并有效降低了Cd积累。相比之下，Mg2+使生物量增加了8.94%。Fe2+能有效抑制菌丝中Cd的积累，使Cd含量降低81.76%。此外，二价离子的加入显著减轻了菌丝中的渗透胁迫，阻止了糖和蛋白质的外排。基于LC-MS/ ms的代谢组学分析鉴定出1446种代谢物。单因素方差分析揭示了镉胁迫下金属离子处理相关的明显代谢变化。KEGG途径富集表明组氨酸代谢在Cd胁迫缓解过程中起关键作用。VIP （Variable Importance in Projection）分析进一步确定了参与修复反应的关键代谢物。相关分析强调肉碱作为核心代谢物与所有治疗中表型改善显著相关。综上所述，本研究首次尝试通过二价离子的施用来调控六棱田中镉的积累。它为这种离子介导的缓解策略背后的生理和代谢机制提供了新的见解
{"title":"UIon antagonism strategy for cadmium mitigation in Morchella sextelata: Physiological and metabolomic insights","authors":"Li Long , Maohang Jia , Shuang Feng , Zhangfu Long , Heng Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101633","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101633","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cadmium (Cd) contamination in edible fungi poses a significant threat to food safety. However, targeted strategies to regulate Cd uptake and enhance Cd stress tolerance in <em>Morchella sextelata</em> remain largely unexplored. Given that <em>M. sextelata</em> mycelia can autonomously adsorb beneficial metal ions to promote growth, regulating Cd absorption through ion–ion interactions emerges as a promising approach. In this study, under 1 mg/L Cd stress, the exogenous application of Fe<sup>2+</sup> and Mn<sup>2+</sup> at a 1:1 M ratio significantly increased mycelial biomass by 20.49 % and 22.11 %, respectively, and effectively reduced Cd accumulation. In contrast, Mg<sup>2+</sup> led to a moderate biomass increase of 8.94 %. Notably, Fe<sup>2+</sup> effectively inhibited Cd accumulation in mycelia, reducing Cd content by 81.76 %. Moreover, the addition of divalent ions significantly alleviated osmotic stress in the mycelia, preventing the efflux of sugars and proteins. LC-MS/MS-based metabolomic profiling identified 1446 metabolites. One-way ANOVA revealed distinct metabolic changes associated with metal ion treatments under Cd stress. KEGG pathway enrichment indicated that histidine metabolism plays a key role in the Cd stress mitigation process. VIP (Variable Importance in Projection) analysis further identified key metabolites involved in the repair response. Correlation analysis highlighted carnitine as a core metabolite significantly associated with phenotypic improvements across all treatments. In summary, this study presents the first attempt to regulate Cd accumulation in <em>M. sextelata</em> through divalent ion application. It provides novel insights into the physiological and metabolic mechanisms underlying this ion-mediated mitigation strategy</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12683,"journal":{"name":"Fungal biology","volume":"129 6","pages":"Article 101633"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144866027","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}
Pub Date : 2025-07-22DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101632
Wen-Long Song , Di Lin , Min-Li Cai , Xia Chen , Qun Dai , Shuang-Lin Chen
Urban green areas are vital yet underexplored reservoirs of microbial diversity in cities. This study examines myxomycete communities in Zijin Mountain National Forest Park, a subtropical urban forest in Nanjing, China, across four seasons and multiple forest types. Combining field collections and moist chamber cultures, we documented 60 species from 906 occurrence records. Seasonal variation dominated community dynamics, with species richness peaking in summer and declining in winter. β-diversity was primarily driven by species turnover (βsim = 0.23–0.28), with nestedness playing a minor role across temporal and spatial scales. Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa emerged as a forest-type indicator for mixed broad-leaved stands, while Arcyria cinerea and Cribraria violacea tracked seasonal humidity changes. Crucially, myxomycete composition showed no statistically significant differentiation among forest types, a departure from natural ecosystems, suggesting that urban management homogenizes habitats critical for microbial niche partitioning. These findings highlight urban parks’ underrecognized role in preserving myxomycete diversity but reveal their vulnerability to microhabitat simplification. We advocate conseration of decaying wood and leaf litter to maintain ecological functions, offering actionable strategies for biodiversity-informed urban planning.
{"title":"Myxomycetes in urban green space in subtropical China: Spatiotemporal patterns override forest type effects","authors":"Wen-Long Song , Di Lin , Min-Li Cai , Xia Chen , Qun Dai , Shuang-Lin Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101632","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101632","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Urban green areas are vital yet underexplored reservoirs of microbial diversity in cities. This study examines myxomycete communities in Zijin Mountain National Forest Park, a subtropical urban forest in Nanjing, China, across four seasons and multiple forest types. Combining field collections and moist chamber cultures, we documented 60 species from 906 occurrence records. Seasonal variation dominated community dynamics, with species richness peaking in summer and declining in winter. β-diversity was primarily driven by species turnover (<em>β</em><sub><em>sim</em></sub> = 0.23–0.28), with nestedness playing a minor role across temporal and spatial scales. <em>Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa</em> emerged as a forest-type indicator for mixed broad-leaved stands, while <em>Arcyria cinerea</em> and <em>Cribraria violacea</em> tracked seasonal humidity changes. Crucially, myxomycete composition showed no statistically significant differentiation among forest types, a departure from natural ecosystems, suggesting that urban management homogenizes habitats critical for microbial niche partitioning. These findings highlight urban parks’ underrecognized role in preserving myxomycete diversity but reveal their vulnerability to microhabitat simplification. We advocate conseration of decaying wood and leaf litter to maintain ecological functions, offering actionable strategies for biodiversity-informed urban planning.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12683,"journal":{"name":"Fungal biology","volume":"129 6","pages":"Article 101632"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144714531","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}
Pub Date : 2025-07-17DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101623
Koen C. Herman , Guus van Iersel , Jan Dijksterhuis , Han A.B. Wösten , Robert-Jan Bleichrodt
Agaricus bisporus is grown commercially on compost topped with a peat-based casing layer. Water is translocated from compost and casing to enable formation of mushrooms. Here, water translocation from casing and different parts of the compost into mushrooms was studied and linked to their water potential and contributing factors thereof: i.e. osmotic- and matric potentials. Water in the mushrooms mainly originated from the casing and to a lesser extent from the top and middle layers of the compost. Based on these results, alternative casing regimes were tested to increase mushroom production. This resulted in a total yield increase of up to 1.4-fold when the old casing was topped with a fresh layer of casing or when the casing was replaced after harvesting the second flush. Data indicate that the difference in water potential can drive passive water translocation from the casing to the first flush, without expending cellular energy. However during the second flush, no such water potential gradient is established between casing and the mushrooms, yet mushrooms still develop. The water potential in the compost indicates that water cannot be translocated to the mushrooms at all. Therefore, other components of the water potential should drive this water flow. We have indications that this component is the turgor of the mycelium. Moreover, we found a novel route of water translocation from casing to mushrooms via the apoplast.
{"title":"Agaricus bisporus mushrooms are supplied with water through both apoplastic as well as symplastic routes from distinct substrate layers","authors":"Koen C. Herman , Guus van Iersel , Jan Dijksterhuis , Han A.B. Wösten , Robert-Jan Bleichrodt","doi":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101623","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101623","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Agaricus bisporus</em> is grown commercially on compost topped with a peat-based casing layer. Water is translocated from compost and casing to enable formation of mushrooms. Here, water translocation from casing and different parts of the compost into mushrooms was studied and linked to their water potential and contributing factors thereof: i.e. osmotic- and matric potentials. Water in the mushrooms mainly originated from the casing and to a lesser extent from the top and middle layers of the compost. Based on these results, alternative casing regimes were tested to increase mushroom production. This resulted in a total yield increase of up to 1.4-fold when the old casing was topped with a fresh layer of casing or when the casing was replaced after harvesting the second flush. Data indicate that the difference in water potential can drive passive water translocation from the casing to the first flush, without expending cellular energy. However during the second flush, no such water potential gradient is established between casing and the mushrooms, yet mushrooms still develop. The water potential in the compost indicates that water cannot be translocated to the mushrooms at all. Therefore, other components of the water potential should drive this water flow. We have indications that this component is the turgor of the mycelium. Moreover, we found a novel route of water translocation from casing to mushrooms via the apoplast.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12683,"journal":{"name":"Fungal biology","volume":"129 6","pages":"Article 101623"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144722859","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}
Pub Date : 2025-07-04DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101622
Alene Alder-Rangel , Drauzio E.N. Rangel
The concept of resilience in the mycelial network highlights the remarkable ability of fungi to adapt, persist, and flourish under fluctuating and often adverse environmental conditions. This thematic focus underpins the fifth special issue of the International Symposium on Fungal Stress (ISFUS), titled “Resilience in the Mycelial Network”, which features seventeen peer-reviewed articles. Most contributions address agricultural and environmental aspects of fungal stress biology, while three explore clinically relevant fungal stress responses. In this editorial, we examine the key insights emerging from this collection, emphasising the diverse strategies employed by fungi to cope with biotic and abiotic challenges.
{"title":"Resilience in the Mycelial Network","authors":"Alene Alder-Rangel , Drauzio E.N. Rangel","doi":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101622","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101622","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The concept of resilience in the mycelial network highlights the remarkable ability of fungi to adapt, persist, and flourish under fluctuating and often adverse environmental conditions. This thematic focus underpins the fifth special issue of the <em>International Symposium on Fungal Stress (ISFUS)</em>, titled <em>“Resilience in the Mycelial Network”</em>, which features seventeen peer-reviewed articles. Most contributions address agricultural and environmental aspects of fungal stress biology, while three explore clinically relevant fungal stress responses. In this editorial, we examine the key insights emerging from this collection, emphasising the diverse strategies employed by fungi to cope with biotic and abiotic challenges.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12683,"journal":{"name":"Fungal biology","volume":"129 5","pages":"Article 101622"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144572537","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}
Pub Date : 2025-06-27DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101619
Christina M. Kelliher , Jay C. Dunlap
In many model organisms, the circadian system has been proposed to comprise multiple oscillators that interact to promote accuracy of the clock as well as intricacies of rhythmic outputs. In Neurospora crassa, the circadian transcriptional/translational loop comprising of the FRQ (Frequency) and WCC (White Collar Complex) proteins has been instrumental in explaining many attributes of the clock including entrainment and rhythms in development and gene expression; in addition, some non-circadian oscillations can be unmasked when the FRQ-WCC feedback loop is eliminated. These rhythms have often lost defining circadian characteristics and are potentially controlled by other oscillators, termed FRQ-less oscillators (FLOs) in Neurospora. Understanding the biology of these oscillators and their hierarchical relationship with the FRQ-WCC oscillator (FWO) are salient questions in rhythms research. In this study, we examined candidate FLO effector pathways involving peroxiredoxins (Prxs) and mTOR. We find that independent gene knockouts compromising each pathway do not alter circadian period length or decrease the amplitude of the core circadian FWO rhythm in any meaningful way in Neurospora. Our findings suggest that molecular rhythms in Prx oxidation and in mTOR activity on the chol-1 FLO oscillator are neither required for nor strongly regulate FWO components during a normal circadian day.
{"title":"Individual peroxiredoxin or Tor pathway components are not required for circadian clock function in Neurospora crassa","authors":"Christina M. Kelliher , Jay C. Dunlap","doi":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101619","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101619","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In many model organisms, the circadian system has been proposed to comprise multiple oscillators that interact to promote accuracy of the clock as well as intricacies of rhythmic outputs. In <em>Neurospora crassa</em>, the circadian transcriptional/translational loop comprising of the FRQ (Frequency) and WCC (White Collar Complex) proteins has been instrumental in explaining many attributes of the clock including entrainment and rhythms in development and gene expression; in addition, some non-circadian oscillations can be unmasked when the FRQ-WCC feedback loop is eliminated. These rhythms have often lost defining circadian characteristics and are potentially controlled by other oscillators, termed FRQ-less oscillators (FLOs) in <em>Neurospora</em>. Understanding the biology of these oscillators and their hierarchical relationship with the FRQ-WCC oscillator (FWO) are salient questions in rhythms research. In this study, we examined candidate FLO effector pathways involving peroxiredoxins (Prxs) and mTOR. We find that independent gene knockouts compromising each pathway do not alter circadian period length or decrease the amplitude of the core circadian FWO rhythm in any meaningful way in <em>Neurospora</em>. Our findings suggest that molecular rhythms in Prx oxidation and in mTOR activity on the <em>chol-1</em> FLO oscillator are neither required for nor strongly regulate FWO components during a normal circadian day.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12683,"journal":{"name":"Fungal biology","volume":"129 6","pages":"Article 101619"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144535417","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}
Pub Date : 2025-06-25DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101620
Katarzyna Stojek , Barbara Bobrowska-Korczak , Justyna Frączek , Marcin Piotrowski , Mirosław Krośniak , Bogdan Jaroszewicz
Wild mushrooms can be an important source of protein and essential amino acids, however very little is known about the environmental factors affecting the content of these compounds. In our study, we investigated the influence of soil properties (soil type, C/N ratio, pH) and tree stand characteristics (tree diversity, canopy cover, understory cover, and the proportion of deciduous trees) on total protein and essential amino acids (Valine, Leucine, Isoleucine, Phenylalanine, Lysine, Methionine, Arginine, Histidine) contents in seven wild-growing mushroom species (Macrolepiota procera, Rhodocolybia butyracea, Russula cyanoxantha, R.heterophylla, Lactifluus vellereus, Armillaria mellea s.l., and Xerocomellus chrysenteron). Our study showed that the identity of mushroom species determines, to a large extent, the protein content and the amino acid profile of the mushrooms. The highest protein content was revealed in X. chrysenteron, M. procera and R. butyracea. Effects of environmental factors were weaker and species specific. The protein content in X. chrysenteron was mainly influenced by soil type (Cambisols vs. Luvisols) and soil characteristics (positively by C/N ratio and negatively by soil pH). In L. vellereus the protein content was negatively influenced by stand characteristics (canopy cover, understory cover, and tree diversity). In M. procera the protein content decreased with decreasing understory cover, while for all the other studied species, the effects of environmental factors were negligible. Similarly, the amino acid profiles were not affected by any environmental factors, however, they seem to be consistent with ecological roles of the species (ectomycorrhizal, saprotrophic, parasitic fungi). This last result requires further investigation.
{"title":"Protein content and amino acid profile of wild mushrooms depend on environmental conditions","authors":"Katarzyna Stojek , Barbara Bobrowska-Korczak , Justyna Frączek , Marcin Piotrowski , Mirosław Krośniak , Bogdan Jaroszewicz","doi":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101620","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101620","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Wild mushrooms can be an important source of protein and essential amino acids, however very little is known about the environmental factors affecting the content of these compounds. In our study, we investigated the influence of soil properties (soil type, C/N ratio, pH) and tree stand characteristics (tree diversity, canopy cover, understory cover, and the proportion of deciduous trees) on total protein and essential amino acids (Valine, Leucine, Isoleucine, Phenylalanine, Lysine, Methionine, Arginine, Histidine) contents in seven wild-growing mushroom species (<em>Macrolepiota procera</em>, <em>Rhodocolybia butyracea</em>, <em>Russula cyanoxantha</em>, <em>R.heterophylla</em>, <em>Lactifluus vellereus</em>, <em>Armillaria mellea</em> s.l., and <em>Xerocomellus chrysenteron).</em> Our study showed that the identity of mushroom species determines, to a large extent, the protein content and the amino acid profile of the mushrooms. The highest protein content was revealed in <em>X. chrysenteron</em>, <em>M. procera</em> and <em>R. butyracea</em>. Effects of environmental factors were weaker and species specific. The protein content in <em>X. chrysenteron</em> was mainly influenced by soil type (Cambisols vs. Luvisols) and soil characteristics (positively by C/N ratio and negatively by soil pH). In <em>L. vellereus</em> the protein content was negatively influenced by stand characteristics (canopy cover, understory cover, and tree diversity). In <em>M. procera</em> the protein content decreased with decreasing understory cover, while for all the other studied species, the effects of environmental factors were negligible. Similarly, the amino acid profiles were not affected by any environmental factors, however, they seem to be consistent with ecological roles of the species (ectomycorrhizal, saprotrophic, parasitic fungi). This last result requires further investigation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12683,"journal":{"name":"Fungal biology","volume":"129 6","pages":"Article 101620"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144501023","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}
Pub Date : 2025-06-24DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101621
Gustavo Hernán Ramírez , María Virginia Bianchinotti , Freda Elizabeth Anderson
Tritrophic interactions involving host plants, fungal pathogens and mycoparasites play an important role in the dynamics of natural ecosystems. In this work, we investigate the impact of the rust fungus Puccinia araujiae on the growth of Araujia hortorum plants in the presence/absence of a mycoparasitic Cladosporium species identified here as Cladosporium sphaerospermum, supported by both morphological and molecular studies. The capacity of the latter to grow and reproduce at the expense of teliospores of the rust was confirmed through microscopic observations. P. araujiae is added to the list of hosts of C. sphaerospermum. An experiment was carried out to assess the impact of rust infection on host plant biomass and whether C. sphaerospermum affected the outcome of the interaction. Plants were subjected to three treatments: inoculation with the rust alone, inoculation with both the rust and the mycoparasite, and uninoculated controls. Rust-infected plants (both with and without the mycoparasite) exhibited 50–60 % reductions in biomass, primarily in root tissues, with premature senescence and leaf abscission contributing to overall decline. However, rust-infected plants in the absence of the mycoparasite produced 10 % less biomass than those in the treatment where it was present, showing that C. sphaerospermum is capable of exerting a detrimental effect on the rust which in turn reflects on a better performance of the plant host. It is argued that this fact does not preclude the potential of P. araujiae as a biological control agent.
{"title":"Exploring the tritrophic interactions between Araujia hortorum, Puccinia araujiae, and a mycoparasitic Cladosporium: implications for the biological control of moth plant","authors":"Gustavo Hernán Ramírez , María Virginia Bianchinotti , Freda Elizabeth Anderson","doi":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101621","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101621","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Tritrophic interactions involving host plants, fungal pathogens and mycoparasites play an important role in the dynamics of natural ecosystems. In this work, we investigate the impact of the rust fungus <em>Puccinia araujiae</em> on the growth of <em>Araujia hortorum</em> plants in the presence/absence of a mycoparasitic <em>Cladosporium</em> species identified here as <em>Cladosporium sphaerospermum</em>, supported by both morphological and molecular studies. The capacity of the latter to grow and reproduce at the expense of teliospores of the rust was confirmed through microscopic observations. <em>P. araujiae</em> is added to the list of hosts of <em>C. sphaerospermum</em>. An experiment was carried out to assess the impact of rust infection on host plant biomass and whether <em>C. sphaerospermum</em> affected the outcome of the interaction. Plants were subjected to three treatments: inoculation with the rust alone, inoculation with both the rust and the mycoparasite, and uninoculated controls. Rust-infected plants (both with and without the mycoparasite) exhibited 50–60 % reductions in biomass, primarily in root tissues, with premature senescence and leaf abscission contributing to overall decline. However, rust-infected plants in the absence of the mycoparasite produced 10 % less biomass than those in the treatment where it was present, showing that <em>C. sphaerospermum</em> is capable of exerting a detrimental effect on the rust which in turn reflects on a better performance of the plant host. It is argued that this fact does not preclude the potential of <em>P. araujiae</em> as a biological control agent.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12683,"journal":{"name":"Fungal biology","volume":"129 6","pages":"Article 101621"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144501131","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}
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