Detection and identification of ferricrocin produced by ectendomycorrhizal fungi in the genusWilcoxina

The ectendomycorrhizal fungiWilcoxina mikolae isolates CSY-14 and RMD-947 andW. rehmii isolate CSY-85 were grown in pure culture under iron-limiting conditions. All three isolates tested positive for siderophore formation using both the ferric perchlorate assay and a sensitive HPLC iron-binding assay. A peptide siderophore was isolated from the culture medium by HPLC and shown to contain the amino acids serine, glycine and ornithine in a 1:2:3 ratio. This siderophore was identified as ferricrocin on the basis of electrospray mass spectroscopy and its co-chromatography in two different HPLC systems with ferricrocin isolated fromAspergillus fumigatus. Ferricrocin was the only siderophore isolated from theseWilcoxina cultures. This is the first report of siderophore formation by ectendomycorrhizal fungi.     

The potential saprotrophic capacity of foliar endophytic fungi from Quercus gambelii

Endophytic fungi occur in living tissues of terrestrial plants. Many of these fungi are primarily biotrophic, but the trophic range of endophytic fungi as a group may not be fully appreciated. In this study, our goals were (1) for the Class 3 foliar endophytic fungi isolated from Quercus gambelii, determine their potential saprotrophic capacity, which we define as the difference in growth rate in culture on Quercus gambelii leaf litter medium and control medium lacking leaf litter and (2) quantify sources of variation among isolates of these endophytic fungi in potential saprotrophic capacity, including variation due to microsite within host trees (leaves receiving full sun vs. shade) and variation within and among fungal genera. We found that 48 of the 49 tested endophytic fungal isolates have significant potential saprotrophic capacity. Contrary to expectation, the amount of solar radiation available to the leaf from which the fungi were isolated had no significant impact on potential saprotrophic capacity and there was more variability in potential saprotrophic capacity among isolates within a genus than among genera. Our results suggest that some Class 3 endophytic fungi may have the potential to function as saprotrophic fungi within plant litter, but this remains to be seen for these Quercus gambelii isolates under more natural circumstances.     

The impact of polyphenolic compounds on the in vitro growth of oak-associated foliar endophytic and saprotrophic fungi

Foliar fungal endophytes are horizontally transmitted symbionts that inhabit healthy, photosynthetic tissues of all lineages of land plants where they influence plant health and productivity. Endophyte communities often are more similar among closely related hosts, potentially as a result of a preference for particular morphological, ecophysiological, or chemical host traits. However, the various ecological and evolutionary factors that drive community assembly often are difficult to disentangle. Here, we examined the impact of six polyphenolic compounds on the growth of 15 phylogenetically diverse Quercus (oak)-associated fungal species and assessed whether tolerance to phenolics is associated with their degree of specialization to oaks in nature. Despite frequently reported antifungal properties of phenolics, we found that oak-associated fungi grew the same or better than positive controls in 78% of trials with all compounds, although fungal sensitivity differed as a function of compound type and concentration. Overall, species with high specificity to Quercus had the greatest tolerance to phenolics, whereas generalists were more sensitive. Differences between generalists and specialists suggest that variation in phenolic abundance and composition among oaks may act as a selective filter that influences endophyte host associations in nature.     

Diketopiperazines produced by endophytic fungi found in association with two Asteraceae species

Diketopiperazine (DKP) derivatives, named colletopiperazine, fusaperazine C and E as well as four known DKPs were isolated from cultures of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Penicillium crustosum, both endophytic fungi isolated from Viguiera robusta, and a Fusarium spp., an endophyte of Viguiera arenaria, respectively. Their structures were established on the basis of their spectroscopic data. Conformational analysis of two known DKPs showed that folded conformations were as energetically stable as the extended one.     

Differential effects of foliar endophytic fungi on insect herbivores attacking a herbaceous plant

Foliar endophytic fungi appear to be ubiquitous in nature, occurring in a very wide range of herbaceous plants. However, their ecological role within forbs is very poorly known and interactions with foliar-feeding insects virtually unexplored. In this study, leaves of Cirsium arvense were infected with different combinations of endophyte fungi that had been previously isolated from this plant species. Two months later, leaf material was fed to larvae of a generalist insect, Mamestra brassicae, and adults of a specialist feeder, Cassida rubiginosa. Endophytes had different effects on the two insects; one species, Chaetomium cochliodes, reduced growth of M. brassicae but increased feeding by C. rubiginosa. Another species, Cladosporium cladosporioides, increased beetle feeding also, but had no effect on M. brassicae. Interactions were also seen between fungal species and dual infection with C. cladosporioides and Trichoderma viride greatly reduced beetle feeding. It is concluded that endophytes have significant effects on foliar feeding insects that differ with degree of specialism of the herbivore. We suggest that these effects are due to chemical changes in the host, brought about by fungal infection. These fungi have received remarkably little attention in the study of insect–plant interactions and yet could be important determinants of insect growth and even population dynamics.     

Understanding the diversity of foliar endophytic fungi: progress,challenges, and frontiers

Fungal endophytes, a diverse group of primarily ascomycetous fungi defined functionally by their occurrence within asymptomatic photosynthetic tissues of plants, occur in all major lineages of land plants and in natural and anthropogenic communities ranging from the arctic to the tropics. Because of the tremendous diversity they encompass, ecological questions regarding the interactions of endophytes with the plants in which they live - and with other organisms that in turn interact with endophyte-plants symbiota – are difficalt to address. The goals of this review are to highlight progress, challenges, and frontiers in the study of foliar endophyte diversity, with the ultimate goal of encouraging research that both bridges the gap between, and advances, research in alpha taxonomy and ecology. I focus on four themes that are reflected in the recent and rapidly expanding literature regarding endophyte biology: (1) the taxonomic and ecological distinctiveness of endophytes relative to other nonpathogenic plant-associated fungi; (2) the insights that can be gained from studies that consider genotypes as the relevant unit of biological organization, especially in the context of traditional species-level taxonomy and robust phylogenetic methods that tie these genotypes and species together in an explicit evolutionary context; (3) the context-dependency of endophyte communities, highlighting the importance of both the identify of host plants and the geographic location in which plants occur; and (4) the complexity of the endophyte-pathogen-saprotroph continuum, and the challeges and exciting frontiers that lie in understanding the evolutionary relationships and ecological lability of fungi that exhibit these ecological modes. I argue that never before has the study of endophytic fungi been more exciting or more tractable, and that the potential for endophyte researchers to inform diverse areas of biology has never been greater.     

Root colonization by endophytic insect-pathogenic fungi

Several ascomycetous insect-pathogenic fungi, including species in the genera Beauveria and Metarhizium, are plant root symbionts/endophytes and are termed as endophytic insect-pathogenic fungi (EIPF). The endophytic capability and insect pathogenicity of Metarhizium are coupled to provide an active method of insect-derived nitrogen transfer to plant hosts via fungal mycelia. In exchange for the insect-derived nitrogen, the plant provides photosynthate to the fungus. This symbiotic interaction offers other benefits to the plant—EIPF can improve plant growth, they are antagonistic to plant pathogens and herbivores and can enhance the plant tolerance to abiotic stresses. The mechanisms and underlying biochemical and genetic features of insect pathogenesis are generally well-established. However, there is a paucity of information regarding the underlying mechanisms in this plant-symbiotic association. Here we review five aspects of EIPF interactions with host plant roots: (i) rhizosphere colonization, (ii) signalling factors from the plant and EIPF, (iii) modulation of plant defence responses, (iv) nutrient exchange and (v) tripartite interactions with insects and other micro-organisms. The elucidation of these interactions is fundamental to understanding this symbiotic association for effective application of EIPF in an agricultural setting.     

喜树内生真菌的分离及其抗肿瘤活性代谢产物的筛选方法

从喜树(Camptotheca acuminata Decne.)的根、枝条、叶和果实中分离纯化了48株内生真菌,通过对各个菌株的少量发酵培养,HPLC分析结合色谱峰紫外扫描检测方法,以紫外扫描图谱的相似性为依据,对喜树内生真菌产生喜树碱结构类似物进行初步筛选,并进一步以抑瘤实验确证其抗肿瘤活性.结果证明,以该方法筛选到的10个内生菌株中有7个菌株发酵液对HL-60细胞增殖具有显著的抑制活性.相对于常规的生物活性筛选,高效液相色谱结合色谱峰紫外光谱的方法,在药用植物内生真菌活性次生代谢产物筛选研究中具有快速、高效的特点.     

基于rDNA ITS序列的油茶叶片内生真菌多样性研究(英文)

油茶是我国热带和亚热带地区广泛栽培的一类重要的经济树种,其种子可生产优质食用油(茶油)。为了比较全面地了解油茶的内生真菌多样性,采用基于rDNA ITS的免培养法从油茶叶片中提取了总DNA,再从总DNA样本中直接扩增了内生真菌核糖体RNA基因内转录间隔区序列(ITS),进而构建了ITS克隆文库。共计从50个克隆子中获得了22种不同的克隆序列,其中3个为嵌合体,7个归属为植物,其余克隆序列根据序列相似性和系统发育分析归为12个不同的分类操作单元(OTUs),全部为子囊菌,分属于4纲4目,其中Aspergillus属2种,Mycosphaerellaceae科1种,Sordariales目4种,Helotiales目5种,Aspergillus属真菌是优势菌。结果表明油茶叶片内生真菌的种类分布较广。     

The carboxylate type siderophore rhizoferrin and its analogs produced by directed fermentation

Summary Rhizoferrin is a novel carboxylate-type siderophore which has recently been isolated fromRhizopus microsporus and other fungi of the Mucorales (Zygomycetes). The present investigation shows that a variety of rhizoferrin analogs can be produced by directed fermentation. Thus both the diaminobutane backbone and the citric acid side chains of rhizoferrin have been substituted by diamine and citric acid analogs added to the culture medium. The new ligands as well as their iron complexes have been characterized by physicochemical methods. Conditions of precursor incorporation and implications for the biosynthesis of the new siderophores are discussed.     

Study on the communities of endophytic fungi and endophytic actinomycetes from rice and their antipathogenic activities in vitro

The populations of endophytic fungi and actinomycetes from four rice cultivars in the Panyu district (Site 1) and Wushan district (Site 2) in Guangdong province, South China, were studied. The preponderant endophytic fungi and actinomycetes isolated belonged to Fusarium and Streptomyces respectively. The incidence of Streptomycetes griseofuscus ranged from 36.1 to 69% out of all the different rice cultivars from the two sites. It is the commonest population of endophytic actinomycetes, and constituted the greatest part of all the antagonistic communities. The distributions of endophytic fungi and actinomycetes in roots and leaves were different, endophytic fungi from leaves were diverse, some were organ-specific. More diverse endophytic actinomycetes were isolated from roots than from leaves. The endophytic fungi isolated from rice in Site 2 were more diverse than that in Site 1. The diversity of the endophytic actinomycetes, however, was less than that in Site 1. Acid soil in Site 2 is ideal for the growth and colonization of fungi while the alkaline soil in Site 1 is better for the growth and colonization of actinomycetes. The results suggested that differences in the chemical composition of soil could influence the endophytic microbial communities of rice plants. The endophytic fungi and actinomycetes isolated from poor-growing seedlings and susceptible rice cultivars were more abundant than that the disease-resistant counterparts. In the dual culture and activity detection of the metabolites, 41.2% of all the isolated endophytic fungi showed antagonism to rice pathogens. Fifty percent of all the isolated endophytic actinomycetes were antagonistic to those pathogens. The percentage of Streptomyces griseofuscus and hygroscopicus reached 55.4 and 21.4% of all the active actinomycetes. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effects of attack of saprobic fungi on twig litter decomposition by endophytic fungi

Endophytic fungi of healthy twig tissues act as dominant primary colonizers of twig litters and are exposed to the attacks of saprobic secondary colonizers. In the present study, we examined the effect of interspecific interactions on the decay rate of twigs in laboratory experiments using two endophytic ascomycetes (Phomopsis sp. and Xylaria sp.) and two saprobic basidiomycetes (Mycena polygramma and Phanerochaete filamentosa) on twigs of Japanese beech (Fagus crenata) as a model system. Both endophytes were defensive against two saprobes on 2% malt agar, and were not replaced by the saprobes in the twigs during the incubation period. However, inoculation of the saprobes reduced the mass loss of twig components (acid-unhydrolyzable residue (AUR), holocellulose, soluble carbohydrate, and polyphenol). Especially when the twigs previously inoculated with Xylaria sp. or Phomopsis sp. were successively inoculated with M. polygramma the net weight of AUR increased, which was probably due to the synthesized melanin in hyphae of the endophytes. Our findings indicate that interspecific interactions between endophytic and saprobic fungi do affect the total mass of humic substances produced during the litter decay process.     

Screening and evaluation of antiparasitic and in vitro anticancer activities of Panamanian endophytic fungi

Many compounds produced by fungi have relevant pharmaceutical applications. The purpose of this study was to collect and isolate endophytic fungi from different regions of Panama and then to test their potential therapeutic activities against Leishmania donovani, Plasmodium falciparum, and Trypanosoma cruzi as well as their anticancer activities in MCF-7 cells. Of the 25 fungal isolates obtained, ten of them had good anti-parasitic potential, showing selective activity against L. donovani; four had significant anti-malarial activity; and three inhibited the growth of T. cruzi. Anticancer activity was demonstrated in four isolates. Of the active isolates, Edenia sp. strain F0755, Xylaria sp. strain F1220, Aspergillus sp. strain F1544, Mycoleptodiscus sp. strain F0194, Phomopsis sp. strain F1566, Pycnoporus sp. strain F0305, and Diaporthe sp. strain F1647 showed the most promise based on their selective bioactivity and lack of toxicity in the assays.     

内生真菌紫杉醇生物合成的研究现状与展望

紫杉醇是重要的抗癌药物之一,已经证明其对多种癌症具有显著疗效。目前,人们主要是从红豆杉的树皮中提取、分离和纯化紫杉醇,但由于红豆杉为生长缓慢、散生、濒危的珍稀植物,且随着紫杉醇临床用途的不断拓宽,市场需求的稳定增长,单纯依靠从红豆杉树皮中提取紫杉醇已经无法满足日益增长的市场需求。为了解决紫杉醇的药源不足,科学家已把目光从红豆杉树分离提取紫杉醇转向了其他替代方法,如化学全合成、半合成、组织培养与细胞培养、微生物发酵法生产紫杉醇等。因此,了解内生真菌紫杉醇生物合成的分子基础和遗传调控机制,对解析内生真菌紫杉醇生物合成机制、构建高产紫杉醇基因工程菌株和早日实现内生真菌紫杉醇工业化生产具有重要的科学意义和现实意义。结合本课题组多年来的科研工作,概述了红豆杉细胞紫杉醇生物合成途径、内生真菌发酵生产紫杉醇的优势、产紫杉醇内生菌的分离研究现状和生物多样性及紫杉醇生物合成相关基因的研究现状。内生真菌生物发酵合成紫杉醇是可以无限生产、大量获取紫杉醇、解决紫杉醇药源短缺问题的很有前景的方法之一。     

铁皮石斛内生真菌分布

本研究从铁皮石斛(Dendrobium officinale)根、茎和叶中分离得到内生真菌67株,经形态学和分子生物学鉴定分别归属于16个属,Fusarium和Alternaria为铁皮石斛内生真菌的优势种群。研究发现,铁皮石斛根、茎、叶中内生真菌分布存在较大差别,具有一定的组织差异性,不同石斛植物中内生真菌的存在情况差别较大,具有一定的宿主差异性。本研究丰富了真菌资源,为石斛属药用植物内生真菌资源的开发利用提供了基础理论依据。     

Identification of erythrobactin, a hydroxamate-type siderophore produced by Saccharopolyspora erythraea

AIMS: To investigate the production of siderophores by Saccharopolyspora erythraea SGT2 and how this production is affected by the inoculum. METHODS AND RESULTS: When grown in a low-iron, chemically defined medium (CDM), the soil dwelling actinomycete S. erythraea secretes a substance that is reactive in the nonspecific chrome azurol S (CAS) assay. Importantly, the production of CAS-reactive substance is highly reduced upon the addition of 0.925 micromol l(-1) iron to the cultures and has a peak of production in the late-log to early stationary growth phase. In addition, the culture supernatants tested were negative in the Arnow and Rioux assays but positive in the Csáky procedure. Interestingly, we also found evidence that the production of this CAS-reactive substance in CDM was highly reduced, when inoculated with cells that had been previously grown to late-stationary phase. Conversely, inocula derived from late-log to early stationary cultures presented high levels of CAS activity. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that S. erythraea produces a hydroxamate-type siderophore that we have generically designated as erythrobactin. Additionally, the inocula growth stage plays a key role in siderophore production in S. erythraea. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: It is the first evidence for siderophore synthesis in S. erythraea and one of the first examples of non-polyketide secondary metabolite production by this organism.     

The membrane potential is the driving force for siderophore iron transport in fungi

Abstract Respiratory inhibitors and uncouplers severely impair [⁵⁵Fe]ferricrocin uptake by Neurospora crassa . parallel measurements of ATP decay and ferricrocin uptake, however, disprove the idea that direct input of metabolic energy in the form of ATP is required for transmembrane movement of siderophores. The role of the membrane potential for siderophore uptake was demonstrated using iron-deficient cells, which were derepressed in the glucose-II uptake system. Addition of high amounts of glucose (1 mM) to glu-II-derepressed cells leads to a membrane depolarization of about 120 mV, followed by a significant inhibition of ferricrocin uptake, which recovered after some minutes. Full transport inhibition occurred after membrane depolarization in the presence of plasma membrane ATP-ase inhibitors (DCCD or DES), indicating that the membrane potential is essential for siderophore transport in fungi.