Legionella pneumophila,the causative agent of Legionnaires' disease,has been recognized as a major health problem responsible for an estimated number of 15 000-30 000 cases of severe pneumonia per year in Germany ...Legionella pneumophila,the causative agent of Legionnaires' disease,has been recognized as a major health problem responsible for an estimated number of 15 000-30 000 cases of severe pneumonia per year in Germany alone.Despite of the high clinical relevance,many aspects of the intracellular life cycle of Legionella,especially details on interactions with host cells,are not well understood.Structural information on virulence proteins helps unravel basal pathogenicity mechanisms and is a prerequisite for the rational development of effective drug molecules.Here we discuss structures of three important virulence proteins of Legionella that have been determined in our laboratory.The structure of the macrophage infectivity potentiator(Mip) protein of Legionella pneumophila is the first of a novel subgroup within the family of FK506-binding protein(FKBP) peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerases.On the basis of the Mip structure,promising antibacterial agents are being designed.Recently,structures of two equally exciting Legionella proteins have been reported.The ferrous iron transport protein FeoB is a transmembrane protein responsible for Fe2+ aquisition after entry of the pathogen into the host cell.The structure of the cytoplasmic domain of FeoB provides insights into the family of prokaryotic G proteins and allows a detailed comparison with structures of related FeoBs.Furthermore,the characterization of DegQ,a periplasmatic chaperone-protease involved in protein quality control represents an intriguing example of how enzymatic activity is regulated by oligomerization as well as by an intrinsic loop activation cascade,depending on subtle conformational rearrangements.展开更多
Members of the family Chaetomiaceae are ubiquitous ascosporulating fungi commonly,which reside in soil enriched with manure or cellulosic materials.Their role as human pathogens is largely ignored.However,the ability ...Members of the family Chaetomiaceae are ubiquitous ascosporulating fungi commonly,which reside in soil enriched with manure or cellulosic materials.Their role as human pathogens is largely ignored.However,the ability of some species to grow at high temperature enables them to play an important role as opportunistic pathogens.The family contains several genera and species that have never been reported to cause human infection.Hereby,three new species are described;two belong to the genus Subramaniula and one represents a Chaetomium species.Subramaniula asteroides was isolated from various sources including eye and skin infections as well as from the natural environment,and S.obscura was isolated from a toe infection.Chaetomium anamorphosum was isolated from a kidney transplant patient suffering from fungal peritonitis.All species described were previously misidentified as Papulaspora spp.due to the formation of cellular clumps or bulbil-like structures,which are characteristic of Papulaspora.The isolates failed to form sexual fruit bodies and ascospores remained absent,which is an unusual feature for the generally ascosporulating genera Chaetomium and Subramaniula;minute conidia from phialides were sometimes observed.展开更多
Background There is no recent epidemiological data on HIV infection in Gabon,particularly in pregnant women.To close this gap,an HIV-prevalence survey was conducted among Gabonese pregnant women,followed by a cross-se...Background There is no recent epidemiological data on HIV infection in Gabon,particularly in pregnant women.To close this gap,an HIV-prevalence survey was conducted among Gabonese pregnant women,followed by a cross-sectional case-control study in which the prevalence of various co-infections was compared between HIV-positive and HIV-negative pregnant women.Methods Between 2018 and 2019,data for the HIV-prevalence survey were collected retrospectively in 21 Gabonese antenatal care centres(ANCs).Subsequently,for the prospective co-infection study,all HIV-positive pregnant women were recruited who frequented the ANC in Lambarénéand a comparator sub-sample of HIV-negative pregnant women was recruited;these activities were performed from February 2019 to February 2020.The mean number of coinfections was ascertained and compared between HIV-positive and HIV-negative women.Additionally,the odds for being co-infected with at least one co-infection was evaluated and compared between HIV-positive and HIV-negative women.Results HIV-positivity was 3.9%(646/16,417)among pregnant women.183 pregnant women were recruited in the co-infection study.63%of HIV-positive and 75%of HIV-negative pregnant women had at least one co-infection.There was a trend indicating that HIV-negative women were more often co-infected with sexually transmitted infections(STIs)than HIV-positive women[mean(standard deviation,SD):2.59(1.04)vs 2.16(1.35),respectively;P=0.056];this was not the case for vector-borne infections[mean(SD):0.47(0.72)vs 0.43(0.63),respectively;P=0.59].Conclusions Counterintuitively,the crude odds for concomitant STIs was lower in HIV-positive than in HIV-negative women.The change of magnitude from the crude to adjustedOR is indicative for a differential sexual risk factor profile among HIV-positive and HIV-negative women in this population.This might potentially be explained by the availability of sexual health care counselling for HIV-positive women within the framework of the national HIV control programme,while no such similar overall service exists for HIV-negative women.This highlights the importance of easy access to sexual healthcare education programmes for all pregnant women irrespective of HIV status.展开更多
The isoprenoid brasilicardin A is a promising immunosuppressant compound with a unique mode of action,high potency and reduced toxicity compared to today's standard drugs.However,production of brasilicardin has be...The isoprenoid brasilicardin A is a promising immunosuppressant compound with a unique mode of action,high potency and reduced toxicity compared to today's standard drugs.However,production of brasilicardin has been hampered since the producer strain Nocardia terpenica IFM0406 synthesizes brasilicardin in only low amounts and is a biosafety level 2 organism.Previously,we were able to heterologously express the brasilicardin gene cluster in the nocardioform actinomycete Amycolatopsis japonicum.Four brasilicardin congeners,intermediates of the BraA biosynthesis,were produced.Since chemical synthesis of the brasilicardin core structure has remained elusive we intended to produce high amounts of the brasilicardin backbone for semi synthesis and derivatization.Therefore,we used a metabolic engineering approach to increase heterologous production of brasilicardin in A.japonicum.Simultaneous heterologous expression of genes encoding the MVA pathway and expression of diterpenoid specific prenyltransferases were used to increase the provision of the isoprenoid precursor isopentenyl diphosphate(IPP)and to channel the precursor into the direction of diterpenoid biosynthesis.Both approaches contributed to an elevated heterologous production of the brasilicardin backbone,which can now be used as a starting point for semi synthesis of new brasilicardin congeners with better properties.展开更多
Fungal stromata were recently discovered in association with charcoal and burnt soil aggregates during an archaeological survey in the Chaˆtillon-sur-Seine forest massif.The wood and soil in the samples were dated to ...Fungal stromata were recently discovered in association with charcoal and burnt soil aggregates during an archaeological survey in the Chaˆtillon-sur-Seine forest massif.The wood and soil in the samples were dated to the medieval period(between 738 and 1411 AD).Light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy revealed that a few of the stromatal fragments still contained ascospores.Their macromorphological characters were described and secondary metabolite profiles were generated using high performance liquid chromatography with diode array and mass spectrometric detection(HPLC–DAD/MS).The combination of these two data lines then allowed species identification.Most of the fragments were assigned to Hypoxylon fragiforme,the type species of the Hypoxylaceae(Xylariales).Two further species whose stromata grew on the fossil charcoal could be tentatively identified as Jackrogersella cohaerens and(more tentatively)as Hypoxylon vogesiacum.These three species are still commonly encountered in the forests of Central Europe today.Furthermore,the HPLC-HRMS data of H.fragiforme suggested the presence of unknown azaphilone dimers and of further new pigments.These archaeological compounds were compared to fresh stromata of H.fragiforme collected in Germany and subjected to the same analytical protocol.While the major components in both samples were identified as the known mitorubrin type azaphilones and orsellinic acid,the chemical structures of seven novel complex azaphilone pigments,for which we propose the trivial names rutilins C-D and fragirubrins A-E,were elucidated using spectral methods(NMR and CD spectroscopy,high resolution mass spectrometry).It appears that these pigments had indeed persisted for millennia in the fossil stromata.展开更多
In a recent study in Science,Bowen et al.1 report that mutations in Omicron sublineage’s spike protein enhance ACE2 binding,impair fusogenicity,and dampen the neutralizing activity of antibodies after vaccination or ...In a recent study in Science,Bowen et al.1 report that mutations in Omicron sublineage’s spike protein enhance ACE2 binding,impair fusogenicity,and dampen the neutralizing activity of antibodies after vaccination or infection.The data describe how Omicron and especially the BA.5 variant evade neutralizing antibody responses and argue for using mRNA booster vaccination to increase immunity.展开更多
Biodiversity loss from disturbances caused by human activities means that species are disappearing at an ever increasing rate.The high number of species that have yet to be described have generated extreme crisis to t...Biodiversity loss from disturbances caused by human activities means that species are disappearing at an ever increasing rate.The high number of species that have yet to be described have generated extreme crisis to the taxonomist.Therefore,more than in any other era,effective ways to discover and delimitate species are needed.This paper reviews the historically fore-most approaches used to delimit species in Ascomycota,the most speciose phylum of Fungi.These include morphological,biological,and phylogenetic species concepts.We argue that a single property to delineate species boundaries has various defects and each species concept comes with its own advantages and disadvantages.Recently the rate of species discovery has increased because of the advancement of phylogenetic approaches.However,traditional phylogenetic methods with few gene regions lack species-level resolution,and do not allow unambiguous conclusions.We detail the processes that affect gene tree heterogeneity,which acts as barriers to delimiting species boundaries in classical low-rank phylogenies.So far,limited insights were given to the DNA-based methodologies to establish well-supported boundaries among fungal species.In addition to reviewing concepts and methodologies used to delimit species,we present a case study.We applied differ-ent species delimitation methods to understand species boundaries in the plant pathogenic and cryptic genus Phyllosticta(Dothideomycetes,Botryosphaeriales).Several DNA-based methods over-split the taxa while in some methods several taxa fall into a single species.These problems can be resolved by using multiple loci and coalescence-based methods.Further,we discuss integrative approaches that are crucial for understanding species boundaries within Ascomycota and provide several examples for ideal and pragmatic approaches of species delimitation.展开更多
Since late 2022, the share of infections caused by the SARS-CoV2 lineage XBB.1.5 has gradually increased in the United States,resulting in XBB.1.5 becoming the dominating SARS-CoV-2lineage in the United States and a s...Since late 2022, the share of infections caused by the SARS-CoV2 lineage XBB.1.5 has gradually increased in the United States,resulting in XBB.1.5 becoming the dominating SARS-CoV-2lineage in the United States and a similar trend is likely to soontake place also in European countries. However, information onthe virological properties of XBB.1.5 is scarce. Here, weconducted an initial virological assessment of the SARS-CoV-2XBB.1.5 lineage.展开更多
Despite previous circulation of the highly transmissible and antibody evasive BA.2.75, BQ.1, XBB.1 and XBB.1.5 lineages, the share of infections caused by the SARS-CoV-2 lineage XBB.1.16 has gradually increased in Ind...Despite previous circulation of the highly transmissible and antibody evasive BA.2.75, BQ.1, XBB.1 and XBB.1.5 lineages, the share of infections caused by the SARS-CoV-2 lineage XBB.1.16 has gradually increased in India in early 2023, resulting in XBB.1.16 being the dominating SARS-CoV-2 lineage in India today. Since a similar trend may also take place in other countries and information on the biological properties of the XBB.1.16 lineage is scarce, we conducted a rapid assessment of the SARS-CoV-2 XBB.1.16 lineage with respect to its ability to enter cells and evade neutralisation by antibodies.展开更多
This study deals with an extensive evaluation focusing on phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic infrageneric relationships of the genus Annulohypoxylon(Xylariaceae,Ascomycota),whose species are ubiquitously associated with ...This study deals with an extensive evaluation focusing on phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic infrageneric relationships of the genus Annulohypoxylon(Xylariaceae,Ascomycota),whose species are ubiquitously associated with seed plants as endophytes and saprotrophs in all forested areas of the world.Using evidence from phylogenetic,chemotaxonomic and morphological data,various varieties within the genus are raised to species level,leading to the new combinations for A.areolatum(:A.bovei var.microsporum),A.macrosporum(:A.leptascum var.macrosporum),and A.microdiscum(:A.moriforme var.microdiscum).Annulohypoxylon substygium nom.nov.is applied for A.stygium var.annulatumand the four new tropical and subtropical species A.massivum,A.violaceopigmentum,A.viridistratum and A.yungensis are introduced.Furthermore,A.leucadendri is excluded from the genus as its morphological characters disagree with the generic concept,the recently erected A.palmicola is synonymized with A.leptascum and A.austrobahiense has been reassigned to the genus Hypoxylon.In addition,the key taxa A.annulatum and A.truncatum have been reinvestigated and epitypes have been defined.For the first time,a dichotomous key to the genus is provided.A phylogenetic b-tubulin tree in conjunction with stromatal HPLC profiles clearly shows that Annulohypoxylon comprises two distinct lineages.The A.cohaerens/multiforme group might eventually warrant segregation into a new genus as further molecular data become available.展开更多
Fungi have been often neglected,despite the fact that they provided penicillin,lovastatin and many other important medicines.They are an understudied,but essential,fascinating and biotechnologically useful group of or...Fungi have been often neglected,despite the fact that they provided penicillin,lovastatin and many other important medicines.They are an understudied,but essential,fascinating and biotechnologically useful group of organisms.The study of fungi in northern Thailand has been carried out by us since 2005.These studies have been diverse,ranging from ecological aspects,phylogenetics with the incorportation of molecular dating,taxonomy(including morphology and chemotaxonomy)among a myriad of microfungi,to growing novel mushrooms,and DNA-based identification of plant pathogens.In this paper,advances in understanding the biodiversity of fungi in the region are discussed and compared with those further afield.Many new species have been inventoried for the region,but many unknown species remain to be described and/or catalogued.For example,in the edible genus Agaricus,over 35 new species have been introduced from northern Thailand,and numerous other taxa await description.In this relatively well known genus,93%of species novelty is apparent.In the microfungi,which are relatively poorly studied,the percentage of novel species is,surprisingly,generally not as high(55–96%).As well as Thai fungi,fungi on several hosts from Europe have been also investigated.Even with the well studied European microfungi an astounding percentage of new taxa(32–76%)have been discovered.The work is just a beginning and it will be a daunting task to document this astonishingly high apparent novelty among fungi.展开更多
Seven new azaphilone pigments named lenormandins A–G were isolated from stromata(fruiting bodies)of the xylariaceous fungus,Hypoxylon lenormandii using preparative High Performance Liquid Chromatography(HPLC)and thei...Seven new azaphilone pigments named lenormandins A–G were isolated from stromata(fruiting bodies)of the xylariaceous fungus,Hypoxylon lenormandii using preparative High Performance Liquid Chromatography(HPLC)and their structures were elucidated by NMR spectroscopy,high resolution mass spectrometry and other spectral methods.Their occurrence in herbarium specimens(including various type materials collected in the 19th and early 20th century)and several fresh collections was studied by analytical HPLC with diode array and mass spectrometric detection(HPLC-DAD/MS),revealing that this group of pigments is specific for Hypoxylon lenormandii from various geographic regions and otherwise only occurs in closely related taxa,i.e.H.sublenormandii and an undescribed fungus from Sri Lanka,for which we propose the name H.jaklitschii.The status of the new species was established by using molecular phylogenetic data based on ITS and partial beta-tubulin sequences,and by detailed morphological studies.展开更多
This article provides morphological descriptions and illustrations of microfungi associated with the invasive weed,Chro-molaena odorata,which were mainly collected in northern Thailand.Seventy-seven taxa distributed i...This article provides morphological descriptions and illustrations of microfungi associated with the invasive weed,Chro-molaena odorata,which were mainly collected in northern Thailand.Seventy-seven taxa distributed in ten orders,23 families(of which Neomassarinaceae is new),12 new genera(Chromolaenicola,Chromolaenomyces,Longiappendispora,Pseudocapulatispora,Murichromolaenicola,Neoophiobolus,Paraleptospora,Pseudoroussoella,Pseudostaurosphaeria,Pseudothyridariella,Setoarthopyrenia,Xenoroussoella),47 new species(Aplosporella chromolaenae,Arthrinium chromolae-nae,Chromolaenicola chiangraiensis,C.lampangensis,C.nanensis,C.thailandensis,Chromolaenomyces appendiculatus,Diaporthe chromolaenae,Didymella chromolaenae,Dyfrolomyces chromolaenae,Leptospora chromolaenae,L.phraeana,Longiappendispora chromolaenae,Memnoniella chromolaenae,Montagnula chiangraiensis,M.chromolaenae,M.chromo-laenicola,M.thailandica,Murichromolaenicola chiangraiensis,M.chromolaenae,Muyocopron chromolaenae,M.chromo-laenicola,Neomassarina chromolaenae,Neoophiobolus chromolaenae,Neopyrenochaeta chiangraiensis,N.chromolaenae,N.thailandica,N.triseptatispora,Nigrograna chromolaenae,Nothophoma chromolaenae,Paraleptospora chromolaenae,P.chromolaenicola,Patellaria chromolaenae,Pseudocapulatispora longiappendiculata,Pseudoroussoella chromolaenae,Pseudostaurosphaeria chromolaenae,P.chromolaenicola,Pseudothyridariella chromolaenae,Pyrenochaetopsis chromolae-nae,Rhytidhysteron chromolaenae,Setoarthopyrenia chromolaenae,Sphaeropsis chromolaenicola,Tremateia chiangraiensis,T.chromolaenae,T.thailandensis,Xenoroussoella triseptata,Yunnanensis chromolaenae),12 new host records,three new taxonomic combinations(Chromolaenicola siamensis,Pseudoroussoella elaeicola,Pseudothyridariella mahakashae),and two reference specimens(Torula chromolaenae,T.fici)are described and illustrated.Unlike some other hosts,e.g.bamboo(Poaceae)and Pandanaceae,the dominant group of fungi on Siam weed were Dothideomycetes.Only 15 species previously recorded from northern Thailand were found in this study.Most of the taxa are likely to have jumped hosts from surrounding plants and are unlikely to be a specialist to Siam weed.Most fungal families found on Siam weed had divergence estimates with stem ages in the Cretaceous,which coincided with the expected origin of the host family(Asteraceae).This further indicates that the species have jumped hosts,as it is unlikely that the taxa on the alien Siam weed came from the Americas with its host.They may,however,have jumped from other Asteraceae hosts.In a preliminary screening 40(65%)of the 62 species tested showed antimicrobial activity and thus,the fungi associated with C.odorata may be promising sources of novel bioactive compound discovery.We provide a checklist of fungi associated with C.odorata based on the USDA Systematic Mycology and Microbiology Laboratory(SMML)database,relevant literature and our study.In total,130 taxa(116 identified and 14 unidentified species)are distributed in 20 orders,48 families and 85 genera.Pseudocercospora is the most commonly encountered genus on Siam weed.展开更多
Sordariomycetes is one of the largest classes of Ascomycota that comprises a highly diverse range of fungi characterized mainly by perithecial ascomata and inoperculate unitunicate asci.The class includes many importa...Sordariomycetes is one of the largest classes of Ascomycota that comprises a highly diverse range of fungi characterized mainly by perithecial ascomata and inoperculate unitunicate asci.The class includes many important plant pathogens,as well as endophytes,saprobes,epiphytes,coprophilous and fungicolous,lichenized or lichenicolous taxa.They occur in terrestrial,freshwater and marine habitats worldwide.This paper reviews the 107 families of the class Sordariomycetes and provides a modified backbone tree based on phylogenetic analysis of four combined loci,with a maximum five representative taxa from each family,where available.This paper brings together for the first time,since Barrs’1990 Prodromus,descriptions,notes on the history,and plates or illustrations of type or representative taxa of each family,a list of accepted genera,including asexual genera and a key to these taxa of Sordariomycetes.Delineation of taxa is supported where possible by molecular data.The outline is based on literature to the end of 2015 and the Sordariomycetes now comprises six subclasses,32 orders,105 families and 1331 genera.The family Obryzaceae and Pleurotremataceae are excluded from the class.展开更多
An account is provided of the world’s ten most feared fungi.Within areas of interest,we have organized the entries in the order of concern.We put four human pathogens first as this is of concern to most people.This i...An account is provided of the world’s ten most feared fungi.Within areas of interest,we have organized the entries in the order of concern.We put four human pathogens first as this is of concern to most people.This is followed by fungi producing mycotoxins that are highly harmful for humans;Aspergillus flavus,the main producer of aflatoxins,was used as an example.Problems due to indoor air fungi may also directly affect our health and we use Stachybotrys chartarum as an example.Not everyone collects and eats edible mushrooms.However,fatalities caused by mushroom intoxications often make news headlines and therefore we include one of the most poisonous of all mushrooms,Amanita phalloides,as an example.We then move on to the fungi that damage our dwellings causing serious anxiety by rotting our timber structures and flooring.Serpula lacrymans,which causes dry rot is an excellent example.The next example serves to represent all plant and forest pathogens.Here we chose Austropuccinia psidii as it is causing devastating effects in Australia and will probably do likewise in New Zealand.Finally,we chose an important amphibian pathogen which is causing serious declines in the numbers of frogs and other amphibians worldwide.Although we target the top ten most feared fungi,numerous others are causing serious concern to human health,plant production,forestry,other animals and our factories and dwellings.By highlighting ten feared fungi as an example,we aim to promote public awareness of the cost and importance of fungi.展开更多
The Hypoxylaceae(Xylariales,Ascomycota)is a diverse family of mainly saprotrophic fungi,which commonly occur in angiosperm-dominated forests around the world.Despite their importance in forest and plant ecology as wel...The Hypoxylaceae(Xylariales,Ascomycota)is a diverse family of mainly saprotrophic fungi,which commonly occur in angiosperm-dominated forests around the world.Despite their importance in forest and plant ecology as well as a prolific source of secondary metabolites and enzymes,genome sequences of related taxa are scarce and usually derived from envi-ronmental isolates.To address this lack of knowledge thirteen taxonomically well-defined representatives of the family and one member of the closely related Xylariaceae were genome sequenced using combinations of Illumina and Oxford nanopore technologies or PacBio sequencing.The workflow leads to high quality draft genome sequences with an average N50 of 3.0 Mbp.A backbone phylogenomic tree was calculated based on the amino acid sequences of 4912 core genes reflecting the current accepted taxonomic concept of the Hypoxylaceae.A Percentage of Conserved Proteins(POCP)analysis revealed that 70%of the proteins are conserved within the family,a value with potential application for the definition of family boundaries within the order Xylariales.Also,Hypomontagnella spongiphila is proposed as a new marine derived lineage of Hypom.monticulosa based on in-depth genomic comparison and morphological differences of the cultures.The results showed that both species share 95%of their genes corresponding to more than 700 strain-specific proteins.This difference is not reflected by standard taxonomic assessments(morphology of sexual and asexual morph,chemotaxonomy,phylogeny),preventing species delimitation based on traditional concepts.Genetic changes are likely to be the result of environmental adaptations and selective pressure,the driving force of speciation.These data provide an important starting point for the establishment of a stable phylogeny of the Xylariales;they enable studies on evolution,ecological behavior and biosynthesis of natural products;and they significantly advance the taxonomy of fungi.展开更多
In a recent study published in Nature,Witkowski et al.reported that in patients with severe forms of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)deranged tumor growth factor-beta(TGF-β)secretion counteracts interferon-alpha(I...In a recent study published in Nature,Witkowski et al.reported that in patients with severe forms of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)deranged tumor growth factor-beta(TGF-β)secretion counteracts interferon-alpha(IFN-α)-induced activation of NK cells by decreasing expression of transcription factor T-bet.Consequently,NK cells fail to upregulate the adhesion molecule integrin beta-2(-ß2),which impedes their attachment to and killing of SARS-CoV-2 infected cells.展开更多
The cosmopolitan plant genus Clematis contains many climbing species that can be found worldwide.The genus occurs in the wild and is grown commercially for horticulture.Microfungi on Clematis were collected from Belgi...The cosmopolitan plant genus Clematis contains many climbing species that can be found worldwide.The genus occurs in the wild and is grown commercially for horticulture.Microfungi on Clematis were collected from Belgium,China,Italy,Thailand and the UK.They are characterized by morphology and analyses of gene sequence data using an integrated species concept to validate identifications.The study revealed two new families,12 new genera,50 new species,26 new host records with one dimorphic character report,and ten species are transferred to other genera.The new families revealed by multigene phylogeny are Longiostiolaceae and Pseudomassarinaceae in Pleosporales(Dothideomycetes).New genera are Anthodidymella(Didymellaceae),Anthosulcatispora and Parasulcatispora(Sulcatisporaceae),Fusiformispora(Amniculicolaceae),Longispora(Phaeosphaeriaceae),Neobyssosphaeria(Melanommataceae),Neoleptosporella(Chaetosphaeriales,genera incertae sedis),Neostictis(Stictidaceae),Pseudohelminthosporium(Neomassarinaceae),Pseudomassarina(Pseudomassarinaceae),Sclerenchymomyces(Leptosphaeriaceae)and Xenoplectosphaerella(Plectosphaerellaceae).The newly described species are Alloleptosphaeria clematidis,Anthodidymella ranunculacearum,Anthosulcatispora subglobosa,Aquadictyospora clematidis,Brunneofusispora clematidis,Chaetosphaeronema clematidicola,C.clematidis,Chromolaenicola clematidis,Diaporthe clematidina,Dictyocheirospora clematidis,Distoseptispora clematidis,Floricola clematidis,Fusiformispora clematidis,Hermatomyces clematidis,Leptospora clematidis,Longispora clematidis,Massariosphaeria clematidis,Melomastia clematidis,M.fulvicomae,Neobyssosphaeria clematidis,Neoleptosporella clematidis,Neoroussoella clematidis,N.fulvicomae,Neostictis nigricans,Neovaginatispora clematidis,Parasulcatispora clematidis,Parathyridaria clematidis,P.serratifoliae,P.virginianae,Periconia verrucose,Phomatospora uniseriata,Pleopunctum clematidis,Pseudocapulatispora clematidis,Pseudocoleophoma clematidis,Pseudohelminthosporium clematidis,Pseudolophiostoma chiangraiense,P.clematidis,Pseudomassarina clematidis,Ramusculicola clematidis,Sarocladium clematidis,Sclerenchymomyces clematidis,Sigarispora clematidicola,S.clematidis,S.montanae,Sordaria clematidis,Stemphylium clematidis,Wojnowiciella clematidis,Xenodidymella clematidis,Xenomassariosphaeria clematidis and Xenoplectosphaerella clematidis.The following fungi are recorded on Clematis species for the first time:Angustimassarina rosarum,Dendryphion europaeum,Dermatiopleospora mariae,Diaporthe ravennica,D.rudis,Dichotomopilus ramosissimum,Dictyocheirospora xishuangbannaensis,Didymosphaeria rubi-ulmifolii,Fitzroyomyces cyperacearum,Fusarium celtidicola,Leptospora thailandica,Memnoniella oblongispora,Neodidymelliopsis longicolla,Neoeutypella baoshanensis,Neoroussoella heveae,Nigrograna chromolaenae,N.obliqua,Pestalotiopsis verruculosa,Pseudoberkleasmium chiangmaiense,Pseudoophiobolus rosae,Pseudoroussoella chromolaenae,P.elaeicola,Ramusculicola thailandica,Stemphylium vesicarium and Torula chromolaenae.The new combinations are Anthodidymella clematidis(≡Didymella clematidis),A.vitalbina(≡Didymella vitalbina),Anthosulcatispora brunnea(≡Neobambusicola brunnea),Fuscohypha kunmingensis(≡Plectosphaerella kunmingensis),Magnibotryascoma rubriostiolata(≡Teichospora rubriostiolata),Pararoussoella mangrovei(≡Roussoella mangrovei),Pseudoneoconiothyrium euonymi(≡Roussoella euonymi),Sclerenchymomyces jonesii(≡Neoleptosphaeria jonesii),Stemphylium rosae(≡Pleospora rosae),and S.rosae-caninae(≡Pleospora rosae-caninae).The microfungi on Clematis is distributed in several classes of Ascomycota.The analyses are based on morphological examination of specimens,coupled with phylogenetic sequence data.To the best of our knowledge,the consolidated species concept approach is recommended in validating species.展开更多
Fungi are an understudied,biotechnologically valuable group of organisms.Due to the immense range of habitats that fungi inhabit,and the consequent need to compete against a diverse array of other fungi,bacteria,and a...Fungi are an understudied,biotechnologically valuable group of organisms.Due to the immense range of habitats that fungi inhabit,and the consequent need to compete against a diverse array of other fungi,bacteria,and animals,fungi have developed numerous survival mechanisms.The unique attributes of fungi thus herald great promise for their application in biotechnology and industry.Moreover,fungi can be grown with relative ease,making production at scale viable.The search for fungal biodiversity,and the construction of a living fungi collection,both have incredible economic potential in locating organisms with novel industrial uses that will lead to novel products.This manuscript reviews fifty ways in which fungi can potentially be utilized as biotechnology.We provide notes and examples for each potential exploitation and give examples from our own work and the work of other notable researchers.We also provide a flow chart that can be used to convince funding bodies of the importance of fungi for biotechnological research and as potential products.Fungi have provided the world with penicillin,lovastatin,and other globally significant medicines,and they remain an untapped resource with enormous industrial potential.展开更多
Sokal et al.reported recently in Immunity that the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant evades recognition by 70%of anti-spike protein antibodies generated by memory B cells(MBCs)from mRNA vaccine-immunized individuals that wer...Sokal et al.reported recently in Immunity that the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant evades recognition by 70%of anti-spike protein antibodies generated by memory B cells(MBCs)from mRNA vaccine-immunized individuals that were either or not also infected with SARS-CoV-2.Nevertheless,samples from all analyzed persons contained MBCs with neutralizing antibodies against Omicron Spike receptor-binding domain(RBD),which provide protection against this SARS-CoV-2 variant to some degree.展开更多
基金sponsored by Chinese Academy of Sciences Visiting Professorship for Senior International Scientists(2010T1S6)by the DFG Cluster of Excellence"Inflammation at Interfaces"(EXC 306)by the Fonds der Chemischen Industrie
文摘Legionella pneumophila,the causative agent of Legionnaires' disease,has been recognized as a major health problem responsible for an estimated number of 15 000-30 000 cases of severe pneumonia per year in Germany alone.Despite of the high clinical relevance,many aspects of the intracellular life cycle of Legionella,especially details on interactions with host cells,are not well understood.Structural information on virulence proteins helps unravel basal pathogenicity mechanisms and is a prerequisite for the rational development of effective drug molecules.Here we discuss structures of three important virulence proteins of Legionella that have been determined in our laboratory.The structure of the macrophage infectivity potentiator(Mip) protein of Legionella pneumophila is the first of a novel subgroup within the family of FK506-binding protein(FKBP) peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerases.On the basis of the Mip structure,promising antibacterial agents are being designed.Recently,structures of two equally exciting Legionella proteins have been reported.The ferrous iron transport protein FeoB is a transmembrane protein responsible for Fe2+ aquisition after entry of the pathogen into the host cell.The structure of the cytoplasmic domain of FeoB provides insights into the family of prokaryotic G proteins and allows a detailed comparison with structures of related FeoBs.Furthermore,the characterization of DegQ,a periplasmatic chaperone-protease involved in protein quality control represents an intriguing example of how enzymatic activity is regulated by oligomerization as well as by an intrinsic loop activation cascade,depending on subtle conformational rearrangements.
基金funded by the Deanship of Scientific Research(DSR)at King Abdulaziz University,Jeddah,under grant No.1-965/1434 HiCi。
文摘Members of the family Chaetomiaceae are ubiquitous ascosporulating fungi commonly,which reside in soil enriched with manure or cellulosic materials.Their role as human pathogens is largely ignored.However,the ability of some species to grow at high temperature enables them to play an important role as opportunistic pathogens.The family contains several genera and species that have never been reported to cause human infection.Hereby,three new species are described;two belong to the genus Subramaniula and one represents a Chaetomium species.Subramaniula asteroides was isolated from various sources including eye and skin infections as well as from the natural environment,and S.obscura was isolated from a toe infection.Chaetomium anamorphosum was isolated from a kidney transplant patient suffering from fungal peritonitis.All species described were previously misidentified as Papulaspora spp.due to the formation of cellular clumps or bulbil-like structures,which are characteristic of Papulaspora.The isolates failed to form sexual fruit bodies and ascospores remained absent,which is an unusual feature for the generally ascosporulating genera Chaetomium and Subramaniula;minute conidia from phialides were sometimes observed.
基金Open Access funding enabled and organized by Projekt DEAL.This work was supported by the German Centre for Infection Research and the German Agency for International Cooperation GmbH.The funders had no role in the study design,decision to publish the study protocol or preparation of the manuscript.
文摘Background There is no recent epidemiological data on HIV infection in Gabon,particularly in pregnant women.To close this gap,an HIV-prevalence survey was conducted among Gabonese pregnant women,followed by a cross-sectional case-control study in which the prevalence of various co-infections was compared between HIV-positive and HIV-negative pregnant women.Methods Between 2018 and 2019,data for the HIV-prevalence survey were collected retrospectively in 21 Gabonese antenatal care centres(ANCs).Subsequently,for the prospective co-infection study,all HIV-positive pregnant women were recruited who frequented the ANC in Lambarénéand a comparator sub-sample of HIV-negative pregnant women was recruited;these activities were performed from February 2019 to February 2020.The mean number of coinfections was ascertained and compared between HIV-positive and HIV-negative women.Additionally,the odds for being co-infected with at least one co-infection was evaluated and compared between HIV-positive and HIV-negative women.Results HIV-positivity was 3.9%(646/16,417)among pregnant women.183 pregnant women were recruited in the co-infection study.63%of HIV-positive and 75%of HIV-negative pregnant women had at least one co-infection.There was a trend indicating that HIV-negative women were more often co-infected with sexually transmitted infections(STIs)than HIV-positive women[mean(standard deviation,SD):2.59(1.04)vs 2.16(1.35),respectively;P=0.056];this was not the case for vector-borne infections[mean(SD):0.47(0.72)vs 0.43(0.63),respectively;P=0.59].Conclusions Counterintuitively,the crude odds for concomitant STIs was lower in HIV-positive than in HIV-negative women.The change of magnitude from the crude to adjustedOR is indicative for a differential sexual risk factor profile among HIV-positive and HIV-negative women in this population.This might potentially be explained by the availability of sexual health care counselling for HIV-positive women within the framework of the national HIV control programme,while no such similar overall service exists for HIV-negative women.This highlights the importance of easy access to sexual healthcare education programmes for all pregnant women irrespective of HIV status.
基金This work was funded by Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung(BMBF)(FKZ 031A568B),in the frame of the ERA-NET-IB project“NeBrasCa”.
文摘The isoprenoid brasilicardin A is a promising immunosuppressant compound with a unique mode of action,high potency and reduced toxicity compared to today's standard drugs.However,production of brasilicardin has been hampered since the producer strain Nocardia terpenica IFM0406 synthesizes brasilicardin in only low amounts and is a biosafety level 2 organism.Previously,we were able to heterologously express the brasilicardin gene cluster in the nocardioform actinomycete Amycolatopsis japonicum.Four brasilicardin congeners,intermediates of the BraA biosynthesis,were produced.Since chemical synthesis of the brasilicardin core structure has remained elusive we intended to produce high amounts of the brasilicardin backbone for semi synthesis and derivatization.Therefore,we used a metabolic engineering approach to increase heterologous production of brasilicardin in A.japonicum.Simultaneous heterologous expression of genes encoding the MVA pathway and expression of diterpenoid specific prenyltransferases were used to increase the provision of the isoprenoid precursor isopentenyl diphosphate(IPP)and to channel the precursor into the direction of diterpenoid biosynthesis.Both approaches contributed to an elevated heterologous production of the brasilicardin backbone,which can now be used as a starting point for semi synthesis of new brasilicardin congeners with better properties.
文摘Fungal stromata were recently discovered in association with charcoal and burnt soil aggregates during an archaeological survey in the Chaˆtillon-sur-Seine forest massif.The wood and soil in the samples were dated to the medieval period(between 738 and 1411 AD).Light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy revealed that a few of the stromatal fragments still contained ascospores.Their macromorphological characters were described and secondary metabolite profiles were generated using high performance liquid chromatography with diode array and mass spectrometric detection(HPLC–DAD/MS).The combination of these two data lines then allowed species identification.Most of the fragments were assigned to Hypoxylon fragiforme,the type species of the Hypoxylaceae(Xylariales).Two further species whose stromata grew on the fossil charcoal could be tentatively identified as Jackrogersella cohaerens and(more tentatively)as Hypoxylon vogesiacum.These three species are still commonly encountered in the forests of Central Europe today.Furthermore,the HPLC-HRMS data of H.fragiforme suggested the presence of unknown azaphilone dimers and of further new pigments.These archaeological compounds were compared to fresh stromata of H.fragiforme collected in Germany and subjected to the same analytical protocol.While the major components in both samples were identified as the known mitorubrin type azaphilones and orsellinic acid,the chemical structures of seven novel complex azaphilone pigments,for which we propose the trivial names rutilins C-D and fragirubrins A-E,were elucidated using spectral methods(NMR and CD spectroscopy,high resolution mass spectrometry).It appears that these pigments had indeed persisted for millennia in the fossil stromata.
基金supported by the German Center for Infection Research(grant no.80018019238,TTU-HIV 04.821,and 04.820)a European Regional Development Fund(ZW7-8515131,ZW7-85151373).
文摘In a recent study in Science,Bowen et al.1 report that mutations in Omicron sublineage’s spike protein enhance ACE2 binding,impair fusogenicity,and dampen the neutralizing activity of antibodies after vaccination or infection.The data describe how Omicron and especially the BA.5 variant evade neutralizing antibody responses and argue for using mRNA booster vaccination to increase immunity.
基金Danny Haelewaters is supported by the Research Foundation-Flanders(junior postdoctoral fellowship 1206620N)Dhanushka Wanasinghe thanks the CAS President’s International Fellowship Initiative(PIFI)for funding his postdoctoral research(number 2021FYB0005)the Postdoctoral Fund from Human Resources and Social Security Bureau of Yunnan Province.
文摘Biodiversity loss from disturbances caused by human activities means that species are disappearing at an ever increasing rate.The high number of species that have yet to be described have generated extreme crisis to the taxonomist.Therefore,more than in any other era,effective ways to discover and delimitate species are needed.This paper reviews the historically fore-most approaches used to delimit species in Ascomycota,the most speciose phylum of Fungi.These include morphological,biological,and phylogenetic species concepts.We argue that a single property to delineate species boundaries has various defects and each species concept comes with its own advantages and disadvantages.Recently the rate of species discovery has increased because of the advancement of phylogenetic approaches.However,traditional phylogenetic methods with few gene regions lack species-level resolution,and do not allow unambiguous conclusions.We detail the processes that affect gene tree heterogeneity,which acts as barriers to delimiting species boundaries in classical low-rank phylogenies.So far,limited insights were given to the DNA-based methodologies to establish well-supported boundaries among fungal species.In addition to reviewing concepts and methodologies used to delimit species,we present a case study.We applied differ-ent species delimitation methods to understand species boundaries in the plant pathogenic and cryptic genus Phyllosticta(Dothideomycetes,Botryosphaeriales).Several DNA-based methods over-split the taxa while in some methods several taxa fall into a single species.These problems can be resolved by using multiple loci and coalescence-based methods.Further,we discuss integrative approaches that are crucial for understanding species boundaries within Ascomycota and provide several examples for ideal and pragmatic approaches of species delimitation.
基金BMBF(01KI2006D,01KI20328A,01KX2021)the Ministry for Science and Culture of Lower Saxony(14-76103-184,COFONI Network,including projects 7FF22,6FF22,10FF22)+7 种基金EU(project UNDINE)and the German Research Foundation(DFGPO 716/11-1,PO 716/14-1)H.-M.J.received funding from BMBF(01KI2043,NaFoUniMedCovid19-COVIM:01KX2021)Bavarian State Ministry for Science and the Arts(Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wissenschaft und Kunst)DFG through the research training groups RTG1660 and TRR130,the Bayerische Forschungsstiftung(Project CORAd)the Kastner Foundation.G.M.N.B.acknowledges funding by the German Center for Infection Research(Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung,DZIFgrant no 80018019238)a European Regional Development Fund(Defeat Corona,ZW7-8515131).
文摘Since late 2022, the share of infections caused by the SARS-CoV2 lineage XBB.1.5 has gradually increased in the United States,resulting in XBB.1.5 becoming the dominating SARS-CoV-2lineage in the United States and a similar trend is likely to soontake place also in European countries. However, information onthe virological properties of XBB.1.5 is scarce. Here, weconducted an initial virological assessment of the SARS-CoV-2XBB.1.5 lineage.
基金SP acknowledges funding by the EU project UNDINE(grant agreement number 101057100)the Ministry for Science and Culture of Lower Saxony(Niedersächsisches Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kultur,14-76103-184,COFONI Network,including projects 7FF22,6FF22,10FF22)+4 种基金the German Research Foundation(Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft,DFG,PO 716/11-1)H-MJ received funding from BMBF(01KI2043,NaFoUniMedCovid19-COVIM:01KX2021)Bavarian State Ministry for Science and the Arts(Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wissenschaft und Kunst)and DFG through the research training groups RTG1660 and TRR130,the Bayerische Forschungsstiftung(Project CORAd)and the Kastner Foundation.GMNB acknowledges funding by the German Centre for Infection Research(Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung,DZIFgrant no 80018019238)Further,GMNB and AD-J acknowledge funding by a European Regional Development Fund(Defeat Corona,ZW7-8515131).
文摘Despite previous circulation of the highly transmissible and antibody evasive BA.2.75, BQ.1, XBB.1 and XBB.1.5 lineages, the share of infections caused by the SARS-CoV-2 lineage XBB.1.16 has gradually increased in India in early 2023, resulting in XBB.1.16 being the dominating SARS-CoV-2 lineage in India today. Since a similar trend may also take place in other countries and information on the biological properties of the XBB.1.16 lineage is scarce, we conducted a rapid assessment of the SARS-CoV-2 XBB.1.16 lineage with respect to its ability to enter cells and evade neutralisation by antibodies.
文摘This study deals with an extensive evaluation focusing on phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic infrageneric relationships of the genus Annulohypoxylon(Xylariaceae,Ascomycota),whose species are ubiquitously associated with seed plants as endophytes and saprotrophs in all forested areas of the world.Using evidence from phylogenetic,chemotaxonomic and morphological data,various varieties within the genus are raised to species level,leading to the new combinations for A.areolatum(:A.bovei var.microsporum),A.macrosporum(:A.leptascum var.macrosporum),and A.microdiscum(:A.moriforme var.microdiscum).Annulohypoxylon substygium nom.nov.is applied for A.stygium var.annulatumand the four new tropical and subtropical species A.massivum,A.violaceopigmentum,A.viridistratum and A.yungensis are introduced.Furthermore,A.leucadendri is excluded from the genus as its morphological characters disagree with the generic concept,the recently erected A.palmicola is synonymized with A.leptascum and A.austrobahiense has been reassigned to the genus Hypoxylon.In addition,the key taxa A.annulatum and A.truncatum have been reinvestigated and epitypes have been defined.For the first time,a dichotomous key to the genus is provided.A phylogenetic b-tubulin tree in conjunction with stromatal HPLC profiles clearly shows that Annulohypoxylon comprises two distinct lineages.The A.cohaerens/multiforme group might eventually warrant segregation into a new genus as further molecular data become available.
文摘Fungi have been often neglected,despite the fact that they provided penicillin,lovastatin and many other important medicines.They are an understudied,but essential,fascinating and biotechnologically useful group of organisms.The study of fungi in northern Thailand has been carried out by us since 2005.These studies have been diverse,ranging from ecological aspects,phylogenetics with the incorportation of molecular dating,taxonomy(including morphology and chemotaxonomy)among a myriad of microfungi,to growing novel mushrooms,and DNA-based identification of plant pathogens.In this paper,advances in understanding the biodiversity of fungi in the region are discussed and compared with those further afield.Many new species have been inventoried for the region,but many unknown species remain to be described and/or catalogued.For example,in the edible genus Agaricus,over 35 new species have been introduced from northern Thailand,and numerous other taxa await description.In this relatively well known genus,93%of species novelty is apparent.In the microfungi,which are relatively poorly studied,the percentage of novel species is,surprisingly,generally not as high(55–96%).As well as Thai fungi,fungi on several hosts from Europe have been also investigated.Even with the well studied European microfungi an astounding percentage of new taxa(32–76%)have been discovered.The work is just a beginning and it will be a daunting task to document this astonishingly high apparent novelty among fungi.
文摘Seven new azaphilone pigments named lenormandins A–G were isolated from stromata(fruiting bodies)of the xylariaceous fungus,Hypoxylon lenormandii using preparative High Performance Liquid Chromatography(HPLC)and their structures were elucidated by NMR spectroscopy,high resolution mass spectrometry and other spectral methods.Their occurrence in herbarium specimens(including various type materials collected in the 19th and early 20th century)and several fresh collections was studied by analytical HPLC with diode array and mass spectrometric detection(HPLC-DAD/MS),revealing that this group of pigments is specific for Hypoxylon lenormandii from various geographic regions and otherwise only occurs in closely related taxa,i.e.H.sublenormandii and an undescribed fungus from Sri Lanka,for which we propose the name H.jaklitschii.The status of the new species was established by using molecular phylogenetic data based on ITS and partial beta-tubulin sequences,and by detailed morphological studies.
基金Ausana Mapook was financially supported by Research and Researchers for Industry Program(RRI)PHD57I0012,Thailand and the German Academic Exchange Service(DAAD)for a joint TRF-DAAD(PPP 2017–2018)academic exchange grant to Kevin D.Hyde and Marc Stadler.Kevin D.Hyde thanks to the 2019 high-end foreign expert introduction plan to Kunming Institute of Botany(granted by the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China,Grant Number G20190139006)Thailand Research grants entitled Biodiversity,phylogeny and role of fungal endophytes on above parts of Rhizophora apiculata and Nypa fruticans(Grant No:RSA5980068)+1 种基金the future of specialist fungi in a changing climate:baseline data for generalist and specialist fungi associated with ants,Rhododendron species and Dracaena species(Grant No:DBG6080013)Impact of climate change on fungal diversity and biogeography in the Greater Mekong Subregion(Grant No:RDG6130001).
文摘This article provides morphological descriptions and illustrations of microfungi associated with the invasive weed,Chro-molaena odorata,which were mainly collected in northern Thailand.Seventy-seven taxa distributed in ten orders,23 families(of which Neomassarinaceae is new),12 new genera(Chromolaenicola,Chromolaenomyces,Longiappendispora,Pseudocapulatispora,Murichromolaenicola,Neoophiobolus,Paraleptospora,Pseudoroussoella,Pseudostaurosphaeria,Pseudothyridariella,Setoarthopyrenia,Xenoroussoella),47 new species(Aplosporella chromolaenae,Arthrinium chromolae-nae,Chromolaenicola chiangraiensis,C.lampangensis,C.nanensis,C.thailandensis,Chromolaenomyces appendiculatus,Diaporthe chromolaenae,Didymella chromolaenae,Dyfrolomyces chromolaenae,Leptospora chromolaenae,L.phraeana,Longiappendispora chromolaenae,Memnoniella chromolaenae,Montagnula chiangraiensis,M.chromolaenae,M.chromo-laenicola,M.thailandica,Murichromolaenicola chiangraiensis,M.chromolaenae,Muyocopron chromolaenae,M.chromo-laenicola,Neomassarina chromolaenae,Neoophiobolus chromolaenae,Neopyrenochaeta chiangraiensis,N.chromolaenae,N.thailandica,N.triseptatispora,Nigrograna chromolaenae,Nothophoma chromolaenae,Paraleptospora chromolaenae,P.chromolaenicola,Patellaria chromolaenae,Pseudocapulatispora longiappendiculata,Pseudoroussoella chromolaenae,Pseudostaurosphaeria chromolaenae,P.chromolaenicola,Pseudothyridariella chromolaenae,Pyrenochaetopsis chromolae-nae,Rhytidhysteron chromolaenae,Setoarthopyrenia chromolaenae,Sphaeropsis chromolaenicola,Tremateia chiangraiensis,T.chromolaenae,T.thailandensis,Xenoroussoella triseptata,Yunnanensis chromolaenae),12 new host records,three new taxonomic combinations(Chromolaenicola siamensis,Pseudoroussoella elaeicola,Pseudothyridariella mahakashae),and two reference specimens(Torula chromolaenae,T.fici)are described and illustrated.Unlike some other hosts,e.g.bamboo(Poaceae)and Pandanaceae,the dominant group of fungi on Siam weed were Dothideomycetes.Only 15 species previously recorded from northern Thailand were found in this study.Most of the taxa are likely to have jumped hosts from surrounding plants and are unlikely to be a specialist to Siam weed.Most fungal families found on Siam weed had divergence estimates with stem ages in the Cretaceous,which coincided with the expected origin of the host family(Asteraceae).This further indicates that the species have jumped hosts,as it is unlikely that the taxa on the alien Siam weed came from the Americas with its host.They may,however,have jumped from other Asteraceae hosts.In a preliminary screening 40(65%)of the 62 species tested showed antimicrobial activity and thus,the fungi associated with C.odorata may be promising sources of novel bioactive compound discovery.We provide a checklist of fungi associated with C.odorata based on the USDA Systematic Mycology and Microbiology Laboratory(SMML)database,relevant literature and our study.In total,130 taxa(116 identified and 14 unidentified species)are distributed in 20 orders,48 families and 85 genera.Pseudocercospora is the most commonly encountered genus on Siam weed.
基金the featured microbial resources and diversity investigation in Southwest Karst area(2014FY120100).The Biodiversity and Training Program(BRT R_251006,BRT R_351004,BRT_R352015)+3 种基金National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology(BIOTEC)Khlong Luang,Pathum Thani 12120,ThailandNational Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC,No.30870009&31460011)the International Collaboration Plan of Guizhou Province(No.G[2012]7006)Ka-Lai Pang thanks the Ministry of Science and Technology,Taiwan(grant no.101-2621-B-019-001-MY3)for financial support.
文摘Sordariomycetes is one of the largest classes of Ascomycota that comprises a highly diverse range of fungi characterized mainly by perithecial ascomata and inoperculate unitunicate asci.The class includes many important plant pathogens,as well as endophytes,saprobes,epiphytes,coprophilous and fungicolous,lichenized or lichenicolous taxa.They occur in terrestrial,freshwater and marine habitats worldwide.This paper reviews the 107 families of the class Sordariomycetes and provides a modified backbone tree based on phylogenetic analysis of four combined loci,with a maximum five representative taxa from each family,where available.This paper brings together for the first time,since Barrs’1990 Prodromus,descriptions,notes on the history,and plates or illustrations of type or representative taxa of each family,a list of accepted genera,including asexual genera and a key to these taxa of Sordariomycetes.Delineation of taxa is supported where possible by molecular data.The outline is based on literature to the end of 2015 and the Sordariomycetes now comprises six subclasses,32 orders,105 families and 1331 genera.The family Obryzaceae and Pleurotremataceae are excluded from the class.
文摘An account is provided of the world’s ten most feared fungi.Within areas of interest,we have organized the entries in the order of concern.We put four human pathogens first as this is of concern to most people.This is followed by fungi producing mycotoxins that are highly harmful for humans;Aspergillus flavus,the main producer of aflatoxins,was used as an example.Problems due to indoor air fungi may also directly affect our health and we use Stachybotrys chartarum as an example.Not everyone collects and eats edible mushrooms.However,fatalities caused by mushroom intoxications often make news headlines and therefore we include one of the most poisonous of all mushrooms,Amanita phalloides,as an example.We then move on to the fungi that damage our dwellings causing serious anxiety by rotting our timber structures and flooring.Serpula lacrymans,which causes dry rot is an excellent example.The next example serves to represent all plant and forest pathogens.Here we chose Austropuccinia psidii as it is causing devastating effects in Australia and will probably do likewise in New Zealand.Finally,we chose an important amphibian pathogen which is causing serious declines in the numbers of frogs and other amphibians worldwide.Although we target the top ten most feared fungi,numerous others are causing serious concern to human health,plant production,forestry,other animals and our factories and dwellings.By highlighting ten feared fungi as an example,we aim to promote public awareness of the cost and importance of fungi.
基金the DFG(Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft)priority program“Taxon-Omics:New Approaches for Discovering and Naming Biodiversity”(SPP 1991)The bioinformatics support of the BMBF-funded project‘Bielefeld-Gießen Center for Microbial Bioin-formaticsBiGi(Grant Number 031A533)’within the German Network for Bioinformatics Infrastructure(de.NBI)is gratefully acknowledged.
文摘The Hypoxylaceae(Xylariales,Ascomycota)is a diverse family of mainly saprotrophic fungi,which commonly occur in angiosperm-dominated forests around the world.Despite their importance in forest and plant ecology as well as a prolific source of secondary metabolites and enzymes,genome sequences of related taxa are scarce and usually derived from envi-ronmental isolates.To address this lack of knowledge thirteen taxonomically well-defined representatives of the family and one member of the closely related Xylariaceae were genome sequenced using combinations of Illumina and Oxford nanopore technologies or PacBio sequencing.The workflow leads to high quality draft genome sequences with an average N50 of 3.0 Mbp.A backbone phylogenomic tree was calculated based on the amino acid sequences of 4912 core genes reflecting the current accepted taxonomic concept of the Hypoxylaceae.A Percentage of Conserved Proteins(POCP)analysis revealed that 70%of the proteins are conserved within the family,a value with potential application for the definition of family boundaries within the order Xylariales.Also,Hypomontagnella spongiphila is proposed as a new marine derived lineage of Hypom.monticulosa based on in-depth genomic comparison and morphological differences of the cultures.The results showed that both species share 95%of their genes corresponding to more than 700 strain-specific proteins.This difference is not reflected by standard taxonomic assessments(morphology of sexual and asexual morph,chemotaxonomy,phylogeny),preventing species delimitation based on traditional concepts.Genetic changes are likely to be the result of environmental adaptations and selective pressure,the driving force of speciation.These data provide an important starting point for the establishment of a stable phylogeny of the Xylariales;they enable studies on evolution,ecological behavior and biosynthesis of natural products;and they significantly advance the taxonomy of fungi.
基金Research in the Förster lab gets supported by the German Center for Infection Research TTU 01.938(grant no 80018019238)by the German Center for Lung Research(grant 82DZL002B1)+2 种基金by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft(DFG,German Research Foundation)Excellence Strategy EXC 2155“RESIST”(Project ID39087428)SFB 900/3(Project B1,158989968)FO334/7-1(all to R.F.).
文摘In a recent study published in Nature,Witkowski et al.reported that in patients with severe forms of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)deranged tumor growth factor-beta(TGF-β)secretion counteracts interferon-alpha(IFN-α)-induced activation of NK cells by decreasing expression of transcription factor T-bet.Consequently,NK cells fail to upregulate the adhesion molecule integrin beta-2(-ß2),which impedes their attachment to and killing of SARS-CoV-2 infected cells.
基金Chayanard Phukhamsakda would like to thank the Royal Golden Jubilee PhD Program under Thailand Research Fund(RGJ)and the German Academic Exchange Service(DAAD)for a joint TRF-DAAD(PPP 2017-2018)academic exchange Grant to K.D.Hyde and M.Stadler and the RGJ for a personal grant to C.Phukhamsakda(The scholarship no.PHD/0020/2557 to study towards a PhD).Dr.Shaun Pennycook is thanked for checking and suggesting Latin names of the new taxa.Dr.Olivier Raspé,Dr.Rajesh Jeewon,Sirinapa Konta,Milan Samarakoon,Indunil C.Senanayake,Dr.Sinang Hongsanan,Chuan-Gen Lin,Qiu-Ju Shang and Pranami D.Abeywickrama are thanked for their valuable suggestions on the phylogenetic analysis and for sequencing.Mr.Martin van de Bult,Cyrille Gerstmans,Prof.Hong-Yan Su,Tian Qing,Dr.Zong-Long Luo are gratefully acknowledged for sample collection guidance in China and Thailand.Kevin D.Hyde thanks the future of specialist fungi in a changing climate:baseline data for generalist and specialist fungi associated with ants,Rhododendron species and Dracaena species(Grant No:DBG6080013)Impact of climate change on fungal diversity and biogeography in the Greater Mekong Subregion(Grant No:RDG6130001)+6 种基金Alan J.L.Phillips acknowledges the support from UID/MULTI/04046/2019 Research Unit grant from FCT,Portugal to BioISI.E.B.Gareth Jones is supported under the Distinguished Scientist Fellowship Program(DSFP),King Saud University,Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.D.N.Wanasinghe would like to thank the CAS President’s International Fellowship Initiative(PIFI)for funding his postdoctoral research(Number 2019PC0008)the National Science Foundation of China and the Chinese Academy of Sciences for financial support under the following Grants:41761144055,41771063 and Y4ZK111B01Wanasinghe also thanks the 64th batch of China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(Grant No.:Y913083271)Saowaluck Tibpromma would like to thanks the International Postdoctoral Exchange Fellowship Program(Number Y9180822S1)CAS President’s International Fellowship Initiative(PIFI)(Number 2020PC0009)China Postdoctoral Science Foundation and the Yunnan Human Resources,and Social Security Department Foundation for funding her postdoctoral research.Mingkwan Doilom would like to thank the 5th batch of Postdoctoral Orientation Training Personnel in Yunnan Province(Grant No.:Y934283261)the 64th batch of China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(Grant No.:Y913082271).
文摘The cosmopolitan plant genus Clematis contains many climbing species that can be found worldwide.The genus occurs in the wild and is grown commercially for horticulture.Microfungi on Clematis were collected from Belgium,China,Italy,Thailand and the UK.They are characterized by morphology and analyses of gene sequence data using an integrated species concept to validate identifications.The study revealed two new families,12 new genera,50 new species,26 new host records with one dimorphic character report,and ten species are transferred to other genera.The new families revealed by multigene phylogeny are Longiostiolaceae and Pseudomassarinaceae in Pleosporales(Dothideomycetes).New genera are Anthodidymella(Didymellaceae),Anthosulcatispora and Parasulcatispora(Sulcatisporaceae),Fusiformispora(Amniculicolaceae),Longispora(Phaeosphaeriaceae),Neobyssosphaeria(Melanommataceae),Neoleptosporella(Chaetosphaeriales,genera incertae sedis),Neostictis(Stictidaceae),Pseudohelminthosporium(Neomassarinaceae),Pseudomassarina(Pseudomassarinaceae),Sclerenchymomyces(Leptosphaeriaceae)and Xenoplectosphaerella(Plectosphaerellaceae).The newly described species are Alloleptosphaeria clematidis,Anthodidymella ranunculacearum,Anthosulcatispora subglobosa,Aquadictyospora clematidis,Brunneofusispora clematidis,Chaetosphaeronema clematidicola,C.clematidis,Chromolaenicola clematidis,Diaporthe clematidina,Dictyocheirospora clematidis,Distoseptispora clematidis,Floricola clematidis,Fusiformispora clematidis,Hermatomyces clematidis,Leptospora clematidis,Longispora clematidis,Massariosphaeria clematidis,Melomastia clematidis,M.fulvicomae,Neobyssosphaeria clematidis,Neoleptosporella clematidis,Neoroussoella clematidis,N.fulvicomae,Neostictis nigricans,Neovaginatispora clematidis,Parasulcatispora clematidis,Parathyridaria clematidis,P.serratifoliae,P.virginianae,Periconia verrucose,Phomatospora uniseriata,Pleopunctum clematidis,Pseudocapulatispora clematidis,Pseudocoleophoma clematidis,Pseudohelminthosporium clematidis,Pseudolophiostoma chiangraiense,P.clematidis,Pseudomassarina clematidis,Ramusculicola clematidis,Sarocladium clematidis,Sclerenchymomyces clematidis,Sigarispora clematidicola,S.clematidis,S.montanae,Sordaria clematidis,Stemphylium clematidis,Wojnowiciella clematidis,Xenodidymella clematidis,Xenomassariosphaeria clematidis and Xenoplectosphaerella clematidis.The following fungi are recorded on Clematis species for the first time:Angustimassarina rosarum,Dendryphion europaeum,Dermatiopleospora mariae,Diaporthe ravennica,D.rudis,Dichotomopilus ramosissimum,Dictyocheirospora xishuangbannaensis,Didymosphaeria rubi-ulmifolii,Fitzroyomyces cyperacearum,Fusarium celtidicola,Leptospora thailandica,Memnoniella oblongispora,Neodidymelliopsis longicolla,Neoeutypella baoshanensis,Neoroussoella heveae,Nigrograna chromolaenae,N.obliqua,Pestalotiopsis verruculosa,Pseudoberkleasmium chiangmaiense,Pseudoophiobolus rosae,Pseudoroussoella chromolaenae,P.elaeicola,Ramusculicola thailandica,Stemphylium vesicarium and Torula chromolaenae.The new combinations are Anthodidymella clematidis(≡Didymella clematidis),A.vitalbina(≡Didymella vitalbina),Anthosulcatispora brunnea(≡Neobambusicola brunnea),Fuscohypha kunmingensis(≡Plectosphaerella kunmingensis),Magnibotryascoma rubriostiolata(≡Teichospora rubriostiolata),Pararoussoella mangrovei(≡Roussoella mangrovei),Pseudoneoconiothyrium euonymi(≡Roussoella euonymi),Sclerenchymomyces jonesii(≡Neoleptosphaeria jonesii),Stemphylium rosae(≡Pleospora rosae),and S.rosae-caninae(≡Pleospora rosae-caninae).The microfungi on Clematis is distributed in several classes of Ascomycota.The analyses are based on morphological examination of specimens,coupled with phylogenetic sequence data.To the best of our knowledge,the consolidated species concept approach is recommended in validating species.
基金supported by the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences,Grant No.XDB31000000Naritsada Thongklang would like to thank Thailand research fund grants“Study of saprobic Agaricales in Thailand to find new industrial mushroom products”(Grant No.DBG6180015)+10 种基金Mae Fah Luang University grant“Optimal conditions for domestication and biological activities of selected species of Ganoderrma”(Grant No.621C1535)K.D.Hyde and Naritsada Thongklang would like to thanks to Thailand research fund grants“Domestication and bioactive evaluation of Thai Hymenopellis,Oudemansiella,Xerula and Volvariella species(basidiomycetes)”(Grant No.DBG6180033)K.D.Hyde thanks the financial support from the Visiting Professor grant at Chiang Mai University,Thailand and KIB.The authors acknowledge the contribution of M.M.Vasanthakumari,K.M.Manasa and P.Rajani,in various stages of preparation of the manuscript.Samantha C.Karunarathna thanks CAS President’s International Fellowship Initiative(PIFI)for funding his postdoctoral research(Number 2018PC0006)the National Science Foundation.Associate Professor R Jeewon thanks University of Mauritius for support.Binu C.Samarakoon offers her sincere gratitude to the“National Research Council of Thailand”(NRCT Grant No.256108A3070006)for the financial supportPeter E Mortimer would like to thank the National Science Foundation of China and the Chinese Academy of Sciences for financial support under the following Grants:41761144055,41771063,Y4ZK111B01M.Doilom would like to thank Chiang Mai University,the 5th batch of Postdoctoral Orientation Training Personnel in Yunnan Province and the 64th batch of China Postdoctoral Science Foundation.T.S.Suryanarayanan thanks the United States-India Educational Foundation(USIEF)New Delhi and the Fulbright Scholar Program(USA)for the award of a Fulbright-Nehru Senior Researcher grant to conduct research in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry,The Ohio State University,USA.Thanks to Research and Researchers for Industries Grant(PHD57I0015)for financial support to Boontiya Chuankid.Birthe Sandargo is grateful to the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft(DFG)for a PhD grant.Clara Chepkirui is indebted to a PhD stipend from the German Academic Exchange Service(DAAD)and the Kenya National Council for Science and Technology(NACOSTI)Kevin D Hyde would also like to thank the National Research Council of Thailand grants Thailands’Fungal Diversity,Solving Problems and Creating Biotechnological Products(Grant No.61201321016)This work is partly supported by the Department of Biotechnology,Government of India,New Delhi(Chemical Ecology of the North East Region(NER)of India:A collaborative programme Linking NER and Bangalore ResearchersDBT-NER/Agri/24/2013)and Indian Council of Agricultural Research(ICAR-CAAST-Project F.No./NAHEP/CAAST/2018-19)Government of India,New Delhi.
文摘Fungi are an understudied,biotechnologically valuable group of organisms.Due to the immense range of habitats that fungi inhabit,and the consequent need to compete against a diverse array of other fungi,bacteria,and animals,fungi have developed numerous survival mechanisms.The unique attributes of fungi thus herald great promise for their application in biotechnology and industry.Moreover,fungi can be grown with relative ease,making production at scale viable.The search for fungal biodiversity,and the construction of a living fungi collection,both have incredible economic potential in locating organisms with novel industrial uses that will lead to novel products.This manuscript reviews fifty ways in which fungi can potentially be utilized as biotechnology.We provide notes and examples for each potential exploitation and give examples from our own work and the work of other notable researchers.We also provide a flow chart that can be used to convince funding bodies of the importance of fungi for biotechnological research and as potential products.Fungi have provided the world with penicillin,lovastatin,and other globally significant medicines,and they remain an untapped resource with enormous industrial potential.
基金Research in the Förster lab gets supported by the German Center for Infection Research TTU 01.938(grant no 80018019238)German Center for Lung Research(grant 82DZL002B1)+1 种基金Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft(DFG,German Research Foundation)Excellence Strategy EXC 2155“RESIST”(Project ID39087428)SFB 900/3(Project B1,158989968)and FO334/7-1(all to RF).
文摘Sokal et al.reported recently in Immunity that the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant evades recognition by 70%of anti-spike protein antibodies generated by memory B cells(MBCs)from mRNA vaccine-immunized individuals that were either or not also infected with SARS-CoV-2.Nevertheless,samples from all analyzed persons contained MBCs with neutralizing antibodies against Omicron Spike receptor-binding domain(RBD),which provide protection against this SARS-CoV-2 variant to some degree.