Jul 2026· Journal of Fungi· Vol 12, pp. 551· 0 citations· 64 references
Medicine
TL;DR
In this study, a wild strain Z68, isolated from Tibet, was identified as Flammulina yunnanensis based on ITS sequence and phylogenetic analysis, providing insight for biological characterization, domestication, and the molecular basis of iron enrichment in a F. yunnanensis Z68.
Abstract
In this paper, we reported a wild strain Z68, isolated from Tibet, was identified as Flammulina yunnanensis based on ITS sequence and phylogenetic analysis. Optimal condition for its mycelial growth (maltose, yeast extract, magnesium sulfate, 20 °C and pH 7.0–8.0) and fruiting ability was confirmed. Its fruiting bodies contained 25.1 g/100 g protein and 19.80 g/100 g of 16 amino acids, with iron, potassium and zinc, contents significantly higher than these in the controls F. fennae and F. velutipes. Significantly, whole-genome sequencing and comparative analysis of iron-metabolism gene families were performed between F. yunnanensis, F. fennae and F. velutipes to elucidate the basis of its notably elevated iron content, revealing most single copied and conserved iron-related gene families and two-fold expanded iron permease FTR1 in F. yunnanensi, which is the iron–sulfur cluster assembly protein family. Sequence, topology (DeepTMHMM), and structural-confidence (ColabFold/AlphaFold2) analyses of FTR1 identified six species-specified physicochemical substitutions, of which a charge reverse at the intracellular channel (Glu→Lys) and a polar-to-nonpolar change in the TM3 pore (Ser→Ala) were predicted to enhance iron transport efficiency. These suggested a possible two-tier mechanism underlying the elevated iron content of F. yunnanensis, combining gene-family expansion and predicted functional fine-tuning of the FTR1 permease. This study provided insight for biological characterization, domestication, and the molecular basis of iron enrichment in a F. yunnanensis Z68.
60 candidate key genes associated with high xylose-to-ethanol yield in S. stipitis are identified, predominantly involved in the cell cycle pathway, including CDC15 and PHO81.
Hao Zou, Yuan-Jie Zhou, Sui-Yin Lin et al.· Life· 0 citations
White clover is a high-quality forage and turfgrass. In 2023, a severe anthracnose was observed on white clover in Urumqi and Altay, Xinjiang, China. The pathogen was identified as Colletotrichum destructivum based on morphology and phylogeny. Biological characteristic assays revealed that the optimum temperature for mycelial growth was 25 °C, with an optimal pH range of 7.0 – 10.0. The most favorable media for growth were PDA, PSA and CA. Soluble starch and inulin served as the optimal carbon sources, while peptone was the most effective nitrogen source. Mycelial growth occurred under three tested light conditions (24 hours of light, 24 hours of darkness, and 12 hours of light/darkness), and the lethal temperature for mycelia was 54 °C for 10 minutes. The optimal conditions for sporulation were 20 °C, pH 6.0, under continuous darkness (24 h), with PDA as the medium, lactose as the carbon source, and peptone as the nitrogen source. In vitro toxicity tests of ten fungicides against C. destructivum demonstrated that 20% Imazalil was the most effective with EC50 = 0.1347 mg/L and followed by 430 g/L Tebuconazole with EC50 = 0.2239 mg/L. This study identifies the pathogen and biological features of white clover anthracnose in Xinjiang and identifies highly effective fungicides for its management, providing a theoretical basis for field control strategies.
YU Li, X. Zhang, Lei Shan et al.· Frontiers in Plant Science· 0 citations
Phytoene, a colorless precursor of carotenoids, has attracted increasing attention because of its favorable bioavailability, antioxidant activity, and potential applications in functional foods, nutraceuticals, and animal nutrition. However, its industrial utilization remains limited by low natural abundance and the dependence of current production strategies on genetic engineering or metabolic pathway manipulation. In this study, we identified and characterized a naturally occurring Brevundimonas vesicularis strain (Bv-xms2024) exhibiting pronounced phytoene accumulation without genetic modification. The strain was comprehensively characterized using morphological, biochemical, molecular, genomic, metabolomic, and transcriptional analyses. Quantitative LC–MS/MS analysis demonstrated that Bv-xms2024 accumulated phytoene to 420.42 ± 98.11 μg/g dry biomass after 96 h of cultivation, substantially exceeding the levels of downstream carotenoids, including β-carotene and astaxanthin. Optimization of cultivation parameters identified 25 °C, pH 7.0, and 96 h as the optimal conditions for phytoene accumulation, while serial passaging confirmed stable production over 20 generations. Genome annotation identified the carotenoid biosynthetic gene repertoire, while RT-qPCR analysis revealed a temporal shift from early upregulation of crtE and crtB to later upregulation of downstream pathway genes, consistent with the observed phytoene-dominant carotenoid profile. Short-term tolerance evaluations in mice and chickens revealed no observable adverse effects under the tested conditions. Collectively, these findings identify Bv-xms2024 as a promising natural microbial resource for phytoene production and provide a basis for further process development and strain-level safety evaluation.
Zhenyi Liu, Ying Liu, Yan Zhi et al.· Foods· 0 citations
Bacillus velezensis TRQ67 is highlighted as a promising microbial inoculant with plant growth promotion capabilities and potential antifungal activity against phytopathogenic fungi, as evidenced by strong in vitro antagonistic activity, supporting its further evaluation for sustainable agricultural practices.
Kevin Montañez-Acosta, A. C. Montoya-Martínez, Ixchel Campos-Avelar et al.· Microorganisms· 0 citations
Pholiota
is one of the important genera of edible mushrooms. Among its various species,
Pholiota adiposa
and
P. microspora
are the most important commercial edible mushrooms in Asian countries. However, there are no reports of
Pholiota
cultivation in India. Therefore, we identified three different species, viz.,
P. microspora
(DMRO‐53 and DMRO‐407),
P. adiposa
(DMRX‐643), and
P. multicingulata
(DMRX‐927, DMRX‐947, and DMRX‐957) using an internal transcribed spacer (ITS)‐based molecular identification approach. In vitro analysis of these strains indicated that 25 °C was found to be the optimal temperature for mycelial growth. Genetic diversity analysis using ITS and sequence‐related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) markers categorized these species into three distinct groups. Cultivation and yield evaluation of these wild strains on sterilized wheat straw substrate resulted in fruiting in only one species, i.e.,
P. adiposa
(DMRX‐643). The spawn run was completed in 21.5 days, and the first harvest was recorded at 45.7 days with 27.5% biological efficiency. Taxonomic characterization further confirmed the identity of this strain as
P. adiposa
. The fruiting bodies of
P. adiposa
exhibited a nutrient‐dense profile characterized by high mineral content (8.23 g ash/100 g dry weight), moderate protein (10.07/100 g), and low fat (1.50/100 g). This mushroom also showed notable antioxidant properties (DPPH radical scavenging activity; 48.34%), phenolics (30.31 mg GAE/100 g), and trace amounts of β‐carotene and lycopene. This is the first report of
P. adiposa
domestication from India, which holds potential value for specialty mushroom growers as well as for enhancing mushroom diversity in the country.
Jyoti Sharma, M. Nath, D. Gupta et al.· New Zealand journal of crop...· 0 citations
Crop straw is an abundant lignocellulosic resource, but its efficient bioconversion is hindered by the recalcitrant structure of plant cell walls. This study integrated degradation phenotyping, enzyme activity assays, whole-genome analysis, and comparative transcriptomics to link the wheat-straw degradation performance of strain XH2 with its enzymatic and molecular responses. Strain XH2 was isolated from fully decomposed compost collected in Anhui Province, China, selected based on the formation of a distinct hydrolysis halo on CMC-Congo red agar, and deposited in the China Center for Type Culture Collection (CCTCC) under accession number CCTCC M 2025519. Morphological, cultural, phylogenetic, and genomic analyses identified strain XH2 as Streptomyces thermocarboxydus. Its degradation capacity was evaluated during 28 days of cultivation by measuring straw degradation, lignocellulosic components, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and extracellular enzyme activities. S. thermocarboxydus XH2 caused marked disruption of the wheat-straw surface and achieved a degradation rate of 31.45%. Cellulose and hemicellulose contents decreased from 41.10% to 28.87% and from 30.72% to 16.85%, respectively, whereas lignin decreased from 8.28% to 6.30%. Endoglucanase activity, filter paper activity (FPase, an indicator of total cellulase activity), and xylanase activity peaked on day 7, reaching 35.99, 17.68, and 37.01 U/mL, respectively. Genome analysis revealed multiple genes encoding cellulases and hemicellulases. Comparative transcriptomic analysis after 72 h of cultivation in wheat-straw medium identified 1614 differentially expressed genes relative to Gause No. 1 medium, with major enrichment in ABC transporters and fructose and mannose metabolism. Most genes associated with polysaccharide degradation were upregulated. These findings link the degradation phenotype of S. thermocarboxydus XH2 to its enzymatic and molecular responses and support its further evaluation as a candidate for wheat-straw bioconversion under greenhouse and field conditions.
Tingyao Lv, Yushuo Zhang, Chao Wang et al.· Microorganisms· 0 citations