Phosphate(Pi)is an essential nutrient for plant growth and development,playing a critical role in key biological processes such as energy metabolism,nucleic acid synthesis,and cellular signaling(Wang et al.,2021;Zhang...Phosphate(Pi)is an essential nutrient for plant growth and development,playing a critical role in key biological processes such as energy metabolism,nucleic acid synthesis,and cellular signaling(Wang et al.,2021;Zhang et al.,2023;Yang et al.,2024).Due to the limited availability and poor accessibility of Pi in soil,plants have evolved complex signaling networks to sense and respond to Pi availability,ensuring the maintenance of normal physiological functions under low-Pi conditions(Wild et al.,2016;Wang et al.,2025).Within this signaling network,inositol pyrophosphates(PP-InsPs),products under Pi repletion,serve as critical signaling molecules in plant cells.When intracellular Pi is sufficient,PP-InsPs bind to SPX-domain proteins,inhibiting the activity of Pi starvation-response transcription factors(PHRs)and thereby suppressing the expression of Pi starvation-related genes.Conversely,PP-InsP levels decrease under Pi-deficient conditions,preventing SPX proteins from inhibiting PHRs(Wild et al.,2016).This results in the activation of PHRs and the initiation of Pi starvation responses,promoting Pi uptake and recycling.This mechanism helps plants to maintain Pi homeostasis in low-Pi environments.展开更多
Background Fungal infections in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD)patients are poorly understood and often result in a poor prognosis.This study aimed to investigate the distribution o...Background Fungal infections in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD)patients are poorly understood and often result in a poor prognosis.This study aimed to investigate the distribution of common fungi and the clinical features of AECOPD patients positive for fungal pathogens.Methods Data were collected from inpatients with AECOPD at the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from January 2016 to December 2019.The enrolled patients were divided into an infection group and a colonization group,and clinical data were compared between the two groups.A 1:1 propensity score matching(PSM)process was employed to ensure balanced samples to analyze the impact of positive fungal pathogens on the clinical features of AECOPD patients.The incidence of acute exacerbations one year after discharge was determined via telephone follow-up.Results The most frequently isolated fungal pathogen was Candida albicans(164/395,41.5%),followed by Aspergillus(93/395,23.5%).After propensity score matching,68 patients were equally divided into the infection and colonization groups.There was no significant difference in clinical manifestations between the infection and colonization groups(P>0.05).Patients in the infection group had significantly higher procalcitonin(PCT)values(0.2[0.1,0.7]ng/ml vs.0.1[0,0.1]ng/ml;P=0.003)and lower albumin/globulin ratios(1.1[0.6,1.3]vs.1.1[1.0,1.3],P=0.047)than those in the colonization group.The antibiotic treatment(12.5[11.0,19.0]days vs.10.0[8.0,14.0]days;P=0.002)and hospitalisation duration(18.0[14.7,22.5]days vs.11.0[8.0,16.0]days;P<0.001)in the infection group was significantly longer than that in the colonization group.In addition,more patients in the colonization group received non-invasive mechanical ventilation(76.5%[26/34]vs.47.1%[16/34];P=0.013).Compared with the colonization group,more patients in the infection group underwent bronchoscopy(29.4%[10/34]vs.2.9%[1/34];P=0.003).Using multivariable analysis,we found that bronchoscopy(OR:1.350,95%CI:1.020-1.771,P=0.034)and duration of antibiotics used(OR:1.318,95%CI:1.090-1.560,P=0.004)were risk factors for pulmonary fungal infection in AECOPD patients.Conclusion Candida albicans and Aspergillus are the common fungi isolated from patients with AECOPD.The clinical manifestations of AECOPD patients with fungal infection are nonspecific.AECOPD patients with positive fungal isolation who have undergone bronchoscopy and used antibiotics for a longer duration are more likely to have fungal infection.展开更多
Root rot is a prevalent soil-borne fungal disease in citrus.Citron C-05(Citrus medica)stands out as a germplasm within Citrus spp.due to its complete resistance to citrus canker and favorable characteristics such as s...Root rot is a prevalent soil-borne fungal disease in citrus.Citron C-05(Citrus medica)stands out as a germplasm within Citrus spp.due to its complete resistance to citrus canker and favorable characteristics such as single embryo and easy rooting.However,Citron C-05 was found to be highly susceptible to root rot during cultivation,with the specific pathogens previously unknown.In this study,four candidate fungal species were isolated from Citron C-05 roots.Sequence analysis of ITS,EF-1a,RPB1,and RPB2 identified two Fusarium solani strains,Rr-2 and Rr-4,as the candidates causing root rot in Citron C-05.Resistance tests showed these two pathogens increased root damage rate from 10.30%to 35.69%in Citron C-05,sour orange(Citrus aurantium),sweet orange(Citrus sinensis)and pummelo(Citrus grandis).F.solani exhibited the weak pathogenicity towards trifoliate orange(Poncirus trifoliata).DAB staining revealed none of reddish-brown precipitation in the four susceptible citrus germplasm after infection with F.solani,while trifoliate orange exhibited significant H2O2 accumulation.Trypan blue staining indicated increased cell death in the four susceptible citrus germplasm following infection with these two pathogens but not in trifoliate orange.These findings provide a comprehensive understanding of citrus root rot and support future research on the mechanisms of root rot resistance in citrus.展开更多
Climate change profoundly influences sulfur(S)nutrition,which plays a crucial role in plant growth,development,and responses to diseases.Climate-induced stress may impair plant growth,photosynthesis,pollen development...Climate change profoundly influences sulfur(S)nutrition,which plays a crucial role in plant growth,development,and responses to diseases.Climate-induced stress may impair plant growth,photosynthesis,pollen development,and reproduction.For instance,under high temperature stress,plant photosynthetic efficiency is reduced due to the overproduction of reactive oxygen species,denaturation of heat shock proteins,and alterations in various enzyme activities.Unlike drought stress,plants have developed only a few mechanisms to mitigate heat stress.Utilization of S is one of the efficient strategies to enhance plant tolerance against biotic and abiotic stresses.Plant-derived S-containing secondary metabolites play a vital role in plant-pest and plant-disease interactions in various plants.However,little is known about the roles of S and its management strategies in response to disease attack in wheat and barley under climate change.A deeper understanding of S-based strategies could contribute to sustaining plant health and productivity,thereby supporting global wheat and barley yields in the face of increasing climate change challenges.This review therefore focuses on the roles of S and associated management strategies utilized to support plant growth,development,and reproduction and enhance disease resistance and tolerance to abiotic stresses in wheat and barley under climate change.展开更多
NUcleoside Diphosphate-linked to moiety X(NUDIX)hydrolases are ubiquitous enzymes that maintain metabolic homeostasis by hydrolyzing potentially toxic nucleoside diphosphates.In plants and other eukaryotes,inositol py...NUcleoside Diphosphate-linked to moiety X(NUDIX)hydrolases are ubiquitous enzymes that maintain metabolic homeostasis by hydrolyzing potentially toxic nucleoside diphosphates.In plants and other eukaryotes,inositol pyrophosphates(PP-InsPs)act as central signaling molecules,linking cellular phosphate status to gene expression via SPX-domain receptors.A recent study(McCombe et al.,Science 387:955–962,2025)showed that several plant pathogenic fungi secrete NUDIX effector proteins that hydrolyze PP-InsPs and manipulate host phosphate signaling.In the blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae,a cytoplasmic NUDIX effector(MoNUDIX)hydrolyzes PP-InsPs,triggers a phosphate starvation response and suppresses immunity in rice,thereby facilitating disease progression.In contrast,the lentil anthracnose pathogen Colletotrichum lentis secretes CtNUDIX into the apoplast,where it disrupts PP-InsP-dependent endocytic machinery and elicits a hypersensitive cell death response.Collectively,these findings demonstrate how NUDIX effectors exemplify mechanistic diversification within a single effector family:manipulating phosphate signaling promotes biotrophic colonization,whereas disrupting host membrane integrity induces a switch to necrotrophy.展开更多
The effect of biopreparations, homogenized with the seed （seed treatment before sowing as a dressing）, and used as a mixture with mineral fertilizer ANL （ammonium nitrate with limestone）, upon both grain productio...The effect of biopreparations, homogenized with the seed （seed treatment before sowing as a dressing）, and used as a mixture with mineral fertilizer ANL （ammonium nitrate with limestone）, upon both grain production and the health state of the winter wheat were evaluated during 2006-2009. Besides conventional soil cultivation, reduced tillage with incorporated chopped straw, and direct drilling into untilled soil covered with mulch, were also used. The following biopreparations were applied： Supresivit （Trichoderma harzianum）, Polyversum （Pythium oligandrum）, and Trianum P （a different strain ofTrichoderma harzianum）. Attention was focused on the foliar fungi pathogens Drechslera tritici-repentis, Septoria tritici, and Alternaria triticina, as well as on the soil-borne pathogenic fungi of the genus Fusarium.展开更多
Soybean root diseases are associated with numerous fungal and oomycete pathogens;however,the community dynamics and interactions of these pathogens are largely unknown.We performed 13 loop-mediated isothermal amplific...Soybean root diseases are associated with numerous fungal and oomycete pathogens;however,the community dynamics and interactions of these pathogens are largely unknown.We performed 13 loop-mediated isothermal amplification(LAMP)assays that targeted specific soybean root pathogens,and traditional isolation assays.A total of 159 samples were collected from three locations in the Huang-Huai-Hai region of China at three soybean growth stages(30,60,and 90 days after planting)in 2016.In LAMP results,we found that pathogen communities differed slightly among locations,but changed dramatically between soybean growth stages.Phytophthora sojae,Rhizoctonia solani,and Fusarium oxysporum were most frequently detected at the early stage,whereas Phomopsis longicolla,Fusarium equiseti,and Fusarium virguliforme were most common in the later stages.Most samples(86%)contained two to six pathogen species.Interestingly,the less detectable species tended to exist in the samples containing more detected species,and some pathogens preferentially co-occurred in diseased tissue,including P.sojae–R.solani–F.oxysporum and F.virguliforme–Calonectria ilicicola,implying potential interactions during infection.The LAMP detection results were confirmed by traditional isolation methods.The isolated strains exhibited different virulence to soybean,further implying a beneficial interaction among some pathogens.展开更多
I am Na An, from the Shaanxi Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Shaanxi Institute of Ophthalmology,Xi＇an City First Hospital, Xi＇an, Shaanxi Province, China. Fungal keratitis is a severe problem in most developing countries.
The incidence of the airborne fungal spores was determined in the air of subalpine zone of the Karkonosze Mountains and of the Izerskie Mountains in the borderland between Poland and the Czech Republic. The experiment...The incidence of the airborne fungal spores was determined in the air of subalpine zone of the Karkonosze Mountains and of the Izerskie Mountains in the borderland between Poland and the Czech Republic. The experiment was conducted in2011 and 2012 at three to four week intervals from May to October. Air samples were taken from three locations in the Karkonosze Mts. and one from the Izerskie Mts. To examine the air, the Air Ideal 3P sampler and acidified PDA medium were used. The results show that Cladosporium cladosporioides was the most abundant spore type in all the sampling locations(up to 30%), followed by Alternaria alternata(16%–20%), Fusarium(up to 10%) and Sclerotinia sclerotiorium(up to 6%). The lower spore counts were recorded in May samples, compared to the other months. In this case the snow cover, that was still present in the area at the beginning of May,may be the reason for the lower, compared to June,July and August samplings, CFU(Colony Forming Unit) counts in that month.. The influx of air masses from SE, S and SW sectors in the area under study may affect dissemination of the plant-pathogenic fungi from the Czech Republic and from the South of Europe in general.展开更多
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Mill) is a staple fruit vegetable widely grown worldwide for its rich nutrients including vitamins, minerals and proteins. In spite of its importance, yield and fruit quality in Buea, Came...Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Mill) is a staple fruit vegetable widely grown worldwide for its rich nutrients including vitamins, minerals and proteins. In spite of its importance, yield and fruit quality in Buea, Cameroon is quite low compared to other countries. Pests and diseases are responsible for these limitations. Those of high importance are pinworm (Tatu absoluta) and Fusarium wilt respectively. Synthetic chemicals have been used to manage this pest/disease on tomato but this has not been very successful because of high cost and unavailability of these chemicals. Botanicals are known to have anti-microbial properties. 10% Leeks and marigold extracts were applied to tomato plants one week after planting. Five treatments were replicated four times in a randomized complete block. They include a control, a synthetic insecticide, leeks extract, marigold extract, and leeks/marigold extracts. Growth and yield parameters were evaluated and data obtained was analysed by descriptive statistics and ANOVA. Results showed that more tomato plant leaves were recorded in the leeks + marigold treatment (54) which differed significantly (P = 0.05) from the control (45). More fruits were harvested in the leeks + marigold treatment (32) which differed significantly (P = 0.05) from the control (18). Pinworm numbers were significantly higher in control (6) (P = 0.05) than the other treatments. Numerous leaf damage was observed in control (20) which differed significantly (P = 0.05) across treatments. More fruit damage was seen in control (14) and differed significantly (P = 0.05) from the other treatments. The least disease incidence was noted in Leeks + Marigold treatment (27.5%), and the most in control (72.5%) which differed significantly (P = 0.05) across treatments. Fusarium oxysporium and Fusarium semitectum were identified. There was a significant difference in pathogen number in control compared to other treatments. Thus leeks and marigold extract increased yield of tomato by mitigating the effects of leaf miner and fusarium wilt.展开更多
The use of agrochemical products to combat diseases in crops has adverse effects on the environment and human health. Plant growth promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR) has been increasingly proposed as an eco-friendly alte...The use of agrochemical products to combat diseases in crops has adverse effects on the environment and human health. Plant growth promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR) has been increasingly proposed as an eco-friendly alternative in agriculture. PGPRs have beneficial effects not only in promoting plant growth but also have shown their potential as biological control agent, being able to inhibit plant pathogens. Here, we investigated the use of PGPR <em>Paraburkholderia</em> sp. strain SOS3 to provide disease protection in rice (<em>Oryza sativa</em> L.). The antagonistic activity of SOS3 against five fungal pathogens of rice was assessed by dual culture on plates and on rice seedlings. The results showed that on plate assay, SOS3 inhibits the growth of <em>Curvularia lunata</em>, <em>Rhizoctonia solani</em>, <em>Pyricularia oryzae</em>, <em>Helminthosporium oryzae</em>, and <em>Fusarium moniliforme</em> by 17.2%, 1.1%, 8.3%, 32.5%, and 35.4%, respectively. When inoculated on rice seeds, SOS3 promotes seed germination and significantly reduces disease symptoms in plants infected with <em>R. solani</em>. These results suggest that SOS3 has a great potential to be used in rice agriculture to combat the “Sheath Blight” disease.展开更多
The study aimed to determine, by using a statistical model, the effect of weather conditions on the incidence of Lophodermium yellow needle blight causing by new species for science- Lophodermium corconticum, in the m...The study aimed to determine, by using a statistical model, the effect of weather conditions on the incidence of Lophodermium yellow needle blight causing by new species for science- Lophodermium corconticum, in the mountain dwarf pine growing in the subalpine Karkonosze Mountains and the Izerskie Mountains(Poland). Needles showed symptoms of yellow spots, gradual discolouration and premature fall in July. The assessment of healthiness of infected mountain dwarf pine needles spanned three years(2011- 2013) and was conducted in several test sites in the Karkonosze and Izerskie Mountains. The results were analyzed by taking into account the meteorological conditions. Field observations seem to indicate that the highest infestation of mountain dwarf pine occurs in June and July, while September and October see a significantly lower disease index in the Karkonosze Mountains. The lower indices of the infestation of mountain dwarf pine are characteristic for the vegetation in the Hala Izerska high mountain pasture; whereas the environmental conditions prevailing in the Kocio? Ma?ego Stawu cirque and above the Samotnia hostel are conducive to the development of Lophodermium yellow needle blight.展开更多
Onion (Allium cepa L.) is the second most important vegetable crop in Burkina Faso and provides an important source of income for those involved in the sector. However, producers are facing significant pre-harvest and...Onion (Allium cepa L.) is the second most important vegetable crop in Burkina Faso and provides an important source of income for those involved in the sector. However, producers are facing significant pre-harvest and post-harvest losses. To date, knowledge of major diseases of the crop is limited, limiting the development of effective control strategies. The objective of this study was to test the pathogenicity of some species of Fusarium. To this end, 33 fungal isolates collected from onion plants in 17 localities and belonging to five Fusarium species were used to inoculate onion seeds and bulbs to determine the pathogenic species responsible for damping-off on seedlings and basal bulb rot in Burkina Faso. The virulence of pathogenic isolates was determined according to the percentages of seedling damping-off evaluated 28 Days After Sowing, and the extent of rot in millimetres on inoculated bulbs. The evaluation of isolates on seedlings revealed that the most pathogenic isolates belong to the species F. proliferatum (I29, I21, I37, I33, I31), F. thapsinum (I35) and F. solani (I38) which resulted in 58.33% - 70.83% of seedling damping-off. The most pathogenic isolates on bulbs belong to the species F. proliferatum (I4, I29, I32) and F. oxysporum (I52, I50, I16) which caused 21.67 to 25 mm of rot on bulbs. Isolate I29 was very virulent on both seedlings and bulbs. The isolates of F. fujikuroi species were all low pathogenic on seedlings but one of them, (I27), expressed average pathogenicity on bulbs.展开更多
Botrytis cinerea and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum,two closely related necrotrophic fungal pathogens,secrete large amounts of oxalic acid(OA)into the plant apoplast to suppress host immunity,though the underlying mechanism...Botrytis cinerea and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum,two closely related necrotrophic fungal pathogens,secrete large amounts of oxalic acid(OA)into the plant apoplast to suppress host immunity,though the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.Here,we demonstrate that OA-induced virulence in Arabidopsis thaliana depends on CERK1,a coreceptor critical for fungal chitin-triggered immunity.Mass spectrometry analysis identified a site-specific deamidation at three asparagine residues(Asn70,Asn205,and Asn216)in CERK1’s extracellular domain.Among these,only the deamidation-deficient N70A mutation impaired chitin-induced MPK4 activation,a process proven essential for plant resistance against both pathogens.OA treatment phenocopied the N70A mutation by suppressing chitin-elicited MPK4 activation.Consistently,acidic conditions mimicking the OA-acidified infection niche directly inhibited Asn70 deamidation.Notably,the N70A mutation of CERK1 triggered EDS1-dependent autoimmunity associated with senescence,which was mutually suppressed by the previously reported autoimmunity induced by the cerk1-4(L124F)mutation.Our findings reveal that fungal OA dampens chitin-triggered immunity by exploiting pH-dependent inhibition of CERK1 Asn70 deamidation,establishing a mechanistic link between pathogen-derived acidity,post-translational modification of host immune receptors,and suppression of host immunity.Our data also suggest that the functional integrity of CERK1 is monitored by an endogenous immune surveillance system.展开更多
Fungal pathogens produce secretory ribonuclease(RNase)T2 proteins during infection,which contribute to fungal virulence via their enzyme functions in degradation of host cell RNA.However,the details of those proteins ...Fungal pathogens produce secretory ribonuclease(RNase)T2 proteins during infection,which contribute to fungal virulence via their enzyme functions in degradation of host cell RNA.However,the details of those proteins entering the host cells are unclear.Our previous study demonstrated that the two secretory RNase T2 members,BbRNT2 and BbTrv,produced by the insect fungal pathogen Beauveria bassiana,caused cytotoxic damage to insect cells and contributed to fungal virulence.Here,the Spodoptera frugiperda ovarian epithelial cells(sf9 cells)were used as models to investigate the interactions of the two fungus-produced RNase T2 proteins with the insect cells.Two transmembrane proteins,an ABC transporter(SfABCG)and an Innexin 7-like protein(Sfinx),were identified from the sf9 cells as interacting with BbRNT2 and BbTrv,respectively,through protein immunoprecipitation,yeast-two hybrid tests and protein pull-down assays.Although a slight decrease in the sf9 cell viability was examined by transfection of RNA interference of SfABCG or Sfinx,the transfected cells displayed a dramatically decreased sensitivity to BbRNT2 or BbTrv,suggesting the requirement of the two transmembrane proteins for BbRNT2 and BbTrv to enter the insect cells.These results reveal a mechanism of the cytotoxic molecules,T2 RNases,produced by the fungal pathogen,entering the insect cells via interaction with specific insect cell transmembrane proteins and causing cytotoxic damage.展开更多
Fungal pathogens represent a major group of plant invaders that are the causative agents of many notorious plant diseases. Large quantities of RNAs, especially small RNAs involved in gene silencing, have been found to...Fungal pathogens represent a major group of plant invaders that are the causative agents of many notorious plant diseases. Large quantities of RNAs, especially small RNAs involved in gene silencing, have been found to transmit bidirectionally between fungal pathogens and their hosts. Although host-induced gene silencing （HIGS） technology has been developed and applied to protect crops from fungal infections, the mechanisms of RNA transmission, especially small RNAs regulating trans- kingdom RNA silencing in plant immunity, are largely unknown. In this review, we summarize and discuss recent important findings regarding trans-kingdom sRNAs and RNA silencing in plant-fungal pathogen interactions compared with the well-known RNAi mechanisms in plants and fungi. We focus on the interactions between plant and fungal pathogens with broad hosts, represented by the vascular pathogen Verticillium dahliae and non-vascular pathogen Botrytis cinerea, and discuss the known instances of natural RNAi transmission between fungal pathogens and host plants. Given that HIGS has been developed and recently applied in controlling Verticillium wilt diseases, we propose an ideal research system exploiting plant vasculature-Verticillium interaction to further study trans-kingdom RNA silencing.展开更多
Esca disease,which attacks the wood of grapevine,has become increasingly devastating during the past three decades and represents today a major concern in all wine-producing countries.This disease is attributed to a g...Esca disease,which attacks the wood of grapevine,has become increasingly devastating during the past three decades and represents today a major concern in all wine-producing countries.This disease is attributed to a group of systematically diverse fungi that are considered to be latent pathogens,however,this has not been conclusively established.This study presents the first in-depth comparison between the mycota of healthy and diseased plants taken from the same vineyard to determine which fungi become invasive when foliar symptoms of esca appear.An unprecedented high fungal diversity,158 species,is here reported exclusively from grapevine wood in a single Swiss vineyard plot.An identical mycota inhabits wood of healthy and diseased adult plants and presumed esca pathogens were widespread and occurred in similar frequencies in both plant types.Pioneer esca-associated fungi are not transmitted from adult to nursery plants through the grafting process.Consequently the presumed esca-associated fungal pathogens are most likely saprobes decaying already senescent or dead wood resulting from intensive pruning,frost or other mecanical injuries as grafting.The cause of esca disease therefore remains elusive and requires well executive scientific study.These results question the assumed pathogenicity of fungi in other diseases of plants or animals where identical mycota are retrieved from both diseased and healthy individuals.展开更多
Fungal pathogens present a major common threat across human communities:they cause disease and death in humans,animals,and global food crops.The development of anti-fungal therapies is hampered primarily by the lack o...Fungal pathogens present a major common threat across human communities:they cause disease and death in humans,animals,and global food crops.The development of anti-fungal therapies is hampered primarily by the lack of knowledge about the molecular mechanisms of fungal pathogenicity at the host-pathogen axis.Many studies have shown that nutrition-associated processes such as autophagy and metal homeostasis play essential roles in fungal virulence during systemic infection.During infection,the host immune system often employs nutrition restriction mechanisms to limit microbial proliferation and facilitate the killing and elimination of invading pathogens.Therefore,fast sensing and adaptation to the levels of environmental nutrients are critical if the fungal pathogen is to survive,replicate,and colonize in the host.Fungal cells have evolved numerous precise mechanisms to respond to various levels of nutrient availability.Studies show that fungal cells manipulate the expression of genes involved in nutrient acquisition,autophagosome formation,toxic nutrient detoxification,or cell morphological transition to counter the anti-fungal strategies of the host.This review of the most recent studies of nutrition-related pathways focuses primarily on autophagy,metal homeostasis,and the nutrition-driven morphological switches found in two major human fungal pathogens,Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans.It is a systematic comparison of the functional divergence of nutrition-related genes in the fungal pathogenicity of these evolutionarily distinct but related fungal species.展开更多
Secretory phospholipase A2s(sPLA2s)are found in a wide range of organisms from bacteria to higher plants and animals and are involved in varied and cellular pro-cesses.However,roles of these enzymes in microbial patho...Secretory phospholipase A2s(sPLA2s)are found in a wide range of organisms from bacteria to higher plants and animals and are involved in varied and cellular pro-cesses.However,roles of these enzymes in microbial pathogens remain unclear.Here,an sPLA2(BbPLA2)was characterized in the filamentous insect pathogenic fungus,Beau-veria bassiana.BbPLA2was exclusively expressed in insect hemolymph-derived cells(hyphal bodies),and its expression was induced by insect-derived nutrients and lipids,and nutrient starvation.High levels of secretion of BbPLA2 were observed as well as its distri-bution in hyphal body lipid drops(LDs).Overexpression of BbPLA2 increased the ability of B.bassiana to utilize insect-derived nutrients and lipids,and promoted LD accumula-tion,indicating functions for BbPLA2 in mediating LD homeostasis and assimilation of insect-derived lipids.Strains overexpressing BbPLA2 showed moderately increased vir-ulence,including more efficient penetration of the insect cuticle and evasion of host im-mune responses as compared to the wild type strain.In addition,B.bassiana-activated host immune genes were downregulated in the BbPLA2 overexpression strain,but upregulated by infections with a△BbPLA2 strain.These data demonstrate that BbPLA2 contributes to LD homeostasis,assimilation of insect-derived lipids,and repression of host immune responses.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.32300274,32070279)the Project of Priority and Key Areas,Institute of Soil Science,Chinese Academy of Sciences(ISSASIP2222,ISSASIP2206)the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province(Grant No.BK20221560).
文摘Phosphate(Pi)is an essential nutrient for plant growth and development,playing a critical role in key biological processes such as energy metabolism,nucleic acid synthesis,and cellular signaling(Wang et al.,2021;Zhang et al.,2023;Yang et al.,2024).Due to the limited availability and poor accessibility of Pi in soil,plants have evolved complex signaling networks to sense and respond to Pi availability,ensuring the maintenance of normal physiological functions under low-Pi conditions(Wild et al.,2016;Wang et al.,2025).Within this signaling network,inositol pyrophosphates(PP-InsPs),products under Pi repletion,serve as critical signaling molecules in plant cells.When intracellular Pi is sufficient,PP-InsPs bind to SPX-domain proteins,inhibiting the activity of Pi starvation-response transcription factors(PHRs)and thereby suppressing the expression of Pi starvation-related genes.Conversely,PP-InsP levels decrease under Pi-deficient conditions,preventing SPX proteins from inhibiting PHRs(Wild et al.,2016).This results in the activation of PHRs and the initiation of Pi starvation responses,promoting Pi uptake and recycling.This mechanism helps plants to maintain Pi homeostasis in low-Pi environments.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.82070049).
文摘Background Fungal infections in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD)patients are poorly understood and often result in a poor prognosis.This study aimed to investigate the distribution of common fungi and the clinical features of AECOPD patients positive for fungal pathogens.Methods Data were collected from inpatients with AECOPD at the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from January 2016 to December 2019.The enrolled patients were divided into an infection group and a colonization group,and clinical data were compared between the two groups.A 1:1 propensity score matching(PSM)process was employed to ensure balanced samples to analyze the impact of positive fungal pathogens on the clinical features of AECOPD patients.The incidence of acute exacerbations one year after discharge was determined via telephone follow-up.Results The most frequently isolated fungal pathogen was Candida albicans(164/395,41.5%),followed by Aspergillus(93/395,23.5%).After propensity score matching,68 patients were equally divided into the infection and colonization groups.There was no significant difference in clinical manifestations between the infection and colonization groups(P>0.05).Patients in the infection group had significantly higher procalcitonin(PCT)values(0.2[0.1,0.7]ng/ml vs.0.1[0,0.1]ng/ml;P=0.003)and lower albumin/globulin ratios(1.1[0.6,1.3]vs.1.1[1.0,1.3],P=0.047)than those in the colonization group.The antibiotic treatment(12.5[11.0,19.0]days vs.10.0[8.0,14.0]days;P=0.002)and hospitalisation duration(18.0[14.7,22.5]days vs.11.0[8.0,16.0]days;P<0.001)in the infection group was significantly longer than that in the colonization group.In addition,more patients in the colonization group received non-invasive mechanical ventilation(76.5%[26/34]vs.47.1%[16/34];P=0.013).Compared with the colonization group,more patients in the infection group underwent bronchoscopy(29.4%[10/34]vs.2.9%[1/34];P=0.003).Using multivariable analysis,we found that bronchoscopy(OR:1.350,95%CI:1.020-1.771,P=0.034)and duration of antibiotics used(OR:1.318,95%CI:1.090-1.560,P=0.004)were risk factors for pulmonary fungal infection in AECOPD patients.Conclusion Candida albicans and Aspergillus are the common fungi isolated from patients with AECOPD.The clinical manifestations of AECOPD patients with fungal infection are nonspecific.AECOPD patients with positive fungal isolation who have undergone bronchoscopy and used antibiotics for a longer duration are more likely to have fungal infection.
基金supported by Joint Funds of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.U21A20228).
文摘Root rot is a prevalent soil-borne fungal disease in citrus.Citron C-05(Citrus medica)stands out as a germplasm within Citrus spp.due to its complete resistance to citrus canker and favorable characteristics such as single embryo and easy rooting.However,Citron C-05 was found to be highly susceptible to root rot during cultivation,with the specific pathogens previously unknown.In this study,four candidate fungal species were isolated from Citron C-05 roots.Sequence analysis of ITS,EF-1a,RPB1,and RPB2 identified two Fusarium solani strains,Rr-2 and Rr-4,as the candidates causing root rot in Citron C-05.Resistance tests showed these two pathogens increased root damage rate from 10.30%to 35.69%in Citron C-05,sour orange(Citrus aurantium),sweet orange(Citrus sinensis)and pummelo(Citrus grandis).F.solani exhibited the weak pathogenicity towards trifoliate orange(Poncirus trifoliata).DAB staining revealed none of reddish-brown precipitation in the four susceptible citrus germplasm after infection with F.solani,while trifoliate orange exhibited significant H2O2 accumulation.Trypan blue staining indicated increased cell death in the four susceptible citrus germplasm following infection with these two pathogens but not in trifoliate orange.These findings provide a comprehensive understanding of citrus root rot and support future research on the mechanisms of root rot resistance in citrus.
基金supported by the Kadyrov Chechen State University Development Program,Russia。
文摘Climate change profoundly influences sulfur(S)nutrition,which plays a crucial role in plant growth,development,and responses to diseases.Climate-induced stress may impair plant growth,photosynthesis,pollen development,and reproduction.For instance,under high temperature stress,plant photosynthetic efficiency is reduced due to the overproduction of reactive oxygen species,denaturation of heat shock proteins,and alterations in various enzyme activities.Unlike drought stress,plants have developed only a few mechanisms to mitigate heat stress.Utilization of S is one of the efficient strategies to enhance plant tolerance against biotic and abiotic stresses.Plant-derived S-containing secondary metabolites play a vital role in plant-pest and plant-disease interactions in various plants.However,little is known about the roles of S and its management strategies in response to disease attack in wheat and barley under climate change.A deeper understanding of S-based strategies could contribute to sustaining plant health and productivity,thereby supporting global wheat and barley yields in the face of increasing climate change challenges.This review therefore focuses on the roles of S and associated management strategies utilized to support plant growth,development,and reproduction and enhance disease resistance and tolerance to abiotic stresses in wheat and barley under climate change.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.32172363)the Chinese Universities Scientific Fund(Grant No.10092004).
文摘NUcleoside Diphosphate-linked to moiety X(NUDIX)hydrolases are ubiquitous enzymes that maintain metabolic homeostasis by hydrolyzing potentially toxic nucleoside diphosphates.In plants and other eukaryotes,inositol pyrophosphates(PP-InsPs)act as central signaling molecules,linking cellular phosphate status to gene expression via SPX-domain receptors.A recent study(McCombe et al.,Science 387:955–962,2025)showed that several plant pathogenic fungi secrete NUDIX effector proteins that hydrolyze PP-InsPs and manipulate host phosphate signaling.In the blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae,a cytoplasmic NUDIX effector(MoNUDIX)hydrolyzes PP-InsPs,triggers a phosphate starvation response and suppresses immunity in rice,thereby facilitating disease progression.In contrast,the lentil anthracnose pathogen Colletotrichum lentis secretes CtNUDIX into the apoplast,where it disrupts PP-InsP-dependent endocytic machinery and elicits a hypersensitive cell death response.Collectively,these findings demonstrate how NUDIX effectors exemplify mechanistic diversification within a single effector family:manipulating phosphate signaling promotes biotrophic colonization,whereas disrupting host membrane integrity induces a switch to necrotrophy.
文摘The effect of biopreparations, homogenized with the seed （seed treatment before sowing as a dressing）, and used as a mixture with mineral fertilizer ANL （ammonium nitrate with limestone）, upon both grain production and the health state of the winter wheat were evaluated during 2006-2009. Besides conventional soil cultivation, reduced tillage with incorporated chopped straw, and direct drilling into untilled soil covered with mulch, were also used. The following biopreparations were applied： Supresivit （Trichoderma harzianum）, Polyversum （Pythium oligandrum）, and Trianum P （a different strain ofTrichoderma harzianum）. Attention was focused on the foliar fungi pathogens Drechslera tritici-repentis, Septoria tritici, and Alternaria triticina, as well as on the soil-borne pathogenic fungi of the genus Fusarium.
基金supported by the grants to Prof.Zheng Xiaobo and Prof.Wang Yuanchao from the National Key R&D Program of China(2018YFD0201000)the earmarked fund for China Agriculture Research System(CARS-004-PS14)+1 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31721004)by the grant to Associate Prof.Ye Wenwu from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31772140)。
文摘Soybean root diseases are associated with numerous fungal and oomycete pathogens;however,the community dynamics and interactions of these pathogens are largely unknown.We performed 13 loop-mediated isothermal amplification(LAMP)assays that targeted specific soybean root pathogens,and traditional isolation assays.A total of 159 samples were collected from three locations in the Huang-Huai-Hai region of China at three soybean growth stages(30,60,and 90 days after planting)in 2016.In LAMP results,we found that pathogen communities differed slightly among locations,but changed dramatically between soybean growth stages.Phytophthora sojae,Rhizoctonia solani,and Fusarium oxysporum were most frequently detected at the early stage,whereas Phomopsis longicolla,Fusarium equiseti,and Fusarium virguliforme were most common in the later stages.Most samples(86%)contained two to six pathogen species.Interestingly,the less detectable species tended to exist in the samples containing more detected species,and some pathogens preferentially co-occurred in diseased tissue,including P.sojae–R.solani–F.oxysporum and F.virguliforme–Calonectria ilicicola,implying potential interactions during infection.The LAMP detection results were confirmed by traditional isolation methods.The isolated strains exhibited different virulence to soybean,further implying a beneficial interaction among some pathogens.
基金Supported by the Science and Technology Planning Project of Xi'an[No.SF09023(3)]
文摘I am Na An, from the Shaanxi Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Shaanxi Institute of Ophthalmology,Xi＇an City First Hospital, Xi＇an, Shaanxi Province, China. Fungal keratitis is a severe problem in most developing countries.
基金owe a debt of gratitude to the Department of Plant Protection, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences for financing the project
文摘The incidence of the airborne fungal spores was determined in the air of subalpine zone of the Karkonosze Mountains and of the Izerskie Mountains in the borderland between Poland and the Czech Republic. The experiment was conducted in2011 and 2012 at three to four week intervals from May to October. Air samples were taken from three locations in the Karkonosze Mts. and one from the Izerskie Mts. To examine the air, the Air Ideal 3P sampler and acidified PDA medium were used. The results show that Cladosporium cladosporioides was the most abundant spore type in all the sampling locations(up to 30%), followed by Alternaria alternata(16%–20%), Fusarium(up to 10%) and Sclerotinia sclerotiorium(up to 6%). The lower spore counts were recorded in May samples, compared to the other months. In this case the snow cover, that was still present in the area at the beginning of May,may be the reason for the lower, compared to June,July and August samplings, CFU(Colony Forming Unit) counts in that month.. The influx of air masses from SE, S and SW sectors in the area under study may affect dissemination of the plant-pathogenic fungi from the Czech Republic and from the South of Europe in general.
文摘Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Mill) is a staple fruit vegetable widely grown worldwide for its rich nutrients including vitamins, minerals and proteins. In spite of its importance, yield and fruit quality in Buea, Cameroon is quite low compared to other countries. Pests and diseases are responsible for these limitations. Those of high importance are pinworm (Tatu absoluta) and Fusarium wilt respectively. Synthetic chemicals have been used to manage this pest/disease on tomato but this has not been very successful because of high cost and unavailability of these chemicals. Botanicals are known to have anti-microbial properties. 10% Leeks and marigold extracts were applied to tomato plants one week after planting. Five treatments were replicated four times in a randomized complete block. They include a control, a synthetic insecticide, leeks extract, marigold extract, and leeks/marigold extracts. Growth and yield parameters were evaluated and data obtained was analysed by descriptive statistics and ANOVA. Results showed that more tomato plant leaves were recorded in the leeks + marigold treatment (54) which differed significantly (P = 0.05) from the control (45). More fruits were harvested in the leeks + marigold treatment (32) which differed significantly (P = 0.05) from the control (18). Pinworm numbers were significantly higher in control (6) (P = 0.05) than the other treatments. Numerous leaf damage was observed in control (20) which differed significantly (P = 0.05) across treatments. More fruit damage was seen in control (14) and differed significantly (P = 0.05) from the other treatments. The least disease incidence was noted in Leeks + Marigold treatment (27.5%), and the most in control (72.5%) which differed significantly (P = 0.05) across treatments. Fusarium oxysporium and Fusarium semitectum were identified. There was a significant difference in pathogen number in control compared to other treatments. Thus leeks and marigold extract increased yield of tomato by mitigating the effects of leaf miner and fusarium wilt.
文摘The use of agrochemical products to combat diseases in crops has adverse effects on the environment and human health. Plant growth promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR) has been increasingly proposed as an eco-friendly alternative in agriculture. PGPRs have beneficial effects not only in promoting plant growth but also have shown their potential as biological control agent, being able to inhibit plant pathogens. Here, we investigated the use of PGPR <em>Paraburkholderia</em> sp. strain SOS3 to provide disease protection in rice (<em>Oryza sativa</em> L.). The antagonistic activity of SOS3 against five fungal pathogens of rice was assessed by dual culture on plates and on rice seedlings. The results showed that on plate assay, SOS3 inhibits the growth of <em>Curvularia lunata</em>, <em>Rhizoctonia solani</em>, <em>Pyricularia oryzae</em>, <em>Helminthosporium oryzae</em>, and <em>Fusarium moniliforme</em> by 17.2%, 1.1%, 8.3%, 32.5%, and 35.4%, respectively. When inoculated on rice seeds, SOS3 promotes seed germination and significantly reduces disease symptoms in plants infected with <em>R. solani</em>. These results suggest that SOS3 has a great potential to be used in rice agriculture to combat the “Sheath Blight” disease.
基金financed by the National Science Centre of Poland(Grant number N304/069940)
文摘The study aimed to determine, by using a statistical model, the effect of weather conditions on the incidence of Lophodermium yellow needle blight causing by new species for science- Lophodermium corconticum, in the mountain dwarf pine growing in the subalpine Karkonosze Mountains and the Izerskie Mountains(Poland). Needles showed symptoms of yellow spots, gradual discolouration and premature fall in July. The assessment of healthiness of infected mountain dwarf pine needles spanned three years(2011- 2013) and was conducted in several test sites in the Karkonosze and Izerskie Mountains. The results were analyzed by taking into account the meteorological conditions. Field observations seem to indicate that the highest infestation of mountain dwarf pine occurs in June and July, while September and October see a significantly lower disease index in the Karkonosze Mountains. The lower indices of the infestation of mountain dwarf pine are characteristic for the vegetation in the Hala Izerska high mountain pasture; whereas the environmental conditions prevailing in the Kocio? Ma?ego Stawu cirque and above the Samotnia hostel are conducive to the development of Lophodermium yellow needle blight.
基金the Congregation of the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of Ouagadougou(S.I.C.O)and the Institute of Environment and Agricultural Research(INERA)for their financial support for this work.
文摘Onion (Allium cepa L.) is the second most important vegetable crop in Burkina Faso and provides an important source of income for those involved in the sector. However, producers are facing significant pre-harvest and post-harvest losses. To date, knowledge of major diseases of the crop is limited, limiting the development of effective control strategies. The objective of this study was to test the pathogenicity of some species of Fusarium. To this end, 33 fungal isolates collected from onion plants in 17 localities and belonging to five Fusarium species were used to inoculate onion seeds and bulbs to determine the pathogenic species responsible for damping-off on seedlings and basal bulb rot in Burkina Faso. The virulence of pathogenic isolates was determined according to the percentages of seedling damping-off evaluated 28 Days After Sowing, and the extent of rot in millimetres on inoculated bulbs. The evaluation of isolates on seedlings revealed that the most pathogenic isolates belong to the species F. proliferatum (I29, I21, I37, I33, I31), F. thapsinum (I35) and F. solani (I38) which resulted in 58.33% - 70.83% of seedling damping-off. The most pathogenic isolates on bulbs belong to the species F. proliferatum (I4, I29, I32) and F. oxysporum (I52, I50, I16) which caused 21.67 to 25 mm of rot on bulbs. Isolate I29 was very virulent on both seedlings and bulbs. The isolates of F. fujikuroi species were all low pathogenic on seedlings but one of them, (I27), expressed average pathogenicity on bulbs.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32125004 and 32200238).
文摘Botrytis cinerea and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum,two closely related necrotrophic fungal pathogens,secrete large amounts of oxalic acid(OA)into the plant apoplast to suppress host immunity,though the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.Here,we demonstrate that OA-induced virulence in Arabidopsis thaliana depends on CERK1,a coreceptor critical for fungal chitin-triggered immunity.Mass spectrometry analysis identified a site-specific deamidation at three asparagine residues(Asn70,Asn205,and Asn216)in CERK1’s extracellular domain.Among these,only the deamidation-deficient N70A mutation impaired chitin-induced MPK4 activation,a process proven essential for plant resistance against both pathogens.OA treatment phenocopied the N70A mutation by suppressing chitin-elicited MPK4 activation.Consistently,acidic conditions mimicking the OA-acidified infection niche directly inhibited Asn70 deamidation.Notably,the N70A mutation of CERK1 triggered EDS1-dependent autoimmunity associated with senescence,which was mutually suppressed by the previously reported autoimmunity induced by the cerk1-4(L124F)mutation.Our findings reveal that fungal OA dampens chitin-triggered immunity by exploiting pH-dependent inhibition of CERK1 Asn70 deamidation,establishing a mechanistic link between pathogen-derived acidity,post-translational modification of host immune receptors,and suppression of host immunity.Our data also suggest that the functional integrity of CERK1 is monitored by an endogenous immune surveillance system.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.32072485 and 32202378).
文摘Fungal pathogens produce secretory ribonuclease(RNase)T2 proteins during infection,which contribute to fungal virulence via their enzyme functions in degradation of host cell RNA.However,the details of those proteins entering the host cells are unclear.Our previous study demonstrated that the two secretory RNase T2 members,BbRNT2 and BbTrv,produced by the insect fungal pathogen Beauveria bassiana,caused cytotoxic damage to insect cells and contributed to fungal virulence.Here,the Spodoptera frugiperda ovarian epithelial cells(sf9 cells)were used as models to investigate the interactions of the two fungus-produced RNase T2 proteins with the insect cells.Two transmembrane proteins,an ABC transporter(SfABCG)and an Innexin 7-like protein(Sfinx),were identified from the sf9 cells as interacting with BbRNT2 and BbTrv,respectively,through protein immunoprecipitation,yeast-two hybrid tests and protein pull-down assays.Although a slight decrease in the sf9 cell viability was examined by transfection of RNA interference of SfABCG or Sfinx,the transfected cells displayed a dramatically decreased sensitivity to BbRNT2 or BbTrv,suggesting the requirement of the two transmembrane proteins for BbRNT2 and BbTrv to enter the insect cells.These results reveal a mechanism of the cytotoxic molecules,T2 RNases,produced by the fungal pathogen,entering the insect cells via interaction with specific insect cell transmembrane proteins and causing cytotoxic damage.
基金This study was financially supported by the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences （XDB11040500 to H.-S.G.）, National Natural Science Foundation （31730078 to H.-S.G., 31600124 to J.-H.Z., and 31500119 to C.H.）.
文摘Fungal pathogens represent a major group of plant invaders that are the causative agents of many notorious plant diseases. Large quantities of RNAs, especially small RNAs involved in gene silencing, have been found to transmit bidirectionally between fungal pathogens and their hosts. Although host-induced gene silencing （HIGS） technology has been developed and applied to protect crops from fungal infections, the mechanisms of RNA transmission, especially small RNAs regulating trans- kingdom RNA silencing in plant immunity, are largely unknown. In this review, we summarize and discuss recent important findings regarding trans-kingdom sRNAs and RNA silencing in plant-fungal pathogen interactions compared with the well-known RNAi mechanisms in plants and fungi. We focus on the interactions between plant and fungal pathogens with broad hosts, represented by the vascular pathogen Verticillium dahliae and non-vascular pathogen Botrytis cinerea, and discuss the known instances of natural RNAi transmission between fungal pathogens and host plants. Given that HIGS has been developed and recently applied in controlling Verticillium wilt diseases, we propose an ideal research system exploiting plant vasculature-Verticillium interaction to further study trans-kingdom RNA silencing.
基金supported by the“Consortium National de Recherche en Génomique”,and the“service de systématique moléculaire”of the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle(CNRS IFR 101).
文摘Esca disease,which attacks the wood of grapevine,has become increasingly devastating during the past three decades and represents today a major concern in all wine-producing countries.This disease is attributed to a group of systematically diverse fungi that are considered to be latent pathogens,however,this has not been conclusively established.This study presents the first in-depth comparison between the mycota of healthy and diseased plants taken from the same vineyard to determine which fungi become invasive when foliar symptoms of esca appear.An unprecedented high fungal diversity,158 species,is here reported exclusively from grapevine wood in a single Swiss vineyard plot.An identical mycota inhabits wood of healthy and diseased adult plants and presumed esca pathogens were widespread and occurred in similar frequencies in both plant types.Pioneer esca-associated fungi are not transmitted from adult to nursery plants through the grafting process.Consequently the presumed esca-associated fungal pathogens are most likely saprobes decaying already senescent or dead wood resulting from intensive pruning,frost or other mecanical injuries as grafting.The cause of esca disease therefore remains elusive and requires well executive scientific study.These results question the assumed pathogenicity of fungi in other diseases of plants or animals where identical mycota are retrieved from both diseased and healthy individuals.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31870140 to CD)the Fundamental Research Funds for Central Universities of China(N142005001 and N172002001 to CD)Liaoning Revitalization Talents Program(XLYC1807001).
文摘Fungal pathogens present a major common threat across human communities:they cause disease and death in humans,animals,and global food crops.The development of anti-fungal therapies is hampered primarily by the lack of knowledge about the molecular mechanisms of fungal pathogenicity at the host-pathogen axis.Many studies have shown that nutrition-associated processes such as autophagy and metal homeostasis play essential roles in fungal virulence during systemic infection.During infection,the host immune system often employs nutrition restriction mechanisms to limit microbial proliferation and facilitate the killing and elimination of invading pathogens.Therefore,fast sensing and adaptation to the levels of environmental nutrients are critical if the fungal pathogen is to survive,replicate,and colonize in the host.Fungal cells have evolved numerous precise mechanisms to respond to various levels of nutrient availability.Studies show that fungal cells manipulate the expression of genes involved in nutrient acquisition,autophagosome formation,toxic nutrient detoxification,or cell morphological transition to counter the anti-fungal strategies of the host.This review of the most recent studies of nutrition-related pathways focuses primarily on autophagy,metal homeostasis,and the nutrition-driven morphological switches found in two major human fungal pathogens,Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans.It is a systematic comparison of the functional divergence of nutrition-related genes in the fungal pathogenicity of these evolutionarily distinct but related fungal species.
基金supported by a grant from the National Nature Science Foundation of China(31672080)。
文摘Secretory phospholipase A2s(sPLA2s)are found in a wide range of organisms from bacteria to higher plants and animals and are involved in varied and cellular pro-cesses.However,roles of these enzymes in microbial pathogens remain unclear.Here,an sPLA2(BbPLA2)was characterized in the filamentous insect pathogenic fungus,Beau-veria bassiana.BbPLA2was exclusively expressed in insect hemolymph-derived cells(hyphal bodies),and its expression was induced by insect-derived nutrients and lipids,and nutrient starvation.High levels of secretion of BbPLA2 were observed as well as its distri-bution in hyphal body lipid drops(LDs).Overexpression of BbPLA2 increased the ability of B.bassiana to utilize insect-derived nutrients and lipids,and promoted LD accumula-tion,indicating functions for BbPLA2 in mediating LD homeostasis and assimilation of insect-derived lipids.Strains overexpressing BbPLA2 showed moderately increased vir-ulence,including more efficient penetration of the insect cuticle and evasion of host im-mune responses as compared to the wild type strain.In addition,B.bassiana-activated host immune genes were downregulated in the BbPLA2 overexpression strain,but upregulated by infections with a△BbPLA2 strain.These data demonstrate that BbPLA2 contributes to LD homeostasis,assimilation of insect-derived lipids,and repression of host immune responses.
