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Pathogenic Fungi: Morphogenesis, Pathogenicity and Biosynthesis of Secondary Metabolites
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Pathogenic Fungi: Morphogenesis, Pathogenicity and Biosynthesis of Secondary Metabolites

A special issue of Journal of Fungi (ISSN 2309-608X). This special issue belongs to the section "Fungal Genomics, Genetics and Molecular Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2023) | Viewed by 8667

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Zhenhong Zhuang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, Proteomic Research Center, and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
Interests: the regulatory mechanism of morphogenesis, secondary metabolism and pathogenicity, especially in the field of epigenetics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues, 

There are an estimated 1.5 million species of fungi, among which pathogenic fungi can cause diseases to human, plants, animals and even other fungi. Morphological changes are required for pathogenic fungi to cause disease. Physiological and environmental stimuli regulate morphogenic differentiation through conserved signaling pathways. In addition to cell size and shape, morphogenesis is linked to changes in cell-surface composition, which is required by diverse microbes to be successful pathogens. Pathogenic fungi utilize various pathogenicity factors for infecting their hosts. The effectors are important virulence determinants of pathogenic fungi and play important roles in successful pathogenesis, predominantly by avoiding the host-surveillance system. However, besides being important for pathogenesis, fungal effectors end-up being recognized by resistant cultivars of the host, which produce a strong immune response to ward-off pathogens. Pathogenic fungi, such as Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, and Alternaria toxigenic species, are found to produce a wide variety of toxic secondary metabolites, which can determine host specificity in pathogenic fungi.

In recent years, the development of molecular biology tools has led to the development of faster, more reliable diagnostic techniques for pathogens, providing valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying the adaptation and speciation of pathogenic fungi. The aim of this Special Issue is to characterize the morphogenesis, pathogenicity and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites of pathogenic fungi through comprehensive reviews, original studies and novel perspectives.

Prof. Dr. Zhenhong Zhuang
Guest Editor

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Fungi is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • pathogenic fungi
  • morphogenesis
  • pathogenicity
  • secondary metabolites

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 4042 KiB  
Article
Regulation of Fungal Morphogenesis and Pathogenicity of Aspergillus flavus by Hexokinase AfHxk1 through Its Domain Hexokinase_2
by Zongting Huang, Dandan Wu, Sile Yang, Wangzhuo Fu, Dongmei Ma, Yanfang Yao, Hong Lin, Jun Yuan, Yanling Yang and Zhenhong Zhuang
J. Fungi 2023, 9(11), 1077; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9111077 - 04 Nov 2023
Viewed by 1275
Abstract
As a filamentous pathogenic fungus with high-yield of aflatoxin B1, Aspergillus flavus is commonly found in various agricultural products. It is crucial to develop effective strategies aimed at the prevention of the contamination of A. flavus and aflatoxin. Hexokinase AfHxk1 is [...] Read more.
As a filamentous pathogenic fungus with high-yield of aflatoxin B1, Aspergillus flavus is commonly found in various agricultural products. It is crucial to develop effective strategies aimed at the prevention of the contamination of A. flavus and aflatoxin. Hexokinase AfHxk1 is a critical enzyme in fungal glucose metabolism. However, the role of AfHxk1 in A. flavus development, aflatoxin biosynthesis, and virulence has not yet been explored. In this study, afHxk1 gene deletion mutant (ΔafHxk1), complementary strain (Com-afHxk1), and the domain deletion strains (afHxk1ΔD1 and afHxk1ΔD2) were constructed by homologous recombination. Phenotype study and RT-qPCR revealed that AfHxk1 upregulates mycelium growth and spore and sclerotia formation, but downregulates AFB1 biosynthesis through related classical signaling pathways. Invading models and environmental stress analysis revealed that through involvement in carbon source utilization, conidia germination, and the sensitivity response of A. flavus to a series of environmental stresses, AfHxk1 deeply participates in the regulation of pathogenicity of A. flavus to crop kernels and Galleria mellonella larvae. The construction of domain deletion strains, afHxk1ΔD1 and afHxk1ΔD2, further revealed that AfHxk1 regulates the morphogenesis, mycotoxin biosynthesis, and the fungal pathogenicity mainly through its domain, Hexokinase_2. The results of this study revealed the biological role of AfHxk1 in Aspergillus spp., and might provide a novel potential target for the early control of the contamination of A. flavus. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogenic Fungi: Morphogenesis, Pathogenicity and Biosynthesis of Secondary Metabolites)
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12 pages, 9784 KiB  
Article
ABCC Transporter Gene MoABC-R1 Is Associated with Pyraclostrobin Tolerance in Magnaporthe oryzae
by Pei Hu, Yanchen Liu, Xiaoli Zhu and Houxiang Kang
J. Fungi 2023, 9(9), 917; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9090917 - 11 Sep 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 904
Abstract
Rice blast is a worldwide fungal disease that poses a threat to food security. Fungicide treatment is one of the most effective methods to control rice blast disease. However, the emergence of fungicide tolerance hampers the control efforts against rice blast. ATP-binding cassette [...] Read more.
Rice blast is a worldwide fungal disease that poses a threat to food security. Fungicide treatment is one of the most effective methods to control rice blast disease. However, the emergence of fungicide tolerance hampers the control efforts against rice blast. ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters have been found to be crucial in multidrug tolerance in various phytopathogenic fungi. This study investigated the association between polymorphisms in 50 ABC transporters and pyraclostrobin sensitivity in 90 strains of rice blast fungus. As a result, we identified MoABC-R1, a gene associated with fungicide tolerance. MoABC-R1 belongs to the ABCC-type transporter families. Deletion mutants of MoABC-R1, abc-r1, exhibited high sensitivity to pyraclostrobin at the concentration of 0.01 μg/mL. Furthermore, the pathogenicity of abc-r1 was significantly diminished. These findings indicate that MoABC-R1 not only plays a pivotal role in fungicide tolerance but also regulates the pathogenicity of rice blast. Interestingly, the combination of MoABC-R1 deletion with fungicide treatment resulted in a three-fold increase in control efficiency against rice blast. This discovery highlights MoABC-R1 as a potential target gene for the management of rice blast. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogenic Fungi: Morphogenesis, Pathogenicity and Biosynthesis of Secondary Metabolites)
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20 pages, 7476 KiB  
Article
The MAP Kinase PvMK1 Regulates Hyphal Development, Autophagy, and Pathogenesis in the Bayberry Twig Blight Fungus Pestalotiopsis versicolor
by Xiujuan Yan, Shuwen Zhang, Zheping Yu, Li Sun, Muhammad Aamir Sohail, Zihong Ye, Lei Zhou and Xingjiang Qi
J. Fungi 2023, 9(6), 606; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9060606 - 24 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1059
Abstract
Bayberry twig blight caused by the ascomycete fungus Pestalotiopsis versicolor is a devastating disease threatening worldwide bayberry production. However, the molecular basis underlying the pathogenesis of P. versicolor is largely unknown. Here, we identified and functionally characterized the MAP kinase PvMk1 in P. [...] Read more.
Bayberry twig blight caused by the ascomycete fungus Pestalotiopsis versicolor is a devastating disease threatening worldwide bayberry production. However, the molecular basis underlying the pathogenesis of P. versicolor is largely unknown. Here, we identified and functionally characterized the MAP kinase PvMk1 in P. versicolor through genetic and cellular biochemical approaches. Our analysis reveals a central role of PvMk1 in regulating P. versicolor virulence on bayberry. We demonstrate that PvMk1 is involved in hyphal development, conidiation, melanin biosynthesis, and cell wall stress responses. Notably, PvMk1 regulates P. versicolor autophagy and is essential for hyphal growth under nitrogen-depleting conditions. These findings suggest the multifaceted role of PvMk1 in regulating P. versicolor development and virulence. More remarkably, this evidence of virulence-involved cellular processes regulated by PvMk1 has paved a fundamental way for further understanding the impact of P. versicolor pathogenesis on bayberry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogenic Fungi: Morphogenesis, Pathogenicity and Biosynthesis of Secondary Metabolites)
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16 pages, 3086 KiB  
Article
Loss of Phosphomannose Isomerase Impairs Growth, Perturbs Cell Wall Integrity, and Reduces Virulence of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense on Banana Plants
by Sayed Usman, Xinwei Ge, Yueqiang Xu, Qijian Qin, Jin Xie, Bin Wang, Cheng Jin and Wenxia Fang
J. Fungi 2023, 9(4), 478; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9040478 - 16 Apr 2023
Viewed by 1534
Abstract
Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 (Foc TR4) causes Fusarium wilt of banana, necessitating urgent measures to control this disease. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying Foc TR4 virulence remain elusive. Phosphomannose isomerase is a key enzyme involved in the biosynthesis [...] Read more.
Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 (Foc TR4) causes Fusarium wilt of banana, necessitating urgent measures to control this disease. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying Foc TR4 virulence remain elusive. Phosphomannose isomerase is a key enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of GDP mannose, an important precursor of fungal cell walls. In this study, two phosphomannose isomerases were identified in the Foc TR4 genome, of which only Focpmi1 was highly expressed throughout all developmental stages. Generated null mutants in Foc TR4 showed that only the ΔFocpmi1 mutant required exogenous mannose for growth, indicating that Focpmi1 is the key enzyme involved in GDP mannose biosynthesis. The Focpmi1 deficient strain was unable to grow without exogenous mannose and exhibited impaired growth under stress conditions. The mutant had reduced chitin content in its cell wall, rendering it vulnerable to cell wall stresses. Transcriptomic analysis revealed up- and down-regulation of several genes involved in host cell wall degradation and physiological processes due to the loss of Focpmi1. Furthermore, Focpmi1 was also found to be crucial for Foc TR4 infection and virulence, making it a potential antifungal target to address the threats posed by Foc TR4. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogenic Fungi: Morphogenesis, Pathogenicity and Biosynthesis of Secondary Metabolites)
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17 pages, 6640 KiB  
Article
The Regulatory Hub of Siderophore Biosynthesis in the Phytopathogenic Fungus Alternaria alternata
by Je-Jia Wu, Pei-Ching Wu, Jonar I. Yago and Kuang-Ren Chung
J. Fungi 2023, 9(4), 427; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9040427 - 29 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1442
Abstract
A GATA zinc finger-containing repressor (AaSreA) suppresses siderophore biosynthesis in the phytopathogenic fungus Alternaria alternata under iron-replete conditions. In this study, targeted gene deletion revealed two bZIP-containing transcription factors (AaHapX and AaAtf1) and three CCAAT-binding proteins (AaHapB, AaHapC, and AaHapE) that positively regulate [...] Read more.
A GATA zinc finger-containing repressor (AaSreA) suppresses siderophore biosynthesis in the phytopathogenic fungus Alternaria alternata under iron-replete conditions. In this study, targeted gene deletion revealed two bZIP-containing transcription factors (AaHapX and AaAtf1) and three CCAAT-binding proteins (AaHapB, AaHapC, and AaHapE) that positively regulate gene expression in siderophore production. This is a novel phenotype regarding Atf1 and siderophore biosynthesis. Quantitative RT-PCR analyses revealed that only AaHapX and AaSreA were regulated by iron. AaSreA and AaHapX form a transcriptional feedback negative loop to regulate iron acquisition in response to the availability of environmental iron. Under iron-limited conditions, AaAtf1 enhanced the expression of AaNps6, thus playing a positive role in siderophore production. However, under nutrient-rich conditions, AaAtf1 plays a negative role in resistance to sugar-induced osmotic stress, and AaHapX plays a negative role in resistance to salt-induced osmotic stress. Virulence assays performed on detached citrus leaves revealed that AaHapX and AaAtf1 play no role in fungal pathogenicity. However, fungal strains carrying the AaHapB, AaHapC, or AaHapE deletion failed to incite necrotic lesions, likely due to severe growth deficiency. Our results revealed that siderophore biosynthesis and iron homeostasis are regulated by a well-organized network in A. alternata. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogenic Fungi: Morphogenesis, Pathogenicity and Biosynthesis of Secondary Metabolites)
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19 pages, 5586 KiB  
Article
Effects of Carbon, Nitrogen, Ambient pH and Light on Mycelial Growth, Sporulation, Sorbicillinoid Biosynthesis and Related Gene Expression in Ustilaginoidea virens
by Xuping Zhang, Xuwen Hou, Dan Xu, Mengyao Xue, Jiayin Zhang, Jiacheng Wang, Yonglin Yang, Daowan Lai and Ligang Zhou
J. Fungi 2023, 9(4), 390; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9040390 - 23 Mar 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1908
Abstract
Sorbicillinoids are a class of hexaketide metabolites produced by Ustilaginoidea virens (teleomorph: Villosiclava virens), an important fungal pathogen that causes a devastating rice disease. In this study, we investigated the effects of environmental factors, including carbon and nitrogen sources, ambient pH and [...] Read more.
Sorbicillinoids are a class of hexaketide metabolites produced by Ustilaginoidea virens (teleomorph: Villosiclava virens), an important fungal pathogen that causes a devastating rice disease. In this study, we investigated the effects of environmental factors, including carbon and nitrogen sources, ambient pH and light exposure, on mycelial growth, sporulation, as well as the accumulation of sorbicillinoids, and the expression of related genes involved in sorbicillinoid biosynthesis. It was found that the environmental factors had great influences on mycelial growth and sporulation of U. virens. Fructose and glucose, complex nitrogen sources, acidic conditions and light exposure were favorable for sorbicillinoid production. The relative transcript levels of sorbicillinoid biosynthesis genes were up-regulated when U. virens was separately treated with those environmental factors that favored sorbicillinoid production, indicating that sorbicillinoid biosynthesis was mainly regulated at the transcriptional level by different environmental factors. Two pathway-specific transcription factor genes, UvSorR1 and UvSorR2, were found to participate in the regulation of sorbicillinoid biosynthesis. These results will provide useful information to better understand the regulation mechanisms of sorbicillinoid biosynthesis, and be conducive to develop effective means for controlling sorbicillinoid production in U. virens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogenic Fungi: Morphogenesis, Pathogenicity and Biosynthesis of Secondary Metabolites)
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