Article
Microbiology
Hasan Nazik, Gabriele Sass, Paul Williams, Eric Deziel, David A. Stevens
Summary: The study found that several molecular modifications of the Pseudomonas quinolone signal (PQS) molecule partially interfered with its inhibitory effects on Aspergillus, affecting fungal iron metabolism, but did not show clear stimulation of Aspergillus.
Review
Biology
Thomas J. Travers-Cook, Jukka Jokela, Claudia C. Buser
Summary: Ecological interactions influence evolutionary dynamics by selecting upon fitness variation within species. Antagonistic interactions often promote genetic and species diversity, despite the inherently suppressive effect they can have on the species experiencing them. In this review, the authors discuss how certain single-celled and dimorphic fungi have evolved allelopathic killer phenotypes that engage in antagonistic interactions, and explore the evolutionary pathways, functions, and consequences of killer phenotypes. They highlight that killer phenotypes are powerful models for studying allelopathic antagonism, but their evolutionary ecology remains largely unknown. The authors discuss what is known and what remains to be ascertained about killer phenotype ecology and evolution.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Gabriele Sass, Hasan Nazik, Paulami Chatterjee, Pallabi Shrestha, Marie-Christine Groleau, Eric Deziel, David A. Stevens
Summary: Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces antifungal factors such as pyoverdine and pyocyanin on agar, which are different from those produced in liquid cultures. These factors depend on quorum sensing and are regulated by the availability of ferric iron. Rhamnolipids and elastase appear to be major mediators of Pseudomonas' antifungal activity on a solid surface.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Rutuja H. Patil, Ioly Kotta-Loizou, Andrea Palyzova, Tomas Pluhacek, Robert H. A. Coutts, David A. Stevens, Vladimir Havlicek
Summary: The virus-free strain of Aspergillus fumigatus showed better fitness in competition with Pseudomonas due to differences in iron metabolism and extracellular siderophore profiles compared to virus-infected strains. This led to faster onset of exponential growth and production of triacetylfusarinine C, resulting in quicker depletion of siderophores and higher hydroxyferricrocin content in the virus-free strain during stationary phase, ultimately improving its competitiveness.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chujin Ruan, Josep Ramoneda, Guram Gogia, Gang Wang, David R. Johnson
Summary: Fungal hyphae-mediated dispersal plays an important role in regulating bacterial diversity during range expansion.
Article
Immunology
Lingwen Gu, Jing Lin, Qian Wang, Lina Zhang, Min Yin, Hao Lin, Hengrui Zheng, Guiqiu Zhao, Cui Li
Summary: This study investigated the therapeutic role of dimethyl fumarate (DMF) in fungal keratitis. The results showed that DMF can limit the growth and biofilm formation of Aspergillus fumigatus, as well as reduce the conidial adherence and corneal fungal loads. Additionally, DMF attenuated corneal inflammation by suppressing inflammatory cell accumulation and downregulating cytokine expression.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ying Huang, Sandra Hoefgen, Vito Valiante
Summary: This study elucidated the biosynthetic pathway of drimane-type sesquiterpene esters in fungi and identified key enzymes involved in the process. The findings deepen our understanding of how fungi synthesize drimane-type sesquiterpenes and corresponding esters.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Article
Virology
Yuto Chiba, Sayoko Oiki, Zhao Yanjie, Yuriko Nagano, Syun-ichi Urayama, Daisuke Hagiwara
Summary: Recently discovered divided RdRps in fungal RNA viruses challenge the previous understanding that RdRp is encoded by a single ORF, demonstrating higher plasticity in viral RdRp. The identification of two types of RdRp splitting in specific clades of Narnaviridae suggests independent evolutionary events within the virosphere.
Article
Virology
Yuto Chiba, Sayoko Oiki, Takashi Yaguchi, Syun-ichi Urayama, Daisuke Hagiwara
Summary: Cutting-edge metagenome technology has the potential to reshape current concepts about the evolution of RNA viruses by identifying variations in viral RNA genomes. However, the technology may not properly process low-homology genomic regions, leading to underestimation of true viral diversity. By applying the advanced FLDS method, researchers were able to screen and catalog RNA viruses infecting fungal isolates, revealing hidden diversity, novel genome architectures, and prompting reconsideration of RdRp structural plasticity.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shinji Kishimoto, Ayumi Minami, Yoshimitsu Aoki, Yuya Matsubara, Shogo Watanabe, Kenji Watanabe
Summary: Pathogenic fungi of Aspergillus section Fumigati are capable of producing various secondary metabolites. This study reports the isolation of fumimycin and a new compound named lentofuranine from A. lentulus. These compounds were found to be assembled through a nonenzymatic condensation involving a polyketide intermediate from the terrein biosynthetic pathway and a highly reactive azlactone intermediate. The formation of an unusual carbon skeleton is attributed to the reactivity of azlactone.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Ofer Grunwald, Ety Harish, Nir Osherov
Summary: Fungi have long had a significant presence in human culture, tradition, and art, with psychedelic and medicinal mushrooms serving as inspiration for artwork since ancient times. Collaboration between a multidisciplinary artist and a research laboratory has led to the development of new forms of mycelial art, offering visually dynamic artwork and endless artistic possibilities based on the diversity of fungal species.
Review
Cell Biology
Meenakshi Tiwary, Amali E. Samarasinghe
Summary: Fungi are diverse and abundant eukaryotes that act as pervasive allergens affecting humans and mammals. Despite their significance in severe asthmatics, the immunologic parameters of fungal allergies remain unclear. This study focuses on fungal allergic asthma, using mouse models to replicate human disease characteristics and investigating leukocyte involvement in fungal allergy pathogenesis. The potential contribution of the endogenous mycobiome to fungal asthma is briefly discussed, as much remains to be discovered in this area.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Denver P. Linklater, Phuc H. Le, Arturo Aburto-Medina, Russell J. Crawford, Shane Maclaughlin, Saulius Juodkazis, Elena P. Ivanova
Summary: A biomimetic nanostructured surface inspired by dragonfly wings was developed, which exhibited antifungal and fungicidal properties by physically rupturing attaching fungal spores upon contact. The hydrophilic nature of the nanostructured surface was found to be crucial for its antifungal activity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Benjamin D. Strycker, Zehua Han, Aysan Bahari, Tuyetnhu Pham, Xiaorong Lin, Brian D. Shaw, Alexei V. Sokolov, Marlan O. Scully
Summary: This study used Raman spectroscopy to analyze fungal melanins and provided a rough map of melanin biosynthetic pathways. It revealed that A. nidulans melanin is unique and cannot be classified solely based on existing pathways.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Lauren C. Magee, Mariam Louis, Vaneeza Khan, Lavender Micalo, Nauman Chaudary
Summary: Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease caused by a mutation in the CFTR protein, leading to respiratory issues. CF patients are often colonized or infected with fungi, but diagnosing and treating fungal colonization and active infections in adult CF patients remains challenging. Limited data is available for eradication and treatment.
INFECTION AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2021)