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Berasategui A, Salem H, Moller AG, Christopher Y, Vidaurre Montoya Q, Conn C, Read TD, Rodrigues A, Ziemert N, Gerardo N. Genomic insights into the evolution of secondary metabolism of Escovopsis and its allies, specialized fungal symbionts of fungus-farming ants. mSystems 2024:e0057624. [PMID: 38904377 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00576-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The metabolic intimacy of symbiosis often demands the work of specialists. Natural products and defensive secondary metabolites can drive specificity by ensuring infection and propagation across host generations. But in contrast to bacteria, little is known about the diversity and distribution of natural product biosynthetic pathways among fungi and how they evolve to facilitate symbiosis and adaptation to their host environment. In this study, we define the secondary metabolism of Escovopsis and closely related genera, symbionts in the gardens of fungus-farming ants. We ask how the gain and loss of various biosynthetic pathways correspond to divergent lifestyles. Long-read sequencing allowed us to define the chromosomal features of representative Escovopsis strains, revealing highly reduced genomes composed of seven to eight chromosomes. The genomes are highly syntenic with macrosynteny decreasing with increasing phylogenetic distance, while maintaining a high degree of mesosynteny. An ancestral state reconstruction analysis of biosynthetic pathways revealed that, while many secondary metabolites are shared with non-ant-associated Sordariomycetes, 56 pathways are unique to the symbiotic genera. Reflecting adaptation to diverging ant agricultural systems, we observe that the stepwise acquisition of these pathways mirrors the ecological radiations of attine ants and the dynamic recruitment and replacement of their fungal cultivars. As different clades encode characteristic combinations of biosynthetic gene clusters, these delineating profiles provide important insights into the possible mechanisms underlying specificity between these symbionts and their fungal hosts. Collectively, our findings shed light on the evolutionary dynamic nature of secondary metabolism in Escovopsis and its allies, reflecting adaptation of the symbionts to an ancient agricultural system.IMPORTANCEMicrobial symbionts interact with their hosts and competitors through a remarkable array of secondary metabolites and natural products. Here, we highlight the highly streamlined genomic features of attine-associated fungal symbionts. The genomes of Escovopsis species, as well as species from other symbiont genera, many of which are common with the gardens of fungus-growing ants, are defined by seven chromosomes. Despite a high degree of metabolic conservation, we observe some variation in the symbionts' potential to produce secondary metabolites. As the phylogenetic distribution of the encoding biosynthetic gene clusters coincides with attine transitions in agricultural systems, we highlight the likely role of these metabolites in mediating adaptation by a group of highly specialized symbionts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aileen Berasategui
- Department of Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Cluster of Excellence-Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Mutualisms Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Biology, Tübingen, Germany
- Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Hassan Salem
- Department of Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Mutualisms Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Biology, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Abraham G Moller
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Yuliana Christopher
- Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología, Ciudad del Saber, Panamá City, Panama
| | - Quimi Vidaurre Montoya
- Department of General and Applied Biology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Biosciences, Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Caitlin Conn
- Department of Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Department of Biology, Berry College, Mount Berry, Georgia, USA
| | - Timothy D Read
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Andre Rodrigues
- Department of General and Applied Biology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Biosciences, Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Nadine Ziemert
- Cluster of Excellence-Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Translational Genome Mining for Natural Products, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen (IMIT), Interfaculty Institute for Biomedical Informatics (IBMI), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Nicole Gerardo
- Department of Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Grundmann CO, Guzman J, Vilcinskas A, Pupo MT. The insect microbiome is a vast source of bioactive small molecules. Nat Prod Rep 2024; 41:935-967. [PMID: 38411238 DOI: 10.1039/d3np00054k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Covering: September 1964 to June 2023Bacteria and fungi living in symbiosis with insects have been studied over the last sixty years and found to be important sources of bioactive natural products. Not only classic producers of secondary metabolites such as Streptomyces and other members of the phylum Actinobacteria but also numerous bacteria from the phyla Proteobacteria and Firmicutes and an impressive array of fungi (usually pathogenic) serve as the source of a structurally diverse number of small molecules with important biological activities including antimicrobial, cytotoxic, antiparasitic and specific enzyme inhibitors. The insect niche is often the exclusive provider of microbes producing unique types of biologically active compounds such as gerumycins, pederin, dinactin, and formicamycins. However, numerous insects still have not been described taxonomically, and in most cases, the study of their microbiota is completely unexplored. In this review, we present a comprehensive survey of 553 natural products produced by microorganisms isolated from insects by collating and classifying all the data according to the type of compound (rather than the insect or microbial source). The analysis of the correlations among the metadata related to insects, microbial partners, and their produced compounds provides valuable insights into the intricate dynamics between insects and their symbionts as well as the impact of their metabolites on these relationships. Herein, we focus on the chemical structure, biosynthesis, and biological activities of the most relevant compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Juan Guzman
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Giessen, Germany
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Giessen, Germany
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Mônica Tallarico Pupo
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
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Queiroz RRS, Teodoro TBP, Carolino AT, Bitencourt ROB, Souza WG, Boechat MSB, Sobrinho RR, Silva GA, Samuels RI. Production of Escovopsis conidia and the potential use of this parasitic fungus as a biological control agent of leaf-cutting ant fungus gardens. Arch Microbiol 2024; 206:128. [PMID: 38416227 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-024-03862-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
This study was carried out to investigate the use of different substrates for the production of Escovopsis conidia and verify the virulence of four different isolates cultured on four types of substrates using a novel bioassay. Escovopsis isolates were molecularly identified, based on Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) nucleotide sequences. To evaluate conidial production, suspensions (1 × 106 conidia mL-1) of each Escovopsis isolate were inoculated onto four substrates (parboiled rice, white rice, rolled oats, and corn grits). After 14 days, conidial yields were assessed. The virulence of each isolate cultured on the four substrates was tested against Leucoagaricus fungus garden fragments, by directly applying 500 µL of each conidial suspension (1 × 107 conidia mL-1), and the development of the parasite was monitored daily until it completely colonized the fungus garden. It was observed that rolled oats were the best substrate for conidial production, with a yield of 1.7 × 107 to 2.0 × 108 conidia mL-1. Furthermore, isolate AT-01 produced the highest number of conidia when compared with the other isolates. Regardless of the substrate used to produce AT-01 conidia, this isolate completely colonized the fungus garden 6 days post inoculation (dpi), followed by AT-02, AC-01, and AC-2. High levels of both conidial production and virulence against the leaf-cutting ant fungus garden were observed here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymyson R S Queiroz
- Laboratório de Entomologia e Fitopatologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Thais B P Teodoro
- Laboratório de Entomologia e Fitopatologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Aline T Carolino
- Laboratório de Entomologia e Fitopatologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Ricardo O B Bitencourt
- Laboratório de Entomologia e Fitopatologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Willians G Souza
- Laboratório de Entomologia e Fitopatologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Marcela S B Boechat
- Laboratório Melhoramento Genético Vegetal, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Roberto R Sobrinho
- Laboratório de Entomologia e Fitopatologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Gerson A Silva
- Laboratório de Entomologia e Fitopatologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Richard I Samuels
- Laboratório de Entomologia e Fitopatologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, 28013-602, Brazil.
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Taba K, Honsho M, Asami Y, Iwasaki H, Nonaka K, Watanabe Y, Iwatsuki M, Matsui H, Hanaki H, Teruya T, Ishii T. Synergistic effect of secondary metabolites isolated from Pestalotiopsis sp. FKR-0115 in overcoming β-lactam resistance in MRSA. J GEN APPL MICROBIOL 2024; 69:234-238. [PMID: 37302827 DOI: 10.2323/jgam.2023.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Six aromatic secondary metabolites, pestalone (1), emodin (2), phomopsilactone (3), pestalachlorides B (4), C (5), and D (6), were isolated from Pestalotiopsis sp. FKR-0115, a filamentous fungus collected from white moulds growing on dead branches in Minami Daito Island. The efficacy of these secondary metabolites against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) with and without meropenem (β-lactam antibiotic) was evaluated using the paper disc method and broth microdilution method. The chemical structures of the isolated compounds (1-6) were characterised using spectroscopic methods, including nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. All six isolated compounds exhibited synergistic activity with meropenem against MRSA. Among the six secondary metabolites, pestalone (1) overcame bacterial resistance in MRSA to the greatest extent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanako Taba
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of the Ryukyus
| | - Masako Honsho
- Ōmura Satoshi Memorial Institute, Kitasato University
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Takahiro Ishii
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of the Ryukyus
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de Oliveira KB, Goes AC, Silva AD, Vieira PC, Rodrigues A. Fungal Cultivars of Higher Attine Ants Promote Escovopsis Chemotropism. Curr Microbiol 2023; 81:37. [PMID: 38063979 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-023-03552-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
In varied environments, microorganisms search for partners or nutritional resources using chemical signals. Microbes are drawn (chemotaxis) or grow directionally (chemotropism) towards the chemical source, enabling them to establish and maintain symbiosis. The hypocrealean fungi Escovopsis enhance their growth towards the basidiomycete fungus Leucoagaricus gongylophorus, which is cultivated by leaf-cutting attine ants for food. Although directional growth is well documented in this symbiosis, it is unclear whether non-volatile or volatile organic compounds participate in the interaction between cultivar and Escovopsis, and which specific chemical compounds might attract and induce chemotropism. In this study, we examined the growth responses of Escovopsis isolates to non-volatile and volatile organic compounds produced by fungal cultivars of higher attine ants. We also isolated and identified molecules released by the ant-cultivar and assessed the chemotropism of Escovopsis towards them. Our results indicate that the growth of Escovopsis is stimulated in the presence of both non-volatile and volatile compounds from fungal cultivars. We also identified three isomeric diketopiperazines molecules from crude extracts of the ant cultivar, suggesting that these might play a role in Escovopsis chemotropism. Our findings provide insights into the complex chemical interactions that govern the association between Escovopsis and fungal cultivars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina B de Oliveira
- Department of General and Applied Biology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rio Claro, SP, Brazil
| | - Aryel C Goes
- Department of General and Applied Biology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rio Claro, SP, Brazil
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Airton D Silva
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Paulo C Vieira
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Andre Rodrigues
- Department of General and Applied Biology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rio Claro, SP, Brazil.
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Fladerer JP, Grollitsch S, Bucar F. Three cuticular amides in the tripartite symbiosis of leafcutter ants. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 114:1-13. [PMID: 37518892 DOI: 10.1002/arch.22041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) play various roles in insects' chemical ecology. As leafcutter ants live in a specific symbiosis with fungi, they harvest and with different bacteria, some of these CHCs might be associated with a mutualistic function within this symbiosis. To obtain a more precise picture in that respect we compared the CHC profiles of the leafcutter ants, Atta sexdens, Atta cephalotes, and Acromyrmex octospinosus inhabited by mutualistic bacteria with the profiles of Polyrhachis dives and Messor aciculatus by GC-EI-MS analysis and 28 other ant species by data from the literature. We were able to identify three alkyl amides (hexadecanamide, hexadecenamide, and tetradecanamide), occurring only in the CHC profiles of leafcutter ants inhabited by symbiotic bacteria. Our results lead to the conclusion that those alkyl amides could have a function in the tripartite symbiosis of leafcutter ants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Franz Bucar
- Karl-Franzens-Universitat Graz Pharmacognosy, Graz, Austria
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7
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Mulatu A, Megersa N, Teferi D, Alemu T, Vetukuri RR. Biological management of coffee wilt disease ( Fusarium xylarioides) using antagonistic Trichoderma isolates. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1113949. [PMID: 37008493 PMCID: PMC10064059 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1113949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Coffee wilt disease (CWD) is a serious threat to the food security of small-scale farmers in Ethiopia, causing significant reductions in coffee yield. Currently, there are no effective control measures available against the causative agent of CWD, Fusarium xylarioides. The main objective of this study was therefore to develop, formulate, and evaluate a range of biofungicides against F. xylarioides, derived from Trichoderma species and tested under in vitro, greenhouse, and field conditions. In total, 175 Trichoderma isolates were screened as microbial biocontrol agents against F. xylarioides. The efficacy of two biofungicide formulations, wettable powder and water dispensable granules, were tested on the susceptible Geisha coffee variety in three different agro-ecological zones in southwestern Ethiopia over three years. The greenhouse experiments were set up using a complete block design, while in the field a randomized complete block design was used, with twice yearly applications of biofungicide. The test pathogen spore suspension was applied to the coffee seedlings by soil drenching, and the subsequent incidence and severity of CWD evaluated annually. The mycelial growth inhibition profiles of the Trichoderma isolates against F. xylarioides ranged from 44.5% to 84.8%. In vitro experiments revealed that T. asperelloides AU71, T. asperellum AU131 and T. longibrachiatum AU158 reduced the mycelial growth of F. xylarioides by over 80%. The greenhouse study indicated that wettable powder (WP) of T. asperellum AU131 had the highest biocontrol efficacy (84.3%), followed by T. longibrachiatum AU158 (77.9%) and T. asperelloides AU71 (71.2%); they also had a significant positive impact on plant growth. The pathogen-treated control plants had a disease severity index of 100% across all the field experiments, and of 76.7% in the greenhouse experiments. In comparison to untreated controls, the annual and cumulative disease incidence over the three years of the study period varied from 46.2 to 90%, 51.6 to 84.5%, and 58.2 to 91%, at the Teppi, Gera and Jimma field experimental locations. Overall, the greenhouse and field experiments and in vitro assays support the biocontrol potential of Trichoderma isolates, and T. asperellum AU131 and T. longibrachiatum AU158 in particular are recommended for the management of CWD under field conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afrasa Mulatu
- Department of Microbial, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Department of Biology, Bule Hora University, Bule Hora, Ethiopia
| | - Negussie Megersa
- Department of Chemistry, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Demelash Teferi
- Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Jimma Agricultural Research Center, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Tesfaye Alemu
- Department of Microbial, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Ramesh Raju Vetukuri
- Department of Plant Breeding, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden
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de Mattos-Shipley KMJ, Simpson TJ. The 'emodin family' of fungal natural products-amalgamating a century of research with recent genomics-based advances. Nat Prod Rep 2023; 40:174-201. [PMID: 36222427 PMCID: PMC9890505 DOI: 10.1039/d2np00040g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Covering: up to 2022A very large group of biosynthetically linked fungal secondary metabolites are formed via the key intermediate emodin and its corresponding anthrone. The group includes anthraquinones such as chrysophanol and cladofulvin, the grisandienes geodin and trypacidin, the diphenyl ether pestheic acid, benzophenones such as monodictyphenone and various xanthones including the prenylated shamixanthones, the agnestins and dimeric xanthones such as the ergochromes, cryptosporioptides and neosartorin. Such compounds exhibit a wide range of bioactivities and as such have been utilised in traditional medicine for centuries, as well as garnering more recent interest from the pharmaceutical sector. Additional interest comes from industries such as textiles and cosmetics due to their use as natural colourants. A variety of biosynthetic routes and mechanisms have been proposed for this family of compounds, being altered and updated as new biosynthetic methods develop and new results emerge. After nearly 100 years of such research, this review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of what is currently known about the biosynthesis of this important family, amalgamating the early chemical and biosynthetic studies with the more recent genetics-based advances and comparative bioinformatics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Thomas J Simpson
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK
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Pandey AK, Kumar A, Samota MK, Tanti A. Trichoderma reesei as an elicitor triggers defense responses in tea plant and delays gray blight symptoms. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 188:105279. [PMID: 36464383 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2022.105279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Gray blight caused by Pestalotiopsis-like species is a major disease of tea crop worldwide including India, causes significant losses in tea production. Management of disease using fungal biocontrol agents is considered an alternative eco-friendly approach to synthetic fungicides. The present study explores the efficacy of Trichoderma reesei in the gray blight management in tea crop and activation of defense related enzymes against gray blight pathogen by developing a tri-trophic interaction system. Out of 16 isolates of Trichoderma species screened in laboratory against Pseudopestalotiopsis theae, a gray blight pathogen, isolate TRPATH01 had highest antagonistic activity (81.2%) against Ps. theae and was found to produce inhibitory volatile and non-volatile metabolites. Based on ITS and TEF-1 alpha sequencing, the isolate TRPATH01 was recognised as T. reesei. The methanolic extract of T. reesei was also found effective against Ps. theae at 200 μg/mL also confirmed presence of highest volatile compounds. The isolate also produced hydrolytic enzymes such as chitinase, cellulase, protease, and lipase. Under nursery conditions, 2% and 5% concentrations with 2 × 106 conidia/ml of T. reesei were able to reduce 67.5% to 75.0% of disease severity over pathogen inoculated controls. Moreover, compared with positive and negative controls, T. reesei -treated tea plants showed increased shoot height, stem diameter, shoot and root fresh weight at 45 days after inoculation. Principal component analysis capturing 97.1% phenotypic variations, which revealed that the tea plants co-inoculated with Ps. theae and T. reesei exhibited significantly upregulated accumulation of defensive enzymes viz., polyphenol oxidase, peroxidase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase, phenolics, β-1, 3-glucanase, and chitinase when compared to both controls. Hence, T. reesei could provide an eco-friendly and viable mitigation option for gray blight in tea gardens by inducing defense-related enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhay K Pandey
- Deparment of Mycology & Microbiology, Tea Research Association, North Bengal Regional Research & Development Centre, Nagrakata, Jalpaiguri, West Bengal 735225, India.
| | - Abhishek Kumar
- Department of Plant Pathology, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar 125004, Haryana, India
| | - Mahesh K Samota
- Horticulture Crop Processing Division, ICAR- Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering & Technology, Abohar 152116, Punjab, India
| | - Amarjyoti Tanti
- Department of Mycology & Microbiology, Tocklai Tea Research Institute, Jorhat 785008, Assam, India
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The Biosynthesis Related Enzyme, Structure Diversity and Bioactivity Abundance of Indole-Diterpenes: A Review. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27206870. [PMID: 36296463 PMCID: PMC9611320 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27206870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Indole diterpenes are a large class of secondary metabolites produced by fungi, possessing a cyclic diterpenoid backbone and an indole moiety. Novel structures and important biological activity have made indole diterpenes one of the focuses of synthetic chemists. Although the discovery, identification, structural diversity, biological activity and especially structure–activity relationship of indole diterpenes have been reported in some papers in recent years, they are absent of a systematic and comprehensive analysis, and there is no elucidation of enzymes related to this kind of natural product. Therefore, it is necessary to summarize the relevant reports to provide new perspectives for the following research. In this review, for the first time, the function of related synthases and the structure–activity relationship of indole diterpenes are expounded, and the recent research advances of them are emphasized.
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Toopaang W, Bunnak W, Srisuksam C, Wattananukit W, Tanticharoen M, Yang YL, Amnuaykanjanasin A. Microbial polyketides and their roles in insect virulence: from genomics to biological functions. Nat Prod Rep 2022; 39:2008-2029. [PMID: 35822627 DOI: 10.1039/d1np00058f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Covering: May 1966 up to January 2022Entomopathogenic microorganisms have potential for biological control of insect pests. Their main secondary metabolites include polyketides, nonribosomal peptides, and polyketide-nonribosomal peptide (PK-NRP) hybrids. Among these secondary metabolites, polyketides have mainly been studied for structural identification, pathway engineering, and for their contributions to medicine. However, little is known about the function of polyketides in insect virulence. This review focuses on the role of bacterial and fungal polyketides, as well as PK-NRP hybrids in insect infection and killing. We also discuss gene distribution and evolutional relationships among different microbial species. Further, the role of microbial polyketides and the hybrids in modulating insect-microbial symbiosis is also explored. Understanding the mechanisms of polyketides in insect pathogenesis, how compounds moderate the host-fungus interaction, and the distribution of PKS genes across different fungi and bacteria will facilitate the discovery and development of novel polyketide-derived bio-insecticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wachiraporn Toopaang
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency, 113 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Rd., Khlong Nueng, Amphoe Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand. .,Molecular and Biological Agricultural Sciences, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica and National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan.,Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan.
| | - Warapon Bunnak
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency, 113 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Rd., Khlong Nueng, Amphoe Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand.
| | - Chettida Srisuksam
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency, 113 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Rd., Khlong Nueng, Amphoe Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand.
| | - Wilawan Wattananukit
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency, 113 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Rd., Khlong Nueng, Amphoe Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand.
| | - Morakot Tanticharoen
- School of Bioresources and Technology, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok 10140, Thailand
| | - Yu-Liang Yang
- Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan. .,Biotechnology Center in Southern Taiwan, Academia Sinica, Tainan 711010, Taiwan
| | - Alongkorn Amnuaykanjanasin
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency, 113 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Rd., Khlong Nueng, Amphoe Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand.
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Hauser N, Imhof MA, Eichenberger SS, Kündig T, Carreira EM. Total Synthesis of Shearinines D and G: A Convergent Approach to Indole Diterpenoids. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202112838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Hauser
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences ETH Zürich Vladimir Prelog Weg 3, HCI H335 8093 Zürich Switzerland
| | - Michael A. Imhof
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences ETH Zürich Vladimir Prelog Weg 3, HCI H335 8093 Zürich Switzerland
| | - Sarah S. Eichenberger
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences ETH Zürich Vladimir Prelog Weg 3, HCI H335 8093 Zürich Switzerland
| | - Tomas Kündig
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences ETH Zürich Vladimir Prelog Weg 3, HCI H335 8093 Zürich Switzerland
| | - Erick M. Carreira
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences ETH Zürich Vladimir Prelog Weg 3, HCI H335 8093 Zürich Switzerland
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13
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Fresia M, Lindel T. Synthesis of pyranocyclopentaindolines representing the western sections of janthitrem B, JBIR‐137, and shearinine G. European J Org Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.202101454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marvin Fresia
- Technische Universität Braunschweig: Technische Universitat Braunschweig Institute of Organic Chemistry Hagenring 30 38106 Braunschweig GERMANY
| | - Thomas Lindel
- Technische Universität Braunschweig Institute of Organic Chemistry Hagenring 30 38106 Braunschweig GERMANY
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14
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Interactions among Escovopsis, Antagonistic Microfungi Associated with the Fungus-Growing Ant Symbiosis. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7121007. [PMID: 34946990 PMCID: PMC8703566 DOI: 10.3390/jof7121007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungi in the genus Escovopsis (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) are prevalent associates of the complex symbiosis between fungus-growing ants (Tribe Attini), the ants' cultivated basidiomycete fungi and a consortium of both beneficial and harmful microbes found within the ants' garden communities. Some Escovopsis spp. have been shown to attack the ants' cultivated fungi, and co-infections by multiple Escovopsis spp. are common in gardens in nature. Yet, little is known about how Escovopsis strains impact each other. Since microbe-microbe interactions play a central role in microbial ecology and evolution, we conducted experiments to assay the types of interactions that govern Escovopsis-Escovopsis relationships. We isolated Escovopsis strains from the gardens of 10 attine ant genera representing basal (lower) and derived groups in the attine ant phylogeny. We conducted in vitro experiments to determine the outcome of both intraclonal and interclonal Escovopsis confrontations. When paired with self (intraclonal interactions), Escovopsis isolated from lower attine colonies exhibited antagonistic (inhibitory) responses, while strains isolated from derived attine colonies exhibited neutral or mutualistic interactions, leading to a clear phylogenetic pattern of interaction outcome. Interclonal interactions were more varied, exhibiting less phylogenetic signal. These results can serve as the basis for future studies on the costs and benefits of Escovopsis coinfection, and on the genetic and chemical mechanisms that regulate the compatibility and incompatibility observed here.
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Carreira EM, Hauser N, Imhof MA, Eichenberger SS, Kündig T. Total Synthesis of Shearinines D and G: A Convergent Approach to Indole Diterpenoids. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 61:e202112838. [PMID: 34738695 PMCID: PMC9300186 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202112838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The first total syntheses of the indole diterpenoids (+)‐shearinine G and D are disclosed. The successful routes rely on late‐stage coupling of two complex fragments. Formation of the challenging trans‐hydrindane motif was accomplished by diastereoselective, intramolecular cyclopropanation. A one‐pot sequence consisting of Sharpless dihydroxylation/Achmatowicz reaction was developed to install the dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane motif. The indenone subunit was accessed by Prins cyclization. Tuning the electronic nature of the substituents on the parent arylcarboxaldehyde allowed access to divergent products that were further transformed into shearinines G and D. Riley‐type oxidation of a bicyclic enone yielded a surprising stereochemical outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erick Moran Carreira
- ETH-Hönggerberg, Laboratorium für Anorganische Chemie, Vladimir Prelog Weg 3, HCl H335, 8093, Zürich, SWITZERLAND
| | | | - Michael A Imhof
- ETH-Zürich LOC: Eidgenossische Technische Hochschule Zurich Laboratorium fur Organische Chemie, Chemistry, SWITZERLAND
| | - Sarah S Eichenberger
- ETH-Zürich LOC: Eidgenossische Technische Hochschule Zurich Laboratorium fur Organische Chemie, Chemistry, SWITZERLAND
| | - Tomas Kündig
- ETH-Zürich LOC: Eidgenossische Technische Hochschule Zurich Laboratorium fur Organische Chemie, Chemistry, SWITZERLAND
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16
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Ammonia Production by Streptomyces Symbionts of Acromyrmex Leaf-Cutting Ants Strongly Inhibits the Fungal Pathogen Escovopsis. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9081622. [PMID: 34442700 PMCID: PMC8400888 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9081622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Leaf-cutting ants live in mutualistic symbiosis with their garden fungus Leucoagaricus gongylophorus that can be attacked by the specialized pathogenic fungus Escovopsis. Actinomyces symbionts from Acromyrmex leaf-cutting ants contribute to protect L. gongylophorus against pathogens. The symbiont Streptomyces sp. Av25_4 exhibited strong activity against Escovopsis weberi in co-cultivation assays. Experiments physically separating E. weberi and Streptomyces sp. Av25_4 allowing only exchange of volatiles revealed that Streptomyces sp. Av25_4 produces a volatile antifungal. Volatile compounds from Streptomyces sp. Av25_4 were collected by closed loop stripping. Analysis by NMR revealed that Streptomyces sp. Av25_4 overproduces ammonia (up to 8 mM) which completely inhibited the growth of E. weberi due to its strong basic pH. Additionally, other symbionts from different Acromyrmex ants inhibited E. weberi by production of ammonia. The waste of ca. one third of Acomyrmex and Atta leaf-cutting ant colonies was strongly basic due to ammonia (up to ca. 8 mM) suggesting its role in nest hygiene. Not only complex and metabolically costly secondary metabolites, such as polyketides, but simple ammonia released by symbionts of leaf-cutting ants can contribute to control the growth of Escovopsis that is sensitive to ammonia in contrast to the garden fungus L. gongylophorus.
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17
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Jiménez-Gómez I, Barcoto MO, Montoya QV, Goes AC, Monteiro LSVE, Bueno OC, Rodrigues A. Host Susceptibility Modulates Escovopsis Pathogenic Potential in the Fungiculture of Higher Attine Ants. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:673444. [PMID: 34194409 PMCID: PMC8238408 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.673444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Health and disease emerge from intricate interactions between genotypes, phenotypes, and environmental features. The outcomes of such interactions are context-dependent, existing as a dynamic continuum ranging from benefits to damage. In host-microbial interactions, both the host and environmental conditions modulate the pathogenic potential of a microorganism. Microbial interactions are the core of the agricultural systems of ants in the subtribe Attina, which cultivate basidiomycete fungi for food. The fungiculture environment harbors a diverse microbial community, including fungi in the genus Escovopsis that has been studied as damage-causing agent. Here, we consider the ant colony as a host and investigate to what extent its health impacts the dynamics and outcomes of host-Escovopsis interactions. We found that different ant fungal cultivars vary in susceptibility to the same Escovopsis strains in plate-assays interactions. In subcolony-Escovopsis interactions, while healthy subcolonies gradually recover from infection with different concentrations of Escovopsis conidia, insecticide-treated subcolonies evidenced traits of infection and died within 7 days. The opportunistic nature of Escovopsis infections indicates that diseases in attine fungiculture are a consequence of host susceptibility, rather than the effect of a single microbial agent. By addressing the host susceptibility as a major modulator of Escovopsis pathogenesis, our findings expand the understanding of disease dynamics within attine colonies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Jiménez-Gómez
- Department of General and Applied Biology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rio Claro, Brazil.,Centro de Investigación en Dinámica Celular, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Mariana O Barcoto
- Department of General and Applied Biology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rio Claro, Brazil
| | - Quimi V Montoya
- Department of General and Applied Biology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rio Claro, Brazil
| | - Aryel C Goes
- Department of General and Applied Biology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rio Claro, Brazil
| | - Lana S V E Monteiro
- Department of General and Applied Biology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rio Claro, Brazil
| | - Odair C Bueno
- Department of General and Applied Biology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rio Claro, Brazil
| | - Andre Rodrigues
- Department of General and Applied Biology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rio Claro, Brazil
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18
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Bae M, Mevers E, Pishchany G, Whaley SG, Rock CO, Andes DR, Currie CR, Pupo MT, Clardy J. Chemical Exchanges between Multilateral Symbionts. Org Lett 2021; 23:1648-1652. [PMID: 33591189 DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.1c00068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Herein is a report on the molecular exchange occurring between multilateral symbiosis partners-a tit-for-tat exchange that led to the characterization of two new metabolites, conocandin B (fungal-derived) and dentigerumycin F (bacterial-derived). The structures were determined by NMR, mass spectrometry, genomic analysis, and chemical derivatizations. Conocandin B exhibits antimicrobial activity against both the bacterial symbionts of fungus-growing ant and human pathogenic strains by selectively inhibiting FabH, thus disrupting fatty acid biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Munhyung Bae
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Emily Mevers
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Gleb Pishchany
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Sarah G Whaley
- Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Charles O Rock
- Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - David R Andes
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, United States
| | - Cameron R Currie
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Monica T Pupo
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-903, Brazil
| | - Jon Clardy
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
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19
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Masiulionis VE, Pagnocca FC. In vitro study of volatile organic compounds produced by the mutualistic fungus of leaf-cutter ants and the antagonist Escovopsis. FUNGAL ECOL 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.funeco.2020.100986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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20
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Liu SY, Wang LZ, Wang YF, Li L, Han GY, Zhang BY, Guo Y, He YZ, Fang SM, Zhang H. Isolation and characterization of two new chroman-4-ones from the endophytic fungus Penicillium chrysogenum obtained from Eucommia ulmoides Oliver. Nat Prod Res 2020; 36:3297-3302. [PMID: 33930984 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2020.1855161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Two new chroman-4-ones penicichromanone A (1) and penicichromanone B (2), together with three known compounds conioxepinol C (3), emodin (4) and moniliphenone (5), were obtained from the endophytic fungus Penicillium chrysogenum, which was isolated from the bark of Eucommia ulmoides Oliver. The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated by detailed analysis of HRESIMS, 1D/2D NMR and ECD spectra. All the compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activities using HEK293 cells, and compounds 1, 3, 4 and 5 exhibited significant inhibitory effects on TNF-α-stimulated NF-κB activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng-Yue Liu
- Tianjin State Key Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Li-Zhi Wang
- Tianjin State Key Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Yue-Fei Wang
- Tianjin State Key Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Lin Li
- Tianjin State Key Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Guo-Ying Han
- Tianjin State Key Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Bing-Yang Zhang
- Tianjin State Key Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Ying Guo
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Nankai Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yong-Zhi He
- Tianjin State Key Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Shi-Ming Fang
- Tianjin State Key Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Han Zhang
- Tianjin State Key Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
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21
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Sphaerostilbellins, New Antimicrobial Aminolipopeptide Peptaibiotics from Sphaerostilbella toxica. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10101371. [PMID: 32993102 PMCID: PMC7600149 DOI: 10.3390/biom10101371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Sphaerostilbella toxica is a mycoparasitic fungus that can be found parasitizing wood-decay basidiomycetes in the southern USA. Organic solvent extracts of fermented strains of S. toxica exhibited potent antimicrobial activity, including potent growth inhibition of human pathogenic yeasts Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans, the respiratory pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus, and the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. Bioassay-guided separations led to the purification and structure elucidation of new peptaibiotics designated as sphaerostilbellins A and B. Their structures were established mainly by analysis of NMR and HRMS data, verification of amino acid composition by Marfey's method, and by comparison with published data of known compounds. They incorporate intriguing structural features, including an N-terminal 2-methyl-3-oxo-tetradecanoyl (MOTDA) residue and a C-terminal putrescine residue. The minimal inhibitory concentrations for sphaerostilbellins A and B were measured as 2 μM each for C. neoformans, 1 μM each for A. fumigatus, and 4 and 2 μM, respectively, for C. albicans. Murine macrophage cells were unaffected at these concentrations.
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22
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Batey SFD, Greco C, Hutchings MI, Wilkinson B. Chemical warfare between fungus-growing ants and their pathogens. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2020; 59:172-181. [PMID: 32949983 PMCID: PMC7763482 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2020.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Fungus-growing attine ants are under constant threat from fungal pathogens such as the specialized mycoparasite Escovopsis, which uses combined physical and chemical attack strategies to prey on the fungal gardens of the ants. In defence, some species assemble protective microbiomes on their exoskeletons that contain antimicrobial-producing Actinobacteria. Underlying this network of mutualistic and antagonistic interactions are an array of chemical signals. Escovopsis weberi produces the shearinine terpene-indole alkaloids, which affect ant behaviour, diketopiperazines to combat defensive bacteria, and other small molecules that inhibit the fungal cultivar. Pseudonocardia and Streptomyces mutualist bacteria produce depsipeptide and polyene macrolide antifungals active against Escovopsis spp. The ant nest metabolome is further complicated by competition between defensive bacteria, which produce antibacterials active against even closely related species. Specialist fungal pathogens attack the nests of fungus-growing ants. Ants form mutualistic relationships with defensive actinomycete bacteria. Specialised metabolites underpin these mutualistic and antagonistic interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sibyl F D Batey
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, NR4 7UH, United Kingdom
| | - Claudio Greco
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, NR4 7UH, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew I Hutchings
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, NR4 7UH, United Kingdom; School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TU, United Kingdom.
| | - Barrie Wilkinson
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, NR4 7UH, United Kingdom.
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23
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Abstract
Interactions among microbes are key drivers of evolutionary progress and constantly shape ecological niches. Microorganisms rely on chemical communication to interact with each other and surrounding organisms. They synthesize natural products as signaling molecules, antibiotics, or modulators of cellular processes that may be applied in agriculture and medicine. Whereas major insight has been gained into the principles of intraspecies interaction, much less is known about the molecular basis of interspecies interplay. In this review, we summarize recent progress in the understanding of chemically mediated bacterial-fungal interrelations. We discuss pairwise interactions among defined species and systems involving additional organisms as well as complex interactions among microbial communities encountered in the soil or defined as microbiota of higher organisms. Finally, we give examples of how the growing understanding of microbial interactions has contributed to drug discovery and hypothesize what may be future directions in studying and engineering microbiota for agricultural or medicinal purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirstin Scherlach
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Christian Hertweck
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, 07745 Jena, Germany
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07745 Jena, Germany
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24
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Bizarria R, Nagamoto NS, Rodrigues A. Lack of fungal cultivar fidelity and low virulence of Escovopsis trichodermoides. FUNGAL ECOL 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.funeco.2020.100944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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25
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Goes AC, Barcoto MO, Kooij PW, Bueno OC, Rodrigues A. How Do Leaf-Cutting Ants Recognize Antagonistic Microbes in Their Fungal Crops? Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.00095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
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26
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Ludlow EJ, Vassiliadis S, Ekanayake PN, Hettiarachchige IK, Reddy P, Sawbridge TI, Rochfort SJ, Spangenberg GC, Guthridge KM. Analysis of the Indole Diterpene Gene Cluster for Biosynthesis of the Epoxy-Janthitrems in Epichloë Endophytes. Microorganisms 2019; 7:microorganisms7110560. [PMID: 31766147 PMCID: PMC6921081 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms7110560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Epoxy-janthitrems are a class of indole diterpenes with structural similarity to lolitrem B. Two taxa of asexual Epichloë endophytes have been reported to produce epoxy-janthitrems, LpTG-3 (Lolium perenne Taxonomic Group 3; e.g., NEA12) and LpTG-4 (e.g., E1). Epichloë epoxy-janthitrems are not well understood, the biosynthetic pathway and associated gene complement have not been described and while the literature suggests they are associated with superior protection against pasture insect pests and are tremorgenic in grazing mammals, these properties have not been confirmed using isolated and purified compounds. Whole genome sequence analysis was used to identify candidate genes for epoxy-janthitrem biosynthesis that are unique to epoxy-janthitrem producing strains of Epichloë. A gene, jtmD, was identified with homology to aromatic prenyl transferases involved in synthesis of indole diterpenes. The location of the epoxy-janthitrem biosynthesis gene cluster (JTM locus) was determined in the assembled nuclear genomes of NEA12 and E1. The JTM locus contains cluster 1 and cluster 2 of the lolitrem B biosynthesis gene cluster (LTM locus), as well as four genes jtmD, jtmO, jtm01, and jtm02 that are unique to Epichloë spp. that produce epoxy-janthitrems. Expression of each of the genes identified was confirmed using transcriptome analysis of perennial ryegrass-NEA12 and perennial ryegrass-E1 symbiota. Sequence analysis confirmed the genes are functionally similar to those involved in biosynthesis of related indole diterpene compounds. RNAi silencing of jtmD and in planta assessment in host-endophyte associations confirms the role of jtmD in epoxy-janthitrem production. Using LCMS/MS technologies, a biosynthetic pathway for the production of epoxy-janthitrems I-IV in Epichloë endophytes is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma J. Ludlow
- Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia; (E.J.L.); (S.V.); (P.N.E.); (I.K.H.); (P.R.); (T.I.S.); (S.J.R.); (G.C.S.)
| | - Simone Vassiliadis
- Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia; (E.J.L.); (S.V.); (P.N.E.); (I.K.H.); (P.R.); (T.I.S.); (S.J.R.); (G.C.S.)
| | - Piyumi N. Ekanayake
- Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia; (E.J.L.); (S.V.); (P.N.E.); (I.K.H.); (P.R.); (T.I.S.); (S.J.R.); (G.C.S.)
| | - Inoka K. Hettiarachchige
- Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia; (E.J.L.); (S.V.); (P.N.E.); (I.K.H.); (P.R.); (T.I.S.); (S.J.R.); (G.C.S.)
| | - Priyanka Reddy
- Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia; (E.J.L.); (S.V.); (P.N.E.); (I.K.H.); (P.R.); (T.I.S.); (S.J.R.); (G.C.S.)
| | - Tim I. Sawbridge
- Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia; (E.J.L.); (S.V.); (P.N.E.); (I.K.H.); (P.R.); (T.I.S.); (S.J.R.); (G.C.S.)
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia
| | - Simone J. Rochfort
- Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia; (E.J.L.); (S.V.); (P.N.E.); (I.K.H.); (P.R.); (T.I.S.); (S.J.R.); (G.C.S.)
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia
| | - German C. Spangenberg
- Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia; (E.J.L.); (S.V.); (P.N.E.); (I.K.H.); (P.R.); (T.I.S.); (S.J.R.); (G.C.S.)
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia
| | - Kathryn M. Guthridge
- Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia; (E.J.L.); (S.V.); (P.N.E.); (I.K.H.); (P.R.); (T.I.S.); (S.J.R.); (G.C.S.)
- Correspondence:
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27
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Ariantari NP, Ancheeva E, Wang C, Mándi A, Knedel TO, Kurtán T, Chaidir C, Müller WEG, Kassack MU, Janiak C, Daletos G, Proksch P. Indole Diterpenoids from an Endophytic Penicillium sp. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2019; 82:1412-1423. [PMID: 31117519 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.8b00723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
A chemical investigation of the endophyte Penicillium sp. (strain ZO-R1-1), isolated from roots of the medicinal plant Zingiber officinale, yielded nine new indole diterpenoids (1-9), together with 13 known congeners (10-22). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR analysis in combination with HRESIMS data. The absolute configuration of the new natural products 1, 3, and 7 was determined using the TDDFT-ECD approach and confirmed for 1 by single-crystal X-ray determination through anomalous dispersion. The isolated compounds were tested for cytotoxicity against L5178Y, A2780, J82, and HEK-293 cell lines. Compound 1 was the most active metabolite toward L5178Y cells, with an IC50 value of 3.6 μM, and an IC50 against A2780 cells of 8.7 μM. Interestingly, 1 features a new type of indole diterpenoid scaffold with a rare 6/5/6/6/6/6/5 heterocyclic system bearing an aromatic ring C, which is suggested to be important for the cytotoxic activity of this natural product against L5278Y and A2780 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ni P Ariantari
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology and Biotechnology , Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf , Universitätsstrasse 1 , 40225 Düsseldorf , Germany
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematic and Natural Sciences , Udayana University , 80361 Bali , Indonesia
| | - Elena Ancheeva
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology and Biotechnology , Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf , Universitätsstrasse 1 , 40225 Düsseldorf , Germany
| | - Chenyin Wang
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry , Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf , Universitätsstrasse 1 , 40225 Düsseldorf , Germany
| | - Attila Mándi
- Department of Organic Chemistry , University of Debrecen , P.O.B. 400, 4002 Debrecen , Hungary
| | - Tim-O Knedel
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry and Structural Chemistry , Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf , Universitätsstraße 1 , 40225 Düsseldorf , Germany
| | - Tibor Kurtán
- Department of Organic Chemistry , University of Debrecen , P.O.B. 400, 4002 Debrecen , Hungary
| | - Chaidir Chaidir
- Center for Pharmaceutical and Medical Technology , Agency for the Assessment and Application Technology , 10340 Jakarta , Indonesia
| | - Werner E G Müller
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry , Universitätsmedizin der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz , Duesbergweg 6 , 55128 Mainz , Germany
| | - Matthias U Kassack
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry , Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf , Universitätsstrasse 1 , 40225 Düsseldorf , Germany
| | - Christoph Janiak
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry and Structural Chemistry , Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf , Universitätsstraße 1 , 40225 Düsseldorf , Germany
| | - Georgios Daletos
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology and Biotechnology , Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf , Universitätsstrasse 1 , 40225 Düsseldorf , Germany
| | - Peter Proksch
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology and Biotechnology , Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf , Universitätsstrasse 1 , 40225 Düsseldorf , Germany
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Tremorgenic Mycotoxins: Structure Diversity and Biological Activity. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11050302. [PMID: 31137882 PMCID: PMC6563255 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11050302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Revised: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Indole-diterpenes are an important class of chemical compounds which can be unique to different fungal species. The highly complex lolitrem compounds are confined to Epichloë species, whilst penitrem production is confined to Penicillium spp. and Aspergillus spp. These fungal species are often present in association with pasture grasses, and the indole-diterpenes produced may cause toxicity in grazing animals. In this review, we highlight the unique structural variations of indole-diterpenes that are characterised into subgroups, including paspaline, paxilline, shearinines, paspalitrems, terpendoles, penitrems, lolitrems, janthitrems, and sulpinines. A detailed description of the unique biological activities has been documented where even structurally related compounds have displayed unique biological activities. Indole-diterpene production has been reported in two classes of ascomycete fungi, namely Eurotiomycetes (e.g., Aspergillus and Penicillium) and Sordariomycetes (e.g., Claviceps and Epichloë). These compounds all have a common structural core comprised of a cyclic diterpene skeleton derived from geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) and an indole moiety derived from tryptophan. Structure diversity is generated from the enzymatic conversion of different sites on the basic indole-diterpene structure. This review highlights the wide-ranging biological versatility presented by the indole-diterpene group of compounds and their role in an agricultural and pharmaceutical setting.
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29
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Corpse management of the invasive Argentine ant inhibits growth of pathogenic fungi. Sci Rep 2019; 9:7593. [PMID: 31110201 PMCID: PMC6527551 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44144-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A dead conspecific poses a potential pathogen risk for social animals. We have discovered that Argentine ants (Linepithema humile) prevent spread of pathogenic fungi from corpses by depositing the dead to combined toilet and refuse areas and applying pygidial gland secretion on them. The presence of a corpse in a nest increases this secretion behaviour. We identified three fungi growing on Argentine ant corpses. Growth of the Argentine ant pathogen Aspergillus nomius and the plant pathogen Fusarium solani on corpses was inhibited as long as the ants were constantly attending them as the ant anal secretion only delayed germination of their spores. In contrast, the effect of the ant anal secretion on the human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus was much stronger: it prevented spore germination and, accordingly, the fungus no longer grew on the treated corpses. The Argentine ants are one of the world's worst invasive alien species as they cause ecological and economical damage in their new habitats. Our discovery points at a novel method to limit Argentine ant colonies through their natural fungal pathogens.
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30
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Abstract
One of the exciting movements in microbial sciences has been a refocusing and revitalization of efforts to mine the fungal secondary metabolome. The magnitude of biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) in a single filamentous fungal genome combined with the historic number of sequenced genomes suggests that the secondary metabolite wealth of filamentous fungi is largely untapped. Mining algorithms and scalable expression platforms have greatly expanded access to the chemical repertoire of fungal-derived secondary metabolites. In this Review, I discuss new insights into the transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of BGCs and the ecological roles of fungal secondary metabolites in warfare, defence and development. I also explore avenues for the identification of new fungal metabolites and the challenges in harvesting fungal-derived secondary metabolites.
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31
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Montoya QV, Martiarena MJS, Danilo Augusto Polezel, Akazu S, Rodrigues A. More pieces to a huge puzzle: Two new Escovopsis species from fungus gardens of attine ants. MycoKeys 2019:97-118. [PMID: 30814906 PMCID: PMC6389644 DOI: 10.3897/mycokeys.46.30951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Escovopsis (Ascomycota: Hypocreales, Hypocreaceae) is the only known parasite of the mutualistic fungi cultivated by fungus-growing ants (Formicidae: Myrmicinae: Attini: Attina, the "attines"). Despite its ecological role, the taxonomy and systematics of Escovopsis have been poorly addressed. Here, based on morphological and phylogenetic analyses with three molecular markers (internal transcribed spacer, large subunit ribosomal RNA and the translation elongation factor 1-alpha), we describe Escovopsisclavatus and E.multiformis as new species isolated from fungus gardens of Apterostigma ant species. Our analysis shows that E.clavatus and E.multiformis belong to the most derived Escovopsis clade, whose main character is the presence of conidiophores with vesicles. Nevertheless, the most outstanding feature of both new species is the presence of a swollen region in the central hypha of the conidiophore named swollen cell, which is absent in all previously described Escovopsis species. The less derived Escovopsis clades lack vesicles and their phylogenetic position within the Hypocreaceae still remains unclear. Considering the high genetic diversity in Escovopsis, the description of these new species adds barely two pieces to a huge taxonomic puzzle; however, this discovery is an important piece for building the systematics of this group of fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quimi Vidaurre Montoya
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, UNESP - São Paulo State University, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil São Paulo State University Rio Claro Brazil
| | - Maria Jesus Sutta Martiarena
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, UNESP - São Paulo State University, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil São Paulo State University Rio Claro Brazil
| | - Danilo Augusto Polezel
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, UNESP - São Paulo State University, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil São Paulo State University Rio Claro Brazil
| | - Sérgio Akazu
- Center for the Studies of Social Insects, UNESP - São Paulo State University, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil São Paulo State University Rio Claro Brazil
| | - Andre Rodrigues
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, UNESP - São Paulo State University, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil São Paulo State University Rio Claro Brazil.,Center for the Studies of Social Insects, UNESP - São Paulo State University, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil São Paulo State University Rio Claro Brazil
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32
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Kozák L, Szilágyi Z, Tóth L, Pócsi I, Molnár I. Tremorgenic and neurotoxic paspaline-derived indole-diterpenes: biosynthetic diversity, threats and applications. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 103:1599-1616. [PMID: 30613899 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-018-09594-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 12/15/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Indole-diterpenes (IDTs) such as the aflatrems, janthitrems, lolitrems, paspalitrems, penitrems, shearinines, sulpinines, and terpendoles are biogenetically related but structurally varied tremorgenic and neurotoxic mycotoxins produced by fungi. All these metabolites derive from the biosynthetic intermediate paspaline, a frequently occurring IDT on its own right. In this comprehensive review, we highlight the similarities and differences of the IDT biosynthetic pathways that lead to the generation of the main paspaline-derived IDT subgroups. We survey the taxonomic distribution and the regulation of IDT production in various fungi and compare the organization of the known IDT biosynthetic gene clusters. A detailed assessment of the highly diverse biological activities of these mycotoxins leads us to emphasize the significant losses that paspaline-derived IDTs cause in agriculture, and compels us to warn about the various hazards they represent towards human and livestock health. Conversely, we also describe the potential utility of these versatile molecules as lead compounds for pharmaceutical drug discovery, and examine the prospects for their industrial scale manufacture in genetically manipulated IDT producers or domesticated host microorganisms in synthetic biological production systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- László Kozák
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- Teva Pharmaceutical Works Ltd., Debrecen, Hungary
| | | | - László Tóth
- Teva Pharmaceutical Works Ltd., Debrecen, Hungary
| | - István Pócsi
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary.
| | - István Molnár
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary.
- Southwest Center for Natural Products Research, School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Arizona, Tucson, USA.
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33
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Escovopsis kreiselii specialization to its native hosts in the fungiculture of the lower attine ant Mycetophylax morschi. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 2018; 112:305-317. [PMID: 30206787 DOI: 10.1007/s10482-018-1158-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Parasite-host associations are widespread in nature and the fungus-growing ants are considered model organisms to study such interactions. These insects cultivate basidiomycetous fungi for food, which are threatened by mycotrophic fungi in the genus Escovopsis. Although recently described from colonies of the lower attine ant Mycetophylax morschi, the biology and pathogenicity of Escovopsis kreiselii are unknown. Herein, we evaluated the interaction of E. kreiselii with fungi cultivated by M. morschi (native hosts) and with a fungus cultivated by another attine ant species (non-native host). In addition, we examined the physical interactions between hypha of E. kreiselii and hypha from its native hosts using scanning electron microscopy. Escovopsis kreiselii inhibited the growth of fungal cultivars by 24% or more (with exception of one isolate), when compared to the fungal cultivars growing alone. Escovopsis kreiselii is attracted towards its native hosts through chemotaxis and inhibition occurs when there is physical contact with the hyphae of the fungal cultivar. As reported for Escovopsis parasites associated with leafcutter ants (higher attines), E. kreiselii growth increased in the presence of its native hosts, even before contact between both fungi occurred. In interactions with the fungal cultivar that is not naturally infected by E. kreiselii (non-native host), it caused inhibition but not at the same magnitude as in native hosts. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that E. kreiselii is an antagonist of the fungus cultivated by M. morschi and can chemically recognize such fungus.
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34
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Bizarria R, Moia IC, Montoya QV, Polezel DA, Rodrigues A. Soluble Compounds of Filamentous Fungi Harm the Symbiotic Fungus of Leafcutter Ants. Curr Microbiol 2018; 75:1602-1608. [PMID: 30203337 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-018-1566-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Chemical compounds are key to understand symbiotic interactions. In the leafcutter ant-microbe symbiosis a plethora of filamentous fungi continuously gain access the ant colonies through plant substrate collected by workers. Many filamentous fungi are considered transient in attine ant colonies, however, their real ecological role in this environment still remains unclear. A possible role of these microorganisms is the antagonism towards Leucoagaricus gongylophorus, the mutualistic fungus that serve as food for several leafcutter ant species. Here, we showed the antagonism of filamentous fungi isolated from different sources, and the negative impacts of their metabolites on the growth of the ant-fungal cultivar. Our results demonstrate that the chemical compounds produced by filamentous fungi can harm the mutualistic fungus of leafcutter ants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodolfo Bizarria
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, UNESP - São Paulo State University, Av. 24-A, n. 1515, Bela Vista, Rio Claro, SP, 13506-900, Brazil
| | - Isabela C Moia
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, UNESP - São Paulo State University, Av. 24-A, n. 1515, Bela Vista, Rio Claro, SP, 13506-900, Brazil
| | - Quimi V Montoya
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, UNESP - São Paulo State University, Av. 24-A, n. 1515, Bela Vista, Rio Claro, SP, 13506-900, Brazil
| | - Danilo A Polezel
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, UNESP - São Paulo State University, Av. 24-A, n. 1515, Bela Vista, Rio Claro, SP, 13506-900, Brazil
| | - Andre Rodrigues
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, UNESP - São Paulo State University, Av. 24-A, n. 1515, Bela Vista, Rio Claro, SP, 13506-900, Brazil. .,Center for the Study of Social Insects, UNESP - São Paulo State University, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil.
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35
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Four is a crowd. Nat Rev Microbiol 2018; 16:454. [DOI: 10.1038/s41579-018-0044-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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36
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Heine D, Holmes NA, Worsley SF, Santos ACA, Innocent TM, Scherlach K, Patrick EH, Yu DW, Murrell JC, Vieria PC, Boomsma JJ, Hertweck C, Hutchings MI, Wilkinson B. Chemical warfare between leafcutter ant symbionts and a co-evolved pathogen. Nat Commun 2018; 9:2208. [PMID: 29880868 PMCID: PMC5992151 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04520-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Acromyrmex leafcutter ants form a mutually beneficial symbiosis with the fungus Leucoagaricus gongylophorus and with Pseudonocardia bacteria. Both are vertically transmitted and actively maintained by the ants. The fungus garden is manured with freshly cut leaves and provides the sole food for the ant larvae, while Pseudonocardia cultures are reared on the ant-cuticle and make antifungal metabolites to help protect the cultivar against disease. If left unchecked, specialized parasitic Escovopsis fungi can overrun the fungus garden and lead to colony collapse. We report that Escovopsis upregulates the production of two specialized metabolites when it infects the cultivar. These compounds inhibit Pseudonocardia and one, shearinine D, also reduces worker behavioral defenses and is ultimately lethal when it accumulates in ant tissues. Our results are consistent with an active evolutionary arms race between Pseudonocardia and Escovopsis, which modifies both bacterial and behavioral defenses such that colony collapse is unavoidable once Escovopsis infections escalate. Acromyrmex ants cultivate fungus gardens that can be parasitized by Escovopsis sp., leading to colony collapse. Here, Heine et al. identify two secondary metabolites produced by Escovopsis that accumulate in Acromyrmex tissue, reduce behavioural defenses and suppress symbiotic Pseudonocardia bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Heine
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Neil A Holmes
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Sarah F Worsley
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Ana Carolina A Santos
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, HKI, Beutenbergstraße 11a, Jena, 07745, Germany.,Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany.,Departmento de Química, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, UFSCar, Via Washington Luiz KM 235, CP 676, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Tabitha M Innocent
- Department of Biology, Centre for Social Evolution, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, Copenhagen, 2100, Denmark
| | - Kirstin Scherlach
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, HKI, Beutenbergstraße 11a, Jena, 07745, Germany
| | - Elaine H Patrick
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Douglas W Yu
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - J Colin Murrell
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Paulo C Vieria
- Departmento de Química, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, UFSCar, Via Washington Luiz KM 235, CP 676, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Jacobus J Boomsma
- Department of Biology, Centre for Social Evolution, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, Copenhagen, 2100, Denmark
| | - Christian Hertweck
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, HKI, Beutenbergstraße 11a, Jena, 07745, Germany.,Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Matthew I Hutchings
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ, UK.
| | - Barrie Wilkinson
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7UH, UK.
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37
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Mueller UG, Kardish MR, Ishak HD, Wright AM, Solomon SE, Bruschi SM, Carlson AL, Bacci M. Phylogenetic patterns of ant-fungus associations indicate that farming strategies, not only a superior fungal cultivar, explain the ecological success of leafcutter ants. Mol Ecol 2018; 27:2414-2434. [PMID: 29740906 DOI: 10.1111/mec.14588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Revised: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
To elucidate fungicultural specializations contributing to ecological dominance of leafcutter ants, we estimate the phylogeny of fungi cultivated by fungus-growing (attine) ants, including fungal cultivars from (i) the entire leafcutter range from southern South America to southern North America, (ii) all higher-attine ant lineages (leafcutting genera Atta, Acromyrmex; nonleafcutting genera Trachymyrmex, Sericomyrmex) and (iii) all lower-attine lineages. Higher-attine fungi form two clades, Clade-A fungi (Leucocoprinus gongylophorus, formerly Attamyces) previously thought to be cultivated only by leafcutter ants, and a sister clade, Clade-B fungi, previously thought to be cultivated only by Trachymyrmex and Sericomyrmex ants. Contradicting this traditional view, we find that (i) leafcutter ants are not specialized to cultivate only Clade-A fungi because some leafcutter species ranging across South America cultivate Clade-B fungi; (ii) Trachymyrmex ants are not specialized to cultivate only Clade-B fungi because some Trachymyrmex species cultivate Clade-A fungi and other Trachymyrmex species cultivate fungi known so far only from lower-attine ants; (iii) in some locations, single higher-attine ant species or closely related cryptic species cultivate both Clade-A and Clade-B fungi; and (iv) ant-fungus co-evolution among higher-attine mutualisms is therefore less specialized than previously thought. Sympatric leafcutter ants can be ecologically dominant when cultivating either Clade-A or Clade-B fungi, sustaining with either cultivar-type huge nests that command large foraging territories; conversely, sympatric Trachymyrmex ants cultivating either Clade-A or Clade-B fungi can be locally abundant without achieving the ecological dominance of leafcutter ants. Ecological dominance of leafcutter ants therefore does not depend primarily on specialized fungiculture of L. gongylophorus (Clade-A), but must derive from ant-fungus synergisms and unique ant adaptations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich G Mueller
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Melissa R Kardish
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas.,Center for Population Biology, University of California, Davis, California
| | - Heather D Ishak
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas.,Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - April M Wright
- Department of Biological Science, Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, Louisiana
| | - Scott E Solomon
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Rice University, Houston, Texas.,Department of Entomology, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Sofia M Bruschi
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas.,Centro de Estudos de Insetos Sociais, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alexis L Carlson
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Maurício Bacci
- Centro de Estudos de Insetos Sociais, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
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