Phylogeny and morphological analyses of Penicillium section Sclerotiora (Fungi) lead to the discovery of five new species

Three New Species of Penicillium from East and Northeast China

Penicillium species are ubiquitous in the environment and are of substantial importance, especially in industrial and medical aspects. During our investigation of the biodiversity of Penicillium, three new species were discovered in soil samples collected from East and Northeast China. They were determined as new to science based on morphological comparisons and phylogenetic analyses, and were found to belong to the subgenus Penicillium section Robsamsonia and subgenus Aspergilloides sections Aspergilloides and Citrina. Descriptions and illustrations of these species are provided, and their geographic distributions are also discussed.

Comprehensive Analysis of Penicillium Sclerotiorum: Biology, Secondary Metabolites, and Bioactive Compound Potential─A Review

The filamentous fungus Penicillium sclerotiorum is significant in ecological and industrial domains due to its vast supply of secondary metabolites that have a diverse array of biological functions. We have gathered the metabolic potential and biological activities associated with P. sclerotiorum metabolites of various structures, based on extensive research of the latest literature. The review incorporated literature spanning from 2000 to 2023, drawing from reputable databases including Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and PubMed, among others. Ranging from azaphilones, meroterpenoids, polyketides, and peptides group exhibits fascinating potential pharmacological activities such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor effects, holding promise in pharmaceutical and industrial sectors. Additionally, P. sclerotiorum showcases biotechnological potential through the production of enzymes like β-xylosidases, β-d-glucosidase, and xylanases, pivotal in various industrial processes. This review underscores the need for further exploration into its genetic foundations and cultivation conditions to optimize the yield of valuable compounds and enzymes, highlighting the unexplored potential of P. sclerotiorum in diverse applications across industries.

Species Diversity of Penicillium in Southwest China with Discovery of Forty-Three New Species

Penicillium species are ubiquitous in all kinds of environments, and they are of industrial, agricultural and clinical importance. In this study, soil fungal diversity in Southwestern China was investigated, and that of Penicillium turned out to be unexpectedly high. The survey included a total of 179 cultures of the genus isolated from 33 soil samples. Three-locus phylogenetic analyses and morphological comparisons were carried out. The examinations revealed that they belonged to two subgenera (Aspergilloides and Penicillium), 11 sections (Aspergilloides, Canescentia, Citrina, Exilicaulis, Fasciculata, Gracilenta, Lanata-Divaricata, Penicillium, Ramosum, Robsamsonia, and Sclerotiorum), 25 series, and 74 species. Forty-three species were discovered as new to science, and a new series, Simianshanica, was established in sect. Aspergilloides. Additionally, 11 species were recorded for the first time in China. Species isolation frequency and distribution of the group were also discussed.

Azaphilones produced by Penicillium maximae with their cell death-inducing activity on Adriamycin-treated cancer cell

BACKGROUND

Heat shock proteins (Hsps) are overexpressed in several tumors and contribute to cell proliferation, metastasis, and anticancer drug resistance. Therefore, Hsp inhibitors have enhanced cytotoxicity as chemotherapeutic agents and may be effective with a reduced dosage for tumor therapy to avoid side effects.

RESULTS

Four new azaphilones, maximazaphilones I-IV (1-4), and three known compounds (5-7) have been isolated from the airborne-derived fungus Penicillium maximae. Inhibitory effects of isolated compounds against induction of Hsp105 were evaluated by the luciferase assay system using Hsp105 promoter. In this assay, 2-4, 6, and 7 significantly inhibited hsp105 promoter activity without cytotoxicity. In addition, all isolated compounds except for 5 significantly induced the death of Adriamycin (ADR)-treated HeLa cells. Interestingly, 1-4, 6, and 7 didn't show anti-proliferative and cell death-inducing activity without ADR.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed the chemical structures of maximazaphilones I-IV (1-4) and the potency of azaphilones may be useful for cancer treatment and reducing the dose of anticancer agents. In addition, one of the mechanisms of cell death-inducing activity for 2-4, 6, and 7 was suggested to be inhibitory effects of Hsp105 expression.

Along the footpath of Penicillium discovery: Six new species from the Woodville Big Tree Forest Trail

In this study, we studied the diversity of Penicillium occurring in soil collected along the Woodville Big Tree Forest Trail situated close to the coastal town of Wilderness in South Africa. Strains were accessioned into a collection and then identified to species based on β-tubulin DNA sequences, which is the recommended DNA barcode for the genus. The 74 strains were found to represent 18 species, including six we consider undescribed. Here, we introduce them as Penicillium claroviride, P. kalander, P. mattheeae, P. outeniquaense, P. subfuscum, and P. umkhoba. Phylogenetic comparisons were made, and genealogical concordance was demonstrated for these new species using DNA sequences from nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer region ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS barcode), β-tubulin, calmodulin, and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit. Notes on morphological characters distinguishing the new species from their close relatives are provided.

New Species of Talaromyces (Trichocomaceae, Eurotiales) from Southwestern China

Species of Talaromyces are cosmopolitan and ubiquitous, and some are of industrial and medicinal importance. Species of Talaromyces have been successively reported in China. During our examinations of samples collected from southwestern China, two new species belonging to Talaromyces sect. Talaromyces were further discovered based on phylogenetic analyses and morphological comparisons. Talaromyces ginkgonis sp. nov., isolated from a partially colonized fruit of Ginkgo biloba, differs from closely-related fungi in the combination of conidia ellipsoidal, smooth and 3.5−4 × 2−3 μm, no growth on CYA at 37 °C and sequence divergences; T. shilinensis sp. nov. is distinguished from its related allies in the combination of smooth conidia, colonies 10−11 mm diameter on CYA at 25 °C and sequence differences. Detailed descriptions and illustrations of the new taxa are given.

New Species of Aspergillus (Aspergillaceae) from Tropical Islands of China

Aspergillus species are cosmopolitan and ubiquitous, closely related to human daily life. They are also of food, industrial and medical importance. From the examination of cultures isolated from soil samples collected on tropical islands of China, four new species of the genus were discovered based on phylogenetic analyses and morphological comparisons. Aspergillus xishaensis sp. nov. and A. neoterreus sp. nov. belong to sections Flavipedes and Terrei of subgenus Circumdati, and A. hainanicus sp. nov. and A. qilianyuensis sp. nov. are in sections Cavernicolarum and Nidulantes of subgenus Nidulantes. To accommodate A. hainanicus, a new series Hainanici was proposed. Detailed descriptions and illustrations of the new taxa were provided.

Three Mycogone Species, Including a New Species, Cause Wet Bubble Disease of Agaricus bisporus in China

White button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach, is the most extensively cultivated and edible mushroom worldwide. The production of A. bisporus is commonly affected by wet bubble disease (WBD), imposing a significant economic burden in China. Although studies have shown that this disease is caused by fungi of the Mycogone genus, the pathogen has not been fully characterized. In this study, 802 samples of diseased fruiting bodies of A. bisporus were collected from nine major mushroom-cultivating provinces in China, yielding a total of 586 Mycogone isolates. The morphologic characteristics of these isolates were observed and compared, and multilocus phylogenetic analyses (internal transcribed spacer [ITS], ACT, TEF1-α, TUB, RPB2, and large ribosomal subunit [LSU]) were performed on the selected representative isolates. Three Mycogone species were identified: a new species, M. xinjiangensis; M. perniciosa; and M. rosea. Mycogone rosea was the first ever reported in China. Furthermore, M. rosea was found to be the most prevalent species (54.95% of all isolates) in all the sampled areas, except in Hubei and Xinjiang, followed by M. perniciosa (39.93%) and M. xinjiangensis (5.12%). Pathogenicity tests on the fruiting body and mushroom bed substantiated Koch's postulates by the development of mildly different symptoms after inoculation with each species. This study, therefore, enhances our knowledge of the species associated with WBD in A. bisporus and provides useful insights for preventing WBD and allied diseases.

Differentiation of Penicillium roqueforti from Closely Related Species Contaminating Cheeses and Dairy Environment

Currently, Penicillium roqueforti and the closely related P. carneum and P. paneum are identified based on their macromorphology, micromorphology, and molecular properties, the determination of which involves time-consuming procedures. Culture collections focused on dairy isolates of P. roqueforti require quick and efficient tools for routine applications to identify the (a) taxonomy affiliation and (b) morphological properties of strains that influence the sensory properties of blue-veined cheeses. Here, we assessed the morphological variability of P. roqueforti, P. carneum, P. paneum, and P.crustosum on artificial, Edam-like, and Roquefort-like media. Molecular tools were used to test P. roqueforti strains and clones effectively. A novel primer, PrsF, was tested for specificity within strains and isolates of P. roqueforti compared to P. carneum, P. paneum, and P. crustosum. The results reveal that PrsF was specific to the P. roqueforti samples and did not amplify the other tested Penicillium species. Identification based simultaneously on the specificity of the PrsF primer pair and cultivation of P. roqueforti strains on Roquefort-like medium represents an effective method for expanding the collections and practical use of P. roqueforti in the dairy industry.

Three diketomorpholines from a Penicillium sp. (strain G1071)

Three previously undescribed diketomorpholine natural products, along with the known phenalenones, herqueinone and norherqueinone, were isolated from the mycoparasitic fungal strain G1071, which was identified as a Penicillium sp. in the section Sclerotiora. The structures were established by analyzing NMR data and mass spectrometry fragmentation patterns. The absolute configurations of deacetyl-javanicunine A, javanicunine C, and javanicunine D, were assigned by examining ECD spectra and Marfey's analysis. The structural diversity generated by this fungal strain was interesting, as only a few diketomorpholines (~17) have been reported from nature.

New Species of Talaromyces (Fungi) Isolated from Soil in Southwestern China

Southwestern China belongs among the global biodiversity hotspots and the Daba Mountains are recognized as one of the priority conservation areas. During the exploration of fungal biodiversity from soil samples collected from Mount Daba, two species of Talaromyces were discovered as new to science based on phylogenetic analyses and morphological comparisons. Talaromyces chongqingensis sp. nov. is a sister taxon of T. minioluteus and T. minnesotensis in the section Trachyspermi; and T. wushanicus sp. nov., affiliated to the section Talaromyces, is closely related to T. cnidii and T. siamensis. The new species differ from their sisters in DNA sequences, growth rates, and morphological characteristics. Descriptions and illustrations of them are provided in detail.

A Novel Species of Penicillium With Inhibitory Effects Against Pyricularia oryzae and Fungal Pathogens Inducing Citrus Diseases

A novel species of Penicillium, proposed as P. linzhiense sp.nov was isolated from soil collected in Linzhi Town, Linzhi County, Tibet Autonomous Region, China. DNA sequence analyses from eight different gene regions indicate that the isolate represents a novel species and most closely related to P. janczewskii. The phylogenetic analysis based on a concatenated dataset of three genes, ITS, CaM, and BenA, also confirmed the placement of the novel species within the Canescentia section of the genus Penicillium. Differences in morphology among similar species are detailed and single gene phylogenies based on ITS, CaM and BenA genes as well as a multi-loci gene phylogeny are presented. Cultural studies were performed to study inhibitory activities on plant pathogens. The results reveal a notable antifungal activity against Pyricularia oryzae causing rice blast with an inhibition rate up to 77%, while for other three citrus pathogens, Diaporthe citri, Phyllosticta citrichinaensis, and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, inhibition rate was 40, 50, and 55% respectively. No noticeable effects were observed for Fusarium graminearum, Botryosphaeria kuwatsukai, and Rhizoctonia solani. Interestingly, unlike other reported members of Canescentia, P. linzhiense showed no antagonistic effect on root rotting fungi. The new taxon isolated here has the potential to be used as a biocontrol agent especially for economically important phytopathogens or emerging pathogens on diseases occurring on citrus or rice.

Penicillium ulleungdoense sp. nov. from Ulleung Island in Korea

In a study of the fungal diversity on Ulleung Island in Korea, three novel strains of Penicillium were isolated. Different sites on Ulleung Island were selected for collecting endophytic fungi, and three endophytic fungal strains showed unique morphological characteristics. DNA sequence of the internal transcribed spacer, β-tubulin, calmodulin, and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit regions of the strains were analyzed and they showed unique taxonomic position from the other species of Penicillium section Sclerotiora. The new strains were named Penicillium ulleungdoense sp. nov. As the novel endophytic Penicillium taxa were discovered in a unique environment, the data could be meaningful for understanding the geographical distribution of Ascomycetes on Ulleung Island.

Classification of Aspergillus, Penicillium, Talaromyces and related genera (Eurotiales): An overview of families, genera, subgenera, sections, series and species

The Eurotiales is a relatively large order of Ascomycetes with members frequently having positive and negative impact on human activities. Species within this order gain attention from various research fields such as food, indoor and medical mycology and biotechnology. In this article we give an overview of families and genera present in the Eurotiales and introduce an updated subgeneric, sectional and series classification for Aspergillus and Penicillium. Finally, a comprehensive list of accepted species in the Eurotiales is given. The classification of the Eurotiales at family and genus level is traditionally based on phenotypic characters, and this classification has since been challenged using sequence-based approaches. Here, we re-evaluated the relationships between families and genera of the Eurotiales using a nine-gene sequence dataset. Based on this analysis, the new family Penicillaginaceae is introduced and four known families are accepted: Aspergillaceae, Elaphomycetaceae, Thermoascaceae and Trichocomaceae. The Eurotiales includes 28 genera: 15 genera are accommodated in the Aspergillaceae (Aspergillago, Aspergillus, Evansstolkia, Hamigera, Leiothecium, Monascus, Penicilliopsis, Penicillium, Phialomyces, Pseudohamigera, Pseudopenicillium, Sclerocleista, Warcupiella, Xerochrysium and Xeromyces), eight in the Trichocomaceae (Acidotalaromyces, Ascospirella, Dendrosphaera, Rasamsonia, Sagenomella, Talaromyces, Thermomyces, Trichocoma), two in the Thermoascaceae (Paecilomyces, Thermoascus) and one in the Penicillaginaceae (Penicillago). The classification of the Elaphomycetaceae was not part of this study, but according to literature two genera are present in this family (Elaphomyces and Pseudotulostoma). The use of an infrageneric classification system has a long tradition in Aspergillus and Penicillium. Most recent taxonomic studies focused on the sectional level, resulting in a well-established sectional classification in these genera. In contrast, a series classification in Aspergillus and Penicillium is often outdated or lacking, but is still relevant, e.g., the allocation of a species to a series can be highly predictive in what functional characters the species might have and might be useful when using a phenotype-based identification. The majority of the series in Aspergillus and Penicillium are invalidly described and here we introduce a new series classification. Using a phylogenetic approach, often supported by phenotypic, physiologic and/or extrolite data, Aspergillus is subdivided in six subgenera, 27 sections (five new) and 75 series (73 new, one new combination), and Penicillium in two subgenera, 32 sections (seven new) and 89 series (57 new, six new combinations). Correct identification of species belonging to the Eurotiales is difficult, but crucial, as the species name is the linking pin to information. Lists of accepted species are a helpful aid for researchers to obtain a correct identification using the current taxonomic schemes. In the most recent list from 2014, 339 Aspergillus, 354 Penicillium and 88 Talaromyces species were accepted. These numbers increased significantly, and the current list includes 446 Aspergillus (32 % increase), 483 Penicillium (36 % increase) and 171 Talaromyces (94 % increase) species, showing the large diversity and high interest in these genera. We expanded this list with all genera and species belonging to the Eurotiales (except those belonging to Elaphomycetaceae). The list includes 1 187 species, distributed over 27 genera, and contains MycoBank numbers, collection numbers of type and ex-type cultures, subgenus, section and series classification data, information on the mode of reproduction, and GenBank accession numbers of ITS, beta-tubulin (BenA), calmodulin (CaM) and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2) gene sequences.

New Records of Four Species Belonging to Eurotiales from Soil and Freshwater in Korea

Four strains of Penicillium and Talaromyces species are described and illustrated in an inventory of fungal species belonging to Eurotiales. The strains, CNUFC-DDS17-1, CNUFC-DDS27-1, CNUFC-PTM72-1, and CNUFC-YJW3-31, were isolated from soil and freshwater samples from South Korea. Based on their morphological characteristics and sequence analyses by the combined β-tubulin and calmodulin gene, the CNUFC-DDS17-1, CNUFC-DDS27-1, CNUFC-PTM72-1, and CNUFC-YJW3-31 isolates were identified as Penicillium pasqualense, Penicillium sanguifluum, Talaromyces apiculatus, and Talaromyces liani, respectively. The designated strains were found to represent a previously undescribed species of Korean fungal biota. In this study, detailed morphological descriptions and phylogenetic relationships of these species are provided.

Three Unrecorded Species Belonging to Penicillium Section Sclerotiora from Marine Environments in Korea

Species that belong to Penicillium section Sclerotiora are commonly found in various terrestrial environments, but only a few have been reported in marine environments. Because the number of Penicillium species reported in marine environments is increasing, we investigated the diversity of Penicillium section Sclerotiora in marine environments in Korea. Based on sequence analyses of β-tubulin and calmodulin loci, 21 strains of section Sclerotiora were identified as P. bilaiae, P. daejeonium, P. exsudans, P. herquei, P. cf. guanacastense, P. mallochii, P. maximae, and P. viticola. Three of them were confirmed as new to Korea: P. exsudans, P. mallochii, and P. maximae. Here, we have provided detailed morphological descriptions of these unrecorded species.

New Penicillium and Talaromyces species from honey, pollen and nests of stingless bees

Penicillium and Talaromyces species have a worldwide distribution and are isolated from various materials and hosts, including insects and their substrates. The aim of this study was to characterize the Penicillium and Talaromyces species obtained during a survey of honey, pollen and the inside of nests of Melipona scutellaris. A total of 100 isolates were obtained during the survey and 82% of those strains belonged to Penicillium and 18% to Talaromyces. Identification of these isolates was performed based on phenotypic characters and β-tubulin and ITS sequencing. Twenty-one species were identified in Penicillium and six in Talaromyces, including seven new species. These new species were studied in detail using a polyphasic approach combining phenotypic, molecular and extrolite data. The four new Penicillium species belong to sections Sclerotiora (Penicillium fernandesiae sp. nov., Penicillium mellis sp. nov., Penicillium meliponae sp. nov.) and Gracilenta (Penicillium apimei sp. nov.) and the three new Talaromyces species to sections Helici (Talaromyces pigmentosus sp. nov.), Talaromyces (Talaromyces mycothecae sp. nov.) and Trachyspermi (Talaromyces brasiliensis sp. nov.). The invalidly described species Penicillium echinulonalgiovense sp. nov. was also isolated during the survey and this species is validated here.