1
|
Sharma A, Kaur E, Joshi R, Kumari P, Khatri A, Swarnkar MK, Kumar D, Acharya V, Nadda G. Systematic analyses with genomic and metabolomic insights reveal a new species, Ophiocordyceps indica sp. nov. from treeline area of Indian Western Himalayan region. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1188649. [PMID: 37547690 PMCID: PMC10399244 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1188649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Ophiocordyceps is a species-rich genus in the order Hypocreales (Sordariomycetes, Ascomycota) depicting a fascinating relationship between microbes and insects. In the present study, a new species, Ophiocordyceps indica sp. nov., is discovered infecting lepidopteran larvae from tree line locations (2,202-2,653 m AMSL) of the Kullu District, Himachal Pradesh, Indian Western Himalayan region, using combinations of morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses. A phylogeny for Ophiocordyceps based on a combined multigene (nrSSU, nrLSU, tef-1α, and RPB1) dataset is provided, and its taxonomic status within Ophiocordycipitaceae is briefly discussed. Its genome size (~59 Mb) revealed 94% genetic similarity with O. sinensis; however, it differs from other extant Ophiocordyceps species based on morphological characteristics, molecular phylogenetic relationships, and genetic distance. O. indica is identified as the second homothallic species in the family Ophiocordycipitaceae, after O. sinensis. The presence of targeted marker components, viz. nucleosides (2,303.25 μg/g), amino acids (6.15%), mannitol (10.13%), and biological activity data, suggests it to be a new potential source of nutraceutical importance. Data generated around this economically important species will expand our understanding regarding the diversity of Ophiocordyceps-like taxa from new locations, thus providing new research avenues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aakriti Sharma
- Entomology Laboratory, Agrotechnology Division, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT), Palampur, HP, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| | - Ekjot Kaur
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
- Functional Genomics and Complex System Lab, Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT), Palampur, HP, India
| | - Robin Joshi
- Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT), Palampur, HP, India
| | - Pooja Kumari
- Entomology Laboratory, Agrotechnology Division, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT), Palampur, HP, India
| | - Abhishek Khatri
- Functional Genomics and Complex System Lab, Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT), Palampur, HP, India
| | - Mohit Kumar Swarnkar
- Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT), Palampur, HP, India
| | - Dinesh Kumar
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
- Chemical Technology Division, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT), Palampur, HP, India
| | - Vishal Acharya
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
- Functional Genomics and Complex System Lab, Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT), Palampur, HP, India
| | - Gireesh Nadda
- Entomology Laboratory, Agrotechnology Division, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT), Palampur, HP, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Xu M, Ashley NA, Vaghefi N, Wilkinson I, Idnurm A. Isolation of strains and their genome sequencing to analyze the mating system of Ophiocordyceps robertsii. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0284978. [PMID: 37130139 PMCID: PMC10153710 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The fungal genus Ophiocordyceps contains a number of insect pathogens. One of the best known of these is Ophiocordyceps sinensis, which is used in Chinese medicine and its overharvesting threatens sustainability; hence, alternative species are being sought. Ophiocordyceps robertsii, found in Australia and New Zealand, has been proposed to be a close relative to O. sinensis, but little is known about this species despite being also of historical significance. Here, O. robertsii strains were isolated into culture and high coverage draft genome sequences obtained and analyzed. This species has a large genome expansion, as also occurred in O. sinensis. The mating type locus was characterized, indicating a heterothallic arrangement whereby each strain has an idiomorphic region of two (MAT1-2-1, MAT1-2-2) or three (MAT1-1-1, MAT1-1-2, MAT1-1-3) genes flanked by the conserved APN2 and SLA2 genes. These resources provide a new opportunity for understanding the evolution of the expanded genome in the homothallic species O. sinensis, as well as capabilities to explore the pharmaceutical potential in a species endemic to Australia and New Zealand.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melvin Xu
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Niloofar Vaghefi
- Centre for Crop Health, University of Southern Queensland, Darling Heights, Queensland, Australia
- School of Agriculture and Food, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ian Wilkinson
- GhostMothLabs, 20 Lynch Drive, Echuca, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alexander Idnurm
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|