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Diversity and Secondary Metabolites of Endophytic Fungi
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Diversity and Secondary Metabolites of Endophytic Fungi

A special issue of Journal of Fungi (ISSN 2309-608X). This special issue belongs to the section "Fungal Evolution, Biodiversity and Systematics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2023) | Viewed by 11961

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Ji-Chuan Kang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Engineering and Research Center for Southwest Bio-Pharmaceutical Resources of National Education Ministry of China, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
Interests: fungal diversity; fungal taxonomy; fungal phylogeny; ascomycetes; fungal secondary metabolites
Prof. Dr. Yongzhong Lu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Food and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Guizhou Institute of Technology, Guiyang 550003, China
Interests: fungal taxonomy; fungal secondary metabolites; helicosporous hyphomycetes; phylogenetic analysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue will be dedicated to the diversity and secondary metabolites of endophytic fungi. Endophytic fungi are highly diverse microorganisms that inhabit the host plant tissues intracellularly or/and intercellularly. There are approximately one million endophytic fungi in the world. Their wide distribution and co-existence with their host plants in nature indicates their life power and excellent living strategy for dealing with their hosts and their competitors. Endophytic fungi offer significant advantages to the host plants by producing various metabolites to counter the attack from pathogens, insects, and herbivores. They are a promising group of microorganisms that produce plant-associated bio-active metabolites with diverse chemical entities and structural functions. Metabolites isolated from endophytic fungi exhibited various pharmacological properties. In the past few decades, many novel bio-active natural products from endophytic fungi have been discovered that have anticancer, antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal activities. These fungi produce a wide range of secondary metabolites belonging to the alkaloids, macrolides, terpenoids, and peptide derivatives, as well as other structure classes. However, it is estimated that more than 92% of endophytic fungi are still unknown, this situation largely limits the development and utilization of such important microorganisms. Therefore, a study on the diversity and secondary metabolites of endophytic fungi is of great significance. In this topic, we would like to discover more novel species of endophytic fungi via focusing on their diversity and secondary metabolites.

Prof. Dr. Ji-Chuan Kang
Prof. Dr. Yongzhong Lu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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

Keywords

  • endophytic fungi
  • fungal diversity
  • morphology
  • novel taxa
  • phylogeny
  • fungal secondary metabolites

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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24 pages, 7382 KiB  
Article
Dynamics of Endophytic Fungal Communities Associated with Cultivated Medicinal Plants in Farmland Ecosystem
by Chao He, Deyao Meng, Wanyun Li, Xianen Li and Xueli He
J. Fungi 2023, 9(12), 1165; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9121165 - 4 Dec 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1671
Abstract
Microorganisms are an important component of global biodiversity and play an important role in plant growth and development and the protection of host plants from various biotic and abiotic stresses. However, little is known about the identities and communities of endophytic fungi inhabiting [...] Read more.
Microorganisms are an important component of global biodiversity and play an important role in plant growth and development and the protection of host plants from various biotic and abiotic stresses. However, little is known about the identities and communities of endophytic fungi inhabiting cultivated medicinal plants in the farmland ecosystem. The diversity and community composition of the endophytic fungi of cultivated medicinal plants in different hosts, tissue niches, and seasonal effects in the farmland of Northern China were examined using the next-generation sequencing technique. In addition, the ecological functions of the endophytic fungal communities were investigated by combining the sequence classification information and fungal taxonomic function annotation. A total of 1025 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) of endophytic fungi were obtained at a 97% sequence similarity level; they were dominated by Dothideomycetes and Pleosporales. Host factors (species identities and tissue niches) and season had significant effects on the community composition of endophytic fungi, and endophytic fungi assembly was shaped more strongly by host than by season. In summer, endophytic fungal diversity was higher in the root than in the leaf, whereas opposite trends were observed in winter. Network analysis showed that network connectivity was more complex in the leaf than in the root, and the interspecific relationship between endophytic fungal OTUs in the network structure was mainly positive rather than negative. The functional predications of fungi revealed that the pathotrophic types of endophytic fungi decreased and the saprotrophic types increased from summer to winter in the root, while both pathotrophic and saprotrophic types of endophytic fungi increased in the leaf. This study improves our understanding of the community composition and ecological distribution of endophytic fungi inhabiting scattered niches in the farmland ecosystem. In addition, the study provides insight into the biodiversity assessment and management of cultivated medicinal plants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity and Secondary Metabolites of Endophytic Fungi)
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19 pages, 6865 KiB  
Article
The Interactions between Two Fungal Endophytes Epicoccum layuense R2-21 and Alternaria alternata XHYN2 and Grapevines (Vitis vinifera) with De Novo Established Symbionts under Aseptic Conditions
by Xiao-Xia Pan, Hui-Zhi Liu, Yu Li, Ping Zhou, Yun Wen, Chun-Xi Lu, You-Yong Zhu and Ming-Zhi Yang
J. Fungi 2023, 9(12), 1154; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9121154 - 30 Nov 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1406
Abstract
In this study, we focused on grapevine–endophyte interactions and reprogrammed secondary metabolism in the host plant due to defense against the colonization of endophytes. Thus, the transcriptional responses of tissue cultured grapevine seedlings (Vitis vinifera L. cv.: Cabernet Sauvignon) to two fungal [...] Read more.
In this study, we focused on grapevine–endophyte interactions and reprogrammed secondary metabolism in the host plant due to defense against the colonization of endophytes. Thus, the transcriptional responses of tissue cultured grapevine seedlings (Vitis vinifera L. cv.: Cabernet Sauvignon) to two fungal endophytes Epicoccum layuense R2-21 (Epi R2-21) and Alternaria alternata XHYN2 (Alt XHYN2) at three different time points (6 h, 6 d, 15 d) were analyzed. As expected, a total of 5748 and 5817 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were separately initiated in Epi R2-21 and Alt XHYN2 symbiotic tissue cultured seedlings compared to no endophyte treatment. The up-regulated DEGs at all time points in Epi R2-21- or Alt XHYN2–treated seedlings were mainly enriched in the flavonoid biosynthesis, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, phenylalanine metabolism, stilbenoid, diarylheptanoid and gingerol biosynthesis, and circadian rhythm–plant pathways. In addition, the up-regulated DEGs at all sampling times in Alt XHYN2-treated tissue cultured seedlings were enriched in the plant–pathogen interaction pathway, but appeared in Epi R2-21 symbiotic seedlings only after 15 d of treatment. The down-regulated DEGs were not enriched in any KEGG pathways after 6 h inoculation for Epi R2-21 and Alt XHYN2 treatments, but were enriched mainly in photosynthesis–antenna proteins and plant hormone signal transduction pathways at other sampling times. At three different time points, a total of 51 DEGs (all up-regulated, 1.33–10.41-fold) were involved in secondary metabolism, and 22 DEGs (all up-regulated, 1.01–8.40-fold) were involved in defense responses in endophytic fungi symbiotic tissue cultured seedlings. The protein–protein interaction (PPI) network demonstrated that genes encoding CHS (VIT_10s0042g00920, VIT_14s0068g00920, and VIT_16s0100g00910) and the VIT_11s0065g00350 gene encoding CYP73A mediated the defense responses, and might induce more defense-associated metabolites. These results illustrated the activation of stress–associated secondary metabolism in the host grapevine during the establishment of fungi–plant endophytism. This work provides avenues for reshaping the qualities and characteristics of wine grapes utilizing specific endophytes and better understanding plant–microbe interactions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity and Secondary Metabolites of Endophytic Fungi)
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18 pages, 3518 KiB  
Article
Endophytic Fungal Diversity in Cirsium kawakamii from Taiwan
by Yi-Jeng Chen, Hui-Juan Chen and Wen-Hsin Chung
J. Fungi 2023, 9(11), 1076; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9111076 - 3 Nov 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1566
Abstract
The endophytic fungal diversity of Cirsium kawakamii, a herb indigenous to Taiwan, was analyzed in this study. In addition, some fungal isolates were evaluated for the risk they pose as plant pathogens. In total, 1836 endophytic fungi were isolated from C. kawakamii [...] Read more.
The endophytic fungal diversity of Cirsium kawakamii, a herb indigenous to Taiwan, was analyzed in this study. In addition, some fungal isolates were evaluated for the risk they pose as plant pathogens. In total, 1836 endophytic fungi were isolated from C. kawakamii from Hehuanjian, Puli Township, and Tatachia. They were classified into 2 phyla, 8 classes, 40 families, and 68 genera. Colletotrichum, Fusarium, Phomopsis, and Xylaria, (Ascomycota, Sordariomycetes) were the dominant genera. The genus accumulation curve (based on the bootstrap estimator) was non-asymptotic, with estimated richness significantly exceeding the richness captured by our sampling to date. Considering the collection time, the data indicated significant differences in the proportions of the C. kawakamii endophyte genus from Hehuanjan, Puli Township (across two seasons), and Tatachia. The Shannon and Gini–Simpson indices revealed variations in diversity, with C. kawakamii endophytes (Puli Township in winter) significantly reducing alpha diversity compared with other seasons and locations. Meanwhile, the Gini–Simpson index suggested that there were no significant differences in richness among the four sampling sites. The PCA results unveiled distinct community structures across different locations and seasons, explaining 46.73% of the total variation in fungal community composition significantly affected diversity and richness. In addition, a considerable number of Fusarium isolates exhibited harmful properties towards wheat, potatoes, and apples. It is postulated that these fungi belong to the Fusarium tricinctum species complex (FTSC). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity and Secondary Metabolites of Endophytic Fungi)
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12 pages, 3647 KiB  
Article
Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Agents in Artemisia Endophytic Fungi and Their Abundance in Artemisia vulgaris Tissue
by Shoji Maehara, Shogo Nakajima, Koichi Watashi, Andria Agusta, Misato Kikuchi, Toshiyuki Hata and Kento Takayama
J. Fungi 2023, 9(9), 905; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9090905 - 5 Sep 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1903
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Therapeutic agents for the disease are being developed. Endophytes are diverse and produce various secondary metabolites and bioactive substances. We isolated 13 endophytes from the leaves and stems of Artemisia vulgaris [...] Read more.
Coronavirus disease 2019 is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Therapeutic agents for the disease are being developed. Endophytes are diverse and produce various secondary metabolites and bioactive substances. We isolated 13 endophytes from the leaves and stems of Artemisia vulgaris. Antiviral testing using the culture extracts of these endophytic fungi revealed that five isolates effectively inhibited the replication of SARS-CoV-2. These extracts were used to study the inhibitory effect of SARS-CoV-2 on 3C-like protease, and two isolates proved useful. Both isolates were from the genus Colletotrichum; therefore, the percentage of Artemisia endophytic fungi in the plant tissue was observed to be an important factor in plant site selection. Thus, we conducted a macroanalysis using next-generation sequencing to analyze the percentage of endophytes in the stems (whole, skin, and inner), leaves, roots, and cultivating soil, as well as to determine the location of each genus. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to report that Colletotrichum spp. are abundant in stems and that stem-based methods are the most efficient for isolating endophytes targeting Colletotrichum spp. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity and Secondary Metabolites of Endophytic Fungi)
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15 pages, 2785 KiB  
Article
New Guaiane-Type Sesquiterpenoids Biscogniauxiaols A–G with Anti-Fungal and Anti-Inflammatory Activities from the Endophytic Fungus Biscogniauxia Petrensis
by Long Han, Wen Zheng, Sheng-Yan Qian, Ming-Fei Yang, Yong-Zhong Lu, Zhang-Jiang He and Ji-Chuan Kang
J. Fungi 2023, 9(4), 393; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9040393 - 23 Mar 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2217
Abstract
Seven undescribed guaiane-type sesquiterpenoids named biscogniauxiaols A–G (1–7) were isolated from the endophytic fungus Biscogniauxia petrensis on Dendrobium orchids. Their structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic analyses, electronic circular dichroism (EC) and specific rotation (SR) calculations. Compound 1 represented [...] Read more.
Seven undescribed guaiane-type sesquiterpenoids named biscogniauxiaols A–G (1–7) were isolated from the endophytic fungus Biscogniauxia petrensis on Dendrobium orchids. Their structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic analyses, electronic circular dichroism (EC) and specific rotation (SR) calculations. Compound 1 represented a new family of guaiane-type sesquiterpenoids featuring an unprecedented [5/6/6/7] tetracyclic system. A plausible biosynthetic pathway for compounds 1–7 was proposed. The anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and multidrug resistance reversal activities of the isolates were evaluated. Compounds 1, 2 and 7 exhibited potent inhibitory activities against Candida albicans with MIC values ranging from 1.60 to 6.30 μM, and suppressed nitric oxide (NO) production with IC50 ranging from 4.60 to 20.00 μM. Additionally, all compounds (100 μg/mL) enhanced the cytotoxicity of cisplatin in cisplatin-resistant non-small cell lung cancer cells (A549/DDP). This study opened up a new source for obtaining bioactive guaiane-type sesquiterpenoids and compounds 1, 2, and 7 were promising for further optimization as multifunctional inhibitors for anti-fungal (C. albicans) and anti-inflammatory purposes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity and Secondary Metabolites of Endophytic Fungi)
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Review

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49 pages, 8781 KiB  
Review
Endolichenic Fungi: A Promising Medicinal Microbial Resource to Discover Bioactive Natural Molecules—An Update
by Wenge Zhang, Qian Ran, Hehe Li and Hongxiang Lou
J. Fungi 2024, 10(2), 99; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10020099 - 25 Jan 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2321
Abstract
Lichens are some of the most unique fungi and are naturally encountered as symbiotic biological organisms that usually consist of fungal partners (mycobionts) and photosynthetic organisms (green algae and cyanobacteria). Due to their distinctive growth environments, including hot deserts, rocky coasts, Arctic tundra, [...] Read more.
Lichens are some of the most unique fungi and are naturally encountered as symbiotic biological organisms that usually consist of fungal partners (mycobionts) and photosynthetic organisms (green algae and cyanobacteria). Due to their distinctive growth environments, including hot deserts, rocky coasts, Arctic tundra, toxic slag piles, etc., they produce a variety of biologically meaningful and structurally novel secondary metabolites to resist external environmental stresses. The endofungi that live in and coevolve with lichens can also generate abundant secondary metabolites with novel structures, diverse skeletons, and intriguing bioactivities due to their mutualistic symbiosis with hosts, and they have been considered as strategically significant medicinal microresources for the discovery of pharmaceutical lead compounds in the medicinal industry. They are also of great importance in the fundamental research field of natural product chemistry. In this work, we conducted a comprehensive review and systematic evaluation of the secondary metabolites of endolichenic fungi regarding their origin, distribution, structural characteristics, and biological activity, as well as recent advances in their medicinal applications, by summarizing research achievements since 2015. Moreover, the current research status and future research trends regarding their chemical components are discussed and predicted. A systematic review covering the fundamental chemical research advances and pharmaceutical potential of the secondary metabolites from endolichenic fungi is urgently required to facilitate our better understanding, and this review could also serve as a critical reference to provide valuable insights for the future research and promotion of natural products from endolichenic fungi. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity and Secondary Metabolites of Endophytic Fungi)
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