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Fungal Diversity and Ecology in Extreme Environments
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Fungal Diversity and Ecology in Extreme Environments

A special issue of Journal of Fungi (ISSN 2309-608X). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental and Ecological Interactions of Fungi".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2024 | Viewed by 9123

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Tamotsu Hoshino

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Hachinohe Institute of Technology, Obiraki 88-1, Myo, Hachinohe 031-8501, Japan
Interests: snow mold; adaptation; genetic diversity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Fungi are one of the most adapted eucaryotic organisms on our planet. We can find them on all surfaces of Earth, from the bottom of the deep sea to the stratosphere, Polar regions to deserts, or acidic and alkaline waters. Their diversity in these environments is still unknown; however, this research field has recorded and updated several new findings because these environments occupy massive areas on Earth.

In this Special Issue, we focused on and discussed fungal diversity (including taxonomical and phylogenic results) and ecological research (including physiological and biochemical findings) relating various extreme environments (extreme conditions such as temperature, pH, humidity and accessibility to different energy sources or under high pressure). We welcome your consideration to submit a manuscript, including applied research results.

Prof. Dr. Tamotsu Hoshino
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Fungi is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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

  • adaptation
  • extremophile
  • osmotic
  • pressure
  • pH
  • temperature
  • salinity

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 2064 KiB  
Article
Role of Squalene Epoxidase Gene (SQE1) in the Response of the Lichen Lobaria pulmonaria to Temperature Stress
by Alfred O. Onele, Moatasem A. Swid, Ilya Y. Leksin, Daniya F. Rakhmatullina, Ekaterina I. Galeeva, Richard P. Beckett, Farida V. Minibayeva and Julia N. Valitova
J. Fungi 2024, 10(10), 705; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10100705 - 9 Oct 2024
Viewed by 783
Abstract
Currently, due to the increasing impact of anthropogenic factors and changes in solar activity, the temperature on Earth is rising, posing a threat to biodiversity. Lichens are among the most sensitive organisms to climate change. Elevated ambient temperatures can have a significant impact [...] Read more.
Currently, due to the increasing impact of anthropogenic factors and changes in solar activity, the temperature on Earth is rising, posing a threat to biodiversity. Lichens are among the most sensitive organisms to climate change. Elevated ambient temperatures can have a significant impact on lichens, resulting in more frequent and intense drying events that can impede metabolic activity. It has been suggested that the possession of a diverse sterol composition may contribute to the tolerance of lichens to adverse temperatures and other biotic and abiotic stresses. The major sterol found in lichens is ergosterol (ERG); however, the regulation of the ERG biosynthetic pathway, specifically the step of epoxidation of squalene to 2,3-oxidosqualene catalyzed by squalene epoxidase during stress, has not been extensively studied. In this study, we used lichen Lobaria pulmonaria as a model species that is well known to be sensitive to air pollution and habitat loss. Using in silico analysis, we identified cDNAs encoding squalene epoxidase from L. pulmonaria, designating them as LpSQE1 for the mycobiont and SrSQE1 for the photobiont Symbiochloris reticulata. Our results showed that compared with a control kept at room temperature (+20 °C), mild temperatures (+4 °C and +30 °C) did not affect the physiology of L. pulmonaria, assessed by changes in membrane integrity, respiration rates, and PSII activity. An extreme negative temperature (−20 °C) noticeably inhibited respiration but did not affect membrane stability. In contrast, treating lichen with a high positive temperature (+40 °C) significantly reduced all physiological parameters. Quantitative PCR analysis revealed that exposing thalli to −20 °C, +4 °C, +30 °C, and +40 °C stimulated the expression levels of LpSQE1 and SrSQE1 and led to a significant upregulation of Hsps. These data provide new information regarding the roles of sterols and Hsps in the response of lichens to climate change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Diversity and Ecology in Extreme Environments)
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15 pages, 2047 KiB  
Article
Glucose Catabolite Repression Participates in the Regulation of Sialidase Biosynthesis by Antarctic Strain Penicillium griseofulvum P29
by Radoslav Abrashev, Ekaterina Krumova, Penka Petrova, Rumyana Eneva, Vladislava Dishliyska, Yana Gocheva, Stefan Engibarov, Jeny Miteva-Staleva, Boryana Spasova, Vera Kolyovska and Maria Angelova
J. Fungi 2024, 10(4), 241; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10040241 - 23 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1269
Abstract
Sialidases (neuraminidases) catalyze the removal of terminal sialic acid residues from glycoproteins. Novel enzymes from non-clinical isolates are of increasing interest regarding their application in the food and pharmaceutical industry. The present study aimed to evaluate the participation of carbon catabolite repression (CCR) [...] Read more.
Sialidases (neuraminidases) catalyze the removal of terminal sialic acid residues from glycoproteins. Novel enzymes from non-clinical isolates are of increasing interest regarding their application in the food and pharmaceutical industry. The present study aimed to evaluate the participation of carbon catabolite repression (CCR) in the regulation of cold-active sialidase biosynthesis by the psychrotolerant fungal strain Penicillium griseofulvum P29, isolated from Antarctica. The presence of glucose inhibited sialidase activity in growing and non-growing fungal mycelia in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The same response was demonstrated with maltose and sucrose. The replacement of glucose with glucose-6-phosphate also exerted CCR. The addition of cAMP resulted in the partial de-repression of sialidase synthesis. The CCR in the psychrotolerant strain P. griseofulvum P29 did not depend on temperature. Sialidase might be subject to glucose repression by both at 10 and 25 °C. The fluorescent assay using 4MU-Neu5Ac for enzyme activity determination under increasing glucose concentrations evidenced that CCR may have a regulatory role in sialidase production. The real-time RT-PCR experiments revealed that the sialidase gene was subject to glucose repression. To our knowledge, this is the first report that has studied the effect of CCR on cold-active sialidase, produced by an Antarctic strain. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Diversity and Ecology in Extreme Environments)
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22 pages, 6573 KiB  
Article
Physiological and Transcriptome Responses of Pinus massoniana Seedlings Inoculated by Various Ecotypes of the Ectomycorrhizal Fungus Cenococcum geophilum during the Early Stage of Drought Stress
by Xiaohui Zhang, Jinyan Zhang, Juan He, Mingtao Li, Norihisa Matsushita, Qifang Geng, Chunlan Lian and Shijie Zhang
J. Fungi 2024, 10(1), 71; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10010071 - 15 Jan 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1659
Abstract
The impact of drought stress on plant growth in arid regions is a critical concern, necessitating the exploration of strategies to enhance plant drought resistance, particularly during the early stages of drought stress. This study focuses on the ectomycorrhizal fungus Cenococcum geophilum, [...] Read more.
The impact of drought stress on plant growth in arid regions is a critical concern, necessitating the exploration of strategies to enhance plant drought resistance, particularly during the early stages of drought stress. This study focuses on the ectomycorrhizal fungus Cenococcum geophilum, renowned for its extensive genetic diversity and broad host compatibility, making it a crucial ally for host plants facing external stresses. We utilized Pinus massoniana seedlings inoculated with different ecotypic strains of C. geophilum under drought stress. The results showed that the inoculation of most strains of C. geophilum enhanced the drought resistance of P. massoniana seedlings under the early stages of drought stress, by influencing the water content, photosynthesis, accumulation of osmotic adjustment substances, and antioxidant enzyme activities in both shoots and roots of seedlings. Transcriptome analysis showed that mycorrhizal seedlings mainly regulated energy metabolism and reduction–oxidation reaction to resist early drought stress. Notably, the level of drought resistance observed in mycorrhizal seedlings was irrespective of the level of drought tolerance of C. geophilum strains. This study contributes essential data for understanding the drought response mechanisms of mycorrhizal P. massoniana seedlings inoculated by distinct C. geophilum ecotypes and guidance on selecting candidate species of ectomycorrhizal fungi for mycorrhizal afforestation in drought areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Diversity and Ecology in Extreme Environments)
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16 pages, 7023 KiB  
Article
The Deletion of LeuRS Revealed Its Important Roles in Osmotic Stress Tolerance, Amino Acid and Sugar Metabolism, and the Reproduction Process of Aspergillus montevidensis
by Xiaowei Ding, Wanting Liu, Kaihui Liu, Xiang Gao and Yue Liu
J. Fungi 2024, 10(1), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10010036 - 3 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1755
Abstract
Aspergillus montevidensis is an important domesticated fungus that has been applied to produce many traditional fermented foods under high osmotic conditions. However, the detailed mechanisms of tolerance to osmotic stress remain largely unknown. Here, we construct a target-deleted strain (ΔLeuRS) of [...] Read more.
Aspergillus montevidensis is an important domesticated fungus that has been applied to produce many traditional fermented foods under high osmotic conditions. However, the detailed mechanisms of tolerance to osmotic stress remain largely unknown. Here, we construct a target-deleted strain (ΔLeuRS) of A. montevidensis and found that the ΔLeuRS mutants grew slowly and suppressed the development of the cleistothecium compared to the wide-type strains (WT) under salt-stressed and non-stressed conditions. Furthermore, differentially expressed genes (p < 0.001) governed by LeuRS were involved in salt tolerance, ABC transporter, amino acid metabolism, sugar metabolism, and the reproduction process. The ΔLeuRS strains compared to WT strains under short- and long-term salinity stress especially altered accumulation levels of metabolites, such as amino acids and derivatives, carbohydrates, organic acids, and fatty acids. This study provides new insights into the underlying mechanisms of salinity tolerance and lays a foundation for flavor improvement of foods fermented with A. montevidensis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Diversity and Ecology in Extreme Environments)
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11 pages, 2734 KiB  
Article
Dispersal Limitation Controlling the Assembly of the Fungal Community in Karst Caves
by Zhi-Feng Zhang, Jian Mao and Lei Cai
J. Fungi 2023, 9(10), 1013; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9101013 - 13 Oct 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1486
Abstract
As a unique ecosystem, Karst caves harbor an impressive diversity of specific fungi. However, the factors and mechanisms that shape fungal biodiversity in caves remain elusive. In this study, we explored the assembly patterns of fungal communities based on our previous research in [...] Read more.
As a unique ecosystem, Karst caves harbor an impressive diversity of specific fungi. However, the factors and mechanisms that shape fungal biodiversity in caves remain elusive. In this study, we explored the assembly patterns of fungal communities based on our previous research in eight representative Karst caves in Southwest China. Our results indicated that dispersal limitation plays a crucial role in shaping the overall fungal community as well as specific communities in rock, sediment, and water samples. However, “Undominated” processes contributed more than dispersal limitation in air samples. Interestingly, the dominant assembly processes varied between caves. Consistently, environmental selection had a minor impact on the assembly of fungal communities. Among the examined spatial and environmental variables, latitude, longitude, altitude, and temperature were found to significantly influence fungal communities irrespective of substrate type. These findings provide valuable insights into the ecological factors governing fungal community assembly in Karst caves. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Diversity and Ecology in Extreme Environments)
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14 pages, 3959 KiB  
Article
Effects of Different Livestock Grazing on Foliar Fungal Diseases in an Alpine Grassland on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau
by Zhen Tian, Wenjie Li, Yixin Kou, Xin Dong, Huining Liu, Xiaoxia Yang, Quanmin Dong and Tao Chen
J. Fungi 2023, 9(9), 949; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9090949 - 20 Sep 2023
Viewed by 1239
Abstract
In grassland ecosystems, the occurrence and transmission of foliar fungal diseases are largely dependent on grazing by large herbivores. However, whether herbivores that have different body sizes differentially impact foliar fungal diseases remains largely unexplored. Thus, we conducted an 8-year grazing experiment in [...] Read more.
In grassland ecosystems, the occurrence and transmission of foliar fungal diseases are largely dependent on grazing by large herbivores. However, whether herbivores that have different body sizes differentially impact foliar fungal diseases remains largely unexplored. Thus, we conducted an 8-year grazing experiment in an alpine grassland on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau in China and tested how different types of livestock (sheep (Ovis aries), yak (Bos grunniens), or both)) affected foliar fungal diseases at the levels of both plant population and community. At the population level, grazing by a single species (yak or sheep) or mixed species (sheep and yak) significantly decreased the severity of eight leaf spot diseases. Similarly, at the community level, both single species (yak or sheep) and mixed grazing by both sheep and yak significantly decreased the community pathogen load. However, we did not find a significant difference in the community pathogen load among different types of livestock. These results suggest that grazing by large herbivores, independently of livestock type, consistently decreased the prevalence of foliar fungal diseases at both the plant population and community levels. We suggest that moderate grazing by sheep or yak is effective to control the occurrence of foliar fungal diseases in alpine grasslands. This study advances our knowledge of the interface between disease ecology, large herbivores, and grassland science. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Diversity and Ecology in Extreme Environments)
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