• Mycobiology
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.281-287
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• 2023

The symbiotic association between fungus-gardening termites Macrotermes and its fungal symbiont has a moderate degree of specificity-although the symbiotic fungi (Termitomyces) form a monophyletic clade, there is not a one-to-one association between termite species and their fungus-garden associates. Here, we aim to determine the origin and phylogenetic relationships of Termitomyces in Oman. We used sequences of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) and the nuclear large subunit ribosomal RNA (LSU rRNA, 25S) gene and analyzed these with sequences of Termitomyces from other geographic areas. We find no evidence for more than a single colonization of Oman by Termitomyces. Unexpectedly, we find Termitomyces in Oman is most closely related to the symbiont of M. subhyalinus in West Africa rather than to those of geographically closer populations in East Africa.

• Mycobiology
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.506-511
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• 2019

We investigated the antifungal activities of an endophytic fungus identified as Acaromyces ingoldii, found on a loblolly (Pinus taeda L.) pine bolt in Louisiana during routine laboratory microbial isolations. The specific objectives were to determine the inhibitory properties of A. ingoldii secondary metabolites (crude extract) on the mycelial growth of a brown-rot fungus Gloeophyllum trabeum and a white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor, and to determine the effective concentration of A. ingoldii crude preparation against the two decay fungi in vitro. Results show the crude preparation of A. ingoldii from liquid culture possesses significant mycelial growth inhibitory properties that are concentration dependent against the brownrot and white-rot fungi evaluated. An increase in the concentration of A. ingoldii secondary metabolites significantly decreased the mycelial growth of both wood decay fungi. G. trabeum was more sensitive to the inhibitory effect of the secondary metabolites than T. versicolor. Identification of specific A. ingoldii secondary metabolites, and analysis of their efficacy/specificity warrants further study. Findings from this work may provide the first indication of useful roles for Acaromyces species in a forest environment, and perhaps a future potential in the development of biocontrol-based wood preservation systems.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.48-69
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• 1987

To understand host ranges and host specificity of ectomycorrhizal fungi and fungus specificity of host tree species, higher fungi from pure forest stands of following twelve tree species were collected for six years from 1981 to 1986: Pinus densiflora, P. rigida, P. koraiensis, Picea koraiensis, Larix leptolepis, Abies holophylla, Populus $alba{\times}glandulosa$, Castanea crenata, Quercus aliena, Q. acutissima, Q. mongolica, and Betula platyphylla. A total of 196 ectomycorrhizal species with 8 varieties in 48 genera were identified. Thirty-one species with one variety belonged to Russula, 22 species with 5 varieties to Amanita, 18 species with one variety to Lactarius. Fungi belonging to above three gepera, Laccaria, and Cantharellus had a relatively wide host range. Laccaria laccata was collected under all the 12 tree species, Amanita vaginata group under 11 tree species, Laccaria amethystina and Russula foetens under 10 tree species, Lactarius gerardii and Russula sororia under 9 tree species, and Amanita agglutinata, Cantharellus cibarius, Russula bella, and R. virescens under 8 tree species. Above 10 fungal species may be classified to have a wide host range. Following fungi were collected under 4 to 5 tree species of both conifers and broad-leaved trees: Amanita citrina, Boletus bicolor, B. erythropus, Lactarius piperatus, L. subzonar­ius, and Russula pseudodelica. Above fungi may be classified to have an intermediate host range. Chroogomphus, Gomphidius, Rhizopogon, and Suillus were collected only under Pinaceae and may be classified to have a narrow host range. Particularly Suillus grevillei was collected only under Larix leptolepis, and appeared to have high host specificity. A total of 83 ectomycorrhizal species were collected under Abies holophylla, 66 species under Pinus densiflora, 50 species under Pinus rigida, 49 species under Pinus koraiensis, 46 species under Quercus aliena, and 23 fungal species under Larix leptolepis. Particularly, Larix leptolepis was associated with different fungal flora, with fewer species of Amanita, Lactarius and Russula, and more species of Laccaria. Most host tree species surveyerl in the present study appeared to have low fungus specificity for ectomycorrhizal formation.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2000

Worldwide, rice blast, caused by Magnaporthe grisea (Hebert) Barr. (anamorph, Pyricularia grisea Sacc.), is one of the most economically devastating crop diseases. Management of rice blast through the breeding of blast-resistant varieties has had only limited xuccess due to the frequent breakdown of resistance under field conditions (Bonman etal., 1992; Correa-Victoria and Zeigler, 1991; Kiyosawa, 1982). The frequent variation of race in pathogen populations has been proposed as the principal mechanism involved in the loss of resistance (Ou, 1980). Although it is generally accepted that race change in M. grisea occurs in nature, the degree of its variability has been a controversial subject. A number of studies have reported the appearance of new races at extremely high rates (Giatgong and Frederiksen, 1968; Ou and Ayad, 1968; Ou et al., 1970; Ou et al., 1971). Various potential mechanisms, including heterokaryosis (Suzuki, 1965), parasexual recombination (Genovesi and Magill, 1976), and aneuploidy (Kameswar Row et al., 1985; Ou, 1980), have been proposed to explain frequent race changes. In contrast, other studies have shown that although race change could occur, its frequency was much lower than that predicted by earlier studies (Bonman et al., 1987; Latterell and Rossi, 1986; Marchetti et al., 1976). Although questions about the frequency of race changes in M. grisea remain unanswered, the application of molecular genetic tools to study the fungus, ranging from its genes controlling host specificity to its population sturctures and dynamics, have begun to provide new insights into the potential mechanisms underlying race variation. In this review we aim to provide an overview on (a) the molecular basis of host specificity of M. grisea, (b) the population structure and dynamics of rice pathogens, and (c) the nature and mechanisms of genetic changes underpinning virulence variation in M. grisea.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.339-346
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• 2021

Prevalence of tan spot of wheat caused by the fungus Pyrenophora tritici-repentis has become more prevalent in Oklahoma as no-till cultivation in wheat has increased. Hence, developing wheat varieties resistant to tan spot has been emphasized, and selecting pathogen isolates to screen for resistance to this disease is critical. Twelve isolates of P. tritici-repentis were used to inoculate 11 wheat cultivars in a greenhouse study in splitplot experiments. Virulence of isolates and cultivar resistance were measured in percent leaf area infection for all possible isolate x cultivar interactions. Isolates differed significantly (P < 0.01) in virulence on wheat cultivars, and cultivars differed significantly in disease reaction to isolates. Increased virulence of isolates detected increased variability in cultivar response (percent leaf area infection) (r = 0.56, P < 0.05) while increased susceptibility in cultivars detected increased variance in virulence of the isolates (r = 0.76, P < 0.01). A significant isolate × cultivar interaction indicated specificity between isolates and cultivars, however, cluster analysis indicated low to moderate physiological specialization. Similarity in wheat cultivars in response to pathogen isolates also was determined by cluster analysis. The use of diverse isolates of the fungus would facilitate evaluation of resistance in wheat cultivars to tan spot.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.131-135
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• 2019

Cylindrocarpon destructans causes ginseng root rot and produces radicicol that has an antifungal effect. In this study, we developed a method to detect this fungus using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Secreted proteins of C. destructans were used as antigens to obtain C. destructans-specific IgG from mouse. Out of 318 monoclonal antibodies generated from mouse, two antibodies (Cd7-2-2 and Cd7-2-10) showed highest specificity and sensitivity. Indirect ELISA using both antigens successfully detected C. destructans in soils, but direct ELISA using IgG conjugated with horseradish peroxidase failed to detect antigens in soils. The indirect ELISA developed here can efficiently detect the fungus and help manage ginseng root rot disease in fields.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.243-246
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• 2014

The roots of Monotropa uniflora were collected from a forest in Korea. Morphological characteristics of monotropid mycorrhizas of the plants were determined. Thick mantles covered the roots and fungal pegs inside the epidermal cells of the roots were observed. Fungal symbionts were identified by sequence analysis of internal transcribed spacer region. Phylogenetic analysis based on the sequences demonstrated that the fungus was the most closely related to Russula heterophylla. The result support the strong specificity between M. uniflora and Russula species.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.52-55
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• 2013

Phoma glomerata (Corda) Wollenw. & Hochapfel is a pathogenic fungus causing spot diseases of plant leaves and fruits. This fungus is important in plant quarantine of seedlings and fruits in Korea. The aim of this study was to develop a sensitive and effective diagnostic method for P. glomerata detection in imported plants. The fungal species-specific PCR primers were designed based on the nucleotide sequences of the translation elongation factor 1 alpha gene and their specificity and sensitivity were tested. The designed primers named as PhoGlo-F and PhoGlo-R amplified specifically a 170 bp sized DNA band of the target gene from the genomic DNA of P. glomerata. No amplicon was produced from genomic DNAs of 16 other Phoma spp. and reference fungal species tested. Moreover, PhoGlo-F/PhoGlo-R primers successfully worked with real-time PCR technique. The detection limit of DNA content by conventional and real-time PCR were 10 pg and 1pg of the genomic DNA of P. glomerata, respectively. We believed that the developed makers would be very useful for P. glomerata detection.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.357-363
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• 2013

The fungus Venturia nashicola is the causal agent of scab on Asian pears. For the rapid and reliable identification as well as sensitive detection of V. nashicola, a PCR-based technique was developed. DNA fingerprints of three closely related species, V. nashicola, V. pirina, and V. inaequalis, were obtained by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. Two RAPD markers specific to V. nashicola were identified by PCR, after which two pairs of sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) primers were designed from the nucleotide sequences of the markers. The SCAR primer pairs, designated as D12F/D12R and E11F/E11R, amplified 535-bp and 525-bp DNA fragments, respectively, only from genomic DNA of V. nashicola. The specificity of the primer sets was tested on strains representing three species of Venturia and 20 fungal plant pathogens. The nested PCR primer pair specific to V. nashicola was developed based on the sequence of the species-specific 525-bp DNA fragment amplified by primer set E11F/E11R. The internal primer pair Na11F/Na11R amplified a 235-bp fragment from V. nashicola, but not from any other fungal species tested. The nested PCR assay was sensitive enough to detect the specific fragment in 50 fg of V. nashicola DNA.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.1653-1663
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• 2010

The first gene (${\alpha}$-gal1) encoding an extracellular ${\alpha}$-Dgalactosidase from the thermophilic fungus Talaromyces emersonii was cloned and characterized. The ${\alpha}$-gal1 gene consisted of an open reading frame of 1,792 base pairs interrupted by six introns that encoded a mature protein of 452 amino acids, including a 24 amino acid secretory signal sequence. The translated protein had highest identity with other fungal ${\alpha}$-galactosidases belonging to glycosyl hydrolase family 27. The ${\alpha}$-gal1 gene was overexpressed as a secretory protein with an N-terminal histidine tag in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris. Recombinant ${\alpha}$-Gal1 was secreted into the culture medium as a monomeric glycoprotein with a maximal yield of 10.75 mg/l and purified to homogeneity using Hisbinding nickel-agarose affinity chromatography. The purified enzyme was maximally active at $70^{\circ}C$, pH 4.5, and lost no activity over 10 days at $50^{\circ}C$. ${\alpha}$-Gal1 followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics ($V_{max}\;of\;240.3{\mu}M/min/mg,\;K_m\;of\;0.294 mM$) and was inhibited competitively by galactose ($K_m{^{obs}}$ of 0.57 mM, $K_i$ of 2.77 mM). The recombinant T. emersonii ${\alpha}$-galactosidase displayed broad substrate preference, being active on both oligo- and polymeric substrates, yet had strict specificity for the ${\alpha}$-galactosidic linkage. Owing to its substrate preference and noteworthy stability, ${\alpha}$-Gal1 is of particular interest for possible biotechnological applications involving the processing of plant materials.