Qiyunshan National Nature Reserve, situated in eastern and southern China's biogeographical regions, exhibits unique geography and diverse vegetation, indicating high potential fungal diversity. To elucidate macrofungal species composition, geographical floristic diversity, and ecological functions of macrofungi in this region, comprehensive field surveys and specimen collections were conducted from 2022 to 2024 using line transect methodology and random sampling. Specimens were identified via integrated morphological characteristics and molecular phylogenetic analysis. A total of 302 macrofungal species was recorded and classified into 8 classes, 22 orders, 68 families, and 145 genera within the phyla Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. Species richness analysis revealed that seven families (e.g., Boletaceae, Polyporaceae, and Russulaceae) were dominant, accounting for 43.71% of total identified species, and 13 dominant genera (e.g., Russula, Entoloma, and Inocybe) comprised 33.77% of the total species. Ecological and economic functional assessment showed 59 species were putatively edible (19.54%), 39 putatively medicinal (12.91%), 45 poisonous (14.90%), and 98 mycorrhizal (32.45%). Genus-level geographical funga composition analysis revealed nine distribution patterns, of which cosmopolitan elements predominated (53.10%), followed by north temperate (17.24%) and pantropical (13.79%) elements, corroborating the regionally transitional character of mycobiota. Based on the “Redlist of China's Biodiversity—Macrofungi” and relevant IUCN criteria, one vulnerable (VU) and one near threatened (NT) species were recognised. Besides, 11 species were endemic to China, highlighting the significant conservation values of the region. This study provides critical data for targeted conservation and sustainable utilization of the fungal resources of the region.

Coprinellus micaceus, the most common species of coprinoid fungi with extremely abundant resources, having potential in enhancing seed germination of medicinal orchid Cremastra appendiculata was investigated. Fruiting bodies of Co. micaceus were collected from the wild, and the hyphae were isolated from inner side of hollow stipe. Hyphal tip purification method was used to obtain multiple strains, and the two strains first obtained were named as S-1 and S-2 for subsequent experiments. S-1 was co-cultivated with Cr. appendiculata seeds on oat media to observe seed germination. Acid fuchsin staining was used to observe the morphology of protocorms formed on oat media and the hyphal colonization, and ITS sequencing of S-1 was performed. Spawn of S-2 was fragmented and mixed into potting soil, and covered with soil to induce fruiting bodies, while seeds of Cr. appendiculata were sown to simulate field inoculation. Endogenous strain were isolated from the protocorms, yielding S-3, and ITS sequencing of S-3 was performed. Additionally, dried and ground mycelial fragments of Co. micaceus were added to oat media to test whether the fungus could still promote seed germination under sterile conditions. The results showed that the fruiting body morphology and ITS sequences of both S-1 and S-3 matched those of Co. micaceus. Co. micaceus enhanced seed germination in both oat media and soil substrates. Acid fuchsin staining revealed that protocorms could digest invasive hyphae. Moreover, the mycelial powder of Co. micaceus in sterile oat media could also promote the germination of Cr. appendiculata seeds. This study demonstrates that Co. micaceus possesses potential to support the conservation and cultivation of Cr. appendiculata.

Zn(Ⅱ)₂Cys₆-type transcription factors play pivotal regulatory roles in various biological processes in fungi, including primary and secondary metabolism, stress responses, and cell division. In this study, a hidden Markov model (HMM) was employed to screen the whole genome of Pleurotus giganteus, and 67 genes belonging to the Zn(Ⅱ)₂Cys₆-type transcription factor family were identified. Motif analysis revealed distinct sequence features among the family members. Phylogenetic analysis further classified these 67 genes into four major clades. Based on transcriptomic data, 53 family genes with differential expression were identified under 10 μmol/L Cd²⁺ stress for 3 h, 6 h, and 12 h, as well as under 100 μmol/L Cd²⁺stress for 3 h, 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h. By using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), gene co-expression network topological analysis, and GO/KEGG enrichment analysis of co-expressed genes, the regulatory functions of some differentially expressed family genes were predicted. This study provides a scientific basis for further understanding of the role of Zn(Ⅱ)₂Cys₆-type transcription factor family in the response mechanisms of P. giganteus to cadmium stress.

The molecular characterization and phenotype identification of resistance mutations of azole resistance genes cyp51A, cyp51B and cyp51C of 6 clinical Aspergillus flavus isolates from Xinjiang are carried out. The isolates were identified based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and BenA gene sequencing. The Sensititre Yeastone Fungal Drug Sensitivity Kit was used to detect the in vitro antifungal susceptibility of 7 drugs, and the MIC/MEC results were interpreted according to the standards recommended by CLSI M57S. The cyp51A, cyp51B and cyp51C genes of A. flavus strains were amplified and sequenced by PCR, and the sequencing results were compared with the reference strain of A. flavus to identify the resistance mutation phenotype. All 6 clinical isolates were identified as A. flavus. The results of antifungal susceptibility test showed that the isolated A. flavus strains were completely sensitive to echinocandins, itraconazole and posaconazole; of which 1 strain was resistant to amphotericin (8 μg/mL) and 2 strains were resistant to voriconazole (4 μg/mL). Sequencing of the cyp51A, cyp51B, and cyp51C genes of 2 azole-sensitive and 4 azole-resistant strains revealed that both cyp51A and cyp51C in sensitive and resistant strains showed synonymous and non-synonymous point mutations, and no mutation was found in cyp51B. However, the P276T mutation site in cyp51C gene was only found in one resistant isolate. Echinocandins, itraconazole and posaconazole showed better antifungal activity against A. flavus, while voriconazole and amphotericin showed lower antifungal activity against A. flavus. Probably cyp51C gene mutation of A. flavus is associated with azole resistance.

China is a large country in the production of edible fungi. In order to further enhance the industrial innovation ability, increasing the basic research on edible fungi is the key breakthrough point. In recent years, with the rapid development of biotechnology, omics-drive research on edible fungi has shifted from phenotype description to systematic mechanism analysis. The application of single omics technology has achieved extensive progress in the genetic basis, gene regulation, protein dynamics, metabolic pathways, and phenotypic analysis of edible fungi. However, the problems of one-sided and fragmented data of single omics can be addressed only through integrated analysis of multi-omics. Therefore, multi-omics technology has gradually become the core driver for the paradigm shift in research on genetic breeding of edible fungi. Although the current research still faces challenges such as data quality, functional verification, computing resources, and integration complexity, future researches should focus on innovations in underlying technologies, AI-driven approaches, cross-scale integration, the construction of resource platforms, etc. Continued promotion of deep integration and innovative application of multi-omics will facilitate high-quality development of the industry of edible fungi, thereby meeting the needs of food security and public health.

Ophiocordyceps is a diverse, widely distributed, and host-rich genus of entomogenous fungi, with over 400 species reported to date. The Hengduan Mountains in Yunnan of southwestern China, recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot, represent a major center of diversity for this genus. In this study, we describe a new species of Ophiocordyceps from Hengduan Mountains in Yunnan, designated Ophiocordyceps paraisarioidea sp. nov., based on morphological observations and phylogenetic analyses using both single ITS sequences and a combined dataset of five loci (nrSSU, nrLSU, tef-1α, rpb1 and rpb2). Morphologically, this species is prone to misclassification as Paraisaria in virtue of stromatal structure, but it differs by having darker stromata, a spherical fertile part with apical protuberances, and multiseptate non-disarticulating ascospores. Five-gene phylogenetic analyses place O. paraisarioidea in the basal clade of Ophiocordyceps, clustering with Ophiocordyceps entomorrhiza. Nevertheless, the two species exhibit notable differences in morphology and host preference: O. paraisarioidea has dark brown stroma with grayish-white tips and parasitizes lepidopteran larvae, whereas O. entomorrhiza forms nearly black stromata and infects both larvae and adults of coleopteran insects (Carabus sp.). Notably, the lepidopteran host of O. paraisarioidea challenges the prevailing hypothesis that Coleopterans represent the ancestral hosts of Ophiocordyceps, implying the occurrence of multiple host shifts during the early evolutionary history. The discovery of O. paraisarioidea may provide valuable insight into the origin and early diversification of this genus.

The chemical constituents of Ganoderma subangustisporum and their α-glucosidase inhibitory activity were investigated. Two cadinane-type sesquiterpenes, 17-hydroxy-12-ethoxycarbonyl-α-cadinol (1) and 12-hydroxy-α-cadinol (2), were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of G. angustisporum mycelial cultures. Their structures were elucidated through high-resolution mass spectrometry, comprehensive nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic analysis and quantum chemical calculations. Compound 1 is novel due to the acetylation of its 12-hydroxy group, while compound 2 is reported for the first time from the genus Ganoderma. Both compounds 1 and 2 exhibited α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, with IC₅₀ values of (96.72±3.87) μmol/L and (56.82±4.70) μmol/L, respectively. Molecular docking results indicate that compounds 1 and 2 primarily interact with key amino acid residues in the active site of α-glucosidase through hydrogen bonds.

Cultivation of the wild Inocutis levis isolated from Populus euphratica in Xiaoguai Town in Karamay of Xinjiang was carried out. It was found that using starch and yeast extract as carbon and nitrogen sources, with the addition of KH₂PO₄ as inorganic salt, the fungus grew well under pH 9 and 35 ℃ conditions. During liquid cultivation, polysaccharide, polyphenol, flavonoid, ascorbic acid, superoxide dismutase, scavenging abilities for free radicals, and ferric reducing antioxidant power of the fungus were determined. The results provide basic data for the protection, evaluation, development, and utilization of this wild medicinal fungus resources in the future.

A Coprinellus saccharinus strain was isolated from mycelia on deciduous leaf humus in Nanshan Park (Qinglong County, Hebei, China). Four factors of biological characteristics were investigated. Fruiting bodies of this species were successfully cultivated. The scavenging capacities of both mycelium and fruiting body ethanol extracts against ABTS⁺·and·OH were also evaluated. The results indicated that the optimum carbon source for C. saccharinus strain were sucrose and soluble starch; the optimum nitrogen source was KNO₃; the suitable pH range was 7-9, and the highest mycelial growth rate was observed at 25 ℃. Domestication experiment showed that bottleful mycelial colonization time required 20-25 d at (20±1) ℃; primordium differentiation demanded temperature difference of 2-4 ℃, relative air humidity at 70%-80%, photoperoid of 12 h/d 800-1000 lx under scattered light, and a duration of 10-15 d. Mature fruiting bodies can be harvested after continued cultivation for 2-3 d. The antioxidant activities of C. saccharinus ethanol extracts from mycelia and cultivated fruiting bodies increased gradually as additive amount raising. Scavenging rates against both ABTS⁺· and ·OH peaked at an additive volume of 200 μL. Scavenging rates of ethanol extract of cultivated fruiting bodies reached 97.93% and 67.22%, respectively, significantly higher than those of mycelia (64.73% and 24.74%). Both mycelium and cultivated fruiting body ethanol extracts exhibited stronger scavenging capacity against ABTS⁺· than ·OH. Scavenging rate differentials were 39.99% and 30.71%, respectively. These findings provided a practical basis for further investigations into cultivation techniques, physiological activities, pharmacological effects, and other utilizations of C. saccharinus.

A wild white macrofungi collected from Leye County of Guangxi was identified as albino Oudemansiella raphanipes through morphological observation and molecular analysis. Optimal conditions for mycelial growth, including carbon source, nitrogen source, pH and temperature were determined using single-factor and orthogonal tests. The results showed that the suitable carbon source and nitrogen source were fructose (30 g/L) and yeast extract powder (8 g/L), respectively. The suitable pH and temperature were 8.0 and 25 ℃ respectively. The optimum combination condition for vigorous growth was fructose of 20 g/L, yeast extract powder of 6 g/L, pH of 7.0 and temperature of 25 ℃. Expanded bag-cultivation trials with 15 cm × 26 cm cultivation bag revealed that the bagful mycelial colonization time, in substrate containing 78% sawdust, was about 25 days, and subsequent cultivation for approximately 20 days resulted in appearance of the brown mottlement. The mushroom button arose approximately 60 days after soil-covering soil on the split of upside-down mushroom bag, and the fruiting bodies could be harvested after 4-6 days of subsequent cultivation. The average fresh fruiting body weight was 41.83 g/bag and the average biological efficiency was 16.09% in two fruiting stages. Albino O. raphanipes was susceptible to Trichoderma harzianum, with 33.04% inhibition rate before contact and 95.55% infection rate after contact. This research provides a theory reference for extended development and utilization of an albino O. raphanipes.