Oudemansiella raphanipes is a rare edible and medicinal mushroom, while it is highly susceptible to cobweb disease caused by Cladobotryum varium. [Objective] To obtain bacteria capable of controlling cobweb disease and promoting the mycelial growth of O. raphanipes from casing soil. [Methods] Bacteria were isolated from the casing soil of O. raphanipes, and their antagonistic activity against the mycelial growth of both O. raphanipes and C. varium was evaluated. The strains with disease-preventing and growth-promoting properties were screened out, and their functioning mechanisms were studied based on genome data. [Results] A total of 90 bacterial strains were isolated from the casing soil, of which 38 strains showed significant inhibitory activity against the mycelial growth of C. varium and no inhibitory activity against that of O. raphanipes. The supernatants of two strains significantly inhibited the mycelial growth of C. varium and promoted that of O. raphanipes. Based on the genome data, the above two strains were identified as Peribacillus simplex and Ochrobactrum rhizosphaerae, respectively, and they carried multiple functional genes and biosynthetic gene clusters of secondary metabolites. [Conclusion] Two bacterial strains capable of controlling the disease and promoting the growth of edible fungi were obtained, providing valuable microbial resources for the future biocontrol of cobweb disease.

Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) as prebiotics can regulate gut microbiota to improve brain development, whereas antibiotics can affect the nervous system by interfering with gut microbiota. The mechanisms of antibiotics and GOS in regulating brain neurotransmitters and animal behaviors remain unknown. [Objective] To investigate the effects of antibiotics and GOS on the behaviors and neurotransmitters in weaned Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. [Methods] Forty 3-week-old male SD rats were selected and assigned into four groups: control (CON, sterilized water), antibiotics (ABX), GOS (5 g/L), and antibiotics+GOS (AG). The antibiotics used in the experiment were composed of ampicillin, vancomycin, ciprofloxacin hydrochloride, imipenem, and metronidazole. The experiment lasted for 16 days. [Results] The body weight of rats in the ABX group was lower than that in the GOS group (P<0.05), and the liver index in the ABX, GOS, and AG groups was lower than that in the CON group (P<0.05). Compared with the CON group, the ABX group showcased decreased phototaxis index (percentage of time in bright during bright-dark box test) and reduced times of self-grooming (P<0.05), and the GOS group had reduced times of self-grooming (P<0.05). The AG group had longer resting time in the open field than the other three groups (P<0.05) and shorter distance, shorter time, and slower movement than ABX and GOS groups (P<0.05). Compared with the CON group, the ABX group showcased elevated level of norepinephrine and lowered level of levodopa in the hippocampus (P<0.05). Compared with the CON group, the GOS and AG groups demonstrated elevated levels of norepinephrine and declined levels of levodopa and epinephrine (P<0.05). Compared with the CON group, the ABX and AG groups presented decreased microbial diversity (P<0.05), where Escherichia_Shigella became dominant. The Chao1 index in the GOS group was lower than that in the CON group (P<0.05). The dominant bacteria in the GOS group were Firmicutes and Bacteroidota. Compared with that in the ABX group, the relative abundance of Lactobacillus increased in the AG group (P<0.05). [Conclusion] ABX decreased anxiety-like behaviors compared with CON, while reducing levodopa and increasing norepinephrine in the hippocampus and enriching potentially pathogenic bacteria. GOS improved growth without influencing the behaviors of rats, and meanwhile it increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus and decreased levodopamine and norepinephrine in the hippocampus. The combined use of ABX and GOS decreased the locomotor activity and increased the anxiety-like behaviors of rats.

Senescence, a complex process involving multiple physiological and biochemical processes accompanied by degradation of cellular and organ functions and physiological damage, is influenced by both environmental and genetic factors. Filamentous fungi have been widely used in the study of senescence mechanism because of the easy genetic manipulation, short life cycle, and easy qualification of senescence characteristics. In this paper, we reviewed the senescence characteristics of filamentous fungi and summarized the factors influencing aging, such as environmental factors, mitochondrial stability, oxidative stress, and metabolic level. This review is expected to give new insights into the industrial application of filamentous fungi and the research on human senescence.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a major global health challenge closely related to diseases such as cervical cancer. At present, there is no effective treatment for HPV, and thus it is essential to develop new antiviral biological agents to reduce the harm of HPV infection. Recent studies have revealed a complex relationship between HPV infection and the human microbiome, suggesting that HPV infection can disrupt the balance of the microbiome and cause immune dysfunction in the body. In recent years, studies have found that oral or topical use of specific probiotic strains can reduce HPV titers in patients and prevent viral infection-related cancers, demonstrating probiotics as a new class of anti-HPV preparations with a development value. From the molecular biological characteristics of HPV, this article systematically summarizes the pathogenic mechanism of HPV infection and explains the antiviral mechanisms of probiotics from four perspectives: inhibiting virus replication, regulating immune responses, enhancing the mucosal barrier function, and reshaping the human microbiome. This review aims to provide theoretical references for the efficient breeding and mechanism analysis of anti-HPV probiotics.

Crop diseases caused by phytopathogens result in great harm to global agriculture. Biocontrol has garnered increasing attention in plant disease prevention and control because of its effectiveness and environmental friendliness. [Objective] To identify, analyze the genome, and evaluate the disease-resistant and plant growth-promoting effects of the strains with antagonistic activities that were screened from the culture collection. [Methods] Antagonistic strains were screened by plate confrontation method. and identified by morphological observation, phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene and genome, comparative analysis of average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values, and physiological and biochemical tests. The whole genome sequence of the target strain was analyzed for the mining of functional genes. The plant growth-promoting effect of the target strain was characterized in terms of the phosphorus-solubilizing, siderophore-producing, and proteinase- and cellulose-producing properties. The inhibition of volatile gas produced by the target strain on phytopathogenic fungi was examined in petri dishes with a septum. The effects of the target strain on tomato growth and diseases were studied by pot experiments. [Results] Strain MB1019 with obvious inhibitory effects on Ralstonia solanacearum and three phytopathogenic fungal strains was screened out and identified as Bacillus velezensis. The physiological and biochemical tests showed that strain MB1019 tolerated the temperature of 15-50 ℃, 10.0% NaCl, and pH 5.0-9.0. The genome of strain MB1019 was 3.8 Mb in length, with the G+C content of 46.4%. The prediction on antiSMASH suggested that the MB1019 genome had 17 synthetic gene clusters for secondary metabolites. The prediction on dbCAN2 suggested that MB1019 carried 108 genes belonging to 52 types of the CAZy family, among which glycoside hydrolases (GHs) were the richest and most abundant. The volatile gas produced by MB1019 significantly inhibited the growth of phytopathogenic fungi. The results of pot experiments showed that MB1019 promoted the growth and inhibited the diseases of tomato seedlings. [Conclusion] B. velezensis MB1019 capable of antagonizing R. solanacearum and phytopathogenic fungi has tolerance to high temperatures and saline-alkali and demonstrates plant growth-promoting effects. Its genome contains a large number of functional genes, and the volatile gas produced by this strain can inhibit the growth of pathogenic fungi. The fermentation broth of MB1019 has the effects of promoting the growth and preventing the diseases of tomato seedlings. In summary, B. velezensis MB1019 can be used as an elite strain in the research and development of microbial fertilizers and pesticides, demonstrating promising development and application prospects.

[Objective] To isolate the strain for solubilizing both inorganic and organic phosphorus (P) from the rhizosphere of Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) and mine the related genes, laying a foundation for activating the soil P pool and improving P bioavailability by P-solubilizing microorganisms (PSM). [Methods] High-throughput screening was employed to isolate PSM strains from the rhizosphere of Moso bamboo, an important economic plant in subtropical regions. The P-solubilizing activities of the strain under various carbon sources and soil P levels were investigated by microplate culture and soil inoculation experiments, respectively. The genes involved in P solubilizing of the strain were mined by whole-genome sequencing. [Results] The strain zafu-3 (Achromobacter xylosoxidans) capable of solubilizing P via multiple pathways was isolated from the rhizosphere of Moso bamboo. The strain solubilized Ca₃(PO₄)₂, FePO₄, AlPO₄, lecithin, and calcium phytate by using four carbon sources such as glucose and citric acid, with the highest P-solubilizing activity of 32.75 mg/(L·d). Compared with the control group, the zafu-3 inoculation group showed increases of 4.21%-33.88% and 13.54%-112.06% in activities of acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase, respectively. In the high P-level soil, inoculation of the strain decreased the soil pH by 0.04 and increased the available P content by 16.32%. The whole genome of strain zafu-3 contained 35 genes encoding phosphohydrolases and 53 genes involved in organic acid metabolisms. Furthermore, strain zafu-3 carried the genes associated with the production of indole-3-acetic acid and siderophores, and the degradation of lignin. [Conclusion] Strain zafu-3 directly solubilized inorganic and organic P by secreting diverse organic acids and phosphatases, and indirectly activated soil P pools by promoting plant growth. These findings provide an important microbial resource and theoretical foundation for the development of multifunctional biofertilizers.

Cryptococcus, a genus of invasive fungi with global distribution, have caused serious public health problems. Notably, Cryptococcus neoformans (Cryptococcus neoformans, C. neoformans) represents the main pathogenic species of Cryptococcus. The infection of C. neoformans can cause pulmonary cryptococcosis and cryptococcal meningitis with high mortality rates. The commonly used antifungal drugs are polyenes, flucytosine, echinocandins, and azoles, which have limited efficacy and may induce resistance when being used alone in clinical practice. Therefore, researchers have studied combined therapy. They have discovered that the combinations of some traditional Chinese medicines and natural plant extracts and derivatives with the commonly used antifungal drugs demonstrate synergistic effects in the treatment of cryptococcosis. This paper reviews the research progress in the combined application of antifungal drugs and traditional Chinese medicines.

Due to the unique spatial and functional relationship with the host, plant endophytes are known as the second genome of plants and have become a research hotspot of plant sciences and microbiology. According to the origins, plant endophytes can be classified into horizontally transmitted endophytes (HTE) and vertically transmitted endophytes (VTE). Among them, VTEs have the potential to be further transmitted into later-generation plants through propagules (both sexual and asexual propagules) to produce host effects. The behaviors and functions of VTE along host generations are likely to be an acquired “heritable” trait of the host that can be applied in agricultural practices for plant trait improvement. Therefore, in-depth understanding and research on plant VTEs are of great theoretical and practical importance. We reviewed the research advances in the diversity, transmission, and physiological and ecological functions of plant VTEs and provide perspectives for future research and application of VTE resources.

[Objective] To investigate the regulatory effect of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1)/Smad3 on orosomucoid (ORM) expression during infection with influenza A/WSN/33 virus (hereinafter referred to as WSN). [Methods] A549 cells were either infected with WSN or treated with TGF-β1, followed by treatment with Smad3 inhibitors. The mRNA levels of ORMs were assessed by RT-PCR. Subsequently, cell lines with signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) overexpression and knockdown were established, and RT-PCR and Western blotting were employed to evaluate the impact of STAT3 on ORM expression induced by the influenza virus. Furthermore, A549 cells underwent treatment with TGF-β1, after which the phosphorylation status of STAT3 was analyzed via Western blotting. Finally, the phosphorylation level of STAT3 was detected after inhibiting the activity of Smad3 or knocking down the expression of Smad3 in A549 cells infected with WSN or treated with TGF-β1. [Results] TGF-β1 regulated the expression of ORM1 and ORM2 through the activation of Smad3, a key mediator in the TGF-β signaling pathway. Concurrently, STAT3 was implicated in modulating ORM1 and ORM2 expression during WSN infection. Additionally, TGF-β1 was shown to induce STAT3 phosphorylation. Notably, inhibiting Smad3 activation or knocking down Smad3 expression suppressed STAT3 phosphorylation. [Conclusion] The regulation of ORM1 and ORM2 expression by WSN relied on STAT3 phosphorylation mediated by TGF-β1/Smad3.

[Objective] To isolate and identify actinomycetes from two mangrove soil samples in Quanzhou Bay as well as secondary metabolites from the target strain Streptomyces sp. W444 with antifungal activity. [Methods] The rhizosphere soil samples of two different mangrove plants were collected from Luoyang River in Quanzhou Bay. Actinomycetes were isolated from the soil samples by the dilution plating method. The isolates were classified by the phylogenetic tree constructed based on 16S rRNA gene sequences. The antifungal activities of the isolates were examined by the agar diffusion method. The target strain Streptomyces sp. W444 was subjected to fermentation scale-up for the isolation of secondary metabolites. Furthermore, the biosynthetic gene clusters were analyzed to deduce the biosynthetic pathway of staurosporine. [Results] A total of 56 strains of actinomycetes were isolated from mangrove soil samples and categorized into 8 genera belonging to 6 families of 6 orders. Among them, Streptomyces and Micromonospora were dominant, with the relative abundance of 41.0% and 33.9%, respectively. Strain Streptomyces sp. W444 exhibited excellent antifungal activity, and three indoles (staurosporine, K252c, and streptochlorin) were isolated and identified from this strain. The biosynthetic gene cluster of staurosporine was localized in the genome of Streptomyces sp. W444 by bioinformatics analysis. The biosynthetic pathway of staurosporine was then proposed. [Conclusion] Actinomycetes in the rhizosphere soil of mangrove plants in Quanzhou Bay had high diversity and contained potential natural product resources. Staurosporine, K252c, and streptochlorin were isolated from strain W444. These findings lay a solid foundation for studying the diversity and secondary metabolites of cultivable actinomycetes in mangrove forests in Quanzhou Bay.