Fate of antibiotic resistance genes in cultivation substrate and its association with bacterial communities throughout commercial production of Agaricus bisporus.

Animal manure is an important raw material for Agaricus bisporus production; however, it is also a reservoir for antibiotic residues, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Little is known about the influence of the commercial cultivation of A. bisporus on the dynamics of ARGs and the underlying mechanisms that cause their variations. In this study, we investigated the fate of 285 ARGs, 10 mobile genetic elements, and seven major categories of antibiotic residues in substrate and mushroom samples at different production phases. The results showed that commercial substrate preparation, particularly the pasteurization phase, was highly efficient in removing ARGs from the substrate. We further found that mycelium proliferation of A. bisporus contributed significantly to the removal of ARGs from the substrate and casing soil. The bacterial community is the key driver of changes in ARGs during the commercial cultivation of A. bisporus, which explained 46.67% of the variation in ARGs. Our results indicate that, despite the addition of animal manure, the risk of ARG dissemination to fruiting bodies and the environment is low. We propose that bioremediation by specific edible fungi might be a novel and promising method for scavenging antimicrobial resistance contamination from soil environment.

First Report of Cobweb Disease in Oudemansiella raphanipes Caused by Cladobotryum varium in Beijing, China.

Oudemansiella raphanipes is an edible mushroom with medicinal properties,which has been recently cultivated throughout China (Hao et al. 2016). In October 2019, a disease with symptoms similar to that of cobweb disease (Carrasco et al. 2017) was observed in O. raphanipes in the Tongzhou District, Beijing, China, infecting 25% of the fruiting bodies (Fig. 1A, B). White cotton-like net of hyphae were present typically on the casing soil or on the stipe of the fruiting bodies; they gradually spread to the pileus, covering the fruiting body, which eventually wilted and died (Fig. 1C, D), resulting in yield reduction and economic loss. Cultures were obtained by aseptically transferring the diseased fruiting bodies onto potato dextrose agar (PDA) at 25 °C; they were deposited in the culture collection (ID: JZBQA1) of the Beijing Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, China. The colonies were pale white/white, with an occasional formation of yellow diffusing pigments on the reverse side (Fig. 1E-G). Conidiophores were Cladobotryum-like, phialides were solitary or commonly divergent in whorls of 2-3 (-4), lageniform to subulate, 20-63.5 (-66) × (3.8-) 4-5.3 (-9) µm (n = 40) (Fig. 1H, I); conidia were hyaline, oval to ellipsoidal, with one or two septa, (10.4-) 11.4-20 (-22) × 6.6-9.5 (-10) µm (n = 40) (Fig. 1J); chlamydospores were globose or ellipsoidal (Fig. 1K). The morphological characteristics were consistent with that of Cladobotryum varium (Back et al. 2012a, b; Sun et al. 2019). For species-level fungal identification, genomic DNA was extracted using the DNeasy Plant Mini Kit (Qiagen, USA). The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, translation elongation factor 1 alpha exon (TEF1-α), RNA polymerase II subunit b (RPB2), and RNA polymerase I largest subunit (RPB1) genes were amplified using the primer pairs ITS1/ITS4 (White et al. 1990), EF1-983F/2218R (Rehner and Buckley 2005), RPB2-5F/7cR (Liu et al. 1999), and RPB1F1 (5'-GCCGATGAAGTTGGTCTA-3')/RPB1R1 (5'-TATGTTGCGGTGAGCCTT-3'), respectively. A BLAST nucleotide search showed 99.34% (449/452 bp), 99.24% (914/921 bp), 98.08% (1,022/1,042 bp), and 99.66% (588/590 bp) homology, respectively, with those of the ex-type culture of Hypomyces aurantius TFC 95-171 (FN859425.1, FN868743.1, FN868679.1, and FN868805.1). The four sequences were deposited in GenBank (accession numbers: MW534093, MW560066, MW560064, and MW560065). Phylogenetic trees based on the assessed gene loci revealed that the JZBQA1 strain was closely related to C. varium (Fig. 2). A in vivo pathogenicity test was performed using the fruiting bodies (Fig. 1L, O). Spore suspension (108 spores/mL) of the JZBQA1 strain or sterile distilled water was sprayed on six healthy fruiting bodies, maintained in an artificial climate chamber at 24-26°C. Cobweb-like features were observed on the fruiting bodies treated with the spore suspension 2-3 days post-inoculation; while those treated with water did not exhibit such features (Fig. 1L, O). The same pathogen was re-isolated and confirmed from the infected fruiting bodies by integrated analysis of morphological characteristics and gene sequencing data. Cladobotryum spp. infects different varieties of cultivated edible mushrooms, resulting in the development of cobweb diseases (Cao et al. 2020; Carrasco et al. 2017). Cladobotryum varium is the causal agent of cobweb disease in Flammulina velutipes and Hypsizygus marmoreus (Back et al. 2012a, b). To our knowledge, this is the first report of cobweb disease caused by C. varium in O. raphanipes. This finding is a valuable contribution to the knowledge of cobweb disease development in edible fungi.

Critical effects of epigenetic regulation in pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by persistent pulmonary vasoconstriction and pulmonary vascular remodeling. The pathogenic mechanisms of PAH remain to be fully clarified and measures of effective prevention are lacking. Recent studies; however, have indicated that epigenetic processes may exert pivotal influences on PAH pathogenesis. In this review, we summarize the latest research findings regarding epigenetic regulation in PAH, focusing on the roles of non-coding RNAs, histone modifications, ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling and DNA methylation, and discuss the potential of epigenetic-based therapies for PAH.

Pantoea pleuroti sp. nov., Isolated from the Fruiting Bodies of Pleurotus eryngii.

Four Gram-negative-staining, facultatively anaerobic bacterial isolates were obtained from the fruiting bodies of the edible mushroom Pleurotus eryngii showing symptoms of bacterial blight disease in Beijing, China. Nearly complete 16S rRNA gene sequencing placed these isolates in the genus Pantoea. Multilocus sequence analysis based on the partial sequences of atpD, gyrB, infB and rpoB revealed Pantoea agglomerans as their closest phylogenetic relatives. DNA-DNA hybridization and phenotypic tests confirmed the classification of the new isolates as a novel species. The name Pantoea pleuroti sp. nov. [type strain KCTC 42084(T) = CGMCC 1.12894(T) = JZB 2120015(T)] is proposed.

Pantoea hericii sp. nov., Isolated from the Fruiting Bodies of Hericium erinaceus.

Three Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic bacterial isolates were obtained from the fruiting bodies of the edible mushroom Hericium erinaceus showing symptoms of soft rot disease in Beijing, China. Sequences of partial 16S rRNA gene placed these isolates in the genus Pantoea. Multilocus sequence analysis based on the partial sequences of atpD, gyrB, infB and rpoB revealed P. eucalypti and P. anthophila as their closest phylogenetic relatives and indicated that these isolates constituted a possible novel species. DNA-DNA hybridization studies confirmed the classification of these isolates as a novel species and phenotypic tests allowed for differentiation from the closest phylogenetic neighbours. The name Pantoea hericii sp. nov. [Type strain LMG 28847(T) = CGMCC 1.15224(T) = JZB 2120024(T)] is proposed.

Cloning of the A Mating-Type Locus from Lepista nuda and Characterization of Its Genetic Structure.

Lepista nuda (Bull. ex Fr.) Cooke (Tricholomataceae) is an edible fungus with both economic and medical value. Identification of its mating-type loci is important for promoting breeding programs in L. nuda. The A mating-type locus of L. nuda and its flanking region were cloned and characterized in the present study. It contained two homeodomain transcription factor genes (called lna1 and lna2). Lna1 and Lna2 protein harbored conserved motif of homeodomain transcription factor protein. The novel finding of this study was that the gene order around the A locus was mip, lna2, lna1, and ß-fg in L. nuda, which was differed from other edible fungi. In addition, lna1 and lna2 showed divergent, inward transcriptional direction. The phylogenetic tree of HD proteins showed that L. nuda Lna1 and Lna2 were phylogenetically related with Laccaria bicolor. Our results revealed that the A mating-type locus had been subjected to gene rearrangements relative to all other basidiomycetes.

Development of SCAR markers to determine the mating types of Lepista nuda protoplast monokaryons.

Lepista nuda (Bull. ex Fr.) Cooke belongs to Tricholomataceae and is an edible fungus with both economic and medical value. Mycelia were isolated from the fruiting bodies of L. nuda and were used to prepare the protoplast monokaryons. One hundred and fifteen monokaryons were obtained and their mating types were determined using somatic incompatibility tests. Protoplast monokaryons segregated into either the A1B1 or the A2B2 mating types. Inter-simple sequence repeats and sequence-related amplified polymorphism fingerprinting were used to analyse the mating types of these protoplast monokaryons and 16 sequence-characterised amplified region primers were developed to efficiently differentiate between the monokaryon mating types. Multiplex PCR analyses were also established. The data presented here outline a method for the precise and rapid identification of protoplast monokaryon mating types, which has the promise to shorten the period required for conventional crossbreeding.

Genetic diversity of Pleurotus pulmonarius revealed by RAPD, ISSR, and SRAP fingerprinting.

Pleurotus pulmonarius is one of the most widely cultivated and popular edible fungi in the genus Pleurotus. Three molecular markers were used to analyze the genetic diversity of 15 Chinese P. pulmonarius cultivars. In total, 21 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), 20 inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR), and 20 sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) primers or primer pairs were selected for generating data based on their clear banding profiles produced. With the use of these RAPD, ISSR, and SRAP primers or primer pairs, a total of 361 RAPD, 283 ISSR, and 131 SRAP fragments were detected, of which 287 (79.5 %) RAPD, 211 (74.6 %) ISSR, and 98 (74.8 %) SRAP fragments were polymorphic. Unweighted Pair-Group Method with Arithmetic Mean (UPGMA) trees of these three methods were structured similarly, grouping the 15 tested strains into four clades. Subsequently, visual DNA fingerprinting and cluster analysis were performed to evaluate the resolving power of the combined RAPD, ISSR, and SRAP markers in the differentiation among these strains. The results of this study demonstrated that each method above could efficiently differentiate P. pulmonarius cultivars and could thus be considered an efficient tool for surveying genetic diversity of P. pulmonarius.

Pantoea beijingensis sp. nov., isolated from the fruiting body of Pleurotus eryngii.

Four Gram-negative-staining, facultatively anaerobic bacterial isolates were obtained from a fruiting body of the edible mushroom Pleurotus eryngii showing symptoms of soft rot disease in Beijing, China. Partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing, together with partial rpoB sequencing, placed these isolates in the genus Pantoea. Multilocus sequence analysis based on the partial sequences of gyrB, rpoB, infB and atpD revealed Pantoea dispersa and Pantoea gaviniae as their closest phylogenetic relatives and indicated that these isolates constituted a possible novel species. DNA-DNA hybridization studies confirmed the classification of the new isolates as a novel species and phenotypic tests allowed for differentiation from the closest phylogenetic neighbours. The name Pantoea beijingensis sp. nov. [type strain LMG 27579(T) = KCTC 32406(T) = JZB2120001(T) (deposited at Institute of Plant and Environment Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences)] is proposed.

Insights into the Global Transcriptome Response of Lentinula edodes Mycelia during Aging.

The spawn of Lentinula edodes and other basidiomycete fungi tend to age with long-term culture. This causes heavy yield losses if aging spawn is used for propagation. In this study, we cultivated dikaryotic L. edodes mycelia in plates for 60 days to produce intrinsic aging phenotypes. We found that intracellular reactive oxygen species levels increased in contrast to mitochondrial depolarization and also observed greater DNA fragmentation with longer culture time. Transcriptome analysis of mycelia at different growth stages revealed pronounced expression differences between short- and long-term cultures. In particular, "phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis", "mitophagy and autophagy", "MAPK signaling pathway", and "ABC transporter" were among the enriched terms in the mycelial aging process. Weighted correlation network analysis identified LeAtg8, LeHog1, LePbs2, and LemTOR as key genes during aging. Western blotting confirmed that LeATG8 and phosphorylated LeHOG1 protein levels were significantly upregulated in aging mycelia. Our combined analytical approach provides insights into the mechanisms that regulate mycelial aging, indicating that autophagy/mitophagy plays a major role in counteracting the effects of age on mycelial growth development.

Diversity of Trichoderma species associated with green mold contaminating substrates of Lentinula edodes and their interaction.

Introduction: The contamination of Trichoderma species causing green mold in substrates poses a significant obstacle to the global production of Lentinula edodes, adversely impacting both yield and quality of fruiting bodies. However, the diversity of Trichoderma species in the contaminated substrates of L. edodes (CSL) in China is not clear. The purpose of this study was to assess the biodiversity of Trichoderma species in CSL, and their interactions with L. edodes. Methods: A comprehensive two-year investigation of the biodiversity of Trichoderma species in CSL was conducted with 150 samples collected from four provinces of China. Trichoderma strains were isolated and identified based on integrated studies of phenotypic and molecular data. Resistance of L. edodes to the dominant Trichoderma species was evaluated in dual culture in vitro. Results: A total of 90 isolates were obtained and identified as 14 different Trichoderma species, including six new species named as Trichoderma caespitosus, T. macrochlamydospora, T. notatum, T. pingquanense, T. subvermifimicola, and T. tongzhouense, among which, T. atroviride, T. macrochlamydospora and T. subvermifimicola were identified as dominant species in the CSL. Meanwhile, three known species, namely, T. auriculariae, T. paraviridescens and T. subviride were isolated from CSL for the first time in the world, and T. paratroviride was firstly reported to be associated with L. edodes in China. Notebly, the in vitro evaluation of L. edodes resistance to dominant Trichoderma species showed strains of L. edodes generally possess poor resistance to Trichoderma contamination with L. edodes strain SX8 relatively higher resistant. Discussion: This study systematically investigated the diversity of Trichoderma species in the contaminated substrate of L. edodes, and a total of 31 species so far have been reported, indicating that green mold contaminated substrates of edible fungi were undoubtedly a biodiversity hotspot of Trichoderma species. Results in this study will provide deeper insight into the genus Trichoderma and lay a strong foundation for scientific management of the Trichoderma contamination in L. edodes cultivation.

Two Strains of Lentinula edodes Differ in Their Transcriptional and Metabolic Patterns and Respond Differently to Thermostress.

Temperature type is one of the key traits determining the cultivation regime of Lentinula edodes. However, the molecular and metabolic basis underling temperature type remain unclear. Here, we investigated the phenotypic, transcriptomic, and metabolic features of L. edodes with different temperature types under both control (25 °C) and high (37 °C) temperature conditions. We found that under the control condition, the high- and low-temperature types of L. edodes harbored distinct transcriptional and metabolic profiles. The high-temperature (H-)-type strain had a higher expression level of genes involved in the toxin processes and carbohydrate binding, while the low-temperature (L-)-type strain had a high expression level of oxidoreductase activity. Heat stress significantly inhibited the growth of both H- and L-type strains, while the latter had a higher growth inhibition rate. Upon exposure to heat, the H-type strain significantly up-regulated genes associated with the components of the cellular membrane, whereas the L-type strain markedly up-regulated genes involved in the extracellular region and carbohydrate binding. Metabolome data showed that thermostress altered purine and pyrimidine metabolism in the H-type strain, whereas it altered cysteine, methionine, and glycerophospholipid metabolism in the L-type strain. Transcriptome and metabolome integrative analysis was able to identify three independent thermotolerance-related gene-metabolite regulatory networks. Our results deepen the current understanding of the molecular and metabolic basis underlying temperature type and suggest, for the first time, that thermotolerance mechanisms can be temperature-type-dependent for L. edodes.

HOG1 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Pathway-Related Autophagy Induced by H2O2 in Lentinula edodes Mycelia.

Mycelial ageing is associated with ROS and autophagy in Lentinula edodes. However, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms between ROS and autophagy remain obscure. This study induced autophagy in L. edodes mycelia through exogenous H2O2 treatment. Results showed that 100 µM H2O2 treatment for 24 h significantly inhibited mycelial growth. H2O2 caused the depolarisation of MMP and accumulation of TUNEL-positive nuclei, which was similar to the ageing phenotype of L. edodes mycelia. Transcriptome analysis showed that differentially expressed genes were enriched in the mitophagic, autophagic, and MAPK pathways. LeAtg8 and LeHog1 were selected as hub genes. RNA and protein levels of LeATG8 increased in the H2O2-treated mycelia. Using fluorescent labelling, we observed for the first time the classic ring structure of autophagosomes in a mushroom, while 3D imaging suggested that these autophagosomes surrounded the nuclei to degrade them at specific growth stages. Phospho-LeHOG1 protein can translocate from the cytoplasm to the nucleus to regulate mycelial cells, resisting ROS-induced oxidative stress. Furthermore, LeATG8 expression was suppressed when LeHOG1 phosphorylation was inhibited. These results suggest that the LeATG8-dependent autophagy in L. edodes mycelial is closely associated with the activity or even phosphorylation of LeHOG1.

Disentangling the Tissue-Specific Variations of Volatile Flavor Profiles of the Lentinula edodes Fruiting Body.

For Lentinula edodes, its characteristic flavor is the key determinant for consumer preferences. However, the tissue-specific volatile flavor variations of the fruiting body have been overlooked. Here, we comprehensively investigated the volatile flavor profiles of different tissues, including the pileus skin, context, gill, and stipe of the fruiting body, of two widely cultivated L. edodes strains (T2 and 0912) using the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique combined with a multivariate analysis. We show that the eight-carbon and sulfur compounds, which represented 43.2-78.0% and 1.4-42.9% of the total volatile emissions for strains 0912 and T2, respectively, dominated their volatile profiles. Compared with strain T2, strain 0912 had a higher total content of eight-carbon compounds but a lower total content of sulfur compounds in the fruiting body. The sulfur compounds represented 32.2% and 42.9% of the total volatile emissions for strains 0912 and T2, respectively. In contrast, they constituted only 1.4% in the stipes of strain 0912 and 9.0% in the skin of strain T2. The proportions of the predominant C8 compounds (1-octen-3-one, 1-octen-3-ol, and 3-octanone) and sulfur compounds (lenthionine, 1,2,4-trithiolane, dimethyl disulfide, and dimethyl trisulfide) changed depending on the tissues and strains. Using machine learning, we show that the prediction accuracy for different strains and tissues using their volatile profiles could reach 100% based on the highly diverse strain- and tissue-derived volatile variations. Our results reveal and highlight for the first time the comprehensive tissue-specific volatile flavor variations of the L. edodes fruiting body. These findings underscore the significance of considering strain and tissue differences as pivotal variables when aiming to develop products with volatile flavor characteristics.

Evaluation of anti-quorum-sensing activity of fermentation metabolites from different strains of a medicinal mushroom, Phellinus igniarius.

AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate the different abilities of various Phellinus igniarius strains inhibiting quorum sensing (QS), to search for novel QS inhibitors from them and to analyze their inhibitory activity, with a view to their possible use in controlling infections. METHODS: The bioactive metabolites produced by P. igniarius cultures were tested for their abilities to inhibit QS-regulated behavior. All P. igniarius strains were cultured in potato-dextrose medium by large-scale submerged fermentation. The culture supernatant was condensed into 0.2-fold volumes by freeze drying. The condensed supernatant was sterilized by filtration through a 0.22-µm membrane filter and added to Chromobacterium violaceum CV026 cultures, which were used to monitor QS inhibition. Inhibitory activity was measured by quantifying violacein production using a microplate reader. RESULTS: The bioactive metabolites produced by 10 P. igniarius strains could inhibit violacein production, a QS-regulated behavior in C. violaceum. Furthermore, these strains could be roughly categorized into three groups on the basis of their inhibitory activities. CONCLUSIONS: P. igniarius strains can produce QS-inhibitory compounds and have different abilities to inhibit QS.

Evaluation of genetic diversity among Chinese Pleurotus eryngii cultivars by combined RAPD/ISSR marker.

Pleurotus eryngii (DC. Ex. Fr.) Quél is a rare precious edible fungus which belongs to the family Pleurotaceae. This mushroom has highly nutritional, pharmaceutical, economic and ecological values. In the present study, combined randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)/inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) was used to assess the genetic diversity of P. eryngii strains cultivated in China. For the RAPD and ISSR analyses, 404 and 392 polymorphic bands were obtained from 32 P. eryngii strains using 28 and 24 selected primers, respectively. A combined RAPD/ISSR dendrogram grouped the 32 strains into five clades with coefficient of 0.770. The comparison of RAPD and ISSR was also elucidated in the present study. The results of our study obtained by combined RAPD/ISSR analysis contributed to a better understanding of the genetic relationships among the P. eryngii strains and provide orientation for the strain improvement of P. eryngii species.

Polyethylene glycol-mediated transformation of fused egfp-hph gene under the control of gpd promoter in Pleurotus eryngii.

Pleurotus eryngii was transformed using a polyethylene glycol-mediated method. A plasmid, pEPUGH, containing a reporter gene (enhanced green fluorescent protein gene, egfp) and a positive selectable marker gene (hygromycin phosphotransferase gene, hph) was constructed. The fused egfp-hph gene was placed under the control of the strong and constitutive native gpd promoter from P. eryngii. The recombinant plasmid was used to transform of P. eryngii protoplasts. Successful transformation was demonstrated by molecular analyses. Moreover, the mycelia of the transformants showed green epipolic dispersion on fluorescence microscopy. About 90-210 transformants were produced per µg plasmid DNA per 10(7) viable protoplasts.

Altered Expression of miR-575 in Glioma is Related to Tumor Cell Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion.

Glioma is a kind of brain tumor with low overall survival and treatment success rates in the advanced stage. Evidence has shown microRNA-575 (miR-575) plays an important role in the generation and development of various cancers. This study aimed to explore the function of miR-575 in the prognosis and cell biological behavior of glioma. qRT-PCR was used to evaluate the expression of miR-575 in glioma tissues and cells, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression analysis were used to evaluate the prognostic value. The proliferation ability of glioma cells was determined by MTT assay; the invasion and migration abilities were determined by transwell assays. Compared with normal brain tissues, the expression of miR-575 in glioma tissue cells was significantly up-regulated (P < 0.001). The survival rate of patients in the miR-575 high expression group was significantly lower than that in the low expression group (P = 0.020). In addition, the overexpression of miR-575 promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of glioma cells. The results of this study suggested that miR-575 may be a new biomarker for the prognosis of glioma.

Bacterial Infection Induces Ultrastructural and Transcriptional Changes in the King Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus eryngii).

Pleurotus eryngii (king oyster mushroom) is a commercially important mushroom with high nutritional and economic value. However, soft rot disease, caused by the pathogenic bacterium Erwinia beijingensis, poses a threat to its quality and production. Morphological and ultrastructural observations of P. eryngii were conducted at early, middle, and late stages of infection. At 2 days postinoculation (dpi), small yellow spots on the fruiting body were observed. The infected tissue displayed hyphal deformations and breaks at 5 dpi. At 9 dpi, damage to cell wall integrity and absence of intact cellular organelles were observed and the diseased fruiting bodies were unable to grow normally. Transcriptome analysis identified 4,296 differentially expressed genes in the fruiting body following infection. In fact, broad transcriptional reprogramming was observed in infected fruiting bodies compared to controls. The affected pathways included antioxidant systems, peroxisome biogenesis, autophagy, and oxidation-reduction. More specifically, pex genes were downregulated during infection, indicating impaired peroxisome homeostasis and redox balance. Additionally, genes encoding chitinase, ß-1,3-glucanase, and proteases associated with cell wall degradation were upregulated in infected P. eryngii. This study provides insights into the responses of P. eryngii during soft rot disease and facilitates the understanding of the pathogenic process of bacteriosis in mushrooms. IMPORTANCEPleurotus eryngii (king oyster mushroom) is a popular and economically valuable edible mushroom; however, it suffers from various bacterial diseases, including soft rot disease caused by the bacterium Erwinia beijingensis. Here, we examined bacterial infection of the mushroom through morphological and ultrastructural observations as well as transcriptome analysis. Pathogen attack damaged the cell structure of P. eryngii, including the cell wall, and also induced high levels of reactive oxygen species. These results were reflected in differential gene expression in P. eryngii as a response to the pathogenic bacteria, including genes involved in antioxidant systems, peroxisome biogenesis, autophagy, oxidation-reduction, ribosome biogenesis, and cell-wall degradation, among others. This study provides insights into the structural and molecular responses of P. eryngii during soft rot disease, improving our understanding and the potential control of the pathogenic process of bacteriosis in mushrooms.

Three New Trichoderma Species in Harzianum Clade Associated with the Contaminated Substrates of Edible Fungi.

Trichoderma is known worldwide as biocontrol agents of plant diseases, producers of enzymes and antibiotics, and competitive contaminants of edible fungi. In this investigation of contaminated substrates of edible fungi from North China, 39 strains belonging to 10 Trichoderma species isolated from four kinds of edible fungi were obtained, and three novel species belonging to the Harzianum clade were isolated from the contaminated substrates of Auricularia heimuer and Pholiota adipose. They were recognized based on integrated studies of phenotypic features, culture characteristics, and molecular analyses of RNA polymerase II subunit B and translation elongation factor 1-α genes. Trichoderma auriculariae was strongly supported as a separate lineage and differed from T. vermifimicola due to its larger conidia. Trichoderma miyunense was closely related to T. ganodermatigerum but differed due to its smaller conidia and higher optimum mycelial growth temperature. As a separate lineage, T. pholiotae was distinct from T. guizhouense and T. pseudoasiaticum due to its higher optimum mycelial growth temperature and larger conidia. This study extends the understanding of Trichoderma spp. contaminating substrates of edible fungi and updates knowledge of species diversity in the group.