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The endophytic fungus Cosmosporella sp. VM-42 from Vinca minor is a source of bioactive compounds with potent activity against drug-resistant bacteria

Summary

Scientists discovered a fungus living inside a medicinal plant called Vinca minor that produces compounds capable of killing drug-resistant bacteria like MRSA. They isolated the main active compound, nectriapyrone, and found it effectively stops the growth of these dangerous bacteria in laboratory tests. The fungus appears to be a promising source of new antibacterial drugs that could help combat the growing problem of antibiotic-resistant infections.

Background

Endophytic fungi associated with medicinal plants are valuable sources of bioactive compounds. Vinca minor, a medicinal plant producing vinca alkaloids, has not been thoroughly explored for its endophytic fungal microbiota. This study investigates an endophytic fungus isolated from V. minor for its antibacterial potential and biosynthetic capacity.

Objective

To isolate, identify, and characterize an endophytic fungus from Vinca minor and evaluate its antibacterial activity against drug-resistant bacteria. The study aimed to use genomics and metabolomics approaches to understand the fungus’s biosynthetic potential and identify bioactive compounds.

Results

The isolate was identified as Cosmosporella sp. VM-42. Its crude ethyl acetate extract showed selective inhibition of Gram-positive bacteria including MSSA and MRSA with MIC values of 125 µg/mL. The dominant compound was identified as nectriapyrone with MIC and MBC values ranging from 125 to 62.5 µg/mL. The 39.07 Mb genome encodes 9,842 protein-coding genes and 35 biosynthetic gene clusters producing diverse secondary metabolites.

Conclusion

Cosmosporella sp. VM-42 is a promising source of bioactive compounds with pharmacological potential against drug-resistant bacteria. The fungus produces chemically diverse secondary metabolites including cyclodepsipeptides, dimeric naphtho-γ-pyrones, and macrolactones. Epigenetic modulation successfully activated expression of silent biosynthetic gene clusters to broaden the chemical profile.
  • Published in:Current Research in Microbiology Science,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research Study,
  • Source: 40297407
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