host-pathogen interaction

Betulinic Acid Delays Turnip Mosaic Virus Infection by Activating the Phytosulfokine Signalling Pathway in Nicotiana benthamiana

mycolabadmin

Researchers discovered that betulinic acid, a natural compound found in birch and eucalyptus trees, can slow down turnip mosaic virus infection in plants. The compound works by activating a plant hormone called phytosulfokine through special receptors on plant cells, which strengthens the plant’s natural defence against the virus. This finding suggests betulinic acid could become an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pesticides for protecting vegetable crops from viral diseases.

NtCML19 Is Recruited by Tobacco to Interact With the Deacetylase Protein RsDN3377 of Rhizoctonia solani AG3-TB, Inhibiting Fungal Infection

mycolabadmin

Tobacco plants are under attack from a fungal disease caused by Rhizoctonia solani. Scientists discovered that this fungus produces a protein called RsDN3377 that helps it grow and infect plants. However, tobacco plants have evolved a defense protein called NtCML19 that recognizes RsDN3377 and triggers an immune response to fight off the infection. By engineering tobacco plants to produce more NtCML19, researchers showed they could make the plants more resistant to the disease, suggesting a potential new strategy for protecting crops.

Humans vs. Fungi: An Overview of Fungal Pathogens against Humans

mycolabadmin

Fungal infections are serious health threats that kill approximately 1.5 million people annually worldwide. This comprehensive review identifies over 280 different fungal species that can infect humans, with Aspergillus being the most dangerous genus. The study provides updated information on how these infections are diagnosed through various methods including cultures, microscopy, and molecular testing, as well as treatment options ranging from traditional antifungal drugs to newer therapies like nanotechnology-based formulations.

Infection of Norway spruce by Chrysomyxa rhododendri: ultrastructural insights into plant–pathogen interactions reveal differences between resistant and susceptible trees

mycolabadmin

Researchers studied how a rust fungus infects Norway spruce trees at the microscopic level, comparing healthy, resistant trees with ones that get severely infected. In resistant trees, the plant quickly builds protective barriers and accumulates compounds called tannins that slow down the fungus. Understanding these natural defenses could help foresters choose and grow spruce trees that better resist this devastating disease in high-altitude forests.

Advances in Fungal Infection Research: From Novel Diagnostics to Innovative Therapeutics

mycolabadmin

Fungal infections are becoming increasingly serious, especially for people with weakened immune systems, and some fungi are developing resistance to current medications. Researchers are developing faster diagnostic tests using molecular techniques and exploring new treatment approaches including repurposing existing drugs and developing vaccines. Monitoring and prevention programs in hospitals are essential to control the spread of these infections and improve patient outcomes.

Optimization of cultural conditions for pectinase production by Diaporthe isolate Z1-1N and its pathogenicity on kiwifruit

mycolabadmin

Researchers studied how a fungus called Diaporthe causes soft rot in kiwifruit by producing special enzymes called pectinases that break down the fruit’s cell walls. They found the best conditions for growing these enzymes in the lab: a temperature of 28°C, neutral pH around 7.5, and 2-3 days of growth. When they extracted these pure enzymes and put them on fresh kiwifruit, the enzymes caused damage equivalent to about half the damage caused by the living fungus itself, proving these enzymes are important for disease development.

Dectin-1 and dectin-2 drive protection against Sporothrix brasiliensis in experimental sporotrichosis

mycolabadmin

Scientists studied how the immune system fights a dangerous fungal infection called sporotrichosis caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis. They found that two immune receptors called dectin-1 and dectin-2 are crucial for fighting this infection by activating specific killer T cells and preventing immune suppression. Unlike what was previously thought, these receptors don’t work mainly by triggering inflammation, but rather by fine-tuning the balance of different immune cell types. This discovery could help develop new treatments for this emerging fungal disease.

Deubiquitinase Ubp5 is essential for pulmonary immune evasion and hematogenous dissemination of Cryptococcus neoformans

mycolabadmin

Researchers studied a protein called Ubp5 that helps the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans cause disease in humans. By removing this protein, the fungus became much less harmful and the immune system could fight it better. The fungus with the missing protein had problems with its outer coating, couldn’t hide as well from the immune system, and couldn’t spread to the brain. This suggests that blocking Ubp5 could be a new way to help the body defend against this dangerous fungal infection.

Dynamic proteomic changes and ultrastructural insights into Pochonia chlamydosporia’s parasitism of Parascaris equorum eggs

mycolabadmin

Researchers studied how a parasitic fungus called Pochonia chlamydosporia infects and destroys the eggs of harmful parasitic worms found in horses. Using advanced imaging and protein analysis, they discovered that the fungus uses different strategies at different stages of infection: first it attaches and creates damage, then it breaks down the egg shell, and finally it consumes the contents. This fungus could be used as a natural, eco-friendly solution to control parasitic worm infections in animals.

Study on Pathogenesis of Cytospora pyri in Korla Fragrant Pear Trees (Pyrus sinkiangensis)

mycolabadmin

Researchers identified Cytospora pyri as the fungus causing a serious disease in Korla fragrant pear trees in China. The fungus can only infect trees through wounds and spreads through the tree’s tissues over several weeks. Understanding how the fungus breaks down plant cell walls using enzymes could help develop better strategies to prevent the disease and protect pear orchards.

Research Keyword: host-pathogen interaction