Studies on Morinia: recognition of Morinia longiappendiculata sp. nov. as a new endophytic fungus, and a new circumscription of Morinia pestalozzioides.
A new coelomycete, Morinia longiappendiculata sp. nov., isolated from living stems of four plant species in central Spain, is described. The distinctive morphological characteristics of this fungus are the production of conidia with long basal and apical appendages on filiform conidiogenous cells that contrasts with the short-appendaged conidia and cylindrical conidiogenic cells of the type species, M. pestalozzioides. Comparative sequence analysis of the ITS rDNA region and fragments of the translation elongation factor 1alpha, actin and chitin synthase 1 genes and the study of the HPLC profiles of the M. longiappendiculata and M. pestalozzioides isolates supported the recognition of the new species. Comparison of the ITS rDNA sequences of the Morinia isolates with GenBank sequences indicated that the genus belongs to the Amphisphaeriaceae with the highest similarity to Bartalinia and Truncatella. Bresadola's original definition of M. pestalozzioides is updated by adding information on conidiogenesis and molecular data. A lectotype and epitype are designated for the species. A study of bioactive metabolites revealed that M. pestalozzioides cultures produced moriniafungin, a novel sordarin analog with potent antifungal activity.
Collado
Javier
J
Centro de Investigación Básica, Merck Research Laboratories, Merck, Sharp and Dohme de España, josefa Valcárcel 38 E-28027 Madrid, España. javier_colladomartinez@merck.com
Platas
Gonzalo
G
Bills
Gerald F
GF
Basilio
Angela
A
Vicente
Francisca
F
Tormo
J Ruben
JR
Hernández
Pilar
P
Díez
M Teresa
MT
Peláez
Fernando
F
D000199:Actins / Q000235:genetics; D002687:Chitin Synthase / Q000235:genetics; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / Q000235:genetics; D039642:Eukaryotic Initiation Factors / Q000235:genetics; D007192:Indenes / Q000378:metabolism; D019684:Magnoliopsida / Q000382:microbiology*; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000382:microbiology; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000166:cytology; D013098:Xylariales / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification* / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics
D000199:Actins; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer; D039642:Eukaryotic Initiation Factors; D007192:Indenes; C509196:moriniafungin; D002687:Chitin Synthase