Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Diversity, distribution and biotechnological potential of endophytic fungi

Annals of Microbiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Cite this article

Abstract

Endophytic fungi, living in the inner tissues of living plants, have attracted increasing attention among ecologists, taxonomists, chemists and agronomists. They are ubiquitously associated with almost all plants studied to date. Numerous studies have indicated that these fungi have an impressive array of biotechnological potential, such as enzyme production, biocontrol agents, plant-growth promoting agents, bioremediation, biodegradation, biotransformation, biosynthesis and nutrient cycling. These fungi may represent an underexplored reservoir of novel biological resources for exploitation in the pharmaceutical, industry and agriculture. This review focuses on new findings in isolation methods, biodiversity, ecological distribution and biotechnological potential.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Akay Ş, Ekiz G, Kocabaş F, Hameş-Kocabaş EE, Korkmaz KS, Bedir E (2014) A new 5, 6-dihydro-2-pyrone derivative from Phomopsis amygdali, an endophytic fungus isolated from hazelnut (Corylus avellana). Phytochem Lett 7:93–96

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Alvin A, Miller KI, Neilan BA (2014) Exploring the potential of endophytes from medicinal plants as sources of antimycobacterial compounds. Microbiol Res 169(7):483–495

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Aly AH, Debbab A, Kjer J, Proksch P (2010) Fungal endophytes from higher plants: a prolific source of phytochemicals and other bioactive natural products. Fungal Divers 41:1–16

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arnold AE, Herre EA (2003) Canopy cover and leaf age affect colonization by tropical fungal endophytes: ecological pattern and process in Theobroma cacao (Malvaceae). Mycologia 95(3):388–398

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Arnold AE, Lutzoni F (2007) Diversity and host range of foliar fungal endophytes: are tropical leaves biodiversity hotspots? Ecology 88(3):541–549

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Arnold AE, Maynard Z, Gilbert GS, Coley PD, Kursar TA (2000) Are tropical fungal endophytes hyperdiverse? Ecol Lett 3(4):267–274

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Asai T, Luo D, Yamashita K, Oshima Y (2013) Structures and biomimetic synthesis of novel α-pyrone polyketides of an endophytic Penicillium sp. in Catharanthus roseus. Org Lett 15(5):1020–1023

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baas Becking LGM (1934) Geobiologie of inleiding tot de milieukunde. van Stockum, The Hague

    Google Scholar 

  • Backman PA, Sikora RA (2008) Endophytes: an emerging tool for biological control. Biol Control 46(1):1–3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bálint M, Tiffin P, Hallström B, O’Hara RB, Olson MS, Fankhauser JD, Piepenbring M, Schmitt I (2013) Host genotype shapes the foliar fungal microbiome of balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera). PLoS One 8(1), e53987

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Banerjee D (2011) Endophytic fungal diversity in tropical and subtropical plants. Res J Microbiol 6(1):54–62

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barros FAP, Rodrigues-Filho E (2005) Four spiroquinazoline alkaloids from Eupenicillium sp. isolated as an endophytic fungus from leaves of Murraya paniculata (Rutaceae). Biochem Syst Ecol 33(3):257–268

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bezerra JDP, Santos MGS, Svedese VM, Lima DMM, Fernandes MJS, Paiva LM, Souza-Motta CM (2012) Richness of endophytic fungi isolated from Opuntia ficus-indica Mill. (Cactaceae) and preliminary screening for enzyme production. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 28(5):1989–1995

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bischoff KM, Wicklow DT, Jordan DB, de Rezende ST, Liu S, Hughes SR, Rich JO (2009) Extracellular hemicellulolytic enzymes from the maize endophyte Acremonium zeae. Curr Microbiol 58(5):499–503

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Borges WS, Borges KB, Bonato PS, Said S, Pupo MT (2009) Endophytic fungi: natural products, enzymes and biotransformation reactions. Curr Org Chem 13(12):1137–1163

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Botella L, Diez JJ (2011) Phylogenic diversity of fungal endophytes in Spanish stands of Pinus halepensis. Fungal Divers 47(1):9–18

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carvalho CR, Gonçalves VN, Pereira CB, Johann S, Galliza IV, Alves TMA, Rabello A, Sobral MEG, Zani CL, Rosa CA, Rosa LH (2012) The diversity, antimicrobial and anticancer activity of endophytic fungi associated with the medicinal plant Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Coville (Fabaceae) from the Brazilian savannah. Symbiosis 57(2):95–107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chandra S (2012) Endophytic fungi: novel sources of anticancer lead molecules. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 95(1):47–59

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chen XM, Dong HL, Hu KX, Sun ZR, Chen J, Guo SX (2010) Diversity and antimicrobial and plant-growth-promoting activities of endophytic fungi in Dendrobium loddigesii Rolfe. J Plant Growth Regul 29(3):328–337

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen Y, Ren CG, Yang B, Peng Y, Dai CC (2013) Priming effects of the endophytic fungus Phomopsis liquidambari on soil mineral N transformations. Microb Ecol 65(1):161–170

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cheng ZS, Pan JH, Tang WC, Chen QJ, Lin YC (2009) Biodiversity and biotechnological potential of mangrove-associated fungi. J For Res 20(1):63–72

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Coombs JT, Franco CMM (2003) Isolation and identification of actinobacteria from surface-sterilized wheat roots. Appl Environ Microbiol 69(9):5603–5608

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Cui J, Guo S, Xiao P (2011) Antitumor and antimicrobial activities of endophytic fungi from medicinal parts of Aquilaria sinensis. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 12(5):385–392

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Davey ML, Heegaard E, Halvorsen R, Kauserud H, Ohlson M (2013) Amplicon-pyrosequencing-based detection of compositional shifts in bryophyte-associated fungal communities along an elevation gradient. Mol Ecol 22(2):368–383

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Davis KER, Joseph SJ, Janssen PH (2005) Effects of growth medium, inoculum size, and incubation time on culturability and isolation of soil bacteria. Appl Environ Microbiol 71(2):826–834

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • De Siqueira VM, Conti R, de Araújo JM, Souza-Motta CM (2011) Endophytic fungi from the medicinal plant Lippia sidoides Cham. and their antimicrobial activity. Symbiosis 53(2):89–95

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • De Souza Sebastianes FL, Romao-Dumaresq AS, Lacava PT, Harakava R, Azevedo JL, de Melo IS, Pizzirani-Kleiner AA (2013) Species diversity of culturable endophytic fungi from Brazilian mangrove forests. Curr Genet 59(3):153–166

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • De Souza Leite T, Cnossen-Fassoni A, Pereira OL, Mizubuti ESG, de Araújo EF, de Queiroz MV (2013) Novel and highly diverse fungal endophytes in soybean revealed by the consortium of two different techniques. J Microbiol 51(1):56–69

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Del Olmo-Ruiz M, Arnold AE (2014) Interannual variation and host affiliations of endophytic fungi associated with ferns at La Selva, Costa Rica. Mycologia 106(1):8–21

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fisher PJ, Petrini O, Scott HML (1992) The distribution of some fungal and bacterial endophytes in maize (Zea mays L.). New Phytol 122(2):299–305

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fisher PJ, Petrini O, Petrini LE, Sutton BC (1994) Fungal endophytes from the leaves and twigs of Quercus ilex L. from England, Majorca and Switzerland. New Phytol 127(1):133–137

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gao XX, Zhou H, Xu DY, Yu CH, Chen YQ, Qu LH (2005) High diversity of endophytic fungi from the pharmaceutical plant, Heterosmilax japonica Kunth revealed by cultivation‐independent approach. FEMS Microbiol Lett 249(2):255–266

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • García A, Rhoden SA, Rubin Filho CJ, Nakamura CV, Pamphile JA (2012) Diversity of foliar endophytic fungi from the medicinal plant Sapindus saponaria L. and their localization by scanning electron microscopy. Biol Res 45(2):139–148

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gazis R, Chaverri P (2010) Diversity of fungal endophytes in leaves and stems of wild rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis) in Peru. Fungal Ecol 3(3):240–254

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gond SK, Mishra A, Sharma VK, Verma SK, Kumar J, Klharwar RN, Kumar A (2012) Diversity and antimicrobial activity of endophytic fungi isolated from Nyctanthes arbor-tristis, a well-known medicinal plant of India. Mycoscience 53(2):113–121

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Götz M, Nirenberg H, Krause S, Wolters H, Draeger S, Buchner A, Lottmann J, Berg G, Smalla K (2006) Fungal endophytes in potato roots studied by traditional isolation and cultivation‐independent DNA-based methods. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 58(3):404–413

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Green JL, Bohannan BJM, Whitaker RJ (2008) Microbial biogeography: from taxonomy to traits. Science 320(5879):1039–1043

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Guo LD, Hyde KD, Liew ECY (2001) Detection and taxonomic placement of endophytic fungi within frond tissues of Livistona chinensis based on rDNA sequences. Mol Phylogenet Evol 20(1):1–13

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hallmann J, Kloepper JW, Rodríguez-Kábana R (1997) Application of the Scholander pressure bomb to studies on endophytic bacteria of plants. Can J Microbiol 43(5):411–416

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hallmann J, Berg G, Schulz B (2006) Isolation procedures for endophytic microorganisms. In: Schulz BJE, Boyle CJC, Sieber TN (eds) Microbial Root Endophytes. Springer, New York, pp 299–319

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Hamayun M, Khan SA, Khan AL, Tang DS, Hussain J, Ahmad B, Anwar Y, Lee IJ (2010) Growth promotion of cucumber by pure cultures of gibberellin-producing Phoma sp. GAH7. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 26(5):889–894

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hanada RE, Pomella AWV, Costa HS, Bezerra JL, Loguercio LL, Pereira JO (2010) Endophytic fungal diversity in Theobroma cacao (cacao) and T. grandiflorum (cupuaçu) trees and their potential for growth promotion and biocontrol of black-pod disease. Fungal Biol 114(11):901–910

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • He X, Han G, Lin Y, Tian X, Xiang C, Tian Q, Wang F, He Z (2012) Diversity and decomposition potential of endophytes in leaves of a Cinnamomum camphora plantation in China. Ecol Res 27(2):273–284

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hyde KD, Soytong K (2008) The fungal endophyte dilemma. Fungal Divers 33:163–173

    Google Scholar 

  • Jin H, Yan Z, Liu Q, Yang X, Chen J, Qin B (2013) Diversity and dynamics of fungal endophytes in leaves, stems and roots of Stellera chamaejasme L. in northwestern China. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek 104:949–963

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jordaan A, Taylor JE, Rossenkhan R (2006) Occurrence and possible role of endophytic fungi associated with seed pods of Colophospermum mopane (Fabaceae) in Botswana. S Afr J Bot 72(2):245–255

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khan AL, Lee IJ (2013) Endophytic Penicillium funiculosum LHL06 secretes gibberellin that reprograms Glycine max L. growth during copper stress. BMC Plant Biol 13(1):86

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Khan AL, Hamayun M, Kang SM, Kim YH, Jung HY, Lee JH, Lee IJ (2012a) Endophytic fungal association via gibberellins and indole acetic acid can improve plant growth under abiotic stress: an example of Paecilomyces formosus LHL10. BMC Microbiol 12(1):3

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Khan AL, Hamayun M, Khan SA, Kang SM, Shinwari ZK, Kamran M, Rehman S, Kim JG, Lee IJ (2012b) Pure culture of Metarhizium anisopliae LHL07 reprograms soybean to higher growth and mitigates salt stress. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 28(4):1483–1494

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kharwar RN, Mishra A, Gond SK, Stierle A, Stierle D (2011a) Anticancer compounds derived from fungal endophytes: their importance and future challenges. Nat Prod Rep 28(7):1208–1228

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kharwar RN, Verma SK, Mishra A, Gond SK, Sharma VK, Afreen T, Kumar A (2011b) Assessment of diversity, distribution and antibacterial activity of endophytic fungi isolated from a medicinal plant Adenocalymma alliaceum Miers. Symbiosis 55(1):39–46

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kharwar RN, Maurya AL, Verma VC, Kumar A, Gond SK, Mishra A (2012) Diversity and antimicrobial activity of endophytic fungal community isolated from medicinal plant Cinnamomum camphora. Proc Natl Acad Sci India Sect B: Biol Sci 82(4):557–565

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim HY, Choi GJ, Lee HB, Lee SW, Lim HK, Jang KS, Son SW, Lee SO, Cho KY, Sung ND, Kim JC (2007) Some fungal endophytes from vegetable crops and their anti‐oomycete activities against tomato late blight. Lett Appl Microbiol 44(3):332–337

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kleczewski NM, Bauer JT, Bever JD, Clay K, Reynolds HL (2012) A survey of endophytic fungi of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the Midwest, and their putative roles in plant growth. Fungal Ecol 5(5):521–529

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koukol O, Kolařík M, Kolářová Z, Baldrian P (2012) Diversity of foliar endophytes in wind-fallen Picea abies trees. Fungal Divers 54:69–77

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kozich JJ, Westcott SL, Baxter NT, Highlander SK, Schloss PD (2013) Development of a dual-index sequencing strategy and curation pipeline for analyzing amplicon sequence data on the MiSeq Illumina sequencing platform. Appl Environ Microbiol 79(17):5112–5120

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar S, Kaushik N (2013) Endophytic fungi isolated from oil-seed crop Jatropha curcas produces oil and exhibit antifungal activity. PLoS One 8(2):e56202

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar S, Kaushik N, Edrada-Ebel R, Ebel R, Proksch P (2011) Isolation, characterization, and bioactivity of endophytic fungi of Tylophora indica. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 27(3):571–577

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar A, Patil D, Rajamohanan PR, Ahmad A (2013) Isolation, purification and characterization of vinblastine and vincristine from endophytic fungus Fusarium oxysporum isolated from Catharanthus roseus. PLoS One 8(9):e71805

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Kurose D, Furuya N, Tsuchiya K, Tsushima S, Evans HC (2012) Endophytic fungi associated with Fallopia japonica (Polygonaceae) in Japan and their interactions with Puccinia polygoni-amphibii var. tovariae, a candidate for classical biological control. Fungal Biol 116(7):785–791

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kusari S, Hertweck C, Spiteller M (2012) Chemical ecology of endophytic fungi: origins of secondary metabolites. Chem Biol 19(7):792–798

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kusari P, Kusari S, Spiteller M, Kayser O (2013) Endophytic fungi harbored in Cannabis sativa L.: diversity and potential as biocontrol agents against host plant-specific phytopathogens. Fungal Divers 60:137–151

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Larran S, Perelló A, Simón MR, Moreno V (2002) Isolation and analysis of endophytic microorganisms in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) leaves. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 18(7):683–686

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lau MK, Arnold AE, Johnson NC (2013) Factors influencing communities of foliar fungal endophytes in riparian woody plants. Fungal Ecol 6(5):365–378

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li JY, Strobel G, Harper J, Lobkovsky E, Clardy J (2000) Cryptocin, a potent tetramic acid antimycotic from the endophytic fungus Cryptosporiopsis cf. q uercina. Org Lett 2(6):767–770

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li HY, Li DW, He CM, Zhou ZP, Mei T, Xu HM (2012a) Diversity and heavy metal tolerance of endophytic fungi from six dominant plant species in a Pb–Zn mine wasteland in China. Fungal Ecol 5(3):309–315

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li HY, Shen M, Zhou ZP, Li T, Wei YL, Lin LB (2012b) Diversity and cold adaptation of endophytic fungi from five dominant plant species collected from the Baima Snow Mountain, Southwest China. Fungal Divers 54:79–86

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li HY, Wei DQ, Shen M, Zhou ZP (2012c) Endophytes and their role in phytoremediation. Fungal Divers 54(1):11–18

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maheswari S, Rajagopal K (2013) Biodiversity of endophytic fungi in Kigelia pinnata during two different seasons. Curr Sci 104(4):515–518

    Google Scholar 

  • Mardis ER (2008) Next-generation DNA sequencing methods. Annu Rev Genomics Hum Genet 9:387–402

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Martiny JBH, Bohannan BJM, Brown JH, Colwell RK, Fuhrman JA, Green JL, Horner-Devine MC, Kane M, Krumins JA, Kuske CR, Morin P, Naeem S, Øvreås L, Reysenbach AL, Smith VH, Staley JT (2006) Microbial biogeography: putting microorganisms on the map. Nat Rev Microbiol 4(2):102–112

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mei L, Zhu M, Zhang DZ, Wang YZ, Guo J, Zhang HB (2014) Geographical and temporal changes of foliar fungal endophytes associated with the invasive plant Ageratina adenophora. Microb Ecol 67(2):402–409

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mishra A, Gond SK, Kumar A, Sharma VK, Verma SK, Kharwar RN, Sieber TN (2012) Season and tissue type affect fungal endophyte communities of the Indian medicinal plant Tinospora cordifolia more strongly than geographic location. Microb Ecol 64(2):388–398

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Müller MM, Valjakka R, Suokko A, Hantula J (2001) Diversity of endophytic fungi of single Norway spruce needles and their role as pioneer decomposers. Mol Ecol 10(7):1801–1810

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nair DN, Padmavathy S (2014) Impact of endophytic microorganisms on plants, environment and humans. Sci World J 2014:250693. doi:10.1155/2014/250693

  • Novas VM, Collantes M, Cabral D (2007) Environmental effects on grass-endophyte associations in the harsh conditions of south Patagonia. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 61(1):164–173

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Orlandelli RC, Alberto RN, Rubin Filho CJ, Pamphile JA (2012) Diversity of endophytic fungal community associated with Piper hispidum (Piperaceae) leaves. Genet Mol Res 11(2):1575–1585

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pancher M, Ceol M, Corneo PE, Longa CMO, Yousaf S, Pertot I, Campisano A (2012) Fungal endophytic communities in grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.) respond to crop management. Appl Environ Microbiol 78(12):4308–4317

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Petrini O, Stone J, Carroll FE (1982) Endophytic fungi in evergreen shrubs in western Oregon: a preliminary study. Can J Bot 60(6):789–796

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Promputtha I, Hyde KD, McKenzie EHC, Peberdy JF, Lumyong S (2010) Can leaf degrading enzymes provide evidence that endophytic fungi becoming saprobes? Fungal Divers 41:89–99

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qadri M, Rajput R, Abdin MZ, Vishwakarma RA, Riyaz-Ul-Hassan S (2014) Diversity, molecular phylogeny, and bioactive potential of fungal endophytes associated with the Himalayan blue pine (Pinus wallichiana). Microb Ecol 67(4):877–887

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Qi F, Jing T, Zhan Y (2012) Characterization of endophytic fungi from Acer ginnala Maxim. in an artificial plantation: media effect and tissue-dependent variation. PLoS One 7(10), e46785

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Qin S, Li J, Chen HH, Zhao GZ, Zhu WY, Jiang CL, Xu LH, Li WJ (2009) Isolation, diversity, and antimicrobial activity of rare actinobacteria from medicinal plants of tropical rain forests in Xishuangbanna, China. Appl Environ Microbiol 75(19):6176–6186

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Qin S, Xing K, Jiang JH, Xu LH, Li WJ (2011) Biodiversity, bioactive natural products and biotechnological potential of plant-associated endophytic actinobacteria. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 89(3):457–473

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Quail MA, Kozarewa I, Smith F, Scally A, Stephens PJ, Durbin R, Swerdlow H, Turner DJ (2008) A large genome center’s improvements to the Illumina sequencing system. Nat Methods 5(12):1005–1010

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Rajulu MBG, Thirunavukkarasu N, Suryanarayanan TS, Ravishankar JP, Gueddari NEE, Moerschbacher BM (2011) Chitinolytic enzymes from endophytic fungi. Fungal Divers 47:43–53

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rhoden SA, Garcia A, Rubin Filho CJ, Azevedo JL, Pamphile JA (2012) Phylogenetic diversity of endophytic leaf fungus isolates from the medicinal tree Trichilia elegans (Meliaceae). Genet Mol Res 11(3):2513–2522

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rivera-Orduña FN, Suarez-Sanchez RA, Flores-Bustamante ZR, Gracida-Rodriguez JN, Flores-Cotera LB (2011) Diversity of endophytic fungi of Taxus globosa (Mexican yew). Fungal Divers 47:65–74

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosa LH, Almeida Vieira ML, Santiago IF, Rosa CA (2010) Endophytic fungi community associated with the dicotyledonous plant Colobanthus quitensis (Kunth) Bartl. (Caryophyllaceae) in Antarctica. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 73(1):178–189

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rosa LH, Tabanca N, Techen N, Wedge DE, Pan Z, Bernier UR, Becnel JJ, Agramonte NM, Walker LA, Moraes RM (2012) Diversity and biological activities of endophytic fungi associated with micropropagated medicinal plant Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench. Am J Plant Sci 3:1105–1114

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Russell JR, Huang J, Anand P, Kucera K, Sandoval AG, Dantzler KW, Hickman D, Jee J, Kimovec FM, Koppstein D, Marks DH, Mittermiller PA, Núñez SJ, Santiago M, Townes MA, Vishnevetsky M, Williams NE, Vargas MPN, Boulanger L, Bascom-Slack C, Strobel SA (2011) Biodegradation of polyester polyurethane by endophytic fungi. Appl Environ Microbiol 77(17):6076–6084

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Sandberg DC, Battista LJ, Arnold AE (2014) Fungal endophytes of aquatic macrophytes: diverse host-generalists characterized by tissue preferences and geographic structure. Microb Ecol 67(4):735–747

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Soliman SSM, Trobacher CP, Tsao R, Greenwood JS, Raizada MN (2013) A fungal endophyte induces transcription of genes encoding a redundant fungicide pathway in its host plant. BMC Plant Biol 13(1):93

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Stierle A, Strobel G, Stierle D (1993) Taxol and taxane production by Taxomyces andreanae, an endophytic fungus of Pacific yew. Science 260(5105):214–216

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Strobel G, Daisy B (2003) Bioprospecting for microbial endophytes and their natural products. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 67(4):491–502

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Strobel G, Daisy B, Castillo U, Harper J (2004) Natural products from endophytic microorganisms. J Nat Prod 67(2):257–268

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sun X, Guo LD, Hyde KD (2011) Community composition of endophytic fungi in Acer truncatum and their role in decomposition. Fungal Divers 47:85–95

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun X, Ding Q, Hyde KD, Guo LD (2012) Community structure and preference of endophytic fungi of three woody plants in a mixed forest. Fungal Ecol 5(5):624–632

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suryanarayanan TS, Thirunavukkarasu N, Govindarajulu MB, Gopalan V (2012) Fungal endophytes: an untapped source of biocatalysts. Fungal Divers 54(1):19–30

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tan XM, Chen XM, Wang CL, Jin XH, Cui JL, Chen J, Guo SX, Zhang LF (2012) Isolation and identification of endophytic fungi in roots of nine Holcoglossum plants (Orchidaceae) collected from Yunnan, Guangxi, and Hainan provinces of China. Curr Microbiol 64(2):140–147

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tao G, Liu ZY, Hyde KD, Liu XZ, Yu ZN (2008) Whole rDNA analysis reveals novel and endophytic fungi in Bletilla ochracea (Orchidaceae). Fungal Divers 33:101–122

    Google Scholar 

  • Tejesvi MV, Kajula M, Mattila S, Pirttilä (2011) Bioactivity and genetic diversity of endophytic fungi in Rhododendron tomentosum Harmaja. Fungal Divers 47:97–107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thongsandee W, Matsuda Y, Ito S (2012) Temporal variations in endophytic fungal assemblages of Ginkgo biloba L. J For Res 17(2):213–218

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • U’Ren JM, Lutzoni F, Miadlikowska J, Arnold AE (2010) Community analysis reveals close affinities between endophytic and endolichenic fungi in mosses and lichens. Microb Ecol 60(2):340–353

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • U’Ren JM, Riddle JM, Monacell JT, Carbone I, Miadlikowska J, Arnold AE (2014) Tissue storage and primer selection influence pyrosequencing-based inferences of diversity and community composition of endolichenic and endophytic fungi. Mol Ecol Resour 14(5):1032–1048

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Usuki F, Narisawa K (2007) A mutualistic symbiosis between a dark septate endophytic fungus, Heteroconium chaetospira, and a nonmycorrhizal plant, Chinese cabbage. Mycologia 99(2):175–184

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vega FE, Simpkins A, Aime MC, Posada F, Peterson SW, Rehner SA, Infante F, Castillo A, Arnold AE (2010) Fungal endophyte diversity in coffee plants from Colombia, Hawai’i, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Fungal Ecol 3(3):122–138

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Verma VC, Kharwar RN, Gange AC (2010) Biosynthesis of antimicrobial silver nanoparticles by the endophytic fungus Aspergillus clavatus. Nanomedicine 5(1):33–40

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vieira MLA, Hughes AFS, Gil VB, Vaz ABM, Alves TMA, Zani CL, Rosa CA, Rosa LH (2011) Diversity and antimicrobial activities of the fungal endophyte community associated with the traditional Brazilian medicinal plant Solanum cernuum Vell. (Solanaceae). Can J Microbiol 58(1):54–66

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Waller F, Achatz B, Baltruschat H, Fodor J, Becker K, Fischer M, Heier T, Hückelhoven R, Neumann C, von Wettstein D, Franken P, Kogel KH (2005) The endophytic fungus Piriformospora indica reprograms barley to salt-stress tolerance, disease resistance, and higher yield. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 102(38):13386–13391

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Y, Dai CC (2011) Endophytes: a potential resource for biosynthesis, biotransformation, and biodegradation. Ann Microbiol 61(2):207–215

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weiss M, Sýkorová Z, Garnica S, Riess K, Martos F, Krause C, Oberwinkler F, Bauer R, Redecker D (2011) Sebacinales everywhere: previously overlooked ubiquitous fungal endophytes. PLoS One 6(2), e16793

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Wu H, Yang HY, You XL, Li YH (2013a) Diversity of endophytic fungi from roots of Panax ginseng and their saponin yield capacities. SpringerPlus 2:1–9

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wu L, Han T, Li W, Jia M, Xue L, Rahman K, Qin L (2013b) Geographic and tissue influences on endophytic fungal communities of Taxus chinensis var. mairei in China. Curr Microbiol 66(1):40–48

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Xiao X, Luo S, Zeng G, Wei W, Wan Y, Chen L, Guo H, Cao Z, Yang L, Chen J, Xi Q (2010) Biosorption of cadmium by endophytic fungus (EF) Microsphaeropsis sp. LSE10 isolated from cadmium hyperaccumulator Solanum nigrum L. Bioresour Technol 101(6):1668–1674

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Xiao J, Zhang Q, Gao YQ, Tang JJ, Zhang AL, Gao JM (2014) Secondary metabolites from the endophytic Botryosphaeria dothidea of Melia azedarach and their antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities. J Agric Food Chem 62:3584–3590

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Xing YM, Chen J, Cui JL, Chen XM, Guo SX (2011) Antimicrobial activity and biodiversity of endophytic fungi in Dendrobium devonianum and Dendrobium thyrsiflorum from Vietman. Curr Microbiol 62(4):1218–1224

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Xiong ZQ, Yang YY, Zhao N (2013) Diversity of endophytic fungi and screening of fungal paclitaxel producer from Anglojap yew, Taxus x media. BMC Microbiol 13(1):71

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Xu Y, Espinosa-Artiles P, Liu MX, Arnold AE, Gunatilaka AAL (2013) Secoemestrin D, a cytotoxic epitetrathiodioxopiperizine, and emericellenes A-E, five sesterterpenoids from Emericella sp. AST0036, a fungal endophyte of Astragalus lentiginosus. J Nat Prod 76(12):2330–2336

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Yan X, Sikora RA, Zheng J (2011) Potential use of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) endophytic fungi as seed treatment agents against root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 12(3):219–225

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Yin H, Zhao Q, Sun FM, An T (2009) Gentiopicrin-producing endophytic fungus isolated from Gentiana macrophylla. Phytomedicine 16(8):793–797

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yuan ZL, Zhang CL, Lin FC, Kubicek CP (2010) Identity, diversity, and molecular phylogeny of the endophytic mycobiota in the roots of rare wild rice (Oryza granulate) from a nature reserve in Yunnan, China. Appl Environ Microbiol 76(5):1642–1652

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang HW, Song YC, Tan RX (2006) Biology and chemistry of endophytes. Nat Prod Rep 23(5):753–771

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang X, Lin L, Chen M, Zhu Z, Yang W, Chen B, Yang X, An Q (2012) A nonpathogenic Fusarium oxysporum strain enhances phytoextraction of heavy metals by the hyperaccumulator Sedum alfredii Hance. J Hazard Mater 229:361–370

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang T, Zhang YQ, Liu HY, Wei YZ, Li HL, Su J, Zhao LX, Yu LY (2013) Diversity and cold adaptation of culturable endophytic fungi from bryophytes in the Fildes Region, King George Island, maritime Antarctica. FEMS Microbiol Lett 341(1):52–61

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang D, Ge H, Zou J, Tao X, Chen R, Dai J (2014a) Periconianone A, a new 6/6/6 carbocyclic sesquiterpenoid from endophytic fungus Periconia sp. with neural anti-inflammatory activity. Org Lett 16(5):1410–1413

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang QH, Zhang J, Yang L, Zhang L, Jiang DH, Chen WD, Li GQ (2014b) Diversity and biocontrol potential of endophytic fungi in Brassica napus. Biol Control 72:98–108

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang W, Xu L, Yang L, Huang Y, Li S, Shen Y (2014c) Phomopsidone A, a novel depsidone metabolite from the mangrove endophytic fungus Phomopsis sp. A123. Fitoterapia 96:146–151

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zheng YK, Chen C, Ren D, Gu YF (2013) Genetic diversity of the plant endophytic fungi in a Pb-Zn mine area in Hanyuan, Sichuan Province, China. J Sichuan Agric Univ 31(3):308–313

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou SL, Yan SZ, Wu ZY, Chen SL (2013) Detection of endophytic fungi within foliar tissues of Camellia oleifera based on rDNA ITS sequences. Mycosystema 32(5):819–830

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou XM, Zheng CJ, Chen GY, Song XP, Han CR, Li GN, Fu YH, Chen WH, Niu ZG (2014a) Bioactive anthraquinone derivatives from the mangrove-derived fungus Stemphylium sp. 33231. J Nat Prod 77(9):2021–2028

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou ZF, Kurtán T, Yang XH, Mándi A, Geng MY, Ye BP, Taglialatela-Scafati O, Guo YW (2014b) Penibruguieramine A, a novel pyrrolizidine alkaloid from the endophytic fungus Penicillium sp. GD6 associated with Chinese mangrove Bruguiera gymnorrhiza. Org Lett 16(5):1390–1393

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zikmundová M, Drandarov K, Bigler L, Hesse M, Werner C (2002) Biotransformation of 2-benzoxazolinone and 2-hydroxy-1, 4-benzoxazin-3-one by endophytic fungi isolated from Aphelandra tetragona. Appl Environ Microbiol 68(10):4863–4870

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zimmerman NB, Vitousek PM (2012) Fungal endophyte communities reflect environmental structuring across a Hawaiian landscape. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 109(32):13022–13027

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was partially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. U0932601, 21062028).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Microbial Diversity in Southwest China of Ministry of Education and Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources, Yunnan Institute of Microbiology, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, People’s Republic of China

    You-Kun Zheng, Xin-Guo Qiao, Cui-Ping Miao, Kai Liu, You-Wei Chen, Li-Hua Xu & Li-Xing Zhao

Authors
  1. You-Kun Zheng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Xin-Guo Qiao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Cui-Ping Miao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Kai Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. You-Wei Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Li-Hua Xu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Li-Xing Zhao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Li-Xing Zhao.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zheng, YK., Qiao, XG., Miao, CP. et al. Diversity, distribution and biotechnological potential of endophytic fungi. Ann Microbiol 66, 529–542 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13213-015-1153-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13213-015-1153-7

Keywords

search

Navigation