Fungal Endophytes: A Potential Source of Antibacterial Compounds

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Natural Products Chemistry
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Antibiotic resistance is a critical global health threat, exacerbated by frequent antibiotic use and increased microbial virulence.
• Endophytic fungi are a promising source of novel bioactive compounds with potential antimicrobial properties.
• The discovery of new antibiotics is crucial to combat the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Purpose of the Study:

• To review bioactive metabolites isolated from endophytic fungi between January 2015 and April 2021.
• To analyze the antibacterial activity, chemical structures, and modes of action of these metabolites.
• To discuss strategies for inducing the production of novel bioactive compounds from endophytic fungi.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of scientific publications from January 2015 to April 2021.
• Identification and characterization of bioactive metabolites from endophytic fungi.
• Analysis of reported antibacterial profiling, chemical structures, and mechanisms of action.
• Discussion of methods like epigenetic modifications, co-culture, and OSMAC for gene cluster induction.

Main Results:

• A comprehensive list of 451 bioactive metabolites isolated from various endophytic fungi.
• Detailed information on the antibacterial activity, chemical structures, and modes of action for these compounds.
• Identification of major metabolite classes including anthraquinones, sesquiterpenoids, and cyclic peptides.

Conclusions:

• Endophytic fungi represent a rich reservoir of diverse bioactive metabolites with significant potential against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
• Understanding the chemical structures and modes of action is key to developing new antimicrobial therapies.
• Advanced cultivation and genetic strategies can unlock the potential of silent gene clusters in endophytic fungi for novel drug discovery.