Biology subjects

Sanchez-Hernandez, D.

Publications and source records attributed to Sanchez-Hernandez, D..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Endophytic fungi from avocado trees exhibit potential for multi-target biocontrol applications

BACKGROUNDEndophytic fungi are naturally inhabiting plant organs without causing disease symptoms. They can also contribute to their hosts pest and disease resistance by displaying entomopathogenic and/or antifungal traits. In this study, we evaluated the ability of 11 strains of avocado fungal endophytes to antagonize three important avocado plant pathogens: Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Fusarium solani, and Phytophthora cinnamomi, and two insect pests: Sitophilus zeamais and Xyleborus bispinatus. RESULTSThe results show that Trichoderma spp. strains were the most effective against the evaluated plant pathogens in terms of growth inhibition, in direct contact assays or through metabolite production. Other fungi, such as Purpureocillium sp. and Pochonia sp., only exhibited pathogen inhibition through diffusible metabolites but displayed strong insecticidal capacity against the evaluated pests, hence being identified as promising multi-target biocontrol agents in the integrative analysis. CONCLUSIONOur findings evidence the potential of avocado fungal endophytes and their metabolites as multi-target biocontrol agents of crop pests and pathogens.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2025

Diversity of culturable endophytic fungi associated with avocado orchards under organic and conventional management

Endophytic fungi constitute a great resource for the implementation of sustainable agricultural practices. However, their diversity may be altered by agrochemicals used in conventionally managed agrosystems. Here we explored the culturable diversity of endophytic fungi associated with avocado (Persea americana Mill.) in conventional and organic orchards from three counties of the worlds leading productive region. In total, 529 endophytic fungal isolates were obtained from branches and roots of avocado trees. Identification based on ITS sequencing showed that most isolates belonged to the Ascomycota phylum (98 %) and were grouped into 52 fungal genera, representing 102 tentative species. The endophytic fungal community was dominated by genera which were common to both management types, namely Fusarium, Colletotrichum, Dactylonectria, and Diaporthe / Phomopsis. Twenty fungal genera were exclusive to organic orchards (e.g., Hypoxylon and Talaromyces) and 10 were only found in conventional orchards (e.g., Trichoderma). Fungal species richness and diversity were higher in organic than in conventional orchards. Ordination and clustering analyses revealed a stronger effect of site than of management type on endophytic fungal community structure, highlighting the influence of local factors in shaping the culturable endophytic fungal community. Overall, our findings confirm the negative impact of conventional management on the diversity of crop-associated endophytic fungi and the significant influence of local factors on endophytic fungal assemblages. Moreover, our results emphasize the need to assess the risk that possible latent fungal pathogens may represent for the crop or dominant forest species surrounding avocado orchards.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2020

Glypicans specifically regulate Hedgehog signaling through their interaction with Ihog in cytonemes

The conserved family of Hedgehog (Hh) signaling proteins plays a key role in cell-cell communication in development, tissue repair and cancer progression. These proteins can act as morphogens, inducing responses dependent on the ligand concentration in target cells located at a distance. Hh proteins are lipid modified and thereby have high affinity for membranes, which hinders the understanding of their spreading across tissues. Direct contact between cell membranes by filopodia-like structures (also known as cytonemes) could be the simplest explanation for Hh dispersal. To better understand this signaling mechanism, we have analyzed in Drosophila the interaction between the glypicans that, besides for other pathways, are necessary for Hh signaling, plus the adhesion molecules and Hh coreceptors Ihog and Boi. We describe that glypicans (Dally and Dally-like protein) are required to maintain Ihog, but not Boi, protein levels. We also show that ectopic Ihog stabilizes cytonemes through its interaction with glypicans, and we determine that two Ihog fibronectin III domains are essential for this interaction. Our data suggest that this interaction with Ihog in cytonemes confers the specificity of glypicans for Hh signaling.

developmental biology↗