Genomics and metabolomics analyses reveal the endophytic fungus Neocucurbitaria sp. VM-36 as a potential source of bioactive metabolites against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
- 1Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Groningen
- 2University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, University of Groningen
- 3European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), Healthy Ageing PhD School, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen
Abstract
Introduction: Endophytic fungi associated with medicinal plants represent valuable sources of specialized metabolites with potential biological activities.
Methods: Here, we investigated Neocucurbitaria sp. VM-36, an understudied endophyte isolated from the medicinal plant Vinca minor , using an integrated genomic, metabolomic, and antibacterial approach.
Results: Whole genome analysis suggests substantial biosynthetic potential for a range of secondary metabolites based on the presence of various biosynthetic gene clusters. Metabolomic profiling revealed a broad chemical repertoire, including metabolites putatively assigned as decalin-containing tetramic acids (DTAs). Among the compounds examined experimentally, compound 1 was structurally identified and exhibited potent antibacterial activity against Gram-positive pathogens, particularly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), with MIC and MBC values of 0.5–1 and 2–4 μg/mL, respectively. Compound 1 displayed rapid bactericidal activity and showed an additive effect in combination with daptomycin against a clinical MRSA isolate (FICI = 0.625). These findings provide evidence for the occurrence of DTA-related metabolites in Neocucurbitaria and experimentally demonstrate the antibacterial activity of compound 1 .
Discussion: Collectively, this study provides integrated genomic and metabolomic insights into an endophytic Neocucurbitaria strain, expands the known occurrence of DTA-related metabolites in fungi, and supports the potential of Neocucurbitaria as a source of antibacterial hit compounds.
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BibTeX
@article{li2026genomics,
title = {{Genomics and metabolomics analyses reveal the endophytic fungus Neocucurbitaria sp. VM-36 as a potential source of bioactive metabolites against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus}},
author = {Xiao Li and Rosario del Carmen Flores-Vallejo and Ting He and Jan Maarten van Dijl and Kristina Haslinger},
journal = {Frontiers in Microbiology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2026.1929829},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1929829/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Genomics and metabolomics analyses reveal the endophytic fungus Neocucurbitaria sp. VM-36 as a potential source of bioactive metabolites against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
AU - Xiao Li
AU - Rosario del Carmen Flores-Vallejo
AU - Ting He
AU - Jan Maarten van Dijl
AU - Kristina Haslinger
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/15
JO - Frontiers in Microbiology
DO - 10.3389/fmicb.2026.1929829
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1929829/full
AB - Introduction: Endophytic fungi associated with medicinal plants represent valuable sources of specialized metabolites with potential biological activities. Methods: Here, we investigated Neocucurbitaria sp. VM-36, an understudied endophyte isolated from the medicinal plant Vinca minor , using an integrated genomic, metabolomic, and antibacterial approach. Results: Whole genome analysis suggests substantial biosynthetic potential for a range of secondary metabolites based on the presence of various biosynthetic gene clusters. Metabolomic profiling revealed a broad chemical repertoire, including metabolites putatively assigned as decalin-containing tetramic acids (DTAs). Among the compounds examined experimentally, compound 1 was structurally identified and exhibited potent antibacterial activity against Gram-positive pathogens, particularly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), with MIC and MBC values of 0.5–1 and 2–4 μg/mL, respectively. Compound 1 displayed rapid bactericidal activity and showed an additive effect in combination with daptomycin against a clinical MRSA isolate (FICI = 0.625). These findings provide evidence for the occurrence of DTA-related metabolites in Neocucurbitaria and experimentally demonstrate the antibacterial activity of compound 1 . Discussion: Collectively, this study provides integrated genomic and metabolomic insights into an endophytic Neocucurbitaria strain, expands the known occurrence of DTA-related metabolites in fungi, and supports the potential of Neocucurbitaria as a source of antibacterial hit compounds.
SN - 1664-302X
ER -