Question

Which of the following fungi has given one of the greatest drugs to the world of medicine?
A. Penicillium notatum
B. Ustilago maydis
C. Colletotrichum falcatum
D. Alternaria solani

Answer 1

Hint: The first antibiotic compound which was identified from a specific mould by Alexander Flemming was a breakthrough and a complete revolution in drug discovery that had led to a new era of chemotherapy. It was used to cure countless bacterial diseases. This had initiated the golden era of natural antibiotics or fungal NPs (natural products).

correct explanation:
Option A (Penicillium notatum): Discovered by Alexander Flemming, Penicillium chrysogenum (also known as Penicillium notatum) is the first antibiotic which works against gram-positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus and Pneumococcus by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis. The enzyme transpeptidase is inhibited by preventing crosslinking of the peptidoglycan polymers. As a result of which causing the cell walls to take on excess water leading to cell lysis.
So, option A is correct.
 Option B (Ustilago maydis): It causes corn smut but its medical use was recently found and specific only to disorders related to sexual organs. It treats genital related ailments in both men and women. It’s saprophytic yeast and not a mould.
So, option B is not correct.
Option C (Colletotrichum falcatum): Research is still going on its medicinal use and as drugs against microbial infections. It causes red rot disease in sugarcane. No antimicrobial use is known till now.
So, option C is not correct.
Option D (Alternaria solani): It is a plant pathogen and causes early blight in solanum species like tomato and potato. No antimicrobial or medicinal use is known till now.
So, option D is not correct.

Hence, Option A is the correct answer.

Note:
Fungal natural products and their effects have found their ways in medicinal applications. The discovery of the first class of antibiotics, penicillins and other drugs of fungal origin, such as peptidic natural products, terpenoids or polyketides, have altered our knowledge of fungal toxins. Molecules that are biosynthesised by fungi are a useful group of NPs that produce many secondary metabolites and have virulence properties to compete against other microbes. Marine fungi have emerged as a potential game changer in drug discovery.