Lipopeptides from Bacillus velezensis induced apoptosis-like cell death in the pathogenic fungus Fusarium concentricum.

This article focuses on the antifungal effects of lipopeptides produced by *Bacillus velezensis* FJAT-54560 against *Fusarium concentricum*, a pathogenic fungus causing stem rot in *Paris polyphylla*, an important Chinese medicinal plant. The study identifies fengycin as the main lipopeptide component responsible for strong antifungal activity, which induces apoptosis in *F. concentricum* cells characterized by reactive oxygen species accumulation, mitochondrial membrane potential loss, calcium ion influx, DNA fragmentation, chromatin condensation, and phosphatidylserine externalization. Transcriptomic analysis suggests that this apoptosis occurs via a metacaspase-independent pathway mediated by apoptosis-inducing factors (AIFs) and serine protease NMA111. These findings indicate that lipopeptides from *B. velezensis* FJAT-54560 have potential as natural bio-fungicides for controlling diseases caused by *F. concentricum*.