Catalases play differentiated roles in the adaptation of a fungal entomopathogen to environmental stresses

Essential role of Rpd3-dependent lysine modification in the growth, development and virulence of Beauveria bassiana

Rpd3 is a class I histone deacetylase that reverses lysine acetylation thus influencing cellular processes and functions. However, its role in fungal insect pathogens has not been explored yet. Here we show that Rpd3-dependent lysine modification and gene expression orchestrate growth, conidiation and virulence in Beauveria bassiana. Deletion of Rpd3 resulted in severe growth defects on various carbon/nitrogen sources, 97% reduction in conidiation capacity and drastic attenuation in virulence. These phenotypes concurred with differential expression of 1479 proteins and hyperacetylation or hypoacetylation of 2227 lysine residues on 1134 proteins. Many of these proteins fell into carbon/nitrogen metabolism and cell rescue/defence/virulence, indicating vital roles of Rpd3-dependent protein expression and lysine modification in the fungal growth and virulence. Intriguingly, lysine residues of four core histones (H2A, H2B, H3 and H4) and many histone acetyltransferases were also hyper- or hypoacetylated in Δrpd3, suggesting direct and indirect roles for Rpd3 in genome-wide lysine modification. However, crucial development activators were transcriptionally repressed and not found in either proteome or acetylome. Single/double-site-directed H3K9/K14 mutations for hyper/hypoacetylation exerted significant impacts on conidiation and dimorphic transition crucial for fungal virulence. Altogether, Rpd3 mediates growth, asexual development and virulence through transcriptional/translational regulation and posttranslational lysine modification in B. bassiana.

Pleiotropic effects of the histone deacetylase Hos2 linked to H4-K16 deacetylation, H3-K56 acetylation, and H2A-S129 phosphorylation in Beauveria bassiana

Histone acetyltransferases and deacetylases maintain dynamics of lysine acetylation/deacetylation on histones and nonhistone substrates involved in gene regulation and cellular events. Hos2 is a Class I histone deacetylases that deacetylates unique histone H4-K16 site in yeasts. Here, we report that orthologous Hos2 deacetylates H4-K16 and is also involved in the acetylation of histone H3-K56 and the phosphorylation of histone H2A-S129 and cyclin-dependent kinase 1 CDK1-Y15 in Beauveria bassiana, a filamentous fungal insect pathogen. These site-specific modifications are evidenced with hyperacetylated H4-K16, hypoacetylated H3-K56, and both hypophosphorylated H2A-S129 and CDK1-Y15 in absence of hos2. Consequently, the Δhos2 mutant suffered increased sensitivities to DNA-damaging and oxidative stresses, disturbed cell cycle, impeded cytokinesis, increased cell size or length, reduced conidiation capacity, altered conidial properties, and attenuated virulence. These phenotypic changes correlated well with dramatic repression of many genes that are essential for DNA damage repair, G₁ /S transition and DNA synthesis, hyphal septation, and asexual development. The uncovered ability for Hos2 to directly deacetylate H4-K16 and to indirectly modify H3-K56, H2A-S129, and CDK1-Y15 provides novel insight into more subtle regulatory role for Hos2 in genomic stability and diverse cellular events in the fungal insect pathogen than those revealed previously in nonentomophathogenic fungi.

iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomic analysis of conidia and mycelium in the filamentous fungus Metarhizium robertsii

Metarhizium robertsii is widely applied in biological control via conidia application. To clarify the proteomic differences between conidia and mycelia and explore the underlying mechanisms of conidia as a unit responsible for dispersal and environmental stress, we carried out an iTRAQ (isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation)-based quantitative proteomic analysis for two developmental stages from M. robertsii. A total of 2052 proteins were detected, and 90 showed differential protein abundance between the conidia and mycelia. These 90 proteins were primarily associated with stress resistance, amino acid and protein metabolism, and energy metabolism. Further bioinformatics analysis showed that these proteins could be mapped to 52 pathways, five of which were significantly enriched after mapping to KEGG pathways. Interestingly, many proteins involved in the significantly enriched pathway of peroxisome, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, including catalase, peroxisomal membrane anchor protein, formate dehydrogenase and isocitrate lyase, were identified with higher abundance in conidia. The results deepened our understanding of the conidia proteome in M. robertsii and provide a basis for further exploration for improving the efficiency of the fungi as biocontrol agents.

The histone acetyltransferase Mst2 sustains the biological control potential of a fungal insect pathogen through transcriptional regulation

Histone lysine acetylation orchestrates transcriptional activity essential for diverse cellular events across organisms, but it remains poorly understood how an acetylated lysine affects cellular functions in filamentous fungal pathogens. Here, we show the functions of a histone acetyltransferase that is phylogenetically close to Mst2 in fission yeast and specifically acetylates histone H3K14 in Beauveria bassiana, a fungal insect pathogen widely applied in arthropod pest management. Deletion of mst2 in B. bassiana resulted in moderate growth defects on rich and minimal media, delayed conidiation, and drastic reduction (75%) in conidiation capacity under normal culture conditions. The Δmst2 conidia suffered slower germination, decreased hydrophobicity, attenuated virulence, and reduced thermotolerance and UV-B resistance. The Δmst2 mutant also displayed increased sensitivities to DNA damaging, oxidative, cell wall perturbing, and osmotic stresses during conidial germination and colony growth at optimal 25 °C. Intriguingly, the phenotypic changes were accompanied with transcriptional repression of related gene sets, which are required for asexual development and conidial hydrophobicity or cascaded for CWI and HOG pathways, and encode the families of superoxide dismutases (SOD), catalases, heat-shock proteins, and trehalose or mannitol-metabolizing enzymes. Consequently, total SOD and catalase activities, trehalose and mannitol contents, and hydrophobicity were remarkably lowered in the hyphal cells or conidia of Δmst2. All of these changes were well restored by targeted mst2 complementation. Our results indicate that Mst2 enables to mediate global gene transcription and/or post-translation through H3K14 acetylation and plays an essential role in sustaining the biological control potential of B. bassiana against arthropod pests.

Genes involved in Beauveria bassiana infection to Galleria mellonella

The ascomycete fungus Beauveria bassiana is a natural pathogen of hundreds of insect species and is commercially produced as an environmentally friendly mycoinsecticide. Many genes involved in fungal insecticide infection have been identified but few have been further explored. In this study, we constructed three transcriptomes of B. bassiana at 24, 48 and 72 h post infection of insect pests (BbI) or control (BbC). There were 3148, 3613 and 4922 genes differentially expressed at 24, 48 and 72 h post BbI/BbC infection, respectively. A large number of genes and pathways involved in infection were identified. To further analyze those genes, expression patterns across different infection stages (0, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72 and 84 h) were studied using quantitative RT-PCR. This analysis showed that the infection-related genes could be divided into four patterns: highly expressed throughout the whole infection process (thioredoxin 1); highly expressed during early stages of infection but lowly expressed after the insect death (adhesin protein Mad1); lowly expressed during early infection but highly expressed after insect death (cation transporter, OpS13); or lowly expressed across the entire infection process (catalase protein). The data provide novel insights into the insect-pathogen interaction and help to uncover the molecular mechanisms involved in fungal infection of insect pests.

Differential Expression Patterns of Pleurotus ostreatus Catalase Genes during Developmental Stages and under Heat Stress

Catalases are ubiquitous hydrogen peroxide-detoxifying enzymes. They participate in fungal growth and development, such as mycelial growth and cellular differentiation, and in protecting fungi from oxidative damage under stressful conditions. To investigate the potential functions of catalases in Pleurotus ostreatus, we obtained two catalase genes from a draft genome sequence of P. ostreatus, and cloned and characterized them (Po-cat1 and Po-cat2). Po-cat1 (group II) and Po-cat2 (group III) encoded putative peptides of 745 and 528 amino acids, respectively. Furthermore, the gene structures were variant between Po-cat1 and Po-cat2. Further research revealed that these two catalase genes have divergent expression patterns during different developmental stages. Po-cat1/Po-cat1 was at a barely detectable level in mycelia, accumulated gradually during reproductive growth, and was maximal in separated spores. But no catalase activity of Po-cat1 was detected by native-PAGE during any part of the developmental stages. In contrast, high Po-cat2/Po-cat2 expression and Po-cat2 activity found in mycelia were gradually lost during reproductive growth, and at a minimal level in separated spores. In addition, these two genes responded differentially under 32 °C and 40 °C heat stresses. Po-cat1 was up-regulated under both temperature conditions, while Po-cat2 was up-regulated at 32 °C but down-regulated at 40 °C. The accumulation of catalase proteins correlated with gene expression. These results indicate that the two divergent catalases in P. ostreatus may play different roles during development and under heat stress.

Alkane-grown Beauveria bassiana produce mycelial pellets displaying peroxisome proliferation, oxidative stress, and cell surface alterations

The entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana is able to grow on insect cuticle hydrocarbons, inducing alkane assimilation pathways and concomitantly increasing virulence against insect hosts. In this study, we describe some physiological and molecular processes implicated in growth, nutritional stress response, and cellular alterations found in alkane-grown fungi. The fungal cytology was investigated using light and transmission electron microscopy while the surface topography was examined using atomic force microscopy. Additionally, the expression pattern of several genes associated with oxidative stress, peroxisome biogenesis, and hydrophobicity were analysed by qPCR. We found a novel type of growth in alkane-cultured B. bassiana similar to mycelial pellets described in other alkane-free fungi, which were able to produce viable conidia and to be pathogenic against larvae of the beetles Tenebrio molitor and Tribolium castaneum. Mycelial pellets were formed by hyphae cumulates with high peroxidase activity, exhibiting peroxisome proliferation and an apparent surface thickening. Alkane-grown conidia appeared to be more hydrophobic and cell surfaces displayed different topography than glucose-grown cells. We also found a significant induction in several genes encoding for peroxins, catalases, superoxide dismutases, and hydrophobins. These results show that both morphological and metabolic changes are triggered in mycelial pellets derived from alkane-grown B. bassiana.

In vivo gene expression profiling of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana elucidates its infection stratagems in Anopheles mosquito

The use of entomopathogenic fungi to control mosquitoes is a promising tool for reducing vector-borne disease transmission. To better understand infection stratagems of insect pathogenic fungi, we analyzed the global gene expression profiling of Beauveria bassiana at 36, 60, 84 and 108 h after topical infection of Anopheles stephensi adult mosquitoes using RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). A total of 5,354 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) are identified over the course of fungal infection. When the fungus grows on the mosquito cuticle, up-regulated DEGs include adhesion-related genes involved in cuticle attachment, Pth11-like GPCRs hypothesized to be involved in host recognition, and extracellular enzymes involved in the degradation and penetration of the mosquito cuticle. Once in the mosquito hemocoel, the fungus evades mosquito immune system probably through up-regulating expression of β-1,3-glucan degrading enzymes and chitin synthesis enzymes for remodeling of cell walls. Moreover, six previous unknown SSCP (small secreted cysteine-rich proteins) are significantly up-regulated, which may serve as "effectors" to suppress host defense responses. B. bassiana also induces large amounts of antioxidant genes to mitigate host-generated exogenous oxidative stress. At late stage of infection, B. bassiana activates a broad spectrum of genes including nutrient degrading enzymes, some transporters and metabolism pathway components, to exploit mosquito tissues and hemolymph as a nutrient source for hyphal growth. These findings establish an important framework of knowledge for further comprehensive elucidation of fungal pathogenesis and molecular mechanism of Beauveria-mosquito interactions.

Differential Roles for Six P-Type Calcium ATPases in Sustaining Intracellular Ca2+ Homeostasis, Asexual Cycle and Environmental Fitness of Beauveria bassiana

A global insight into the roles of multiple P-type calcium ATPase (CA) pumps in sustaining the life of a filamentous fungal pathogen is lacking. Here we elucidated the functions of five CA pumps (Eca1, Spf1 and PmcA/B/C) following previous characterization of Pmr1 in Beauveria bassiana, a fungal insect pathogen. The fungal CA pumps interacted at transcriptional level, at which singular deletions of five CA genes depressed eca1 expression by 76–98% and deletion of spf1 resulted in drastic upregulation of four CA genes by 36–50-fold. Intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration increased differentially in most deletion mutants exposed to the stresses of Ca²⁺, EDTA chelator, and/or endoplasmic reticulum and calcineurin inhibitors, accompanied with their changed sensitivities to not only the mentioned agents but also Fe²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺. Liquid culture acidification was delayed in the Δspf1, Δpmr1 and ΔpmcA mutants, coinciding well with altered levels of their extracellular lactic and oxalic acids. Moreover, all deletion mutants showed differential defects in conidial germination, vegetative growth, conidiation capacity, antioxidant activity, cell wall integrity, conidial UV-B resistance and/or virulence. Our results provide the first global insight into differential roles for six CA pumps in sustaining intracellular Ca²⁺ level, asexual cycle and environmental fitness of B. bassiana.

A comparative secretome analysis of industrial Aspergillus oryzae and its spontaneous mutant ZJGS-LZ-21

Aspergillus oryzae koji plays a crucial role in fermented food products due to the hydrolytic activities of secreted enzymes. In the present study, we performed a comparative secretome analysis of the industrial strain of Aspergillus oryzae 3.042 and its spontaneous mutantZJGS-LZ-21. One hundred and fifty two (152) differential protein spots were excised (p<0.05), and 25 proteins were identified. Of the identified proteins, 91.3% belonged to hydrolytic enzymes acting on carbohydrates or proteins. Consistent with their enzyme activities, the expression of 14 proteins involved in the degradation of cellulose, hemicellulose, starch and proteins, increased in the ZJGS-LZ-21isolate. In particular, increased levels of acid protease (Pep) may favor the degradation of soy proteins in acidic environments and promote the cleavage of allergenic soybean proteins in fermentation, resulting in improvements of product safety and quality. The ZJGS-LZ-21 isolate showed higher protein secretion and increased hydrolytic activities than did strain 3.042, indicating its promising application in soybean paste fermentation.

CatB is Critical for Total Catalase Activity and Reduces Bactericidal Effects of Phenazine-1-Carboxylic Acid on Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae and X. oryzae pv. oryzicola

Rice bacterial leaf blight, caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, and rice bacterial leaf streak, caused by X. oryzae pv. oryzicola, are major diseases of rice. Phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA) is a natural product that is isolated from Pseudomonas spp. and is used to control many important rice diseases in China. We previously reported that PCA disturbs the redox balance, which results in the accumulation of reactive oxygen species in X. oryzae pv. oryzae. In this study, we found that PCA significantly upregulated the transcript levels of catB and katE, which encode catalases, and that PCA sensitivity was reduced when X. oryzae pvs. oryzae and oryzicola were cultured with exogenous catalase. Furthermore, catB deletion mutants of X. oryzae pvs. oryzae and oryzicola showed dramatically decreased total catalase activity, increased sensitivity to PCA, and reduced virulence in rice. In contrast, deletion mutants of srpA and katG, which also encode catalases, exhibited little change in PCA sensitivity. The results indicate that catB in both X. oryzae pvs. oryzae and oryzicola encodes a catalase that helps protect the bacteria against PCA-induced stress.

Insect Pathogenic Fungi: Genomics, Molecular Interactions, and Genetic Improvements

Entomopathogenic fungi play a pivotal role in the regulation of insect populations in nature, and representative species have been developed as promising environmentally friendly mycoinsecticides. Recent advances in the genome biology of insect pathogenic fungi have revealed genomic features associated with fungal adaptation to insect hosts and different host ranges, as well as the evolutionary relationships between insect and noninsect pathogens. By using species in the Beauveria and Metarhizium genera as models, molecular biology studies have revealed the genes that function in fungus-insect interactions and thereby contribute to fungal virulence. Taken together with efforts toward genetic improvement of fungal virulence and stress resistance, knowledge of entomopathogenic fungi will potentiate cost-effective applications of mycoinsecticides for pest control in the field. Relative to our advanced insights into the mechanisms of fungal pathogenesis in plants and humans, future studies will be necessary to unravel the gene-for-gene relationships in fungus-insect interactive models.

Proteomic and Phosphoproteomic Insights into a Signaling Hub Role for Cdc14 in Asexual Development and Multiple Stress Responses in Beauveria bassiana

Cdc14 is a dual-specificity phosphatase that regulates nuclear behavior by dephosphorylating phosphotyrosine and phosphoserine/phosphothreonine in fungi. Previously, Cdc14 was shown to act as a positive regulator of cytokinesis, asexual development and multiple stress responses in Beauveria bassiana, a fungal insect pathogen. This study seeks to gain deep insight into a pivotal role of Cdc14 in the signaling network of B. bassiana by analyzing the Cdc14-specific proteome and phosphoproteome generated by the 8-plex iTRAQ labeling and MS/MS analysis of peptides and phosphopeptides. Under normal conditions, 154 proteins and 86 phosphorylation sites in 67 phosphoproteins were upregulated in Δcdc14 versus wild-type, whereas 117 proteins and 85 phosphorylation sites in 58 phosphoproteins were significantly downregulated. Co-cultivation of Δcdc14 with NaCl (1 M), H₂O₂ (3 mM) and Congo red (0.15 mg/ml) resulted in the upregulation / downregulation of 23/63, 41/39 and 79/79 proteins and of 127/112, 52/47 and 105/226 phosphorylation sites in 85/92, 45/36 and 79/146 phosphoproteins, respectively. Bioinformatic analyses revealed that Cdc14 could participate in many biological and cellular processes, such as carbohydrate metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, the MAP Kinase signaling pathway, and DNA conformation, by regulating protein expression and key kinase phosphorylation in response to different environmental cues. These indicate that in B. bassiana, Cdc14 is a vital regulator of not only protein expression but also many phosphorylation events involved in developmental and stress-responsive pathways. Fourteen conserved and novel motifs were identified in the fungal phosphorylation events.

Genome-Wide Host-Pathogen Interaction Unveiled by Transcriptomic Response of Diamondback Moth to Fungal Infection

Genome-wide insight into insect pest response to the infection of Beauveria bassiana (fungal insect pathogen) is critical for genetic improvement of fungal insecticides but has been poorly explored. We constructed three pairs of transcriptomes of Plutella xylostella larvae at 24, 36 and 48 hours post treatment of infection (hpt_I) and of control (hpt_C) for insight into the host-pathogen interaction at genomic level. There were 2143, 3200 and 2967 host genes differentially expressed at 24, 36 and 48 hpt_I/hpt_C respectively. These infection-responsive genes (~15% of the host genome) were enriched in various immune processes, such as complement and coagulation cascades, protein digestion and absorption, and drug metabolism-cytochrome P450. Fungal penetration into cuticle and host defense reaction began at 24 hpt_I, followed by most intensive host immune response at 36 hpt_I and attenuated immunity at 48 hpt_I. Contrastingly, 44% of fungal genes were differentially expressed in the infection course and enriched in several biological processes, such as antioxidant activity, peroxidase activity and proteolysis. There were 1636 fungal genes co-expressed during 24–48 hpt_I, including 116 encoding putative secretion proteins. Our results provide novel insights into the insect-pathogen interaction and help to probe molecular mechanisms involved in the fungal infection to the global pest.

Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) Causing Proteomic and Enzymatic Changes in Sweet Orange Variety "Westin"

Citrus Tristeza disease, caused by CTV (Citrus tristeza virus), committs citrus plantations around the world and specifically attacks phloem tissues of the plant. The virus exists as a mixture of more or less severe variants, which may or may not cause symptoms of Tristeza. The objective of this study was to analyze the changes caused by CTV in the proteome of stems of sweet orange, as well as in the activity and gene expression of antioxidant enzymes. The CTV-infected sweet orange displayed mild symptoms, which were characterized by the presence of sparse stem pitting throughout their stems. The presence of virus was confirmed by RT-PCR. Proteomic analysis by 2DE-PAGE-MS / MS revealed the identity of 40 proteins differentially expressed between CTV- infected and -non-infected samples. Of these, 33 were up-regulated and 7 were down-regulated in CTV-infected samples. Among the proteins identified stands out a specific from the virus, the coat protein. Other proteins identified are involved with oxidative stress and for this their enzymatic activity was measured. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was higher in CTV-infected samples, as catalase (CAT) showed higher activity in uninfected samples. The activity of guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) did not vary significantly between samples. However, ascorbate peroxidase (APX) was more active in the infected samples. The relative expression of the genes encoding CAT, SOD, APX and GPX was analyzed by quantitative real time PCR (RT-qPCR). The CTV-infected samples showed greater accumulation of transcripts, except for the CAT gene. This gene showed higher expression in the uninfected samples. Taken together, it can be concluded that the CTV affects the protein profile and activity and gene expression of antioxidant enzymes in plants infected by this virus.

Expression of a toll signaling regulator serpin in a mycoinsecticide for increased virulence

Serpins are ubiquitously distributed serine protease inhibitors that covalently bind to target proteases to exert their activities. Serpins regulate a wide range of activities, particularly those in which protease-mediated cascades are active. The Drosophila melanogaster serpin Spn43Ac negatively controls the Toll pathway that is activated in response to fungal infection. The entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana offers an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pesticides for insect control. However, the use of mycoinsecticides remains limited in part due to issues of efficacy (low virulence) and the recalcitrance of the targets (due to strong immune responses). Since Spn43Ac acts to inhibit Toll-mediated activation of defense responses, we explored the feasibility of a new strategy to engineer entomopathogenic fungi with increased virulence by expression of Spn43Ac in the fungus. Compared to the 50% lethal dose (LD50) for the wild-type parent, the LD50 of B. bassiana expressing Spn43Ac (strain Bb::S43Ac-1) was reduced ~3-fold, and the median lethal time against the greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella) was decreased by ~24%, with the more rapid proliferation of hyphal bodies being seen in the host hemolymph. In vitro and in vivo assays showed inhibition of phenoloxidase (PO) activation in the presence of Spn43Ac, with Spn43Ac-mediated suppression of activation by chymotrypsin, trypsin, laminarin, and lipopolysaccharide occurring in the following order: chymotrypsin and trypsin>laminarin>lipopolysaccharide. Expression of Spn43Ac had no effect on the activity of the endogenous B. bassianaderived cuticle-degrading protease (CDEP-1). These results expand our understanding of Spn43Ac function and confirm that suppression of insect immune system defenses represents a feasible approach to engineering entomopathogenic fungi for greater efficacy.

A novel Ras GTPase (Ras3) regulates conidiation, multi-stress tolerance and virulence by acting upstream of Hog1 signaling pathway in Beauveria bassiana

Two Ras ATPases (Ras1 and Ras2) are well known to regulate antagonistically or cooperatively various cellular events in many fungi. Here we show the significance of a novel Ras homolog (Ras3) for Beauveria bassiana. Ras3 possesses five domains and two GTP/GDP switches typical for Ras family and was proven to localize to plasma membrane despite the position change of a membrane-targeting cysteine in C-terminal CAAX motif. Deletion of ras3 altered temporal transcription pattern of ras1 instead of ras2. Compared with wild-type, Δras3 grew significantly faster in a rich medium but slower in some minimal media, and produced far fewer conidia with impaired quality, which was evident with slower germination, attenuated virulence, reduced thermotolerance and decreased UV-B resistance. Moreover, Δras3 was much more sensitive to the oxidative stress of menadione than of H2O2 and to the stress of high osmolarity than of cell wall perturbation during growth. The high sensitivity of Δras3 to menadione was concurrent with reductions in both gene transcripts and total activity of superoxide dismutases. Intriguingly, the high osmosensitivity was concurrent with not only reduced transcripts of a critical transcription factor (Msn2) and most signaling proteins in the high-osmolarity-glycerol pathway of Δras3 but nearly undetectable phosphorylation signal of Hog1 hallmarking the pathway. All the changes were restored by ras3 complementation. Taken together, Ras3 is involved in the Hog1 pathway required for osmoregulation and hence can positively regulate conidiation, germination, multi-stress tolerance and virulence linked to the biological control potential of the filamentous insect pathogen.

Transcriptional control of fungal cell cycle and cellular events by Fkh2, a forkhead transcription factor in an insect pathogen

Transcriptional control of the cell cycle by forkhead (Fkh) transcription factors is likely associated with fungal adaptation to host and environment. Here we show that Fkh2, an ortholog of yeast Fkh1/2, orchestrates cell cycle and many cellular events of Beauveria bassiana, a filamentous fungal insect pathogen. Deletion of Fkh2 in B. bassiana resulted in dramatic down-regulation of the cyclin-B gene cluster and hence altered cell cycle (longer G₂/M and S, but shorter G₀/G₁, phases) in unicellular blastospores. Consequently, ΔFkh2 produced twice as many, but smaller, blastospores than wild-type under submerged conditions, and formed denser septa and shorter/broader cells in aberrantly branched hyphae. In these hyphae, clustered genes required for septation and conidiation were remarkedly up-regulated, followed by higher yield and slower germination of aerial conidia. Moreover, ΔFkh2 displayed attenuated virulence and decreased tolerance to chemical and environmental stresses, accompanied with altered transcripts and activities of phenotype-influencing proteins or enzymes. All the changes in ΔFkh2 were restored by Fkh2 complementation. All together, Fkh2-dependent transcriptional control is vital for the adaptation of B. bassiana to diverse habitats of host insects and hence contributes to its biological control potential against arthropod pests.

Molecular and physiological effects of environmental UV radiation on fungal conidia

Conidia are specialized structures produced at the end of the asexual life cycle of most filamentous fungi. They are responsible for fungal dispersal and environmental persistence. In pathogenic species, they are also involved in host recognition and infection. Conidial production, survival, dispersal, germination, pathogenicity and virulence can be strongly influenced by exposure to solar radiation, although its effects are diverse and often species dependent. UV radiation is the most harmful and mutagenic waveband of the solar spectrum. Direct exposure to solar radiation for a few hours can kill conidia of most fungal species. Conidia are killed both by solar UV-A and UV-B radiation. In addition to killing conidia, which limits the size of the fungal population and its dispersion, exposures to sublethal doses of UV radiation can reduce conidial germination speed and virulence. The focus of this review is to provide an overview of the effects of solar radiation on conidia and on the major systems involved in protection from and repair of damage induced by solar UV radiation. The efforts that have been made to obtain strains of fungi of interest such as entomopathogens more tolerant to solar radiation will also be reviewed.

A putative methyltransferase, mtrA, contributes to development, spore viability, protein secretion and virulence in the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana

The filamentous fungus, Beauveria bassiana, is a ubiquitously distributed insect pathogen, currently used as an alternative to chemical pesticides for pest control. Conidiospores are the means by which the fungus disseminates in the environment, and these cells also represent the infectious agent most commonly used in field applications. Little, however, is known concerning the molecular basis for maintenance of spore viability, a critical feature for survival and persistence. Here, we report on the role of a putative methyltransferase, BbmtrA, in conidial viability, normal fungal growth and development, and virulence, via characterization of a targeted gene knockout strain. Loss of BbmtrA resulted in pleiotropic effects including reduced germination, growth and conidiation, with growing mycelia displaying greater branching than the WT parent. Conidial viability dramatically decreased over time, with <5 % of the cells remaining viable after 30 days as compared with >80 % of the WT. Reduced production of extracellular proteins was also observed for the ΔBbmtrA mutant, including protease/peptidases, glycoside hydrolases and the hyd1 hydrophobin. The latter was further confirmed by hyd1 gene expression analysis. Insect bioassays using the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella, further revealed that the ΔBbmtrA strain was attenuated in virulence and failed to sporulate on host cadavers. These data support a global role for mtrA in fungal physiological processes.

Distinct contributions of one Fe- and two Cu/Zn-cofactored superoxide dismutases to antioxidation, UV tolerance and virulence of Beauveria bassiana

Beauveria bassiana, a filamentous entomopathogen, has five distinct superoxide dismutases (SODs), including cytosolic and mitochondrial MnSODs (Sod2/3) which have proved contributing primarily to intracelluar SOD activity and additively to antioxidation and virulence. Here we characterized cytosolic Cu/ZnSOD (Sod1), mitochondrial FeSOD (Sod4) and cell wall-anchored Cu/ZnSOD (Sod5). The latter two are unexplored despite existence in many filamentous fungi, and their subcellular localization was well confirmed with specifically stained cells expressing Sod4::eGFP or Sod5::eGFP fusion. Total SOD activity decreased by ∼15% in Δsod1 but increased by 11-20% in three sod4 knockdown mutants (Δsod4 was lethal) when co-cultivated with menadone and H2O2. Surprisingly, total catalase activity decreased much more in the sod4 mutants (69-75%) than in Δsod1 (27-33%) under normal and oxidative conditions. However, Δsod5 showed little change in either SOD or catalase activity. Transcript levels of SOD partners and five catalases also changed more dramatically in the sod4 mutants than in Δsod1 and Δsod5. As a consequence of global effect, intracellular ROS levels induced by both oxidants were higher in Δsod1 than in the sod4 mutants and Δsod5. All the mutants were differentially more sensitive to the two oxidants and UV-A/UV-B irradiations and less virulent to Galleria mellonella larvae but not responsive to high osmolarity, cell wall stress and high temperature. Taken together with previously characterized Sod2 and Sod3, our results provide full insight into the SOD family, unveiling the interactions of each SOD with other partners and catalases in the antioxidant reaction associated with the fungal biocontrol potential.

Oxidative stress response of Beauveria bassiana to Bordeaux mixture and its influence on fungus growth and development

BACKGROUND

Chemical fungicides used to manage plant diseases may negatively affect beneficial fungi such as entomopathogens. In this study, the participation of the antioxidative system in the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana exposed to the copper-based Bordeaux mixture fungicide and its relation with fungus growth and development were examined. The fungus was grown in submerged culture containing Bordeaux mixture at the recommended dose. Within the first 24 h of elicitation, the vegetative growth, germination, sporulation and activity of amylase and laccase and the antioxidative enzymes catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), as well as the production of hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ), were evaluated.

RESULTS

Bordeaux mixture inhibited B. bassiana germination (between 65 and 88%) and sporulation (between 15 and 57%) and significantly increased laccase production (≥130%), especially within the first 4 h of fungus exposure. By contrast, the mycelial growth was found to be less affected by the fungicide. These effects were accompanied with a significant increase in H2 O2 levels in fungal cells, as well as in SOD activity, but not in CAT, showing clear signs of increased oxidative stress.

CONCLUSION

The effect of Bordeaux mixture on B. bassiana development was probably due to the toxicity of the copper ion itself, and it also induced an oxidative state in fungal cells.

Toxicological and biochemical response of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana after exposure to deltamethrin

BACKGROUND

The chemical control of the Chagas disease vector Triatoma infestans is endangered by the emergence of pyrethroid resistance. An effective alternative control tool is the use of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana. The effect of deltamethrin on fungal growth, gene expression and enzyme activity in relation to detoxification, antioxidant response and oxidative stress levels was studied to evaluate fungal tolerance to deltamethrin.

RESULTS

The mean inhibitory concentration (IC50 ) was 50 µg deltamethrin/cm(2). Cytochrome P450 genes were differentially expressed; cyp52X1 and cyp617N1 transcripts were > 2-fold induced, followed by cyp655C1 (1.8-fold). Minor effects were observed on genes encoding for other P450s, epoxide hydrolase and glutathione S-transferase (GST). Superoxide dismutase (SOD) genes showed induction levels ≤ 2, catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase genes were also induced ∼ 2-3-fold and < 2-fold, respectively. The activities of enzymes participating in the antioxidant defense system and phase II detoxification were also evaluated; SOD, CAT and GST activity showed significant differences with deltamethrin concentration. Lipid peroxidation levels and free proline content were also altered.

CONCLUSIONS

Beauveria bassiana GHA can be used combined with deltamethrin without significant metabolic detrimental effects. This combination will help optimizing the benefits and increasing the efficacy of vector control tools.

Secretome of the biocontrol agent metarhizium anisopliae induced by the cuticle of the cotton pest Dysdercus peruvianus reveals new insights into infection

Metarhizium anisopliae is an entomopathogenic fungus that has evolved specialized strategies to infect insect hosts. Here we analyzed secreted proteins related to Dysdercus peruvianus infection. Using shotgun proteomics, abundance changes in 71 proteins were identified after exposure to host cuticle. Among these proteins were classical fungal effectors secreted by pathogens to degrade physical barriers and alter host physiology. These include lipolytic enzymes, Pr1A, B, C, I, and J proteases, ROS-related proteins, oxidorreductases, and signaling proteins. Protein interaction networks were generated postulating interesting candidates for further studies, including Pr1C, based on possible functional interactions. On the basis of these results, we propose that M. anisopliae is degrading host components and actively secreting proteins to manage the physiology of the host. Interestingly, the secretion of these factors occurs in the absence of a host response. The findings presented here are an important step in understanding the host–pathogen interaction and developing more efficient biocontrol of D. peruvianus by M. anisopliae.

Oxygen-rich culture conditions enhance the conidial infectivity and the quality of two strains of Isaria fumosorosea for potentially improved biocontrol processes

BACKGROUND

In addition to high production levels of conidia, the success of entomopathogenic fungi as biological control agents depends both on their prevalence under the environmental conditions found in open fields (resistance to stress) and on the capacity of these conidia to infect pests. This study compares conidium production, infectivity and resistance to thermal and osmotic stress in two strains of Isaria fumosorosea (ARSEF 3302 and CNRCB1) grown either under a normal atmosphere (21% O2) or using enriched oxygen pulses (26% O2).

RESULTS

After 180 h, the ARSEF 3302 strain with 26% O2 pulses increased conidium production nearly fivefold compared with the normal atmosphere, while conidium production by the CNRCB1 strain decreased by 50% under O2 pulses, relative to the values measured with the normal atmosphere. The conidia obtained with 26% O2 pulses had a greater germination rate and resistance to thermal and osmotic stress, in addition to improved infectivity against Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera) larvae. These findings were associated with an increase in catalase activities for both strains.

CONCLUSION

An enriched oxygen atmosphere increases the quality of conidia of both strains of I. fumosorosea, with a variable effect on conidium production.

Bbssk1, a response regulator required for conidiation, multi-stress tolerance, and virulence of Beauveria bassiana

Ssk1-type response regulator proteins are the core elements of histidine-to-aspartate systems that mediate fungal stress tolerance, a determinant to the biocontrol potential of fungal entomopathogens. We characterized the functions of Beauveria bassiana Ssk1 (Bbssk1) by analyzing multi-phenotypic changes in ΔBbssk1 and differentially expressed genes in the digital gene expression (DGE) libraries of ΔBbssk1 and wild-type constructed under osmotic stress. The Bbssk1 disruption caused 25 % reductions in conidial yield and virulence to Spodoptera litura larvae and significant defects in tolerances to two osmotic salts (81-84 %), H2O2 oxidation (23 %), two fungicides (21-58 %), three cell wall biosynthesis inhibitors (25-36 %), and three metal ions (~8 %) during colony growth, respectively, but little changes in cell sensitivity to menadione oxidation and in conidial thermotolerance and UV-B resistance. RNA-seq analysis with the DGE libraries revealed differential expressions of 1,003 genes in the ΔBbssk1 genome. Of those, many associated with conidiation, stress response, xenobiotic transport, cell wall integrity, and protein/carbohydrate metabolism were remarkably down-regulated, including the genes involved in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal pathway that downstream of Bbssk1. Our results indicate that Bbssk1 regulates positively the expressions of the MAPK cascade in the pathway of B. bassiana and many more downstream genes associated with conidiation, multi-stress tolerance, and virulence.

Cytokinesis-required Cdc14 is a signaling hub of asexual development and multi-stress tolerance in Beauveria bassiana

A dual-specificity, paralogue-free Cdc14 phosphatase was located in the nuclei of Beauveria bassiana (filamentous entomopathogen) and functionally characterized. Inactivation of cdc14 caused defective cytokinesis due to multinucleate cells formed in Δcdc14 and 89% decrease of blastospore production, followed by slower growth and a loss of ≥ 96% conidial yield under normal conditions. These defects coincided well with drastic down-regulation of 25 genes required for mitosis and conidiation. Moreover, Δcdc14 became hypersensitive to oxidative, osmotic, and cell wall and mitosis perturbing stresses, and lost 41−70% of conidial thermotolerance, UV-B resistance and virulence, accompanied with transcriptional down-regualtion of various signaling factors and stress-responsive effectors and depressed phosphorylation signals of Hog1 and Slt2 in high-osmolarity glycerol and cell-wall integrity pathways. All changes were well restored by rescuing cdc14. Our findings indicate that Cdc14 vital for the fungal cytokinesis acts as a signaling hub in regulating not only asexual development but multi-stress responses and virulence.

Action on the Surface: Entomopathogenic Fungi versus the Insect Cuticle

Infections mediated by broad host range entomopathogenic fungi represent seminal observations that led to one of the first germ theories of disease and are a classic example of a co-evolutionary arms race between a pathogen and target hosts. These fungi are able to parasitize susceptible hosts via direct penetration of the cuticle with the initial and potentially determining interaction occurring between the fungal spore and the insect epicuticle. Entomogenous fungi have evolved mechanisms for adhesion and recognition of host surface cues that help direct an adaptive response that includes the production of: (a) hydrolytic, assimilatory, and/or detoxifying enzymes including lipase/esterases, catalases, cytochrome P450s, proteases, and chitinases; (b) specialized infectious structures, e.g., appressoria or penetrant tubes; and (c) secondary and other metabolites that facilitate infection. Aside from immune responses, insects have evolved a number of mechanisms to keep pathogens at bay that include: (a) the production of (epi) cuticular antimicrobial lipids, proteins, and metabolites; (b) shedding of the cuticle during development; and (c) behavioral-environmental adaptations such as induced fever, burrowing, and grooming, as well as potentially enlisting the help of other microbes, all intended to stop the pathogen before it can breach the cuticle. Virulence and host-defense can be considered to be under constant reciprocal selective pressure, and the action on the surface likely contributes to phenomena such as strain variation, host range, and the increased virulence often noted once a (low) virulent strain is "passaged" through an insect host. Since the cuticle represents the first point of contact and barrier between the fungus and the insect, the "action on the surface" may represent the defining interactions that ultimately can lead either to successful mycosis by the pathogen or successful defense by the host. Knowledge concerning the molecular mechanisms underlying this interaction can shed light on the ecology and evolution of virulence and can be used for rational design strategies at increasing the effectiveness of entomopathogenic fungi for pest control in field applications.