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Li Q, Feng Y, Li J, Hai Y, Si L, Tan C, Peng J, Hu Z, Li Z, Li C, Hao D, Tang W. Multi-omics approaches to understand pathogenicity during potato early blight disease caused by Alternaria solani. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1357579. [PMID: 38529180 PMCID: PMC10961351 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1357579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Potato early blight (PEB), a foliar disease of potato during the growing period, caused by Alternaria sp., is common in major potato-producing areas worldwide. Effective agents to control this disease or completely resistant potato varieties are absent. Large-scale use of fungicides is limited due to possibility of increase in pathogen resistance and the requirements of ecological agriculture. In this study, we focused on the composition and infection characteristics of early blight pathogens in Yunnan Province and screened candidate pathogenesis-related pathways and genes. We isolated 85 strains of Alternaria sp. fungi from typical early blight spots in three potato-growing regions in Yunnan Province from 2018 to 2022, and identified 35 strains of Alternaria solani and 50 strains of Alternaria alternata by morphological characterization and ITS sequence comparison, which were identified as the main and conditional pathogens causing early blight in potato, respectively. Scanning electron microscope analysis confirmed only A. solani producing appressorium at 4 h after inoculation successfully infected the leaf cells. Via genome assembly and annotation, combine transcriptome and proteomic analysis, the following pathogenicity-related unit, transcription factors and metabolic pathway were identified: (1) cell wall-degrading enzymes, such as pectinase, keratinase, and cellulase; (2) genes and pathways related to conidia germination and pathogenicity, such as ubiquitination and peroxisomes; and (3) transcription factors, such as Zn-clus, C2H2, bZIP, and bHLH. These elements were responsible for PEB epidemic in Yunnan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Li
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Potato Biology, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, China
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, China
| | - Yan Feng
- School of Economics and Management, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, China
| | - Jianmei Li
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Potato Biology, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, China
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, China
| | - Yang Hai
- Yunnan YinMore Modern Agriculture Co., Ltd., Kunming, China
| | - Liping Si
- Yunnan YinMore Modern Agriculture Co., Ltd., Kunming, China
| | - Chen Tan
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, China
| | - Jing Peng
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, China
| | - Zuo Hu
- Zhaotong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhaotong, China
| | - Zhou Li
- Zhaotong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhaotong, China
| | - Canhui Li
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Potato Biology, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, China
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, China
| | - Dahai Hao
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Potato Biology, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, China
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, China
| | - Wei Tang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Potato Biology, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, China
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, China
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2
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Lambou K, Tag A, Lassagne A, Collemare J, Clergeot PH, Barbisan C, Perret P, Tharreau D, Millazo J, Chartier E, De Vries RP, Hirsch J, Morel JB, Beffa R, Kroj T, Thomas T, Lebrun MH. The bZIP transcription factor BIP1 of the rice blast fungus is essential for infection and regulates a specific set of appressorium genes. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1011945. [PMID: 38252628 PMCID: PMC10833574 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae differentiates specialized cells called appressoria that are required for fungal penetration into host leaves. In this study, we identified the novel basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor BIP1 (B-ZIP Involved in Pathogenesis-1) that is essential for pathogenicity. BIP1 is required for the infection of plant leaves, even if they are wounded, but not for appressorium-mediated penetration of artificial cellophane membranes. This phenotype suggests that BIP1 is not implicated in the differentiation of the penetration peg but is necessary for the initial establishment of the fungus within plant cells. BIP1 expression was restricted to the appressorium by both transcriptional and post-transcriptional control. Genome-wide transcriptome analysis showed that 40 genes were down regulated in a BIP1 deletion mutant. Most of these genes were specifically expressed in the appressorium. They encode proteins with pathogenesis-related functions such as enzymes involved in secondary metabolism including those encoded by the ACE1 gene cluster, small secreted proteins such as SLP2, BAS2, BAS3, and AVR-Pi9 effectors, as well as plant cuticle and cell wall degrading enzymes. Interestingly, this BIP1 network is different from other known infection-related regulatory networks, highlighting the complexity of gene expression control during plant-fungal interactions. Promoters of BIP1-regulated genes shared a GCN4/bZIP-binding DNA motif (TGACTC) binding in vitro to BIP1. Mutation of this motif in the promoter of MGG_08381.7 from the ACE1 gene cluster abolished its appressorium-specific expression, showing that BIP1 behaves as a transcriptional activator. In summary, our findings demonstrate that BIP1 is critical for the expression of early invasion-related genes in appressoria. These genes are likely needed for biotrophic invasion of the first infected host cell, but not for the penetration process itself. Through these mechanisms, the blast fungus strategically anticipates the host plant environment and responses during appressorium-mediated penetration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karine Lambou
- CNRS-Bayer Crop Science, UMR 5240 MAP, Lyon, France
- Plant Health Institute of Montpellier (PHIM), Montpellier University, INRAE, CIRAD, Institut Agro, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Andrew Tag
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University. College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Alexandre Lassagne
- Plant Health Institute of Montpellier (PHIM), Montpellier University, INRAE, CIRAD, Institut Agro, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Jérôme Collemare
- CNRS-Bayer Crop Science, UMR 5240 MAP, Lyon, France
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Pierre-Henri Clergeot
- CNRS-Bayer Crop Science, UMR 5240 MAP, Lyon, France
- ASP Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Dijon, France
| | | | - Philippe Perret
- Biochemistry Department, Bayer Crop Science SAS, Lyon, France
- Bayer S.A.S. Crop Science Division Global Toxicology- Sophia Antipolis Cedex, France
| | - Didier Tharreau
- Plant Health Institute of Montpellier (PHIM), Montpellier University, INRAE, CIRAD, Institut Agro, IRD, Montpellier, France
- Plant Health Institute of Montpellier (PHIM), CIRAD, Montpellier, France
| | - Joelle Millazo
- Plant Health Institute of Montpellier (PHIM), Montpellier University, INRAE, CIRAD, Institut Agro, IRD, Montpellier, France
- Plant Health Institute of Montpellier (PHIM), CIRAD, Montpellier, France
| | - Elia Chartier
- Plant Health Institute of Montpellier (PHIM), Montpellier University, INRAE, CIRAD, Institut Agro, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Ronald P. De Vries
- Fungal Physiology, Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute & Fungal Molecular Physiology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Judith Hirsch
- Plant Health Institute of Montpellier (PHIM), Montpellier University, INRAE, CIRAD, Institut Agro, IRD, Montpellier, France
- Pathologie Végétale, INRAE, Montfavet, France
| | - Jean-Benoit Morel
- Plant Health Institute of Montpellier (PHIM), Montpellier University, INRAE, CIRAD, Institut Agro, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Roland Beffa
- Biochemistry Department, Bayer Crop Science SAS, Lyon, France
| | - Thomas Kroj
- Plant Health Institute of Montpellier (PHIM), Montpellier University, INRAE, CIRAD, Institut Agro, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Terry Thomas
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University. College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Marc-Henri Lebrun
- CNRS-Bayer Crop Science, UMR 5240 MAP, Lyon, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, UR 1290 BIOGER, Palaiseau, France
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He L, Xiao F, Dou CX, Zhou B, Chen ZH, Wang JY, Wang CG, Xie F. Integrated Comparative Transcriptome and Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis Provide Valuable Insights into the Mechanisms of Pinhead Initiation in Chinese Caterpillar Mushroom Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Ascomycota). Int J Med Mushrooms 2024; 26:41-54. [PMID: 39171630 DOI: 10.1615/intjmedmushrooms.2024054674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
The initiation and formation of the "pinhead" is the key node in growth process of Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Chinese Cordyceps). The research on the mechanism of changes in this growth stage is the basis for realizing the industrialization of its artificial cultivation. Clarifying the mechanisms of pinhead initiation is essential for its further application. Here, we performed a comprehensive transcriptome analysis of pinhead initiation process in O. sinensis. Comparative transcriptome analysis revealed remarkable variation in gene expression and enriched pathways at different pinhead initiation stages. Gene co-expression network analysis by WGCNA identified 4 modules highly relevant to different pinhead initiation stages, and 23 hub genes. The biological function analysis and hub gene annotation of these identified modules demonstrated that transmembrane transport and nucleotide excision repair were the topmost enriched in pre-pinhead initiation stage, carbohydrate metabolism and protein glycosylation were specially enriched in pinhead initiation stage, nucleotide binding and DNA metabolic process were over-represented after pinhead stage. These key regulators are mainly involved in carbohydrate metabolism, synthesis of proteins and nucleic acids. This work excavated the candidate pathways and hub genes related to the pinhead initiation stage, which will serve as a reference for realizing the industrialization of artificial cultivation in O. sinensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li He
- School of Biological and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou, GanSu, P.R. China
| | - Fan Xiao
- School of Biological and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou, GanSu, P.R. China
| | - Chen Xi Dou
- School of Biological and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou, GanSu, P.R. China
| | - Bo Zhou
- School of Biological and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou, GanSu, P.R. China
| | - Zhao He Chen
- School of Biological and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou, GanSu, P.R. China
| | - Jing Yi Wang
- School of Biological and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou, GanSu, P.R. China
| | - Cheng Gang Wang
- School of Biological and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou, GanSu, P.R. China
| | - Fang Xie
- School of Biological and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou, GanSu, P.R. China
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Camargo-Escalante MO, Balcázar-López E, Albores Méndez EM, Winkler R, Herrera-Estrella A. LOX1- and PLP1-dependent transcriptional reprogramming is essential for injury-induced conidiophore development in a filamentous fungus. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0260723. [PMID: 37943049 PMCID: PMC10714772 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02607-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE In addition to being considered a biocontrol agent, the fungus Trichoderma atroviride is a relevant model for studying mechanisms of response to injury conserved in plants and animals that opens a new landscape in relation to regeneration and cell differentiation mechanisms. Here, we reveal the co-functionality of a lipoxygenase and a patatin-like phospholipase co-expressed in response to wounding in fungi. This pair of enzymes produces oxidized lipids that can function as signaling molecules or oxidative stress signals that, in ascomycetes, induce asexual development. Furthermore, we determined that both genes participate in the regulation of the synthesis of 13-HODE and the establishment of the physiological responses necessary for the formation of reproductive aerial mycelium ultimately leading to asexual development. Our results suggest an injury-induced pathway to produce oxylipins and uncovered physiological mechanisms regulated by LOX1 and PLP1 to induce conidiation, opening new hypotheses for the novo regeneration mechanisms of filamentous fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martín O. Camargo-Escalante
- Laboratorio Nacional de Genómica para la Biodiversidad-Unidad de Genómica Avanzada, Cinvestav, Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Edgar Balcázar-López
- Laboratorio Nacional de Genómica para la Biodiversidad-Unidad de Genómica Avanzada, Cinvestav, Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Exsal M. Albores Méndez
- Escuela Militar de Graduados de Sanidad, Universidad del Ejército y Fuerza Aérea Mexicanos, Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Robert Winkler
- Laboratorio Nacional de Genómica para la Biodiversidad-Unidad de Genómica Avanzada, Cinvestav, Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Alfredo Herrera-Estrella
- Laboratorio Nacional de Genómica para la Biodiversidad-Unidad de Genómica Avanzada, Cinvestav, Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
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Li Y, Li Y, Lu H, Sun T, Gao J, Zhang J, Shen Q, Yu Z. The bZIP transcription factor ATF1 regulates blue light and oxidative stress responses in Trichoderma guizhouense. MLIFE 2023; 2:365-377. [PMID: 38818272 PMCID: PMC10989065 DOI: 10.1002/mlf2.12089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
In several filamentous fungi, incident light and environmental stress signaling share the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) HOG (SAK) pathway. It has been revealed that short-term illumination with blue light triggers the activation of the HOG pathway in Trichoderma spp. In this study, we demonstrate the crucial role of the basic leucine zipper transcription factor ATF1 in blue light responses and signaling downstream of the MAPK HOG1 in Trichoderma guizhouense. The lack of ATF1 severely impaired photoconidiation and delayed vegetative growth and conidial germination. Upon blue light or H2O2 stimuli, HOG1 interacted with ATF1 in the nucleus. Genome-wide transcriptome analyses revealed that 61.8% (509 out of 824) and 85.2% (702 out of 824) of blue light-regulated genes depended on ATF1 and HOG1, respectively, of which 58.4% (481 out of 824) were regulated by both of them. Our results also show that blue light promoted conidial germination and HOG1 and ATF1 played opposite roles in controlling conidial germination in the dark. Additionally, the lack of ATF1 led to reduced oxidative stress resistance, probably because of the downregulation of catalase-encoding genes. Overall, our results demonstrate that ATF1 is the downstream component of HOG1 and is responsible for blue light responses, conidial germination, vegetative growth, and oxidative stress resistance in T. guizhouense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Li
- Nanjing Agricultural University, Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, National Engineering Research Center for Organic‐based Fertilizers, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource UtilizationAgricultural Microbial Resources Protection and Germplasm Innovation and Utilization Center of Jiangsu ProvinceNanjingChina
| | - Yanshen Li
- Nanjing Agricultural University, Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, National Engineering Research Center for Organic‐based Fertilizers, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource UtilizationAgricultural Microbial Resources Protection and Germplasm Innovation and Utilization Center of Jiangsu ProvinceNanjingChina
| | - Huanhong Lu
- Nanjing Agricultural University, Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, National Engineering Research Center for Organic‐based Fertilizers, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource UtilizationAgricultural Microbial Resources Protection and Germplasm Innovation and Utilization Center of Jiangsu ProvinceNanjingChina
| | - Tingting Sun
- Nanjing Agricultural University, Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, National Engineering Research Center for Organic‐based Fertilizers, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource UtilizationAgricultural Microbial Resources Protection and Germplasm Innovation and Utilization Center of Jiangsu ProvinceNanjingChina
| | - Jia Gao
- Department of MicrobiologyKarlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)—South Campus, Institute for Applied BiosciencesKarlsruheGermany
| | - Jian Zhang
- Nanjing Agricultural University, Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, National Engineering Research Center for Organic‐based Fertilizers, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource UtilizationAgricultural Microbial Resources Protection and Germplasm Innovation and Utilization Center of Jiangsu ProvinceNanjingChina
| | - Qirong Shen
- Nanjing Agricultural University, Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, National Engineering Research Center for Organic‐based Fertilizers, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource UtilizationAgricultural Microbial Resources Protection and Germplasm Innovation and Utilization Center of Jiangsu ProvinceNanjingChina
| | - Zhenzhong Yu
- Nanjing Agricultural University, Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, National Engineering Research Center for Organic‐based Fertilizers, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource UtilizationAgricultural Microbial Resources Protection and Germplasm Innovation and Utilization Center of Jiangsu ProvinceNanjingChina
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Huang Z, Wu D, Yang S, Fu W, Ma D, Yao Y, Lin H, Yuan J, Yang Y, Zhuang Z. Regulation of Fungal Morphogenesis and Pathogenicity of Aspergillus flavus by Hexokinase AfHxk1 through Its Domain Hexokinase_2. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:1077. [PMID: 37998882 PMCID: PMC10671980 DOI: 10.3390/jof9111077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
As a filamentous pathogenic fungus with high-yield of aflatoxin B1, Aspergillus flavus is commonly found in various agricultural products. It is crucial to develop effective strategies aimed at the prevention of the contamination of A. flavus and aflatoxin. Hexokinase AfHxk1 is a critical enzyme in fungal glucose metabolism. However, the role of AfHxk1 in A. flavus development, aflatoxin biosynthesis, and virulence has not yet been explored. In this study, afHxk1 gene deletion mutant (ΔafHxk1), complementary strain (Com-afHxk1), and the domain deletion strains (afHxk1ΔD1 and afHxk1ΔD2) were constructed by homologous recombination. Phenotype study and RT-qPCR revealed that AfHxk1 upregulates mycelium growth and spore and sclerotia formation, but downregulates AFB1 biosynthesis through related classical signaling pathways. Invading models and environmental stress analysis revealed that through involvement in carbon source utilization, conidia germination, and the sensitivity response of A. flavus to a series of environmental stresses, AfHxk1 deeply participates in the regulation of pathogenicity of A. flavus to crop kernels and Galleria mellonella larvae. The construction of domain deletion strains, afHxk1ΔD1 and afHxk1ΔD2, further revealed that AfHxk1 regulates the morphogenesis, mycotoxin biosynthesis, and the fungal pathogenicity mainly through its domain, Hexokinase_2. The results of this study revealed the biological role of AfHxk1 in Aspergillus spp., and might provide a novel potential target for the early control of the contamination of A. flavus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongting Huang
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, Proteomic Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (Z.H.); (D.W.); (S.Y.); (W.F.); (Y.Y.); (H.L.); (J.Y.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Dandan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, Proteomic Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (Z.H.); (D.W.); (S.Y.); (W.F.); (Y.Y.); (H.L.); (J.Y.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Sile Yang
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, Proteomic Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (Z.H.); (D.W.); (S.Y.); (W.F.); (Y.Y.); (H.L.); (J.Y.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Wangzhuo Fu
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, Proteomic Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (Z.H.); (D.W.); (S.Y.); (W.F.); (Y.Y.); (H.L.); (J.Y.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Dongmei Ma
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China;
| | - Yanfang Yao
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, Proteomic Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (Z.H.); (D.W.); (S.Y.); (W.F.); (Y.Y.); (H.L.); (J.Y.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Hong Lin
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, Proteomic Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (Z.H.); (D.W.); (S.Y.); (W.F.); (Y.Y.); (H.L.); (J.Y.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Jun Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, Proteomic Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (Z.H.); (D.W.); (S.Y.); (W.F.); (Y.Y.); (H.L.); (J.Y.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Yanling Yang
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, Proteomic Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (Z.H.); (D.W.); (S.Y.); (W.F.); (Y.Y.); (H.L.); (J.Y.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Zhenhong Zhuang
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, Proteomic Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (Z.H.); (D.W.); (S.Y.); (W.F.); (Y.Y.); (H.L.); (J.Y.); (Y.Y.)
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7
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Kurt-Kızıldoğan A, Otur Ç, Yıldırım K, Kavas M, Abanoz-Seçgin B. In-depth comparative transcriptome analysis of Purpureocillium sp. CB1 under cadmium stress. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2023:10.1007/s00253-023-12655-5. [PMID: 37436480 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12655-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
Fungal bioremediation is a very attractive tool to cope with environmental pollution. We aimed to decipher the cadmium (Cd) response of Purpureocillium sp. CB1, isolated from polluted soil, at transcriptome level by RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq). We used 500 and 2500 mg/L of Cd2+ concentrations at two time points (t6;36). RNA-seq determined 620 genes that were co-expressed in all samples. The highest number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was obtained within the first six h of exposure to 2500 mg/L of Cd2+. Several genes encoding transcriptional regulators, transporters, heat shock proteins, and oxidative stress-related genes were differentially expressed under Cd2+ stress. Remarkably, the genes that encode salicylate hydroxylase, which is involved in naphthalene biodegradation pathway, were significantly overexpressed. Utilization of diesel as the sole carbon source by CB1 even in the presence of Cd2+ supported concomitant upregulation of hydrocarbon degradation pathway genes. Furthermore, leucinostatin-related gene expression levels increased under Cd2+ stress. In addition, leucinostatin extracts from Cd2+-treated CB1 cultures showed higher antifungal activity than the control. Notably, Cd2+ in CB1 was mainly found as bound to the cell wall, thus confirming its adsorption potential. Cd2+ stress slightly reduced growth and led to mycelial malformation due to Cd2+ adsorption, especially at a concentration of 2500 mg/L at t36. A strong correlation was recorded between RNA-seq and reverse-transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) data. In conclusion, the study represents the first transcriptome analysis of Purpureocillium sp. under Cd2+ stress, providing insights into the primary targets for rational engineering to construct strains with remarkable bioremediation potency. KEY POINTS: • Upregulation of genes encoding salicylate hydroxylases under Cd2+ stress • Maximum Cd2+ adsorption at 500 mg/L at t36 as tightly bound to the cell wall • Concordant bioremediation potential of CB1 on Cd2+ and diesel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aslıhan Kurt-Kızıldoğan
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Ondokuz Mayıs University, 55139, Samsun, Turkey.
| | - Çiğdem Otur
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Ondokuz Mayıs University, 55139, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Kubilay Yıldırım
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Ondokuz Mayıs University, 55139, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Musa Kavas
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Ondokuz Mayıs University, 55139, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Büşra Abanoz-Seçgin
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Ondokuz Mayıs University, 55139, Samsun, Turkey
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8
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Wu JJ, Wu PC, Yago JI, Chung KR. The Regulatory Hub of Siderophore Biosynthesis in the Phytopathogenic Fungus Alternaria alternata. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:jof9040427. [PMID: 37108881 PMCID: PMC10146468 DOI: 10.3390/jof9040427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
A GATA zinc finger-containing repressor (AaSreA) suppresses siderophore biosynthesis in the phytopathogenic fungus Alternaria alternata under iron-replete conditions. In this study, targeted gene deletion revealed two bZIP-containing transcription factors (AaHapX and AaAtf1) and three CCAAT-binding proteins (AaHapB, AaHapC, and AaHapE) that positively regulate gene expression in siderophore production. This is a novel phenotype regarding Atf1 and siderophore biosynthesis. Quantitative RT-PCR analyses revealed that only AaHapX and AaSreA were regulated by iron. AaSreA and AaHapX form a transcriptional feedback negative loop to regulate iron acquisition in response to the availability of environmental iron. Under iron-limited conditions, AaAtf1 enhanced the expression of AaNps6, thus playing a positive role in siderophore production. However, under nutrient-rich conditions, AaAtf1 plays a negative role in resistance to sugar-induced osmotic stress, and AaHapX plays a negative role in resistance to salt-induced osmotic stress. Virulence assays performed on detached citrus leaves revealed that AaHapX and AaAtf1 play no role in fungal pathogenicity. However, fungal strains carrying the AaHapB, AaHapC, or AaHapE deletion failed to incite necrotic lesions, likely due to severe growth deficiency. Our results revealed that siderophore biosynthesis and iron homeostasis are regulated by a well-organized network in A. alternata.
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Genome-Wide Gene Expression Analyses of the AtfA/AtfB-Mediated Menadione Stress Response in Aspergillus nidulans. Cells 2023; 12:cells12030463. [PMID: 36766807 PMCID: PMC9913763 DOI: 10.3390/cells12030463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The bZIP transcription factors (TFs) govern regulation of development, secondary metabolism, and various stress responses in filamentous fungi. In this work, we carried out genome-wide expression studies employing Illumina RNAseq to understand the roles of the two bZIP transcription factors AtfA and AtfB in Aspergillus nidulans. Comparative analyses of transcriptomes of control, ΔatfA, ΔatfB, and ΔatfAΔatfB mutant strains were performed. Dependence of a gene on AtfA (AtfB) was decided by its differential downregulation both between the reference and ΔatfA (ΔatfB) strains and between the ΔatfB (ΔatfA) and the ΔatfAΔatfB strains in vegetatively grown cells (mycelia) and asexual spores (conidia) of menadione sodium bisulfite (MSB)-treated or untreated cultures. As AtfA is the primary bZIP TF governing stress-response in A. nidulans, the number of differentially expressed genes for ΔatfA was significantly higher than for ΔatfB in both mycelial and conidial samples, and most of the AtfB-dependent genes showed AtfA dependence, too. Moreover, the low number of genes depending on AtfB but not on AtfA can be a consequence of ΔatfA leading to downregulation of atfB expression. Conidial samples showed much higher abundance of atfA and atfB mRNAs and more AtfA- and AtfB-affected genes than mycelial samples. In the presence of MSB, the number of AtfB- (but not of AtfA-) affected genes decreased markedly, which was accompanied with decreased mRNA levels of atfB in MSB-treated mycelial (reference strain) and conidial (ΔatfA mutant) samples. In mycelia, the overlap between the AtfA-dependent genes in MSB-treated and in untreated samples was low, demonstrating that distinct genes can be under AtfA control under different conditions. Carbohydrate metabolism genes were enriched in the set of AtfA-dependent genes. Among them, AtfA-dependence of glycolytic genes in conidial samples was the most notable. Levels of transcripts of certain secondary metabolitic gene clusters, such as the Emericellamide cluster, also showed AtfA-dependent regulation. Genes encoding catalase and histidine-containing phosphotransfer proteins showed AtfA-dependence under all experimental conditions. There were 23 AtfB-dependent genes that did not depend on AtfA under any of our experimental conditions. These included a putative α-glucosidase (agdB), a putative α-amylase, calA, which is involved in early conidial germination, and an alternative oxidase. In summary, in A. nidulans there is a complex interaction between the two bZIP transcription factors, where AtfA plays the primary regulatory role.
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10
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Dissecting Metabolic Regulation in Mycelial Growth and Fruiting Body Developmental Stages of Cordyceps militaris through Integrative Transcriptome Analysis. BIOTECHNOL BIOPROC E 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12257-022-0207-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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11
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Wang X, Zha W, Yao B, Yang L, Wang S. Genetic Interaction of Global Regulators AflatfA and AflatfB Mediating Development, Stress Response and Aflatoxins B1 Production in Aspergillus flavus. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14120857. [PMID: 36548754 PMCID: PMC9785671 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14120857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus flavus produces carcinogenic and mutagenic aflatoxins, which cause economic losses and risk of food safety by contaminating grains, food and feed. In this study, we characterized two bZIP transcription factors, AflatfA and AflatfB, and their genetic interaction. Compared to the wild type (WT), AflatfA deletion and AflatfA and AflatfB double deletion both caused retarded vegetative growth of mycelia. Relative to WT, the AflatfA deletion strain (ΔAflatfA) and AflatfA and AflatfB double deletion strain (ΔAflatfAΔAflatfB) produced more sclerotia, whereas the AflatfB deletion strain (ΔAflatfB) produced less sclerotia. After 4 °C preservation and incubation at 50 °C, conidia viability dramatically decreased in the ΔAflatfA and ΔAflatfAΔAflatfB but ΔAflatfB mutants, whereas conidia viability of the ΔAflatfAΔAflatfB strain was higher after storage at 4 °C than in AflatfA mutant. Conidia of ΔAflatfA, ΔAflatfB and ΔAflatfAΔAflatfB strains significantly increased in sensitivity to H2O2 in comparison with WT. Compared to WT, the mycelium of ΔAflatfA and ΔAflatfB strains were more sensitive to H2O2; conversely, the ΔAflatfAΔAflatfB strain showed less sensitivity to H2O2. ΔAflatfA and ΔAflatfAΔAflatfB strains displayed less sensitivity to the osmotic reagents NaCl, KCl and Sorbitol, in comparison with WT and ΔAflatfB strains. When on YES medium and hosts corn and peanut, ΔAflatfA and ΔAflatfAΔAflatfB strains produced less aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) than ΔAflatfB, and the AFB1 yield of ΔAflatfB was higher than that of WT. When WT and mutants were inoculated on corn and peanut, the ΔAflatfA and ΔAflatfAΔAflatfB but not ΔAflatfB mutants produced less conidia than did WT. Taken together, this study reveals that AflatfA controls more cellular processes, and the function of AflatfA is stronger than that of AflatfB when of the same process is regulated, except the response to H2O2, which might result from the effect of AflatfA on the transcriptional level of AflatfB.
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12
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Yang Y, Huang P, Ma Y, Jiang R, Jiang C, Wang G. Insights into intracellular signaling network in Fusarium species. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 222:1007-1014. [PMID: 36179869 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.09.211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Fusarium is a large genus of filamentous fungi including numerous important plant pathogens. In addition to causing huge economic losses of crops, some Fusarium species produce a wide range of mycotoxins in cereal crops that affect human and animal health. The intracellular signaling in Fusarium plays an important role in growth, sexual and asexual developments, pathogenesis, and mycotoxin biosynthesis. In this review, we highlight the recent advances and provide insight into signal sensing and transduction in Fusarium species. G protein-coupled receptors and other conserved membrane receptors mediate recognition of environmental cues and activate complex intracellular signaling. Once activated, the cAMP-PKA and three well-conserved MAP kinase pathways activate downstream transcriptional regulatory networks. The functions of individual signaling pathways have been well characterized in a variety of Fusarium species, showing the conserved components with diverged functions. Furthermore, these signaling pathways crosstalk and coordinately regulate various fungal development and infection-related morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid areas, Northwestern A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Panpan Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid areas, Northwestern A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Yutong Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid areas, Northwestern A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Ruoxuan Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid areas, Northwestern A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Cong Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid areas, Northwestern A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
| | - Guanghui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid areas, Northwestern A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
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13
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Lu S, Zhang H, Guo F, Yang Y, Shen X, Chen B. SsUbc2, a determinant of pathogenicity, functions as a key coordinator controlling global transcriptomic reprogramming during mating in sugarcane smut fungus. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:954767. [PMID: 36204604 PMCID: PMC9530204 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.954767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The basidiomycete fungus Sporisorium scitamineum is the causative agent of sugarcane smut disease. Mating between two strains of the opposite mating type is essential for filamentous growth and infection in sugarcane plants. However, the mechanisms underlying mating and pathogenicity are still not well understood. In this work we used gene disruption to investigate the role of Ssubc2, the gene encoding a kinase regulator in S. scitamineum. Deletion of Ssubc2 did not alter the haploid cell morphology or growth rate in vitro or tolerance to stress, but mutants with both alleles deleted lost mating ability and infectivity. Deletion of one Ssubc2 allele in a pair with a wild-type strain resulted in impaired mating and reduced virulence. Transcriptome profiling revealed that about a third of genes underwent reprogramming in the wild types during mating. Although gene expression reprogramming occurred in the pairing of Ssubc2-null mutants, their transcriptomic profile differed significantly from that of the wild types, in which 625 genes differed from those present in the wild types that seemed to be among the required genes for a successful mating. These genes include those known to regulate mating and pathogenicity, such as components of the MAPK pathway and hgl1. Additionally, a total of 908 genes were differentially expressed in an out-of-control manner in the mutants. We conclude that SsUbc2 functions as a key factor to coordinate the reprogramming of gene expression at the global level and is essential for the transition from monokaryotic basidial growth to dikaryotic hyphal growth through mating.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Ministry and Province Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Sugarcane and Sugar Industry, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biology, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Haoyang Zhang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biology, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Feng Guo
- College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Yanfang Yang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biology, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Xiaorui Shen
- College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Baoshan Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Ministry and Province Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Sugarcane and Sugar Industry, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biology, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
- *Correspondence: Baoshan Chen,
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Kocsis B, Lee MK, Yu JH, Nagy T, Daróczi L, Batta G, Pócsi I, Leiter É. Functional analysis of the bZIP-type transcription factors AtfA and AtfB in Aspergillus nidulans. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1003709. [PMID: 36204617 PMCID: PMC9530789 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1003709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) with the basic leucin zipper domain are key elements of the stress response pathways in filamentous fungi. In this study, we functionally characterized the two bZIP type TFs AtfA and AtfB by deletion (Δ) and overexpression (OE) of their encoding genes in all combination: ΔatfA, ΔatfB, ΔatfAΔatfB, ΔatfAatfBOE, ΔatfBatfAOE, atfAOE, atfBOE and atfAOEatfBOE in Aspergillus nidulans. Based on our previous studies, ΔatfA increased the sensitivity of the fungus to oxidative stress mediated by menadione sodium bisulfite (MSB) and tert-butylhydroperoxide (tBOOH), while ΔatfB was not sensitive to any oxidative stress generating agents, namely MSB, tBOOH and diamide at all. Contrarily, the ΔatfB mutant was sensitive to NaCl, but tolerant to sorbitol. Overexpression of atfB was able to compensate the MSB sensitivity of the ΔatfA mutant. Heavy metal stress elicited by CdCl2 reduced diameter of the atfBOE and atfAOEatfBOE mutant colonies to about 50% of control colony, while the cell wall stress generating agent CongoRed increased the tolerance of the ΔatfA mutant. When we tested the heat stress sensitivity of the asexual spores (conidiospores) of the mutants, we found that conidiospores of ΔatfAatfBOE and ΔatfBatfAOE showed nearly 100% tolerance to heat stress. Asexual development was negatively affected by ΔatfA, while atfAOE and atfAOE coupled with ΔatfB increased the number of conidiospores of the fungus approximately 150% compared to the control. Overexpression of atfB led to a 25% reduction in the number of conidiospores, but increased levels of abaA mRNA and size of conidiospores. Sexual fruiting body (cleistothecium) formation was diminished in the ΔatfA and the ΔatfAΔatfB mutants, while relatively elevated in the ΔatfB and the ΔatfBatfAOE mutants. Production of the mycotoxin sterigmatocystin (ST) was decreased to undetectable levels in the ΔatfA mutant, yet ST production was restored in the ΔatfAΔatfB mutant, suggesting that ΔatfB can suppress ST production defect caused by ΔatfA. Levels of ST were also significantly decreased in the ΔatfAatfBOE, ΔatfBatfAOE and atfAOEatfBOE mutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrix Kocsis
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- ELRN-UD Fungal Stress Biology Research Group, Debrecen, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Mi-Kyung Lee
- Biological Resource Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Jeongeup-si, South Korea
| | - Jae-Hyuk Yu
- Department of Bacteriology, Food Research Institute, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
- Department of Systems Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Tibor Nagy
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Lajos Daróczi
- Department of Solid State Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Gyula Batta
- Department of Genetics and Applied Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - István Pócsi
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- ELRN-UD Fungal Stress Biology Research Group, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Éva Leiter
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- ELRN-UD Fungal Stress Biology Research Group, Debrecen, Hungary
- *Correspondence: Éva Leiter,
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15
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Cho HJ, Son SH, Chen W, Son YE, Lee I, Yu JH, Park HS. Regulation of Conidiogenesis in Aspergillus flavus. Cells 2022; 11:cells11182796. [PMID: 36139369 PMCID: PMC9497164 DOI: 10.3390/cells11182796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus flavus is a representative fungal species in the Aspergillus section Flavi and has been used as a model system to gain insights into fungal development and toxin production. A. flavus has several adverse effects on humans, including the production of the most carcinogenic mycotoxin aflatoxins and causing aspergillosis in immune-compromised patients. In addition, A. flavus infection of crops results in economic losses due to yield loss and aflatoxin contamination. A. flavus is a saprophytic fungus that disperses in the ecosystem mainly by producing asexual spores (conidia), which also provide long-term survival in the harsh environmental conditions. Conidia are composed of the rodlet layer, cell wall, and melanin and are produced from an asexual specialized structure called the conidiophore. The production of conidiophores is tightly regulated by various regulators, including the central regulatory cascade composed of BrlA-AbaA-WetA, the fungi-specific velvet regulators, upstream regulators, and developmental repressors. In this review, we summarize the findings of a series of recent studies related to asexual development in A. flavus and provide insights for a better understanding of other fungal species in the section Flavi.
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Affiliation(s)
- He-Jin Cho
- School of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea
| | - Sung-Hun Son
- School of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea
| | - Wanping Chen
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ye-Eun Son
- School of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea
| | - Inhyung Lee
- Department of Bio and Fermentation Convergence Technology, Kookmin University, Seoul 02707, Korea
| | - Jae-Hyuk Yu
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- Department of Systems Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
| | - Hee-Soo Park
- School of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea
- Department of Integrative Biology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-53-950-5751
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16
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Schüller A, Studt-Reinhold L, Strauss J. How to Completely Squeeze a Fungus-Advanced Genome Mining Tools for Novel Bioactive Substances. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:1837. [PMID: 36145585 PMCID: PMC9505985 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14091837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal species have the capability of producing an overwhelming diversity of bioactive substances that can have beneficial but also detrimental effects on human health. These so-called secondary metabolites naturally serve as antimicrobial "weapon systems", signaling molecules or developmental effectors for fungi and hence are produced only under very specific environmental conditions or stages in their life cycle. However, as these complex conditions are difficult or even impossible to mimic in laboratory settings, only a small fraction of the true chemical diversity of fungi is known so far. This also implies that a large space for potentially new pharmaceuticals remains unexplored. We here present an overview on current developments in advanced methods that can be used to explore this chemical space. We focus on genetic and genomic methods, how to detect genes that harbor the blueprints for the production of these compounds (i.e., biosynthetic gene clusters, BGCs), and ways to activate these silent chromosomal regions. We provide an in-depth view of the chromatin-level regulation of BGCs and of the potential to use the CRISPR/Cas technology as an activation tool.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Joseph Strauss
- Institute of Microbial Genetics, Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, A-3430 Tulln/Donau, Austria
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17
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Luo X, Zhan X, Ruan R, Xi Y, Shen C, Wang H, Wang M. Genome-wide identification of the Penicillium digitatum bZIP gene family and the roles of one key member, PdatfA. Res Microbiol 2022; 173:103970. [PMID: 35868518 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2022.103970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Penicillium digitatum is the most common cause of postharvest decay in citrus fruits around the world. Previous studies revealed that the bZIP gene family plays crucial roles in development, stress adaptation, and pathogenicity in fungi. However, little is known about the bZIP genes in P. digitatum. In this study, we systematically identified the bZIP family in 23 Penicillium species and analyzed their evolutionary relationships. We found that gene loss and gene duplication shaped the evolution of the Penicillium bZIP family. P. digitatum experienced 3 bZIP gene loss events, but with no gene duplication. We subsequently characterized the biological functions of one important member, PdatfA in P. digitatum by constructing the deletion mutant. Results showed that ΔPdatfA exhibited a moderate growth defect, reduced pigmentation, and slightly increased resistance to fungicides iprodione and fludioxonil. However, ΔPdatfA displayed similar rot symptoms to that of the wild type. The ΔPdatfA mycelia were not affected in response to oxidative stress while its conidia showed enhanced resistance due to the upregulation of catalases. Our results provide new insights into the evolution and functions of the bZIP gene family in Penicillium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiujun Luo
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310036, China
| | - Xiaori Zhan
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310036, China
| | - Ruoxin Ruan
- Hangzhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Yue Xi
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310036, China
| | - Chenjia Shen
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310036, China
| | - Huizhong Wang
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310036, China
| | - Mingshuang Wang
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310036, China.
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18
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Zhao J, Peng M, Chen W, Xing X, Shan Y, Fan Z, Shi Y, Li H, Yang X, Li H, Chen L. Transcriptome Analysis and Functional Validation Identify a Putative bZIP Transcription Factor, Fpkapc, that Regulates Development, Stress Responses, and Virulence in Fusarium pseudograminearum. PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2022; 112:1299-1309. [PMID: 35000433 DOI: 10.1094/phyto-12-21-0520-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Fusarium pseudograminearum is a soilborne, hemibiotrophic phytopathogenic fungus that causes Fusarium crown rot and Fusarium head blight in wheat. The basic leucine zipper proteins (bZIPs) are evolutionarily conserved transcription factors that play crucial roles in a range of growth and developmental processes and the responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the roles of bZIP transcription factors remains unknown in F. pseudograminearum. In this study, a bZIP transcription factor Fpkapc was identified to localize to the nucleus in F. pseudograminearum. A mutant strain (Δfpkapc) was constructed to determine the role of Fpkapc in growth and pathogenicity of F. pseudograminearum. Transcriptomic analyses revealed that many genes involved in basic metabolism and oxidation-reduction processes were downregulated, whereas many genes involved in metal iron binding were upregulated in the Δfpkapc strain, compared with the wild type (WT). Correspondingly, the mutant had severe growth defects and displayed abnormal hyphal tips. Conidiation in the Fpkapc mutant was reduced, with more conidia in smaller size and fewer septa than in the WT. Also, relative to WT, the Δfpkapc strain showed greater tolerance to ion stress, but decreased tolerance to H2O2. The mutant caused smaller disease lesions on wheat and barley plants, but significantly increased TRI gene expression, compared with the WT. In summary, Fpkapc plays multiple roles in governing growth, development, stress responses, and virulence in F. pseudograminearum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingya Zhao
- College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Mengya Peng
- College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Wenbo Chen
- College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Xiaoping Xing
- College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Yixuan Shan
- College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Zhuo Fan
- College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Yan Shi
- College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Haiyang Li
- College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Xue Yang
- College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Honglian Li
- College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
- National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Linlin Chen
- College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
- National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, Zhengzhou 450000, China
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19
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Yaakoub H, Mina S, Calenda A, Bouchara JP, Papon N. Oxidative stress response pathways in fungi. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:333. [PMID: 35648225 PMCID: PMC11071803 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04353-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Fungal response to any stress is intricate, specific, and multilayered, though it employs only a few evolutionarily conserved regulators. This comes with the assumption that one regulator operates more than one stress-specific response. Although the assumption holds true, the current understanding of molecular mechanisms that drive response specificity and adequacy remains rudimentary. Deciphering the response of fungi to oxidative stress may help fill those knowledge gaps since it is one of the most encountered stress types in any kind of fungal niche. Data have been accumulating on the roles of the HOG pathway and Yap1- and Skn7-related pathways in mounting distinct and robust responses in fungi upon exposure to oxidative stress. Herein, we review recent and most relevant studies reporting the contribution of each of these pathways in response to oxidative stress in pathogenic and opportunistic fungi after giving a paralleled overview in two divergent models, the budding and fission yeasts. With the concept of stress-specific response and the importance of reactive oxygen species in fungal development, we first present a preface on the expanding domain of redox biology and oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajar Yaakoub
- Univ Angers, Univ Brest, IRF, SFR ICAT, 49000, Angers, France
| | - Sara Mina
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Beirut Arab University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | | | | | - Nicolas Papon
- Univ Angers, Univ Brest, IRF, SFR ICAT, 49000, Angers, France.
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Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of the Basic Leucine Zipper (bZIP) Transcription Factor Gene Family in Fusarium graminearum. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13040607. [PMID: 35456413 PMCID: PMC9028111 DOI: 10.3390/genes13040607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The basic leucine zipper (bZIP) is a widely found transcription factor family that plays regulatory roles in a variety of cellular processes including cell growth and development and various stress responses. However, the bZIP gene family has not been well studied at a genome-wide scale in Fusarium graminearum (Fg), a potent pathogen of cereal grains. In the present study, we conducted a genome-wide identification, characterization, and expression profiling of 22 F. graminearum bZIP (FgbZIP) genes at different developmental stages and under various abiotic stresses. All identified FgbZIPs were categorized into nine groups based on their sequence similarity and phylogenetic tree analysis. Furthermore, the gene structure analysis, conserved motif analysis, chromosomal localization, protein network studies, and synteny analysis were performed. The symmetry of the exon and intron varied with the phylogenetic groups. The post-translational modifications (PTMs) analysis also predicted several phosphorylation sites in FgbZIPs, indicating their functional diversity in cellular processes. The evolutionary study identified many orthogroups among eight species and also predicted several gene duplication events in F. graminearum. The protein modeling indicated the presence of a higher number of α-helices and random coils in their structures. The expression patterns of FgbZIP genes showed that 5 FgbZIP genes, including FgbZIP_1.1, FgbZIP_1.3, FgbZIP_2.6 FgbZIP_3.1 and FgbZIP_4.3, had high expression at different growth and conidiogenesis stages. Similarly, eight genes including FgbZIP_1.1, FgbZIP_1.6, FgbZIP_2.3, FgbZIP_2.4, FgbZIP_4.1, FgbZIP_4.2, FgbZIP_4.3 and FgbZIP_4.6 demonstrated their putative role in response to various abiotic stresses. In summary, these results provided basic information regarding FgbZIPs which are helpful for further functional analysis.
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Wen D, Yu L, Xiong D, Tian C. Genome-Wide Identification of bZIP Transcription Factor Genes and Functional Analyses of Two Members in Cytospora chrysosperma. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 8:jof8010034. [PMID: 35049973 PMCID: PMC8778692 DOI: 10.3390/jof8010034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor (TF) family, one of the largest and the most diverse TF families, is widely distributed across the eukaryotes. It has been described that the bZIP TFs play diverse roles in development, nutrient utilization, and various stress responses in fungi. However, little is known of the bZIP members in Cytospora chrysosperma, a notorious plant pathogenic fungus, which causes canker disease on over 80 woody plant species. In this study, 26 bZIP genes were systematically identified in the genome of C. chrysosperma, and two of them (named CcbZIP05 and CcbZIP23) significantly down-regulated in CcPmk1 deletion mutant (a pathogenicity-related mitogen-activated protein kinase) were selected for further analysis. Deletion of CcbZIP05 or CcbZIP23 displayed a dramatic reduction in fungal growth but showed increased hypha branching and resistance to cell wall inhibitors and abiotic stresses. The CcbZIP05 deletion mutants but not CcbZIP23 deletion mutants were more sensitive to the hydrogen peroxide compared to the wild-type and complemented strains. Additionally, the CcbZIP23 deletion mutants produced few pycnidia but more pigment. Remarkably, both CcbZIP05 and CcbZIP23 deletion mutants were significantly reduced in fungal virulence. Further analysis showed that CcbZIP05 and CcbZIP23 could regulate the expression of putative effector genes and chitin synthesis-related genes. Taken together, our results suggest that CcbZIP05 and CcbZIP23 play important roles in fungal growth, abiotic stresses response, and pathogenicity, which will provide comprehensive information on the CcbZIP genes and lay the foundation for further research on the bZIP members in C. chrysosperma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dasen Wen
- The Key Laboratory for Silviculture and Conservation of Ministry of Education, College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; (D.W.); (L.Y.)
| | - Lu Yu
- The Key Laboratory for Silviculture and Conservation of Ministry of Education, College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; (D.W.); (L.Y.)
| | - Dianguang Xiong
- The Key Laboratory for Silviculture and Conservation of Ministry of Education, College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; (D.W.); (L.Y.)
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Forest Pest Control, College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
- Correspondence: (D.X.); (C.T.)
| | - Chengming Tian
- The Key Laboratory for Silviculture and Conservation of Ministry of Education, College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; (D.W.); (L.Y.)
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Forest Pest Control, College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
- Correspondence: (D.X.); (C.T.)
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