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Peterson PP, Choi JT, Fu C, Cowen LE, Sun S, Bahn YS, Heitman J. The Cryptococcus neoformans STRIPAK complex controls genome stability, sexual development, and virulence. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.08.06.606879. [PMID: 39149236 PMCID: PMC11326274 DOI: 10.1101/2024.08.06.606879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
The eukaryotic serine/threonine protein phosphatase PP2A is a heterotrimeric enzyme composed of a scaffold A subunit, a regulatory B subunit, and a catalytic C subunit. Of the four known B subunits, the B"' subunit (known as striatin) interacts with the multi-protein striatin-interacting phosphatase and kinase (STRIPAK) complex. Orthologs of STRIPAK components were identified in C. neoformans, namely PP2AA/Tpd3, PP2AC/Pph22, PP2AB"'/Far8, STRIP/Far11, SLMAP/Far9, and Mob3. Structural modeling, protein domain analysis, and detected protein-protein interactions suggest C. neoformans STRIPAK is assembled similarly to the human and fungal orthologs. Here, STRIPAK components Pph22, Far8, and Mob3 were functionally characterized. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that mutations in STRIPAK complex subunits lead to increased segmental and chromosomal aneuploidy, suggesting STRIPAK functions in maintaining genome stability. We demonstrate that PPH22 is a haploinsufficient gene: heterozygous PPH22/pph22Δ mutant diploid strains exhibit defects in hyphal growth and sporulation and have a significant fitness disadvantage when grown in competition against a wild-type diploid. Deletion mutants pph22Δ, far8Δ, and mob3Δ exhibit defects in mating and sexual differentiation, including impaired hyphae, basidia, and basidiospore production. Loss of either PPH22 or FAR8 leads to growth defects at 30°C, severely reduced growth at elevated temperature, abnormal cell morphology, and impaired virulence. The pph22Δ and far8Δ mutants are also unable to grow in the presence of the calcineurin inhibitors cyclosporine A or FK506, and thus these mutations are synthetically lethal with loss of calcineurin activity. Conversely, mob3Δ mutants display increased thermotolerance, capsule production, and melanization, and are hypervirulent in a murine infection model. Taken together, these findings reveal that the C. neoformans STRIPAK complex plays an important role in genome stability, vegetative growth, sexual development, and virulence in this prominent human fungal pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia P. Peterson
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jin-Tae Choi
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ci Fu
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Leah E. Cowen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sheng Sun
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Yong-Sun Bahn
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Joseph Heitman
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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Huang Z, Cao H, Wang H, Huang P, Wang J, Cai Y, Wang Q, Li Y, Wang J, Liu X, Lin F, Lu J. The triglyceride catabolism regulated by a serine/threonine protein phosphatase, Smek1, is required for development and plant infection in Magnaporthe oryzae. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2023; 24:1256-1272. [PMID: 37357820 PMCID: PMC10502837 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.13368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
Magnaporthe oryzae is a pathogenic fungus that seriously harms rice production. Phosphatases and carbon metabolism play crucial roles in the growth and development of eukaryotes. However, it remains unclear how serine/threonine phosphatases regulate the catabolism of triglycerides, a major form of stored lipids. In this study, we identified a serine/threonine protein phosphatase regulatory subunit, Smek1, which is required for the growth, conidiation, and virulence of M. oryzae. Deletion of SMEK1 led to defects in the utilization of lipids, arabinose, glycerol, and ethanol. In glucose medium, the expression of genes involved in lipolysis, long-chain fatty acid degradation, β-oxidation, and the glyoxylate cycle increased in the Δsmek1 mutant, which is consistent with ΔcreA in which a carbon catabolite repressor CREA was deleted. In lipid medium, the expression of genes involved in long-chain fatty acid degradation, β-oxidation, the glyoxylate cycle, and utilization of arabinose, ethanol, or glycerol decreased in the Δsmek1 mutant, which is consistent with Δcrf1 in which a transcription activator CRF1 required for carbon metabolism was deleted. Lipase activity, however, increased in the Δsmek1 mutant in both glucose and lipid media. Moreover, Smek1 directly interacted with CreA and Crf1, and dephosphorylated CreA and Crf1 in vivo. The phosphatase Smek1 is therefore a dual-function regulator of the lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, and controls fungal development and virulence by coordinating the functions of CreA and Crf1 in carbon catabolite repression (CCR) and derepression (CCDR).
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhicheng Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro‐Products, College of Life SciencesZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Huijuan Cao
- Institute of Plant ProtectionJiangsu Academy of Agricultural SciencesNanjingChina
| | - Huan Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro‐Products, College of Life SciencesZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | | | - Jing Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro‐Products, Institute of Plant Protection and MicrobiologyZhejiang Academy of Agricultural SciencesHangzhouChina
| | - Ying‐Ying Cai
- Institute of BiotechnologyZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Qing Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro‐Products, College of Life SciencesZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Yan Li
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro‐Products, College of Life SciencesZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Jiaoyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro‐Products, Institute of Plant Protection and MicrobiologyZhejiang Academy of Agricultural SciencesHangzhouChina
| | - Xiao‐Hong Liu
- Institute of BiotechnologyZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Fu‐Cheng Lin
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro‐Products, Institute of Plant Protection and MicrobiologyZhejiang Academy of Agricultural SciencesHangzhouChina
- Institute of BiotechnologyZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Jianping Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro‐Products, College of Life SciencesZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
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Chen A, Liu N, Xu C, Wu S, Liu C, Qi H, Ren Y, Han X, Yang K, Liu X, Ma Z, Chen Y. The STRIPAK complex orchestrates cell wall integrity signalling to govern the fungal development and virulence of Fusarium graminearum. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2023; 24:1139-1153. [PMID: 37278525 PMCID: PMC10423325 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.13359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Striatin-interacting phosphatases and kinases (STRIPAKs) are evolutionarily conserved supramolecular complexes that control various important cellular processes such as signal transduction and development. However, the role of the STRIPAK complex in pathogenic fungi remains elusive. In this study, the components and function of the STRIPAK complex were investigated in Fusarium graminearum, an important plant-pathogenic fungus. The results obtained from bioinformatic analyses and the protein-protein interactome suggested that the fungal STRIPAK complex consisted of six proteins: Ham2, Ham3, Ham4, PP2Aa, Ppg1, and Mob3. Deletion mutations of individual components of the STRIPAK complex were created, and observed to cause a significant reduction in fungal vegetative growth and sexual development, and dramatically attenuae virulence, excluding the essential gene PP2Aa. Further results revealed that the STRIPAK complex interacted with the mitogen-activated protein kinase Mgv1, a key component in the cell wall integrity pathway, subsequently regulating the phosphorylation level and nuclear accumulation of Mgv1 to control the fungal stress response and virulence. Our results also suggested that the STRIPAK complex was interconnected with the target of rapamycin pathway through Tap42-PP2A cascade. Taken together, our findings revealed that the STRIPAK complex orchestrates cell wall integrity signalling to govern the fungal development and virulence of F. graminearum and highlighted the importance of the STRIPAK complex in fungal virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahai Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, the Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of BiotechnologyZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Na Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, the Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of BiotechnologyZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
- College of Plant Health and MedicineQingdao Agricultural UniversityQingdaoChina
| | - Chenghui Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, the Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of BiotechnologyZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Siqi Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, the Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of BiotechnologyZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Chao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, the Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of BiotechnologyZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Hao Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, the Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of BiotechnologyZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Yiyi Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, the Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of BiotechnologyZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Xingmin Han
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, the Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of BiotechnologyZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Kunlong Yang
- Department of Biomedicine and Food Science, School of Life ScienceJiangsu Normal UniversityXuzhouChina
| | - Xiao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of MicrobiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Zhonghua Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, the Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of BiotechnologyZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Yun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, the Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of BiotechnologyZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
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Zhang W, Wang S, Jiang B, Guo M. MoRts1, a regulatory subunit of PP2A, is required for fungal development and pathogenicity of Magnaporthe oryzae. Microbiol Res 2023; 269:127313. [PMID: 36696866 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2023.127313] [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: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Protein phosphatase 2 A (PP2A) is a major heterotrimeric serine/threonine protein phosphatase comprised of three subunits, including structural subunits (A), regulatory subunits (B), and catalytic subunits (C). PP2A has been widely shown to involve in a series of cell signal transduction processes such as cell metabolism, cell cycle regulation, DNA replication, gene transcription and protein translation in yeast and mammalian. However, the roles of PP2A in pathogenic fungi Magnaporthe oryzae still remain unclear. We here found that MoRts1, a gene encoding B regulatory subunit of PP2A homologous to Saccharomyces cerevisiae Rts1, showed up-regulated transcription during conidia and initially infectious stage. Subcellular localization revealed that MoRts1-eGFP was localized to the cytoplasm and septum. Targeted disruption of MoRts1 leads to a reduction of mycelial growth and sporulation, as well as the defects of hydrophobicity, melanin pigmentation and cell wall integrity (CWI). The MoRts1 mutants were less pathogenic to the host plants, compared to the Ku80 strain, and the transcriptional levels of several pathogenicity-related Rho GTPase genes, including MoCdc42, MoRho2, MoRho3, MoRho4, MoRhoX and MoRac1, were significantly decreased in the MoRts1 mutants. Besides, two splicing variants of MoRts1 with unique functions of regulating the growth and pathogenicity were identified, and the B56 domain is vital for determining the sporulation and pathogenicity of M. oryzae. Furthermore, MoRts1 was identified to interact with PP2A catalytic subunit MoPPG1 in vivo in M. oryzae. In summary, our results showed that MoRts1 is an important regulator contributing to the fungal development, and pathogenicity of M. oryzae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Sustainable Management of Plant Diseases and Pests of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Hefei 230036, China; College of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Shuaishuai Wang
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Sustainable Management of Plant Diseases and Pests of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Hefei 230036, China; College of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Bingxin Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Sustainable Management of Plant Diseases and Pests of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Hefei 230036, China; College of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Min Guo
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Sustainable Management of Plant Diseases and Pests of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Hefei 230036, China; College of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China.
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Shi W, Yang J, Chen D, Yin C, Zhang H, Xu X, Pan X, Wang R, Fei L, Li M, Qi L, Bhadauria V, Liu J, Peng YL. The rice blast fungus SR protein 1 regulates alternative splicing with unique mechanisms. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1011036. [PMID: 36480554 PMCID: PMC9767378 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Serine/arginine-rich (SR) proteins are well known as splicing factors in humans, model animals and plants. However, they are largely unknown in regulating pre-mRNA splicing of filamentous fungi. Here we report that the SR protein MoSrp1 enhances and suppresses alternative splicing in a model fungal plant pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae. Deletion of MoSRP1 caused multiple defects, including reduced virulence and thousands of aberrant alternative splicing events in mycelia, most of which were suppressed or enhanced intron splicing. A GUAG consensus bound by MoSrp1 was identified in more than 94% of the intron or/and proximate exons having the aberrant splicing. The dual functions of regulating alternative splicing of MoSrp1 were exemplified in enhancing and suppressing the consensus-mediated efficient splicing of the introns in MoATF1 and MoMTP1, respectively, which both were important for mycelial growth, conidiation, and virulence. Interestingly, MoSrp1 had a conserved sumoylation site that was essential to nuclear localization and enhancing GUAG binding. Further, we showed that MoSrp1 interacted with a splicing factor and two components of the exon-joining complex via its N-terminal RNA recognition domain, which was required to regulate mycelial growth, development and virulence. In contrast, the C-terminus was important only for virulence and stress responses but not for mycelial growth and development. In addition, only orthologues from Pezizomycotina species could completely rescue defects of the deletion mutants. This study reveals that the fungal conserved SR protein Srp1 regulates alternative splicing in a unique manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- MARA Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Yang
- MARA Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- MARA Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Management for Plant Quarantine Pests, Department of Plant Biosecurity, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Deng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- MARA Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Changfa Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- MARA Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Huixia Zhang
- MARA Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- MARA Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Management for Plant Quarantine Pests, Department of Plant Biosecurity, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaozhou Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- MARA Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao Pan
- MARA Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- MARA Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Management for Plant Quarantine Pests, Department of Plant Biosecurity, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Ruijin Wang
- MARA Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- MARA Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Management for Plant Quarantine Pests, Department of Plant Biosecurity, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Liwang Fei
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- MARA Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Mengfei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- MARA Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Linlu Qi
- MARA Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Vijai Bhadauria
- MARA Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Junfeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- MARA Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - You-Liang Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- MARA Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- * E-mail:
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Zhang YZ, Li B, Pan YT, Fang YL, Li DW, Huang L. Protein Phosphatase CgPpz1 Regulates Potassium Uptake, Stress Responses, and Plant Infection in Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2022; 112:820-829. [PMID: 34689611 DOI: 10.1094/phyto-02-21-0051-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Protein phosphatases play important roles in the regulation of various cellular processes in eukaryotes. The ascomycete Colletotrichum gloeosporioides is a causal agent of anthracnose disease on some important crops and trees. In this study, CgPPZ1, a protein phosphate gene and a homolog of yeast PPZ1, was identified in C. gloeosporioides. Targeted gene deletion showed that CgPpz1 was important for vegetative growth and asexual development, conidial germination, and plant infection. Cytological examinations revealed that CgPpz1 was localized to the cytoplasm. The ΔCgppz1 mutant was hypersensitive to osmotic stresses, cell wall stressors, and oxidative stressors. Taken together, our results indicated that CgPpz1 plays an important role in the fungal development and virulence of C. gloeosporioides and the multiple stress responses generated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Zhao Zhang
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210037, China
| | - Bing Li
- School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, China
| | - Yu-Ting Pan
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210037, China
| | - Yu-Lan Fang
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210037, China
| | - De-Wei Li
- The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station Valley Laboratory, Windsor, CT 06095, U.S.A
| | - Lin Huang
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210037, China
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Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals That Rho GTPases Regulate Trap Development and Lifestyle Transition of the Nematode-Trapping Fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0175921. [PMID: 35019695 PMCID: PMC8754127 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01759-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Nematode-trapping (NT) fungi can form unique infection structures (traps) to capture and kill free-living nematodes and, thus, can play a potential role in the biocontrol of nematodes. Arthrobotrys oligospora is a representative species of NT fungi. Here, we performed a time course transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis of transcriptomes to understand the global gene expression levels of A. oligospora during trap formation and predation. We identified 5,752 unique differentially expressed genes, among which the rac gene was significantly upregulated. Alternative splicing events occurred in 2,012 genes, including the rac and rho2 gene. Furthermore, we characterized three Rho GTPases (Rho2, Rac, and Cdc42) in A. oligospora using gene disruption and multiphenotypic analysis. Our analyses showed that AoRac and AoCdc42 play an important role in mycelium growth, lipid accumulation, DNA damage, sporulation, trap formation, pathogenicity, and stress response in A. oligospora. AoCdc42 and AoRac specifically interacted with components of the Nox complex, thus regulating the production of reactive oxygen species. Moreover, the transcript levels of several genes associated with protein kinase A, mitogen-activated protein kinase, and p21-activated kinase were also altered in the mutants, suggesting that Rho GTPases might function upstream from these kinases. This study highlights the important role of Rho GTPases in A. oligospora and provides insights into the regulatory mechanisms of signaling pathways in the trap morphogenesis and lifestyle transition of NT fungi. IMPORTANCE Nematode-trapping (NT) fungi are widely distributed in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Their broad adaptability and flexible lifestyles make them ideal agents for controlling pathogenic nematodes. Arthrobotrys oligospora is a model species employed for understanding the interaction between fungi and nematodes. Here, we revealed that alternative splicing events play a crucial role in the trap development and lifestyle transition in A. oligospora. Furthermore, Rho GTPases exert differential effects on the growth, development, and pathogenicity of A. oligospora. In particular, AoRac is required for sporulation and trap morphogenesis. In addition, our analysis showed that Rho GTPases regulate the production of reactive oxygen species and function upstream from several kinases. Collectively, these results expand our understanding of gene expression and alternative splicing events in A. oligospora and the important roles of Rho GTPases in NT fungi, thereby providing a foundation for exploring their potential application in the biocontrol of pathogenic nematodes.
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Lin QJ, Chu J, Kumar V, Yuan DP, Li ZM, Mei Q, Xuan YH. Protein Phosphatase 2A Catalytic Subunit PP2A-1 Enhances Rice Resistance to Sheath Blight Disease. Front Genome Ed 2021; 3:632136. [PMID: 34713255 PMCID: PMC8525387 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2021.632136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Rice (Oryza sativa) production is damaged to a great extent by sheath blight disease (ShB). However, the defense mechanism in rice against this disease is largely unknown. Previous transcriptome analysis identified a significantly induced eukaryotic protein phosphatase 2A catalytic subunit 1 (PP2A-1) after the inoculation of Rhizoctonia solani. Five genes encoding PP2A exist in rice genome, and these five genes are ubiquitously expressed in different tissues and stages. Inoculation of R. solani showed that the genome edited pp2a-1 mutants using the CRISPR/Cas9 were more susceptible to ShB than the wild-type control, but other PP2A gene mutants exhibited similar response to ShB compared to wild-type plants. In parallel, PP2A-1 expression level was higher in the activation tagging line, and PP2A-1 overexpression inhibited plant height and promoted the resistance to ShB. PP2A-1-GFP was localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus. In addition, R. solani-dependent induction kinetics of pathogen-related genes PBZ1 and PR1b was lower in pp2a-1 mutants but higher in PP2A-1 activation line compared to those in the wild-type. In conclusion, our analysis shows that PP2A-1 is a member of protein phosphatase, which regulates rice resistance to ShB. This result broadens the understanding of the defense mechanism against ShB and provides a potential target for rice breeding for disease resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiu Jun Lin
- College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jin Chu
- Institute of Plant Protection, Liaoning Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenyang, China
| | - Vikranth Kumar
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Program), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research Center (PMBBRC), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, South Korea
| | - De Peng Yuan
- College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhi Min Li
- College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Qiong Mei
- College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yuan Hu Xuan
- College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
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Li Z, Yang J, Peng J, Cheng Z, Liu X, Zhang Z, Bhadauria V, Zhao W, Peng YL. Transcriptional Landscapes of Long Non-coding RNAs and Alternative Splicing in Pyricularia oryzae Revealed by RNA-Seq. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:723636. [PMID: 34589103 PMCID: PMC8475275 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.723636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Pyricularia oryzae causes the rice blast, which is one of the most devastating crop diseases worldwide, and is a model fungal pathogen widely used for dissecting the molecular mechanisms underlying fungal virulence/pathogenicity. Although the whole genome sequence of P. oryzae is publicly available, its current transcriptomes remain incomplete, lacking the information on non-protein coding genes and alternative splicing. Here, we performed and analyzed RNA-Seq of conidia and hyphae, resulting in the identification of 3,374 novel genes. Interestingly, the vast majority of these novel genes likely transcribed long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and most of them were localized in the intergenic regions. Notably, their expressions were concomitant with the transcription of neighboring genes thereof in conidia and hyphae. In addition, 2,358 genes were found to undergo alternative splicing events. Furthermore, we exemplified that a lncRNA was important for hyphal growth likely by regulating the neighboring protein-coding gene and that alternative splicing of the transcription factor gene CON7 was required for appressorium formation. In summary, results from this study indicate that lncRNA transcripts and alternative splicing events are two important mechanisms for regulating the expression of genes important for conidiation, hyphal growth, and pathogenesis, and provide new insights into transcriptomes and gene regulation in the rice blast fungus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhigang Li
- College of Plant Protection/Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control of Tropical Plant Diseases and Pests, Ministry of Education, Hainan University, Haikou, China
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Yang
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Junbo Peng
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhihua Cheng
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xinsen Liu
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Ziding Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Vijai Bhadauria
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Wensheng Zhao
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - You-Liang Peng
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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10
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Wang S, Liang H, Wei Y, Zhang P, Dang Y, Li G, Zhang SH. Alternative Splicing of MoPTEN Is Important for Growth and Pathogenesis in Magnaporthe oryzae. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:715773. [PMID: 34335554 PMCID: PMC8322540 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.715773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Human PTEN, a dual-phosphatase tumor suppressor, is frequently dysregulated by alternative splicing. Fungi harbor PTEN homologs, but alternative splicing of fungal PTENs has not been reported as far as we know. Here, we described an alternative splicing case in the PTEN homolog of Magnaporthe oryzae (MoPTEN). Two splice variants of MoPTEN were detected and identified, which are resulted from an intron retention and exclusion (MoPTEN-1/2). Both proteins were different in lipid and protein phosphatase activity and in expression patterns. The MoPTEN deletion mutant (ΔMoPTEN) showed the defects in conidiation, appressorium formation, and pathogenesis. ΔMoPTEN could be completely restored by MoPTEN, but rescued partially by MoPTEN-1 in the defect of conidium and appressorium formation, and by MoPTEN-2 in the defect of invasive development. Assays to assess sensitivity to oxidative stress reveal the involvement of MoPTEN-2 in scavenging exogenous and host-derived H2O2. Taken together, MoPTEN undergoes alternative splicing, and both variants cooperatively contribute to conidium and appressorium development, and invasive hyphae growth in plant cells, revealing a novel disease development pathway in M. oryzae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaowei Wang
- College of Plant Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Hao Liang
- College of Plant Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yi Wei
- College of Plant Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Center for Extreme-Environmental Microorganisms, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China.,College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Penghui Zhang
- College of Plant Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yuejia Dang
- Center for Extreme-Environmental Microorganisms, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China.,College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Guihua Li
- College of Plant Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Shi-Hong Zhang
- College of Plant Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Center for Extreme-Environmental Microorganisms, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China.,College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
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11
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STRIPAK, a Key Regulator of Fungal Development, Operates as a Multifunctional Signaling Hub. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7060443. [PMID: 34206073 PMCID: PMC8226480 DOI: 10.3390/jof7060443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The striatin-interacting phosphatases and kinases (STRIPAK) multi subunit complex is a highly conserved signaling complex that controls diverse developmental processes in higher and lower eukaryotes. In this perspective article, we summarize how STRIPAK controls diverse developmental processes in euascomycetes, such as fruiting body formation, cell fusion, sexual and vegetative development, pathogenicity, symbiosis, as well as secondary metabolism. Recent structural investigations revealed information about the assembly and stoichiometry of the complex enabling it to act as a signaling hub. Multiple organellar targeting of STRIPAK subunits suggests how this complex connects several signaling transduction pathways involved in diverse cellular developmental processes. Furthermore, recent phosphoproteomic analysis shows that STRIPAK controls the dephosphorylation of subunits from several signaling complexes. We also refer to recent findings in yeast, where the STRIPAK homologue connects conserved signaling pathways, and based on this we suggest how so far non-characterized proteins may functions as receptors connecting mitophagy with the STRIPAK signaling complex. Such lines of investigation should contribute to the overall mechanistic understanding of how STRIPAK controls development in euascomycetes and beyond.
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12
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Genome-wide functional analysis of phosphatases in the pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans. Nat Commun 2020; 11:4212. [PMID: 32839469 PMCID: PMC7445287 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18028-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphatases, together with kinases and transcription factors, are key components in cellular signalling networks. Here, we present a systematic functional analysis of the phosphatases in Cryptococcus neoformans, a fungal pathogen that causes life-threatening fungal meningoencephalitis. We analyse 230 signature-tagged mutant strains for 114 putative phosphatases under 30 distinct in vitro growth conditions, revealing at least one function for 60 of these proteins. Large-scale virulence and infectivity assays using insect and mouse models indicate roles in pathogenicity for 31 phosphatases involved in various processes such as thermotolerance, melanin and capsule production, stress responses, O-mannosylation, or retromer function. Notably, phosphatases Xpp1, Ssu72, Siw14, and Sit4 promote blood-brain barrier adhesion and crossing by C. neoformans. Together with our previous systematic studies of transcription factors and kinases, our results provide comprehensive insight into the pathobiological signalling circuitry of C. neoformans. Phosphatases are key components in cellular signalling networks. Here, the authors present a systematic functional analysis of phosphatases of the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans, revealing roles in virulence, stress responses, O-mannosylation, retromer function and other processes.
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13
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Lin L, Wang S, Li X, He Q, Benz JP, Tian C. STK-12 acts as a transcriptional brake to control the expression of cellulase-encoding genes in Neurospora crassa. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1008510. [PMID: 31765390 PMCID: PMC6901240 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellulolytic fungi have evolved a complex regulatory network to maintain the precise balance of nutrients required for growth and hydrolytic enzyme production. When fungi are exposed to cellulose, the transcript levels of cellulase genes rapidly increase and then decline. However, the mechanisms underlying this bell-shaped expression pattern are unclear. We systematically screened a protein kinase deletion set in the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa to search for mutants exhibiting aberrant expression patterns of cellulase genes. We observed that the loss of stk-12 (NCU07378) caused a dramatic increase in cellulase production and an extended period of high transcript abundance of major cellulase genes. These results suggested that stk-12 plays a critical role as a brake to turn down the transcription of cellulase genes to repress the overexpression of hydrolytic enzymes and prevent energy wastage. Transcriptional profiling analyses revealed that cellulase gene expression levels were maintained at high levels for 56 h in the Δstk-12 mutant, compared to only 8 h in the wild-type (WT) strain. After growth on cellulose for 3 days, the transcript levels of cellulase genes in the Δstk-12 mutant were 3.3-fold over WT, and clr-2 (encoding a transcriptional activator) was up-regulated in Δstk-12 while res-1 and rca-1 (encoding two cellulase repressors) were down-regulated. Consequently, total cellulase production in the Δstk-12 mutant was 7-fold higher than in the WT. These results strongly suggest that stk-12 deletion results in dysregulation of the cellulase expression machinery. Further analyses showed that STK-12 directly targets IGO-1 to regulate cellulase production. The TORC1 pathway promoted cellulase production, at least partly, by inhibiting STK-12 function, and STK-12 and CRE-1 functioned in parallel pathways to repress cellulase gene expression. Our results clarify how cellulase genes are repressed at the transcriptional level during cellulose induction, and highlight a new strategy to improve industrial fungal strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangcai Lin
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Shanshan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaolin Li
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology and MOA Key Laboratory of Soil Microbiology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Qun He
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology and MOA Key Laboratory of Soil Microbiology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - J. Philipp Benz
- Technical University of Munich, TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz, Freising, Germany
- Technical University of Munich, Institute for Advanced Study, Lichtenbergstr, Garching, Germany
| | - Chaoguang Tian
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
- * E-mail:
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14
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Fu T, Kim JO, Han JH, Gumilang A, Lee YH, Kim KS. A Small GTPase RHO2 Plays an Important Role in Pre-infection Development in the Rice Blast Pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae. THE PLANT PATHOLOGY JOURNAL 2018; 34:470-479. [PMID: 30588220 PMCID: PMC6305172 DOI: 10.5423/ppj.oa.04.2018.0069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Revised: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The rice blast pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae is a global threat to rice production. Here we characterized RHO2 gene (MGG_02457) that belongs to the Rho GTPase family, using a deletion mutant. This mutant ΔMorho2 exhibited no defects in conidiation and germination but developed only 6% of appressoria in response to a hydrophobic surface when compared to the wild-type progenitor. This result indicates that MoRHO2 plays a role in appressorium development. Furthermore, exogenous cAMP treatment on the mutant led to appressoria that exhibited abnormal morphology on both hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces. These outcomes suggested the involvement of MoRHO2 in cAMP-mediated appressorium development. ΔMorho2 mutation also delayed the development of appressorium-like structures (ALS) at hyphal tips on hydrophobic surface, which were also abnormally shaped. These results suggested that MoRHO2 is involved in morphological development of appressoria and ALS from conidia and hyphae, respectively. As expected, ΔMorho2 mutant was defective in plant penetration, but was still able to cause lesions, albeit at a reduced rate on wounded plants. These results implied that MoRHO2 plays a role in M. oryzae virulence as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teng Fu
- Division of Bioresource Sciences, and Bioherb Research Institute, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341,
Korea
| | - Joon-Oh Kim
- Division of Bioresource Sciences, and Bioherb Research Institute, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341,
Korea
| | - Joon-Hee Han
- Division of Bioresource Sciences, and Bioherb Research Institute, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341,
Korea
| | - Adiyantara Gumilang
- Division of Bioresource Sciences, and Bioherb Research Institute, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341,
Korea
| | - Yong-Hwan Lee
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, and Center for Fungal Genetic Resources, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826,
Korea
| | - Kyoung Su Kim
- Division of Bioresource Sciences, and Bioherb Research Institute, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341,
Korea
- Corresponding author: Phone) +82-33-250-6435, FAX) +82-33-259-5558, E-mail)
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15
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Liu Z, Liu N, Jiang H, Yan L, Ma Z, Yin Y. The Activators of Type 2A Phosphatases (PP2A) Regulate Multiple Cellular Processes Via PP2A-Dependent and -Independent Mechanisms in Fusarium graminearum. MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS : MPMI 2018; 31:1121-1133. [PMID: 29877164 DOI: 10.1094/mpmi-03-18-0056-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The type 2A protein phosphatases (PP2As) are holoenzymes in all eukaryotes but their activators remain unknown in filamentous fungi. Fusarium graminearum contains three PP2As (FgPp2A, FgSit4, and FgPpg1), which play critical roles in fungal growth, development, and virulence. Here, we identified two PP2A activators (PTPAs), FgRrd1 and FgRrd2, and found that they control PP2A activity in a PP2A-specific manner. FgRrd1 interacts with FgPpg1, but FgRrd2 interacts with FgPp2A and very weakly with FgSit4. Furthermore, FgRrd2 activates FgPp2A via regulating FgPp2A methylation. Phenotypic assays showed that FgRrd1 and FgRrd2 regulate mycelial growth, conidiation, sexual development, and lipid droplet biogenesis. More importantly, both FgRrd1 and FgRrd2 interact with RNA polymerase II, subsequently modulating its enrichments at the promoters of mycotoxin biosynthesis genes, which is independent on PP2A. In addition, FgRrd2 modulates response to phenylpyrrole fungicide, via regulating the phosphorylation of kinase FgHog1 in the high-osmolarity glycerol pathway, and to caffeine, via modulating FgPp2A methylation. Taken together, results of this study indicate that FgRrd1 and FgRrd2 regulate multiple physiological processes via different regulatory mechanisms in F. graminearum, which provides a novel insight into understanding the biological functions of PTPAs in fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zunyong Liu
- 1 Institute of Biotechnology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Na Liu
- 1 Institute of Biotechnology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Huixian Jiang
- 1 Institute of Biotechnology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Leiyan Yan
- 2 Ningbo Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Ningbo, 315040, China; and
| | - Zhonghua Ma
- 1 Institute of Biotechnology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China
- 3 State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, Zhejiang University
| | - Yanni Yin
- 1 Institute of Biotechnology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China
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16
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Zhang M, Sun X, Cui L, Yin Y, Zhao X, Pan S, Wang W. The Plant Infection Test: Spray and Wound-Mediated Inoculation with the Plant Pathogen Magnaporthe Grisea. J Vis Exp 2018:57675. [PMID: 30124637 PMCID: PMC6126619 DOI: 10.3791/57675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Plants possess a powerful system to defend themselves against potential threats by pathogenic fungi. For agriculturally important plants, however, current measures to combat such pathogens have proved too conservative and, thus, not sufficiently effective, and they can potentially pose environmental risks. Therefore, it is extremely necessary to identify host-resistance factors to assist in controlling plant diseases naturally through the identification of resistant germplasm, the isolation and characterization of resistance genes, and the molecular breeding of resistant cultivars. In this regard, there is need to establish an accurate, rapid, and large-scale inoculation method to breed and develop plant resistance genes. The rice blast fungal pathogen Magnaporthe grisea causes severe disease symptoms and yield losses. Recently, M. grisea has emerged as a model organism for studying the mechanisms of plant-fungal pathogen interactions. Hence, we report the development of a plant virulence test method that is specific for M. grisea. This method provides for both spray inoculation with a conidial suspension and wounding inoculation with mycelium cubes or droplets of conidial suspension. The key step of the wounding inoculation method for detached rice leaves is to make wounds on plant leaves, which avoids any interference caused by host penetration resistance. This spray/wounding protocol contributes to the rapid, accurate, and large-scale screening of the pathotypes of M. grisea isolates. This integrated and systematic plant infection method will serve as an excellent starting point for gaining a broad perspective of issues in plant pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyu Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of New Technology in Agricultural Application, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Plant Production Education, Beijing University of Agriculture
| | - Xuan Sun
- Beijing Key Laboratory of New Technology in Agricultural Application, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Plant Production Education, Beijing University of Agriculture
| | - Lie Cui
- Beijing Key Laboratory of New Technology in Agricultural Application, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Plant Production Education, Beijing University of Agriculture
| | - Yue Yin
- Beijing Key Laboratory of New Technology in Agricultural Application, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Plant Production Education, Beijing University of Agriculture
| | - Xinyu Zhao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of New Technology in Agricultural Application, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Plant Production Education, Beijing University of Agriculture
| | - Song Pan
- College of Plant Protection, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, China Agricultural University
| | - Weixiang Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of New Technology in Agricultural Application, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Plant Production Education, Beijing University of Agriculture;
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17
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The Phosphatome of Medicinal and Edible Fungus Wolfiporia cocos. Curr Microbiol 2017; 75:124-131. [DOI: 10.1007/s00284-017-1356-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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18
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Salih H, Leng X, He SP, Jia YH, Gong WF, Du XM. Characterization of the early fiber development gene, Ligon-lintless 1 (Li1), using microarray. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.plgene.2016.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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19
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MoCps1 is important for conidiation, conidial morphology and virulence in Magnaporthe oryzae. Curr Genet 2016; 62:861-871. [DOI: 10.1007/s00294-016-0593-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2015] [Revised: 03/06/2016] [Accepted: 03/08/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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20
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Kück U, Beier AM, Teichert I. The composition and function of the striatin-interacting phosphatases and kinases (STRIPAK) complex in fungi. Fungal Genet Biol 2015; 90:31-38. [PMID: 26439752 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2015.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2015] [Revised: 09/30/2015] [Accepted: 10/02/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The striatin-interacting phosphatases and kinases (STRIPAK) complex is a highly conserved eukaryotic protein complex that was recently described for diverse animal and fungal species. Here, we summarize our current knowledge about the composition and function of the STRIPAK complex from the ascomycete Sordaria macrospora, which we discovered by investigating sexually sterile mutants (pro), having a defect in fruiting body development. Mass spectrometry and yeast two-hybrid analysis defined core subunits of the STRIPAK complex, which have structural homologs in animal and other fungal organisms. These subunits (and their mammalian homologs) are PRO11 (striatin), PRO22 (STRIP1/2), SmMOB3 (Mob3), PRO45 (SLMAP), and PP2AA, the structural, and PP2Ac, the catalytic subunits of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). Beside fruiting body formation, the STRIPAK complex controls vegetative growth and hyphal fusion in S. macrospora. Although the contribution of single subunits to diverse cellular and developmental processes is not yet fully understood, functional analysis has already shown that mammalian homologs are able to substitute the function of distinct fungal STRIPAK subunits. This underscores the view that fungal model organisms serve as useful tools to get a molecular insight into cellular and developmental processes of eukaryotes in general. Future work will unravel the precise localization of single subunits within the cell and decipher their STRIPAK-related and STRIPAK-independent functions. Finally, evidence is accumulating that there is a crosstalk between STRIPAK and various signaling pathways, suggesting that eukaryotic development is dependent on STRIPAK signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich Kück
- Lehrstuhl für Allgemeine und Molekulare Botanik, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44780 Bochum, Germany.
| | - Anna M Beier
- Lehrstuhl für Allgemeine und Molekulare Botanik, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Ines Teichert
- Lehrstuhl für Allgemeine und Molekulare Botanik, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44780 Bochum, Germany
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21
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Jiang C, Xu JR, Liu H. Distinct cell cycle regulation during saprophytic and pathogenic growth in fungal pathogens. Curr Genet 2015; 62:185-9. [PMID: 26337287 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-015-0515-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2015] [Revised: 08/20/2015] [Accepted: 08/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
In a number of dimorphic and hemibiotrophic pathogens, cell cycle regulation has been shown to be important for morphological changes related to infectious growth or infection-related morphogenesis. However, the role of mitotic CDK kinase Cdc2, the key regulator of cell cycle, in pathogenic growth is not clear, because most fungal pathogens have a single CDC2 gene that is essential for cell cycle progression and viability. Interestingly, the wheat scab fungus Fusarium graminearum has two CDC2 genes. Although CDC2A and CDC2B have redundant functions in vegetative growth and asexual production, only CDC2A is required for invasive growth and plant infection. In this study, we showed that Cdc2A and Cdc2B interacted with each other and may form homo- and heterodimers in vegetative hyphae. We also identified sequence and structural differences between Cdc2A and Cdc2B that may be related to their functional divergence. These results, together with earlier studies with cyclins, important for differentiation and infection in Candida albicans and Ustilago maydis, indicated that dimorphic and hemibiotrophic fungal pathogens may have stage-specific cyclin-CDK combinations or CDK targets during saprophytic and pathogenic growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China.,Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Jin-Rong Xu
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Huiquan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China.
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22
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Genome plasticity in filamentous plant pathogens contributes to the emergence of novel effectors and their cellular processes in the host. Curr Genet 2015; 62:47-51. [PMID: 26228744 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-015-0509-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2015] [Accepted: 07/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Plant diseases cause extensive yield loss of crops worldwide, and secretory 'warfare' occurs between plants and pathogenic organisms all the time. Filamentous plant pathogens have evolved the ability to manipulate host processes and facilitate colonization through secreting effectors inside plant cells. The stresses from hosts and environment can drive the genome dynamics of plant pathogens. Remarkable advances in plant pathology have been made owing to these adaptable genome regions of several lineages of filamentous phytopathogens. Characterization new effectors and interaction analyses between pathogens and plants have provided molecular insights into the plant pathways perturbed during the infection process. In this mini-review, we highlight promising approaches of identifying novel effectors based on the genome plasticity. We also discuss the interaction mechanisms between plants and their filamentous pathogens and outline the possibilities of effector gene expression under epigenetic control that will be future directions for research.
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23
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Yun Y, Liu Z, Yin Y, Jiang J, Chen Y, Xu JR, Ma Z. Functional analysis of the Fusarium graminearum phosphatome. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2015; 207:119-134. [PMID: 25758923 DOI: 10.1111/nph.13374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2015] [Accepted: 02/15/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Phosphatases are known to play important roles in the regulation of various cellular processes in eukaryotes. However, systematic characterization of the phosphatome has not been reported in phytopathogenic fungi. The wheat scab fungus Fusarium graminearum contains 82 putative phosphatases. The biological functions of each phosphatase were investigated in this study. Although 11 phosphatase genes appeared to be essential, deletion mutants of the other 71 phosphatase genes were obtained and characterized for changes in 15 phenotypes, including vegetative growth, nutrient response and virulence. Overall, the deletion of 63 phosphatase genes resulted in changes in at least one of the phenotypes assayed. Interestingly, the deletion of four genes (Fg06297, Fg03333, Fg03826 and Fg07932) did not dramatically affect hyphal growth, but led to strongly reduced virulence. Western blot analyses showed that three phosphatases (Fg10516, Fg03333 and Fg12867) functioned as negative regulators of the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways. In addition, we found, for the first time, that FgCdc14 is dispensable for growth, but plays an important role in ribosome biogenesis. Overall, in this first functional characterization of the fungal phosphatome, phosphatases important for various aspects of hyphal growth, development, plant infection and secondary metabolism were identified in the phytopathogenic fungus F. graminearum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingzi Yun
- Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Zunyong Liu
- Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yanni Yin
- Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Jinhua Jiang
- Institute of Quality and Standard for Agro-products, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, 310021, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yun Chen
- Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Jin-Rong Xu
- Purdue-NWAFU Joint Research Center and State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shanxi, China
| | - Zhonghua Ma
- Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
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Winkelströter LK, Dolan SK, Fernanda Dos Reis T, Bom VLP, Alves de Castro P, Hagiwara D, Alowni R, Jones GW, Doyle S, Brown NA, Goldman GH. Systematic Global Analysis of Genes Encoding Protein Phosphatases in Aspergillus fumigatus. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2015; 5:1525-39. [PMID: 25943523 PMCID: PMC4502386 DOI: 10.1534/g3.115.016766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2015] [Accepted: 04/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is a fungal pathogen that causes several invasive and noninvasive diseases named aspergillosis. This disease is generally regarded as multifactorial, considering that several pathogenicity determinants are present during the establishment of this illness. It is necessary to obtain an increased knowledge of how, and which, A. fumigatus signal transduction pathways are engaged in the regulation of these processes. Protein phosphatases are essential to several signal transduction pathways. We identified 32 phosphatase catalytic subunit-encoding genes in A. fumigatus, of which we were able to construct 24 viable deletion mutants. The role of nine phosphatase mutants in the HOG (high osmolarity glycerol response) pathway was evaluated by measuring phosphorylation of the p38 MAPK (SakA) and expression of osmo-dependent genes. We were also able to identify 11 phosphatases involved in iron assimilation, six that are related to gliotoxin resistance, and three implicated in gliotoxin production. These results present the creation of a fundamental resource for the study of signaling in A. fumigatus and its implications in the regulation of pathogenicity determinants and virulence in this important pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lizziane K Winkelströter
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, 13083-970 Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Stephen K Dolan
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Thaila Fernanda Dos Reis
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, 13083-970 Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Vinícius Leite Pedro Bom
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, 13083-970 Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Alves de Castro
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, 13083-970 Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Daisuke Hagiwara
- Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8673, Japan
| | - Raneem Alowni
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Gary W Jones
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Sean Doyle
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Neil Andrew Brown
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, 13083-970 Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Gustavo H Goldman
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, 13083-970 Ribeirão Preto, Brazil National Laboratory of Science and Technology of Bioethanol (CTBE), 13083-970 Campinas, Brazil
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Bastan R, Eskandari N, Sabzghabaee AM, Manian M. Serine/Threonine phosphatases: classification, roles and pharmacological regulation. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2015; 27:473-84. [PMID: 25572726 DOI: 10.1177/039463201402700402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphatases are important enzymes in a variety of biochemical pathways in different cells which they catalyze opposing reactions of phosphorylation and dephosphorylation, which may modulate the function of crucial signaling proteins in different cells. This is an important mechanism in the regulation of intracellular signal transduction pathways in many cells. Phosphatases play a key role in regulating signal transduction. It is known that phosphatases are specific for cleavage of either serine-threonine or tyrosine phosphate groups. To date, numerous compounds have been identified. This paper reviews the classification, roles and pharmacological of protein serine/threonine phosphates.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Bastan
- Department of Human Vaccine, Razi-Karaj Institute, Karaj, Iran
| | - N Eskandari
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - A M Sabzghabaee
- Isfahan Clinical Toxicology Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - M Manian
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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Winkelströter LK, Bom VLP, de Castro PA, Ramalho LNZ, Goldman MHS, Brown NA, Rajendran R, Ramage G, Bovier E, Dos Reis TF, Savoldi M, Hagiwara D, Goldman GH. High osmolarity glycerol response PtcB phosphatase is important for Aspergillus fumigatus virulence. Mol Microbiol 2015; 96:42-54. [PMID: 25597841 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.12919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is a fungal pathogen that is capable of adapting to different host niches and to avoid host defenses. An enhanced understanding of how, and which, A. fumigatus signal transduction pathways are engaged in the regulation of these processes is essential for the development of improved disease control strategies. Protein phosphatases are central to numerous signal transduction pathways. To comprehend the functions of protein phosphatases in A. fumigatus, 32 phosphatase catalytic subunit encoding genes were identified. We have recognized PtcB as one of the phosphatases involved in the high osmolarity glycerol response (HOG) pathway. The ΔptcB mutant has both increased phosphorylation of the p38 MAPK (SakA) and expression of osmo-dependent genes. The ΔptcB strain was more sensitive to cell wall damaging agents, had increased chitin and β-1,3-glucan, and impaired biofilm formation. The ΔptcB strain was avirulent in a murine model of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. These results stress the importance of the HOG pathway in the regulation of pathogenicity determinants and virulence in A. fumigatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lizziane K Winkelströter
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
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A fungal sarcolemmal membrane-associated protein (SLMAP) homolog plays a fundamental role in development and localizes to the nuclear envelope, endoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondria. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2014; 14:345-58. [PMID: 25527523 DOI: 10.1128/ec.00241-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2014] [Accepted: 12/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Sarcolemmal membrane-associated protein (SLMAP) is a tail-anchored protein involved in fundamental cellular processes, such as myoblast fusion, cell cycle progression, and chromosomal inheritance. Further, SLMAP misexpression is associated with endothelial dysfunctions in diabetes and cancer. SLMAP is part of the conserved striatin-interacting phosphatase and kinase (STRIPAK) complex required for specific signaling pathways in yeasts, filamentous fungi, insects, and mammals. In filamentous fungi, STRIPAK was initially discovered in Sordaria macrospora, a model system for fungal differentiation. Here, we functionally characterize the STRIPAK subunit PRO45, a homolog of human SLMAP. We show that PRO45 is required for sexual propagation and cell-to-cell fusion and that its forkhead-associated (FHA) domain is essential for these processes. Protein-protein interaction studies revealed that PRO45 binds to STRIPAK subunits PRO11 and SmMOB3, which are also required for sexual propagation. Superresolution structured-illumination microscopy (SIM) further established that PRO45 localizes to the nuclear envelope, endoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondria. SIM also showed that localization to the nuclear envelope requires STRIPAK subunits PRO11 and PRO22, whereas for mitochondria it does not. Taken together, our study provides important insights into fundamental roles of the fungal SLMAP homolog PRO45 and suggests STRIPAK-related and STRIPAK-unrelated functions.
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A spindle pole antigen gene MoSPA2 is important for polar cell growth of vegetative hyphae and conidia, but is dispensable for pathogenicity in Magnaporthe oryzae. Curr Genet 2014; 60:255-63. [DOI: 10.1007/s00294-014-0431-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2014] [Revised: 04/24/2014] [Accepted: 05/05/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Global analysis of serine/threonine and tyrosine protein phosphatase catalytic subunit genes in Neurospora crassa reveals interplay between phosphatases and the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2014; 4:349-65. [PMID: 24347630 PMCID: PMC3931568 DOI: 10.1534/g3.113.008813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Protein phosphatases are integral components of the cellular signaling machinery in eukaryotes, regulating diverse aspects of growth and development. The genome of the filamentous fungus and model organism Neurospora crassa encodes catalytic subunits for 30 protein phosphatase genes. In this study, we have characterized 24 viable N. crassa phosphatase catalytic subunit knockout mutants for phenotypes during growth, asexual development, and sexual development. We found that 91% of the mutants had defects in at least one of these traits, whereas 29% possessed phenotypes in all three. Chemical sensitivity screens were conducted to reveal additional phenotypes for the mutants. This resulted in the identification of at least one chemical sensitivity phenotype for 17 phosphatase knockout mutants, including novel chemical sensitivities for two phosphatase mutants lacking a growth or developmental phenotype. Hence, chemical sensitivity or growth/developmental phenotype was observed for all 24 viable mutants. We investigated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation profiles in the phosphatase mutants and identified nine potential candidates for regulators of the p38 MAPK. We demonstrated that the PP2C class phosphatase pph-8 (NCU04600) is an important regulator of female sexual development in N. crassa. In addition, we showed that the Δcsp-6 (ΔNCU08380) mutant exhibits a phenotype similar to the previously identified conidial separation mutants, Δcsp-1 and Δcsp-2, that lack transcription factors important for regulation of conidiation and the circadian clock.
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