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Realini FM, Escobedo VM, Ueno AC, Bastías DA, Schardl CL, Biganzoli F, Gundel PE. Anti-herbivory defences delivered by Epichloë fungal endophytes: a quantitative review of alkaloid concentration variation among hosts and plant parts. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2024; 133:509-520. [PMID: 38320313 PMCID: PMC11037487 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcae014] [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: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS In the subfamily Poöideae (Poaceae), certain grass species possess anti-herbivore alkaloids synthesized by fungal endophytes that belong to the genus Epichloë (Clavicipitaceae). The protective role of these symbiotic endophytes can vary, depending on alkaloid concentrations within specific plant-endophyte associations and plant parts. METHODS We conducted a literature review to identify articles containing alkaloid concentration data for various plant parts in six important pasture species, Lolium arundinaceum, Lolium perenne, Lolium pratense, Lolium multiflorum|Lolium rigidum and Festuca rubra, associated with their common endophytes. We considered the alkaloids lolines (1-aminopyrrolizidines), peramine (pyrrolopyrazines), ergovaline (ergot alkaloids) and lolitrem B (indole-diterpenes). While all these alkaloids have shown bioactivity against insect herbivores, ergovaline and lolitrem B are harmful for mammals. KEY RESULTS Loline alkaloid levels were higher in the perennial grasses L. pratense and L. arundinaceum compared to the annual species L. multiflorum and L. rigidum, and higher in reproductive tissues than in vegetative structures. This is probably due to the greater biomass accumulation in perennial species that can result in higher endophyte mycelial biomass. Peramine concentrations were higher in L. perenne than in L. arundinaceum and not affected by plant part. This can be attributed to the high within-plant mobility of peramine. Ergovaline and lolitrem B, both hydrophobic compounds, were associated with plant parts where fungal mycelium is usually present, and their concentrations were higher in plant reproductive tissues. Only loline alkaloid data were sufficient for below-ground tissue analyses and concentrations were lower than in above-ground parts. CONCLUSIONS Our study provides a comprehensive synthesis of fungal alkaloid variation across host grasses and plant parts, essential for understanding the endophyte-conferred defence extent. The patterns can be understood by considering endophyte growth within the plant and alkaloid mobility. Our study identifies research gaps, including the limited documentation of alkaloid presence in roots and the need to investigate the influence of different environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florencia M Realini
- IFEVA, Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, Laboratorio de Citogenética y Evolución (LaCyE), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución (IEGEBA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Víctor M Escobedo
- Instituto de Investigación Interdisciplinaria (I3), Universidad de Talca, Campus Talca, Chile
- Centro de Ecología Integrativa, Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Talca, Talca, Chile
| | - Andrea C Ueno
- IFEVA, Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Investigación Interdisciplinaria (I3), Universidad de Talca, Campus Talca, Chile
- Centro de Ecología Integrativa, Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Talca, Talca, Chile
| | - Daniel A Bastías
- AgResearch Limited, Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | | | - Fernando Biganzoli
- Departamento de Métodos Cuantitativos y Sistemas de Información, Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Pedro E Gundel
- IFEVA, Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Centro de Ecología Integrativa, Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Talca, Talca, Chile
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Bulasag AS, Camagna M, Kuroyanagi T, Ashida A, Ito K, Tanaka A, Sato I, Chiba S, Ojika M, Takemoto D. Botrytis cinerea tolerates phytoalexins produced by Solanaceae and Fabaceae plants through an efflux transporter BcatrB and metabolizing enzymes. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1177060. [PMID: 37332725 PMCID: PMC10273015 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1177060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Botrytis cinerea, a plant pathogenic fungus with a wide host range, has reduced sensitivity to fungicides as well as phytoalexins, threatening cultivation of economically important fruits and vegetable crops worldwide. B. cinerea tolerates a wide array of phytoalexins, through efflux and/or enzymatic detoxification. Previously, we provided evidence that a distinctive set of genes were induced in B. cinerea when treated with different phytoalexins such as rishitin (produced by tomato and potato), capsidiol (tobacco and bell pepper) and resveratrol (grape and blueberry). In this study, we focused on the functional analyses of B. cinerea genes implicated in rishitin tolerance. LC/MS profiling revealed that B. cinerea can metabolize/detoxify rishitin into at least 4 oxidized forms. Heterologous expression of Bcin08g04910 and Bcin16g01490, two B. cinerea oxidoreductases upregulated by rishitin, in a plant symbiotic fungus Epichloë festucae revealed that these rishitin-induced enzymes are involved in the oxidation of rishitin. Expression of BcatrB, encoding an exporter of structurally unrelated phytoalexins and fungicides, was significantly upregulated by rishitin but not by capsidiol and was thus expected to be involved in the rishitin tolerance. Conidia of BcatrB KO (ΔbcatrB) showed enhanced sensitivity to rishitin, but not to capsidiol, despite their structural similarity. ΔbcatrB showed reduced virulence on tomato, but maintained full virulence on bell pepper, indicating that B. cinerea activates BcatrB by recognizing appropriate phytoalexins to utilize it in tolerance. Surveying 26 plant species across 13 families revealed that the BcatrB promoter is mainly activated during the infection of B. cinerea in plants belonging to the Solanaceae, Fabaceae and Brassicaceae. The BcatrB promoter was also activated by in vitro treatments of phytoalexins produced by members of these plant families, namely rishitin (Solanaceae), medicarpin and glyceollin (Fabaceae), as well as camalexin and brassinin (Brassicaceae). Consistently, ΔbcatrB showed reduced virulence on red clover, which produces medicarpin. These results suggest that B. cinerea distinguishes phytoalexins and induces differential expression of appropriate genes during the infection. Likewise, BcatrB plays a critical role in the strategy employed by B. cinerea to bypass the plant innate immune responses in a wide variety of important crops belonging to the Solanaceae, Brassicaceae and Fabaceae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abriel Salaria Bulasag
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
- College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
| | - Maurizio Camagna
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Teruhiko Kuroyanagi
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Akira Ashida
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kento Ito
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Aiko Tanaka
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Ikuo Sato
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Sotaro Chiba
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Makoto Ojika
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Daigo Takemoto
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
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The Biosynthesis Related Enzyme, Structure Diversity and Bioactivity Abundance of Indole-Diterpenes: A Review. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27206870. [PMID: 36296463 PMCID: PMC9611320 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27206870] [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: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Indole diterpenes are a large class of secondary metabolites produced by fungi, possessing a cyclic diterpenoid backbone and an indole moiety. Novel structures and important biological activity have made indole diterpenes one of the focuses of synthetic chemists. Although the discovery, identification, structural diversity, biological activity and especially structure–activity relationship of indole diterpenes have been reported in some papers in recent years, they are absent of a systematic and comprehensive analysis, and there is no elucidation of enzymes related to this kind of natural product. Therefore, it is necessary to summarize the relevant reports to provide new perspectives for the following research. In this review, for the first time, the function of related synthases and the structure–activity relationship of indole diterpenes are expounded, and the recent research advances of them are emphasized.
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Miller TA, Hudson DA, Johnson RD, Singh JS, Mace WJ, Forester NT, Maclean PH, Voisey CR, Johnson LJ. Dissection of the epoxyjanthitrem pathway in Epichloë sp. LpTG-3 strain AR37 by CRISPR gene editing. FRONTIERS IN FUNGAL BIOLOGY 2022; 3:944234. [PMID: 37746172 PMCID: PMC10512260 DOI: 10.3389/ffunb.2022.944234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Epichloë festucae var. lolii and Epichloë sp. LpTG-3 are filamentous fungal endophytes of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) that have a substantial impact on New Zealand's agricultural economy by conferring biotic advantages to the host grass. Overall, Epichloë endophytes contribute NZ$200 million to the economy annually, with strain AR37 estimated to contribute NZ$3.6 billion to the New Zealand economy over a 20-year period. This strain produces secondary metabolites, including epoxyjanthitrems, which are a class of indole diterpenes, associated with the observed effects of AR37 on livestock and insect pests. Until very recently, AR37 was intractable to genetic modification but this has changed with the application of CRISPR-Cas9 based gene editing techniques. In this paper, gene inactivation by CRISPR-Cas9 was used to deconvolute the genetic basis for epoxyjanthitrem biosynthesis, including creating an AR37 strain that has been edited to remove the biosynthesis of all indole diterpenes. We show that gene editing of Epichloë can be achieved without off-target events or introduction of foreign DNA (footprint-less) through an AMA1-based plasmid that simultaneously expresses the CRISPR-Cas9 system and selectable marker. Genetic modification events in these transformants were investigated through genome sequencing and in planta chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Linda J. Johnson
- Grasslands Research Centre, AgResearch, Palmerston North, New Zealand
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Berry D, Lee K, Winter D, Mace W, Becker Y, Nagabhyru P, Treindl AD, Bogantes EV, Young CA, Leuchtmann A, Johnson LJ, Johnson RD, Cox MP, Schardl CL, Scott B. Cross-species transcriptomics identifies core regulatory changes differentiating the asymptomatic asexual and virulent sexual life cycles of grass-symbiotic Epichloë fungi. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2022; 12:jkac043. [PMID: 35191483 PMCID: PMC8982410 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkac043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Fungi from the genus Epichloë form systemic endobiotic infections of cool season grasses, producing a range of host-protective natural products in return for access to nutrients. These infections are asymptomatic during vegetative host growth, with associations between asexual Epichloë spp. and their hosts considered mutualistic. However, the sexual cycle of Epichloë spp. involves virulent growth, characterized by the envelopment and sterilization of a developing host inflorescence by a dense sheath of mycelia known as a stroma. Microscopic analysis of stromata revealed a dramatic increase in hyphal propagation and host degradation compared with asymptomatic tissues. RNAseq was used to identify differentially expressed genes in asymptomatic vs stromatized tissues from 3 diverse Epichloë-host associations. Comparative analysis identified a core set of 135 differentially expressed genes that exhibited conserved transcriptional changes across all 3 associations. The core differentially expressed genes more strongly expressed during virulent growth encode proteins associated with host suppression, digestion, adaptation to the external environment, a biosynthetic gene cluster, and 5 transcription factors that may regulate Epichloë stroma formation. An additional 5 transcription factor encoding differentially expressed genes were suppressed during virulent growth, suggesting they regulate mutualistic processes. Expression of biosynthetic gene clusters for natural products that suppress herbivory was universally suppressed during virulent growth, and additional biosynthetic gene clusters that may encode production of novel host-protective natural products were identified. A comparative analysis of 26 Epichloë genomes found a general decrease in core differentially expressed gene conservation among asexual species, and a specific decrease in conservation for the biosynthetic gene cluster expressed during virulent growth and an unusual uncharacterized gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Berry
- Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - Kate Lee
- Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - David Winter
- Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - Wade Mace
- AgResearch Ltd, Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - Yvonne Becker
- Institute for Epidemiology and Pathogen Diagnostics, Julius Kühn Institute, Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, 38104 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Padmaja Nagabhyru
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
| | - Artemis D Treindl
- Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Adrian Leuchtmann
- Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Murray P Cox
- Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | | | - Barry Scott
- Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
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Epichloë scottii sp. nov., a new endophyte isolated from Melica uniflora is the missing ancestor of Epichloë disjuncta. IMA Fungus 2022; 13:2. [PMID: 35109929 PMCID: PMC8812020 DOI: 10.1186/s43008-022-00088-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we describe a new, haploid and stroma forming species within the genus Epichloë, as Epichloë scottii sp. nov. The fungus was isolated from Melica uniflora growing in Bad Harzburg, Germany. Phylogenetic reconstruction using a combined dataset of the tubB and tefA genes strongly support that E. scottii is a distinct species and the so far unknown ancestor species of the hybrid E. disjuncta. A distribution analysis showed a high infection rate in close vicinity of the initial sampling site and only two more spots with low infection rates. Genetic variations in key genes required for alkaloid production suggested that E. scottii sp. nov. might not be capable of producing any of the major alkaloids including ergot alkaloid, loline, indole-diterpene and peramine. All isolates and individuals found in the distribution analysis were identified as mating-type B explaining the lack of mature stromata during this study. We further release a telomere-to-telomere de novo assembly of all seven chromosomes and the mitogenome of E. scottii sp. nov.
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Hassing B, Candy A, Eaton CJ, Fernandes TR, Mesarich CH, Di Pietro A, Scott B. Localisation of phosphoinositides in the grass endophyte Epichloë festucae and genetic and functional analysis of key components of their biosynthetic pathway in E. festucae symbiosis and Fusarium oxysporum pathogenesis. Fungal Genet Biol 2022; 159:103669. [PMID: 35114379 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2022.103669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Phosphoinositides (PI) are essential components of eukaryotic membranes and function in a large number of signaling processes. While lipid second messengers are well studied in mammals and yeast, their role in filamentous fungi is poorly understood. We used fluorescent PI-binding molecular probes to localize the phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol species PI[3]P, PI[3,5]P2, PI[4]P and PI[4,5]P2 in hyphae of the endophyte Epichloë festucae in axenic culture and during interaction with its grass host Lolium perenne. We also analysed the roles of the phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5-kinase MssD and the predicted phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-triphosphate 3-phosphatase TepA, a homolog of the mammalian tumour suppressor protein PTEN. Deletion of tepA in E. festucae and in the root-infecting tomato pathogen Fusarium oxysporum had no impact on growth in culture or the host interaction phenotype. However, this mutation did enable the detection of PI[3,4,5]P3 in septa and mycelium of E. festucae and showed that TepA is required for chemotropism in F. oxysporum. The identification of PI[3,4,5]P3 in ΔtepA strains suggests that filamentous fungi are able to generate PI[3,4,5]P3 and that fungal PTEN homologs are functional lipid phosphatases. The F. oxysporum chemotropism defect suggests a conserved role of PTEN homologs in chemotaxis across protists, fungi and mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berit Hassing
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand; Bio-Protection Research Centre, New Zealand
| | - Alyesha Candy
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand; Bio-Protection Research Centre, New Zealand
| | - Carla J Eaton
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand; Bio-Protection Research Centre, New Zealand
| | - Tania R Fernandes
- Departamento de Genética, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario ceiA3, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Carl H Mesarich
- Bio-Protection Research Centre, New Zealand; School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Antonio Di Pietro
- Departamento de Genética, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario ceiA3, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Barry Scott
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand; Bio-Protection Research Centre, New Zealand.
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Fernando K, Reddy P, Guthridge KM, Spangenberg GC, Rochfort SJ. A Metabolomic Study of Epichloë Endophytes for Screening Antifungal Metabolites. Metabolites 2022; 12:metabo12010037. [PMID: 35050159 PMCID: PMC8781816 DOI: 10.3390/metabo12010037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Epichloë endophytes, fungal endosymbionts of Pooidae grasses, are commonly utilized in forage and turf industries because they produce beneficial metabolites that enhance resistance against environmental stressors such as insect feeding and disease caused by phytopathogen infection. In pastoral agriculture, phytopathogenic diseases impact both pasture quality and animal production. Recently, bioactive endophyte strains have been reported to secrete compounds that significantly inhibit the growth of phytopathogenic fungi in vitro. A screen of previously described Epichloë-produced antifeedant and toxic alkaloids determined that the antifungal bioactivity observed is not due to the production of these known metabolites, and so there is a need for methods to identify new bioactive metabolites. The process described here is applicable more generally for the identification of antifungals in new endophytes. This study aims to characterize the fungicidal potential of novel, ‘animal friendly’ Epichloë endophyte strains NEA12 and NEA23 that exhibit strong antifungal activity using an in vitro assay. Bioassay-guided fractionation, followed by metabolite analysis, identified 61 metabolites that, either singly or in combination, are responsible for the observed bioactivity. Analysis of the perennial ryegrass-endophyte symbiota confirmed that NEA12 and NEA23 produce the prospective antifungal metabolites in symbiotic association and thus are candidates for compounds that promote disease resistance in planta. The “known unknown” suite of antifungal metabolites identified in this study are potential biomarkers for the selection of strains that enhance pasture and turf production through better disease control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishni Fernando
- AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Agriculture Victoria, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia; (K.F.); (P.R.); (K.M.G.); (G.C.S.)
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia
| | - Priyanka Reddy
- AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Agriculture Victoria, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia; (K.F.); (P.R.); (K.M.G.); (G.C.S.)
| | - Kathryn M. Guthridge
- AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Agriculture Victoria, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia; (K.F.); (P.R.); (K.M.G.); (G.C.S.)
| | - German C. Spangenberg
- AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Agriculture Victoria, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia; (K.F.); (P.R.); (K.M.G.); (G.C.S.)
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia
| | - Simone J. Rochfort
- AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Agriculture Victoria, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia; (K.F.); (P.R.); (K.M.G.); (G.C.S.)
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-390327110
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Liu M, Findlay W, Dettman J, Wyka SA, Broders K, Shoukouhi P, Dadej K, Kolařík M, Basnyat A, Menzies JG. Mining Indole Alkaloid Synthesis Gene Clusters from Genomes of 53 Claviceps Strains Revealed Redundant Gene Copies and an Approximate Evolutionary Hourglass Model. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13110799. [PMID: 34822583 PMCID: PMC8625505 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13110799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Ergot fungi (Claviceps spp.) are infamous for producing sclerotia containing a wide spectrum of ergot alkaloids (EA) toxic to humans and animals, making them nefarious villains in the agricultural and food industries, but also treasures for pharmaceuticals. In addition to three classes of EAs, several species also produce paspaline-derived indole diterpenes (IDT) that cause ataxia and staggers in livestock. Furthermore, two other types of alkaloids, i.e., loline (LOL) and peramine (PER), found in Epichloë spp., close relatives of Claviceps, have shown beneficial effects on host plants without evidence of toxicity to mammals. The gene clusters associated with the production of these alkaloids are known. We examined genomes of 53 strains of 19 Claviceps spp. to screen for these genes, aiming to understand the evolutionary patterns of these genes across the genus through phylogenetic and DNA polymorphism analyses. Our results showed (1) varied numbers of eas genes in C. sect. Claviceps and sect. Pusillae, none in sect. Citrinae, six idt/ltm genes in sect. Claviceps (except four in C. cyperi), zero to one partial (idtG) in sect. Pusillae, and four in sect. Citrinae, (2) two to three copies of dmaW, easE, easF, idt/ltmB, itd/ltmQ in sect. Claviceps, (3) frequent gene gains and losses, and (4) an evolutionary hourglass pattern in the intra-specific eas gene diversity and divergence in C. purpurea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Liu
- Ottawa Research & Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0C6, Canada; (W.F.); (J.D.); (P.S.); (K.D.); (A.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-613-759-1385
| | - Wendy Findlay
- Ottawa Research & Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0C6, Canada; (W.F.); (J.D.); (P.S.); (K.D.); (A.B.)
| | - Jeremy Dettman
- Ottawa Research & Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0C6, Canada; (W.F.); (J.D.); (P.S.); (K.D.); (A.B.)
| | - Stephen A. Wyka
- Department of Agricultural Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA;
| | - Kirk Broders
- USDA, Agricultural Research Service, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Mycotoxin Prevention and Applied Microbiology Research Unit, 1815 N. University St., Peoria, IL 61604, USA;
| | - Parivash Shoukouhi
- Ottawa Research & Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0C6, Canada; (W.F.); (J.D.); (P.S.); (K.D.); (A.B.)
| | - Kasia Dadej
- Ottawa Research & Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0C6, Canada; (W.F.); (J.D.); (P.S.); (K.D.); (A.B.)
| | - Miroslav Kolařík
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences CAS, 14220 Prague, Czech Republic;
| | - Arpeace Basnyat
- Ottawa Research & Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0C6, Canada; (W.F.); (J.D.); (P.S.); (K.D.); (A.B.)
| | - Jim G. Menzies
- Morden Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Morden, MB R6M 1Y5, Canada;
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Noorifar N, Savoian MS, Ram A, Lukito Y, Hassing B, Weikert TW, Moerschbacher BM, Scott B. Chitin Deacetylases Are Required for Epichloë festucae Endophytic Cell Wall Remodeling During Establishment of a Mutualistic Symbiotic Interaction with Lolium perenne. MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS : MPMI 2021; 34:1181-1192. [PMID: 34058838 DOI: 10.1094/mpmi-12-20-0347-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Epichloë festucae forms a mutualistic symbiotic association with Lolium perenne. This biotrophic fungus systemically colonizes the intercellular spaces of aerial tissues to form an endophytic hyphal network and also grows as an epiphyte. However, little is known about the cell wall-remodeling mechanisms required to avoid host defense and maintain intercalary growth within the host. Here, we use a suite of molecular probes to show that the E. festucae cell wall is remodeled by conversion of chitin to chitosan during infection of L. perenne seedlings, as the hyphae switch from free-living to endophytic growth. When hyphae transition from endophytic to epiphytic growth, the cell wall is remodeled from predominantly chitosan to chitin. This conversion from chitin to chitosan is catalyzed by chitin deacetylase. The genome of E. festucae encodes three putative chitin deacetylases, two of which (cdaA and cdaB) are expressed in planta. Deletion of either of these genes results in disruption of fungal intercalary growth in the intercellular spaces of plants infected with these mutants. These results establish that these two genes are required for maintenance of the mutualistic symbiotic interaction between E. festucae and L. perenne.[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazanin Noorifar
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - Matthew S Savoian
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - Arvina Ram
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - Yonathan Lukito
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - Berit Hassing
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
- Bioprotection Research Centre, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - Tobias W Weikert
- Institute for Biology and Biotechnology of Plants, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, Germany
| | - Bruno M Moerschbacher
- Institute for Biology and Biotechnology of Plants, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, Germany
| | - Barry Scott
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
- Bioprotection Research Centre, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
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11
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Passarge A, Demir F, Green K, Depotter JRL, Scott B, Huesgen PF, Doehlemann G, Misas Villamil JC. Host apoplastic cysteine protease activity is suppressed during the mutualistic association of Lolium perenne and Epichloë festucae. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2021; 72:3410-3426. [PMID: 33630999 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erab088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Plants secrete various defence-related proteins into the apoplast, including proteases. Papain-like cysteine proteases (PLCPs) are central components of the plant immune system. To overcome plant immunity and successfully colonize their hosts, several plant pathogens secrete effector proteins inhibiting plant PLCPs. We hypothesized that not only pathogens, but also mutualistic microorganisms interfere with PLCP-meditated plant defences to maintain endophytic colonization with their hosts. Epichloë festucae forms mutualistic associations with cool season grasses and produces a range of secondary metabolites that protect the host against herbivores. In this study, we performed a genome-wide identification of Lolium perenne PLCPs, analysed their evolutionary relationship, and classified them into nine PLCP subfamilies. Using activity-based protein profiling, we identified four active PLCPs in the apoplast of L. perenne leaves that are inhibited during endophyte interactions. We characterized the L. perenne cystatin LpCys1 for its inhibitory capacity against ryegrass PLCPs. LpCys1 abundance is not altered during the mutualistic interaction and it mainly inhibits LpCP2. However, since the activity of other L. perenne PLCPs is not sensitive to LpCys1, we propose that additional inhibitors, likely of fungal origin, are involved in the suppression of apoplastic PLCPs during E. festucae infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Passarge
- Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Fatih Demir
- Central Institute for Engineering, Electronics and Analytics, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Kimberly Green
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
- Bio-Protection Research Centre, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | | | - Barry Scott
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
- Bio-Protection Research Centre, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Pitter F Huesgen
- Central Institute for Engineering, Electronics and Analytics, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
- Cologne Excellence Cluster for Stress Responses in Ageing-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Institute for Biochemistry, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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12
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Genetic Manipulation of the Ergot Alkaloid Pathway in Epichloë festucae var. lolii and Its Effect on Black Beetle Feeding Deterrence. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13020076. [PMID: 33498584 PMCID: PMC7909537 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13020076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Epichloë endophytes are filamentous fungi (family Clavicipitaceae) that live in symbiotic associations with grasses in the sub family Poöideae. In New Zealand, E. festucae var. lolii confers significant resistance to perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) against insect and animal herbivory and is an essential component of pastoral agriculture, where ryegrass is a major forage species. The fungus produces in planta a range of bioactive secondary metabolites, including ergovaline, which has demonstrated bioactivity against the important pasture pest black beetle, but can also cause mammalian toxicosis. We genetically modified E. festucae var. lolii strain AR5 to eliminate key enzymatic steps in the ergovaline pathway to determine if intermediate ergot alkaloid compounds can still provide insecticidal benefits in the absence of the toxic end product ergovaline. Four genes (dmaW, easG, cloA, and lpsB) spanning the pathway were deleted and each deletion mutant was inoculated into five different plant genotypes of perennial ryegrass, which were later harvested for a full chemical analysis of the ergot alkaloid compounds produced. These associations were also used in a black beetle feeding deterrence study. Deterrence was seen with just chanoclavine present, but was cumulative as more intermediate compounds in the pathway were made available. Ergovaline was not detected in any of the deletion associations, indicating that bioactivity towards black beetle can be obtained in the absence of this mammalian toxin.
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13
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Lukito Y, Lee K, Noorifar N, Green KA, Winter DJ, Ram A, Hale TK, Chujo T, Cox MP, Johnson LJ, Scott B. Regulation of host-infection ability in the grass-symbiotic fungus Epichloë festucae by histone H3K9 and H3K36 methyltransferases. Environ Microbiol 2020; 23:2116-2131. [PMID: 33350014 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have identified key genes that control the symbiotic interaction between Epichloë festucae and Lolium perenne. Here we report on the identification of specific E. festucae genes that control host infection. Deletion of setB, which encodes a homologue of the H3K36 histone methyltransferase Set2/KMT3, reduced histone H3K36 trimethylation and led to severe defects in colony growth and hyphal development. The E. festucae ΔclrD mutant, which lacks the gene encoding the homologue of the H3K9 methyltransferase KMT1, displays similar developmental defects. Both mutants are completely defective in their ability to infect L. perenne. Alleles that complement the culture and plant phenotypes of both mutants also complement the histone methylation defects. Co-inoculation of either ΔsetB or ΔclrD with the wild-type strain enables these mutants to colonize the host. However, successful colonization by the mutants resulted in death or stunting of the host plant. Transcriptome analysis at the early infection stage identified four fungal candidate genes, three of which encode small-secreted proteins, that are differentially regulated in these mutants compared to wild type. Deletion of crbA, which encodes a putative carbohydrate binding protein, resulted in significantly reduced host infection rates by E. festucae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonathan Lukito
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.,AgResearch Limited, Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand.,Bio-Protection Research Centre, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.,Ferrier Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Kate Lee
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.,Bio-Protection Research Centre, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Nazanin Noorifar
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Kimberly A Green
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - David J Winter
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Arvina Ram
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Tracy K Hale
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Tetsuya Chujo
- Research and Development Center, Mayekawa Mfg. Co., Ltd, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Murray P Cox
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.,Bio-Protection Research Centre, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Linda J Johnson
- AgResearch Limited, Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Barry Scott
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.,Bio-Protection Research Centre, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
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14
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Mitsuhashi T, Barra L, Powers Z, Kojasoy V, Cheng A, Yang F, Taniguchi Y, Kikuchi T, Fujita M, Tantillo DJ, Porco JA, Abe I. Exploiting the Potential of Meroterpenoid Cyclases to Expand the Chemical Space of Fungal Meroterpenoids. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020; 59:23772-23781. [PMID: 32931152 PMCID: PMC8957209 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202011171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Fungal meroterpenoids are a diverse group of hybrid natural products with impressive structural complexity and high potential as drug candidates. In this work, we evaluate the promiscuity of the early structure diversity-generating step in fungal meroterpenoid biosynthetic pathways: the multibond-forming polyene cyclizations catalyzed by the yet poorly understood family of fungal meroterpenoid cyclases. In total, 12 unnatural meroterpenoids were accessed chemoenzymatically using synthetic substrates. Their complex structures were determined by 2D NMR studies as well as crystalline-sponge-based X-ray diffraction analyses. The results obtained revealed a high degree of enzyme promiscuity and experimental results which together with quantum chemical calculations provided a deeper insight into the catalytic activity of this new family of non-canonical, terpene cyclases. The knowledge obtained paves the way to design and engineer artificial pathways towards second generation meroterpenoids with valuable bioactivities based on combinatorial biosynthetic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takaaki Mitsuhashi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033 (Japan)
- Division of Advanced Molecular Science, Institute for Molecular Science, National Institutes of Natural Sciences 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji, Okazaki, 444-8787 (Japan)
| | - Lena Barra
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033 (Japan)
| | - Zachary Powers
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Molecular Discovery (BU-CMD), Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, 02215 (USA)
| | - Volga Kojasoy
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Davis 1 Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616 (USA)
| | - Andrea Cheng
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Molecular Discovery (BU-CMD), Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, 02215 (USA)
| | - Feng Yang
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Molecular Discovery (BU-CMD), Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, 02215 (USA)
| | - Yoshimasa Taniguchi
- Central Laboratories for Key Technologies, Kirin Holdings Co. Ltd. 1-13-5, Fukuura Kana-zawa-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa, 236-0004 (Japan)
| | - Takashi Kikuchi
- Rigaku Corporation, 3-9-12 Matsubara-cho, Akishima-shi, Tokyo 196-8666 (Japan)
| | - Makoto Fujita
- Division of Advanced Molecular Science, Institute for Molecular Science, National Institutes of Natural Sciences 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji, Okazaki, 444-8787 (Japan)
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656 (Japan)
| | - Dean J. Tantillo
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Davis 1 Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616 (USA)
| | - John A. Porco
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Molecular Discovery (BU-CMD), Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, 02215 (USA)
| | - Ikuro Abe
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033 (Japan)
- Collaborative Research Institute for Innovative Microbiology, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi 1-1-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657 (Japan)
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15
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Mitsuhashi T, Barra L, Powers Z, Kojasoy V, Cheng A, Yang F, Taniguchi Y, Kikuchi T, Fujita M, Tantillo DJ, Porco JA, Abe I. Exploiting the Potential of Meroterpenoid Cyclases to Expand the Chemical Space of Fungal Meroterpenoids. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202011171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Takaaki Mitsuhashi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences The University of Tokyo 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-0033 Japan
- Division of Advanced Molecular Science Institute for Molecular Science National Institutes of Natural Sciences 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji Okazaki 444-8787 Japan
| | - Lena Barra
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences The University of Tokyo 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-0033 Japan
| | - Zachary Powers
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Molecular Discovery (BU-CMD) Boston University Boston Massachusetts 02215 USA
| | - Volga Kojasoy
- Department of Chemistry University of California Davis 1 Shields Avenue Davis California 95616 USA
| | - Andrea Cheng
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Molecular Discovery (BU-CMD) Boston University Boston Massachusetts 02215 USA
| | - Feng Yang
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Molecular Discovery (BU-CMD) Boston University Boston Massachusetts 02215 USA
| | - Yoshimasa Taniguchi
- Central Laboratories for Key Technologies Kirin Holdings Co. Ltd. 1-13-5, Fukuura Kana-zawa-ku, Yokohama-shi Kanagawa 236-0004 Japan
| | - Takashi Kikuchi
- Rigaku Corporation 3-9-12 Matsubara-cho, Akishima-shi Tokyo 196-8666 Japan
| | - Makoto Fujita
- Division of Advanced Molecular Science Institute for Molecular Science National Institutes of Natural Sciences 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji Okazaki 444-8787 Japan
- Department of Applied Chemistry Graduate School of Engineering The University of Tokyo 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-8656 Japan
| | - Dean J. Tantillo
- Department of Chemistry University of California Davis 1 Shields Avenue Davis California 95616 USA
| | - John A. Porco
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Molecular Discovery (BU-CMD) Boston University Boston Massachusetts 02215 USA
| | - Ikuro Abe
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences The University of Tokyo 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-0033 Japan
- Collaborative Research Institute for Innovative Microbiology The University of Tokyo Yayoi 1-1-1, Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-8657 Japan
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16
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Tian P, Xu W, Li C, Song H, Wang M, Schardl CL, Nan Z. Phylogenetic relationship and taxonomy of a hybrid Epichloë species symbiotic with Festuca sinensis. Mycol Prog 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s11557-020-01618-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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17
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Biosynthesis of Indole Diterpene Lolitrems: Radical‐Induced Cyclization of an Epoxyalcohol Affording a Characteristic Lolitremane Skeleton. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202007280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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18
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Abstract
Covering: up to July 2020Fungal meroterpenoid cyclases are a recently discovered emerging family of membrane-integrated, non-canonical terpene cyclases. They catalyze the conversion of hybrid isoprenic precursors towards complex scaffolds and are therefore of great importance in the structure diversification in meroterpenoid biosynthesis. The products of these pathways exhibit intriguing molecular scaffolds and highly potent bioactivities, making them privileged structures from Nature and attractive candidates for drug development or industrial applications. This review will provide a comprehensive and comparative view on fungal meroterpenoid cyclases, their intriguing chemistries and importance for the scaffold formation step towards polycyclic meroterpenoid natural products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Barra
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
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19
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Jiang Y, Ozaki T, Harada M, Miyasaka T, Sato H, Miyamoto K, Kanazawa J, Liu C, Maruyama J, Adachi M, Nakazaki A, Nishikawa T, Uchiyama M, Minami A, Oikawa H. Biosynthesis of Indole Diterpene Lolitrems: Radical‐Induced Cyclization of an Epoxyalcohol Affording a Characteristic Lolitremane Skeleton. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020; 59:17996-18002. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.202007280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yulu Jiang
- Department of Chemistry Faculty of Science Hokkaido University Sapporo 060-0810 Japan
| | - Taro Ozaki
- Department of Chemistry Faculty of Science Hokkaido University Sapporo 060-0810 Japan
| | - Mei Harada
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences The University of Tokyo 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-0033 Japan
- Cluster for Pioneering Research (CPR) Advanced Elements Chemistry Laboratory RIKEN 2-1 Hirosawa Wako Saitama 351-0198 Japan
| | - Tadachika Miyasaka
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences Nagoya University, Chikusa Nagoya 464-8601 Japan
| | - Hajime Sato
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences The University of Tokyo 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-0033 Japan
- Cluster for Pioneering Research (CPR) Advanced Elements Chemistry Laboratory RIKEN 2-1 Hirosawa Wako Saitama 351-0198 Japan
| | - Kazunori Miyamoto
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences The University of Tokyo 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-0033 Japan
| | - Junichiro Kanazawa
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences The University of Tokyo 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-0033 Japan
| | - Chengwei Liu
- Department of Chemistry Faculty of Science Hokkaido University Sapporo 060-0810 Japan
- Present address: College of Life Sciences Northeast Forestry University Harbin 150040 China
| | - Jun‐ichi Maruyama
- Department of Biotechnology Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences The University of Tokyo 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-8657 Japan
| | - Masaatsu Adachi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Tohoku University 6-3. Aoba, Aramaki Aoba-ku Sendai 980-8578 Japan
| | - Atsuo Nakazaki
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences Nagoya University, Chikusa Nagoya 464-8601 Japan
| | - Toshio Nishikawa
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences Nagoya University, Chikusa Nagoya 464-8601 Japan
| | - Masanobu Uchiyama
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences The University of Tokyo 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-0033 Japan
- Cluster for Pioneering Research (CPR) Advanced Elements Chemistry Laboratory RIKEN 2-1 Hirosawa Wako Saitama 351-0198 Japan
| | - Atsushi Minami
- Department of Chemistry Faculty of Science Hokkaido University Sapporo 060-0810 Japan
| | - Hideaki Oikawa
- Department of Chemistry Faculty of Science Hokkaido University Sapporo 060-0810 Japan
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20
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Tanaka A, Kamiya S, Ozaki Y, Kameoka S, Kayano Y, Saikia S, Akano F, Uemura A, Takagi H, Terauchi R, Maruyama J, Hammadeh HH, Fleissner A, Scott B, Takemoto D. A nuclear protein NsiA from
Epichloë festucae
interacts with a MAP kinase MpkB and regulates the expression of genes required for symbiotic infection and hyphal cell fusion. Mol Microbiol 2020; 114:626-640. [DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 06/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Aiko Tanaka
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences Nagoya University Nagoya Japan
- School of Fundamental Sciences Massey University Palmerston North New Zealand
| | - Shota Kamiya
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences Nagoya University Nagoya Japan
| | - Yoshino Ozaki
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences Nagoya University Nagoya Japan
| | - Shinichi Kameoka
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences Nagoya University Nagoya Japan
| | - Yuka Kayano
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences Nagoya University Nagoya Japan
| | - Sanjay Saikia
- School of Fundamental Sciences Massey University Palmerston North New Zealand
| | - Fumitake Akano
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences Nagoya University Nagoya Japan
| | - Aiko Uemura
- Iwate Biotechnology Research Center Kitakami Japan
| | | | | | | | - Hamzeh Haj Hammadeh
- Institut für Genetik Technische Universität Braunschweig Braunschweig Germany
| | - André Fleissner
- Institut für Genetik Technische Universität Braunschweig Braunschweig Germany
| | - Barry Scott
- School of Fundamental Sciences Massey University Palmerston North New Zealand
| | - Daigo Takemoto
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences Nagoya University Nagoya Japan
- School of Fundamental Sciences Massey University Palmerston North New Zealand
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21
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Green KA, Berry D, Feussner K, Eaton CJ, Ram A, Mesarich CH, Solomon P, Feussner I, Scott B. Lolium perenne apoplast metabolomics for identification of novel metabolites produced by the symbiotic fungus Epichloë festucae. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2020; 227:559-571. [PMID: 32155669 PMCID: PMC7317419 DOI: 10.1111/nph.16528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Epichloë festucae is an endophytic fungus that forms a symbiotic association with Lolium perenne. Here we analysed how the metabolome of the ryegrass apoplast changed upon infection of this host with sexual and asexual isolates of E. festucae. A metabolite fingerprinting approach was used to analyse the metabolite composition of apoplastic wash fluid from uninfected and infected L. perenne. Metabolites enriched or depleted in one or both of these treatments were identified using a set of interactive tools. A genetic approach in combination with tandem MS was used to identify a novel product of a secondary metabolite gene cluster. Metabolites likely to be present in the apoplast were identified using MarVis in combination with the BioCyc and KEGG databases, and an in-house Epichloë metabolite database. We were able to identify the known endophyte-specific metabolites, peramine and epichloëcyclins, as well as a large number of unknown markers. To determine whether these methods can be applied to the identification of novel Epichloë-derived metabolites, we deleted a gene encoding a NRPS (lgsA) that is highly expressed in planta. Comparative MS analysis of apoplastic wash fluid from wild-type- vs mutant-infected plants identified a novel Leu/Ile glycoside metabolite present in the former.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly A. Green
- School of Fundamental SciencesMassey UniversityPalmerston North4442New Zealand
- Bioprotection Research CentreMassey UniversityPalmerston North4442New Zealand
| | - Daniel Berry
- School of Fundamental SciencesMassey UniversityPalmerston North4442New Zealand
- Bioprotection Research CentreMassey UniversityPalmerston North4442New Zealand
| | - Kirstin Feussner
- Department of Plant BiochemistryAlbrecht von Haller Institute for Plant SciencesUniversity of GoettingenD‐37077GoettingenGermany
- Service Unit for Metabolomics and LipidomicsGoettingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB)University of GoettingenD‐37077GoettingenGermany
| | - Carla J. Eaton
- School of Fundamental SciencesMassey UniversityPalmerston North4442New Zealand
- Bioprotection Research CentreMassey UniversityPalmerston North4442New Zealand
| | - Arvina Ram
- School of Fundamental SciencesMassey UniversityPalmerston North4442New Zealand
| | - Carl H. Mesarich
- Bioprotection Research CentreMassey UniversityPalmerston North4442New Zealand
- School of Agriculture and EnvironmentMassey UniversityPalmerston North4442New Zealand
| | - Peter Solomon
- Research School of BiologyAustralian National UniversityCanberraACT0200Australia
| | - Ivo Feussner
- Department of Plant BiochemistryAlbrecht von Haller Institute for Plant SciencesUniversity of GoettingenD‐37077GoettingenGermany
- Service Unit for Metabolomics and LipidomicsGoettingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB)University of GoettingenD‐37077GoettingenGermany
- Department of Plant BiochemistryGoettingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB)University of GoettingenD‐37077GoettingenGermany
| | - Barry Scott
- School of Fundamental SciencesMassey UniversityPalmerston North4442New Zealand
- Bioprotection Research CentreMassey UniversityPalmerston North4442New Zealand
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22
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Bharadwaj R, Jagadeesan H, Kumar SR, Ramalingam S. Molecular mechanisms in grass-Epichloë interactions: towards endophyte driven farming to improve plant fitness and immunity. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2020; 36:92. [PMID: 32562008 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-020-02868-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
All plants harbor many microbial species including bacteria and fungi in their tissues. The interactions between the plant and these microbes could be symbiotic, mutualistic, parasitic or commensalistic. Mutualistic microorganisms are endophytic in nature and are known to play a role in plant growth, development and fitness. Endophytes display complex diversity depending upon the agro-climatic conditions and this diversity could be exploited for crop improvement and sustainable agriculture. Plant-endophyte partnerships are highly specific, several genetic and molecular cascades play a key role in colonization of endophytes in host plants leading to rapid changes in host and endophyte metabolism. This results in the accumulation of secondary metabolites, which play an important role in plant defense against biotic and abiotic stress conditions. Alkaloids are one of the important class of metabolites produced by Epichloë genus and other related classes of endophytes and confer protection against insect and mammalian herbivory. In this context, this review discusses the evolutionary aspects of the Epichloë genus along with key molecular mechanisms determining the lifestyle of Epichloë endophytes in host system. Novel hypothesis is proposed to outline the initial cellular signaling events during colonization of Epichloë in cool season grasses. Complex clustering of alkaloid biosynthetic genes and molecular mechanisms involved in the production of alkaloids have been elaborated in detail. The natural defense and advantages of the endophyte derived metabolites have also been extensively discussed. Finally, this review highlights the importance of endophyte-arbitrated plant immunity to develop novel approaches for eco-friendly agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Bharadwaj
- Plant Genetic Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641046, India
| | - H Jagadeesan
- Department of Biotechnology, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - S R Kumar
- Plant Genetic Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641046, India
| | - S Ramalingam
- Plant Genetic Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641046, India.
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Determination of Loline Alkaloids and Mycelial Biomass in Endophyte-Infected Schedonorus Pratensis by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Chemometrics. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8050776. [PMID: 32455703 PMCID: PMC7285352 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8050776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is an accurate, fast and nondestructive technique whose use in predicting forage quality has become increasingly relevant in recent decades. Epichloë-infected grass varieties are commonly used in areas with high pest pressure due to their better performances compared to endophyte-free varieties. The insect resistance of Epichloë-infected grasses has been associated with four main groups of endophyte secondary metabolites: ergot alkaloids, indole-diterpenes, lolines and peramine. Concentrations of these alkaloids are usually measured with high performance liquid chromatography or gas chromatography analysis, which are accurate methods but relatively expensive and laborious. In this paper, we developed a rapid method based on NIRS to detect and quantify loline alkaloids in wild accessions of Schedonorus pratensis infected with the fungal endophyte Epichloë uncinata. The quantitative NIR equations obtained by modified partial least squares algorithm had coefficients of correlation of 0.90, 0.78, 0.85, 0.90 for N-acetylloline, N-acetylnorloline and N-formylloline and the sum of the three, respectively. The acquired NIR spectra were also used for developing an equation to predict in planta fungal biomass with a coefficient of correlation of 0.75. These results showed that the use of NIRS and chemometrics allows the quantification of loline alkaloids and mycelial biomass in a heterogeneous set of endophyte-infected meadow fescue samples.
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Rudolf JD, Chang CY. Terpene synthases in disguise: enzymology, structure, and opportunities of non-canonical terpene synthases. Nat Prod Rep 2020; 37:425-463. [PMID: 31650156 PMCID: PMC7101268 DOI: 10.1039/c9np00051h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Covering: up to July 2019 Terpene synthases (TSs) are responsible for generating much of the structural diversity found in the superfamily of terpenoid natural products. These elegant enzymes mediate complex carbocation-based cyclization and rearrangement cascades with a variety of electron-rich linear and cyclic substrates. For decades, two main classes of TSs, divided by how they generate the reaction-triggering initial carbocation, have dominated the field of terpene enzymology. Recently, several novel and unconventional TSs that perform TS-like reactions but do not resemble canonical TSs in sequence or structure have been discovered. In this review, we identify 12 families of non-canonical TSs and examine their sequences, structures, functions, and proposed mechanisms. Nature provides a wide diversity of enzymes, including prenyltransferases, methyltransferases, P450s, and NAD+-dependent dehydrogenases, as well as completely new enzymes, that utilize distinctive reaction mechanisms for TS chemistry. These unique non-canonical TSs provide immense opportunities to understand how nature evolved different tools for terpene biosynthesis by structural and mechanistic characterization while affording new probes for the discovery of novel terpenoid natural products and gene clusters via genome mining. With every new discovery, the dualistic paradigm of TSs is contradicted and the field of terpene chemistry and enzymology continues to expand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey D Rudolf
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA.
| | - Chin-Yuan Chang
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao Tung University, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan, Republic of China
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Purev E, Kondo T, Takemoto D, Niones JT, Ojika M. Identification of ε-Poly-L-lysine as an Antimicrobial Product from an Epichloë Endophyte and Isolation of Fungal ε-PL Synthetase Gene. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25051032. [PMID: 32106587 PMCID: PMC7179176 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25051032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The endophytic fungus Epichloë festucae is known to produce bioactive metabolites, which consequently protect the host plants from biotic and abiotic stresses. We previously found that the overexpression of vibA (a gene for transcription factor) in E. festucae strain E437 resulted in the secretion of an unknown fungicide. In the present study, the active substance was purified and chemically identified as ε-poly-L-lysine (ε-PL), which consisted of 28–34 lysine units. The productivity was 3.7-fold compared with that of the wild type strain E437. The isolated ε-PL showed inhibitory activity against the spore germination of the plant pathogens Drechslera erythrospila, Botrytis cinerea, and Phytophthora infestans at 1–10 μg/mL. We also isolated the fungal gene “epls” encoding ε-PL synthetase Epls. Overexpression of epls in the wild type strain E437 resulted in the enhanced production of ε-PL by 6.7-fold. Interestingly, overexpression of epls in the different strain E. festucae Fl1 resulted in the production of shorter ε-PL with 8–20 lysine, which exhibited a comparable antifungal activity to the longer one. The results demonstrate the first example of ε-PL synthetase gene from the eukaryotic genomes and suggest the potential of enhanced expression of vibA or/and epls genes in the Epichloë endophyte for constructing pest-tolerant plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enkhee Purev
- Department of Applied Biosciences, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan; (E.P.); (T.K.)
| | - Tatsuhiko Kondo
- Department of Applied Biosciences, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan; (E.P.); (T.K.)
| | - Daigo Takemoto
- Department of Plant Production Sciences, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan; (D.T.); (J.T.N.)
| | - Jennifer T. Niones
- Department of Plant Production Sciences, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan; (D.T.); (J.T.N.)
- Philippine Rice Research Institute, Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija 3119, Philippines
| | - Makoto Ojika
- Department of Applied Biosciences, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan; (E.P.); (T.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-52-789-4116; Fax: +81-52-789-4118
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Functional characterization of the idtF and idtP genes in the Claviceps paspali indole diterpene biosynthetic gene cluster. Folia Microbiol (Praha) 2020; 65:605-613. [PMID: 32077051 PMCID: PMC7244603 DOI: 10.1007/s12223-020-00777-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Claviceps paspali is used in the pharmaceutical industry for the production of ergot alkaloids. This fungus also biosynthesizes paspalitrems, indole diterpene (IDT) mycotoxins that cause significant economic losses in agriculture and represent safety concerns for ergot alkaloid manufacture. Here, we use Agrobacterium-mediated transformation to replace the idtP and the idtF genes in the IDT biosynthetic gene cluster of C. paspali with a selectable marker gene. We show that the ΔidtP knockout mutant produces paspaline, the first IDT intermediate of the pathway. The ΔidtF strain produces unprenylated IDTs such as paspalinine and paspaline. These experiments validate the function of idtP as the gene encoding the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase that oxidizes and demethylates paspaline to produce 13-desoxypaxilline, and that of idtF as the gene that encodes the α-prenyltransferase that prenylates paspalinine at the C20 or the C21 positions to yield paspalitrems A and C, respectively. In addition, we also show that axenic cultures of the wild type, the ΔidtP and the ΔidtF mutant C. paspali strains fail to produce an assembly of IDTs that are present in C. paspali–Paspalum spp. associations.
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Hassing B, Eaton CJ, Winter D, Green KA, Brandt U, Savoian MS, Mesarich CH, Fleissner A, Scott B. Phosphatidic acid produced by phospholipase D is required for hyphal cell-cell fusion and fungal-plant symbiosis. Mol Microbiol 2020; 113:1101-1121. [PMID: 32022309 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Although lipid signaling has been shown to serve crucial roles in mammals and plants, little is known about this process in filamentous fungi. Here we analyze the contribution of phospholipase D (PLD) and its product phosphatidic acid (PA) in hyphal morphogenesis and growth of Epichloë festucae and Neurospora crassa, and in the establishment of a symbiotic interaction between E. festucae and Lolium perenne. Growth of E. festucae and N. crassa PLD deletion strains in axenic culture, and for E. festucae in association with L. perenne, were analyzed by light-, confocal- and electron microscopy. Changes in PA distribution were analyzed in E. festucae using a PA biosensor and the impact of these changes on the endocytic recycling and superoxide production investigated. We found that E. festucae PldB, and the N. crassa ortholog, PLA-7, are required for polarized growth and cell fusion and contribute to ascospore development, whereas PldA/PLA-8 are dispensable for these functions. Exogenous addition of PA rescues the cell-fusion phenotype in E. festucae. PldB is also crucial for E. festucae to establish a symbiotic association with L. perenne. This study identifies a new component of the cell-cell communication and cell fusion signaling network for hyphal morphogenesis and growth of filamentous fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berit Hassing
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.,Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln, New Zealand
| | - Carla J Eaton
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.,Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln, New Zealand
| | - David Winter
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.,Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln, New Zealand
| | - Kimberly A Green
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.,Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln, New Zealand
| | - Ulrike Brandt
- Institute for Genetics, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Matthew S Savoian
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Carl H Mesarich
- Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln, New Zealand.,School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Andre Fleissner
- Institute for Genetics, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Barry Scott
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.,Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln, New Zealand
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Ludlow EJ, Vassiliadis S, Ekanayake PN, Hettiarachchige IK, Reddy P, Sawbridge TI, Rochfort SJ, Spangenberg GC, Guthridge KM. Analysis of the Indole Diterpene Gene Cluster for Biosynthesis of the Epoxy-Janthitrems in Epichloë Endophytes. Microorganisms 2019; 7:microorganisms7110560. [PMID: 31766147 PMCID: PMC6921081 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms7110560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Epoxy-janthitrems are a class of indole diterpenes with structural similarity to lolitrem B. Two taxa of asexual Epichloë endophytes have been reported to produce epoxy-janthitrems, LpTG-3 (Lolium perenne Taxonomic Group 3; e.g., NEA12) and LpTG-4 (e.g., E1). Epichloë epoxy-janthitrems are not well understood, the biosynthetic pathway and associated gene complement have not been described and while the literature suggests they are associated with superior protection against pasture insect pests and are tremorgenic in grazing mammals, these properties have not been confirmed using isolated and purified compounds. Whole genome sequence analysis was used to identify candidate genes for epoxy-janthitrem biosynthesis that are unique to epoxy-janthitrem producing strains of Epichloë. A gene, jtmD, was identified with homology to aromatic prenyl transferases involved in synthesis of indole diterpenes. The location of the epoxy-janthitrem biosynthesis gene cluster (JTM locus) was determined in the assembled nuclear genomes of NEA12 and E1. The JTM locus contains cluster 1 and cluster 2 of the lolitrem B biosynthesis gene cluster (LTM locus), as well as four genes jtmD, jtmO, jtm01, and jtm02 that are unique to Epichloë spp. that produce epoxy-janthitrems. Expression of each of the genes identified was confirmed using transcriptome analysis of perennial ryegrass-NEA12 and perennial ryegrass-E1 symbiota. Sequence analysis confirmed the genes are functionally similar to those involved in biosynthesis of related indole diterpene compounds. RNAi silencing of jtmD and in planta assessment in host-endophyte associations confirms the role of jtmD in epoxy-janthitrem production. Using LCMS/MS technologies, a biosynthetic pathway for the production of epoxy-janthitrems I-IV in Epichloë endophytes is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma J. Ludlow
- Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia; (E.J.L.); (S.V.); (P.N.E.); (I.K.H.); (P.R.); (T.I.S.); (S.J.R.); (G.C.S.)
| | - Simone Vassiliadis
- Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia; (E.J.L.); (S.V.); (P.N.E.); (I.K.H.); (P.R.); (T.I.S.); (S.J.R.); (G.C.S.)
| | - Piyumi N. Ekanayake
- Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia; (E.J.L.); (S.V.); (P.N.E.); (I.K.H.); (P.R.); (T.I.S.); (S.J.R.); (G.C.S.)
| | - Inoka K. Hettiarachchige
- Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia; (E.J.L.); (S.V.); (P.N.E.); (I.K.H.); (P.R.); (T.I.S.); (S.J.R.); (G.C.S.)
| | - Priyanka Reddy
- Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia; (E.J.L.); (S.V.); (P.N.E.); (I.K.H.); (P.R.); (T.I.S.); (S.J.R.); (G.C.S.)
| | - Tim I. Sawbridge
- Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia; (E.J.L.); (S.V.); (P.N.E.); (I.K.H.); (P.R.); (T.I.S.); (S.J.R.); (G.C.S.)
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia
| | - Simone J. Rochfort
- Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia; (E.J.L.); (S.V.); (P.N.E.); (I.K.H.); (P.R.); (T.I.S.); (S.J.R.); (G.C.S.)
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia
| | - German C. Spangenberg
- Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia; (E.J.L.); (S.V.); (P.N.E.); (I.K.H.); (P.R.); (T.I.S.); (S.J.R.); (G.C.S.)
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia
| | - Kathryn M. Guthridge
- Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia; (E.J.L.); (S.V.); (P.N.E.); (I.K.H.); (P.R.); (T.I.S.); (S.J.R.); (G.C.S.)
- Correspondence:
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Infection Rates and Alkaloid Patterns of Different Grass Species with Systemic Epichloë Endophytes. Appl Environ Microbiol 2019; 85:AEM.00465-19. [PMID: 31227553 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00465-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Symbiotic Epichloë species are fungal endophytes of cool-season grasses that can produce alkaloids with toxicity to vertebrates and/or invertebrates. Monitoring infections and presence of alkaloids in grasses infected with Epichloë species can provide an estimate of possible intoxication risks for livestock. We sampled 3,046 individuals of 13 different grass species in three regions on 150 study sites in Germany. We determined infection rates and used PCR to identify Epichloë species diversity based on the presence of different alkaloid biosynthesis genes, then confirmed the possible chemotypes with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)/ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) measurements. Infections of Epichloë spp. were found in Festuca pratensis Huds. (81%), Festuca ovina L. aggregate (agg.) (73%), Lolium perenne L. (15%), Festuca rubra L. (15%) and Dactylis glomerata L. (8%). The other eight grass species did not appear to be infected. For the majority of Epichloë-infected L. perenne samples (98%), the alkaloids lolitrem B and peramine were present, but ergovaline was not detected, which was consistent with the genetic evaluation, as dmaW, the gene encoding the first step of the ergot alkaloid biosynthesis pathway, was absent. Epichloë uncinata in F. pratensis produced anti-insect loline compounds. The Epichloë spp. observed in the F. ovina agg. samples showed the greatest level of diversity, and different intermediates of the indole-diterpene pathway could be detected. Epichloë infection rates alone are insufficient to estimate intoxication risks for livestock, as other factors, like the ability of the endophyte to produce the alkaloids, also need to be assessed.IMPORTANCE Severe problems of livestock intoxication from Epichloë-infected forage grasses have been reported from New Zealand, Australia, and the United States, but much less frequently from Europe, and particularly not from Germany. Nevertheless, it is important to monitor infection rates and alkaloids of grasses with Epichloë fungi to estimate possible intoxication risks. Most studies focus on agricultural grass species like Lolium perenne and Festuca arundinacea, but other cool-season grass species can also be infected. We show that in Germany, infection rates and alkaloids differ between grass species and that some of the alkaloids can be toxic to livestock. Changes in grassland management due to changing climate, especially with a shift toward grasslands dominated with Epichloë-infected species such as Lolium perenne, may result in greater numbers of intoxicated livestock in the near future. We therefore suggest regular monitoring of grass species for infections and alkaloids and call for maintaining heterogenous grasslands for livestock.
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Green KA, Eaton CJ, Savoian MS, Scott B. A homologue of the fungal tetraspanin Pls1 is required for Epichloë festucae expressorium formation and establishment of a mutualistic interaction with Lolium perenne. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2019; 20:961-975. [PMID: 31008572 PMCID: PMC6589725 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.12805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Epichloë festucae is an endophytic fungus that forms a mutualistic symbiotic association with the grass host Lolium perenne. Endophytic hyphae exit the host by an appressorium-like structure known as an expressorium. In plant-pathogenic fungi, the tetraspanin Pls1 and the NADPH oxidase component Nox2 are required for appressorium development. Previously we showed that the homologue of Nox2, NoxB, is required for E. festucae expressorium development and establishment of a mutualistic symbiotic interaction with the grass host. Here we used a reverse genetics approach to functionally characterize the role of the E. festucae homologue of Pls1, PlsA. The morphology and growth of ΔplsA in axenic culture was comparable to wild-type. The tiller length of plants infected with ΔplsA was significantly reduced. Hyphae of ΔplsA had a proliferative pattern of growth within the leaves of L. perenne with increased colonization of the intercellular spaces and the vascular bundles. The ΔplsA mutant was also defective in expressorium development although the phenotype was not as severe as for ΔnoxB, highlighting potentially distinct roles for PlsA and NoxB in signalling through the NoxB complex. Hyphae of ΔplsA proliferate below the cuticle surface but still occasionally form an expressorium-like structure that enables the mutant hyphae to exit the leaf to grow on the surface. These expressoria still form a septin ring-like structure at the point of cuticle exit as found in the wild-type strain. These results establish that E. festucae PlsA has an important, but distinct, role to NoxB in expressorium development and plant symbiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly A. Green
- Institute of Fundamental SciencesMassey UniversityPalmerston NorthNew Zealand
| | - Carla J. Eaton
- Institute of Fundamental SciencesMassey UniversityPalmerston NorthNew Zealand
| | - Matthew S. Savoian
- Institute of Fundamental SciencesMassey UniversityPalmerston NorthNew Zealand
| | - Barry Scott
- Institute of Fundamental SciencesMassey UniversityPalmerston NorthNew Zealand
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Lukito Y, Chujo T, Hale TK, Mace W, Johnson LJ, Scott B. Regulation of subtelomeric fungal secondary metabolite genes by H3K4me3 regulators CclA and KdmB. Mol Microbiol 2019; 112:837-853. [DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yonathan Lukito
- Institute of Fundamental Sciences Massey University Palmerston North New Zealand
- Grasslands Research Centre AgResearch Limited Palmerston North New Zealand
| | - Tetsuya Chujo
- Institute of Fundamental Sciences Massey University Palmerston North New Zealand
| | - Tracy K. Hale
- Institute of Fundamental Sciences Massey University Palmerston North New Zealand
| | - Wade Mace
- Grasslands Research Centre AgResearch Limited Palmerston North New Zealand
| | - Linda J. Johnson
- Grasslands Research Centre AgResearch Limited Palmerston North New Zealand
| | - Barry Scott
- Institute of Fundamental Sciences Massey University Palmerston North New Zealand
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Rahnama M, Maclean P, Fleetwood DJ, Johnson RD. The LaeA orthologue in Epichloë festucae is required for symbiotic interaction with Lolium perenne. Fungal Genet Biol 2019; 129:74-85. [PMID: 31071427 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2019.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
LaeA is a conserved global regulator of secondary metabolism and development in fungi. It is often required for successful pathogenic interactions. In this study, the laeA homologue in the fungal grass endophyte E. festucae was deleted and functionally characterised in vitro and its role in the mutualistic E. festucae interaction with Lolium perenne (perennial ryegrass) was determined. We showed that laeA in E. festucae is required for normal hyphal morphology, resistance to oxidative stress, and conidiation under nutrient-limited in vitro conditions. In planta studies revealed that laeA is expressed in a tissue-specific manner and is required to form a compatible plant interaction, with the majority of seedlings inoculated with a laeA deletion mutant either dying or being uninfected. In mature infected plants no difference was observed in the number or morphology of endophytic hyphae. However, the number of epiphyllous hyphae were greatly increased. Comparative transcriptomics analyses suggested roles for plant cell wall degradation, fungal cell wall composition, secondary metabolism and small-secreted proteins in Epichloë foliar symbiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Rahnama
- AgResearch, Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand; School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - P Maclean
- AgResearch, Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - D J Fleetwood
- AgResearch, Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand; Biotelliga Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - R D Johnson
- AgResearch, Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
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Complex epigenetic regulation of alkaloid biosynthesis and host interaction by heterochromatin protein I in a fungal endophyte-plant symbiosis. Fungal Genet Biol 2019; 125:71-83. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2019.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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Hassing B, Winter D, Becker Y, Mesarich CH, Eaton CJ, Scott B. Analysis of Epichloë festucae small secreted proteins in the interaction with Lolium perenne. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0209463. [PMID: 30759164 PMCID: PMC6374014 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Epichloë festucae is an endophyte of the agriculturally important perennial ryegrass. This species systemically colonises the aerial tissues of this host where its growth is tightly regulated thereby maintaining a mutualistic symbiotic interaction. Recent studies have suggested that small secreted proteins, termed effectors, play a vital role in the suppression of host defence responses. To date only a few effectors with important roles in mutualistic interactions have been described. Here we make use of the fully assembled E. festucae genome and EffectorP to generate a suite of 141 effector candidates. These were analysed with respect to their genome location and expression profiles in planta and in several symbiosis-defective mutants. We found an association between effector candidates and a class of transposable elements known as MITEs, but no correlation with other dynamic features of the E. festucae genome, such as transposable element-rich regions. Three effector candidates and a small GPI-anchored protein were chosen for functional analysis based on their high expression in planta compared to in culture and their differential regulation in symbiosis defective E. festucae mutants. All three candidate effector proteins were shown to possess a functional signal peptide and two could be detected in the extracellular medium by western blotting. Localization of the effector candidates in planta suggests that they are not translocated into the plant cell, but rather, are localized in the apoplastic space or are attached to the cell wall. Deletion and overexpression of the effector candidates, as well as the putative GPI-anchored protein, did not affect the plant growth phenotype or restrict growth of E. festucae mutants in planta. These results indicate that these proteins are either not required for the interaction at the observed life stages or that there is redundancy between effectors expressed by E. festucae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berit Hassing
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
- Bio-Protection Research Centre, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - David Winter
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
- Bio-Protection Research Centre, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Yvonne Becker
- Institute for Epidemiology and Pathogen Diagnostics, Julius Küehn-Institute, Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Carl H. Mesarich
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
- School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Carla J. Eaton
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
- Bio-Protection Research Centre, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Barry Scott
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
- Bio-Protection Research Centre, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
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35
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Kozák L, Szilágyi Z, Tóth L, Pócsi I, Molnár I. Tremorgenic and neurotoxic paspaline-derived indole-diterpenes: biosynthetic diversity, threats and applications. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 103:1599-1616. [PMID: 30613899 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-018-09594-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 12/15/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Indole-diterpenes (IDTs) such as the aflatrems, janthitrems, lolitrems, paspalitrems, penitrems, shearinines, sulpinines, and terpendoles are biogenetically related but structurally varied tremorgenic and neurotoxic mycotoxins produced by fungi. All these metabolites derive from the biosynthetic intermediate paspaline, a frequently occurring IDT on its own right. In this comprehensive review, we highlight the similarities and differences of the IDT biosynthetic pathways that lead to the generation of the main paspaline-derived IDT subgroups. We survey the taxonomic distribution and the regulation of IDT production in various fungi and compare the organization of the known IDT biosynthetic gene clusters. A detailed assessment of the highly diverse biological activities of these mycotoxins leads us to emphasize the significant losses that paspaline-derived IDTs cause in agriculture, and compels us to warn about the various hazards they represent towards human and livestock health. Conversely, we also describe the potential utility of these versatile molecules as lead compounds for pharmaceutical drug discovery, and examine the prospects for their industrial scale manufacture in genetically manipulated IDT producers or domesticated host microorganisms in synthetic biological production systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- László Kozák
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- Teva Pharmaceutical Works Ltd., Debrecen, Hungary
| | | | - László Tóth
- Teva Pharmaceutical Works Ltd., Debrecen, Hungary
| | - István Pócsi
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary.
| | - István Molnár
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary.
- Southwest Center for Natural Products Research, School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Arizona, Tucson, USA.
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36
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Berry D, Mace W, Rehner SA, Grage K, Dijkwel PP, Young CA, Scott B. Orthologous peramine and pyrrolopyrazine-producing biosynthetic gene clusters in Metarhizium rileyi, Metarhizium majus and Cladonia grayi. Environ Microbiol 2018; 21:928-939. [PMID: 30452111 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.14483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Revised: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Peramine is a non-ribosomal peptide-derived pyrrolopyrazine (PPZ)-containing molecule with anti-insect properties. Peramine is known to be produced by fungi from genus Epichloë, which form mutualistic endophytic associations with cool-season grass hosts. Peramine biosynthesis has been proposed to require only the two-module non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) peramine synthetase (PerA), which is encoded by the 8.3 kb gene perA, though this has not been conclusively proven. Until recently, both peramine and perA were thought to be exclusive to fungi of genus Epichloë; however, a putative perA homologue was recently identified in the genome of the insect-pathogenic fungus Metarhizium rileyi. We use a heterologous expression system and a hydrophilic interaction chromatography-based analysis method to confirm that PerA is the only pathway-specific protein required for peramine biosynthesis. The perA homologue from M. rileyi (MR_perA) is shown to encode a functional peramine synthetase, establishing a precedent for distribution of perA orthologs beyond genus Epichloë. Furthermore, perA is part of a larger seven-gene PPZ cluster in M. rileyi, Metarhizium majus and the stalked-cup lichen fungus Cladonia grayi. These PPZ genes encode proteins predicted to derivatize peramine into more complex PPZ metabolites, with the orphaned perA gene of Epichloë spp. representing an example of reductive evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Berry
- Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.,Bio-Protection Research Centre, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Wade Mace
- AgResearch Ltd., Grasslands Research Center, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Stephen A Rehner
- Mycology and Nematology Genetic Diversity and Biology Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - Katrin Grage
- Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Paul P Dijkwel
- Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | | | - Barry Scott
- Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.,Bio-Protection Research Centre, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
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37
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Winter DJ, Ganley ARD, Young CA, Liachko I, Schardl CL, Dupont PY, Berry D, Ram A, Scott B, Cox MP. Repeat elements organise 3D genome structure and mediate transcription in the filamentous fungus Epichloë festucae. PLoS Genet 2018; 14:e1007467. [PMID: 30356280 PMCID: PMC6218096 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Revised: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Structural features of genomes, including the three-dimensional arrangement of DNA in the nucleus, are increasingly seen as key contributors to the regulation of gene expression. However, studies on how genome structure and nuclear organisation influence transcription have so far been limited to a handful of model species. This narrow focus limits our ability to draw general conclusions about the ways in which three-dimensional structures are encoded, and to integrate information from three-dimensional data to address a broader gamut of biological questions. Here, we generate a complete and gapless genome sequence for the filamentous fungus, Epichloë festucae. We use Hi-C data to examine the three-dimensional organisation of the genome, and RNA-seq data to investigate how Epichloë genome structure contributes to the suite of transcriptional changes needed to maintain symbiotic relationships with the grass host. Our results reveal a genome in which very repeat-rich blocks of DNA with discrete boundaries are interspersed by gene-rich sequences that are almost repeat-free. In contrast to other species reported to date, the three-dimensional structure of the genome is anchored by these repeat blocks, which act to isolate transcription in neighbouring gene-rich regions. Genes that are differentially expressed in planta are enriched near the boundaries of these repeat-rich blocks, suggesting that their three-dimensional orientation partly encodes and regulates the symbiotic relationship formed by this organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J. Winter
- Statistics and Bioinformatics Group, Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
- The Bio-Protection Research Centre, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Austen R. D. Ganley
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Carolyn A. Young
- Noble Research Institute, LLC, Ardmore, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Ivan Liachko
- Phase Genomics Inc, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Christopher L. Schardl
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Pierre-Yves Dupont
- Genetics Group, Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Daniel Berry
- Genetics Group, Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Arvina Ram
- Genetics Group, Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Barry Scott
- The Bio-Protection Research Centre, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
- Genetics Group, Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Murray P. Cox
- Statistics and Bioinformatics Group, Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
- The Bio-Protection Research Centre, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
- * E-mail:
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38
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Ogawara H. Comparison of Strategies to Overcome Drug Resistance: Learning from Various Kingdoms. Molecules 2018; 23:E1476. [PMID: 29912169 PMCID: PMC6100412 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23061476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Revised: 06/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance, especially antibiotic resistance, is a growing threat to human health. To overcome this problem, it is significant to know precisely the mechanisms of drug resistance and/or self-resistance in various kingdoms, from bacteria through plants to animals, once more. This review compares the molecular mechanisms of the resistance against phycotoxins, toxins from marine and terrestrial animals, plants and fungi, and antibiotics. The results reveal that each kingdom possesses the characteristic features. The main mechanisms in each kingdom are transporters/efflux pumps in phycotoxins, mutation and modification of targets and sequestration in marine and terrestrial animal toxins, ABC transporters and sequestration in plant toxins, transporters in fungal toxins, and various or mixed mechanisms in antibiotics. Antibiotic producers in particular make tremendous efforts for avoiding suicide, and are more flexible and adaptable to the changes of environments. With these features in mind, potential alternative strategies to overcome these resistance problems are discussed. This paper will provide clues for solving the issues of drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Ogawara
- HO Bio Institute, Yushima-2, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0034, Japan.
- Department of Biochemistry, Meiji Pharmaceutical University, Noshio-2, Kiyose, Tokyo 204-8588, Japan.
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39
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Rahnama M, Johnson RD, Voisey CR, Simpson WR, Fleetwood DJ. The Global Regulatory Protein VelA Is Required for Symbiosis Between the Endophytic Fungus Epichloë festucae and Lolium perenne. MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS : MPMI 2018; 31:591-604. [PMID: 29315021 DOI: 10.1094/mpmi-11-17-0286-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Epichloë species fungi form bioprotective endophytic symbioses with many cool-season grasses, including agriculturally important forage grasses. Despite its importance, relatively little is known about the molecular details of the interaction and the regulatory genes involved. The conserved velvet-domain protein VelA (or VeA) is a global regulator of a number of cellular and developmental functions in fungi. In this study, the E. festucae velA gene was functionally characterized in vitro and during interaction with perennial ryegrass. The velA gene is required in E. festucae for resistance to osmotic and cell wall-damaging stresses, repression of conidiation, and normal hyphal morphology during nutrient-limited in-vitro conditions. Expression of velA in E. festucae is light- and nitrogen-dependent and is tissue-specific in mature infected plants. In-planta studies showed that velA is required in E. festucae for a compatible interaction. Inoculating seedlings with mutant ΔvelA induced callose deposition and H2O2 production, and a high level of seedling death was observed. In surviving plants infected with ΔvelA mutant fungi, plants were stunted and we observed increased biomass and invasion of vascular bundles. Overall, this work characterizes a key fungal regulatory factor in this increasingly important model symbiotic association.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Rahnama
- 1 AgResearch, Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand; and
- 2 School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - R D Johnson
- 1 AgResearch, Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand; and
| | - C R Voisey
- 1 AgResearch, Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand; and
| | - W R Simpson
- 1 AgResearch, Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand; and
| | - D J Fleetwood
- 1 AgResearch, Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand; and
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40
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Mitic M, Berry D, Brasell E, Green K, Young CA, Saikia S, Rakonjac J, Scott B. Disruption of calcineurin catalytic subunit (cnaA) in Epichloë festucae induces symbiotic defects and intrahyphal hyphae formation. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2018; 19:1414-1426. [PMID: 28990722 PMCID: PMC6638138 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.12624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Revised: 10/03/2017] [Accepted: 10/04/2017] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Calcineurin is a conserved calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase, consisting of a catalytic subunit A and a regulatory subunit B, which is involved in calcium-dependent signalling and regulation of various important cellular processes. In this study, we functionally characterized the catalytic subunit A (CnaA) of the endophytic fungus Epichloë festucae which forms a symbiotic association with the grass host Lolium perenne. We deleted the CnaA-encoding gene cnaA in E. festucae and examined its role in hyphal growth, cell wall integrity and symbiosis. This ΔcnaA strain had a severe growth defect with loss of radial growth and hyper-branched hyphae. Transmission electron microscopy and confocal microscopy analysis of the mutant revealed cell wall defects, aberrant septation and the formation of intrahyphal hyphae, both in culture and in planta. The mutant strain also showed a reduced infection rate in planta. The fluorescence of mutant hyphae stained with WGA-AF488 was reduced, indicating reduced chitin accessibility. Together, these results show that E. festucae CnaA is required for fungal growth, maintaining cell wall integrity and host colonization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena Mitic
- Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey UniversityPalmerston North4442New Zealand
- BioProtection Research Centre, Massey UniversityPalmerston North4442New Zealand
| | - Daniel Berry
- Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey UniversityPalmerston North4442New Zealand
| | - Emma Brasell
- Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey UniversityPalmerston North4442New Zealand
| | - Kimberly Green
- Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey UniversityPalmerston North4442New Zealand
- BioProtection Research Centre, Massey UniversityPalmerston North4442New Zealand
| | | | - Sanjay Saikia
- Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey UniversityPalmerston North4442New Zealand
| | - Jasna Rakonjac
- Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey UniversityPalmerston North4442New Zealand
| | - Barry Scott
- Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey UniversityPalmerston North4442New Zealand
- BioProtection Research Centre, Massey UniversityPalmerston North4442New Zealand
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41
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van Dolleweerd CJ, Kessans SA, Van de Bittner KC, Bustamante LY, Bundela R, Scott B, Nicholson MJ, Parker EJ. MIDAS: A Modular DNA Assembly System for Synthetic Biology. ACS Synth Biol 2018; 7:1018-1029. [PMID: 29620866 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.7b00363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
A modular and hierarchical DNA assembly platform for synthetic biology based on Golden Gate (Type IIS restriction enzyme) cloning is described. This enabling technology, termed MIDAS (for Modular Idempotent DNA Assembly System), can be used to precisely assemble multiple DNA fragments in a single reaction using a standardized assembly design. It can be used to build genes from libraries of sequence-verified, reusable parts and to assemble multiple genes in a single vector, with full user control over gene order and orientation, as well as control of the direction of growth (polarity) of the multigene assembly, a feature that allows genes to be nested between other genes or genetic elements. We describe the detailed design and use of MIDAS, exemplified by the reconstruction, in the filamentous fungus Penicillium paxilli, of the metabolic pathway for production of paspaline and paxilline, key intermediates in the biosynthesis of a range of indole diterpenes-a class of secondary metabolites produced by several species of filamentous fungi. MIDAS was used to efficiently assemble a 25.2 kb plasmid from 21 different modules (seven genes, each composed of three basic parts). By using a parts library-based system for construction of complex assemblies, and a unique set of vectors, MIDAS can provide a flexible route to assembling tailored combinations of genes and other genetic elements, thereby supporting synthetic biology applications in a wide range of expression hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig J. van Dolleweerd
- Protein Science & Engineering, Callaghan Innovation, School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand
| | - Sarah A. Kessans
- Department of Chemistry, University of Canterbury, 20 Kirkwood Avenue, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
| | - Kyle C. Van de Bittner
- Department of Chemistry, University of Canterbury, 20 Kirkwood Avenue, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
- Ferrier Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, Kelburn, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
| | - Leyla Y. Bustamante
- Department of Chemistry, University of Canterbury, 20 Kirkwood Avenue, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
- Ferrier Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, Kelburn, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
| | - Rudranuj Bundela
- Department of Chemistry, University of Canterbury, 20 Kirkwood Avenue, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
| | - Barry Scott
- Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - Matthew J. Nicholson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Canterbury, 20 Kirkwood Avenue, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
- Ferrier Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, Kelburn, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
| | - Emily J. Parker
- Department of Chemistry, University of Canterbury, 20 Kirkwood Avenue, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
- Ferrier Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, Kelburn, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
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42
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Inactivation of the indole-diterpene biosynthetic gene cluster of Claviceps paspali by Agrobacterium-mediated gene replacement. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 102:3255-3266. [PMID: 29457197 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-018-8807-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2017] [Revised: 01/13/2018] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The hypocrealean fungus Claviceps paspali is a parasite of wild grasses. This fungus is widely utilized in the pharmaceutical industry for the manufacture of ergot alkaloids, but also produces tremorgenic and neurotoxic indole-diterpene (IDT) secondary metabolites such as paspalitrems A and B. IDTs cause significant losses in agriculture and represent health hazards that threaten food security. Conversely, IDTs may also be utilized as lead compounds for pharmaceutical drug discovery. Current protoplast-mediated transformation protocols of C. paspali are inadequate as they suffer from inefficiencies in protoplast regeneration, a low frequency of DNA integration, and a low mitotic stability of the nascent transformants. We adapted and optimized Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation (ATMT) for C. paspali and validated this method with the straightforward creation of a mutant strain of this fungus featuring a targeted replacement of key genes in the putative IDT biosynthetic gene cluster. Complete abrogation of IDT production in isolates of the mutant strain proved the predicted involvement of the target genes in the biosynthesis of IDTs. The mutant isolates continued to produce ergot alkaloids undisturbed, indicating that equivalent mutants generated in industrial ergot producers may have a better safety profile as they are devoid of IDT-type mycotoxins. Meanwhile, ATMT optimized for Claviceps spp. may open the door for the facile genetic engineering of these industrially and ecologically important organisms.
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43
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Contrasting roles of fungal siderophores in maintaining iron homeostasis in Epichloë festucae. Fungal Genet Biol 2018; 111:60-72. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2017.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Revised: 11/11/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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44
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Kayano Y, Tanaka A, Takemoto D. Two closely related Rho GTPases, Cdc42 and RacA, of the en-dophytic fungus Epichloë festucae have contrasting roles for ROS production and symbiotic infection synchronized with the host plant. PLoS Pathog 2018; 14:e1006840. [PMID: 29370294 PMCID: PMC5785021 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Epichloë festucae is an endophytic fungus which systemically colonizes temperate grasses to establish symbiotic associations. Maintaining symptomless infection is a key requirement for endophytes, a feature that distinguishes them from pathogenic fungi. While pathogenic fungi extend their hyphae by tip growth, hyphae of E. festucae systemically colonize the intercellular space of expanding host leaves via a unique mechanism of hyphal intercalary growth. This study reports that two homologous Rho GTPases, Cdc42 and RacA, have distinctive roles in the regulation of E. festucae growth in planta. Here we highlight the vital role of Cdc42 for intercalary hyphal growth, as well as involvement of RacA in regulation of hyphal network formation, and demonstrate the consequences of mutations in these genes on plant tissue infection. Functions of Cdc42 and RacA are mediated via interactions with BemA and NoxR respectively, which are expected components of the ROS producing NOX complex. Symbiotic defects found in the racA mutant were rescued by introduction of a Cdc42 with key amino acids substitutions crucial for RacA function, highlighting the significance of the specific interactions of these GTPases with BemA and NoxR for their functional differentiation in symbiotic infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuka Kayano
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Chikusa, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Aiko Tanaka
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Chikusa, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Daigo Takemoto
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Chikusa, Nagoya, Japan
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45
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Efficient targeted mutagenesis in Epichloë festucae using a split marker system. J Microbiol Methods 2017; 134:62-65. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2016.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2016] [Revised: 12/13/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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46
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Ekanayake PN, Kaur J, Tian P, Rochfort SJ, Guthridge KM, Sawbridge TI, Spangenberg GC, Forster JW. Genomic and metabolic characterisation of alkaloid biosynthesis by asexual Epichloë fungal endophytes of tall fescue pasture grasses. Genome 2017; 60:496-509. [PMID: 28177829 DOI: 10.1139/gen-2016-0173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Symbiotic associations between tall fescue grasses and asexual Epichloë fungal endophytes exhibit biosynthesis of alkaloid compounds causing both beneficial and detrimental effects. Candidate novel endophytes with favourable chemotypic profiles have been identified in germplasm collections by screening for genetic diversity, followed by metabolite profile analysis in endogenous genetic backgrounds. A subset of candidates was subjected to genome survey sequencing to detect the presence or absence and structural status of known genes for biosynthesis of the major alkaloid classes. The capacity to produce specific metabolites was directly predictable from metabolic data. In addition, study of duplicated gene structure in heteroploid genomic constitutions provided further evidence for the origin of such endophytes. Selected strains were inoculated into meristem-derived callus cultures from specific tall fescue genotypes to perform isogenic comparisons of alkaloid profile in different host backgrounds, revealing evidence for host-specific quantitative control of metabolite production, consistent with previous studies. Certain strains were capable of both inoculation and formation of longer-term associations with a nonhost species, perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). Discovery and primary characterisation of novel endophytes by DNA analysis, followed by confirmatory metabolic studies, offers improvements of speed and efficiency and hence accelerated deployment in pasture grass improvement programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piyumi N Ekanayake
- a Agriculture Victoria, Biosciences Research, AgriBio, the Centre for AgriBioscience, 5 Ring Road, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia.,c Molecular Plant Breeding Cooperative Research Centre, Victorian AgriBiosciences Centre, La Trobe Research and Development Park, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia.,d Dairy Futures Cooperative Research Centre, AgriBio, the Centre for AgriBioscience, 5 Ring Road, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia
| | - Jatinder Kaur
- a Agriculture Victoria, Biosciences Research, AgriBio, the Centre for AgriBioscience, 5 Ring Road, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia.,c Molecular Plant Breeding Cooperative Research Centre, Victorian AgriBiosciences Centre, La Trobe Research and Development Park, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia.,d Dairy Futures Cooperative Research Centre, AgriBio, the Centre for AgriBioscience, 5 Ring Road, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia
| | - Pei Tian
- a Agriculture Victoria, Biosciences Research, AgriBio, the Centre for AgriBioscience, 5 Ring Road, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia.,c Molecular Plant Breeding Cooperative Research Centre, Victorian AgriBiosciences Centre, La Trobe Research and Development Park, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia.,d Dairy Futures Cooperative Research Centre, AgriBio, the Centre for AgriBioscience, 5 Ring Road, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia
| | - Simone J Rochfort
- a Agriculture Victoria, Biosciences Research, AgriBio, the Centre for AgriBioscience, 5 Ring Road, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia.,b School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3086, Australia.,d Dairy Futures Cooperative Research Centre, AgriBio, the Centre for AgriBioscience, 5 Ring Road, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia
| | - Kathryn M Guthridge
- a Agriculture Victoria, Biosciences Research, AgriBio, the Centre for AgriBioscience, 5 Ring Road, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia.,c Molecular Plant Breeding Cooperative Research Centre, Victorian AgriBiosciences Centre, La Trobe Research and Development Park, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia.,d Dairy Futures Cooperative Research Centre, AgriBio, the Centre for AgriBioscience, 5 Ring Road, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia
| | - Timothy I Sawbridge
- a Agriculture Victoria, Biosciences Research, AgriBio, the Centre for AgriBioscience, 5 Ring Road, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia.,b School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3086, Australia.,c Molecular Plant Breeding Cooperative Research Centre, Victorian AgriBiosciences Centre, La Trobe Research and Development Park, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia.,d Dairy Futures Cooperative Research Centre, AgriBio, the Centre for AgriBioscience, 5 Ring Road, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia
| | - German C Spangenberg
- a Agriculture Victoria, Biosciences Research, AgriBio, the Centre for AgriBioscience, 5 Ring Road, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia.,b School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3086, Australia.,c Molecular Plant Breeding Cooperative Research Centre, Victorian AgriBiosciences Centre, La Trobe Research and Development Park, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia.,d Dairy Futures Cooperative Research Centre, AgriBio, the Centre for AgriBioscience, 5 Ring Road, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia
| | - John W Forster
- a Agriculture Victoria, Biosciences Research, AgriBio, the Centre for AgriBioscience, 5 Ring Road, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia.,b School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3086, Australia.,c Molecular Plant Breeding Cooperative Research Centre, Victorian AgriBiosciences Centre, La Trobe Research and Development Park, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia.,d Dairy Futures Cooperative Research Centre, AgriBio, the Centre for AgriBioscience, 5 Ring Road, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia
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Green KA, Becker Y, Tanaka A, Takemoto D, Fitzsimons HL, Seiler S, Lalucque H, Silar P, Scott B. SymB and SymC, two membrane associated proteins, are required forEpichloë festucaehyphal cell-cell fusion and maintenance of a mutualistic interaction withLolium perenne. Mol Microbiol 2016; 103:657-677. [DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly A. Green
- Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University; Palmerston North 4442 New Zealand
- Bioprotection Research Centre, Massey University; Palmerston North 4442 New Zealand
| | - Yvonne Becker
- Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University; Palmerston North 4442 New Zealand
- Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops; Großbeeren 14979 Germany
| | - Aiko Tanaka
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences; Nagoya University; Nagoya 464-8601 Japan
| | - Daigo Takemoto
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences; Nagoya University; Nagoya 464-8601 Japan
| | - Helen L. Fitzsimons
- Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University; Palmerston North 4442 New Zealand
| | - Stephan Seiler
- Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies, Albert-Ludwigs Universität Freiburg; Freiburg Germany
| | - Hervé Lalucque
- Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Laboratoire des Energies de Demain; Paris 75205 France
| | - Philippe Silar
- Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Laboratoire des Energies de Demain; Paris 75205 France
| | - Barry Scott
- Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University; Palmerston North 4442 New Zealand
- Bioprotection Research Centre, Massey University; Palmerston North 4442 New Zealand
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Motoyama T, Osada H. Biosynthetic approaches to creating bioactive fungal metabolites: Pathway engineering and activation of secondary metabolism. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2016; 26:5843-5850. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2016.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2016] [Revised: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 11/06/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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49
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Green KA, Becker Y, Fitzsimons HL, Scott B. An Epichloë festucae homologue of MOB3, a component of the STRIPAK complex, is required for the establishment of a mutualistic symbiotic interaction with Lolium perenne. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2016; 17:1480-1492. [PMID: 27277141 PMCID: PMC5132070 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.12443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2016] [Revised: 06/04/2016] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
In both Sordaria macrospora and Neurospora crassa, components of the conserved STRIPAK (striatin-interacting phosphatase and kinase) complex regulate cell-cell fusion, hyphal network development and fruiting body formation. Interestingly, a number of Epichloë festucae genes that are required for hyphal cell-cell fusion, such as noxA, noxR, proA, mpkA and mkkA, are also required for the establishment of a mutualistic symbiotic interaction with Lolium perenne. To determine whether MobC, a homologue of the STRIPAK complex component MOB3 in S. macrospora and N. crassa, is required for E. festucae hyphal fusion and symbiosis, a mobC deletion strain was generated. The ΔmobC mutant showed reduced rates of hyphal cell-cell fusion, formed intrahyphal hyphae and exhibited enhanced conidiation. Plants infected with ΔmobC were severely stunted. Hyphae of ΔmobC showed a proliferative pattern of growth within the leaves of Lolium perenne with increased colonization of the intercellular spaces and vascular bundles. Although hyphae were still able to form expressoria, structures allowing the colonization of the leaf surface, the frequency of formation was significantly reduced. Collectively, these results show that the STRIPAK component MobC is required for the establishment of a mutualistic symbiotic association between E. festucae and L. perenne, and plays an accessory role in the regulation of hyphal cell-cell fusion and expressorium development in E. festucae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly A. Green
- Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey UniversityPalmerston North 4442New Zealand
| | - Yvonne Becker
- Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey UniversityPalmerston North 4442New Zealand
| | - Helen L. Fitzsimons
- Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey UniversityPalmerston North 4442New Zealand
| | - Barry Scott
- Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey UniversityPalmerston North 4442New Zealand
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50
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Voisey CR, Christensen MT, Johnson LJ, Forester NT, Gagic M, Bryan GT, Simpson WR, Fleetwood DJ, Card SD, Koolaard JP, Maclean PH, Johnson RD. cAMP Signaling Regulates Synchronised Growth of Symbiotic Epichloë Fungi with the Host Grass Lolium perenne. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2016; 7:1546. [PMID: 27833620 PMCID: PMC5082231 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2016.01546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The seed-transmitted fungal symbiont, Epichloë festucae, colonizes grasses by infecting host tissues as they form on the shoot apical meristem (SAM) of the seedling. How this fungus accommodates the complexities of plant development to successfully colonize the leaves and inflorescences is unclear. Since adenosine 3', 5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent signaling is often essential for host colonization by fungal pathogens, we disrupted the cAMP cascade by insertional mutagenesis of the E. festucae adenylate cyclase gene (acyA). Consistent with deletions of this gene in other fungi, acyA mutants had a slow radial growth rate in culture, and hyphae were convoluted and hyper-branched suggesting that fungal apical dominance had been disrupted. Nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) staining of hyphae showed that cAMP disruption mutants were impaired in their ability to synthesize superoxide, indicating that cAMP signaling regulates accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Despite significant defects in hyphal growth and ROS production, E. festucae ΔacyA mutants were infectious and capable of forming symbiotic associations with grasses. Plants infected with E. festucae ΔacyA were marginally less robust than the wild-type (WT), however hyphae were hyper-branched, and leaf tissues heavily colonized, indicating that the tight regulation of hyphal growth normally observed in maturing leaves requires functional cAMP signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine R. Voisey
- Forage Science, AgResearch Ltd., Grasslands Research CentrePalmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Michael T. Christensen
- Formally of Forage Improvement, AgResearch Ltd., Grasslands Research CentrePalmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Linda J. Johnson
- Forage Science, AgResearch Ltd., Grasslands Research CentrePalmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Natasha T. Forester
- Forage Science, AgResearch Ltd., Grasslands Research CentrePalmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Milan Gagic
- Forage Science, AgResearch Ltd., Grasslands Research CentrePalmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Gregory T. Bryan
- Forage Science, AgResearch Ltd., Grasslands Research CentrePalmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Wayne R. Simpson
- Forage Science, AgResearch Ltd., Grasslands Research CentrePalmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Damien J. Fleetwood
- Biotelliga Ltd., Institute for Innovation in BiotechnologyAuckland, New Zealand
| | - Stuart D. Card
- Forage Science, AgResearch Ltd., Grasslands Research CentrePalmerston North, New Zealand
| | - John P. Koolaard
- Bioinformatics and Statistics Team, AgResearch Ltd., Grasslands Research CentrePalmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Paul H. Maclean
- Bioinformatics and Statistics Team, AgResearch Ltd., Lincoln Research CentreChristchurch, New Zealand
| | - Richard D. Johnson
- Forage Science, AgResearch Ltd., Grasslands Research CentrePalmerston North, New Zealand
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