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Nagel A, Leonard M, Maurus I, Starke J, Schmitt K, Valerius O, Harting R, Braus GH. The Frq-Frh Complex Light-Dependently Delays Sfl1-Induced Microsclerotia Formation in Verticillium dahliae. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:725. [PMID: 37504714 PMCID: PMC10381341 DOI: 10.3390/jof9070725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The vascular plant pathogenic fungus Verticillium dahliae has to adapt to environmental changes outside and inside its host. V. dahliae harbors homologs of Neurospora crassa clock genes. The molecular functions and interactions of Frequency (Frq) and Frq-interacting RNA helicase (Frh) in controlling conidia or microsclerotia development were investigated in V. dahliae JR2. Fungal mutant strains carrying clock gene deletions, an FRH point mutation, or GFP gene fusions were analyzed on transcript, protein, and phenotypic levels as well as in pathogenicity assays on tomato plants. Our results support that the Frq-Frh complex is formed and that it promotes conidiation, but also that it suppresses and therefore delays V. dahliae microsclerotia formation in response to light. We investigated a possible link between the negative element Frq and positive regulator Suppressor of flocculation 1 (Sfl1) in microsclerotia formation to elucidate the regulatory molecular mechanism. Both Frq and Sfl1 are mainly present during the onset of microsclerotia formation with decreasing protein levels during further development. Induction of microsclerotia formation requires Sfl1 and can be delayed at early time points in the light through the Frq-Frh complex. Gaining further molecular knowledge on V. dahliae development will improve control of fungal growth and Verticillium wilt disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Nagel
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Göttingen, Grisebachstr. 8, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Miriam Leonard
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Göttingen, Grisebachstr. 8, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Isabel Maurus
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Göttingen, Grisebachstr. 8, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jessica Starke
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Göttingen, Grisebachstr. 8, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Kerstin Schmitt
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Göttingen, Grisebachstr. 8, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Oliver Valerius
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Göttingen, Grisebachstr. 8, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Rebekka Harting
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Göttingen, Grisebachstr. 8, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Gerhard H Braus
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Göttingen, Grisebachstr. 8, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
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Maurus I, Harting R, Herrfurth C, Starke J, Nagel A, Mohnike L, Chen YY, Schmitt K, Bastakis E, Süß MT, Leonard M, Heimel K, Valerius O, Feussner I, Kronstad JW, Braus GH. Verticillium dahliae Vta3 promotes ELV1 virulence factor gene expression in xylem sap, but tames Mtf1-mediated late stages of fungus-plant interactions and microsclerotia formation. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011100. [PMID: 36716333 PMCID: PMC9910802 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Verticillium transcription activator of adhesion 3 (Vta3) is required for plant root colonization and pathogenicity of the soil-borne vascular fungus Verticillium dahliae. RNA sequencing identified Vta3-dependent genetic networks required for growth in tomato xylem sap. Vta3 affects the expression of more than 1,000 transcripts, including candidates with predicted functions in virulence and morphogenesis such as Egh16-like virulence factor 1 (Elv1) and Master transcription factor 1 (Mtf1). The genes encoding Elv1 and Mtf1 were deleted and their functions in V. dahliae growth and virulence on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants were investigated using genetics, plant infection experiments, gene expression studies and phytohormone analyses. Vta3 contributes to virulence by promoting ELV1 expression, which is dispensable for vegetative growth and conidiation. Vta3 decreases disease symptoms mediated by Mtf1 in advanced stages of tomato plant colonization, while Mtf1 induces the expression of fungal effector genes and tomato pathogenesis-related protein genes. The levels of pipecolic and salicylic acids functioning in tomato defense signaling against (hemi-) biotrophic pathogens depend on the presence of MTF1, which promotes the formation of resting structures at the end of the infection cycle. In summary, the presence of VTA3 alters gene expression of virulence factors and tames the Mtf1 genetic subnetwork for late stages of plant disease progression and subsequent survival of the fungus in the soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Maurus
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics and Goettingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Rebekka Harting
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics and Goettingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Cornelia Herrfurth
- Department of Plant Biochemistry and Service Unit for Metabolomics and Lipidomics, Albrecht-von-Haller-Institute for Plant Sciences and Goettingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Jessica Starke
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics and Goettingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Alexandra Nagel
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics and Goettingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Lennart Mohnike
- Department of Plant Biochemistry and Service Unit for Metabolomics and Lipidomics, Albrecht-von-Haller-Institute for Plant Sciences and Goettingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Ying-Yu Chen
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics and Goettingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Kerstin Schmitt
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics and Goettingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Emmanouil Bastakis
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics and Goettingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Marian T. Süß
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics and Goettingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Miriam Leonard
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics and Goettingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Kai Heimel
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics and Goettingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Oliver Valerius
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics and Goettingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Ivo Feussner
- Department of Plant Biochemistry and Service Unit for Metabolomics and Lipidomics, Albrecht-von-Haller-Institute for Plant Sciences and Goettingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - James W. Kronstad
- Michael Smith Laboratories, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Gerhard H. Braus
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics and Goettingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Tomato Xylem Sap Hydrophobins Vdh4 and Vdh5 Are Important for Late Stages of Verticillium dahliae Plant Infection. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8121252. [PMID: 36547586 PMCID: PMC9783231 DOI: 10.3390/jof8121252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Verticillium dahliae causes economic losses to a wide range of crops as a vascular fungal pathogen. This filamentous ascomycete spends long periods of its life cycle in the plant xylem, a unique environment that requires adaptive processes. Specifically, fungal proteins produced in the xylem sap of the plant host may play important roles in colonizing the plant vasculature and in inducing disease symptoms. RNA sequencing revealed over 1500 fungal transcripts that are significantly more abundant in cells grown in tomato xylem sap compared with pectin-rich medium. Of the 85 genes that are strongly induced in the xylem sap, four genes encode the hydrophobins Vdh1, Vdh2, Vdh4 and Vdh5. Vdh4 and Vhd5 are structurally distinct from each other and from the three other hydrophobins (Vdh1-3) annotated in V. dahliae JR2. Their functions in the life cycle and virulence of V. dahliae were explored using genetics, cell biology and plant infection experiments. Our data revealed that Vdh4 and Vdh5 are dispensable for V. dahliae development and stress response, while both contribute to full disease development in tomato plants by acting at later colonization stages. We conclude that Vdh4 and Vdh5 are functionally specialized fungal hydrophobins that support pathogenicity against plants.
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Ren H, Li X, Li Y, Li M, Sun J, Wang F, Zeng J, Chen Y, Wang L, Yan X, Fan Y, Jin D, Pei Y. Loss of function of VdDrs2, a P4-ATPase, impairs the toxin secretion and microsclerotia formation, and decreases the pathogenicity of Verticillium dahliae. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:944364. [PMID: 36072318 PMCID: PMC9443849 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.944364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Four P4-ATPase flippase genes, VdDrs2, VdNeo1, VdP4-4, and VdDnf1 were identified in Verticillium dahliae, one of the most devastating phytopathogenic fungi in the world. Knock out of VdDrs2, VdNeo1, and VdP4-4, or knock down of VdDnf1 significantly decreased the pathogenicity of the mutants in cotton. Among the mutants, the greatest decrease in pathogenicity was observed in ΔVdDrs2. VdDrs2 was localized to plasma membrane, vacuoles, and trans-Golgi network (TGN). In vivo observation showed that the infection of the cotton by ΔVdDrs2 was significantly delayed. The amount of two known Verticillium toxins, sulfacetamide, and fumonisin B1 in the fermentation broth produced by the ΔVdDrs2 strain was significantly reduced, and the toxicity of the crude Verticillium wilt toxins to cotton cells was attenuated. In addition, the defect of VdDrs2 impaired the synthesis of melanin and the formation of microsclerotia, and decreased the sporulation of V. dahliae. Our data indicate a key role of P4 ATPases-associated vesicle transport in toxin secretion of disease fungi and support the importance of mycotoxins in the pathogenicity of V. dahliae.
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Li H, Wang D, Zhang DD, Geng Q, Li JJ, Sheng RC, Xue HS, Zhu H, Kong ZQ, Dai XF, Klosterman SJ, Subbarao KV, Chen FM, Chen JY. A polyketide synthase from Verticillium dahliae modulates melanin biosynthesis and hyphal growth to promote virulence. BMC Biol 2022; 20:125. [PMID: 35637443 PMCID: PMC9153097 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01330-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background During the disease cycle, plant pathogenic fungi exhibit a morphological transition between hyphal growth (the phase of active infection) and the production of long-term survival structures that remain dormant during “overwintering.” Verticillium dahliae is a major plant pathogen that produces heavily melanized microsclerotia (MS) that survive in the soil for 14 or more years. These MS are multicellular structures produced during the necrotrophic phase of the disease cycle. Polyketide synthases (PKSs) are responsible for catalyzing production of many secondary metabolites including melanin. While MS contribute to long-term survival, hyphal growth is key for infection and virulence, but the signaling mechanisms by which the pathogen maintains hyphal growth are unclear. Results We analyzed the VdPKSs that contain at least one conserved domain potentially involved in secondary metabolism (SM), and screened the effect of VdPKS deletions in the virulent strain AT13. Among the five VdPKSs whose deletion affected virulence on cotton, we found that VdPKS9 acted epistatically to the VdPKS1-associated melanin pathway to promote hyphal growth. The decreased hyphal growth in VdPKS9 mutants was accompanied by the up-regulation of melanin biosynthesis and MS formation. Overexpression of VdPKS9 transformed melanized hyphal-type (MH-type) into the albinistic hyaline hyphal-type (AH-type), and VdPKS9 was upregulated in the AH-type population, which also exhibited higher virulence than the MH-type. Conclusions We show that VdPKS9 is a powerful negative regulator of both melanin biosynthesis and MS formation in V. dahliae. These findings provide insight into the mechanism of how plant pathogens promote their virulence by the maintenance of vegetative hyphal growth during infection and colonization of plant hosts, and may provide novel targets for the control of melanin-producing filamentous fungi. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12915-022-01330-2.
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Guo C, Yang X, Shi H, Chen C, Hu Z, Zheng X, Yang X, Xie C. Identification of VdASP F2-interacting protein as a regulator of microsclerotial formation in Verticillium dahliae. Microb Biotechnol 2022; 15:2040-2054. [PMID: 35478269 PMCID: PMC9249328 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Verticillium dahliae, a notorious phytopathogenic fungus, causes vascular wilt diseases in many plant species. The melanized microsclerotia enable V. dahliae to survive for years in soil and are crucial for its disease cycle. In a previous study, we characterized the secretory protein VdASP F2 from V. dahliae and found that VdASP F2 deletion significantly affected the formation of microsclerotia under adverse environmental conditions. In this study, we clarified that VdASP F2 is localized to the cell wall. However, the underlying mechanism of VdASP F2 in microsclerotial formation remains unclear. Transmembrane ion channel protein VdTRP was identified as a candidate protein that interacts with VdASP F2 using pull‐down assays followed by liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) analysis, and interaction of VdASP F2 and VdTRP was confirmed by bimolecular fluorescence complementary and coimmunoprecipitation assays. The deletion mutant was analysed to reveal that VdTRP is required for microsclerotial production, but it is not essential for stress resistance, carbon utilization and pathogenicity of V. dahliae. RNA‐seq revealed some differentially expressed genes related to melanin synthesis and microsclerotial formation were significantly downregulated in the VdTRP deletion mutants. Taken together, these results indicate that VdASP F2 regulates the formation of melanized microsclerotia by interacting with VdTRP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuimei Guo
- The Chongqing Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Plant Environmental Adaptations, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 401331, China.,Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Specialty Crop Resources and The College of Life Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 401331, China
| | - Xing Yang
- The Chongqing Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Plant Environmental Adaptations, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 401331, China.,Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Specialty Crop Resources and The College of Life Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 401331, China
| | - Hongli Shi
- The Chongqing Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Plant Environmental Adaptations, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 401331, China.,Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Specialty Crop Resources and The College of Life Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 401331, China
| | - Chi Chen
- The Chongqing Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Plant Environmental Adaptations, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 401331, China.,Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Specialty Crop Resources and The College of Life Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 401331, China
| | - Zhijuan Hu
- The Chongqing Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Plant Environmental Adaptations, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 401331, China.,Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Specialty Crop Resources and The College of Life Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 401331, China
| | - Xinyao Zheng
- The Chongqing Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Plant Environmental Adaptations, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 401331, China.,Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Specialty Crop Resources and The College of Life Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 401331, China
| | - Xingyong Yang
- College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University, Chengdu, 610106, China
| | - Chengjian Xie
- The Chongqing Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Plant Environmental Adaptations, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 401331, China.,Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Specialty Crop Resources and The College of Life Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 401331, China
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Adhesion as a Focus in Trichoderma–Root Interactions. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8040372. [PMID: 35448603 PMCID: PMC9026816 DOI: 10.3390/jof8040372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungal spores, germlings, and mycelia adhere to substrates, including host tissues. The adhesive forces depend on the substrate and on the adhesins, the fungal cell surface proteins. Attachment is often a prerequisite for the invasion of the host, hence its importance. Adhesion visibly precedes colonization of root surfaces and outer cortex layers, but little is known about the molecular details. We propose that by starting from what is already known from other fungi, including yeast and other filamentous pathogens and symbionts, the mechanism and function of Trichoderma adhesion will become accessible. There is a sequence, and perhaps functional, homology to other rhizosphere-competent Sordariomycetes. Specifically, Verticillium dahliae is a soil-borne pathogen that establishes itself in the xylem and causes destructive wilt disease. Metarhizium species are best-known as insect pathogens with biocontrol potential, but they also colonize roots. Verticillium orthologs of the yeast Flo8 transcription factor, Som1, and several other relevant genes are already under study for their roles in adhesion. Metarhizium encodes relevant adhesins. Trichoderma virens encodes homologs of Som1, as well as adhesin candidates. These genes should provide exciting leads toward the first step in the establishment of beneficial interactions with roots in the rhizosphere.
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Liu L, Wang D, Zhang C, Liu H, Guo H, Cheng H, Liu E, Su X. The heat shock factor GhHSFA4a positively regulates cotton resistance to Verticillium dahliae. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:1050216. [PMID: 36407619 PMCID: PMC9669655 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1050216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Heat shock factors (HSFs) play a crucial role in the environmental stress responses of numerous plant species, including defense responses to pathogens; however, their role in cotton resistance to Verticillium dahliae remains unclear. We have previously identified several differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in Arabidopsis thaliana after inoculation with V. dahliae. Here, we discovered that GhHSFA4a in Gossypium hirsutum (cotton) after inoculation with V. dahliae shares a high identity with a DEG in A. thaliana in response to V. dahliae infection. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis indicated that GhHSFA4a expression was rapidly induced by V. dahliae and ubiquitous in cotton roots, stems, and leaves. In a localization analysis using transient expression, GhHSFA4a was shown to be localized to the nucleus. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) revealed that downregulation of GhHSFA4a significantly increased cotton susceptibility to V. dahliae. To investigate GhHSFA4a-mediated defense, 814 DEGs were identified between GhHSFA4a-silenced plants and controls using comparative RNA-seq analysis. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis showed that DEGs were enriched in "flavonoid biosynthesis", "sesquiterpenoid and triterpenoid biosynthesis", "linoleic acid metabolism" and "alpha-linolenic acid metabolism". The expression levels of marker genes for these four pathways were triggered after inoculation with V. dahliae. Moreover, GhHSFA4a-overexpressing lines of A. thaliana displayed enhanced resistance against V. dahliae compared to that of the wild type. These results indicate that GhHSFA4a is involved in the synthesis of secondary metabolites and signal transduction, which are indispensable for innate immunity against V. dahliae in cotton.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Liu
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Di Wang
- Center for Advanced Measurement Science, National Institute of Metrology, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation, College of Life Science, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Haiyang Liu
- Institute of Plant Protection, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Urumqi, China
| | - Huiming Guo
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Lab, Sanya, China
| | - Hongmei Cheng
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Lab, Sanya, China
| | - Enliang Liu
- Institute of Grain Crops, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural ScienceS, Urumqi, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaofeng Su, ; Enliang Liu,
| | - Xiaofeng Su
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Lab, Sanya, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaofeng Su, ; Enliang Liu,
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9
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Harting R, Starke J, Kusch H, Pöggeler S, Maurus I, Schlüter R, Landesfeind M, Bulla I, Nowrousian M, de Jonge R, Stahlhut G, Hoff KJ, Aßhauer KP, Thürmer A, Stanke M, Daniel R, Morgenstern B, Thomma BPHJ, Kronstad JW, Braus‐Stromeyer SA, Braus GH. A 20-kb lineage-specific genomic region tames virulence in pathogenic amphidiploid Verticillium longisporum. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2021; 22:939-953. [PMID: 33955130 PMCID: PMC8295516 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.13071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Amphidiploid fungal Verticillium longisporum strains Vl43 and Vl32 colonize the plant host Brassica napus but differ in their ability to cause disease symptoms. These strains represent two V. longisporum lineages derived from different hybridization events of haploid parental Verticillium strains. Vl32 and Vl43 carry same-sex mating-type genes derived from both parental lineages. Vl32 and Vl43 similarly colonize and penetrate plant roots, but asymptomatic Vl32 proliferation in planta is lower than virulent Vl43. The highly conserved Vl43 and Vl32 genomes include less than 1% unique genes, and the karyotypes of 15 or 16 chromosomes display changed genetic synteny due to substantial genomic reshuffling. A 20 kb Vl43 lineage-specific (LS) region apparently originating from the Verticillium dahliae-related ancestor is specific for symptomatic Vl43 and encodes seven genes, including two putative transcription factors. Either partial or complete deletion of this LS region in Vl43 did not reduce virulence but led to induction of even more severe disease symptoms in rapeseed. This suggests that the LS insertion in the genome of symptomatic V. longisporum Vl43 mediates virulence-reducing functions, limits damage on the host plant, and therefore tames Vl43 from being even more virulent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebekka Harting
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and GeneticsInstitute of Microbiology and Genetics and Göttingen Center for Molecular BiosciencesUniversity of GöttingenGöttingenGermany
| | - Jessica Starke
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and GeneticsInstitute of Microbiology and Genetics and Göttingen Center for Molecular BiosciencesUniversity of GöttingenGöttingenGermany
| | - Harald Kusch
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and GeneticsInstitute of Microbiology and Genetics and Göttingen Center for Molecular BiosciencesUniversity of GöttingenGöttingenGermany
| | - Stefanie Pöggeler
- Department of Genetics of Eukaryotic MicroorganismsInstitute of Microbiology and Genetics and Göttingen Center for Molecular BiosciencesUniversity of GöttingenGöttingenGermany
| | - Isabel Maurus
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and GeneticsInstitute of Microbiology and Genetics and Göttingen Center for Molecular BiosciencesUniversity of GöttingenGöttingenGermany
| | - Rabea Schlüter
- Imaging Center of the Department of BiologyUniversity of GreifswaldGreifswaldGermany
| | - Manuel Landesfeind
- Department of BioinformaticsInstitute of Microbiology and Genetics and Göttingen Center for Molecular BiosciencesUniversity of GöttingenGöttingenGermany
| | - Ingo Bulla
- Institute for Mathematics and Computer ScienceUniversity of GreifswaldGreifswaldGermany
| | - Minou Nowrousian
- Department of Molecular and Cellular BotanyRuhr‐Universität BochumBochumGermany
| | - Ronnie de Jonge
- Plant–Microbe Interactions, Department of Biology, Science4LifeUtrecht UniversityUtrechtNetherlands
- Laboratory of PhytopathologyWageningen UniversityWageningenNetherlands
| | - Gertrud Stahlhut
- Department of Genetics of Eukaryotic MicroorganismsInstitute of Microbiology and Genetics and Göttingen Center for Molecular BiosciencesUniversity of GöttingenGöttingenGermany
| | - Katharina J. Hoff
- Institute for Mathematics and Computer ScienceUniversity of GreifswaldGreifswaldGermany
- Center for Functional Genomics of MicrobesUniversity of GreifswaldGreifswaldGermany
| | - Kathrin P. Aßhauer
- Department of BioinformaticsInstitute of Microbiology and Genetics and Göttingen Center for Molecular BiosciencesUniversity of GöttingenGöttingenGermany
| | - Andrea Thürmer
- Department of Genomic and Applied MicrobiologyInstitute of Microbiology and Genetics and Göttingen Center for Molecular BiosciencesUniversity of GöttingenGöttingenGermany
| | - Mario Stanke
- Institute for Mathematics and Computer ScienceUniversity of GreifswaldGreifswaldGermany
- Center for Functional Genomics of MicrobesUniversity of GreifswaldGreifswaldGermany
| | - Rolf Daniel
- Department of Genomic and Applied MicrobiologyInstitute of Microbiology and Genetics and Göttingen Center for Molecular BiosciencesUniversity of GöttingenGöttingenGermany
| | - Burkhard Morgenstern
- Department of BioinformaticsInstitute of Microbiology and Genetics and Göttingen Center for Molecular BiosciencesUniversity of GöttingenGöttingenGermany
| | | | - James W. Kronstad
- Michael Smith Laboratories, Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
| | - Susanna A. Braus‐Stromeyer
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and GeneticsInstitute of Microbiology and Genetics and Göttingen Center for Molecular BiosciencesUniversity of GöttingenGöttingenGermany
| | - Gerhard H. Braus
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and GeneticsInstitute of Microbiology and Genetics and Göttingen Center for Molecular BiosciencesUniversity of GöttingenGöttingenGermany
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10
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Harting R, Nagel A, Nesemann K, Höfer AM, Bastakis E, Kusch H, Stanley CE, Stöckli M, Kaever A, Hoff KJ, Stanke M, deMello AJ, Künzler M, Haney CH, Braus-Stromeyer SA, Braus GH. Pseudomonas Strains Induce Transcriptional and Morphological Changes and Reduce Root Colonization of Verticillium spp. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:652468. [PMID: 34108946 PMCID: PMC8180853 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.652468] [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: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Phytopathogenic Verticillia cause Verticillium wilt on numerous economically important crops. Plant infection begins at the roots, where the fungus is confronted with rhizosphere inhabiting bacteria. The effects of different fluorescent pseudomonads, including some known biocontrol agents of other plant pathogens, on fungal growth of the haploid Verticillium dahliae and/or the amphidiploid Verticillium longisporum were compared on pectin-rich medium, in microfluidic interaction channels, allowing visualization of single hyphae, or on Arabidopsis thaliana roots. We found that the potential for formation of bacterial lipopeptide syringomycin resulted in stronger growth reduction effects on saprophytic Aspergillus nidulans compared to Verticillium spp. A more detailed analyses on bacterial-fungal co-cultivation in narrow interaction channels of microfluidic devices revealed that the strongest inhibitory potential was found for Pseudomonas protegens CHA0, with its inhibitory potential depending on the presence of the GacS/GacA system controlling several bacterial metabolites. Hyphal tip polarity was altered when V. longisporum was confronted with pseudomonads in narrow interaction channels, resulting in a curly morphology instead of straight hyphal tip growth. These results support the hypothesis that the fungus attempts to evade the bacterial confrontation. Alterations due to co-cultivation with bacteria could not only be observed in fungal morphology but also in fungal transcriptome. P. protegens CHA0 alters transcriptional profiles of V. longisporum during 2 h liquid media co-cultivation in pectin-rich medium. Genes required for degradation of and growth on the carbon source pectin were down-regulated, whereas transcripts involved in redox processes were up-regulated. Thus, the secondary metabolite mediated effect of Pseudomonas isolates on Verticillium species results in a complex transcriptional response, leading to decreased growth with precautions for self-protection combined with the initiation of a change in fungal growth direction. This interplay of bacterial effects on the pathogen can be beneficial to protect plants from infection, as shown with A. thaliana root experiments. Treatment of the roots with bacteria prior to infection with V. dahliae resulted in a significant reduction of fungal root colonization. Taken together we demonstrate how pseudomonads interfere with the growth of Verticillium spp. and show that these bacteria could serve in plant protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebekka Harting
- Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Alexandra Nagel
- Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Kai Nesemann
- Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Annalena M Höfer
- Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Emmanouil Bastakis
- Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Harald Kusch
- Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.,Department of Medical Informatics, University Medical Center, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Claire E Stanley
- Institute of Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Alexander Kaever
- Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Katharina J Hoff
- Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science, Universität Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Mario Stanke
- Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science, Universität Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Andrew J deMello
- Institute of Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Markus Künzler
- Institute of Microbiology, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Cara H Haney
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Susanna A Braus-Stromeyer
- Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Gerhard H Braus
- Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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11
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Starke J, Harting R, Maurus I, Leonard M, Bremenkamp R, Heimel K, Kronstad JW, Braus GH. Unfolded Protein Response and Scaffold Independent Pheromone MAP Kinase Signaling Control Verticillium dahliae Growth, Development, and Plant Pathogenesis. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7040305. [PMID: 33921172 PMCID: PMC8071499 DOI: 10.3390/jof7040305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Differentiation, growth, and virulence of the vascular plant pathogen Verticillium dahliae depend on a network of interconnected cellular signaling cascades. The transcription factor Hac1 of the endoplasmic reticulum-associated unfolded protein response (UPR) is required for initial root colonization, fungal growth, and vascular propagation by conidiation. Hac1 is essential for the formation of microsclerotia as long-time survival resting structures in the field. Single endoplasmic reticulum-associated enzymes for linoleic acid production as precursors for oxylipin signal molecules support fungal growth but not pathogenicity. Microsclerotia development, growth, and virulence further require the pheromone response mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, but without the Ham5 scaffold function. The MAPK phosphatase Rok1 limits resting structure development of V.dahliae, but promotes growth, conidiation, and virulence. The interplay between UPR and MAPK signaling cascades includes several potential targets for fungal growth control for supporting disease management of the vascular pathogen V.dahliae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Starke
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; (J.S.); (R.H.); (I.M.); (M.L.); (R.B.); (K.H.)
| | - Rebekka Harting
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; (J.S.); (R.H.); (I.M.); (M.L.); (R.B.); (K.H.)
| | - Isabel Maurus
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; (J.S.); (R.H.); (I.M.); (M.L.); (R.B.); (K.H.)
| | - Miriam Leonard
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; (J.S.); (R.H.); (I.M.); (M.L.); (R.B.); (K.H.)
| | - Rica Bremenkamp
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; (J.S.); (R.H.); (I.M.); (M.L.); (R.B.); (K.H.)
| | - Kai Heimel
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; (J.S.); (R.H.); (I.M.); (M.L.); (R.B.); (K.H.)
| | - James W. Kronstad
- Michael Smith Laboratories, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada;
| | - Gerhard H. Braus
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; (J.S.); (R.H.); (I.M.); (M.L.); (R.B.); (K.H.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-(0)551-39-33771
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12
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Höfer AM, Harting R, Aßmann NF, Gerke J, Schmitt K, Starke J, Bayram Ö, Tran VT, Valerius O, Braus-Stromeyer SA, Braus GH. The velvet protein Vel1 controls initial plant root colonization and conidia formation for xylem distribution in Verticillium wilt. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009434. [PMID: 33720931 PMCID: PMC7993770 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The conserved fungal velvet family regulatory proteins link development and secondary metabolite production. The velvet domain for DNA binding and dimerization is similar to the structure of the Rel homology domain of the mammalian NF-κB transcription factor. A comprehensive study addressed the functions of all four homologs of velvet domain encoding genes in the fungal life cycle of the soil-borne plant pathogenic fungus Verticillium dahliae. Genetic, cell biological, proteomic and metabolomic analyses of Vel1, Vel2, Vel3 and Vos1 were combined with plant pathogenicity experiments. Different phases of fungal growth, development and pathogenicity require V. dahliae velvet proteins, including Vel1-Vel2, Vel2-Vos1 and Vel3-Vos1 heterodimers, which are already present during vegetative hyphal growth. The major novel finding of this study is that Vel1 is necessary for initial plant root colonization and together with Vel3 for propagation in planta by conidiation. Vel1 is needed for disease symptom induction in tomato. Vel1, Vel2, and Vel3 control the formation of microsclerotia in senescent plants. Vel1 is the most important among all four V. dahliae velvet proteins with a wide variety of functions during all phases of the fungal life cycle in as well as ex planta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalena M. Höfer
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Rebekka Harting
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Nils F. Aßmann
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jennifer Gerke
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Kerstin Schmitt
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jessica Starke
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Özgür Bayram
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Van-Tuan Tran
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Oliver Valerius
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Susanna A. Braus-Stromeyer
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Gerhard H. Braus
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Göttingen, Germany
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