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Sofianos G, Piombo E, Dubey M, Karlsson M, Karaoglanidis G, Tzelepis G. Transcriptomic and functional analyses on a Botrytis cinerea multidrug-resistant (MDR) strain provides new insights into the potential molecular mechanisms of MDR and fitness. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2024; 25:e70004. [PMID: 39244735 PMCID: PMC11380696 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.70004] [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: 06/04/2024] [Revised: 08/22/2024] [Accepted: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024]
Abstract
Botrytis cinerea is a notorious pathogen causing pre- and post-harvest spoilage in many economically important crops. Excessive application of site-specific fungicides to control the pathogen has led to the selection of strains possessing target site alterations associated with resistance to these fungicides and/or strains overexpressing efflux transporters associated with multidrug resistance (MDR). MDR in B. cinerea has been correlated with the overexpression of atrB and mfsM2, encoding an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) and a major facilitator superfamily (MFS) transporter, respectively. However, it remains unknown whether other transporters may also contribute to the MDR phenotype. In the current study, the transcriptome of a B. cinerea multidrug-resistant (MDR) field strain was analysed upon exposure to the fungicide fludioxonil, and compared to the B05.10 reference strain. The transcriptome of this field strain displayed significant differences as compared to B05.10, including genes involved in sugar membrane transport, toxin production and virulence. Among the induced genes in the field strain, even before exposure to fludioxonil, were several putatively encoding ABC and MFS transmembrane transporters. Overexpression of a highly induced MFS transporter gene in the B05.10 strain led to an increased tolerance to the fungicides fluopyram and boscalid, indicating an involvement in efflux transport of these compounds. Overall, the data from this study give insights towards better understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in MDR and fitness cost, contributing to the development of more efficient control strategies against this pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Sofianos
- Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Environment, Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Edoardo Piombo
- Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala Biocenter, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mukesh Dubey
- Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala Biocenter, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Magnus Karlsson
- Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala Biocenter, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - George Karaoglanidis
- Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Environment, Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Georgios Tzelepis
- Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala Biocenter, Uppsala, Sweden
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Llobregat B, González-Candelas L, Ballester AR. Exploring the Biocontrol Capability of Non-Mycotoxigenic Strains of Penicillium expansum. Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:52. [PMID: 38251268 PMCID: PMC10820982 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16010052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Penicillium expansum is one the major postharvest pathogens of pome fruit during postharvest handling and storage. This fungus also produces patulin, which is a highly toxic mycotoxin that can contaminate infected fruits and their derived products and whose levels are regulated in many countries. In this study, we investigated the biocontrol potential of non-mycotoxigenic strains of Penicillium expansum against a mycotoxigenic strain. We analyzed the competitive behavior of two knockout mutants that were unable to produce patulin. The first mutant (∆patK) involved the deletion of the patK gene, which is the initial gene in patulin biosynthesis. The second mutant (∆veA) involved the deletion of veA, which is a global regulator of primary and secondary metabolism. At the phenotypic level, the ∆patK mutant exhibited similar phenotypic characteristics to the wild-type strain. In contrast, the ∆veA mutant displayed altered growth characteristics compared with the wild type, including reduced conidiation and abnormal conidiophores. Neither mutant produced patulin under the tested conditions. Under various stress conditions, the ∆veA mutants exhibited reduced growth and conidiation when exposed to stressors, including cell membrane stress, oxidative stress, osmotic stress, and different pH values. However, no significant changes were observed in the ∆patK mutant. In competitive growth experiments, the presence of non-mycotoxigenic strains reduced the population of the wild-type strain during in vitro growth. Furthermore, the addition of either of the non-mycotoxigenic strains resulted in a significant decrease in patulin levels. Overall, our results suggest the potential use of non-mycotoxigenic mutants, particularly ∆patK mutants, as biocontrol agents to reduce patulin contamination in food and feed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ana-Rosa Ballester
- Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), CSIC, Calle Catedrático Agustín Escardino 7, 46980 Paterna, Spain; (B.L.); (L.G.-C.)
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Rafiei V, Vélëz H, Piombo E, Dubey M, Tzelepis G. Verticillium longisporum phospholipase VlsPLA 2 is a virulence factor that targets host nuclei and modulates plant immunity. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2023; 24:1078-1092. [PMID: 37171182 PMCID: PMC10423322 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.13352] [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: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Phospholipase A2 (PLA2 ) is a lipolytic enzyme that hydrolyses phospholipids in the cell membrane. In the present study, we investigated the role of secreted PLA2 (VlsPLA2 ) in Verticillium longisporum, a fungal phytopathogen that mostly infects plants belonging to the Brassicaceae family, causing severe annual yield loss worldwide. Expression of the VlsPLA2 gene, which encodes active PLA2 , is highly induced during the interaction of the fungus with the host plant Brassica napus. Heterologous expression of VlsPLA2 in Nicotiana benthamiana resulted in increased synthesis of certain phospholipids compared to plants in which enzymatically inactive PLA2 was expressed (VlsPLA2 ΔCD ). Moreover, VlsPLA2 suppresses the hypersensitive response triggered by the Cf4/Avr4 complex, thereby suppressing the chitin-induced reactive oxygen species burst. VlsPLA2 -overexpressing V. longisporum strains showed increased virulence in Arabidopsis plants, and transcriptomic analysis of this fungal strain revealed that the induction of the gene contributed to increased virulence. VlsPLA2 was initially localized to the host nucleus and then translocated to the chloroplasts at later time points. In addition, VlsPLA2 bound to the vesicle-associated membrane protein A (VAMPA) and was transported to the nuclear membrane. In the nucleus, VlsPLA2 caused major alterations in the expression levels of genes encoding transcription factors and subtilisin-like proteases, which play a role in plant immunity. In conclusion, our study showed that VlsPLA2 acts as a virulence factor, possibly by hydrolysing host nuclear envelope phospholipids, which, through a signal transduction cascade, may suppress basal plant immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahideh Rafiei
- Department of Forest Mycology and Plant PathologySwedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala BiocenterUppsalaSweden
| | - Heriberto Vélëz
- Department of Forest Mycology and Plant PathologySwedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala BiocenterUppsalaSweden
| | - Edoardo Piombo
- Department of Forest Mycology and Plant PathologySwedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala BiocenterUppsalaSweden
| | - Mukesh Dubey
- Department of Forest Mycology and Plant PathologySwedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala BiocenterUppsalaSweden
| | - Georgios Tzelepis
- Department of Forest Mycology and Plant PathologySwedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala BiocenterUppsalaSweden
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Ochratoxin A Defective Aspergillus carbonarius Mutants as Potential Biocontrol Agents. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14110745. [PMID: 36355995 PMCID: PMC9695793 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14110745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus carbonarius is one of the main species responsible for wine, coffee and cocoa toxin contamination. The main mycotoxin produced by this fungus, ochratoxin A (OTA), is a secondary metabolite categorized as a possible carcinogen because of its significant nephrotoxicity and immunosuppressive effects. A polyketide synthase gene (otaA) encodes the first enzyme in the OTA biosynthetic pathway. It is known that the filamentous fungi, growth, development and production of secondary metabolites are interconnected processes governed by global regulatory factors whose encoding genes are generally located outside the gene clusters involved in the biosynthesis of each secondary metabolite, such as the veA gene, which forms part of the VELVET complex. Different fungal strains compete for nutrients and space when they infect their hosts, and safer non-mycotoxigenic strains may be able to outcompete mycotoxigenic strains during colonization. To determine the possible utility of biopesticides based on the competitive exclusion of mycotoxigenic strains by non-toxigenic ones, we used A. carbonarius ΔotaA and ΔveA knockout mutants. Our results showed that during both in vitro growth and infection of grapes, non-mycotoxigenic strains could outcompete the wild-type strain. Additionally, the introduction of the non-mycotoxigenic strain led to a drastic decrease in OTA during both in vitro growth and infection of grapes.
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Rafiei V, Najafi Y, Vélëz H, Tzelepis G. Investigating the role of a putative endolysin-like candidate effector protein in Verticillium longisporum virulence. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 629:6-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.08.086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Gómez-Muñoz B, Efthymiou A, Dubey M, Sølve J, Nicolaisen M, Jensen DF, Nybroe O, Larsen J. Cellulose amendment promotes P solubilization by Penicillium aculeatum in non-sterilized soil. Fungal Biol 2022; 126:356-365. [DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2022.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2020] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Rafiei V, Ruffino A, Persson Hodén K, Tornkvist A, Mozuraitis R, Dubey M, Tzelepis G. A Verticillium longisporum pleiotropic drug transporter determines tolerance to the plant host β-pinene monoterpene. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2022; 23:291-303. [PMID: 34825755 PMCID: PMC8743018 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.13162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Terpenes constitute a major part of secondary metabolites secreted by plants in the rhizosphere. However, their specific functions in fungal-plant interactions have not been investigated thoroughly. In this study we investigated the role of monoterpenes in interactions between oilseed rape (Brassica napus) and the soilborne pathogen Verticillium longisporum. We identified seven monoterpenes produced by B. napus, and production of α-pinene, β-pinene, 3-carene, and camphene was significantly increased upon fungal infection. Among them, β-pinene was chosen for further analysis. Transcriptome analysis of V. longisporum on exposure to β-pinene resulted in identification of two highly expressed pleotropic drug transporters paralog genes named VlAbcG1a and VlAbcG1b. Overexpression of VlAbcG1a in Saccharomyces cerevisiae increased tolerance to β-pinene, while deletion of the VlAbcG1a homologous gene in Verticillium dahliae resulted in mutants with increased sensitivity to certain monoterpenes. Furthermore, the VlAbcG1a overexpression strain displayed an increased tolerance to β-pinene and increased virulence in tomato plants. Data from this study give new insights into the roles of terpenes in plant-fungal pathogen interactions and the mechanisms fungi deploy to cope with the toxicity of these secondary metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahideh Rafiei
- Department of Forest Mycology and Plant PathologyUppsala BiocenterSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesUppsalaSweden
| | - Alessandra Ruffino
- Department of Plant BiologyUppsala BiocenterSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesLinnean Center for Plant BiologyUppsalaSweden
| | - Kristian Persson Hodén
- Department of Plant BiologyUppsala BiocenterSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesLinnean Center for Plant BiologyUppsalaSweden
| | - Anna Tornkvist
- Department of Plant BiologyUppsala BiocenterSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesLinnean Center for Plant BiologyUppsalaSweden
| | | | - Mukesh Dubey
- Department of Forest Mycology and Plant PathologyUppsala BiocenterSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesUppsalaSweden
| | - Georgios Tzelepis
- Department of Forest Mycology and Plant PathologyUppsala BiocenterSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesUppsalaSweden
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Agisha VN, Ashwin NMR, Vinodhini RT, Nalayeni K, Ramesh Sundar A, Malathi P, Viswanathan R. Protoplast-mediated transformation in Sporisorium scitamineum facilitates visualization of in planta developmental stages in sugarcane. Mol Biol Rep 2021; 48:7921-7932. [PMID: 34655406 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-06823-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sporisorium scitamineum is the causative agent of smut disease in sugarcane. The tricky life cycle of S. scitamineum consists of three distinct growth stages: diploid teliospores, haploid sporidia and dikaryotic mycelia. Compatible haploid sporidia representing opposite mating types (MAT-1 and MAT-2) of the fungus fuse to form infective dikaryotic mycelia in the host tissues, leading to the development of a characteristic whip shaped sorus. In this study, the transition of distinct stages of in vitro life cycle and in planta developmental stages of S. scitamineum are presented by generating stable GFP transformants of S. scitamineum. METHODS AND RESULTS Haploid sporidia were isolated from the teliospores of Ss97009, and the opposite mating types (MAT-1 and MAT-2) were identified by random mating assay and mating type-specific PCR. Both haploid sporidia were individually transformed with pNIIST plasmid, harboring an enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) gene and hygromycin gene by a modified protoplast-based PEG-mediated transformation method. Thereafter, the distinct in vitro developmental stages including fusion of haploid sporidia and formation of dikaryotic mycelia expressing GFP were demonstrated. To visualize in planta colonization, transformed haploids (MAT-1gfp and MAT-2gfp) were fused and inoculated onto the smut susceptible sugarcane cultivar, Co 97009 and examined microscopically at different stages of colonization. GFP fluorescence-based analysis presented an extensive fungal colonization of the bud surface as well as inter- and intracellular colonization of the transformed S. scitamineum in sugarcane tissues during initial stages of disease development. Noticeably, the GFP-tagged S. scitamineum led to the emergence of smut whips, which established their pathogenicity, and demonstrated initial colonization, active sporogenesis and teliospore maturation stages. CONCLUSION Overall, for the first time, an efficient protoplast-based transformation method was employed to depict clear-cut developmental stages in vitro and in planta using GFP-tagged strains for better understanding of S. scitamineum life cycle development.
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Affiliation(s)
- V N Agisha
- Plant Pathology Section, Division of Crop Protection, ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641007, India
| | - N M R Ashwin
- Plant Pathology Section, Division of Crop Protection, ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641007, India
| | - R T Vinodhini
- Plant Pathology Section, Division of Crop Protection, ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641007, India
| | - Kumaravel Nalayeni
- Plant Pathology Section, Division of Crop Protection, ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641007, India
| | - Amalraj Ramesh Sundar
- Plant Pathology Section, Division of Crop Protection, ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641007, India.
| | - Palaniyandi Malathi
- Plant Pathology Section, Division of Crop Protection, ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641007, India
| | - Rasappa Viswanathan
- Plant Pathology Section, Division of Crop Protection, ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641007, India
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Solairaj D, Yang Q, Guillaume Legrand NN, Routledge MN, Zhang H. Molecular explication of grape berry-fungal infections and their potential application in recent postharvest infection control strategies. Trends Food Sci Technol 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tifs.2021.08.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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10
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Tzelepis G, Dölfors F, Holmquist L, Dixelius C. Plant mitochondria and chloroplasts are targeted by the Rhizoctonia solani RsCRP1 effector. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021; 544:86-90. [PMID: 33550013 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The fungal species Rhizoctonia solani belongs to the Basidiomycota division and is a ubiquitous soil-borne pathogen. It is the main agent of the damping-off disease in seedlings and causes the root and crown rot disease in sugar beets. Plant pathogens deploy small secreted proteins, called effectors, to manipulate plant immunity in order to infect the host. Here, a gene (RsCRP1) encoded a putative effector cysteine-rich protein was cloned, expressed in Cercospora beticola and used for virulence assays. The RsCRP1 gene was highly induced upon the early-infection stage of sugar beet seedlings and disease was promoted. Confocal microscopy demonstrated localization to the chloroplasts and mitochondria upon transient expression of RsCRP1 in leaves of Nicotiana benthamiana. Further, this effector was unable to induce necrosis or to suppress hypersensitive response induced by the Avr4/Cf4 complex in N. benthamiana. Overall, these data indicate that RsCRP1 is a novel effector targeting distinct plant cell organelles in order to facilitate a successful infection at the early stages of the disease development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Tzelepis
- Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala Biocenter, Box 7026, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Fredrik Dölfors
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Linnean Center for Plant Biology, P.O. Box 7080, S-75007, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Louise Holmquist
- MariboHilleshög Research AB, Säbyholmsvägen 24, S-26191, Landskrona, Sweden
| | - Christina Dixelius
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Linnean Center for Plant Biology, P.O. Box 7080, S-75007, Uppsala, Sweden
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Charova SN, Dölfors F, Holmquist L, Moschou PN, Dixelius C, Tzelepis G. The RsRlpA Effector Is a Protease Inhibitor Promoting Rhizoctonia solani Virulence through Suppression of the Hypersensitive Response. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21218070. [PMID: 33138028 PMCID: PMC7662947 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21218070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Rhizoctonia solani (Rs) is a soil-borne pathogen with a broad host range. This pathogen incites a wide range of disease symptoms. Knowledge regarding its infection process is fragmented, a typical feature for basidiomycetes. In this study, we aimed at identifying potential fungal effectors and their function. From a group of 11 predicted single gene effectors, a rare lipoprotein A (RsRlpA), from a strain attacking sugar beet was analyzed. The RsRlpA gene was highly induced upon early-stage infection of sugar beet seedlings, and heterologous expression in Cercospora beticola demonstrated involvement in virulence. It was also able to suppress the hypersensitive response (HR) induced by the Avr4/Cf4 complex in transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana plants and functioned as an active protease inhibitor able to suppress Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) burst. This effector contains a double-psi beta-barrel (DPBB) fold domain, and a conserved serine at position 120 in the DPBB fold domain was found to be crucial for HR suppression. Overall, R. solani seems to be capable of inducing an initial biotrophic stage upon infection, suppressing basal immune responses, followed by a switch to necrotrophic growth. However, regulatory mechanisms between the different lifestyles are still unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spyridoula N. Charova
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Foundation of Research and Technology-HELLAS, GR-70013 Heraklion, Crete, Greece; (S.N.C.); (P.N.M.)
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Voutes University Campus, P.O. Box 2208, GR-70013 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Fredrik Dölfors
- Department of Plant Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala BioCenter, Linnean Center for Plant Biology, P.O. Box 7080, S-75007 Uppsala, Sweden; (F.D.); (C.D.)
| | - Louise Holmquist
- MariboHilleshög Research AB, Säbyholmsvägen 24, S-26191 Landskrona, Sweden;
| | - Panagiotis N. Moschou
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Foundation of Research and Technology-HELLAS, GR-70013 Heraklion, Crete, Greece; (S.N.C.); (P.N.M.)
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Voutes University Campus, P.O. Box 2208, GR-70013 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
- Department of Plant Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala BioCenter, Linnean Center for Plant Biology, P.O. Box 7080, S-75007 Uppsala, Sweden; (F.D.); (C.D.)
| | - Christina Dixelius
- Department of Plant Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala BioCenter, Linnean Center for Plant Biology, P.O. Box 7080, S-75007 Uppsala, Sweden; (F.D.); (C.D.)
| | - Georgios Tzelepis
- Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala BioCenter, Box 7026, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +46-18-67181503
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Yang H, Zhao X, Li L, Zhang J. Detecting the colonization of ericoid mycorrhizal fungi in Vaccinium uliginosum using in situ polymerase chain reaction and green fluorescent protein. PLANT METHODS 2020; 16:102. [PMID: 32760433 PMCID: PMC7391682 DOI: 10.1186/s13007-020-00645-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi (EMF) play important roles in mineral cycling and plant nutrient acquisition, and they increase plant survival in nutrient-poor environments. In this study, we detected the colonization of EMF using a green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression method and in situ PCR. RESULTS Genetic transformants of Cryptosporiopsis ericae and Sordariomycetes sp. expressing GFP were obtained via Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. GFP transformants were able to infect Vaccinium uliginosum, and their fluorescence was visible in the hair roots. Both in situ PCR and the GFP-expressing method indicated that EMF could colonize the hair roots of V. uliginosum 2 weeks after inoculation. CONCLUSIONS This research represents the first attempt to detect ericoid mycorrhizal colonization using in situ PCR. A GFP-expressing method is an excellent system for detecting the colonization of EMF, but it is dependent on the successful transformation and expression of the gfp gene. In situ PCR and the GFP expression may be developed as new tools to study the interactions of EMF both with ericaceous plants and with the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyi Yang
- College of Life Sciences, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040 China
- Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration (Northeast Forestry University), Ministry of Education, Harbin, 150040 China
| | - Xingyu Zhao
- College of Life Sciences, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040 China
| | - Lili Li
- Institute of Forestry Science of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, 150081 China
| | - Jie Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040 China
- Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration (Northeast Forestry University), Ministry of Education, Harbin, 150040 China
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A LysM effector protein from the basidiomycete Rhizoctonia solani contributes to virulence through suppression of chitin-triggered immunity. Mol Genet Genomics 2019; 294:1211-1218. [PMID: 31076860 DOI: 10.1007/s00438-019-01573-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Rhizoctonia solani is a fungal species that belongs to the fungal division Basidiomycota. It is a soil-borne pathogen that attacks a broad range of plant species and crops. Disease symptoms are commonly seen as damping off of seedlings and root rot, although it can infect plants at any developmental stage. Despite the severity of this disease, many aspects in R. solani infection biology remain unclear. Here we investigated the role of a LysM effector, previously predicted from the genome of a R. solani AG2-2IIIB strain that has sugar beet as a host. Gene expression analysis showed that RsLysM was highly induced upon sugar beet infection. When RsLysM was heterologously expressed in Cercospora beticola, necrotic lesion size and fungal colonization ability were increased, indicating a role in virulence. RsLysM displayed chitin-binding affinity and suppression of chitin-triggered immunity but could not protect hyphae from hydrolysis. Overall, this study is the first characterization of a LysM effector from Basidiomycota, suggesting that this necrotrophic fungal species relies on perturbation of chitin-triggered immunity to establish a successful infection.
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Su X, Lu G, Rehman L, Li X, Sun L, Guo H, Cheng H. mCherry-Labeled Verticillium dahliae Could Be Utilized to Investigate Its Pathogenicity Process in Nicotiana benthamiana. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:E508. [PMID: 30340423 PMCID: PMC6210675 DOI: 10.3390/genes9100508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Revised: 10/13/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Verticillium dahliae is a soil-borne phytopathogenic fungus that causes a destructive vascular wilt, but details of the molecular mechanism behind its pathogenicity are not very clear. Here, we generated a red fluorescent isolate of V. dahliae by protoplast transformation to explore its pathogenicity mechanism, including colonization, invasion, and extension in Nicotiana benthamiana, using confocal microscopy. The nucleotide sequences of mCherry were optimized for fungal expression and cloned into pCT-HM plasmid, which was inserted into V. dahliae protoplasts. The transformant (Vd-m) shows strong red fluorescence and its phenotype, growth rate, and pathogenicity did not differ significantly from the wild type V. dahliae (Vd-wt). Between one and three days post inoculation (dpi), the Vd-m successfully colonized and invaded epidermal cells of the roots. From four to six dpi, hyphae grew on root wounds and lateral root primordium and entered xylem vessels. From seven to nine dpi, hyphae extended along the surface of the cell wall and massively grew in the xylem vessel of roots. At ten dpi, the Vd-m was found in petioles and veins of leaves. Our results distinctly showed the pathway of V. dahliae infection and colonization in N. benthamiana, and the optimized expression can be used to deepen our understanding of the molecular mechanism of pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Su
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China.
| | - Guoqing Lu
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China.
| | - Latifur Rehman
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China.
- Department of Biotechnology, The University of Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 23561, Pakistan.
| | - Xiaokang Li
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China.
| | - Lu Sun
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China.
- College of Life Engineering, Shenyang Institute of Technology, Fushun 113122, China.
| | - Huiming Guo
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China.
| | - Hongmei Cheng
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China.
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Han G, Shao Q, Li C, Zhao K, Jiang L, Fan J, Jiang H, Tao F. An efficient Agrobacterium-mediated transformation method for aflatoxin generation fungus Aspergillus flavus. J Microbiol 2018; 56:356-364. [DOI: 10.1007/s12275-018-7349-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2017] [Revised: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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16
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Poyedinok NL, Blume YB. Advances, Problems, and Prospects of Genetic Transformation of Fungi. CYTOL GENET+ 2018. [DOI: 10.3103/s009545271802007x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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17
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Estiarte N, Lawrence C, Sanchis V, Ramos A, Crespo-Sempere A. LaeA and VeA are involved in growth morphology, asexual development, and mycotoxin production in Alternaria alternata. Int J Food Microbiol 2016; 238:153-164. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2016.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2016] [Revised: 07/29/2016] [Accepted: 09/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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18
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Wu L, Conner RL, Wang X, Xu R, Li H. Variation in Growth, Colonization of Maize, and Metabolic Parameters of GFP- and DsRed-Labeled Fusarium verticillioides Strains. PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2016; 106:890-899. [PMID: 27088391 DOI: 10.1094/phyto-09-15-0236-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Autofluorescent proteins are frequently applied as visual markers in the labeling of filamentous fungi. Genes gfp and DsRed were transformed into the genome of Fusarium verticillioides via the Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation method. The selected transformants displayed a bright green or red fluorescence in all the organelles of the growing fungal mycelia and spores (except for the vacuoles) both in cultures and in the maize (Zea mays) roots they colonized. The results of gene-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis and the thermal asymmetrical interlaced (TAIL)-PCR analysis demonstrated that gfp and DsRed were integrated on different chromosomes of the fungus. Reductions in the colony growth on the plates at pH 4.0 and 5.5 was observed for the green fluorescent protein (GFP)-transformant G3 and the DsRed-transformant R4, but transformants G4 and R1 grew as well as the wild-type strain at pH 4.0. The speed of growth of all the transformants was similar to the wild-type strain at pH ≥ 7. The insertion of gfp and DsRed did not alter the production of extracellular enzymes and fumonisin B by F. verticillioides. The transformants expressing GFP and DsRed proteins were able to colonize maize roots. However, the four transformants examined produced fewer CFU in the root samples than the wild-type strain during a sampling period of 7 to 28 days after inoculation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wu
- First, third, and fifth authors: The National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement/Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081; second author: Morden Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Morden, Manitoba R6M 1Y5, Canada; and fourth author: Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing
| | - R L Conner
- First, third, and fifth authors: The National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement/Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081; second author: Morden Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Morden, Manitoba R6M 1Y5, Canada; and fourth author: Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing
| | - Xiaoming Wang
- First, third, and fifth authors: The National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement/Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081; second author: Morden Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Morden, Manitoba R6M 1Y5, Canada; and fourth author: Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing
| | - Rongqi Xu
- First, third, and fifth authors: The National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement/Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081; second author: Morden Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Morden, Manitoba R6M 1Y5, Canada; and fourth author: Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing
| | - Hongjie Li
- First, third, and fifth authors: The National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement/Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081; second author: Morden Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Morden, Manitoba R6M 1Y5, Canada; and fourth author: Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing
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López-Pérez M, Ballester AR, González-Candelas L. Identification and functional analysis of Penicillium digitatum genes putatively involved in virulence towards citrus fruit. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2015; 16:262-75. [PMID: 25099378 PMCID: PMC6638479 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.12179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The fungus Penicillium digitatum, the causal agent of green mould rot, is the most destructive post-harvest pathogen of citrus fruit in Mediterranean regions. In order to identify P. digitatum genes up-regulated during the infection of oranges that may constitute putative virulence factors, we followed a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based suppression subtractive hybridization and cDNA macroarray hybridization approach. The origin of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) was determined by comparison against the available genome sequences of both organisms. Genes coding for fungal proteases and plant cell wall-degrading enzymes represent the largest categories in the subtracted cDNA library. Northern blot analysis of a selection of P. digitatum genes, including those coding for proteases, cell wall-related enzymes, redox homoeostasis and detoxification processes, confirmed their up-regulation at varying time points during the infection process. Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation was used to generate knockout mutants for two genes encoding a pectin lyase (Pnl1) and a naphthalene dioxygenase (Ndo1). Two independent P. digitatum Δndo1 mutants were as virulent as the wild-type. However, the two Δpnl1 mutants analysed were less virulent than the parental strain or an ectopic transformant. Together, these results provide a significant advance in our understanding of the putative determinants of the virulence mechanisms of P. digitatum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario López-Pérez
- Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA-CSIC), Calle Catedrático Agustín Escardino 7, Paterna, 46980, Valencia, Spain
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20
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Zoglowek M, Lübeck PS, Ahring BK, Lübeck M. Heterologous expression of cellobiohydrolases in filamentous fungi – An update on the current challenges, achievements and perspectives. Process Biochem 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.procbio.2014.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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21
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Mora-Lugo R, Zimmermann J, Rizk AM, Fernandez-Lahore M. Development of a transformation system for Aspergillus sojae based on the Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated approach. BMC Microbiol 2014; 14:247. [PMID: 25253558 PMCID: PMC4186950 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-014-0247-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2014] [Accepted: 09/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Aspergillus sojae has been an important filamentous fungus in Biotechnology due to its use in diverse fermentative processes for the production of various food products. Furthermore, this fungus is a common expression system for the production of enzymes and other metabolites. The availability of molecular genetic tools to explore its biology is thus of big interest. In this study, an Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation (ATMT) system for A. sojae was developed and its applicability evaluated. Results The donor plasmid named pRM-eGFP was constructed for ATMT of A. sojae. This plasmid contains the ble and egfp genes in its transfer DNA element (T-DNA) to confer phleomycin resistance and express the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) in A. sojae, respectively. Agrobacterium tumefaciens (LBA4404) harboring the donor plasmid and A. sojae (ATCC 20235) were co-cultured under diverse conditions to achieve ATMT. The maximum number of transformed fungi was obtained after three days of co-culturing at 28°C, and selection with 50 μg/ml phleomycin. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), fluorescence microscopy and Western Blot analysis for EGFP expression confirmed successful genomic integration of the T-DNA element in A. sojae. The T-DNA was mitotically stable in approximately 40% of the fungal transformants after four generations of sub-culturing under phleomycin pressure. Conclusion We successfully established a new ATMT protocol for A. sojae. This transformation system should enable further protein expression studies on this filamentous fungus.
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Crespo-Sempere A, Martínez-Culebras P, González-Candelas L. The loss of the inducible Aspergillus carbonarius MFS transporter MfsA leads to ochratoxin A overproduction. Int J Food Microbiol 2014; 181:1-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2014.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2013] [Revised: 04/01/2014] [Accepted: 04/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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23
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Hruska Z, Rajasekaran K, Yao H, Kincaid R, Darlington D, Brown RL, Bhatnagar D, Cleveland TE. Co-inoculation of aflatoxigenic and non-aflatoxigenic strains of Aspergillus flavus to study fungal invasion, colonization, and competition in maize kernels. Front Microbiol 2014; 5:122. [PMID: 24734028 PMCID: PMC3973917 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2014.00122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2014] [Accepted: 03/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A currently utilized pre-harvest biocontrol method involves field inoculations with non-aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus strains, a tactic shown to strategically suppress native aflatoxin-producing strains and effectively decrease aflatoxin contamination in corn. The present in situ study focuses on tracking the invasion and colonization of an aflatoxigenic A. flavus strain (AF70), labeled with green fluorescent protein (GFP), in the presence of a non-aflatoxigenic A. flavus biocontrol strain (AF36), to better understand the competitive interaction between these two strains in seed tissue of corn (Zea mays). Corn kernels that had been co-inoculated with GFP-labeled AF70 and wild-type AF36 were cross-sectioned and observed under UV and blue light to determine the outcome of competition between these strains. After imaging, all kernels were analyzed for aflatoxin levels. There appeared to be a population difference between the co-inoculated AF70-GFP+AF36 and the individual AF70-GFP tests, both visually and with pixel count analysis. The GFP allowed us to observe that AF70-GFP inside the kernels was suppressed up to 82% when co-inoculated with AF36 indicating that AF36 inhibited progression of AF70-GFP. This was in agreement with images taken of whole kernels where AF36 exhibited a more robust external growth compared to AF70-GFP. The suppressed growth of AF70-GFP was reflected in a corresponding (upto 73%) suppression in aflatoxin levels. Our results indicate that the decrease in aflatoxin production correlated with population depression of the aflatoxigenic fungus by the biocontrol strain supporting the theory of competitive exclusion through robust propagation and fast colonization by the non-aflatoxigenic fungus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzana Hruska
- Geosystems Research Institute, Mississippi State University, Stennis Space CenterStarkville, MS, USA
| | - Kanniah Rajasekaran
- Southern Regional Research Center, Agricultural Research Service – United States Department of AgricultureNew Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Haibo Yao
- Geosystems Research Institute, Mississippi State University, Stennis Space CenterStarkville, MS, USA
| | - Russell Kincaid
- Geosystems Research Institute, Mississippi State University, Stennis Space CenterStarkville, MS, USA
| | - Dawn Darlington
- Geosystems Research Institute, Mississippi State University, Stennis Space CenterStarkville, MS, USA
| | - Robert L. Brown
- Southern Regional Research Center, Agricultural Research Service – United States Department of AgricultureNew Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Deepak Bhatnagar
- Southern Regional Research Center, Agricultural Research Service – United States Department of AgricultureNew Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Thomas E. Cleveland
- Southern Regional Research Center, Agricultural Research Service – United States Department of AgricultureNew Orleans, LA, USA
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Crespo-Sempere A, Selma-Lázaro C, Martínez-Culebras P, González-Candelas L. Characterization and disruption of the cipC gene in the ochratoxigenic fungus Aspergillus carbonarius. Food Res Int 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2013.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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25
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Crespo-Sempere A, Marín S, Sanchis V, Ramos A. VeA and LaeA transcriptional factors regulate ochratoxin A biosynthesis in Aspergillus carbonarius. Int J Food Microbiol 2013; 166:479-86. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2013.07.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2013] [Revised: 07/18/2013] [Accepted: 07/29/2013] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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26
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Constitutive expression of fluorescent protein by Aspergillus var. niger and Aspergillus carbonarius to monitor fungal colonization in maize plants. J Microbiol Methods 2013; 94:381-9. [PMID: 23899775 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2013.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2013] [Revised: 07/17/2013] [Accepted: 07/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus carbonarius are two species in the Aspergillus section Nigri (black-spored aspergilli) frequently associated with peanut (Arachis hypogea), maize (Zea mays), and other plants as pathogens. These infections are symptomless and as such are major concerns since some black aspergilli produce important mycotoxins, ochratoxins A, and the fumonisins. To facilitate the study of the black aspergilli-maize interactions with maize during the early stages of infections, we developed a method that used the enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (eYFP) and the monomeric red fluorescent protein (mRFP1) to transform A. niger and A. carbonarius, respectively. The results were constitutive expressions of the fluorescent genes that were stable in the cytoplasms of hyphae and conidia under natural environmental conditions. The hyphal in planta distribution in 21-day-old seedlings of maize were similar wild type and transformants of A. niger and A. carbonarius. The in planta studies indicated that both wild type and transformants internally colonized leaf, stem and root tissues of maize seedlings, without any visible disease symptoms. Yellow and red fluorescent strains were capable of invading epidermal cells of maize roots intercellularly within the first 3 days after inoculation, but intracellular hyphal growth was more evident after 7 days of inoculation. We also tested the capacity of fluorescent transformants to produce ochratoxin A and the results with A. carbonarius showed that this transgenic strain produced similar concentrations of this secondary metabolite. This is the first report on the in planta expression of fluorescent proteins that should be useful to study the internal plant colonization patterns of two ochratoxigenic species in the Aspergillus section Nigri.
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Rajasekaran K, Sickler C, Brown R, Cary J, Bhatnagar D. Evaluation of resistance to aflatoxin contamination in kernels of maize genotypes using a GFP-expressing Aspergillus flavus strain. WORLD MYCOTOXIN J 2013. [DOI: 10.3920/wmj2012.1497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Resistance or susceptibility of maize inbreds to infection by Aspergillus flavus was evaluated by the kernel screening assay. A green fluorescent protein-expressing strain of A. flavus was used to measure fungal spread and aflatoxin levels in real-time following fungal infection of kernels. Among the four inbreds tested, MI82 showed the most resistance and Ga209 the least. TZAR101 was also resistant to fungal infection, whereas Va35 was susceptible to fungal infection. However, Va35 produced lower aflatoxin levels compared to the susceptible line Ga209. Fluorescence microscopy indicated that the site of entry of the fungus into the kernel was consistently through the pedicel. Entry through the pericarp was never observed in undamaged kernels. In view of these results, incorporation or overexpression of antifungal proteins should be targeted to the pedicel and basal endosperm region in developing kernels. Once the fungus has entered through the pedicel, it spreads quickly through the open spaces between the pericarp and the aleurone layer, ultimately colonising the endosperm and scutellum and, finally, the embryo. A clear correlation was established between fungal fluorescence and aflatoxin levels. This method provides a quick, reliable means of evaluating resistance to A. flavus in undamaged kernels and provides breeders with a rapid method to evaluate maize germplasm.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. Rajasekaran
- USDA-ARS, Southern Regional Research Center, 1100 Robert E. Lee Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124, USA
| | - C.M. Sickler
- USDA-ARS, Southern Regional Research Center, 1100 Robert E. Lee Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124, USA
| | - R.L. Brown
- USDA-ARS, Southern Regional Research Center, 1100 Robert E. Lee Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124, USA
| | - J.W. Cary
- USDA-ARS, Southern Regional Research Center, 1100 Robert E. Lee Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124, USA
| | - D. Bhatnagar
- USDA-ARS, Southern Regional Research Center, 1100 Robert E. Lee Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124, USA
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Liu G, Huang J, Zhou Y, Yao Q, Ling L, Zhang P, Wang H, Cao K, Liu Y, Wu W, Sun W, Hu Z. Fluorescent-Tagged Double-Hydrophilic Block Copolymer as a Green Inhibitor for Calcium Carbonate Scales. TENSIDE SURFACT DET 2013. [DOI: 10.3139/113.110210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Allyloxy polyethoxy ether (APEG) and succinic anhydride were used to prepare allyloxy polyethoxy carboxylate (APEL). 8-Hydroxy-1,3,6-pyrene trisulfonic acid trisodium salt (PY) reacted with allyl chloride to produce fluorescent monomer 8-allyloxy-1,3,6-pyrene trisulfonic acid trisodium salt (PA). APEL and PA were copolymerized with maleic anhydride (MA) to synthesize the PA tagged, phosphate and nitrogen free CaCO3 inhibitor MA-APEL-PA. Structures of PA, APEG, APEL, and MA-APEL-PA were obtained by FT-IR and 1H-NMR measurements. The observation shows that the dosage of MA-APEL-PA plays an important role on CaCO3 inhibition. The effect on the formation of CaCO3 was investigated by a combination of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis. The relationship between MA-APEL-PA's fluorescent intensity and its dosage was also studied. Correlation coefficient '9 of MA-APEL-PA's fluorescent intensity and its dosage is 0.9997. MA-APEL-PA can be used to measure accurately the polymer consumption on line besides providing excellent CaCO3 inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangqing Liu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, P.R. China
| | - Jingyi Huang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, P.R. China
| | - Yuming Zhou
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, P.R. China
- Jiangsu Optoelectronic Functional Materials and Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing 211189, P.R. China
| | - Qingzhao Yao
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, P.R. China
- Jiangsu Optoelectronic Functional Materials and Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing 211189, P.R. China
| | - Lei Ling
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, P.R. China
| | - Peixin Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, P.R. China
| | - Huchuan Wang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, P.R. China
| | - Ke Cao
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, P.R. China
| | - Yahui Liu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, P.R. China
| | - Wendao Wu
- Jianghai Environmental Protection Co., Ltd, Changzhou 213116, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | | | - Zhengjun Hu
- Jianghai Environmental Protection Co., Ltd, Changzhou 213116, Jiangsu, P.R. China
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Huang J, Liu G, Zhou Y, Yao Q, Yang Y, Wang H, Ling L, Cao K, Liu Y, Wu W, Sun W. Fluorescent-tagged maleic anhydride-allylpolyethoxy carboxylate copolymer as an environmentally benign inhibitor for calcium phosphate in industrial cooling systems. POLYM ENG SCI 2012. [DOI: 10.1002/pen.23366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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30
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Buron-Moles G, López-Pérez M, González-Candelas L, Viñas I, Teixidó N, Usall J, Torres R. Use of GFP-tagged strains of Penicillium digitatum and Penicillium expansum to study host-pathogen interactions in oranges and apples. Int J Food Microbiol 2012. [PMID: 23177056 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2012.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Penicillium digitatum and Penicillium expansum are responsible for green and blue molds in citrus and pome fruits, respectively, which result in major monetary losses worldwide. In order to study their infection process in fruits, we successfully introduced a green fluorescent protein (GFP) encoding gene into wild type P. digitatum and P. expansum isolates, using Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation (ATMT), with hygromycin B resistance as the selectable marker. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing the transformation of these two important postharvest pathogens with GFP and the use of transformed strains to study compatible and non-host pathogen interactions. Transformation did not affect the pathogenicity or the ecophysiology of either species compared to their respective wild type strains. The GFP-tagged strains were used for in situ analysis of compatible and non-host pathogen interactions on oranges and apples. Knowledge of the infection process of apples and oranges by these pathogens will facilitate the design of novel strategies to control these postharvest diseases and the use of the GFP-tagged strains will help to determine the response of P. digitatum and P. expansum on/in plant surface and tissues to different postharvest treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Buron-Moles
- University of Lleida, XaRTA-Postharvest, Rovira Roure 191, 25198 Lleida, Spain
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31
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Liu G, Huang J, Zhou Y, Yao Q, Yang Y, Ling L, Wang H, Wu W, Sun W, Hu Z. Fluorescent-tagged acrylic acid-allylpolyethoxy carboxylate copolymer as a green inhibitor for calcium phosphate in industrial cooling systems. Des Monomers Polym 2012. [DOI: 10.1080/15685551.2012.705494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Guangqing Liu
- a School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering , Southeast University , Nanjing , 211189 , P.R. China
| | - Jingyi Huang
- a School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering , Southeast University , Nanjing , 211189 , P.R. China
| | - Yuming Zhou
- a School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering , Southeast University , Nanjing , 211189 , P.R. China
- b Jiangsu Optoelectronic Functional Materials and Engineering Laboratory , Nanjing 211189, P.R. China
| | - Qingzhao Yao
- a School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering , Southeast University , Nanjing , 211189 , P.R. China
- b Jiangsu Optoelectronic Functional Materials and Engineering Laboratory , Nanjing 211189, P.R. China
| | - Yong Yang
- a School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering , Southeast University , Nanjing , 211189 , P.R. China
| | - Lei Ling
- a School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering , Southeast University , Nanjing , 211189 , P.R. China
| | - Huchuan Wang
- a School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering , Southeast University , Nanjing , 211189 , P.R. China
| | - Wendao Wu
- c Jianghai Environmental Protection Co., Ltd , Changzhou , 213116 , Jiangsu , P.R. China
| | - Wei Sun
- c Jianghai Environmental Protection Co., Ltd , Changzhou , 213116 , Jiangsu , P.R. China
| | - Zhengjun Hu
- c Jianghai Environmental Protection Co., Ltd , Changzhou , 213116 , Jiangsu , P.R. China
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