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Iacovelli R, He S, Sokolova N, Lokhorst I, Borg M, Fodran P, Haslinger K. Discovery and Heterologous Expression of Functional 4- O-Dimethylallyl-l-tyrosine Synthases from Lichen-Forming Fungi. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2024. [PMID: 39255066 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.4c00619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2024]
Abstract
Fungal aromatic prenyltransferases are a family of biosynthetic enzymes that catalyze the prenylation of a range of aromatic substrates during the biosynthesis of bioactive indole alkaloids, diketopiperazines, and meroterpenoids. Their broad substrate scope and soluble nature make these enzymes particularly adept for applications in biocatalysis; for example, the enzymatic derivatization of aromatic drugs improves their bioactivity. Here, we investigated four putative aromatic prenyltransferases from lichen-forming fungi, an underexplored group of organisms that produce more than 1,000 unique metabolites. We successfully expressed two enzymes, annotated as dimethylallyltryptophan synthases, from two lichen species in the heterologous host A. oryzae. Based on their in vivo activity, we hypothesize that these enzymes are in fact 4-O-dimethylallyl-l-tyrosine synthases. Our extensive bioinformatic analysis further confirmed that these and related lichen aromatic prenyltransferases are likely not active on indoles but rather on aromatic polyketides and phenylpropanoids, major metabolites in lichens. Overall, our work provides new insights into fungal aromatic prenyltransferases at the family level and enables future efforts aimed at identifying new candidates for biocatalytic transformations of aromatic compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Iacovelli
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Siqi He
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Nika Sokolova
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Iris Lokhorst
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Maikel Borg
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Fodran
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Kristina Haslinger
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
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Wang Y, Zhang Y, Li R, Qian B, Du X, Qiu X, Chen M, Shi G, Wei J, Wei XL, Wu Q. Exploration on cold adaptation of Antarctic lichen via detection of positive selection genes. IMA Fungus 2024; 15:29. [PMID: 39252145 PMCID: PMC11386357 DOI: 10.1186/s43008-024-00160-x] [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: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Lichen as mutualistic symbiosis is the dominant organism in various extreme terrestrial environment on Earth, however, the mechanisms of their adaptation to extreme habitats have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we chose the Antarctic dominant lichen species Usnea aurantiacoatra to generate a high-quality genome, carried out phylogenetic analysis using maximum likelihood and identify genes under positive selection. We performed functional enrichment analysis on the positively selected genes (PSGs) and found that most of the PSGs focused on transmembrane transporter activity and vacuole components. This suggest that the genes related to energy storage and transport in Antarctic U. aurantiacoatra were affected by environmental pressure. Inside of the 86 PSGs screened, two protein interaction networks were identified, which were RNA helicase related proteins and regulator of G-protein signaling related proteins. The regulator of the G-protein signaling gene (UaRGS1) was chosen to perform further verification by the lichen genetic manipulation system Umbilicaria muhlenbergii. Given that the absence of UmRgs1 resulted in elevated lethality to cold shock, the role for UaRgs1 in Antarctic U. aurantiacoatra resistance to cold can be inferred. The investigation of lichen adaptation to extreme environments at the molecular level will be opened up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yaran Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Rong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Ben Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xin Du
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Xuyun Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Mengmeng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Guohui Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Jiangchun Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xin-Li Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Qi Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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Cho M, Lee SJ, Choi E, Kim J, Choi S, Lee JH, Park H. An Antarctic lichen isolate (Cladonia borealis) genome reveals potential adaptation to extreme environments. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1342. [PMID: 38228797 PMCID: PMC10792129 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-51895-x] [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: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Cladonia borealis is a lichen that inhabits Antarctica's harsh environment. We sequenced the whole genome of a C. borealis culture isolated from a specimen collected in Antarctica using long-read sequencing technology to identify specific genetic elements related to its potential environmental adaptation. The final genome assembly produced 48 scaffolds, the longest being 2.2 Mbp, a 1.6 Mbp N50 contig length, and a 36 Mbp total length. A total of 10,749 protein-coding genes were annotated, containing 33 biosynthetic gene clusters and 102 carbohydrate-active enzymes. A comparative genomics analysis was conducted on six Cladonia species, and the genome of C. borealis exhibited 45 expanded and 50 contracted gene families. We identified that C. borealis has more Copia transposable elements and expanded transporters (ABC transporters and magnesium transporters) compared to other Cladonia species. Our results suggest that these differences contribute to C. borealis' remarkable adaptability in the Antarctic environment. This study also provides a useful resource for the genomic analysis of lichens and genetic insights into the survival of species isolated from Antarctica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minjoo Cho
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, South Korea
| | - Seung Jae Lee
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, South Korea
| | - Eunkyung Choi
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, South Korea
| | - Jinmu Kim
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, South Korea
| | - Soyun Choi
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, South Korea
| | - Jun Hyuck Lee
- Research Unit of Cryogenic Novel Material, Korea Polar Research Institute, Incheon, 21990, South Korea.
- Department of Polar Sciences, University of Science and Technology, Incheon, 21990, South Korea.
| | - Hyun Park
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, South Korea.
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De Vos L, van der Nest MA, Santana QC, van Wyk S, Leeuwendaal KS, Wingfield BD, Steenkamp ET. Chromosome-Level Assemblies for the Pine Pitch Canker Pathogen Fusarium circinatum. Pathogens 2024; 13:70. [PMID: 38251377 PMCID: PMC10819268 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13010070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The pine pitch canker pathogen, Fusarium circinatum, is globally regarded as one of the most important threats to commercial pine-based forestry. Although genome sequences of this fungus are available, these remain highly fragmented or structurally ill-defined. Our overall goal was to provide high-quality assemblies for two notable strains of F. circinatum, and to characterize these in terms of coding content, repetitiveness and the position of telomeres and centromeres. For this purpose, we used Oxford Nanopore Technologies MinION long-read sequences, as well as Illumina short sequence reads. By leveraging the genomic synteny inherent to F. circinatum and its close relatives, these sequence reads were assembled to chromosome level, where contiguous sequences mostly spanned from telomere to telomere. Comparative analyses unveiled remarkable variability in the twelfth and smallest chromosome, which is known to be dispensable. It presented a striking length polymorphism, with one strain lacking substantial portions from the chromosome's distal and proximal regions. These regions, characterized by a lower gene density, G+C content and an increased prevalence of repetitive elements, contrast starkly with the syntenic segments of the chromosome, as well as with the core chromosomes. We propose that these unusual regions might have arisen or expanded due to the presence of transposable elements. A comparison of the overall chromosome structure revealed that centromeric elements often underpin intrachromosomal differences between F. circinatum strains, especially at chromosomal breakpoints. This suggests a potential role for centromeres in shaping the chromosomal architecture of F. circinatum and its relatives. The publicly available genome data generated here, together with the detailed metadata provided, represent essential resources for future studies of this important plant pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lieschen De Vos
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology (BGM), Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria (UP), Pretoria 0002, South Africa; (L.D.V.); (K.S.L.); (B.D.W.)
| | - Magriet A. van der Nest
- Hans Merensky Chair in Avocado Research, Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute FABI, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa;
| | - Quentin C. Santana
- Biotechnology Platform, Agricultural Research Council, 100 Old Soutpan Road, Onderstepoort, Pretoria 0010, South Africa;
| | - Stephanie van Wyk
- Collaborating Centre for Optimising Antimalarial Therapy (CCOAT), Mitigating Antimalarial Resistance Consortium in South-East Africa (MARC SEA), Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa;
| | - Kyle S. Leeuwendaal
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology (BGM), Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria (UP), Pretoria 0002, South Africa; (L.D.V.); (K.S.L.); (B.D.W.)
| | - Brenda D. Wingfield
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology (BGM), Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria (UP), Pretoria 0002, South Africa; (L.D.V.); (K.S.L.); (B.D.W.)
| | - Emma T. Steenkamp
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology (BGM), Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria (UP), Pretoria 0002, South Africa; (L.D.V.); (K.S.L.); (B.D.W.)
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Iacovelli R, He T, Allen JL, Hackl T, Haslinger K. Genome sequencing and molecular networking analysis of the wild fungus Anthostomella pinea reveal its ability to produce a diverse range of secondary metabolites. Fungal Biol Biotechnol 2024; 11:1. [PMID: 38172933 PMCID: PMC10763133 DOI: 10.1186/s40694-023-00170-1] [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: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Filamentous fungi are prolific producers of bioactive molecules and enzymes with important applications in industry. Yet, the vast majority of fungal species remain undiscovered or uncharacterized. Here we focus our attention to a wild fungal isolate that we identified as Anthostomella pinea. The fungus belongs to a complex polyphyletic genus in the family of Xylariaceae, which is known to comprise endophytic and pathogenic fungi that produce a plethora of interesting secondary metabolites. Despite that, Anthostomella is largely understudied and only two species have been fully sequenced and characterized at a genomic level. RESULTS In this work, we used long-read sequencing to obtain the complete 53.7 Mb genome sequence including the full mitochondrial DNA. We performed extensive structural and functional annotation of coding sequences, including genes encoding enzymes with potential applications in biotechnology. Among others, we found that the genome of A. pinea encodes 91 biosynthetic gene clusters, more than 600 CAZymes, and 164 P450s. Furthermore, untargeted metabolomics and molecular networking analysis of the cultivation extracts revealed a rich secondary metabolism, and in particular an abundance of sesquiterpenoids and sesquiterpene lactones. We also identified the polyketide antibiotic xanthoepocin, to which we attribute the anti-Gram-positive effect of the extracts that we observed in antibacterial plate assays. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our results provide a first glimpse into the potential of Anthstomella pinea to provide new bioactive molecules and biocatalysts and will facilitate future research into these valuable metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Iacovelli
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, 9713 AV, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - T He
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, 9713 AV, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - J L Allen
- Department of Biology, Eastern Washington University, Cheney, WA, 99004, USA
| | - T Hackl
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - K Haslinger
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, 9713 AV, Groningen, The Netherlands.
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Llewellyn T, Nowell RW, Aptroot A, Temina M, Prescott TAK, Barraclough TG, Gaya E. Metagenomics Shines Light on the Evolution of "Sunscreen" Pigment Metabolism in the Teloschistales (Lichen-Forming Ascomycota). Genome Biol Evol 2023; 15:6986375. [PMID: 36634008 PMCID: PMC9907504 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evad002] [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: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungi produce a vast number of secondary metabolites that shape their interactions with other organisms and the environment. Characterizing the genes underpinning metabolite synthesis is therefore key to understanding fungal evolution and adaptation. Lichenized fungi represent almost one-third of Ascomycota diversity and boast impressive secondary metabolites repertoires. However, most lichen biosynthetic genes have not been linked to their metabolite products. Here we used metagenomic sequencing to survey gene families associated with production of anthraquinones, UV-protectant secondary metabolites present in various fungi, but especially abundant in a diverse order of lichens, the Teloschistales (class Lecanoromycetes, phylum Ascomycota). We successfully assembled 24 new, high-quality lichenized-fungal genomes de novo and combined them with publicly available Lecanoromycetes genomes from taxa with diverse secondary chemistry to produce a whole-genome tree. Secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) analysis showed that whilst lichen BGCs are numerous and highly dissimilar, core enzyme genes are generally conserved across taxa. This suggests metabolite diversification occurs via re-shuffling existing enzyme genes with novel accessory genes rather than BGC gains/losses or de novo gene evolution. We identified putative anthraquinone BGCs in our lichen dataset that appear homologous to anthraquinone clusters from non-lichenized fungi, suggesting these genes were present in the common ancestor of the subphylum Pezizomycotina. Finally, we identified unique transporter genes in Teloschistales anthraquinone BGCs that may explain why these metabolites are so abundant and ubiquitous in these lichens. Our results support the importance of metagenomics for understanding the secondary metabolism of non-model fungi such as lichens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Reuben W Nowell
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7PY, UK,Department of Biology, University of Oxford, 11a Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3SZ, UK
| | - Andre Aptroot
- Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Avenida Costa e Silva s/n Bairro Universitário, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul CEP 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Marina Temina
- Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave, Mount Carmel, Haifa, 3498838, Israel
| | - Thomas A K Prescott
- Comparative Fungal Biology, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Jodrell Laboratory, Richmond, TW9 3DS, UK
| | - Timothy G Barraclough
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7PY, UK,Department of Biology, University of Oxford, 11a Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3SZ, UK
| | - Ester Gaya
- Comparative Fungal Biology, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Jodrell Laboratory, Richmond, TW9 3DS, UK
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7
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Allen JL, Lendemer JC. A call to reconceptualize lichen symbioses. Trends Ecol Evol 2022; 37:582-589. [PMID: 35397954 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2022.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Several decades of research across disciplines have overturned historical perspectives of symbioses dominated by binary characterizations of highly specific species-species interactions. This paradigm shift has unlocked the previously underappreciated and overlooked dynamism of fungal mutualisms such as mycorrhizae. Lichens are another example of important fungal mutualisms where reconceptualization is urgently needed to realize their potential as model systems. This reconceptualization requires both an objective synthesis of new data and envisioning a revised integrative approach that unifies the spectrum of ecology and evolution. We propose a ten-theme framework that if pursued would propel lichens to the vanguard of symbiotic theory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Allen
- Eastern Washington University, Biology Department, Cheney, WA 99004, USA.
| | - James C Lendemer
- Institute of Systematic Botany, The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY 10458-5126, USA.
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Zhang Y, Clancy J, Jensen J, McMullin RT, Wang L, Leavitt SD. Providing Scale to a Known Taxonomic Unknown—At Least a 70-Fold Increase in Species Diversity in a Cosmopolitan Nominal Taxon of Lichen-Forming Fungi. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8050490. [PMID: 35628746 PMCID: PMC9146994 DOI: 10.3390/jof8050490] [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: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Robust species delimitations provide a foundation for investigating speciation, phylogeography, and conservation. Here we attempted to elucidate species boundaries in the cosmopolitan lichen-forming fungal taxon Lecanora polytropa. This nominal taxon is morphologically variable, with distinct populations occurring on all seven continents. To delimit candidate species, we compiled ITS sequence data from populations worldwide. For a subset of the samples, we also generated alignments for 1209 single-copy nuclear genes and an alignment spanning most of the mitochondrial genome to assess concordance among the ITS, nuclear, and mitochondrial inferences. Species partitions were empirically delimited from the ITS alignment using ASAP and bPTP. We also inferred a phylogeny for the L. polytropa clade using a four-marker dataset. ASAP species delimitations revealed up to 103 species in the L. polytropa clade, with 75 corresponding to the nominal taxon L. polytropa. Inferences from phylogenomic alignments generally supported that these represent evolutionarily independent lineages or species. Less than 10% of the candidate species were comprised of specimens from multiple continents. High levels of candidate species were recovered at local scales but generally with limited overlap across regions. Lecanora polytropa likely ranks as one of the largest species complexes of lichen-forming fungi known to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyun Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Heilongtan, Kunming 650201, China;
- College of Life Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Jeffrey Clancy
- Department of Biology, Brigham Young University, 4102 Life Science Building, Provo, UT 84602, USA; (J.C.); (J.J.)
| | - Jacob Jensen
- Department of Biology, Brigham Young University, 4102 Life Science Building, Provo, UT 84602, USA; (J.C.); (J.J.)
| | | | - Lisong Wang
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Heilongtan, Kunming 650201, China;
- Correspondence: (L.W.); (S.D.L.)
| | - Steven D. Leavitt
- Department of Biology, M. L. Bean Life Science Museum, Brigham Young University, 4102 Life Science Building, Provo, UT 84602, USA
- Correspondence: (L.W.); (S.D.L.)
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Abstract
The draft genome sequence of Bacidia gigantensis, a lichenized fungus in the order Lecanorales, was sequenced directly from a herbarium specimen collected from the type locality at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada. Using long-read sequencing on the Oxford Nanopore PromethION platform, we assembled a nearly complete genome sequence.
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10
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Duong TA, Aylward J, Ametrano CG, Poudel B, Santana QC, Wilken PM, Martin A, Arun-Chinnappa KS, de Vos L, DiStefano I, Grewe F, Huhndorf S, Lumbsch HT, Rakoma JR, Poudel B, Steenkamp ET, Sun Y, van der Nest MA, Wingfield MJ, Yilmaz N, Wingfield BD. IMA Genome - F15 : Draft genome assembly of Fusarium pilosicola, Meredithiella fracta, Niebla homalea, Pyrenophora teres hybrid WAC10721, and Teratosphaeria viscida. IMA Fungus 2021; 12:30. [PMID: 34645521 PMCID: PMC8513234 DOI: 10.1186/s43008-021-00077-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tuan Anh Duong
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, 0028, South Africa
| | - Janneke Aylward
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, 0028, South Africa
- Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa
| | - Claudio Gennaro Ametrano
- Field Museum, Department of Science and Education, Grainger Bioinformatics Center, 1400 S Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605, USA
| | - Barsha Poudel
- Centre for Crop Health, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD, 4350, Australia
| | - Quentin Carlo Santana
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, 0028, South Africa
| | - Pieter Markus Wilken
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, 0028, South Africa
| | - Anke Martin
- Centre for Crop Health, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD, 4350, Australia
| | - Kiruba Shankari Arun-Chinnappa
- Centre for Crop Health, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD, 4350, Australia
- PerkinElmer Pty LTD., Level 2, Building 5, Brandon Business Park 530-540, Springvale Road, Glen Waverley, VIC, 3150, Australia
| | - Lieschen de Vos
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, 0028, South Africa
| | - Isabel DiStefano
- Field Museum, Department of Science and Education, Grainger Bioinformatics Center, 1400 S Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605, USA
| | - Felix Grewe
- Field Museum, Department of Science and Education, Grainger Bioinformatics Center, 1400 S Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605, USA
| | - Sabine Huhndorf
- Field Museum, Department of Science and Education, Grainger Bioinformatics Center, 1400 S Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605, USA
| | - Helge Thorsten Lumbsch
- Field Museum, Department of Science and Education, Grainger Bioinformatics Center, 1400 S Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605, USA
| | - Jostina Raesetsa Rakoma
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, 0028, South Africa
| | - Barsha Poudel
- Centre for Crop Health, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD, 4350, Australia
| | - Emma Theodora Steenkamp
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, 0028, South Africa
| | - Yukun Sun
- Field Museum, Department of Science and Education, Grainger Bioinformatics Center, 1400 S Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605, USA
| | - Magriet A van der Nest
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, 0028, South Africa
- Biotechnology Platform, Agricultural Research Council, Onderstepoort, Pretoria, 0110, South Africa
| | - Michael John Wingfield
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, 0028, South Africa
| | - Neriman Yilmaz
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, 0028, South Africa
| | - Brenda Diana Wingfield
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, 0028, South Africa.
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Ament-Velásquez SL, Tuovinen V, Bergström L, Spribille T, Vanderpool D, Nascimbene J, Yamamoto Y, Thor G, Johannesson H. The Plot Thickens: Haploid and Triploid-Like Thalli, Hybridization, and Biased Mating Type Ratios in Letharia. FRONTIERS IN FUNGAL BIOLOGY 2021; 2:656386. [PMID: 37744149 PMCID: PMC10512270 DOI: 10.3389/ffunb.2021.656386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
The study of the reproductive biology of lichen fungal symbionts has been traditionally challenging due to their complex lifestyles. Against the common belief of haploidy, a recent genomic study found a triploid-like signal in Letharia. Here, we infer the genome organization and reproduction in Letharia by analyzing genomic data from a pure culture and from thalli, and performing a PCR survey of the MAT locus in natural populations. We found that the read count variation in the four Letharia specimens, including the pure culture derived from a single sexual spore of L. lupina, is consistent with haploidy. By contrast, the L. lupina read counts from a thallus' metagenome are triploid-like. Characterization of the mating-type locus revealed a conserved heterothallic configuration across the genus, along with auxiliary genes that we identified. We found that the mating-type distributions are balanced in North America for L. vulpina and L. lupina, suggesting widespread sexual reproduction, but highly skewed in Europe for L. vulpina, consistent with predominant asexuality. Taken together, we propose that Letharia fungi are heterothallic and typically haploid, and provide evidence that triploid-like individuals are hybrids between L. lupina and an unknown Letharia lineage, reconciling classic systematic and genetic studies with recent genomic observations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Veera Tuovinen
- Department of Organismal Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Linnea Bergström
- Department of Organismal Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Toby Spribille
- Biological Sciences CW 405, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Dan Vanderpool
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Juri Nascimbene
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Yoshikazu Yamamoto
- Department of Bioproduction Science, Faculty of Bioresource Sciences, Akita Prefectural University, Akita, Japan
| | - Göran Thor
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Hanna Johannesson
- Department of Organismal Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Sagita R, Quax WJ, Haslinger K. Current State and Future Directions of Genetics and Genomics of Endophytic Fungi for Bioprospecting Efforts. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:649906. [PMID: 33791289 PMCID: PMC8005728 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.649906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The bioprospecting of secondary metabolites from endophytic fungi received great attention in the 1990s and 2000s, when the controversy around taxol production from Taxus spp. endophytes was at its height. Since then, hundreds of reports have described the isolation and characterization of putative secondary metabolites from endophytic fungi. However, only very few studies also report the genetic basis for these phenotypic observations. With low sequencing cost and fast sample turnaround, genetics- and genomics-based approaches have risen to become comprehensive approaches to study natural products from a wide-range of organisms, especially to elucidate underlying biosynthetic pathways. However, in the field of fungal endophyte biology, elucidation of biosynthetic pathways is still a major challenge. As a relatively poorly investigated group of microorganisms, even in the light of recent efforts to sequence more fungal genomes, such as the 1000 Fungal Genomes Project at the Joint Genome Institute (JGI), the basis for bioprospecting of enzymes and pathways from endophytic fungi is still rather slim. In this review we want to discuss the current approaches and tools used to associate phenotype and genotype to elucidate biosynthetic pathways of secondary metabolites in endophytic fungi through the lens of bioprospecting. This review will point out the reported successes and shortcomings, and discuss future directions in sampling, and genetics and genomics of endophytic fungi. Identifying responsible biosynthetic genes for the numerous secondary metabolites isolated from endophytic fungi opens the opportunity to explore the genetic potential of producer strains to discover novel secondary metabolites and enhance secondary metabolite production by metabolic engineering resulting in novel and more affordable medicines and food additives.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kristina Haslinger
- Groningen Institute of Pharmacy, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
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Alberti F, Kaleem S, Weaver JA. Recent developments of tools for genome and metabolome studies in basidiomycete fungi and their application to natural product research. Biol Open 2020; 9:bio056010. [PMID: 33268478 PMCID: PMC7725599 DOI: 10.1242/bio.056010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Basidiomycota are a large and diverse phylum of fungi. They can make bioactive metabolites that are used or have inspired the synthesis of antibiotics and agrochemicals. Terpenoids are the most abundant class of natural products encountered in this taxon. Other natural product classes have been described, including polyketides, peptides, and indole alkaloids. The discovery and study of natural products made by basidiomycete fungi has so far been hampered by several factors, which include their slow growth and complex genome architecture. Recent developments of tools for genome and metabolome studies are allowing researchers to more easily tackle the secondary metabolome of basidiomycete fungi. Inexpensive long-read whole-genome sequencing enables the assembly of high-quality genomes, improving the scaffold upon which natural product gene clusters can be predicted. CRISPR/Cas9-based engineering of basidiomycete fungi has been described and will have an important role in linking natural products to their genetic determinants. Platforms for the heterologous expression of basidiomycete genes and gene clusters have been developed, enabling natural product biosynthesis studies. Molecular network analyses and publicly available natural product databases facilitate data dereplication and natural product characterisation. These technological advances combined are prompting a revived interest in natural product discovery from basidiomycete fungi.This article has an associated Future Leader to Watch interview with the first author of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Alberti
- School of Life Sciences and Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Saraa Kaleem
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Jack A Weaver
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
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