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Li N, Bowling J, de Hoog S, Aneke CI, Youn JH, Shahegh S, Cuellar-Rodriguez J, Kanakry CG, Rodriguez Pena M, Ahmed SA, Al-Hatmi AMS, Tolooe A, Walther G, Kwon-Chung KJ, Kang Y, Lee HB, Seyedmousavi A. Mucor germinans, a novel dimorphic species resembling Paracoccidioides in a clinical sample: questions on ecological strategy. mBio 2024:e0014424. [PMID: 38953355 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00144-24] [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: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Dimorphism is known among the etiologic agents of endemic mycoses as well as in filamentous Mucorales. Under appropriate thermal conditions, mononuclear yeast forms alternate with multi-nucleate hyphae. Here, we describe a dimorphic mucoralean fungus obtained from the sputum of a patient with Burkitt lymphoma and ongoing graft-versus-host reactions. The fungus is described as Mucor germinans sp. nov. Laboratory studies were performed to simulate temperature-dependent dimorphism, with two environmental strains Mucor circinelloides and Mucor kunryangriensis as controls. Both strains could be induced to form multinucleate arthrospores and subsequent yeast-like cells in vitro. Multilateral yeast cells emerge in all three Mucor species at elevated temperatures. This morphological transformation appears to occur at body temperature since the yeast-like cells were observed in the lungs of our immunocompromised patient. The microscopic appearance of the yeast-like cells in the clinical samples is easily confused with that of Paracoccidioides. The ecological role of yeast forms in Mucorales is discussed.IMPORTANCEMucormycosis is a devastating disease with high morbidity and mortality in susceptible patients. Accurate diagnosis is required for timely clinical management since antifungal susceptibility differs between species. Irregular hyphal elements are usually taken as the hallmark of mucormycosis, but here, we show that some species may also produce yeast-like cells, potentially being mistaken for Candida or Paracoccidioides. We demonstrate that the dimorphic transition is common in Mucor species and can be driven by many factors. The multi-nucleate yeast-like cells provide an effective parameter to distinguish mucoralean infections from similar yeast-like species in clinical samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Li
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education of Guizhou, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- RadboudUMC-CWZ Center for Expertise in Mycology, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Jennifer Bowling
- Microbiology Service, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Sybren de Hoog
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education of Guizhou, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- RadboudUMC-CWZ Center for Expertise in Mycology, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Chioma I Aneke
- Microbiology Service, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Jung-Ho Youn
- Microbiology Service, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Sherin Shahegh
- Microbiology Service, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Jennifer Cuellar-Rodriguez
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Christopher G Kanakry
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Maria Rodriguez Pena
- Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Sarah A Ahmed
- RadboudUMC-CWZ Center for Expertise in Mycology, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | | | - Ali Tolooe
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
- Vet Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Tehran, Iran
| | - Grit Walther
- German National Reference Center for Invasive Fungal Infections, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Kyung J Kwon-Chung
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Yingqian Kang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education of Guizhou, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Institution of One Health Research, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Hyang Burm Lee
- Environmental Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Agricultural Biological Chemistry, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Amir Seyedmousavi
- Microbiology Service, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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Wang Y, Li R, Wang D, Qian B, Bian Z, Wei J, Wei X, Xu JR. Regulation of symbiotic interactions and primitive lichen differentiation by UMP1 MAP kinase in Umbilicaria muhlenbergii. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6972. [PMID: 37914724 PMCID: PMC10620189 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42675-8] [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: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Lichens are of great ecological importance but mechanisms regulating lichen symbiosis are not clear. Umbilicaria muhlenbergii is a lichen-forming fungus amenable to molecular manipulations and dimorphic. Here, we established conditions conducive to symbiotic interactions and lichen differentiation and showed the importance of UMP1 MAP kinase in lichen development. In the initial biofilm-like symbiotic complexes, algal cells were interwoven with pseudohyphae covered with extracellular matrix. After longer incubation, fungal-algal complexes further differentiated into primitive lichen thalli with a melanized cortex-like and pseudoparenchyma-like tissues containing photoactive algal cells. Mutants deleted of UMP1 were blocked in pseudohyphal growth and development of biofilm-like complexes and primitive lichens. Invasion of dividing mother cells that contributes to algal layer organization in lichens was not observed in the ump1 mutant. Overall, these results showed regulatory roles of UMP1 in symbiotic interactions and lichen development and suitability of U. muhlenbergii as a model for studying lichen symbiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- Dept. of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Rong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Diwen Wang
- Dept. of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Ben Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Zhuyun Bian
- Dept. of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Jiangchun Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Xinli Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Jin-Rong Xu
- Dept. of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.
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3
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Scharnagl K, Tagirdzhanova G, Talbot NJ. The coming golden age for lichen biology. Curr Biol 2023; 33:R512-R518. [PMID: 37279685 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.03.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Lichens are a diverse group of organisms. They are both commonly observed but also mysterious. It has long been known that lichens are composite symbiotic associations of at least one fungus and an algal or cyanobacterial partner, but recent evidence suggests that they may be much more complex. We now know that there can be many constituent microorganisms in a lichen, organized into reproducible patterns that suggest a sophisticated communication and interplay between symbionts. We feel the time is right for a more concerted effort to understand lichen biology. Rapid advances in comparative genomics and metatranscriptomic approaches, coupled with recent breakthroughs in gene functional studies, suggest that lichens may now be more tractable to detailed analysis. Here we set out some of the big questions in lichen biology, and we speculate about the types of gene functions that may be critical to their development, as well as the molecular events that may lead to initial lichen formation. We define both the challenges and opportunities in lichen biology and offer a call to arms to study this remarkable group of organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klara Scharnagl
- The Sainsbury Laboratory, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Colney Lane, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK; University & Jepson Herbaria, University of California Berkeley, Valley Life Sciences Building, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Gulnara Tagirdzhanova
- The Sainsbury Laboratory, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Colney Lane, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Nicholas J Talbot
- The Sainsbury Laboratory, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Colney Lane, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK.
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4
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Khakhar A. A roadmap for the creation of synthetic lichen. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 654:87-93. [PMID: 36898228 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.02.079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Lichens represent a charismatic corner of biology that has a rich history of scientific exploration, but to which modern biological techniques have been sparsely applied. This has limited our understanding of phenomena unique to lichen, such as the emergent development of physically coupled microbial consortia or distributed metabolisms. The experimental intractability of natural lichens has prevented studies of the mechanistic underpinnings of their biology. Creating synthetic lichen from experimentally tractable, free-living microbes has the potential to overcome these challenges. They could also serve as powerful new chassis for sustainable biotechnology. In this review we will first briefly introduce what lichen are, what remains mysterious about their biology, and why. We will then articulate the scientific insights that creating a synthetic lichen will generate and lay out a roadmap for how this could be achieved using synthetic biology. Finally, we will explore the translational applications of synthetic lichen and detail what is needed to advance the pursuit of their creation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjun Khakhar
- Biology Department, Colorado State University, 251 West Pitkin Drive, Fort Collins, CO, 80525, USA.
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5
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Fan D, Liu L, Cao S, Liao R, Liu C, Zhou Q. Transcriptional analysis of the dimorphic fungus Umbilicaria muehlenbergii reveals the molecular mechanism of phenotypic transition. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 39:170. [PMID: 37185920 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-023-03618-z] [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: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The lichen-forming fungus Umbilicaria muehlenbergii undergoes a phenotypic transition from a yeast-like to a pseudohyphal form. However, it remains unknown if a common mechanism is involved in the phenotypic switch of U. muehlenbergii at the transcriptional level. Further, investigation of the phenotype switch molecular mechanism in U. muehlenbergii has been hindered by incomplete genomic sequencing data. Here, the phenotypic characteristics of U. muehlenbergii were investigated after cultivation on several carbon sources, revealing that oligotrophic conditions due to nutrient stress (reduced strength PDA (potato dextrose agar) media) exacerbated the pseudohyphal growth of U. muehlenbergii. Further, the addition of sorbitol, ribitol, and mannitol exacerbated the pseudohyphal growth of U. muehlenbergii regardless of PDA medium strength. Transcriptome analysis of U. muehlenbergii grown in normal and nutrient-stress conditions revealed the presence of several biological pathways with altered expression levels during nutrient stress and related to carbohydrate, protein, DNA/RNA and lipid metabolism. Further, the results demonstrated that altered biological pathways can cooperate during pseudohyphal growth, including pathways involved in the production of protectants, acquisition of other carbon sources, or adjustment of energy metabolism. Synergistic changes in the functioning of these pathways likely help U. muehlenbergii cope with dynamic stimuli. These results provide insights into the transcriptional response of U. muehlenbergii during pseudohyphal growth under oligotrophic conditions. Specifically, the transcriptomic analysis indicated that pseudohyphal growth is an adaptive mechanism of U. muehlenbergii that facilitates its use of alternative carbon sources to maintain survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongjie Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Lushan Liu
- Emergency Department of China Rehabilitation Research Center, Capital medical University, Fengtai District, No. 10 Jiaomen North Street, Beijing, 100068, China
| | - Shunan Cao
- Key Laboratory for Polar Science MNR, Polar Research Institute of China, NO.1000 Xuelong Road, Pudong, Shanghai, China
| | - Rui Liao
- ChosenMed Technology Company Limited, Economic and Technological Development Area, Jinghai Industrial Park, No. 156 Fourth Jinghai Road, Beijing, China
| | - Chuanpeng Liu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, 92 West Dazhi Street, Harbin, 150080, China.
| | - Qiming Zhou
- ChosenMed Technology Company Limited, Economic and Technological Development Area, Jinghai Industrial Park, No. 156 Fourth Jinghai Road, Beijing, China.
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6
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Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Function of a G-Protein α Subunit Gene in the Growth and Development of Pleurotus eryngii. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:jof9010069. [PMID: 36675890 PMCID: PMC9866537 DOI: 10.3390/jof9010069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Pleurotus eryngii is a commercially important edible fungus with high nutritional and economic value. However, few functional studies have examined key genes affecting the growth and development of P. eryngii. In this study, transformed strains, including over-expression (PeGNAI-OE) and RNA interference (PeGNAI-RNAi) lines, were constructed to elucidate the role of GNAI in P. eryngii growth. GNAI expression was found to affect the mycelial growth and the number of clamp connections. Moreover, the transformed strains were shown to have higher endogenous cAMP levels, thus affecting amylase and laccase activity. Fruiting experiments showed that GNAI expression revealed the formation of P. eryngii primordia and the number of buttons, while transcription analysis identified GNAI gene involvement in the growth and development of P. eryngii. Seven downstream genes regulated by GNAI were differentially expressed in PeGNAI-OE and PeGNAI-RNAi compared to wild type (WT). These genes may be related to mycelial growth and enzyme activity. They were involved in the MAPK signaling pathway, inositol phosphate metabolism, ascorbate, aldarate metabolism, and starch and sucrose metabolism. In summary, GNAI performs different physiological functions in regulating the growth and development of P. eryngii. Importantly, the molecular mechanisms of GNAI regulatory function are relatively complex and need further study.
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7
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Roik A, Reverter M, Pogoreutz C. A roadmap to understanding diversity and function of coral reef-associated fungi. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2022; 46:6615459. [PMID: 35746877 PMCID: PMC9629503 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuac028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Tropical coral reefs are hotspots of marine productivity, owing to the association of reef-building corals with endosymbiotic algae and metabolically diverse bacterial communities. However, the functional importance of fungi, well-known for their contribution to shaping terrestrial ecosystems and global nutrient cycles, remains underexplored on coral reefs. We here conceptualize how fungal functional traits may have facilitated the spread, diversification, and ecological adaptation of marine fungi on coral reefs. We propose that functions of reef-associated fungi may be diverse and go beyond their hitherto described roles of pathogens and bioeroders, including but not limited to reef-scale biogeochemical cycles and the structuring of coral-associated and environmental microbiomes via chemical mediation. Recent technological and conceptual advances will allow the elucidation of the physiological, ecological, and chemical contributions of understudied marine fungi to coral holobiont and reef ecosystem functioning and health and may help provide an outlook for reef management actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Roik
- Corresponding author: Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity at the University of Oldenburg (HIFMB), Ammerländer Heerstrasse 231, D-26129 Oldenburg, Germany. E-mail:
| | - Miriam Reverter
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Wilhelmshaven, 26046, Germany,School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL4 8AA, United Kingdom
| | - Claudia Pogoreutz
- Corresponding author: Laboratory for Biological Geochemistry, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.,
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Landscaping Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Production Park Using Lightweight Deep Reinforcement Learning under Circular Symbiosis Concept. COMPUTATIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND NEUROSCIENCE 2022; 2022:8410996. [PMID: 35694577 PMCID: PMC9184201 DOI: 10.1155/2022/8410996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
The paper intends to optimize the landscape of the agricultural and animal husbandry (AG and AH) production park using the deep reinforcement learning (DRL) model under circular symbiosis. Therefore, after reviewing the relevant literature, decision tree evolutionary algorithm, and ensemble learning criteria, this paper studies and constructs the circular symbiotic industrial chain. Then, an experiment of landscaping the park and optimizing the production is made with full consideration of practical institutions. Finally, the numerical results show that the yield of several crops has been significantly improved after the landscape optimization by the proposed DRL model. Remarkably, the increase in rice yield is the most prominent. The yield of rice and wheat was about 12 kg before optimization and 18 kg after DRL model optimization, which has increased by 6 kg. This research has important reference value for improving the output efficiency of AG and AH products.
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Armaleo D, Chiou L. Modeling in yeast how rDNA introns slow growth and increase desiccation tolerance in lichens. G3 GENES|GENOMES|GENETICS 2021; 11:6347584. [PMID: 34849787 PMCID: PMC8527467 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkab279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
We connect ribosome biogenesis to desiccation tolerance in lichens, widespread symbioses between specialized fungi (mycobionts) and unicellular phototrophs. We test whether the introns present in the nuclear ribosomal DNA of lichen mycobionts contribute to their anhydrobiosis. Self-splicing introns are found in the rDNA of several eukaryotic microorganisms, but most introns populating lichen rDNA are unable to self-splice, being either catalytically impaired group I introns, or spliceosomal introns ectopically present in rDNA. Although the mycobiont’s splicing machinery removes all introns from rRNA, Northern analysis indicates delayed post-transcriptional removal during rRNA processing, suggesting interference with ribosome assembly. To study the effects of lichen introns in a model system, we used CRISPR to introduce a spliceosomal rDNA intron from the lichen fungus Cladonia grayi into all nuclear rDNA copies of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which lacks rDNA introns. Three intron-bearing yeast mutants were constructed with the intron inserted either in the 18S rRNA genes, the 25S rRNA genes, or in both. The mutants removed the introns correctly but had half the rDNA genes of the wildtype, grew 4.4–6 times slower, and were 40–1700 times more desiccation tolerant depending on intron position and number. Intracellular trehalose, a disaccharide implicated in desiccation tolerance, was detected at low concentration. Our data suggest that the interference of the splicing machinery with ribosome assembly leads to fewer ribosomes and proteins and to slow growth and increased desiccation tolerance in the yeast mutants. The relevance of these findings for slow growth and desiccation tolerance in lichens is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Armaleo
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Lilly Chiou
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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Zhu H, Liu D, Zheng L, Chen L, Ma A. Characterization of a G protein α subunit encoded gene from the dimorphic fungus-Tremella fuciformis. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 2021; 114:1949-1960. [PMID: 34510304 DOI: 10.1007/s10482-021-01653-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Tremella fuciformis is a dimorphic fungus which can undertake the reversible transition between yeast and pseudohypha forms. G protein α subunit (Gα) carries different signals to regulate a variety of biological processes in eukaryotes, including fungal dimorphism. In this study, a novel Gα subunit encoded gene, TrGpa1, was firstly cloned from T. fuciformis. The TrGpa1 open reading frame has 1059 nucleotides, and encodes a protein which belongs to the group I of Gαi superfamily. Furthermore, the role of TrGpa1 in the T. fuciformis dimorphism was analysed by gene overexpression and knockdown. Stable integration of the target gene into the genome was confirmed by PCR and Southern blot hybridization. Transformants with the highest and lowest TrGpa1 expression levels were selected via quantitative real-time PCR analysis and Western blot. Each transformant was compared with the wild-type strain about the morphological change under different environmental factors, including pH values, temperature, cultivation time, inoculum size, and quorum-sensing molecules (farnesol and tyrosol). Comparing with the wild-type strain, the overexpression transformant always had higher ratios of pseudohyphae, while the knockdown transformant had less proportions of pseudohyphae. Therefore, the TrGpa1 is involved in the dimorphism of T. fuciformis and plays a positive role in promoting pseudohyphal growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanyu Zhu
- College of Life Science and Environment, Hengyang Normal University, Hengyang, 421000, China
- College of Food Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Dongmei Liu
- College of Food Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Liesheng Zheng
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Liguo Chen
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Aimin Ma
- College of Food Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Microbial Resources and Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
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11
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Liu YR, Eldridge DJ, Zeng XM, Wang J, Singh BK, Delgado-Baquerizo M. Global diversity and ecological drivers of lichenised soil fungi. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2021; 231:1210-1219. [PMID: 33914920 DOI: 10.1111/nph.17433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Lichens play crucial roles in sustaining the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems; however, the diversity and ecological factors associated with lichenised soil fungi remain poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap, we used a global field survey including information on fungal sequences of topsoils from 235 terrestrial ecosystems. We identified 880 lichenised fungal phylotypes across nine biomes ranging from deserts to tropical forests. The diversity and proportion of lichenised soil fungi peaked in shrublands and dry grasslands. Aridity index, plant cover and soil pH were the most important factors associated with the distribution of lichenised soil fungi. Furthermore, we identified Endocarpon, Verrucaria and Rinodina as some of the most dominant lichenised genera across the globe, and they had similar environmental preferences to the lichenised fungal community. In addition, precipitation seasonality and mean diurnal temperature range were also important in predicting the proportion of these dominant genera. Using this information, we were able to create the first global maps of the richness and the proportion of dominant genera of lichenised fungi. This work provides new insight into the global distribution and ecological preferences of lichenised soil fungi, and supports their dominance in drylands across the globe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Rong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - David J Eldridge
- Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Xiao-Min Zeng
- College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Juntao Wang
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Richmond, NSW, 2753, Australia
| | - Brajesh K Singh
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Richmond, NSW, 2753, Australia
- Global Centre for Land-Based Innovation, Western Sydney University, Penrith South DC, NSW, 2751, Australia
| | - Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo
- Departamento de Sistemas Físicos, Químicos y Naturales, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, 41013, Spain
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Zhou X, Li J, Tang N, Xie H, Fan X, Chen H, Tang M, Xie X. Genome-Wide Analysis of Nutrient Signaling Pathways Conserved in Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi. Microorganisms 2021; 9:1557. [PMID: 34442636 PMCID: PMC8401276 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9081557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi form a mutualistic symbiosis with a majority of terrestrial vascular plants. To achieve an efficient nutrient trade with their hosts, AM fungi sense external and internal nutrients, and integrate different hierarchic regulations to optimize nutrient acquisition and homeostasis during mycorrhization. However, the underlying molecular networks in AM fungi orchestrating the nutrient sensing and signaling remain elusive. Based on homology search, we here found that at least 72 gene components involved in four nutrient sensing and signaling pathways, including cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (cAMP-PKA), sucrose non-fermenting 1 (SNF1) protein kinase, target of rapamycin kinase (TOR) and phosphate (PHO) signaling cascades, are well conserved in AM fungi. Based on the knowledge known in model yeast and filamentous fungi, we outlined the possible gene networks functioning in AM fungi. These pathways may regulate the expression of downstream genes involved in nutrient transport, lipid metabolism, trehalase activity, stress resistance and autophagy. The RNA-seq analysis and qRT-PCR results of some core genes further indicate that these pathways may play important roles in spore germination, appressorium formation, arbuscule longevity and sporulation of AM fungi. We hope to inspire further studies on the roles of these candidate genes involved in these nutrient sensing and signaling pathways in AM fungi and AM symbiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Lingnan Guangdong Laboratory of Modern Agriculture, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (X.Z.); (H.X.); (X.F.); (H.C.)
| | - Jiangyong Li
- Institute for Environmental and Climate Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China;
| | - Nianwu Tang
- UMR Interactions Arbres/Microorganismes, Centre INRA-Grand Est-Nancy, 54280 Champenoux, France;
| | - Hongyun Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Lingnan Guangdong Laboratory of Modern Agriculture, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (X.Z.); (H.X.); (X.F.); (H.C.)
| | - Xiaoning Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Lingnan Guangdong Laboratory of Modern Agriculture, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (X.Z.); (H.X.); (X.F.); (H.C.)
| | - Hui Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Lingnan Guangdong Laboratory of Modern Agriculture, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (X.Z.); (H.X.); (X.F.); (H.C.)
| | - Ming Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Lingnan Guangdong Laboratory of Modern Agriculture, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (X.Z.); (H.X.); (X.F.); (H.C.)
| | - Xianan Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Lingnan Guangdong Laboratory of Modern Agriculture, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (X.Z.); (H.X.); (X.F.); (H.C.)
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Carr EC, Harris SD, Herr JR, Riekhof WR. Lichens and biofilms: Common collective growth imparts similar developmental strategies. ALGAL RES 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2021.102217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Tagirdzhanova G, Saary P, Tingley JP, Díaz-Escandón D, Abbott DW, Finn RD, Spribille T. Predicted Input of Uncultured Fungal Symbionts to a Lichen Symbiosis from Metagenome-Assembled Genomes. Genome Biol Evol 2021; 13:6163286. [PMID: 33693712 PMCID: PMC8355462 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evab047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Basidiomycete yeasts have recently been reported as stably associated secondary
fungal symbionts of many lichens, but their role in the symbiosis remains
unknown. Attempts to sequence their genomes have been hampered both by the
inability to culture them and their low abundance in the lichen thallus
alongside two dominant eukaryotes (an ascomycete fungus and chlorophyte alga).
Using the lichen Alectoria sarmentosa, we selectively dissolved
the cortex layer in which secondary fungal symbionts are embedded to enrich
yeast cell abundance and sequenced DNA from the resulting slurries as well as
bulk lichen thallus. In addition to yielding a near-complete genome of the
filamentous ascomycete using both methods, metagenomes from cortex slurries
yielded a 36- to 84-fold increase in coverage and near-complete genomes for two
basidiomycete species, members of the classes Cystobasidiomycetes and
Tremellomycetes. The ascomycete possesses the largest gene repertoire of the
three. It is enriched in proteases often associated with pathogenicity and
harbors the majority of predicted secondary metabolite clusters. The
basidiomycete genomes possess ∼35% fewer predicted genes than the
ascomycete and have reduced secretomes even compared with close relatives, while
exhibiting signs of nutrient limitation and scavenging. Furthermore, both
basidiomycetes are enriched in genes coding for enzymes producing secreted
acidic polysaccharides, representing a potential contribution to the shared
extracellular matrix. All three fungi retain genes involved in dimorphic
switching, despite the ascomycete not being known to possess a yeast stage. The
basidiomycete genomes are an important new resource for exploration of lifestyle
and function in fungal–fungal interactions in lichen symbioses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gulnara Tagirdzhanova
- Department of Biological Sciences CW405, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Paul Saary
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Jeffrey P Tingley
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
| | - David Díaz-Escandón
- Department of Biological Sciences CW405, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - D Wade Abbott
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
| | - Robert D Finn
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Toby Spribille
- Department of Biological Sciences CW405, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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