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Amahisa M, Tsukagoshi M, Kadooka C, Masuo S, Takeshita N, Doi Y, Takagi H, Takaya N. The Metabolic Regulation of Amino Acid Synthesis Counteracts Reactive Nitrogen Stress via Aspergillus nidulans Cross-Pathway Control. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:58. [PMID: 38248967 PMCID: PMC10817288 DOI: 10.3390/jof10010058] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO) is a natural reactive nitrogen species (RNS) that alters proteins, DNA, and lipids and damages biological activities. Although microorganisms respond to and detoxify NO, the regulation of the cellular metabolic mechanisms that cause cells to tolerate RNS toxicity is not completely understood. We found that the proline and arginine auxotrophic proA5 and argB2 mutants of the fungus Aspergillus nidulans require more arginine and proline for normal growth under RNS stress that starves cells by accumulating fewer amino acids. Fungal transcriptomes indicated that RNS stress upregulates the expression of the biosynthetic genes required for global amino acids, including proline and arginine. A mutant of the gene disruptant, cpcA, which encodes the transcriptional regulation of the cross-pathway control of general amino acid synthesis, did not induce these genes, and cells accumulated fewer amino acids under RNS stress. These results indicated a novel function of CpcA in the cellular response to RNS stress, which is mediated through amino acid starvation and induces the transcription of genes for general amino acid synthesis. Since CpcA also controls organic acid biosynthesis, impaired intermediates of such biosynthesis might starve cells of amino acids. These findings revealed the importance of the mechanism regulating amino acid homeostasis for fungal responses to and survival under RNS stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madoka Amahisa
- Microbiology Research Center for Sustainability, Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba 305-8572, Japan; (M.A.); (C.K.); (S.M.); (N.T.); (Y.D.)
| | - Madoka Tsukagoshi
- Microbiology Research Center for Sustainability, Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba 305-8572, Japan; (M.A.); (C.K.); (S.M.); (N.T.); (Y.D.)
| | - Chihiro Kadooka
- Microbiology Research Center for Sustainability, Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba 305-8572, Japan; (M.A.); (C.K.); (S.M.); (N.T.); (Y.D.)
| | - Shunsuke Masuo
- Microbiology Research Center for Sustainability, Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba 305-8572, Japan; (M.A.); (C.K.); (S.M.); (N.T.); (Y.D.)
| | - Norio Takeshita
- Microbiology Research Center for Sustainability, Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba 305-8572, Japan; (M.A.); (C.K.); (S.M.); (N.T.); (Y.D.)
| | - Yuki Doi
- Microbiology Research Center for Sustainability, Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba 305-8572, Japan; (M.A.); (C.K.); (S.M.); (N.T.); (Y.D.)
| | - Hiroshi Takagi
- Institute for Research Initiatives, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5 Takayama, Ikoma 630-0192, Japan;
| | - Naoki Takaya
- Microbiology Research Center for Sustainability, Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba 305-8572, Japan; (M.A.); (C.K.); (S.M.); (N.T.); (Y.D.)
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2
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Steyer JT, Todd RB. Branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis in fungi. Essays Biochem 2023; 67:865-876. [PMID: 37455545 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20230003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs)-isoleucine, leucine, and valine-are synthesized by fungi. These amino acids are important components of proteins and secondary metabolites. The biochemical pathway for BCAA biosynthesis is well-characterized in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The biosynthesis of these three amino acids is interconnected. Different precursors are metabolized in multiple steps through shared enzymes to produce isoleucine and valine, and the valine biosynthesis pathway branches before the penultimate step to a series of leucine biosynthesis-specific steps to produce leucine. Recent efforts have made advances toward characterization of the BCAA biosynthesis pathway in several fungi, revealing diversity in gene duplication and functional divergence in the genes for these enzymatic steps in different fungi. The BCAA biosynthesis pathway is regulated by the transcription factor LEU3 in S. cerevisiae, and LeuB in Aspergillus nidulans and Aspergillus fumigatus, and the activity of these transcription factors is modulated by the leucine biosynthesis pathway intermediate α-isopropylmalate. Herein, we discuss recent advances in our understanding of the BCAA pathway and its regulation, focusing on filamentous ascomycete fungi and comparison with the well-established process in yeast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel T Steyer
- Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, Manhattan KS, 66506, U.S.A
| | - Richard B Todd
- Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, Manhattan KS, 66506, U.S.A
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3
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Analysis of Pneumocystis Transcription Factor Evolution and Implications for Biology and Lifestyle. mBio 2023; 14:e0271122. [PMID: 36651897 PMCID: PMC9973273 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02711-22] [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] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Pneumocystis jirovecii kills hundreds of thousands of immunocompromised patients each year. Yet many aspects of the biology of this obligate pathogen remain obscure because it is not possible to culture the fungus in vitro independently of its host. Consequently, our understanding of Pneumocystis pathobiology is heavily reliant upon bioinformatic inferences. We have exploited a powerful combination of genomic and phylogenetic approaches to examine the evolution of transcription factors in Pneumocystis species. We selected protein families (Pfam families) that correspond to transcriptional regulators and used bioinformatic approaches to compare these families in the seven Pneumocystis species that have been sequenced to date with those from other yeasts, other human and plant pathogens, and other obligate parasites. Some Pfam families of transcription factors have undergone significant reduction during their evolution in the Pneumocystis genus, and other Pfam families have been lost or appear to be in the process of being lost. Meanwhile, other transcription factor families have been retained in Pneumocystis species, and some even appear to have undergone expansion. On this basis, Pneumocystis species seem to have retained transcriptional regulators that control chromosome maintenance, ribosomal gene regulation, RNA processing and modification, and respiration. Meanwhile, regulators that promote the assimilation of alternative carbon sources, amino acid, lipid, and sterol biosynthesis, and iron sensing and homeostasis appear to have been lost. Our analyses of transcription factor retention, loss, and gain provide important insights into the biology and lifestyle of Pneumocystis. IMPORTANCE Pneumocystis jirovecii is a major fungal pathogen of humans that infects healthy individuals, colonizing the lungs of infants. In immunocompromised and transplant patients, this fungus causes life-threatening pneumonia, and these Pneumocystis infections remain among the most common and serious infections in HIV/AIDS patients. Yet we remain remarkably ignorant about the biology and epidemiology of Pneumocystis due to the inability to culture this fungus in vitro. Our analyses of transcription factor retentions, losses, and gains in sequenced Pneumocystis species provide valuable new views of their specialized biology, suggesting the retention of many metabolic and stress regulators and the loss of others that are essential in free-living fungi. Given the lack of in vitro culture methods for Pneumocystis, this powerful bioinformatic approach has advanced our understanding of the lifestyle of P. jirovecii and the nature of its dependence on the host for survival.
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Chang PK, Scharfenstein LL, Mahoney N, Kong Q. Kojic Acid Gene Clusters and the Transcriptional Activation Mechanism of Aspergillus flavus KojR on Expression of Clustered Genes. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:jof9020259. [PMID: 36836373 PMCID: PMC9961346 DOI: 10.3390/jof9020259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Kojic acid (KA) is a fungal metabolite and has a variety of applications in the cosmetics and food industries. Aspergillus oryzae is a well-known producer of KA, and its KA biosynthesis gene cluster has been identified. In this study, we showed that nearly all section Flavi aspergilli except for A. avenaceus had complete KA gene clusters, and only one Penicillium species, P. nordicum, contained a partial KA gene cluster. Phylogenetic inference based on KA gene cluster sequences consistently grouped section Flavi aspergilli into clades as prior studies. The Zn(II)2Cys6 zinc cluster regulator KojR transcriptionally activated clustered genes of kojA and kojT in Aspergillus flavus. This was evidenced by the time-course expression of both genes in kojR-overexpressing strains whose kojR expression was driven by a heterologous Aspergillus nidulans gpdA promoter or a homologous A. flavus gpiA promoter. Using sequences from the kojA and kojT promoter regions of section Flavi aspergilli for motif analyses, we identified a consensus KojR-binding motif to be an 11-bp palindromic sequence of 5'-CGRCTWAGYCG-3' (R = A/G, W = A/T, Y = C/T). A CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene-targeting technique showed that the motif sequence, 5'-CGACTTTGCCG-3', in the kojA promoter was critical for KA biosynthesis in A. flavus. Our findings may facilitate strain improvement and benefit future kojic acid production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Perng-Kuang Chang
- Southern Regional Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture, 1100 Allen Toussaint Boulevard, New Orleans, LA 70124, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-504-286-4208; Fax: +1-504-286-4419
| | - Leslie L. Scharfenstein
- Southern Regional Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture, 1100 Allen Toussaint Boulevard, New Orleans, LA 70124, USA
| | - Noreen Mahoney
- Western Regional Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture, 800 Buchanan Street, Albany, CA 94710, USA
| | - Qing Kong
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
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Gawlik J, Koper M, Bogdanowicz A, Weglenski P, Dzikowska A. Nuclear Functions of KaeA, a Subunit of the KEOPS Complex in Aspergillus nidulans. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911138. [PMID: 36232439 PMCID: PMC9570407 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Kae1 is a subunit of the highly evolutionarily conserved KEOPS/EKC complex, which is involved in universal (t6A37) tRNA modification. Several reports have discussed the participation of this complex in transcription regulation in yeast and human cells, including our previous observations of KaeA, an Aspergillus nidulans homologue of Kae1p. The aim of this project was to confirm the role of KaeA in transcription, employing high-throughput transcriptomic (RNA-Seq and ChIP-Seq) and proteomic (LC-MS) analysis. We confirmed that KaeA is a subunit of the KEOPS complex in A. nidulans. An analysis of kaeA19 and kaeA25 mutants showed that, although the (t6A37) tRNA modification is unaffected in both mutants, they reveal significantly altered transcriptomes compared to the wild type. The finding that KaeA is localized in chromatin and identifying its protein partners allows us to postulate an additional nuclear function for the protein. Our data shed light on the universal bi-functional role of this factor and proves that the activity of this protein is not limited to tRNA modification in cytoplasm, but also affects the transcriptional activity of a number of nuclear genes. Data are available via the NCBI’s GEO database under identifiers GSE206830 (RNA-Seq) and GSE206874 (ChIP-Seq), and via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD034554 (proteomic).
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Gawlik
- Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Pawińskiego 5A, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 93, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
- College of Inter-Faculty Individual Studies in Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Warsaw, Banacha 2c, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michal Koper
- Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Pawińskiego 5A, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Albert Bogdanowicz
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5A, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Piotr Weglenski
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 93, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5A, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Dzikowska
- Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Pawińskiego 5A, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
- Correspondence: or
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6
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Systematic Characterization of bZIP Transcription Factors Required for Development and Aflatoxin Generation by High-Throughput Gene Knockout in Aspergillus flavus. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8040356. [PMID: 35448587 PMCID: PMC9031554 DOI: 10.3390/jof8040356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The basic leucine zipper (bZIP) is an important transcription factor required for fungal development, nutrient utilization, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, and defense against various stresses. Aspergillus flavus is a major producer of aflatoxin and an opportunistic fungus on a wide range of hosts. However, little is known about the role of most bZIP genes in A. flavus. In this study, we developed a high-throughput gene knockout method based on an Agrobacterium-mediated transformation system. Gene knockout construction by yeast recombinational cloning and screening of the null mutants by double fluorescence provides an efficient way to construct gene-deleted mutants for this multinucleate fungus. We deleted 15 bZIP genes in A. flavus. Twelve of these genes were identified and characterized in this strain for the first time. The phenotypic analysis of these mutants showed that the 15 bZIP genes play a diverse role in mycelial growth (eight genes), conidiation (13 genes), aflatoxin biosynthesis (10 genes), oxidative stress response (11 genes), cell wall stress (five genes), osmotic stress (three genes), acid and alkali stress (four genes), and virulence to kernels (nine genes). Impressively, all 15 genes were involved in the development of sclerotia, and the respective deletion mutants of five of them did not produce sclerotia. Moreover, MetR was involved in this biological process. In addition, HapX and MetR play important roles in the adaptation to excessive iron and sulfur metabolism, respectively. These studies provide comprehensive insights into the role of bZIP transcription factors in this aflatoxigenic fungus of global significance.
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7
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Shao S, Li B, Sun Q, Guo P, Du Y, Huang J. Acetolactate synthases regulatory subunit and catalytic subunit genes VdILVs are involved in BCAA biosynthesis, microscletotial and conidial formation and virulence in Verticillium dahliae. Fungal Genet Biol 2022; 159:103667. [PMID: 35041986 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2022.103667] [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: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 01/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Acetolactate synthase (AHAS) catalyses the first common step in the biosynthesis pathways of three branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) of valine, isoleucine and leucine. Here, we characterized one regulatory subunit (VdILV6) and three catalytic subunits (VdILV2A, VdILV2B and VdILV2C) of AHAS from the important cotton Verticillium wilt fungus Verticillium dahliae. Phenotypic analysis showed that VdILV6 knockout mutants were auxotrophic for valine and isoleucine and were defective in conidial morphogenesis, hypha penetration and virulence to cotton, and lost ability of microscletotial formation. The growth of single catalytic subunit gene knockout mutants were significantly inhibited by leucine at higher concentration and single catalytic subunit gene knockout mutants showed significantly reduced virulence to cotton. VdILV2B knockout also led to obviously reduced microscletotial formation and conidial production, VdILV2C knockout led to reduced conidial production. Further studies suggested that both feedback inhibition by leucine and the inhibition by AHAS inhibiting herbicides of tribenuron and bispyribac resulted in significantly down-regulated expression of the four subunit VdILVs genes (VdILV2A, VdILV2B, VdILV2C and VdILV6). Any single catalytic subunit gene knockout led to reduced expression of the other three subunit genes, whereas VdILV6 knckout induced increased expression of the three catalytic subunit genes. VdILV2B, VdILV2C and VdILV6 knockout resulted in increased expression of VdCPC1 regulator gene of the cross-pathway control of amino acid biosynthesis. Taken together, these results indicate multiple roles of four VdILVs genes in the biosynthesis of BCAAs, virulence, fungal growth and development in the filamentous fungi V. dahliae.
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Affiliation(s)
- ShengNan Shao
- College of Agriculture / Key Laboratory of Oasis Agricultural Pest Management and Plant Protection Resources Utilization, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, Xinjiang
| | - Biao Li
- College of Agriculture / Key Laboratory of Oasis Agricultural Pest Management and Plant Protection Resources Utilization, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, Xinjiang
| | - Qi Sun
- College of Agriculture / Key Laboratory of Oasis Agricultural Pest Management and Plant Protection Resources Utilization, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, Xinjiang
| | - PeiRu Guo
- College of Agriculture / Key Laboratory of Oasis Agricultural Pest Management and Plant Protection Resources Utilization, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, Xinjiang
| | - YeJuan Du
- College of Agriculture / Key Laboratory of Oasis Agricultural Pest Management and Plant Protection Resources Utilization, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, Xinjiang.
| | - JiaFeng Huang
- College of Agriculture / Key Laboratory of Oasis Agricultural Pest Management and Plant Protection Resources Utilization, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, Xinjiang.
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8
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Olivares-Yañez C, Sánchez E, Pérez-Lara G, Seguel A, Camejo PY, Larrondo LF, Vidal EA, Canessa P. A comprehensive transcription factor and DNA-binding motif resource for the construction of gene regulatory networks in Botrytis cinerea and Trichoderma atroviride. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:6212-6228. [PMID: 34900134 PMCID: PMC8637145 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Botrytis cinerea and Trichoderma atroviride are two relevant fungi in agricultural systems. To gain insights into these organisms' transcriptional gene regulatory networks (GRNs), we generated a manually curated transcription factor (TF) dataset for each of them, followed by a GRN inference utilizing available sequence motifs describing DNA-binding specificity and global gene expression data. As a proof of concept of the usefulness of this resource to pinpoint key transcriptional regulators, we employed publicly available transcriptomics data and a newly generated dual RNA-seq dataset to build context-specific Botrytis and Trichoderma GRNs under two different biological paradigms: exposure to continuous light and Botrytis-Trichoderma confrontation assays. Network analysis of fungal responses to constant light revealed striking differences in the transcriptional landscape of both fungi. On the other hand, we found that the confrontation of both microorganisms elicited a distinct set of differentially expressed genes with changes in T. atroviride exceeding those in B. cinerea. Using our regulatory network data, we were able to determine, in both fungi, central TFs involved in this interaction response, including TFs controlling a large set of extracellular peptidases in the biocontrol agent T. atroviride. In summary, our work provides a comprehensive catalog of transcription factors and regulatory interactions for both organisms. This catalog can now serve as a basis for generating novel hypotheses on transcriptional regulatory circuits in different experimental contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Consuelo Olivares-Yañez
- ANID - Millennium Science Initiative Program - Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), Avda. Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 340, Santiago, Chile.,Centro de Biotecnologia Vegetal, Universidad Andres Bello, Republica 330, Santiago, Chile
| | - Evelyn Sánchez
- ANID - Millennium Science Initiative Program - Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), Avda. Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 340, Santiago, Chile.,Centro de Genomica y Bioinformatica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Mayor, Camino la Pirámide 5750, Huechuraba, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gabriel Pérez-Lara
- ANID - Millennium Science Initiative Program - Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), Avda. Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 340, Santiago, Chile.,Centro de Biotecnologia Vegetal, Universidad Andres Bello, Republica 330, Santiago, Chile
| | - Aldo Seguel
- ANID - Millennium Science Initiative Program - Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), Avda. Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 340, Santiago, Chile.,Departamento de Genetica Molecular y Microbiologia, Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Avda. Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 340, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pamela Y Camejo
- ANID - Millennium Science Initiative Program - Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), Avda. Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 340, Santiago, Chile
| | - Luis F Larrondo
- ANID - Millennium Science Initiative Program - Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), Avda. Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 340, Santiago, Chile.,Departamento de Genetica Molecular y Microbiologia, Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Avda. Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 340, Santiago, Chile
| | - Elena A Vidal
- ANID - Millennium Science Initiative Program - Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), Avda. Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 340, Santiago, Chile.,Centro de Genomica y Bioinformatica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Mayor, Camino la Pirámide 5750, Huechuraba, Santiago, Chile.,Escuela de Biotecnologia, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Mayor, Camino la Pirámide 5750, Huechuraba, Santiago, Chile
| | - Paulo Canessa
- ANID - Millennium Science Initiative Program - Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), Avda. Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 340, Santiago, Chile.,Centro de Biotecnologia Vegetal, Universidad Andres Bello, Republica 330, Santiago, Chile
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9
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John E, Singh KB, Oliver RP, Tan K. Transcription factor control of virulence in phytopathogenic fungi. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2021; 22:858-881. [PMID: 33973705 PMCID: PMC8232033 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.13056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Plant-pathogenic fungi are a significant threat to economic and food security worldwide. Novel protection strategies are required and therefore it is critical we understand the mechanisms by which these pathogens cause disease. Virulence factors and pathogenicity genes have been identified, but in many cases their roles remain elusive. It is becoming increasingly clear that gene regulation is vital to enable plant infection and transcription factors play an essential role. Efforts to determine their regulatory functions in plant-pathogenic fungi have expanded since the annotation of fungal genomes revealed the ubiquity of transcription factors from a broad range of families. This review establishes the significance of transcription factors as regulatory elements in plant-pathogenic fungi and provides a systematic overview of those that have been functionally characterized. Detailed analysis is provided on regulators from well-characterized families controlling various aspects of fungal metabolism, development, stress tolerance, and the production of virulence factors such as effectors and secondary metabolites. This covers conserved transcription factors with either specialized or nonspecialized roles, as well as recently identified regulators targeting key virulence pathways. Fundamental knowledge of transcription factor regulation in plant-pathogenic fungi provides avenues to identify novel virulence factors and improve our understanding of the regulatory networks linked to pathogen evolution, while transcription factors can themselves be specifically targeted for disease control. Areas requiring further insight regarding the molecular mechanisms and/or specific classes of transcription factors are identified, and direction for future investigation is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan John
- Centre for Crop and Disease ManagementCurtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
- School of Molecular and Life SciencesCurtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Karam B. Singh
- Agriculture and FoodCommonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research OrganisationFloreatWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Richard P. Oliver
- School of Molecular and Life SciencesCurtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Kar‐Chun Tan
- Centre for Crop and Disease ManagementCurtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
- School of Molecular and Life SciencesCurtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
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10
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Lenz AR, Galán-Vásquez E, Balbinot E, de Abreu FP, Souza de Oliveira N, da Rosa LO, de Avila e Silva S, Camassola M, Dillon AJP, Perez-Rueda E. Gene Regulatory Networks of Penicillium echinulatum 2HH and Penicillium oxalicum 114-2 Inferred by a Computational Biology Approach. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:588263. [PMID: 33193246 PMCID: PMC7652724 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.588263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Penicillium echinulatum 2HH and Penicillium oxalicum 114-2 are well-known cellulase fungal producers. However, few studies addressing global mechanisms for gene regulation of these two important organisms are available so far. A recent finding that the 2HH wild-type is closely related to P. oxalicum leads to a combined study of these two species. Firstly, we provide a global gene regulatory network for P. echinulatum 2HH and P. oxalicum 114-2, based on TF-TG orthology relationships, considering three related species with well-known regulatory interactions combined with TFBSs prediction. The network was then analyzed in terms of topology, identifying TFs as hubs, and modules. Based on this approach, we explore numerous identified modules, such as the expression of cellulolytic and xylanolytic systems, where XlnR plays a key role in positive regulation of the xylanolytic system. It also regulates positively the cellulolytic system by acting indirectly through the cellodextrin induction system. This remarkable finding suggests that the XlnR-dependent cellulolytic and xylanolytic regulatory systems are probably conserved in both P. echinulatum and P. oxalicum. Finally, we explore the functional congruency on the genes clustered in terms of communities, where the genes related to cellular nitrogen, compound metabolic process and macromolecule metabolic process were the most abundant. Therefore, our approach allows us to confer a degree of accuracy regarding the existence of each inferred interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Rafael Lenz
- Unidad Académica Yucatán, Instituto de Investigaciones en Matemáticas Aplicadas y en Sistemas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Mérida, Mexico
- Laboratório de Bioinformática e Biologia Computacional, Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidade de Caxias do Sul, Caxias do Sul, Brazil
- Departamento de Ciências Exatas e da Terra, Universidade do Estado da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Edgardo Galán-Vásquez
- Departamento de Ingeniería de Sistemas Computacionales y Automatización, Instituto de Investigaciones en Matemàticas Aplicadas y en Sistemas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico
| | - Eduardo Balbinot
- Laboratório de Bioinformática e Biologia Computacional, Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidade de Caxias do Sul, Caxias do Sul, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Pessi de Abreu
- Laboratório de Bioinformática e Biologia Computacional, Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidade de Caxias do Sul, Caxias do Sul, Brazil
| | - Nikael Souza de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Bioinformática e Biologia Computacional, Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidade de Caxias do Sul, Caxias do Sul, Brazil
- Laboratório de Enzimas e Biomassas, Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidade de Caxias do Sul, Caxias do Sul, Brazil
| | - Letícia Osório da Rosa
- Laboratório de Enzimas e Biomassas, Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidade de Caxias do Sul, Caxias do Sul, Brazil
| | - Scheila de Avila e Silva
- Laboratório de Bioinformática e Biologia Computacional, Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidade de Caxias do Sul, Caxias do Sul, Brazil
| | - Marli Camassola
- Laboratório de Enzimas e Biomassas, Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidade de Caxias do Sul, Caxias do Sul, Brazil
| | - Aldo José Pinheiro Dillon
- Laboratório de Enzimas e Biomassas, Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidade de Caxias do Sul, Caxias do Sul, Brazil
| | - Ernesto Perez-Rueda
- Unidad Académica Yucatán, Instituto de Investigaciones en Matemáticas Aplicadas y en Sistemas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Mérida, Mexico
- Facultad de Ciencias, Centro de Genómica y Bioinformática, Universidad Mayor, Santiago, Chile
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11
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Chikashige Y, Kato H, Thornton M, Pepper W, Hilgers M, Cecil A, Asano I, Yamada H, Mori C, Brunkow C, Moravek C, Urano T, Singh CR, Asano K. Gcn2 eIF2α kinase mediates combinatorial translational regulation through nucleotide motifs and uORFs in target mRNAs. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:8977-8992. [PMID: 32710633 PMCID: PMC7498311 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The protein kinase Gcn2 is a central transducer of nutritional stress signaling important for stress adaptation by normal cells and the survival of cancer cells. In response to nutrient deprivation, Gcn2 phosphorylates eIF2α, thereby repressing general translation while enhancing translation of specific mRNAs with upstream ORFs (uORFs) situated in their 5'-leader regions. Here we performed genome-wide measurements of mRNA translation during histidine starvation in fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Polysome analyses were combined with microarray measurements to identify gene transcripts whose translation was up-regulated in response to the stress in a Gcn2-dependent manner. We determined that translation is reprogrammed to enhance RNA metabolism and chromatin regulation and repress ribosome synthesis. Interestingly, translation of intron-containing mRNAs was up-regulated. The products of the regulated genes include additional eIF2α kinase Hri2 amplifying the stress signaling and Gcn5 histone acetyl transferase and transcription factors, together altering genome-wide transcription. Unique dipeptide-coding uORFs and nucleotide motifs, such as '5'-UGA(C/G)GG-3', are found in 5' leader regions of regulated genes and shown to be responsible for translational control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuji Chikashige
- Advanced ICT Research Institute, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Kobe, Hyogo 651-2492, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Kato
- Department of Biochemistry, Shimane University School of Medicine, Izumo, Shimane 693-8501, Japan
| | - Mackenzie Thornton
- Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology Program, Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Whitney Pepper
- Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology Program, Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Madelyn Hilgers
- Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology Program, Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Ariana Cecil
- Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology Program, Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Izumi Asano
- Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology Program, Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Haana Yamada
- Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology Program, Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
- Department of Advanced Transdisciplinary Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0810, Japan
| | - Chie Mori
- Advanced ICT Research Institute, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Kobe, Hyogo 651-2492, Japan
| | - Cheyenne Brunkow
- Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology Program, Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Carter Moravek
- Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology Program, Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Takeshi Urano
- Department of Biochemistry, Shimane University School of Medicine, Izumo, Shimane 693-8501, Japan
| | - Chingakham Ranjit Singh
- Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology Program, Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Katsura Asano
- Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology Program, Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
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12
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Leonard M, Kühn A, Harting R, Maurus I, Nagel A, Starke J, Kusch H, Valerius O, Feussner K, Feussner I, Kaever A, Landesfeind M, Morgenstern B, Becher D, Hecker M, Braus-Stromeyer SA, Kronstad JW, Braus GH. Verticillium longisporum Elicits Media-Dependent Secretome Responses With Capacity to Distinguish Between Plant-Related Environments. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1876. [PMID: 32849460 PMCID: PMC7423881 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Verticillia cause a vascular wilt disease affecting a broad range of economically valuable crops. The fungus enters its host plants through the roots and colonizes the vascular system. It requires extracellular proteins for a successful plant colonization. The exoproteomes of the allodiploid Verticillium longisporum upon cultivation in different media or xylem sap extracted from its host plant Brassica napus were compared. Secreted fungal proteins were identified by label free liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry screening. V. longisporum induced two main secretion patterns. One response pattern was elicited in various non-plant related environments. The second pattern includes the exoprotein responses to the plant-related media, pectin-rich simulated xylem medium and pure xylem sap, which exhibited similar but additional distinct features. These exoproteomes include a shared core set of 221 secreted and similarly enriched fungal proteins. The pectin-rich medium significantly induced the secretion of 143 proteins including a number of pectin degrading enzymes, whereas xylem sap triggered a smaller but unique fungal exoproteome pattern with 32 enriched proteins. The latter pattern included proteins with domains of known pathogenicity factors, metallopeptidases and carbohydrate-active enzymes. The most abundant proteins of these different groups are the necrosis and ethylene inducing-like proteins Nlp2 and Nlp3, the cerato-platanin proteins Cp1 and Cp2, the metallopeptidases Mep1 and Mep2 and the carbohydrate-active enzymes Gla1, Amy1 and Cbd1. Their pathogenicity contribution was analyzed in the haploid parental strain V. dahliae. Deletion of the majority of the corresponding genes caused no phenotypic changes during ex planta growth or invasion and colonization of tomato plants. However, we discovered that the MEP1, NLP2, and NLP3 deletion strains were compromised in plant infections. Overall, our exoproteome approach revealed that the fungus induces specific secretion responses in different environments. The fungus has a general response to non-plant related media whereas it is able to fine-tune its exoproteome in the presence of plant material. Importantly, the xylem sap-specific exoproteome pinpointed Nlp2 and Nlp3 as single effectors required for successful V. dahliae colonization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Leonard
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Anika Kühn
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Rebekka Harting
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Isabel Maurus
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Alexandra Nagel
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jessica Starke
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Harald Kusch
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Oliver Valerius
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Kirstin Feussner
- Department for Plant Biochemistry, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, Albrecht-von-Haller-Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ivo Feussner
- Department for Plant Biochemistry, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, Albrecht-von-Haller-Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Alexander Kaever
- Department of Bioinformatics, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Manuel Landesfeind
- Department of Bioinformatics, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Burkhard Morgenstern
- Department of Bioinformatics, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Dörte Becher
- Department Microbial Proteomics, Institute for Microbiology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Michael Hecker
- Department of Microbial Physiology, Institute for Microbiology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Susanna A. Braus-Stromeyer
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - James W. Kronstad
- Michael Smith Laboratories, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Gerhard H. Braus
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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13
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Chudzicka-Ormaniec P, Macios M, Koper M, Weedall GD, Caddick MX, Weglenski P, Dzikowska A. The role of the GATA transcription factor AreB in regulation of nitrogen and carbon metabolism in Aspergillus nidulans. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2020; 366:5426211. [PMID: 30939206 PMCID: PMC6494665 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnz066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In Aspergillus nidulans, nitrogen and carbon metabolism are under the control of wide-domain regulatory systems, including nitrogen metabolite repression, carbon catabolite repression and the nutrient starvation response. Transcriptomic analysis of the wild type strain grown under different combinations of carbon and nitrogen regimes was performed, to identify differentially regulated genes. Carbon metabolism predominates as the most important regulatory signal but for many genes, both carbon and nitrogen metabolisms coordinate regulation. To identify mechanisms coordinating nitrogen and carbon metabolism, we tested the role of AreB, previously identified as a regulator of genes involved in nitrogen metabolism. Deletion of areB has significant phenotypic effects on the utilization of specific carbon sources, confirming its role in the regulation of carbon metabolism. AreB was shown to regulate the expression of areA, tamA, creA, xprG and cpcA regulatory genes suggesting areB has a range of indirect, regulatory effects. Different isoforms of AreB are produced as a result of differential splicing and use of two promoters which are differentially regulated by carbon and nitrogen conditions. These isoforms are likely to be functionally distinct and thus contributing to the modulation of AreB activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrycja Chudzicka-Ormaniec
- Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, ul. Pawińskiego 5A, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Maria Macios
- Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, ul. Pawińskiego 5A, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michał Koper
- Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, ul. Pawińskiego 5A, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Gareth D Weedall
- Institute of Integrative Biology, The University of Liverpool, Biosciences Building, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK.,School of Natural Sciences and Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, James Parsons Building, Byrom Street, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK
| | - Mark X Caddick
- Institute of Integrative Biology, The University of Liverpool, Biosciences Building, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK
| | - Piotr Weglenski
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, ul. Żwirki i Wigury 93, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland.,Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Pawińskiego 5A, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Dzikowska
- Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, ul. Pawińskiego 5A, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland.,Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Pawińskiego 5A, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
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14
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LaeA Controls Citric Acid Production through Regulation of the Citrate Exporter-Encoding cexA Gene in Aspergillus luchuensis mut. kawachii. Appl Environ Microbiol 2020; 86:AEM.01950-19. [PMID: 31862728 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01950-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The putative methyltransferase LaeA is a global regulator of metabolic and development processes in filamentous fungi. We characterized the homologous laeA genes of the white koji fungus Aspergillus luchuensis mut. kawachii (A. kawachii) to determine their role in citric acid hyperproduction. The ΔlaeA strain exhibited a significant reduction in citric acid production. Cap analysis gene expression (CAGE) revealed that laeA is required for the expression of a putative citrate exporter-encoding cexA gene, which is critical for citric acid production. Deficient citric acid production by a ΔlaeA strain was rescued by the overexpression of cexA to a level comparable with that of a cexA-overexpressing ΔcexA strain. In addition, chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled with quantitative PCR (ChIP-qPCR) analysis indicated that LaeA regulates the expression of cexA via methylation levels of the histones H3K4 and H3K9. These results indicate that LaeA is involved in citric acid production through epigenetic regulation of cexA in A. kawachii IMPORTANCE A. kawachii has been traditionally used for production of the distilled spirit shochu in Japan. Citric acid produced by A. kawachii plays an important role in preventing microbial contamination during the shochu fermentation process. This study characterized homologous laeA genes; using CAGE, complementation tests, and ChIP-qPCR, it was found that laeA is required for citric acid production through the regulation of cexA in A. kawachii The epigenetic regulation of citric acid production elucidated in this study will be useful for controlling the fermentation processes of shochu.
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15
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Pan Y, Gao L, Zhang X, Qin Y, Liu G, Qu Y. The Role of Cross-Pathway Control Regulator CpcA in the Growth and Extracellular Enzyme Production of Penicillium oxalicum. Curr Microbiol 2019; 77:49-54. [PMID: 31701162 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-019-01803-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
CpcA is a conserved transcriptional activator for the cross-pathway control of amino acid biosynthetic genes in filamentous fungi. Previous studies of this regulator mainly revealed its function under amino acid starvation condition, where amino acid biosynthetic inhibitors were added in the culture. In this study, the biological function of CpcA in Penicillium oxalicum was investigated under different cultivation conditions. Disruption of cpcA led to decreased cell growth either in the presence or absence of histidine biosynthetic inhibitor, and the phenotype could be rescued by the addition of exogenous amino acid sources. In addition, CpcA was required for the rapid production of cellulase when cells were cultured on cellulose. Transcript abundance measurement showed that a set of amino acid biosynthetic genes as well as two major cellulase genes were significantly down-regulated in cpcA deletion mutant relative to wild type. Taken together, the results revealed the biological role of CpcA in supporting normal growth and extracellular enzyme production of P. oxalicum under amino acid non-starvation condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunjun Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Liwei Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiujun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuqi Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
| | - Guodong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yinbo Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, Shandong, People's Republic of China
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16
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Kelly CL, Harris AWK, Steel H, Hancock EJ, Heap JT, Papachristodoulou A. Synthetic negative feedback circuits using engineered small RNAs. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 46:9875-9889. [PMID: 30212900 PMCID: PMC6182179 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Negative feedback is known to enable biological and man-made systems to perform reliably in the face of uncertainties and disturbances. To date, synthetic biological feedback circuits have primarily relied upon protein-based, transcriptional regulation to control circuit output. Small RNAs (sRNAs) are non-coding RNA molecules that can inhibit translation of target messenger RNAs (mRNAs). In this work, we modelled, built and validated two synthetic negative feedback circuits that use rationally-designed sRNAs for the first time. The first circuit builds upon the well characterised tet-based autorepressor, incorporating an externally-inducible sRNA to tune the effective feedback strength. This allows more precise fine-tuning of the circuit output in contrast to the sigmoidal, steep input–output response of the autorepressor alone. In the second circuit, the output is a transcription factor that induces expression of an sRNA, which inhibits translation of the mRNA encoding the output, creating direct, closed-loop, negative feedback. Analysis of the noise profiles of both circuits showed that the use of sRNAs did not result in large increases in noise. Stochastic and deterministic modelling of both circuits agreed well with experimental data. Finally, simulations using fitted parameters allowed dynamic attributes of each circuit such as response time and disturbance rejection to be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciarán L Kelly
- Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK.,Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Andreas W K Harris
- Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK
| | - Harrison Steel
- Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK
| | - Edward J Hancock
- Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK
| | - John T Heap
- Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
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17
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Fischer J, Müller SY, Netzker T, Jäger N, Gacek-Matthews A, Scherlach K, Stroe MC, García-Altares M, Pezzini F, Schoeler H, Reichelt M, Gershenzon J, Krespach MKC, Shelest E, Schroeckh V, Valiante V, Heinzel T, Hertweck C, Strauss J, Brakhage AA. Chromatin mapping identifies BasR, a key regulator of bacteria-triggered production of fungal secondary metabolites. eLife 2018; 7:e40969. [PMID: 30311911 PMCID: PMC6234034 DOI: 10.7554/elife.40969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The eukaryotic epigenetic machinery can be modified by bacteria to reprogram the response of eukaryotes during their interaction with microorganisms. We discovered that the bacterium Streptomyces rapamycinicus triggered increased chromatin acetylation and thus activation of the silent secondary metabolism ors gene cluster in the fungus Aspergillus nidulans. Using this model, we aim understanding mechanisms of microbial communication based on bacteria-triggered chromatin modification. Using genome-wide ChIP-seq analysis of acetylated histone H3, we uncovered the unique chromatin landscape in A. nidulans upon co-cultivation with S. rapamycinicus and relate changes in the acetylation to that in the fungal transcriptome. Differentially acetylated histones were detected in genes involved in secondary metabolism, in amino acid and nitrogen metabolism, in signaling, and encoding transcription factors. Further molecular analyses identified the Myb-like transcription factor BasR as the regulatory node for transduction of the bacterial signal in the fungus and show its function is conserved in other Aspergillus species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Fischer
- Department of Molecular and Applied MicrobiologyLeibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection BiologyJenaGermany
- Institute of MicrobiologyFriedrich Schiller University JenaJenaGermany
| | - Sebastian Y Müller
- Systems Biology and BioinformaticsLeibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection BiologyJenaGermany
| | - Tina Netzker
- Department of Molecular and Applied MicrobiologyLeibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection BiologyJenaGermany
| | - Nils Jäger
- Department of BiochemistryFriedrich Schiller UniversityJenaGermany
| | - Agnieszka Gacek-Matthews
- Department for Applied Genetics and Cell BiologyBOKU University of Natural Resources and Life SciencesViennaAustria
- Institute of MicrobiologyUniversity of Veterinary MedicineViennaAustria
| | - Kirstin Scherlach
- Department of Biomolecular ChemistryLeibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection BiologyJenaGermany
| | - Maria C Stroe
- Department of Molecular and Applied MicrobiologyLeibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection BiologyJenaGermany
- Institute of MicrobiologyFriedrich Schiller University JenaJenaGermany
| | - María García-Altares
- Department of Biomolecular ChemistryLeibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection BiologyJenaGermany
| | - Francesco Pezzini
- Systems Biology and BioinformaticsLeibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection BiologyJenaGermany
| | - Hanno Schoeler
- Department of Molecular and Applied MicrobiologyLeibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection BiologyJenaGermany
- Institute of MicrobiologyFriedrich Schiller University JenaJenaGermany
| | - Michael Reichelt
- Department of BiochemistryMax Planck Institute for Chemical EcologyJenaGermany
| | - Jonathan Gershenzon
- Department of BiochemistryMax Planck Institute for Chemical EcologyJenaGermany
| | - Mario KC Krespach
- Department of Molecular and Applied MicrobiologyLeibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection BiologyJenaGermany
- Institute of MicrobiologyFriedrich Schiller University JenaJenaGermany
| | - Ekaterina Shelest
- Systems Biology and BioinformaticsLeibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection BiologyJenaGermany
| | - Volker Schroeckh
- Department of Molecular and Applied MicrobiologyLeibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection BiologyJenaGermany
| | - Vito Valiante
- Leibniz Research Group – Biobricks of Microbial Natural Product SynthesesLeibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection BiologyJenaGermany
| | - Thorsten Heinzel
- Department of BiochemistryFriedrich Schiller UniversityJenaGermany
| | - Christian Hertweck
- Department of Biomolecular ChemistryLeibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection BiologyJenaGermany
- Chair for Natural Product ChemistryFriedrich Schiller UniversityJenaGermany
| | - Joseph Strauss
- Department for Applied Genetics and Cell BiologyBOKU University of Natural Resources and Life SciencesViennaAustria
| | - Axel A Brakhage
- Department of Molecular and Applied MicrobiologyLeibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection BiologyJenaGermany
- Institute of MicrobiologyFriedrich Schiller University JenaJenaGermany
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18
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Molecular basis of resistance to the microtubule-depolymerizing antitumor compound plocabulin. Sci Rep 2018; 8:8616. [PMID: 29872155 PMCID: PMC5988728 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-26736-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Plocabulin (PM060184) is a microtubule depolymerizing agent with potent antiproliferative activity undergoing phase II clinical trials for the treatment of solid tumors. Plocabulin shows antifungal activity virtually abolishing growth of the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans. A. nidulans hyphae depend both on mitotic and interphase microtubules, as human cells. Here, we exploited the A. nidulans genetic amenability to gain insight into the mechanism of action of plocabulin. By combining mutations in the two A. nidulans β-tubulin isotypes we obtained a plocabulin-insensitive strain, showing that β-tubulin is the only molecular target of plocabulin in fungal cells. From a genetic screen, we recovered five mutants that show plocabulin resistance but do not carry mutations in β-tubulin. Resistance mutations resulted in amino acid substitutions in (1) two subunits of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF2B activating the General Amino Acid Control, (2) TIM44, an essential component of the inner mitochondrial membrane translocase, (3) two transcription factors of the binuclear zinc cluster family potentially interfering with the uptake or efflux of plocabulin. Given the conservation of some of the identified proteins and their respective cellular functions in the tumor environment, our results pinpoint candidates to be tested as potential biomarkers for determination of drug efficiency.
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19
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General amino acid control in fission yeast is regulated by a nonconserved transcription factor, with functions analogous to Gcn4/Atf4. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:E1829-E1838. [PMID: 29432178 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1713991115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotes respond to amino acid starvation by enhancing the translation of mRNAs encoding b-ZIP family transcription factors (GCN4 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and ATF4 in mammals), which launch transcriptional programs to counter this stress. This pathway involves phosphorylation of the eIF2 translation factor by Gcn2-protein kinases and is regulated by upstream ORFs (uORFs) in the GCN4/ATF4 5' leaders. Here, we present evidence that the transcription factors that mediate this response are not evolutionarily conserved. Although cells of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe respond transcriptionally to amino acid starvation, they lack clear Gcn4 and Atf4 orthologs. We used ribosome profiling to identify mediators of this response in S. pombe, looking for transcription factors that behave like GCN4 We discovered a transcription factor (Fil1) translationally induced by amino acid starvation in a 5' leader and Gcn2-dependent manner. Like Gcn4, Fil1 is required for the transcriptional response to amino acid starvation, and Gcn4 and Fil1 regulate similar genes. Despite their similarities in regulation, function, and targets, Fil1 and Gcn4 belong to different transcription factor families (GATA and b-ZIP, respectively). Thus, the same functions are performed by nonorthologous proteins under similar regulation. These results highlight the plasticity of transcriptional networks, which maintain conserved principles with nonconserved regulators.
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Hu Y, Qin Y, Liu G. Collection and Curation of Transcriptional Regulatory Interactions in Aspergillus nidulans and Neurospora crassa Reveal Structural and Evolutionary Features of the Regulatory Networks. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:27. [PMID: 29403467 PMCID: PMC5780447 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2017] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcriptional regulation has important roles in various biological processes (e.g., development and metabolism) in filamentous fungi. However, regulatory interactions between transcription factors (TFs) and their target genes in these species have only been described in different forms by primary scientific literature, which limits the integrated analysis of these data. Here, we extensively curated the reported transcriptional regulatory interactions in Aspergillus nidulans and Neurospora crassa. For each interaction, the identifiers of involved proteins or genes were unified, and the types of supporting experiments were recorded. Then, transcriptional regulatory networks were reconstructed from the interactions supported by classical low-throughput experiments. Analysis of the networks revealed the presence of hub targets regulated by multiple TFs and network motifs of other structures (e.g., regulatory loops). Comparison of the regulatory interactions between the two species identified 33 conserved interactions supported by classical experiments in both species, most of which are involved in the regulation of metabolic genes. We anticipate the curated data would serve as a catalog for the studies of transcriptional regulation in filamentous fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yibo Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, School of Life Science, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Yuqi Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, School of Life Science, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Guodong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, School of Life Science, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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Wang D, Akhberdi O, Hao X, Yu X, Chen L, Liu Y, Zhu X. Amino Acid Sensor Kinase Gcn2 Is Required for Conidiation, Secondary Metabolism, and Cell Wall Integrity in the Taxol-Producer Pestalotiopsis microspora. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:1879. [PMID: 29021785 PMCID: PMC5623678 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 09/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The canonical Gcn2/Cpc1 kinase in fungi coordinates the expression of target genes in response to amino acid starvation. To investigate its possible role in secondary metabolism, we characterized a gcn2 homolog in the taxol-producing fungus Pestalotiopsis microspora. Deletion of the gene led to severe physiological defects under amino acid starvation, suggesting a conserved function of gcn2 in amino acid sensing. The mutant strain Δgcn2 displayed retardation in vegetative growth. It generated dramatically fewer conidia, suggesting a connection between amino acid metabolism and conidiation in this fungus. Importantly, disruption of the gene altered the production of secondary metabolites by HPLC profiling. For instance, under amino acid starvation, the deletion strain Δgcn2 barely produced secondary metabolites including the known natural product pestalotiollide B. Even more, we showed that gcn2 played critical roles in the tolerance to several stress conditions. Δgcn2 exhibited a hypersensitivity to Calcofluor white and Congo red, implying a role of Gcn2 in maintaining the integrity of the cell wall. This study suggests that Gcn2 kinase is an important global regulator in the growth and development of filamentous fungi and will provide knowledge for the manipulation of secondary metabolism in P. microspora.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Wang
- National Key Program of Microbiology and Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Oren Akhberdi
- National Key Program of Microbiology and Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaoran Hao
- National Experimental Teaching Demonstrating Center, School of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Xi Yu
- National Key Program of Microbiology and Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Longfei Chen
- National Key Program of Microbiology and Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yanjie Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering Drug and Biotechnology, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Xudong Zhu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering Drug and Biotechnology, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
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Translation Initiation from Conserved Non-AUG Codons Provides Additional Layers of Regulation and Coding Capacity. mBio 2017; 8:mBio.00844-17. [PMID: 28655822 PMCID: PMC5487733 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00844-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurospora crassa cpc-1 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae GCN4 are homologs specifying transcription activators that drive the transcriptional response to amino acid limitation. The cpc-1 mRNA contains two upstream open reading frames (uORFs) in its >700-nucleotide (nt) 5′ leader, and its expression is controlled at the level of translation in response to amino acid starvation. We used N. crassa cell extracts and obtained data indicating that cpc-1 uORF1 and uORF2 are functionally analogous to GCN4 uORF1 and uORF4, respectively, in controlling translation. We also found that the 5′ region upstream of the main coding sequence of the cpc-1 mRNA extends for more than 700 nucleotides without any in-frame stop codon. For 100 cpc-1 homologs from Pezizomycotina and from selected Basidiomycota, 5′ conserved extensions of the CPC1 reading frame are also observed. Multiple non-AUG near-cognate codons (NCCs) in the CPC1 reading frame upstream of uORF2, some deeply conserved, could potentially initiate translation. At least four NCCs initiated translation in vitro. In vivo data were consistent with initiation at NCCs to produce N-terminally extended N. crassa CPC1 isoforms. The pivotal role played by CPC1, combined with its translational regulation by uORFs and NCC utilization, underscores the emerging significance of noncanonical initiation events in controlling gene expression. There is a deepening and widening appreciation of the diverse roles of translation in controlling gene expression. A central fungal transcription factor, the best-studied example of which is Saccharomyces cerevisiae GCN4, is crucial for the response to amino acid limitation. Two upstream open reading frames (uORFs) in the GCN4 mRNA are critical for controlling GCN4 synthesis. We observed that two uORFs in the corresponding Neurospora crassa cpc-1 mRNA appear functionally analogous to the GCN4 uORFs. We also discovered that, surprisingly, unlike GCN4, the CPC1 coding sequence extends far upstream from the presumed AUG start codon with no other in-frame AUG codons. Similar extensions were seen in homologs from many filamentous fungi. We observed that multiple non-AUG near-cognate codons (NCCs) in this extended reading frame, some conserved, initiated translation to produce longer forms of CPC1, underscoring the significance of noncanonical initiation in controlling gene expression.
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Bayram Ö, Feussner K, Dumkow M, Herrfurth C, Feussner I, Braus GH. Changes of global gene expression and secondary metabolite accumulation during light-dependent Aspergillus nidulans development. Fungal Genet Biol 2016; 87:30-53. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2016.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2015] [Revised: 12/29/2015] [Accepted: 01/06/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Gressler M, Meyer F, Heine D, Hortschansky P, Hertweck C, Brock M. Phytotoxin production in Aspergillus terreus is regulated by independent environmental signals. eLife 2015; 4. [PMID: 26173180 PMCID: PMC4528345 DOI: 10.7554/elife.07861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2015] [Accepted: 07/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Secondary metabolites have a great potential as pharmaceuticals, but there are only a few examples where regulation of gene cluster expression has been correlated with ecological and physiological relevance for the producer. Here, signals, mediators, and biological effects of terrein production were studied in the fungus Aspergillus terreus to elucidate the contribution of terrein to ecological competition. Terrein causes fruit surface lesions and inhibits plant seed germination. Additionally, terrein is moderately antifungal and reduces ferric iron, thereby supporting growth of A. terreus under iron starvation. In accordance, the lack of nitrogen or iron or elevated methionine levels induced terrein production and was dependent on either the nitrogen response regulators AreA and AtfA or the iron response regulator HapX. Independent signal transduction allows complex sensing of the environment and, combined with its broad spectrum of biological activities, terrein provides a prominent example of adapted secondary metabolite production in response to environmental competition. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.07861.001 Organisms produce a wide variety of small molecules called metabolites through the break down of food and other chemical reactions. Some of these molecules—known as primary metabolites—are required for growth, reproduction and other vital processes. Other molecules called secondary metabolites are not strictly required by the organism, but generally have other roles that may improve the individual’s ability to survive and reproduce. Fungi and other microbes produce a large variety of secondary metabolites, many of which are used as medicines to treat diseases in humans and other animals. For example, a molecule called lovastatin—which is produced by a fungus known as Aspergillus terreus—can reduce a human patient's risk of heart disease. However, it is not known what role many secondary metabolites play in the microbe that produced them. A. terreus lives in the soil, but it can also infect plants and animals. In addition to lovastatin, it also makes another secondary metabolite called terrein. A recent study identified the genes responsible for making terrein, and discovered that this molecule is harmful to plant cells and may help the fungus to colonize and thrive in the area immediately around plant roots, which is known as the rhizosphere. Here, Gressler et al. studied how terrein may help the fungus to cope with competitors in this environment. The experiments show that terrein increases the availability of iron and inhibits the growth of competing microbes. A shortage of iron or nitrogen-containing nutrients can stimulate the fungus to produce terrein, and elevated levels of a molecule called methionine have the same effect. These conditions are commonly found in the rhizosphere and further experiments identified several proteins in the fungus that are required for sensing them. Gressler et al.'s findings suggest that terrein helps to ensure that the fungus has sufficient nitrogen and iron to thrive in the rhizosphere. Also, this study confirms that the production of secondary metabolites in microbes can happen in response to elaborate cues from the environment, which may explain why only a limited number of secondary metabolites are produced by microbes when they are grown in the laboratory. Future studies will analyze other ways to activate the production of secondary metabolites outside of the microbe's normal environment, which may lead to the discovery of new important drugs. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.07861.002
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Gressler
- Microbial Biochemistry and Physiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Florian Meyer
- Biomolecular Chemistry, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Daniel Heine
- Biomolecular Chemistry, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Peter Hortschansky
- Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Christian Hertweck
- Biomolecular Chemistry, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Matthias Brock
- Institute for Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany.,Fungal Genetics and Biology Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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Park AR, Son H, Min K, Park J, Goo JH, Rhee S, Chae SK, Lee YW. Autoregulation of ZEB2 expression for zearalenone production in Fusarium graminearum. Mol Microbiol 2015; 97:942-56. [PMID: 26036360 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/31/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Several Fusarium species produce the polyketide mycotoxin zearalenone (ZEA), a causative agent of hyperestrogenic syndrome in animals that is often found in F. graminearum-infected cereals in temperate regions. The ZEA biosynthetic cluster genes PKS4, PKS13, ZEB1 and ZEB2 encode a reducing polyketide synthase, a non-reducing polyketide synthase, an isoamyl alcohol oxidase and a transcription factor respectively. In this study, the production of two isoforms (ZEB2L and ZEB2S) from the ZEB2 gene in F. graminearum via an alternative promoter was characterized. ZEB2L contains a basic leucine zipper (bZIP) DNA-binding domain at the N-terminus, whereas ZEB2S is an N-terminally truncated form of ZEB2L that lacks the bZIP domain. Interestingly, ZEA triggers the induction of both ZEB2L and ZEB2S transcription. ZEB2L and ZEB2S interact with each other to form a heterodimer that regulates ZEA production by reducing the binding affinity of ZEB2L for the ZEB2L gene promoter. Our study provides insight into the autoregulation of ZEB2 expression by alternative promoter usage and a feedback loop during ZEA production; this regulatory mechanism is similar to that observed in higher eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ae Ran Park
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Center for Fungal Pathogenesis, Seoul National University, 151-921, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hokyoung Son
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Center for Fungal Pathogenesis, Seoul National University, 151-921, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyunghun Min
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Center for Fungal Pathogenesis, Seoul National University, 151-921, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jinseo Park
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Center for Fungal Pathogenesis, Seoul National University, 151-921, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae Hwan Goo
- Jeonnam Nano Bio Research Center, 515-853, Jangseong, Korea
| | - Sangkee Rhee
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Center for Fungal Pathogenesis, Seoul National University, 151-921, Seoul, Korea
| | - Suhn-Kee Chae
- Department of Biochemistry, Paichai University, 302-735, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Yin-Won Lee
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Center for Fungal Pathogenesis, Seoul National University, 151-921, Seoul, Korea
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Kong S, Park SY, Lee YH. Systematic characterization of the bZIP transcription factor gene family in the rice blast fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae. Environ Microbiol 2014; 17:1425-43. [PMID: 25314920 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.12633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2014] [Revised: 09/10/2014] [Accepted: 09/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory roles of the basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factors (TFs) in fungi have been identified in diverse cellular processes such as development, nutrient utilization and various stress responses. In this study, the 22 Magnaporthe oryzae genes encoding bZIP TFs were systematically characterized. Phylogenetic analysis of fungal bZIP TFs revealed that seven MobZIPs are Magnaporthe-specific, while others belongs to 15 clades of orthologous Ascomycota genes. Expression patterns of MobZIPs under various conditions showed that they are highly stress responsive. We generated deletion mutants for 13 MobZIPs: nine with orthologues in other fungal species and four Magnaporthe-specific ones. Seven of them exhibited defects in mycelial growth, development and/or pathogenicity. Consistent with the conserved functions of the orthologues, MobZIP22 and MobZIP13 played a role in sulfur metabolism and iron homeostasis respectively. Along with MobZIP22 and MobZIP13, one Magnaporthe-specific gene, MobZIP11 is essential for pathogenicity in a reactive oxygen species-dependent manner. Taken together, our results will contribute to understanding the regulatory mechanisms of the bZIP TF gene family in fungal development, adaptation to environmental stresses and pathogenicity in the rice blast fungus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunghyung Kong
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Center for Fungal Genetic Resources, and Center for Fungal Pathogenesis, Plant Genomics and Breeding Institute, and Research Institute for Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
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Abstract
Fungal pathogens must assimilate local nutrients to establish an infection in their mammalian host. We focus on carbon, nitrogen, and micronutrient assimilation mechanisms, discussing how these influence host-fungus interactions during infection. We highlight several emerging trends based on the available data. First, the perturbation of carbon, nitrogen, or micronutrient assimilation attenuates fungal pathogenicity. Second, the contrasting evolutionary pressures exerted on facultative versus obligatory pathogens have led to contemporary pathogenic fungal species that display differing degrees of metabolic flexibility. The evolutionarily ancient metabolic pathways are conserved in most fungal pathogen, but interesting gaps exist in some species (e.g., Candida glabrata). Third, metabolic flexibility is generally essential for fungal pathogenicity, and in particular, for the adaptation to contrasting host microenvironments such as the gastrointestinal tract, mucosal surfaces, bloodstream, and internal organs. Fourth, this metabolic flexibility relies on complex regulatory networks, some of which are conserved across lineages, whereas others have undergone significant evolutionary rewiring. Fifth, metabolic adaptation affects fungal susceptibility to antifungal drugs and also presents exciting opportunities for the development of novel therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iuliana V Ene
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, School of Medical Sciences, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom
| | - Sascha Brunke
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Alistair J P Brown
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, School of Medical Sciences, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom
| | - Bernhard Hube
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Hans Knoell Institute, 07745 Jena, Germany Friedrich Schiller University, 07743 Jena, Germany Center for Sepsis Control and Care, Universitätsklinikum Jena, 07747 Jena, Germany
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28
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Downes DJ, Davis MA, Wong KH, Kreutzberger SD, Hynes MJ, Todd RB. Dual DNA binding and coactivator functions ofAspergillus nidulans TamA, a Zn(II)2Cys6 transcription factor. Mol Microbiol 2014; 92:1198-211. [DOI: 10.1111/mmi.12620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/14/2014] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Damien J. Downes
- Department of Plant Pathology; Kansas State University; 4024 Throckmorton Plant Sciences Center Manhattan KS 66506 USA
- Department of Genetics; The University of Melbourne; Parkville Vic. 3010 Australia
| | - Meryl A. Davis
- Department of Genetics; The University of Melbourne; Parkville Vic. 3010 Australia
| | - Koon Ho Wong
- Department of Biological Chemistry & Molecular Pharmacology; Harvard Medical School; 240 Longwood Ave, Room C2-325 Boston MA 02115 USA
- Faculty of Health Sciences; University of Macau; Macau SAR China
| | - Sara D. Kreutzberger
- Department of Genetics; The University of Melbourne; Parkville Vic. 3010 Australia
| | - Michael J. Hynes
- Department of Genetics; The University of Melbourne; Parkville Vic. 3010 Australia
| | - Richard B. Todd
- Department of Plant Pathology; Kansas State University; 4024 Throckmorton Plant Sciences Center Manhattan KS 66506 USA
- Department of Genetics; The University of Melbourne; Parkville Vic. 3010 Australia
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29
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Todd RB, Zhou M, Ohm RA, Leeggangers HACF, Visser L, de Vries RP. Prevalence of transcription factors in ascomycete and basidiomycete fungi. BMC Genomics 2014; 15:214. [PMID: 24650355 PMCID: PMC3998117 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2013] [Accepted: 03/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Gene regulation underlies fungal physiology and therefore is a major factor in fungal biodiversity. Analysis of genome sequences has revealed a large number of putative transcription factors in most fungal genomes. The presence of fungal orthologs for individual regulators has been analysed and appears to be highly variable with some regulators widely conserved and others showing narrow distribution. Although genome-scale transcription factor surveys have been performed before, no global study into the prevalence of specific regulators across the fungal kingdom has been presented. Results In this study we have analysed the number of members for 37 regulator classes in 77 ascomycete and 31 basidiomycete fungal genomes and revealed significant differences between ascomycetes and basidiomycetes. In addition, we determined the presence of 64 regulators characterised in ascomycetes across these 108 genomes. This demonstrated that overall the highest presence of orthologs is in the filamentous ascomycetes. A significant number of regulators lacked orthologs in the ascomycete yeasts and the basidiomycetes. Conversely, of seven basidiomycete regulators included in the study, only one had orthologs in ascomycetes. Conclusions This study demonstrates a significant difference in the regulatory repertoire of ascomycete and basidiomycete fungi, at the level of both regulator class and individual regulator. This suggests that the current regulatory systems of these fungi have been mainly developed after the two phyla diverged. Most regulators detected in both phyla are involved in central functions of fungal physiology and therefore were likely already present in the ancestor of the two phyla.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard B Todd
- Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, 4024 Throckmorton Plant Sciences Center, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA.
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Dolezal AL, Obrian GR, Nielsen DM, Woloshuk CP, Boston RS, Payne GA. Localization, morphology and transcriptional profile of Aspergillus flavus during seed colonization. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2013; 14:898-909. [PMID: 23834374 PMCID: PMC6638638 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.12056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Aspergillus flavus is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that infects maize kernels pre-harvest, creating major human health concerns and causing substantial agricultural losses. Improved control strategies are needed, yet progress is hampered by the limited understanding of the mechanisms of infection. A series of studies were designed to investigate the localization, morphology and transcriptional profile of A. flavus during internal seed colonization. Results from these studies indicate that A. flavus is capable of infecting all tissues of the immature kernel by 96 h after infection. Mycelia were observed in and around the point of inoculation in the endosperm and were found growing down to the germ. At the endosperm-germ interface, hyphae appeared to differentiate and form a biofilm-like structure that surrounded the germ. The exact nature of this structure remains unclear, but is discussed. A custom-designed A. flavus Affymetrix GeneChip® microarray was used to monitor genome-wide transcription during pathogenicity. A total of 5061 genes were designated as being differentially expressed. Genes encoding secreted enzymes, transcription factors and secondary metabolite gene clusters were up-regulated and considered to be potential effector molecules responsible for disease in the kernel. Information gained from this study will aid in the development of strategies aimed at preventing or slowing down A. flavus colonization of the maize kernel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea L Dolezal
- Department of Plant Pathology, Center for Integrated Fungal Research, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
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Timpner C, Braus-Stromeyer SA, Tran VT, Braus GH. The Cpc1 regulator of the cross-pathway control of amino acid biosynthesis is required for pathogenicity of the vascular pathogen Verticillium longisporum. MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS : MPMI 2013; 26:1312-1324. [PMID: 23883358 DOI: 10.1094/mpmi-06-13-0181-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The plant-pathogenic fungus Verticillium longisporum is a causal agent of early senescence and ripening in cruciferous crops like Brassica napus. Verticillium wilts have become serious agricultural threats in recent decades. Verticillium species infect host plants through the roots and colonize xylem vessels of the host plant. The xylem fluid provides an environment with limited carbon sources and unbalanced amino acid supply, which requires V. longisporum to induce the cross-pathway control of amino acid biosynthesis. RNA-mediated gene silencing reduced the expression of the two CPC1 isogenes (VlCPC1-1 and VlCPC1-2) of the allodiploid V. longisporum up to 85%. VlCPC1 encodes the conserved transcription factor of the cross-pathway control. The silenced mutants were highly sensitive to amino-acid starvation, and the infected plants showed significantly fewer symptoms such as stunting or early senescence in oilseed rape plant infection assays. Consistently, deletion of single CPC1 of the haploid V. dahliae resulted in strains that are sensitive to amino-acid starvation and cause strongly reduced symptoms in the plant-host tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). The allodiploid V. longisporum and the haploid V. dahliae are the first phytopathogenic fungi that were shown to require CPC1 for infection and colonization of their respective host plants, oilseed rape and tomato.
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Identification of metabolic pathways influenced by the G-protein coupled receptors GprB and GprD in Aspergillus nidulans. PLoS One 2013; 8:e62088. [PMID: 23658706 PMCID: PMC3641053 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0062088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2013] [Accepted: 03/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Heterotrimeric G-protein-mediated signaling pathways play a pivotal role in transmembrane signaling in eukaryotes. Our main aim was to identify signaling pathways regulated by A. nidulans GprB and GprD G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). When these two null mutant strains were compared to the wild-type strain, the ΔgprB mutant showed an increased protein kinase A (PKA) activity while growing in glucose 1% and during starvation. In contrast, the ΔgprD has a much lower PKA activity upon starvation. Transcriptomics and 1H NMR-based metabolomics were performed on two single null mutants grown on glucose. We noted modulation in the expression of 11 secondary metabolism gene clusters when the ΔgprB and ΔgprD mutant strains were grown in 1% glucose. Several members of the sterigmatocystin-aflatoxin gene cluster presented down-regulation in both mutant strains. The genes of the NR-PKS monodictyphenone biosynthesis cluster had overall increased mRNA accumulation in ΔgprB, while in the ΔgprD mutant strain the genes had decreased mRNA accumulation. Principal component analysis of the metabolomic data demonstrated that there was a significant metabolite shift in the ΔgprD strain. The 1H NMR analysis revealed significant expression of essential amino acids with elevated levels in the ΔgprD strain, compared to the wild-type and ΔgprB strains. With the results, we demonstrated the differential expression of a variety of genes related mainly to secondary metabolism, sexual development, stress signaling, and amino acid metabolism. We propose that the absence of GPCRs triggered stress responses at the genetic level. The data suggested an intimate relationship among different G-protein coupled receptors, fine-tune regulation of secondary and amino acid metabolisms, and fungal development.
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Transcriptional changes in the transition from vegetative cells to asexual development in the model fungus Aspergillus nidulans. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2012; 12:311-21. [PMID: 23264642 DOI: 10.1128/ec.00274-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Morphogenesis encompasses programmed changes in gene expression that lead to the development of specialized cell types. In the model fungus Aspergillus nidulans, asexual development involves the formation of characteristic cell types, collectively known as the conidiophore. With the aim of determining the transcriptional changes that occur upon induction of asexual development, we have applied massive mRNA sequencing to compare the expression pattern of 19-h-old submerged vegetative cells (hyphae) with that of similar hyphae after exposure to the air for 5 h. We found that the expression of 2,222 (20.3%) of the predicted 10,943 A. nidulans transcripts was significantly modified after air exposure, 2,035 being downregulated and 187 upregulated. The activation during this transition of genes that belong specifically to the asexual developmental pathway was confirmed. Another remarkable quantitative change occurred in the expression of genes involved in carbon or nitrogen primary metabolism. Genes participating in polar growth or sexual development were transcriptionally repressed, as were those belonging to the HogA/SakA stress response mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway. We also identified significant expression changes in several genes purportedly involved in redox balance, transmembrane transport, secondary metabolite production, or transcriptional regulation, mainly binuclear-zinc cluster transcription factors. Genes coding for these four activities were usually grouped in metabolic clusters, which may bring regulatory implications for the induction of asexual development. These results provide a blueprint for further stage-specific gene expression studies during conidiophore development.
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Elliott CE, Fox EM, Jarvis RS, Howlett BJ. The cross-pathway control system regulates production of the secondary metabolite toxin, sirodesmin PL, in the ascomycete, Leptosphaeria maculans. BMC Microbiol 2011; 11:169. [PMID: 21791055 PMCID: PMC3199737 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-11-169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2011] [Accepted: 07/26/2011] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sirodesmin PL is a secondary metabolite toxin made by the ascomycetous plant pathogen, Leptosphaeria maculans. The sirodesmin biosynthetic genes are clustered in the genome. The key genes are a non-ribosomal peptide synthetase, sirP, and a pathway-specific transcription factor, sirZ. Little is known about regulation of sirodesmin production. RESULTS Genes involved in regulation of sirodesmin PL in L. maculans have been identified. Two hundred random insertional T-DNA mutants were screened with an antibacterial assay for ones producing low levels of sirodesmin PL. Three such mutants were isolated and each transcribed sirZ at very low levels. One of the affected genes had high sequence similarity to Aspergillus fumigatus cpcA, which regulates the cross-pathway control system in response to amino acid availability. This gene was silenced in L. maculans and the resultant mutant characterised. When amino acid starvation was artificially-induced by addition of 3-aminotriazole for 5 h, transcript levels of sirP and sirZ did not change in the wild type. In contrast, levels of sirP and sirZ transcripts increased in the silenced cpcA mutant. After prolonged amino acid starvation the silenced cpcA mutant produced much higher amounts of sirodesmin PL than the wild type. CONCLUSIONS Production of sirodesmin PL in L. maculans is regulated by the cross pathway control gene, cpcA, either directly or indirectly via the pathway-specific transcription factor, sirZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candace E Elliott
- School of Botany, the University of Melbourne, Victoria, (3010), Australia
| | - Ellen M Fox
- School of Botany, the University of Melbourne, Victoria, (3010), Australia
- Department of Sustainability and Environment, Gippsland Regional Office, (71 Hotham Street), Traralgon, Victoria (3844), Australia
| | - Renee S Jarvis
- School of Botany, the University of Melbourne, Victoria, (3010), Australia
| | - Barbara J Howlett
- School of Botany, the University of Melbourne, Victoria, (3010), Australia
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Bayram O, Braus GH. Coordination of secondary metabolism and development in fungi: the velvet family of regulatory proteins. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2011; 36:1-24. [PMID: 21658084 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6976.2011.00285.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 376] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Filamentous fungi produce a number of small bioactive molecules as part of their secondary metabolism ranging from benign antibiotics such as penicillin to threatening mycotoxins such as aflatoxin. Secondary metabolism can be linked to fungal developmental programs in response to various abiotic or biotic external triggers. The velvet family of regulatory proteins plays a key role in coordinating secondary metabolism and differentiation processes such as asexual or sexual sporulation and sclerotia or fruiting body formation. The velvet family shares a protein domain that is present in most parts of the fungal kingdom from chytrids to basidiomycetes. Most of the current knowledge derives from the model Aspergillus nidulans where VeA, the founding member of the protein family, was discovered almost half a century ago. Different members of the velvet protein family interact with each other and the nonvelvet protein LaeA, primarily in the nucleus. LaeA is a methyltransferase-domain protein that functions as a regulator of secondary metabolism and development. A comprehensive picture of the molecular interplay between the velvet domain protein family, LaeA and other nuclear regulatory proteins in response to various signal transduction pathway starts to emerge from a jigsaw puzzle of several recent studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozgür Bayram
- Institut für Mikrobiologie und Genetik, Abteilung Molekulare Mikrobiologie und Genetik, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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Seidl V, Song L, Lindquist E, Gruber S, Koptchinskiy A, Zeilinger S, Schmoll M, Martínez P, Sun J, Grigoriev I, Herrera-Estrella A, Baker SE, Kubicek CP. Transcriptomic response of the mycoparasitic fungus Trichoderma atroviride to the presence of a fungal prey. BMC Genomics 2009; 10:567. [PMID: 19948043 PMCID: PMC2794292 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-10-567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2009] [Accepted: 11/30/2009] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Combating the action of plant pathogenic microorganisms by mycoparasitic fungi has been announced as an attractive biological alternative to the use of chemical fungicides since two decades. The fungal genus Trichoderma includes a high number of taxa which are able to recognize, combat and finally besiege and kill their prey. Only fragments of the biochemical processes related to this ability have been uncovered so far, however. Results We analyzed genome-wide gene expression changes during the begin of physical contact between Trichoderma atroviride and two plant pathogens Botrytis cinerea and Rhizoctonia solani, and compared with gene expression patterns of mycelial and conidiating cultures, respectively. About 3000 ESTs, representing about 900 genes, were obtained from each of these three growth conditions. 66 genes, represented by 442 ESTs, were specifically and significantly overexpressed during onset of mycoparasitism, and the expression of a subset thereof was verified by expression analysis. The upregulated genes comprised 18 KOG groups, but were most abundant from the groups representing posttranslational processing, and amino acid metabolism, and included components of the stress response, reaction to nitrogen shortage, signal transduction and lipid catabolism. Metabolic network analysis confirmed the upregulation of the genes for amino acid biosynthesis and of those involved in the catabolism of lipids and aminosugars. Conclusion The analysis of the genes overexpressed during the onset of mycoparasitism in T. atroviride has revealed that the fungus reacts to this condition with several previously undetected physiological reactions. These data enable a new and more comprehensive interpretation of the physiology of mycoparasitism, and will aid in the selection of traits for improvement of biocontrol strains by recombinant techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena Seidl
- Research Area Gene Technology and Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Chemical Engineering, Vienna University of Technology, Getreidemarkt 9/166, A-1060 Vienna, Austria.
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Role of mitogen-activated protein kinase Sty1 in regulation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2alpha kinases in response to environmental stress in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2009; 9:194-207. [PMID: 19880757 DOI: 10.1128/ec.00185-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) Sty1 is essential for the regulation of transcriptional responses that promote cell survival in response to different types of environmental stimuli in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. In fission yeast, three distinct eukaryotic initiation factor 2alpha (eIF2alpha) kinases, two mammalian HRI-related protein kinases (Hri1 and Hri2) and the Gcn2 ortholog, regulate protein synthesis in response to cellular stress conditions. In this study, we demonstrate that both Hri1 and Hri2 exhibited an autokinase activity, specifically phosphorylated eIF2alpha, and functionally replaced the endogenous Saccharomyces cerevisiae Gcn2. We further show that Gcn2, but not Hri1 or Hri2, is activated early after exposure to hydrogen peroxide and methyl methanesulfonate (MMS). Cells lacking Gcn2 exhibit a later activation of Hri2. The activated MAPK Sty1 negatively regulates Gcn2 and Hri2 activities under oxidative stress but not in response to MMS. In contrast, Hri2 is the primary activated eIF2alpha kinase in response to heat shock. In this case, the activation of Sty1 appears to be transitory and does not contribute to the modulation of the eIF2alpha kinase stress pathway. In strains lacking Hri2, a type 2A protein phosphatase is activated soon after heat shock to reduce eIF2alpha phosphorylation. Finally, the MAPK Sty1, but not the eIF2alpha kinases, is essential for survival upon oxidative stress or heat shock, but not upon MMS treatment. These findings point to a regulatory coordination between the Sty1 MAPK and eIF2alpha kinase pathways for a particular range of stress responses.
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Hood HM, Neafsey DE, Galagan J, Sachs MS. Evolutionary roles of upstream open reading frames in mediating gene regulation in fungi. Annu Rev Microbiol 2009; 63:385-409. [PMID: 19514854 DOI: 10.1146/annurev.micro.62.081307.162835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Upstream open reading frames (uORFs) are frequently present in the 5'-leader regions of fungal mRNAs. They can affect translation by controlling the ability of ribosomes that scan from the mRNA 5' end to reach the downstream genic reading frame. The translation of uORFs can also affect mRNA stability. For several genes, including Saccharomyces cerevisiae GCN4, S. cerevisiae CPA1, and Neurospora crassa arg-2, regulation by uORFs controls expression in response to specific physiological signals. The roles of many uORFs that are identified by genome-level approaches, as have been initiated for Saccharomyces, Aspergillus, and Cryptococcus species, remain to be determined. Some uORFs may have regulatory roles, while others may exist to insulate the genic reading frame from the negative impacts of upstream translation start sites in the mRNA 5' leader.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather M Hood
- Department of Science and Engineering, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon 97006, USA
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Silencing of Vlaro2 for chorismate synthase revealed that the phytopathogen Verticillium longisporum induces the cross-pathway control in the xylem. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2009; 85:1961-76. [PMID: 19826808 PMCID: PMC2811248 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-009-2269-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2009] [Revised: 09/20/2009] [Accepted: 09/20/2009] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The first leaky auxotrophic mutant for aromatic amino acids of the near-diploid fungal plant pathogen Verticillium longisporum (VL) has been generated. VL enters its host Brassica napus through the roots and colonizes the xylem vessels. The xylem contains little nutrients including low concentrations of amino acids. We isolated the gene Vlaro2 encoding chorismate synthase by complementation of the corresponding yeast mutant strain. Chorismate synthase produces the first branch point intermediate of aromatic amino acid biosynthesis. A novel RNA-mediated gene silencing method reduced gene expression of both isogenes by 80% and resulted in a bradytrophic mutant, which is a leaky auxotroph due to impaired expression of chorismate synthase. In contrast to the wild type, silencing resulted in increased expression of the cross-pathway regulatory gene VlcpcA (similar to cpcA/GCN4) during saprotrophic life. The mutant fungus is still able to infect the host plant B. napus and the model Arabidopsis thaliana with reduced efficiency. VlcpcA expression is increased in planta in the mutant and the wild-type fungus. We assume that xylem colonization requires induction of the cross-pathway control, presumably because the fungus has to overcome imbalanced amino acid supply in the xylem.
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Schönig B, Vogel S, Tudzynski B. Cpc1 mediates cross-pathway control independently of Mbf1 in Fusarium fujikuroi. Fungal Genet Biol 2009; 46:898-908. [PMID: 19679194 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2009.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2009] [Revised: 08/05/2009] [Accepted: 08/05/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The deletion of glnA, encoding the glutamine synthetase (GS), had led to the down-regulation of genes involved in secondary metabolism and up-regulation of cpc1, the cross-pathway control transcription factor. In the present study, a Deltacpc1 mutant was created and used for transcriptional profiling by macroarray analysis. Most of the Cpc1 target genes were amino acid biosynthesis genes besides a homologue of the multi-protein bridging factor MBF1 that binds to the yeast Cpc1 homologue GCN4. We show that Deltambf1 mutants exhibit no Cpc1-related phenotype and that both proteins do not interact with each other in Fusarium fujikuroi. Moreover, results presented here suggest that Cpc1 is not responsible for the GS-dependent down-regulation of secondary metabolism and that its role is focused on the activation of amino acid biosynthesis in response to the amino acid status of the cell. Surprisingly, cross-pathway control is repressed by nitrogen limitation in an AreA-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgit Schönig
- Institut für Botanik der Westfälischen Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Schlossgarten 3, 48149 Münster, Germany
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41
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Cooperative regulation of ADE3 transcription by Gcn4p and Bas1p in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2009; 8:1268-77. [PMID: 19525417 DOI: 10.1128/ec.00116-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The one-carbon response regulon is essential for the biosynthesis of nucleic acids as well as several amino acids. The ADE3 gene is known to encode a crucial one-carbon regulon enzyme, tetrahydrofolate synthase, which is involved in the biosynthesis of purine and the amino acids methionine and glycine. Therefore, the mechanism through which ADE3 transcription is regulated appears to be critical for the cross-talk among these metabolic pathways. Even so, the direct involvement of ADE3 transcription through gene-specific transcription factors has not been shown clearly. In this study, the promoter structure of the ADE3 gene was investigated in detail, and a genuine Gcn4p responsive element (GCRE) was confirmed among three putative GCRE elements in vivo and in vitro. Through gene deletion studies of Gcn4p and Bas1p, it was established that both factors are involved in the transcriptional regulation of the ADE3 gene. Direct binding to this GCRE and the occupancy of the ADE3 promoter by these factors were also confirmed. Taking these results together, we concluded that Gcn4p is responsible for the basal and inducible expression of the ADE3 gene, while Bas1p is required for its basal expression.
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42
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Punt PJ, Schuren FH, Lehmbeck J, Christensen T, Hjort C, van den Hondel CA. Characterization of the Aspergillus niger prtT, a unique regulator of extracellular protease encoding genes. Fungal Genet Biol 2008; 45:1591-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2008.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2008] [Revised: 09/12/2008] [Accepted: 09/22/2008] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Cross-species hybridization with Fusarium verticillioides microarrays reveals new insights into Fusarium fujikuroi nitrogen regulation and the role of AreA and NMR. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2008; 7:1831-46. [PMID: 18689524 DOI: 10.1128/ec.00130-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In filamentous fungi, the GATA-type transcription factor AreA plays a major role in the transcriptional activation of genes needed to utilize poor nitrogen sources. In Fusarium fujikuroi, AreA also controls genes involved in the biosynthesis of gibberellins, a family of diterpenoid plant hormones. To identify more genes responding to nitrogen limitation or sufficiency in an AreA-dependent or -independent manner, we examined changes in gene expression of F. fujikuroi wild-type and DeltaareA strains by use of a Fusarium verticillioides microarray representing approximately 9,300 genes. Analysis of the array data revealed sets of genes significantly down- and upregulated in the areA mutant under both N starvation and N-sufficient conditions. Among the downregulated genes are those involved in nitrogen metabolism, e.g., those encoding glutamine synthetase and nitrogen permeases, but also those involved in secondary metabolism. Besides AreA-dependent genes, we found an even larger set of genes responding to N starvation and N-sufficient conditions in an AreA-independent manner. To study the impact of NMR on AreA activity, we examined the expression of several AreA target genes in the wild type and in areA and nmr deletion and overexpression mutants. We show that NMR interacts with AreA as expected but affects gene expression only in early growth stages. This is the first report on genome-wide expression studies examining the influence of AreA on nitrogen-responsive gene expression in a genome-wide manner in filamentous fungi.
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Chilton IJ, Delaney CE, Barham-Morris J, Fincham DA, Hooley P, Whitehead MP. The Aspergillus nidulans stress response transcription factor StzA is ascomycete-specific and shows species-specific polymorphisms in the C-terminal region. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 112:1435-46. [PMID: 18678248 DOI: 10.1016/j.mycres.2008.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2007] [Revised: 06/18/2008] [Accepted: 06/20/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Orthologues of the Aspergillus nidulans gene stzA were identified and characterised in an additional 19 fungi. These orthologues were restricted to, and found within all the Pezizomycotina subphyla of the Ascomycota, for which data are available, but not the Saccharomycotina or Taphrinomycotina subphyla. Intron analysis indicated that both intron loss and gain have occurred in this gene. The orthologous proteins demonstrate considerable size variation (between 663 and 897 amino acids); with almost all this variability accounted for by a hyper-variable region that is carboxy terminal to the zinc finger region. The Hypocrea jecorina orthologue (ACE1) has the binding site 5'AGGCA. There is evidence of competition, or interaction, between the ACE1/StzA and AreA binding sites in promoters of stzA and its orthologues, as well as genes involved in the metabolism of amino acids. The A. nidulans and A. fumigatus cpcA promoters have seven potential ACE1/StzA binding sites, six of which are highly conserved in position. Two very closely positioned sites are conserved across 14 of the 19 fungi analysed. Potential CpcA binding sites (5'TGAC/GTCA) have been identified between -50 and -170bp of the ATG start in the promoters of 16 of the stzA orthologues.
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Affiliation(s)
- I J Chilton
- School of Applied Sciences, University of Wolverhampton, Wulfruna Street, Wolverhampton, West Midlands WV1 1SB, UK
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Zhou D, Palam LR, Jiang L, Narasimhan J, Staschke KA, Wek RC. Phosphorylation of eIF2 Directs ATF5 Translational Control in Response to Diverse Stress Conditions. J Biol Chem 2008; 283:7064-73. [DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m708530200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 215] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
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Sasse C, Bignell EM, Hasenberg M, Haynes K, Gunzer M, Braus GH, Krappmann S. Basal expression of the Aspergillus fumigatus transcriptional activator CpcA is sufficient to support pulmonary aspergillosis. Fungal Genet Biol 2008; 45:693-704. [PMID: 18249572 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2007.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2007] [Revised: 12/13/2007] [Accepted: 12/18/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Aspergillosis is a disease determined by various factors that influence fungal growth and fitness. A conserved signal transduction cascade linking environmental stress to amino acid homeostasis is the Cross-Pathway Control (CPC) system that acts via phosphorylation of the translation initiation factor eIF2 by a sensor kinase to elevate expression of a transcription factor. Ingestion of Aspergillus fumigatus conidia by macrophages does not trigger this stress response, suggesting that their phagosomal microenvironment is not deficient in amino acids. The cpcC gene encodes the CPC eIF2alpha kinase, and deletion mutants show increased sensitivity towards amino acid starvation. CpcC is specifically required for the CPC response but has limited influence on the amount of phosphorylated eIF2alpha. Strains deleted for the cpcC locus are not impaired in virulence in a murine model of pulmonary aspergillosis. Accordingly, basal expression of the Cross-Pathway Control transcriptional activator appears sufficient to support aspergillosis in this disease model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Sasse
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute for Microbiology & Genetics, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Germany
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Basic-zipper-type transcription factor FlbB controls asexual development in Aspergillus nidulans. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2007; 7:38-48. [PMID: 17993569 DOI: 10.1128/ec.00207-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The fungal colony is a complex multicellular unit consisting of various cell types and functions. Asexual spore formation (conidiation) is integrated through sensory and regulatory elements into the general morphogenetic plan, in which the activation of the transcription factor BrlA is the first determining step. A number of early regulatory elements acting upstream of BrlA (fluG and flbA-E) have been identified, but their functional relations remain to be further investigated. In this report we describe FlbB as a putative basic-zipper-type transcription factor restricted to filamentous fungi. FlbB accumulates at the hyphal apex during early vegetative growth but is later found in apical nuclei, suggesting that an activating modification triggers nuclear import. Moreover, proper temporal and quantitative expression of FlbB is a prerequisite for brlA transcription, and misscheduled overexpression inhibits conidiation. We also present evidence that FlbB activation results in the production of a second diffusible signal, acting downstream from the FluG factor, to induce conidiation.
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Brzywczy J, Natorff R, Sieńko M, Paszewski A. Multiple fungal enzymes possess cysteine synthase activity in vitro. Res Microbiol 2007; 158:428-36. [PMID: 17482430 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2007.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2006] [Revised: 03/06/2007] [Accepted: 03/06/2007] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
We present evidence that there are at least three Aspergillus nidulans enzymes which catalyze in vitro the reaction of O-acetylserine (OAS) with sulfide forming cysteine. This activity is shared by cysteine synthase (CS) encoded by the cysB gene, homocysteine synthase encoded by cysD and by at least one more enzyme. Moreover, arginine, histidine or proline starvation leads to derepression of CS activity even in the cysB,cysD double mutant strains, while neither cysB nor cysD gene transcription is derepressed by amino acid starvation. Using a cpcA mutant, we show that starvation-inducible CS activity is under control of cross-pathway regulation. We identify CysF as a putative CS in A. nidulans. However, cysF gene transcription is not elevated by amino acid starvation. Therefore, it seems that there exists yet another enzyme, thus far unidentified, which possesses CS activity. Using mutants impaired during various steps of cysteine synthesis we prove that the cysB-encoded enzyme is the only CS of physiological importance in the studied fungus. Similar results were obtained with Schizosaccharomyces pombe mutant strains impaired in cysteine synthesis, indicating that the presence of multiple enzymes with in vitro CS activity may be a common feature of many fungal species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerzy Brzywczy
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5A Pawińskiego Street, 02-106 Warszawa, Poland.
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Schoberle T, May GS. Fungal Genomics: A Tool to Explore Central Metabolism of Aspergillus fumigatus and Its Role in Virulence. ADVANCES IN GENETICS 2007; 57:263-83. [PMID: 17352907 DOI: 10.1016/s0065-2660(06)57007-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is an opportunistic pathogenic fungus that primarily infects neutropenic animal hosts. This fungus is found throughout the world, can utilize a wide range of substrates for carbon and nitrogen sources, and is capable of growing at elevated temperatures. The ability to grow at high temperatures and utilize a range of nutrient substrates for growth potentially contributes to this being the number one human pathogenic mold worldwide. The recently completed genome sequence for this fungus creates an opportunity to examine how central metabolic pathways and their regulation contribute to pathogenesis. A review of the existing literature illustrates that genes involved in the biosynthesis of key nutrients are essential for pathogenesis in A. fumigatus. In addition, nutrient sensing and regulation of biosynthetic pathways also contribute to fungal pathogenesis. The advent of improved methods for manipulating the genome of A. fumigatus, along with the completed genome sequence, now make it feasible to investigate the role of all metabolic pathways and control of these pathways in fungal virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor Schoberle
- Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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Arvas M, Pakula T, Lanthaler K, Saloheimo M, Valkonen M, Suortti T, Robson G, Penttilä M. Common features and interesting differences in transcriptional responses to secretion stress in the fungi Trichoderma reesei and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. BMC Genomics 2006; 7:32. [PMID: 16504068 PMCID: PMC1397821 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-7-32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2005] [Accepted: 02/22/2006] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Secretion stress is caused by compromised folding, modification or transport of proteins in the secretory pathway. In fungi, induction of genes in response to secretion stress is mediated mainly by the unfolded protein response (UPR) pathway. This study aims at uncovering transcriptional responses occurring in the filamentous fungi Trichoderma reesei exposed to secretion stress and comparing these to those found in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. RESULTS Chemostat cultures of T. reesei expressing human tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and batch bioreactor cultures treated with dithiothreitol (DTT) to prevent correct protein folding were analysed with cDNA subtraction and cDNA-amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) experiments. ESTs corresponding to 457 unique genes putatively induced under secretion stress were isolated and the expression pattern of 60 genes was confirmed by Northern analysis. Expression of these genes was also studied in a strain over-expressing inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IREI) protein, a sensor for the UPR pathway. To compare the data with that of S. cerevisiae, published transcriptome profiling data on various stress responses in S. cerevisiae was reanalysed. The genes up-regulated in response to secretion stress included a large number of secretion related genes in both organisms. In addition, analysis of T. reesei revealed up regulation of the cpc1 transcription factor gene and nucleosomal genes. The induction of the cpcA and histone gene H4 were shown to be induced also in cultures of Aspergillus nidulans treated with DTT. CONCLUSION Analysis of the genes induced under secretion stress has revealed novel features in the stress response in T. reesei and in filamentous fungi. We have demonstrated that in addition to the previously rather well characterised induction of genes for many ER proteins or secretion related proteins also other types of responses exist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikko Arvas
- VTT Biotechnology, Tietotie 2, Espoo, PL 1500, 02044 VTT, Finland
| | - Tiina Pakula
- VTT Biotechnology, Tietotie 2, Espoo, PL 1500, 02044 VTT, Finland
| | - Karin Lanthaler
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, 1800 Stopford Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9 PT, UK
| | - Markku Saloheimo
- VTT Biotechnology, Tietotie 2, Espoo, PL 1500, 02044 VTT, Finland
| | - Mari Valkonen
- VTT Biotechnology, Tietotie 2, Espoo, PL 1500, 02044 VTT, Finland
| | - Tapani Suortti
- VTT Biotechnology, Tietotie 2, Espoo, PL 1500, 02044 VTT, Finland
| | - Geoff Robson
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, 1800 Stopford Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9 PT, UK
| | - Merja Penttilä
- VTT Biotechnology, Tietotie 2, Espoo, PL 1500, 02044 VTT, Finland
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