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Konkel Z, Kubatko L, Slot JC. CLOCI: unveiling cryptic fungal gene clusters with generalized detection. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:e75. [PMID: 39016185 PMCID: PMC11381361 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Gene clusters are genomic loci that contain multiple genes that are functionally and genetically linked. Gene clusters collectively encode diverse functions, including small molecule biosynthesis, nutrient assimilation, metabolite degradation, and production of proteins essential for growth and development. Identifying gene clusters is a powerful tool for small molecule discovery and provides insight into the ecology and evolution of organisms. Current detection algorithms focus on canonical 'core' biosynthetic functions many gene clusters encode, while overlooking uncommon or unknown cluster classes. These overlooked clusters are a potential source of novel natural products and comprise an untold portion of overall gene cluster repertoires. Unbiased, function-agnostic detection algorithms therefore provide an opportunity to reveal novel classes of gene clusters and more precisely define genome organization. We present CLOCI (Co-occurrence Locus and Orthologous Cluster Identifier), an algorithm that identifies gene clusters using multiple proxies of selection for coordinated gene evolution. Our approach generalizes gene cluster detection and gene cluster family circumscription, improves detection of multiple known functional classes, and unveils non-canonical gene clusters. CLOCI is suitable for genome-enabled small molecule mining, and presents an easily tunable approach for delineating gene cluster families and homologous loci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Konkel
- Department of Plant Pathology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Center for Applied Plant Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Laura Kubatko
- Department of Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Department of Statistics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Jason C Slot
- Department of Plant Pathology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Center for Applied Plant Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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Cittadino GM, Andrews J, Purewal H, Estanislao Acuña Avila P, Arnone JT. Functional Clustering of Metabolically Related Genes Is Conserved across Dikarya. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:jof9050523. [PMID: 37233234 DOI: 10.3390/jof9050523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcriptional regulation is vital for organismal survival, with many layers and mechanisms collaborating to balance gene expression. One layer of this regulation is genome organization, specifically the clustering of functionally related, co-expressed genes along the chromosomes. Spatial organization allows for position effects to stabilize RNA expression and balance transcription, which can be advantageous for a number of reasons, including reductions in stochastic influences between the gene products. The organization of co-regulated gene families into functional clusters occurs extensively in Ascomycota fungi. However, this is less characterized within the related Basidiomycota fungi despite the many uses and applications for the species within this clade. This review will provide insight into the prevalence, purpose, and significance of the clustering of functionally related genes across Dikarya, including foundational studies from Ascomycetes and the current state of our understanding throughout representative Basidiomycete species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina M Cittadino
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Le Moyne College, Syracuse, NY 13214, USA
| | - Johnathan Andrews
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Le Moyne College, Syracuse, NY 13214, USA
| | - Harpreet Purewal
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Le Moyne College, Syracuse, NY 13214, USA
| | | | - James T Arnone
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Le Moyne College, Syracuse, NY 13214, USA
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Offei B, Braun-Galleani S, Venkatesh A, Casey WT, O’Connor KE, Byrne KP, Wolfe KH. Identification of genetic variants of the industrial yeast Komagataella phaffii (Pichia pastoris) that contribute to increased yields of secreted heterologous proteins. PLoS Biol 2022; 20:e3001877. [PMID: 36520709 PMCID: PMC9754263 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The yeast Komagataella phaffii (formerly called Pichia pastoris) is used widely as a host for secretion of heterologous proteins, but only a few isolates of this species exist and all the commonly used expression systems are derived from a single genetic background, CBS7435 (NRRL Y-11430). We hypothesized that other genetic backgrounds could harbor variants that affect yields of secreted proteins. We crossed CBS7435 with 2 other K. phaffii isolates and mapped quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for secretion of a heterologous protein, β-glucosidase, by sequencing individual segregant genomes. A major QTL mapped to a frameshift mutation in the mannosyltransferase gene HOC1, which gives CBS7435 a weaker cell wall and higher protein secretion than the other isolates. Inactivation of HOC1 in the other isolates doubled β-glucosidase secretion. A second QTL mapped to an amino acid substitution in IRA1 that tripled β-glucosidase secretion in 1-week batch cultures but reduced cell viability, and its effects are specific to this heterologous protein. Our results demonstrate that QTL analysis is a powerful method for dissecting the basis of biotechnological traits in nonconventional yeasts, and a route to improving their industrial performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Offei
- UCD Conway Institute and School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Stephanie Braun-Galleani
- UCD Conway Institute and School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Biochemical Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Anjan Venkatesh
- UCD Conway Institute and School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - William T. Casey
- Bioplastech Ltd., NovaUCD, Belfield Innovation Park, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Kevin E. O’Connor
- UCD Earth Institute and School of Biomolecular & Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- BiOrbic Bioeconomy SFI Research Centre, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Kevin P. Byrne
- UCD Conway Institute and School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Kenneth H. Wolfe
- UCD Conway Institute and School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- * E-mail:
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Papaioannou IA, Dutreux F, Peltier FA, Maekawa H, Delhomme N, Bardhan A, Friedrich A, Schacherer J, Knop M. Sex without crossing over in the yeast Saccharomycodes ludwigii. Genome Biol 2021; 22:303. [PMID: 34732243 PMCID: PMC8567612 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-021-02521-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intermixing of genomes through meiotic reassortment and recombination of homologous chromosomes is a unifying theme of sexual reproduction in eukaryotic organisms and is considered crucial for their adaptive evolution. Previous studies of the budding yeast species Saccharomycodes ludwigii suggested that meiotic crossing over might be absent from its sexual life cycle, which is predominated by fertilization within the meiotic tetrad. RESULTS We demonstrate that recombination is extremely suppressed during meiosis in Sd. ludwigii. DNA double-strand break formation by the conserved transesterase Spo11, processing and repair involving interhomolog interactions are required for normal meiosis but do not lead to crossing over. Although the species has retained an intact meiotic gene repertoire, genetic and population analyses suggest the exceptionally rare occurrence of meiotic crossovers in its genome. A strong AT bias of spontaneous mutations and the absence of recombination are likely responsible for its unusually low genomic GC level. CONCLUSIONS Sd. ludwigii has followed a unique evolutionary trajectory that possibly derives fitness benefits from the combination of frequent mating between products of the same meiotic event with the extreme suppression of meiotic recombination. This life style ensures preservation of heterozygosity throughout its genome and may enable the species to adapt to its environment and survive with only minimal levels of rare meiotic recombination. We propose Sd. ludwigii as an excellent natural forum for the study of genome evolution and recombination rates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fabien Dutreux
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, GMGM UMR 7156, Strasbourg, France
| | - France A. Peltier
- Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hiromi Maekawa
- Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH), Heidelberg, Germany
- Current affiliation: Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Nicolas Delhomme
- Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Amit Bardhan
- Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anne Friedrich
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, GMGM UMR 7156, Strasbourg, France
| | - Joseph Schacherer
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, GMGM UMR 7156, Strasbourg, France
- Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), Paris, France
| | - Michael Knop
- Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH), Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany
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Liebal UW, Fabry BA, Ravikrishnan A, Schedel CV, Schmitz S, Blank LM, Ebert BE. Genome-scale model reconstruction of the methylotrophic yeast Ogataea polymorpha. BMC Biotechnol 2021; 21:23. [PMID: 33722219 PMCID: PMC7962355 DOI: 10.1186/s12896-021-00675-w] [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: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ogataea polymorpha is a thermotolerant, methylotrophic yeast with significant industrial applications. While previously mainly used for protein synthesis, it also holds promise for producing platform chemicals. O. polymorpha has the distinct advantage of using methanol as a substrate, which could be potentially derived from carbon capture and utilization streams. Full development of the organism into a production strain and estimation of the metabolic capabilities require additional strain design, guided by metabolic modeling with a genome-scale metabolic model. However, to date, no genome-scale metabolic model is available for O. polymorpha. Results To overcome this limitation, we used a published reconstruction of the closely related yeast Komagataella phaffii as a reference and corrected reactions based on KEGG and MGOB annotation. Additionally, we conducted phenotype microarray experiments to test the suitability of 190 substrates as carbon sources. Over three-quarter of the substrate use was correctly reproduced by the model and 27 new substrates were added, that were not present in the K. phaffii reference model. Conclusion The developed genome-scale metabolic model of O. polymorpha will support the engineering of synthetic metabolic capabilities and enable the optimization of production processes, thereby supporting a sustainable future methanol economy. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at (10.1186/s12896-021-00675-w).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulf W Liebal
- Institute of Applied Microbiology-iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology-ABBt, RWTH Aachen University, Worringer Weg 1, Aachen, 52074, Germany
| | - Brigida A Fabry
- Institute of Applied Microbiology-iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology-ABBt, RWTH Aachen University, Worringer Weg 1, Aachen, 52074, Germany
| | - Aarthi Ravikrishnan
- Genome Institute of Singapore, 60 Biopolis Street, Genome, 03-01, Singapore, 138672, Singapore
| | - Constantin Vl Schedel
- Institute of Applied Microbiology-iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology-ABBt, RWTH Aachen University, Worringer Weg 1, Aachen, 52074, Germany
| | - Simone Schmitz
- Institute of Applied Microbiology-iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology-ABBt, RWTH Aachen University, Worringer Weg 1, Aachen, 52074, Germany
| | - Lars M Blank
- Institute of Applied Microbiology-iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology-ABBt, RWTH Aachen University, Worringer Weg 1, Aachen, 52074, Germany.
| | - Birgitta E Ebert
- Institute of Applied Microbiology-iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology-ABBt, RWTH Aachen University, Worringer Weg 1, Aachen, 52074, Germany.,Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.,CSIRO Future Science Platform in Synthetic Biology, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Black Mountain, ACT 2601, Australia
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Daran JMG. Entering GATTACA: yeast genomes: analysis, insights and applications. FEMS Yeast Res 2020; 20:6041023. [PMID: 33332537 DOI: 10.1093/femsyr/foaa064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Marc G Daran
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ, Delft, the Netherlands
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Mating-type switching and mating-type gene array expression in the methylotrophic yeast Ogataea thermomethanolica TBRC656. Microbiol Res 2019; 232:126372. [PMID: 31759230 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2019.126372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The methylotrophic yeast, Ogataea thermomethanolica TBRC656, is an attractive host organism for heterologous protein production owing to the availability of protein expression vectors and a genome-editing tool. In this study, we focused on mating-type switching and gene expression in order to elucidate its sexual life cycle and establish genetic approaches applicable for the strain. A putative mating-type gene cluster was identified in TBRC656 that is syntenic to the cluster in Ogataea parapolymorpha DL-1 (previously named Hansenula polymorpha). Like DL-1, TBRC656 possesses two mating loci, namely MATa and MATα, and also shows flip-flop mating-type switching. Interestingly, unlike any other methylotrophic yeast, TBRC656 robustly switched mating type during late growth in rich medium (YPD). Under nutrient depletion, mating-type switching was observed within one hour. Transcription from both MATa and MATα mating loci was detected during growth in YPD, and possibly induced upon nitrogen depletion. Gene expression from MATα was detected as a single co-transcript from a three-gene array (α2-α1-a1S). Deletion of a putative a1S ORF at the MATα locus had no observed effect on mating-type switching but demonstrated significant effect on mating-type gene expression at both MATa and MATα loci.
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