1
|
Park J, Son H. Antioxidant Systems of Plant Pathogenic Fungi: Functions in Oxidative Stress Response and Their Regulatory Mechanisms. THE PLANT PATHOLOGY JOURNAL 2024; 40:235-250. [PMID: 38835295 PMCID: PMC11162859 DOI: 10.5423/ppj.rw.01.2024.0001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
During the infection process, plant pathogenic fungi encounter plant-derived oxidative stress, and an appropriate response to this stress is crucial to their survival and establishment of the disease. Plant pathogenic fungi have evolved several mechanisms to eliminate oxidants from the external environment and maintain cellular redox homeostasis. When oxidative stress is perceived, various signaling transduction pathways are triggered and activate the downstream genes responsible for the oxidative stress response. Despite extensive research on antioxidant systems and their regulatory mechanisms in plant pathogenic fungi, the specific functions of individual antioxidants and their impacts on pathogenicity have not recently been systematically summarized. Therefore, our objective is to consolidate previous research on the antioxidant systems of plant pathogenic fungi. In this review, we explore the plant immune responses during fungal infection, with a focus on the generation and function of reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, we delve into the three antioxidant systems, summarizing their functions and regulatory mechanisms involved in oxidative stress response. This comprehensive review provides an integrated overview of the antioxidant mechanisms within plant pathogenic fungi, revealing how the oxidative stress response contributes to their pathogenicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiyeun Park
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Hokyoung Son
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
- Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wu JJ, Wu PC, Yago JI, Chung KR. The Regulatory Hub of Siderophore Biosynthesis in the Phytopathogenic Fungus Alternaria alternata. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:jof9040427. [PMID: 37108881 PMCID: PMC10146468 DOI: 10.3390/jof9040427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
A GATA zinc finger-containing repressor (AaSreA) suppresses siderophore biosynthesis in the phytopathogenic fungus Alternaria alternata under iron-replete conditions. In this study, targeted gene deletion revealed two bZIP-containing transcription factors (AaHapX and AaAtf1) and three CCAAT-binding proteins (AaHapB, AaHapC, and AaHapE) that positively regulate gene expression in siderophore production. This is a novel phenotype regarding Atf1 and siderophore biosynthesis. Quantitative RT-PCR analyses revealed that only AaHapX and AaSreA were regulated by iron. AaSreA and AaHapX form a transcriptional feedback negative loop to regulate iron acquisition in response to the availability of environmental iron. Under iron-limited conditions, AaAtf1 enhanced the expression of AaNps6, thus playing a positive role in siderophore production. However, under nutrient-rich conditions, AaAtf1 plays a negative role in resistance to sugar-induced osmotic stress, and AaHapX plays a negative role in resistance to salt-induced osmotic stress. Virulence assays performed on detached citrus leaves revealed that AaHapX and AaAtf1 play no role in fungal pathogenicity. However, fungal strains carrying the AaHapB, AaHapC, or AaHapE deletion failed to incite necrotic lesions, likely due to severe growth deficiency. Our results revealed that siderophore biosynthesis and iron homeostasis are regulated by a well-organized network in A. alternata.
Collapse
|
3
|
Yang L, Liu X, Wang J, Li L, Feng W, Ji Z. Pyridoxine biosynthesis protein MoPdx1 affects the development and pathogenicity of Magnaporthe oryzae. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1099967. [PMID: 36824685 PMCID: PMC9941553 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1099967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
B vitamins are essential micro-organic compounds for the development of humans and animals. Vitamin B6 comprises a group of components including pyridoxine, pyridoxal, and pyridoxamine. In addition, vitamin B6 acts as the coenzymes in amino acid biosynthesis, decarboxylation, racemic reactions, and other biological processes. In this study, we found that the expressions of a gene encoding pyridoxine biosynthesis protein (PDX1) were significantly upregulated in the early infectious stages in M. oryzae. Furthermore, deletion of MoPDX1 slowed vegetative growth on different media, especially on MM media, and the growth defect was rescued when MoPdx1-protein was expressed in mutants strains and when commercial VB6 (pyridoxine) was added exogenously. However, VB6 content in different strains cultured in CM media has no significant difference, suggested that MoPdx1 was involved in de novo VB6 biosynthesis not in uptake process, and VB6 regulates the vegetative growth of M. oryzae. The ΔMopdx1 mutants presented abnormal appressorium turgor, slowed invasive growth and reduced virulence on rice seedlings and sheath cells. MoPdx1 was located in the cytoplasm and present in spore and germ tubes at 14 hours post inoculation (hpi) and then transferred into the appressorium at 24 hpi. Addition of VB6 in the conidial suspentions could rescue the defects of appressorium turgor pressure at 14 hpi or 24 hpi, invasive growth and pathogenicity of the MoPDX1 deletion mutants. Indicated that MoPdx1 affected the appressorium turgor pressure, invasive growth and virulence mainly depended on de novo VB6, and VB6 was biosynthesized in conidia, then transported into the appressorium, which play important roles in substances transportation from conidia to appressorium thus to regulate the appressorium turgor pressure. However, deletion of MoPDX1 did not affect the ability that scavenge ROS produced by rice cells, and the mutant strains were unable to activate host defense responses. In addition, co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assays investigating potential MoPdx1-interacting proteins suggested that MoPdx1 might take part in multiple pathways, especially in the ribosome and in biosynthesis of some substances. These results indicate that vitamins are involved in the development and pathogenicity of M. oryzae.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lina Yang
- College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaohong Liu
- College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jie Wang
- College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lianwei Li
- The Key Laboratory of Biotechnology for Medicinal Plants of Jiangsu Province, School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wanzhen Feng
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, Sanya Nanfan Research Institute of Hainan University, Sanya, China
| | - Zhaolin Ji
- College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China,*Correspondence: Zhaolin Ji,
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Genome-Wide Gene Expression Analyses of the AtfA/AtfB-Mediated Menadione Stress Response in Aspergillus nidulans. Cells 2023; 12:cells12030463. [PMID: 36766807 PMCID: PMC9913763 DOI: 10.3390/cells12030463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The bZIP transcription factors (TFs) govern regulation of development, secondary metabolism, and various stress responses in filamentous fungi. In this work, we carried out genome-wide expression studies employing Illumina RNAseq to understand the roles of the two bZIP transcription factors AtfA and AtfB in Aspergillus nidulans. Comparative analyses of transcriptomes of control, ΔatfA, ΔatfB, and ΔatfAΔatfB mutant strains were performed. Dependence of a gene on AtfA (AtfB) was decided by its differential downregulation both between the reference and ΔatfA (ΔatfB) strains and between the ΔatfB (ΔatfA) and the ΔatfAΔatfB strains in vegetatively grown cells (mycelia) and asexual spores (conidia) of menadione sodium bisulfite (MSB)-treated or untreated cultures. As AtfA is the primary bZIP TF governing stress-response in A. nidulans, the number of differentially expressed genes for ΔatfA was significantly higher than for ΔatfB in both mycelial and conidial samples, and most of the AtfB-dependent genes showed AtfA dependence, too. Moreover, the low number of genes depending on AtfB but not on AtfA can be a consequence of ΔatfA leading to downregulation of atfB expression. Conidial samples showed much higher abundance of atfA and atfB mRNAs and more AtfA- and AtfB-affected genes than mycelial samples. In the presence of MSB, the number of AtfB- (but not of AtfA-) affected genes decreased markedly, which was accompanied with decreased mRNA levels of atfB in MSB-treated mycelial (reference strain) and conidial (ΔatfA mutant) samples. In mycelia, the overlap between the AtfA-dependent genes in MSB-treated and in untreated samples was low, demonstrating that distinct genes can be under AtfA control under different conditions. Carbohydrate metabolism genes were enriched in the set of AtfA-dependent genes. Among them, AtfA-dependence of glycolytic genes in conidial samples was the most notable. Levels of transcripts of certain secondary metabolitic gene clusters, such as the Emericellamide cluster, also showed AtfA-dependent regulation. Genes encoding catalase and histidine-containing phosphotransfer proteins showed AtfA-dependence under all experimental conditions. There were 23 AtfB-dependent genes that did not depend on AtfA under any of our experimental conditions. These included a putative α-glucosidase (agdB), a putative α-amylase, calA, which is involved in early conidial germination, and an alternative oxidase. In summary, in A. nidulans there is a complex interaction between the two bZIP transcription factors, where AtfA plays the primary regulatory role.
Collapse
|
5
|
Wang X, Zha W, Yao B, Yang L, Wang S. Genetic Interaction of Global Regulators AflatfA and AflatfB Mediating Development, Stress Response and Aflatoxins B1 Production in Aspergillus flavus. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14120857. [PMID: 36548754 PMCID: PMC9785671 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14120857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus flavus produces carcinogenic and mutagenic aflatoxins, which cause economic losses and risk of food safety by contaminating grains, food and feed. In this study, we characterized two bZIP transcription factors, AflatfA and AflatfB, and their genetic interaction. Compared to the wild type (WT), AflatfA deletion and AflatfA and AflatfB double deletion both caused retarded vegetative growth of mycelia. Relative to WT, the AflatfA deletion strain (ΔAflatfA) and AflatfA and AflatfB double deletion strain (ΔAflatfAΔAflatfB) produced more sclerotia, whereas the AflatfB deletion strain (ΔAflatfB) produced less sclerotia. After 4 °C preservation and incubation at 50 °C, conidia viability dramatically decreased in the ΔAflatfA and ΔAflatfAΔAflatfB but ΔAflatfB mutants, whereas conidia viability of the ΔAflatfAΔAflatfB strain was higher after storage at 4 °C than in AflatfA mutant. Conidia of ΔAflatfA, ΔAflatfB and ΔAflatfAΔAflatfB strains significantly increased in sensitivity to H2O2 in comparison with WT. Compared to WT, the mycelium of ΔAflatfA and ΔAflatfB strains were more sensitive to H2O2; conversely, the ΔAflatfAΔAflatfB strain showed less sensitivity to H2O2. ΔAflatfA and ΔAflatfAΔAflatfB strains displayed less sensitivity to the osmotic reagents NaCl, KCl and Sorbitol, in comparison with WT and ΔAflatfB strains. When on YES medium and hosts corn and peanut, ΔAflatfA and ΔAflatfAΔAflatfB strains produced less aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) than ΔAflatfB, and the AFB1 yield of ΔAflatfB was higher than that of WT. When WT and mutants were inoculated on corn and peanut, the ΔAflatfA and ΔAflatfAΔAflatfB but not ΔAflatfB mutants produced less conidia than did WT. Taken together, this study reveals that AflatfA controls more cellular processes, and the function of AflatfA is stronger than that of AflatfB when of the same process is regulated, except the response to H2O2, which might result from the effect of AflatfA on the transcriptional level of AflatfB.
Collapse
|
6
|
Kocsis B, Lee MK, Yu JH, Nagy T, Daróczi L, Batta G, Pócsi I, Leiter É. Functional analysis of the bZIP-type transcription factors AtfA and AtfB in Aspergillus nidulans. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1003709. [PMID: 36204617 PMCID: PMC9530789 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1003709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) with the basic leucin zipper domain are key elements of the stress response pathways in filamentous fungi. In this study, we functionally characterized the two bZIP type TFs AtfA and AtfB by deletion (Δ) and overexpression (OE) of their encoding genes in all combination: ΔatfA, ΔatfB, ΔatfAΔatfB, ΔatfAatfBOE, ΔatfBatfAOE, atfAOE, atfBOE and atfAOEatfBOE in Aspergillus nidulans. Based on our previous studies, ΔatfA increased the sensitivity of the fungus to oxidative stress mediated by menadione sodium bisulfite (MSB) and tert-butylhydroperoxide (tBOOH), while ΔatfB was not sensitive to any oxidative stress generating agents, namely MSB, tBOOH and diamide at all. Contrarily, the ΔatfB mutant was sensitive to NaCl, but tolerant to sorbitol. Overexpression of atfB was able to compensate the MSB sensitivity of the ΔatfA mutant. Heavy metal stress elicited by CdCl2 reduced diameter of the atfBOE and atfAOEatfBOE mutant colonies to about 50% of control colony, while the cell wall stress generating agent CongoRed increased the tolerance of the ΔatfA mutant. When we tested the heat stress sensitivity of the asexual spores (conidiospores) of the mutants, we found that conidiospores of ΔatfAatfBOE and ΔatfBatfAOE showed nearly 100% tolerance to heat stress. Asexual development was negatively affected by ΔatfA, while atfAOE and atfAOE coupled with ΔatfB increased the number of conidiospores of the fungus approximately 150% compared to the control. Overexpression of atfB led to a 25% reduction in the number of conidiospores, but increased levels of abaA mRNA and size of conidiospores. Sexual fruiting body (cleistothecium) formation was diminished in the ΔatfA and the ΔatfAΔatfB mutants, while relatively elevated in the ΔatfB and the ΔatfBatfAOE mutants. Production of the mycotoxin sterigmatocystin (ST) was decreased to undetectable levels in the ΔatfA mutant, yet ST production was restored in the ΔatfAΔatfB mutant, suggesting that ΔatfB can suppress ST production defect caused by ΔatfA. Levels of ST were also significantly decreased in the ΔatfAatfBOE, ΔatfBatfAOE and atfAOEatfBOE mutants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beatrix Kocsis
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- ELRN-UD Fungal Stress Biology Research Group, Debrecen, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Mi-Kyung Lee
- Biological Resource Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Jeongeup-si, South Korea
| | - Jae-Hyuk Yu
- Department of Bacteriology, Food Research Institute, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
- Department of Systems Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Tibor Nagy
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Lajos Daróczi
- Department of Solid State Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Gyula Batta
- Department of Genetics and Applied Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - István Pócsi
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- ELRN-UD Fungal Stress Biology Research Group, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Éva Leiter
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- ELRN-UD Fungal Stress Biology Research Group, Debrecen, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Cano R, Lenz AR, Galan-Vasquez E, Ramirez-Prado JH, Perez-Rueda E. Gene Regulatory Network Inference and Gene Module Regulating Virulence in Fusarium oxysporum. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:861528. [PMID: 35722316 PMCID: PMC9201490 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.861528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In this work, we inferred the gene regulatory network (GRN) of the fungus Fusarium oxysporum by using the regulatory networks of Aspergillus nidulans FGSC A4, Neurospora crassa OR74A, Saccharomyces cerevisiae S288c, and Fusarium graminearum PH-1 as templates for sequence comparisons. Topological properties to infer the role of transcription factors (TFs) and to identify functional modules were calculated in the GRN. From these analyzes, five TFs were identified as hubs, including FOXG_04688 and FOXG_05432, which regulate 2,404 and 1,864 target genes, respectively. In addition, 16 communities were identified in the GRN, where the largest contains 1,923 genes and the smallest contains 227 genes. Finally, the genes associated with virulence were extracted from the GRN and exhaustively analyzed, and we identified a giant module with ten TFs and 273 target genes, where the most highly connected node corresponds to the transcription factor FOXG_05265, homologous to the putative bZip transcription factor CPTF1 of Claviceps purpurea, which is involved in ergotism disease that affects cereal crops and grasses. The results described in this work can be used for the study of gene regulation in this organism and open the possibility to explore putative genes associated with virulence against their host.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Regnier Cano
- Centro de Investigaciones Científicas de Yucatán, Mérida, Mexico
| | - Alexandre Rafael Lenz
- Departamento de Ciências Exatas e da Terra, Universidade do Estado da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Edgardo Galan-Vasquez
- Departamento de Ingeniería de Sistemas Computacionales y Automatización, Instituto de Investigaciones en Matemáticas Aplicadas y en Sistemas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico, Mexico
| | | | - Ernesto Perez-Rueda
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Matemáticas Aplicadas y en Sistemas, Unidad Académica Yucatán Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mérida, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Wen D, Yu L, Xiong D, Tian C. Genome-Wide Identification of bZIP Transcription Factor Genes and Functional Analyses of Two Members in Cytospora chrysosperma. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 8:jof8010034. [PMID: 35049973 PMCID: PMC8778692 DOI: 10.3390/jof8010034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor (TF) family, one of the largest and the most diverse TF families, is widely distributed across the eukaryotes. It has been described that the bZIP TFs play diverse roles in development, nutrient utilization, and various stress responses in fungi. However, little is known of the bZIP members in Cytospora chrysosperma, a notorious plant pathogenic fungus, which causes canker disease on over 80 woody plant species. In this study, 26 bZIP genes were systematically identified in the genome of C. chrysosperma, and two of them (named CcbZIP05 and CcbZIP23) significantly down-regulated in CcPmk1 deletion mutant (a pathogenicity-related mitogen-activated protein kinase) were selected for further analysis. Deletion of CcbZIP05 or CcbZIP23 displayed a dramatic reduction in fungal growth but showed increased hypha branching and resistance to cell wall inhibitors and abiotic stresses. The CcbZIP05 deletion mutants but not CcbZIP23 deletion mutants were more sensitive to the hydrogen peroxide compared to the wild-type and complemented strains. Additionally, the CcbZIP23 deletion mutants produced few pycnidia but more pigment. Remarkably, both CcbZIP05 and CcbZIP23 deletion mutants were significantly reduced in fungal virulence. Further analysis showed that CcbZIP05 and CcbZIP23 could regulate the expression of putative effector genes and chitin synthesis-related genes. Taken together, our results suggest that CcbZIP05 and CcbZIP23 play important roles in fungal growth, abiotic stresses response, and pathogenicity, which will provide comprehensive information on the CcbZIP genes and lay the foundation for further research on the bZIP members in C. chrysosperma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dasen Wen
- The Key Laboratory for Silviculture and Conservation of Ministry of Education, College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; (D.W.); (L.Y.)
| | - Lu Yu
- The Key Laboratory for Silviculture and Conservation of Ministry of Education, College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; (D.W.); (L.Y.)
| | - Dianguang Xiong
- The Key Laboratory for Silviculture and Conservation of Ministry of Education, College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; (D.W.); (L.Y.)
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Forest Pest Control, College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
- Correspondence: (D.X.); (C.T.)
| | - Chengming Tian
- The Key Laboratory for Silviculture and Conservation of Ministry of Education, College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; (D.W.); (L.Y.)
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Forest Pest Control, College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
- Correspondence: (D.X.); (C.T.)
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Yuan P, Qian W, Jiang L, Jia C, Ma X, Kang Z, Liu J. A secreted catalase contributes to Puccinia striiformis resistance to host-derived oxidative stress. STRESS BIOLOGY 2021; 1:22. [PMID: 37676381 PMCID: PMC10441885 DOI: 10.1007/s44154-021-00021-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Plants can produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) to counteract pathogen invasion, and pathogens have also evolved corresponding ROS scavenging strategies to promote infection and pathogenicity. Catalases (CATs) have been found to play pivotal roles in detoxifying H2O2 formed by superoxide anion catalyzed by superoxide dismutases (SODs). However, few studies have addressed H2O2 removing during rust fungi infection of wheat. In this study, we cloned a CAT gene PsCAT1 from Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), which encodes a monofunctional heme-containing catalase. PsCAT1 exhibited a high degree of tolerance to pH and temperature, and forms high homopolymers.Heterologous complementation assays in Saccharomyces cerevisiae reveal that the signal peptide of PsCAT1 is functional. Overexpression of PsCAT1 enhanced S. cerevisiae resistance to H2O2. Transient expression of PsCAT1 in Nicotiana benthamiana suppressed Bax-induced cell death. Knockdown of PsCAT1 using a host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) system led to the reduced virulence of Pst, which was correlated to H2O2 accumulation in HIGS plants. These results indicate that PsCAT1 acts as an important pathogenicity factor that facilitates Pst infection by scavenging host-derived H2O2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pu Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenhao Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, People's Republic of China
| | - Lihua Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, People's Republic of China
| | - Conghui Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoxuan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhensheng Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jie Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Song M, Fang S, Li Z, Wang N, Li X, Liu W, Zhang Y, Lin C, Miao W. CsAtf1, a bZIP transcription factor, is involved in fludioxonil sensitivity and virulence in the rubber tree anthracnose fungus Colletotrichum siamense. Fungal Genet Biol 2021; 158:103649. [PMID: 34921997 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2021.103649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In phytopathogenic fungi, the HOG MAPK pathway has roles in osmoregulation, fungicide sensitivity, and other processes. The ATF1/CREB-activating transcription factor Atf1 is a regulator that functions downstream of the HOG MAPK pathway. Here, we identified a gene, designated CsAtf1, that encodes a bZIP transcription factor in Colletotrichum siamense, which is the main pathogen that causes Colletotrichum leaf fall disease in rubber trees in China. CsAtf1 localizes to the nucleus. Its mRNA expression correlates positively with that of CsPbs2 and CsHog1 in the HOG MAPK pathway in response to activator (anisomycin), inhibitor (SB203580) and fludioxonil treatments. The CsAtf1 deletion mutant showed slightly retarded mycelial growth, small conidia, slow spore germination, and abnormal appressorium formation. This mutant showed the increased spore germination rate after fludioxonil treatment and more resistance to the fungicide fludioxonil than did the wild-type fungus. However, unlike deletion of Pbs2 or Hog1, which resulted in greater sensitivity to osmotic stress, the CsAtf1 deletion induced slightly increased resistance to osmotic stress and the cell wall stress response. The ΔCsAtf1 strain also exhibited significantly reduced virulence on rubber tree leaves. These data revealed that CsAtf1 plays a key role in the regulation of fludioxonil sensitivity and in pathogenicity regulation in C. siamense.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miao Song
- College of Plant Protection/Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control of Tropical Plant Diseases and Pests, Ministry of Education, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Siqi Fang
- College of Plant Protection/Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control of Tropical Plant Diseases and Pests, Ministry of Education, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Zhigang Li
- College of Plant Protection/Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control of Tropical Plant Diseases and Pests, Ministry of Education, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Na Wang
- College of Plant Protection/Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control of Tropical Plant Diseases and Pests, Ministry of Education, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Xiao Li
- College of Plant Protection/Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control of Tropical Plant Diseases and Pests, Ministry of Education, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Wenbo Liu
- College of Plant Protection/Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control of Tropical Plant Diseases and Pests, Ministry of Education, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- College of Plant Protection/Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control of Tropical Plant Diseases and Pests, Ministry of Education, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Chunhua Lin
- College of Plant Protection/Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control of Tropical Plant Diseases and Pests, Ministry of Education, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Weiguo Miao
- College of Plant Protection/Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control of Tropical Plant Diseases and Pests, Ministry of Education, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Luo X, Tian T, Bonnave M, Tan X, Huang X, Li Z, Ren M. The Molecular Mechanisms of Phytophthora infestans in Response to Reactive Oxygen Species Stress. PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2021; 111:2067-2079. [PMID: 33787286 DOI: 10.1094/phyto-08-20-0321-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROSs) are critical for the growth, development, proliferation, and pathogenicity of microbial pathogens; however, excessive levels of ROSs are toxic. Little is known about the signaling cascades in response to ROS stress in oomycetes such as Phytophthora infestans, the causal agent of potato late blight. Here, P. infestans was used as a model system to investigate the mechanism underlying the response to ROS stress in oomycete pathogens. Results showed severe defects in sporangium germination, mycelium growth, appressorium formation, and virulence of P. infestans in response to H2O2 stress. Importantly, these phenotypes mimic those of P. infestans treated with rapamycin, the inhibitor of target of rapamycin (TOR, 1-phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase). Strong synergism occurred when P. infestans was treated with a combination of H2O2 and rapamycin, suggesting that a crosstalk exists between ROS stress and the TOR signaling pathway. Comprehensive analysis of transcriptome, proteome, and phosphorylation omics showed that H2O2 stress significantly induced the operation of the TOR-mediated autophagy pathway. Monodansylcadaverine staining showed that in the presence of H2O2 and rapamycin, the autophagosome level increased in a dosage-dependent manner. Furthermore, transgenic potatoes containing double-stranded RNA of TOR in P. infestans (PiTOR) displayed high resistance to P. infestans. Therefore, TOR is involved in the ROS response and is a potential target for control of oomycete diseases, because host-mediated silencing of PiTOR increases potato resistance to late blight.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiumei Luo
- Institute of Urban Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu 610000, China
- Key Laboratory of Plant Hormones and Development Regulation of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Tingting Tian
- Key Laboratory of Plant Hormones and Development Regulation of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Maxime Bonnave
- Centre for Agriculture and Agro-Industry of Hainaut Province, Ath 7800, Belgium
| | - Xue Tan
- Key Laboratory of Plant Hormones and Development Regulation of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Xiaoqing Huang
- Key Laboratory of Plant Hormones and Development Regulation of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Zhengguo Li
- Key Laboratory of Plant Hormones and Development Regulation of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Maozhi Ren
- Institute of Urban Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu 610000, China
- Key Laboratory of Plant Hormones and Development Regulation of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China
- Zhengzhou Research Base, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Oberti H, Spangenberg G, Cogan N, Reyno R, Feijoo M, Murchio S, Dalla-Rizza M. Genome-wide analysis of Claviceps paspali: insights into the secretome of the main species causing ergot disease in Paspalum spp. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:766. [PMID: 34702162 PMCID: PMC8549174 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-08077-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The phytopatogen Claviceps paspali is the causal agent of Ergot disease in Paspalum spp., which includes highly productive forage grasses such as P. dilatatum. This disease impacts dairy and beef production by affecting seed quality and producing mycotoxins that can affect performance in feeding animals. The molecular basis of pathogenicity of C. paspali remains unknown, which makes it more difficult to find solutions for this problem. Secreted proteins are related to fungi virulence and can manipulate plant immunity acting on different subcellular localizations. Therefore, identifying and characterizing secreted proteins in phytopathogenic fungi will provide a better understanding of how they overcome host defense and cause disease. The aim of this work is to analyze the whole genome sequences of three C. paspali isolates to obtain a comparative genome characterization based on possible secreted proteins and pathogenicity factors present in their genome. In planta RNA-seq analysis at an early stage of the interaction of C. paspali with P. dilatatum stigmas was also conducted in order to determine possible secreted proteins expressed in the infection process. RESULTS C. paspali isolates had compact genomes and secretome which accounted for 4.6-4.9% of the predicted proteomes. More than 50% of the predicted secretome had no homology to known proteins. RNA-Seq revealed that three protein-coding genes predicted as secreted have mayor expression changes during 1 dpi vs 4 dpi. Also, three of the first 10 highly expressed genes in both time points were predicted as effector-like. CAZyme-like proteins were found in the predicted secretome and the most abundant family could be associated to pectine degradation. Based on this, pectine could be a main component affected by the cell wall degrading enzymes of C. paspali. CONCLUSIONS Based on predictions from DNA sequence and RNA-seq, unique probable secreted proteins and probable pathogenicity factors were identified in C. paspali isolates. This information opens new avenues in the study of the biology of this fungus and how it modulates the interaction with its host. Knowledge of the diversity of the secretome and putative pathogenicity genes should facilitate future research in disease management of Claviceps spp.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- H Oberti
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA). Unidad de Biotecnología. Estación Experimental INIA Las Brujas, Ruta 48 km, 10, Canelones, Uruguay
| | - G Spangenberg
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, 5 Ring Road, Bundoora, VIC, 3083, Australia
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, 5 Ring Road, Bundoora, VIC, 3083, Australia
| | - N Cogan
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, 5 Ring Road, Bundoora, VIC, 3083, Australia
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, 5 Ring Road, Bundoora, VIC, 3083, Australia
| | - R Reyno
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA). Programa Pasturas y Forrajes. Estación Experimental INIA Tacuarembó, Ruta 5 km, 386, Tacuarembó, Uruguay
| | - M Feijoo
- Centro Universitario Regional del Este (CURE), Polo de Desarrollo Universitario: Patogenicidad, toxicidad y genética en los ecosistemas pastoriles de la región Este de Uruguay, Ruta 8 km, 281, Treinta y Tres, Uruguay
| | - S Murchio
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA). Unidad de Biotecnología. Estación Experimental INIA Las Brujas, Ruta 48 km, 10, Canelones, Uruguay
| | - M Dalla-Rizza
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA). Unidad de Biotecnología. Estación Experimental INIA Las Brujas, Ruta 48 km, 10, Canelones, Uruguay.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Leiter É, Emri T, Pákozdi K, Hornok L, Pócsi I. The impact of bZIP Atf1ortholog global regulators in fungi. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 105:5769-5783. [PMID: 34302199 PMCID: PMC8390427 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-021-11431-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Regulation of signal transduction pathways is crucial for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis and organismal development in fungi. Transcription factors are key elements of this regulatory network. The basic-region leucine zipper (bZIP) domain of the bZIP-type transcription factors is responsible for DNA binding while their leucine zipper structural motifs are suitable for dimerization with each other facilitiating the formation of homodimeric or heterodimeric bZIP proteins. This review highlights recent knowledge on the function of fungal orthologs of the Schizosaccharomyces pombe Atf1, Aspergillus nidulans AtfA, and Fusarium verticillioides FvAtfA, bZIP-type transcription factors with a special focus on pathogenic species. We demonstrate that fungal Atf1-AtfA-FvAtfA orthologs play an important role in vegetative growth, sexual and asexual development, stress response, secondary metabolite production, and virulence both in human pathogens, including Aspergillus fumigatus, Mucor circinelloides, Penicillium marneffei, and Cryptococcus neoformans and plant pathogens, like Fusarium ssp., Magnaporthe oryzae, Claviceps purpurea, Botrytis cinerea, and Verticillium dahliae. KEY POINTS: • Atf1 orthologs play crucial role in the growth and development of fungi. • Atf1 orthologs orchestrate environmental stress response of fungi. • Secondary metabolite production and virulence are coordinated by Atf1 orthologs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Éva Leiter
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Debrecen, P.O. Box 63, Debrecen, H-4010, Hungary.
| | - Tamás Emri
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Debrecen, P.O. Box 63, Debrecen, H-4010, Hungary
| | - Klaudia Pákozdi
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Debrecen, P.O. Box 63, Debrecen, H-4010, Hungary
| | - László Hornok
- Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - István Pócsi
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Debrecen, P.O. Box 63, Debrecen, H-4010, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Emri T, Gila B, Antal K, Fekete F, Moon H, Yu JH, Pócsi I. AtfA-Independent Adaptation to the Toxic Heavy Metal Cadmium in Aspergillus nidulans. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9071433. [PMID: 34361869 PMCID: PMC8307709 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9071433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cadmium is an exceptionally toxic industrial and environmental pollutant classified as a human carcinogen. In order to provide insight into how we can keep our environment safe from cadmium contamination and prevent the accumulation of it in the food chain, we aim to elucidate how Aspergillus nidulans, one of the most abundant fungi in soil, survives and handles cadmium stress. As AtfA is the main transcription factor governing stress responses in A. nidulans, we examined genome-wide expression responses of wild-type and the atfA null mutant exposed to CdCl2. Both strains showed up-regulation of the crpA Cu2+/Cd2+ pump gene and AN7729 predicted to encode a putative bis(glutathionato)-cadmium transporter, and transcriptional changes associated with elevated intracellular Cys availability leading to the efficient adaptation to Cd2+. Although the deletion of atfA did not alter the cadmium tolerance of the fungus, the cadmium stress response of the mutant differed from that of a reference strain. Promoter and transcriptional analyses of the “Phospho-relay response regulator” genes suggest that the AtfA-dependent regulation of these genes can be relevant in this phenomenon. We concluded that the regulatory network of A. nidulans has a high flexibility allowing the fungus to adapt efficiently to stress both in the presence and absence of this important transcription factor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tamás Emri
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (B.G.); (F.F.); (I.P.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Barnabás Gila
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (B.G.); (F.F.); (I.P.)
- Doctoral School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Károly Antal
- Department of Zoology, Eszterházy Károly University, 3300 Eger, Hungary;
| | - Fanni Fekete
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (B.G.); (F.F.); (I.P.)
| | - Heungyun Moon
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; (H.M.); (J.-H.Y.)
| | - Jae-Hyuk Yu
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; (H.M.); (J.-H.Y.)
- Department of Systems Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
| | - István Pócsi
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (B.G.); (F.F.); (I.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
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: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Singh Y, Nair AM, Verma PK. Surviving the odds: From perception to survival of fungal phytopathogens under host-generated oxidative burst. PLANT COMMUNICATIONS 2021; 2:100142. [PMID: 34027389 PMCID: PMC8132124 DOI: 10.1016/j.xplc.2021.100142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/01/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Fungal phytopathogens pose a serious threat to global crop production. Only a handful of strategies are available to combat these fungal infections, and the increasing incidence of fungicide resistance is making the situation worse. Hence, the molecular understanding of plant-fungus interactions remains a primary focus of plant pathology. One of the hallmarks of host-pathogen interactions is the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as a plant defense mechanism, collectively termed the oxidative burst. In general, high accumulation of ROS restricts the growth of pathogenic organisms by causing localized cell death around the site of infection. To survive the oxidative burst and achieve successful host colonization, fungal phytopathogens employ intricate mechanisms for ROS perception, ROS neutralization, and protection from ROS-mediated damage. Together, these countermeasures maintain the physiological redox homeostasis that is essential for cell viability. In addition to intracellular antioxidant systems, phytopathogenic fungi also deploy interesting effector-mediated mechanisms for extracellular ROS modulation. This aspect of plant-pathogen interactions is significantly under-studied and provides enormous scope for future research. These adaptive responses, broadly categorized into "escape" and "exploitation" mechanisms, are poorly understood. In this review, we discuss the oxidative stress response of filamentous fungi, their perception signaling, and recent insights that provide a comprehensive understanding of the distinct survival mechanisms of fungal pathogens in response to the host-generated oxidative burst.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yeshveer Singh
- Plant Immunity Laboratory, National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Athira Mohandas Nair
- Plant Immunity Laboratory, National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Praveen Kumar Verma
- Plant Immunity Laboratory, National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
- School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Analysis of TabZIP15 transcription factor from Trichoderma asperellum ACCC30536 and its function under pathogenic toxin stress. Sci Rep 2020; 10:15084. [PMID: 32934312 PMCID: PMC7493895 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72226-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The TabZIP15 gene encoding a 396 amino acid (aa) polypeptide in the fungus Trichoderma asperellum ACCC30536 was cloned and characterised. The protein includes a basic region motif (NR-x2-QR-x2-R) and has a pillar-like structure. The 25 basic region/leucine zipper transcription factors (TFs) identified in the T. asperellum genome were divided into YAP (14 TFs), ATF2 (5), GCN4 (2), Zip1 (2), BRLZ (1) and u1 (1) subfamilies based on conserved domains. T. asperellum was cultured in minimal media (MM) control, C-Hungry and N-Hungry medium (to simulate nutrient competition and interaction with pathogens, respectively), and differential expression analysis showed that 14 TabZIP genes (including TabZIP15) were significantly altered under both conditions; TabZIP23 responded strongly to N-Hungry media and TabZIP24 responded strongly to C-Hungry media. However, only YAP genes TabZIP15, TabZIP12 and TabZIP2 were significantly upregulated under both conditions, and expression levels of TabZIP15 were highest. T. asperellum was also cultured in the presence of five fungal pathogenic toxins, and RT-qPCR results showed that TabZIP15 was significantly upregulated in four of the five toxin stress conditions (MM + Rhizoctonia solani, MM + Fusarium oxysporum, MM + Alternaria alternata and MM + Cytospora chrysosperma).
Collapse
|
18
|
Szabó Z, Pákozdi K, Murvai K, Pusztahelyi T, Kecskeméti Á, Gáspár A, Logrieco AF, Emri T, Ádám AL, Leiter É, Hornok L, Pócsi I. FvatfA regulates growth, stress tolerance as well as mycotoxin and pigment productions in Fusarium verticillioides. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2020; 104:7879-7899. [PMID: 32719911 PMCID: PMC7447684 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-020-10717-6] [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: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
FvatfA from the maize pathogen Fusarium verticillioides putatively encodes the Aspergillus nidulans AtfA and Schizasaccharomyces pombe Atf1 orthologous bZIP-type transcription factor, FvAtfA. In this study, a ΔFvatfA deletion mutant was constructed and then genetically complemented with the fully functional FvatfA gene. Comparing phenotypic features of the wild-type parental, the deletion mutant and the restored strains shed light on the versatile regulatory functions played by FvAtfA in (i) the maintenance of vegetative growth on Czapek-Dox and Potato Dextrose agars and invasive growth on unwounded tomato fruits, (ii) the preservation of conidiospore yield and size, (iii) the orchestration of oxidative (H2O2, menadione sodium bisulphite) and cell wall integrity (Congo Red) stress defences and (iv) the regulation of mycotoxin (fumonisins) and pigment (bikaverin, carotenoid) productions. Expression of selected biosynthetic genes both in the fumonisin (fum1, fum8) and the carotenoid (carRA, carB) pathways were down-regulated in the ΔFvatfA strain resulting in defected fumonisin production and considerably decreased carotenoid yields. The expression of bik1, encoding the polyketide synthase needed in bikaverin biosynthesis, was not up-regulated by the deletion of FvatfA meanwhile the ΔFvatfA strain produced approximately ten times more bikaverin than the wild-type or the genetically complemented strains. The abolishment of fumonisin production of the ΔFvatfA strain may lead to the development of new-type, biology-based mycotoxin control strategies. The novel information gained on the regulation of pigment production by this fungus can be interesting for experts working on new, Fusarium-based biomass and pigment production technologies.Key points • FvatfA regulates vegetative and invasive growths of F. verticillioides. • FvatfA also orchestrates oxidative and cell wall integrity stress defenses. • The ΔFvatfA mutant was deficient in fumonisin production. • FvatfA deletion resulted in decreased carotenoid and increased bikaverin yields. |
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zsuzsa Szabó
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary.,Doctoral School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Szent István University, Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - Klaudia Pákozdi
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary.,Doctoral School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Katalin Murvai
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Tünde Pusztahelyi
- Central Laboratory of Agricultural and Food Products, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Ádám Kecskeméti
- Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Attila Gáspár
- Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | | | - Tamás Emri
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Attila L Ádám
- Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Éva Leiter
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - László Hornok
- Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Szent István University, Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - István Pócsi
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Tang C, Li T, Klosterman SJ, Tian C, Wang Y. The bZIP transcription factor VdAtf1 regulates virulence by mediating nitrogen metabolism in Verticillium dahliae. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2020; 226:1461-1479. [PMID: 32040203 DOI: 10.1111/nph.16481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The fungus Verticillium dahliae causes vascular wilt disease on hundreds of plant species. Homologs of the bZIP transcription factor Atf1 are required for virulence in most pathogenic fungi, but the molecular basis for their involvement is largely unknown. We performed targeted gene deletion, expression analysis, biochemistry and pathogenicity assays to demonstrate that VdAtf1 governs pathogenesis via the regulation of nitrosative resistance and nitrogen metabolism in V. dahliae. VdAtf1 controls pathogenesis via the regulation of nitric oxide (NO) resistance and inorganic nitrogen metabolism rather than oxidative resistance and is important for penetration peg formation in V. dahliae. VdAtf1 affects ammonium and nitrate assimilation in response to various nitrogen sources. VdAtf1 may be involved in regulating the expression of VdNut1. VdAtf1 responds to NO stress by strengthening the fungal cell wall, and by causing over-accumulation of methylglyoxal and glycerol, which in turn impacts NO detoxification. We also verified that the VdAtf1 ortholog in Fusarium graminearum mediates nitrogen metabolism, suggesting conservation of this function in related plant pathogenic fungi. Our findings revealed new functions of VdAtf1 in pathogenesis, response to nitrosative stress and nitrogen metabolism in V. dahliae. The results provide novel insights into the regulatory mechanisms of the transcription factor VdAtf1 in virulence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chen Tang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Forest Pest Control, College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Tianyu Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Forest Pest Control, College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Steven J Klosterman
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Crop Improvement and Protection Research Unit, Salinas, CA, 93905, USA
| | - Chengming Tian
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Forest Pest Control, College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Yonglin Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Forest Pest Control, College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Transcription Factor Atf1 Regulates Expression of Cellulase and Xylanase Genes during Solid-State Fermentation of Ascomycetes. Appl Environ Microbiol 2019; 85:AEM.01226-19. [PMID: 31604764 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01226-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcriptional regulation of cellulolytic and xylolytic genes in ascomycete fungi is controlled by specific carbon sources in different external environments. Here, comparative transcriptomic analyses of Penicillium oxalicum grown on wheat bran (WB), WB plus rice straw (WR), or WB plus Avicel (WA) as the sole carbon source under solid-state fermentation (SSF) revealed that most of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were involved in metabolism, specifically, carbohydrate metabolism. Of the DEGs, the basic core carbohydrate-active enzyme-encoding genes which responded to the plant biomass resources were identified in P. oxalicum, and their transcriptional levels changed to various extents depending on the different carbon sources. Moreover, this study found that three deletion mutants of genes encoding putative transcription factors showed significant alterations in filter paper cellulase production compared with that of a parental P. oxalicum strain with a deletion of Ku70 (ΔPoxKu70 strain) when grown on WR under SSF. Importantly, the ΔPoxAtf1 mutant (with a deletion of P. oxalicum Atf1, also called POX03016) displayed 46.1 to 183.2% more cellulase and xylanase production than a ΔPoxKu70 mutant after 2 days of growth on WR. RNA sequencing and quantitative reverse transcription-PCR revealed that PoxAtf1 dynamically regulated the expression of major cellulase and xylanase genes under SSF. PoxAtf1 bound to the promoter regions of the key cellulase and xylanase genes in vitro This study provides novel insights into the regulatory mechanism of fungal cellulase and xylanase gene expression under SSF.IMPORTANCE The transition to a more environmentally friendly economy encourages studies involving the high-value-added utilization of lignocellulosic biomass. Solid-state fermentation (SSF), that simulates the natural habitat of soil microorganisms, is used for a variety of applications such as biomass biorefinery. Prior to the current study, our understanding of genome-wide gene expression and of the regulation of gene expression of lignocellulose-degrading enzymes in ascomycete fungi during SSF was limited. Here, we employed RNA sequencing and genetic analyses to investigate transcriptomes of Penicillium oxalicum strain EU2101 cultured on medium containing different carbon sources and to identify and characterize transcription factors for regulating the expression of cellulase and xylanase genes during SSF. The results generated will provide novel insights into genetic engineering of filamentous fungi to further increase enzyme production.
Collapse
|
21
|
Zeng Z, Sun H, Vainio EJ, Raffaello T, Kovalchuk A, Morin E, Duplessis S, Asiegbu FO. Intraspecific comparative genomics of isolates of the Norway spruce pathogen (Heterobasidion parviporum) and identification of its potential virulence factors. BMC Genomics 2018; 19:220. [PMID: 29580224 PMCID: PMC5870257 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-018-4610-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Heterobasidion parviporum is an economically most important fungal forest pathogen in northern Europe, causing root and butt rot disease of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.). The mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis and virulence of this species remain elusive. No reference genome to facilitate functional analysis is available for this species. RESULTS To better understand the virulence factor at both phenotypic and genomic level, we characterized 15 H. parviporum isolates originating from different locations across Finland for virulence, vegetative growth, sporulation and saprotrophic wood decay. Wood decay capability and latitude of fungal origins exerted interactive effects on their virulence and appeared important for H. parviporum virulence. We sequenced the most virulent isolate, the first full genome sequences of H. parviporum as a reference genome, and re-sequenced the remaining 14 H. parviporum isolates. Genome-wide alignments and intrinsic polymorphism analysis showed that these isolates exhibited overall high genomic similarity with an average of at least 96% nucleotide identity when compared to the reference, yet had remarkable intra-specific level of polymorphism with a bias for CpG to TpG mutations. Reads mapping coverage analysis enabled the classification of all predicted genes into five groups and uncovered two genomic regions exclusively present in the reference with putative contribution to its higher virulence. Genes enriched for copy number variations (deletions and duplications) and nucleotide polymorphism were involved in oxidation-reduction processes and encoding domains relevant to transcription factors. Some secreted protein coding genes based on the genome-wide selection pressure, or the presence of variants were proposed as potential virulence candidates. CONCLUSION Our study reported on the first reference genome sequence for this Norway spruce pathogen (H. parviporum). Comparative genomics analysis gave insight into the overall genomic variation among this fungal species and also facilitated the identification of several secreted protein coding genes as putative virulence factors for the further functional analysis. We also analyzed and identified phenotypic traits potentially linked to its virulence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Zeng
- Department of Forest Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hui Sun
- Department of Forest Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Eeva J. Vainio
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tommaso Raffaello
- Department of Forest Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Andriy Kovalchuk
- Department of Forest Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Emmanuelle Morin
- INRA UMR 1136 Interactions Arbres Micro-organismes, INRA Centre Grand Est Nancy, Champenoux, France
| | - Sébastien Duplessis
- INRA UMR 1136 Interactions Arbres Micro-organismes, INRA Centre Grand Est Nancy, Champenoux, France
- UMR 1136 Interactions Arbres/Microorganismes, Faculté des Sciences et Technologies, Université de Lorraine, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Fred O. Asiegbu
- Department of Forest Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Transcriptome-Based Modeling Reveals that Oxidative Stress Induces Modulation of the AtfA-Dependent Signaling Networks in Aspergillus nidulans. Int J Genomics 2017; 2017:6923849. [PMID: 28770220 PMCID: PMC5523550 DOI: 10.1155/2017/6923849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Revised: 05/17/2017] [Accepted: 06/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
To better understand the molecular functions of the master stress-response regulator AtfA in Aspergillus nidulans, transcriptomic analyses of the atfA null mutant and the appropriate control strains exposed to menadione sodium bisulfite- (MSB-), t-butylhydroperoxide- and diamide-induced oxidative stresses were performed. Several elements of oxidative stress response were differentially expressed. Many of them, including the downregulation of the mitotic cell cycle, as the MSB stress-specific upregulation of FeS cluster assembly and the MSB stress-specific downregulation of nitrate reduction, tricarboxylic acid cycle, and ER to Golgi vesicle-mediated transport, showed AtfA dependence. To elucidate the potential global regulatory role of AtfA governing expression of a high number of genes with very versatile biological functions, we devised a model based on the comprehensive transcriptomic data. Our model suggests that an important function of AtfA is to modulate the transduction of stress signals. Although it may regulate directly only a limited number of genes, these include elements of the signaling network, for example, members of the two-component signal transduction systems. AtfA acts in a stress-specific manner, which may increase further the number and diversity of AtfA-dependent genes. Our model sheds light on the versatility of the physiological functions of AtfA and its orthologs in fungi.
Collapse
|
23
|
Oeser B, Kind S, Schurack S, Schmutzer T, Tudzynski P, Hinsch J. Cross-talk of the biotrophic pathogen Claviceps purpurea and its host Secale cereale. BMC Genomics 2017; 18:273. [PMID: 28372538 PMCID: PMC5379732 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-017-3619-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The economically important Ergot fungus Claviceps purpurea is an interesting biotrophic model system because of its strict organ specificity (grass ovaries) and the lack of any detectable plant defense reactions. Though several virulence factors were identified, the exact infection mechanisms are unknown, e.g. how the fungus masks its attack and if the host detects the infection at all. RESULTS We present a first dual transcriptome analysis using an RNA-Seq approach. We studied both, fungal and plant gene expression in young ovaries infected by the wild-type and two virulence-attenuated mutants. We can show that the plant recognizes the fungus, since defense related genes are upregulated, especially several phytohormone genes. We present a survey of in planta expressed fungal genes, among them several confirmed virulence genes. Interestingly, the set of most highly expressed genes includes a high proportion of genes encoding putative effectors, small secreted proteins which might be involved in masking the fungal attack or interfering with host defense reactions. As known from several other phytopathogens, the C. purpurea genome contains more than 400 of such genes, many of them clustered and probably highly redundant. Since the lack of effective defense reactions in spite of recognition of the fungus could very well be achieved by effectors, we started a functional analysis of some of the most highly expressed candidates. However, the redundancy of the system made the identification of a drastic effect of a single gene most unlikely. We can show that at least one candidate accumulates in the plant apoplast. Deletion of some candidates led to a reduced virulence of C. purpurea on rye, indicating a role of the respective proteins during the infection process. CONCLUSIONS We show for the first time that- despite the absence of effective plant defense reactions- the biotrophic pathogen C. purpurea is detected by its host. This points to a role of effectors in modulation of the effective plant response. Indeed, several putative effector genes are among the highest expressed genes in planta.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Birgitt Oeser
- Institut für Biologie und Biotechnologie der Pflanzen, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, D-48143 Münster, Germany
| | - Sabine Kind
- Institut für Biologie und Biotechnologie der Pflanzen, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, D-48143 Münster, Germany
| | - Selma Schurack
- Institut für Biologie und Biotechnologie der Pflanzen, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, D-48143 Münster, Germany
| | - Thomas Schmutzer
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Gatersleben, Germany
| | - Paul Tudzynski
- Institut für Biologie und Biotechnologie der Pflanzen, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, D-48143 Münster, Germany
| | - Janine Hinsch
- Institut für Biologie und Biotechnologie der Pflanzen, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, D-48143 Münster, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Liu X, Cai Y, Zhang X, Zhang H, Zheng X, Zhang Z. Carbamoyl Phosphate Synthetase Subunit MoCpa2 Affects Development and Pathogenicity by Modulating Arginine Biosynthesis in Magnaporthe oryzae. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:2023. [PMID: 28066349 PMCID: PMC5166579 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.02023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2016] [Accepted: 12/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid that affects physiological and biochemical functions. The CPA2 gene in yeast encodes a large subunit of arginine-specific carbamoyl phosphate synthetase (CPS) and is involved in arginine biosynthesis. Here, an ortholog of yeast CPA2 was identified in the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae, and was named MoCPA2. MoCpa2 is an 1180-amino acid protein which contains an ATP grasp domain and two CPSase domains. Targeted deletion of MoCPA2 supported its role in de novo arginine biosynthesis in M. oryzae as mutant phenotypes were complemented by arginine but not ornithine. The ΔMocpa2 mutant exhibited defects in asexual development and pathogenicity but not appressorium formation. Further examination revealed that the invasive hyphae of the ΔMocpa2 mutant were restricted mainly to the primary infected cells. In addition, the ΔMocpa2 mutant was unable to induce a plant defense response and had the ability to scavenge ROS during pathogen-plant interactions. Structure analysis revealed that the ATP grasp domain and each CPS domain were indispensable for the proper localization and full function of MoCpa2. In summary, our results indicate that MoCpa2 plays an important role in arginine biosynthesis, and affects growth, conidiogenesis, and pathogenicity. These results suggest that research into metabolism and processes that mediate amino acid synthesis are valuable for understanding M. oryzae pathogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, Ministry of Education, Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University Nanjing, China
| | - Yongchao Cai
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, Ministry of Education, Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University Nanjing, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, Ministry of Education, Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University Nanjing, China
| | - Haifeng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, Ministry of Education, Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaobo Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, Ministry of Education, Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University Nanjing, China
| | - Zhengguang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, Ministry of Education, Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University Nanjing, China
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Majeská Čudejková M, Vojta P, Valík J, Galuszka P. Quantitative and qualitative transcriptome analysis of four industrial strains of Claviceps purpurea with respect to ergot alkaloid production. N Biotechnol 2016; 33:743-754. [PMID: 26827914 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2016.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2015] [Revised: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 01/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The fungus Claviceps purpurea is a biotrophic phytopathogen widely used in the pharmaceutical industry for its ability to produce ergot alkaloids (EAs). The fungus attacks unfertilized ovaries of grasses and forms sclerotia, which represent the only type of tissue where the synthesis of EAs occurs. The biosynthetic pathway of EAs has been extensively studied; however, little is known concerning its regulation. Here, we present the quantitative transcriptome analysis of the sclerotial and mycelial tissues providing a comprehensive view of transcriptional differences between the tissues that produce EAs and those that do not produce EAs and the pathogenic and non-pathogenic lifestyle. The results indicate metabolic changes coupled with sclerotial differentiation, which are likely needed as initiation factors for EA biosynthesis. One of the promising factors seems to be oxidative stress. Here, we focus on the identification of putative transcription factors and regulators involved in sclerotial differentiation, which might be involved in EA biosynthesis. To shed more light on the regulation of EA composition, whole transcriptome analysis of four industrial strains differing in their alkaloid spectra was performed. The results support the hypothesis proposing the composition of the amino acid pool in sclerotia to be an important factor regulating the final structure of the ergopeptines produced by Claviceps purpurea.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mária Majeská Čudejková
- Department of Molecular Biology, Centre of the Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research, Faculty of Science, Palacký University in Olomouc, Šlechtitelů 27, 783 71 Olomouc, Czech Republic.
| | - Petr Vojta
- Department of Molecular Biology, Centre of the Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research, Faculty of Science, Palacký University in Olomouc, Šlechtitelů 27, 783 71 Olomouc, Czech Republic; Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University Olomouc, Hněvotínská 1333/5, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Josef Valík
- Teva Czech Industries s.r.o., Ostravská 305/29, 747 70 Opava-Komárov, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Galuszka
- Department of Molecular Biology, Centre of the Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research, Faculty of Science, Palacký University in Olomouc, Šlechtitelů 27, 783 71 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Zhao W, Wang T, Liu S, Chen Q, Qi R. The histone acetyltransferase PsGcn5 mediates oxidative stress responses and is required for full virulence of Phytophthora sojae. Microb Pathog 2015; 87:51-8. [PMID: 26209751 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2015.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2015] [Revised: 07/05/2015] [Accepted: 07/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In eukaryotic organisms, histone acetyltransferase complexes are coactivators that are important for transcriptional activation by modifying chromatin. In this study, a gene (PsGcn5) from Phytophthora sojae encoding a histone acetyltransferase was identified as a homolog of one component of the histone acetyltransferase complex from yeasts to mammals. PsGcn5 was constitutively expressed in each stage tested, but had a slightly higher expression in sporulating hyphae and 3 h after infection. PsGcn5-silenced mutants were generated using polyethylene glycol-mediated protoplast stable transformation. These mutants had normal development, but compared to wild type strains they had higher sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and significantly reduced virulence in soybean. Diaminobenzidine staining revealed an accumulation of H2O2 around the infection sites of PsGcn5-silenced mutants but not for wild type strains. Inhibition of the plant NADPH oxidase by diphenyleneiodonium prevented host-derived H2O2 accumulation in soybean cells and restored infectious hyphal growth of the mutants. Thus, we concluded that PsGcn5 is important for growth under conditions of oxidative stress and contributes to the full virulence of P. sojae by suppressing the host-derived reactive oxygen species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhao
- Institute of Plant Protection and Agro-Products Safety, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, China; Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Crop Pests in Hefei, Ministry of Agriculture, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Institute of Plant Protection and Agro-Products Safety, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, China; Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Crop Pests in Hefei, Ministry of Agriculture, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Shusen Liu
- Institute of Plant Protection and Agro-Products Safety, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Qingqing Chen
- Institute of Plant Protection and Agro-Products Safety, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Rende Qi
- Institute of Plant Protection and Agro-Products Safety, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, China; Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Crop Pests in Hefei, Ministry of Agriculture, Hefei, Anhui, China.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Yang X, Ding F, Zhang L, Sheng Y, Zheng X, Wang Y. The importin α subunit PsIMPA1 mediates the oxidative stress response and is required for the pathogenicity of Phytophthora sojae. Fungal Genet Biol 2015; 82:108-15. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2015.04.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2015] [Revised: 04/28/2015] [Accepted: 04/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
|
28
|
Mir AA, Park SY, Abu Sadat M, Kim S, Choi J, Jeon J, Lee YH. Systematic characterization of the peroxidase gene family provides new insights into fungal pathogenicity in Magnaporthe oryzae. Sci Rep 2015; 5:11831. [PMID: 26134974 PMCID: PMC4488832 DOI: 10.1038/srep11831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2015] [Accepted: 06/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal pathogens have evolved antioxidant defense against reactive oxygen species produced as a part of host innate immunity. Recent studies proposed peroxidases as components of antioxidant defense system. However, the role of fungal peroxidases during interaction with host plants has not been explored at the genomic level. Here, we systematically identified peroxidase genes and analyzed their impact on fungal pathogenesis in a model plant pathogenic fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae. Phylogeny reconstruction placed 27 putative peroxidase genes into 15 clades. Expression profiles showed that majority of them are responsive to in planta condition and in vitro H2O2. Our analysis of individual deletion mutants for seven selected genes including MoPRX1 revealed that these genes contribute to fungal development and/or pathogenesis. We identified significant and positive correlations among sensitivity to H2O2, peroxidase activity and fungal pathogenicity. In-depth analysis of MoPRX1 demonstrated that it is a functional ortholog of thioredoxin peroxidase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and is required for detoxification of the oxidative burst within host cells. Transcriptional profiling of other peroxidases in ΔMoprx1 suggested interwoven nature of the peroxidase-mediated antioxidant defense system. The results from this study provide insight into the infection strategy built on evolutionarily conserved peroxidases in the rice blast fungus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Albely Afifa Mir
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Fungal Bioinformatics Laboratory, Center for Fungal Genetic Resources, and Center for Fungal Pathogenesis, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-921, Korea
| | - Sook-Young Park
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Fungal Bioinformatics Laboratory, Center for Fungal Genetic Resources, and Center for Fungal Pathogenesis, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-921, Korea
| | - Md Abu Sadat
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Fungal Bioinformatics Laboratory, Center for Fungal Genetic Resources, and Center for Fungal Pathogenesis, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-921, Korea
| | - Seongbeom Kim
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Fungal Bioinformatics Laboratory, Center for Fungal Genetic Resources, and Center for Fungal Pathogenesis, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-921, Korea
| | - Jaeyoung Choi
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Fungal Bioinformatics Laboratory, Center for Fungal Genetic Resources, and Center for Fungal Pathogenesis, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-921, Korea
| | - Junhyun Jeon
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Fungal Bioinformatics Laboratory, Center for Fungal Genetic Resources, and Center for Fungal Pathogenesis, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-921, Korea
| | - Yong-Hwan Lee
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Fungal Bioinformatics Laboratory, Center for Fungal Genetic Resources, and Center for Fungal Pathogenesis, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-921, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Emri T, Szarvas V, Orosz E, Antal K, Park H, Han KH, Yu JH, Pócsi I. Core oxidative stress response in Aspergillus nidulans. BMC Genomics 2015; 16:478. [PMID: 26115917 PMCID: PMC4482186 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-015-1705-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2014] [Accepted: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The b-Zip transcription factor AtfA plays a key role in regulating stress responses in the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans. To identify the core regulons of AtfA, we examined genome-wide expression changes caused by various stresses in the presence/absence of AtfA using A. nidulans microarrays. We also intended to address the intriguing question regarding the existence of core environmental stress response in this important model eukaryote. RESULTS Examination of the genome wide expression changes caused by five different oxidative stress conditions in wild type and the atfA null mutant has identified a significant number of stereotypically regulated genes (Core Oxidative Stress Response genes). The deletion of atfA increased the oxidative stress sensitivity of A. nidulans and affected mRNA accumulation of several genes under both unstressed and stressed conditions. The numbers of genes under the AtfA control appear to be specific to a stress-type. We also found that both oxidative and salt stresses induced expression of some secondary metabolite gene clusters and the deletion of atfA enhanced the stress responsiveness of additional clusters. Moreover, certain clusters were down-regulated by the stresses tested. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that the observed co-regulations were most likely consequences of the overlapping physiological effects of the stressors and not of the existence of a general environmental stress response. The function of AtfA in governing various stress responses is much smaller than anticipated and/or other regulators may play a redundant or overlapping role with AtfA. Both stress inducible and stress repressive regulations of secondary metabolism seem to be frequent features in A. nidulans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tamás Emri
- Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, P.O. Box 63, H-4032, Debrecen, Hungary.
| | - Vera Szarvas
- Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, P.O. Box 63, H-4032, Debrecen, Hungary.
| | - Erzsébet Orosz
- Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, P.O. Box 63, H-4032, Debrecen, Hungary.
| | - Károly Antal
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Sciences, Eszterházy Károly College, Eszterházy út 1, H-3300, Eger, Hungary.
| | - HeeSoo Park
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin, 1550 Linden Dr, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.
| | - Kap-Hoon Han
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Woosuk University, 565-701, Wanju, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jae-Hyuk Yu
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin, 1550 Linden Dr, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.
| | - István Pócsi
- Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, P.O. Box 63, H-4032, Debrecen, Hungary.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Lee Y, Min K, Son H, Park AR, Kim JC, Choi GJ, Lee YW. ELP3 is involved in sexual and asexual development, virulence, and the oxidative stress response in Fusarium graminearum. MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS : MPMI 2014; 27:1344-1355. [PMID: 25083910 DOI: 10.1094/mpmi-05-14-0145-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Fusarium graminearum is an important fungal plant pathogen that causes serious losses in cereal crop yields and mycotoxicoses in humans and livestock. In this study, we characterized an insertion mutant, Z39R9282, with pleiotropic defects in sexual development and virulence. We determined that the insertion occurred in a gene encoding an ortholog of yeast elongator complex protein 3 (ELP3). Deletion of elp3 led to significant defects in sexual and asexual development in F. graminearum. In the elp3 deletion mutant, the number of perithecia formed was reduced and maturation of perithecia was delayed. This mutant also produced morphologically abnormal ascospores and conidia. Histone acetylation in the elp3 deletion mutant was reduced compared with the wild type, which likely caused the developmental defects. Trichothecenes were not produced at detectable levels, and expression of trichothecene biosynthesis genes were significantly reduced in the elp3 deletion mutant. Infection of wheat heads revealed that the elp3 deletion mutant was unable to spread from inoculated florets to neighboring spikelets. Furthermore, the elp3 deletion mutant was more sensitive to oxidative stress than the wild type, and the expression of putative catalase genes was reduced. We demonstrate that elp3 functions in sexual and asexual development, virulence, and the oxidative stress response of F. graminearum by regulating the expression of genes involved in these various developmental processes.
Collapse
|
31
|
Jiang C, Zhang S, Zhang Q, Tao Y, Wang C, Xu JR. FgSKN7 and FgATF1 have overlapping functions in ascosporogenesis, pathogenesis and stress responses in Fusarium graminearum. Environ Microbiol 2014; 17:1245-60. [PMID: 25040476 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.12561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2014] [Accepted: 06/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Fusarium head blight caused by Fusarium graminearum is one of the most destructive diseases of wheat and barley. Deoxynivalenol (DON) produced by the pathogen is an important mycotoxins and virulence factor. Because oxidative burst is a common defense response and reactive oxygen species (ROS) induces DON production, in this study, we characterized functional relationships of three stress-related transcription factor genes FgAP1, FgATF1 and FgSKN7. Although all of them played a role in tolerance to oxidative stress, deletion of FgAP1 or FgATF1 had no significant effect on DON production. In contrast, Fgskn7 mutants were reduced in DON production and defective in H2 O2 -induced TRI gene expression. The Fgap1 mutant had no detectable phenotype other than increased sensitivity to H2 O2 and Fgap1 Fgatf1 and Fgap1 Fgskn7 mutants lacked additional or more severe phenotypes than the single mutants. The Fgatf1, but not Fgskn7, mutant was significantly reduced in virulence and delayed in ascospore release. The Fgskn7 Fgatf1 double mutant had more severe defects in growth, conidiation and virulence than the Fgatf1 or Fgskn7 mutant. Instead of producing four-celled ascospores, it formed eight small, single-celled ascospores in each ascus. Therefore, FgSKN7 and FgATF1 must have overlapping functions in intracellular ROS signalling for growth, development and pathogenesis in F. graminearum.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cong Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Northwestern A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China; Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Nagygyörgy E, Kovács B, Leiter É, Miskei M, Pócsi I, Hornok L, Ádám A. Toxicity of abiotic stressors to Fusarium species: differences in hydrogen peroxide and fungicide tolerance. Acta Microbiol Immunol Hung 2014; 61:189-208. [PMID: 24939687 DOI: 10.1556/amicr.61.2014.2.9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Stress sensitivity of three related phytopathogenic Fusarium species (Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium verticillioides) to different oxidative, osmotic, cell wall, membrane, fungicide stressors and an antifungal protein (PAF) were studied in vitro. The most prominent and significant differences were found in oxidative stress tolerance: all the three F. graminearum strains showed much higher sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide and, to a lesser extent, to menadione than the other two species. High sensitivity of F. verticillioides strains was also detectable to an azole drug, Ketoconazole. Surprisingly, no or limited differences were observed in response to other oxidative, osmotic and cell wall stressors. These results indicate that fungal oxidative stress response and especially the response to hydrogen peroxide (this compound is involved in a wide range of plant-fungus interactions) might be modified on niche-specific manner in these phylogenetically related Fusarium species depending on their pathogenic strategy. Supporting the increased hydrogen peroxide sensitivity of F. graminearum, genome-wide analysis of stress signal transduction pathways revealed the absence one CatC-type catalase gene in F. graminearum in comparison to the other two species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emese Nagygyörgy
- 1 Hungarian Academy of Sciences Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research H-1525 Budapest P.O. Box 102 Hungary
| | - Barbara Kovács
- 2 University of Debrecen Department of Microbial Biotechnology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Sciences H-4032 Debrecen Egyetem tér 1 Hungary
| | - Éva Leiter
- 2 University of Debrecen Department of Microbial Biotechnology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Sciences H-4032 Debrecen Egyetem tér 1 Hungary
| | - Márton Miskei
- 2 University of Debrecen Department of Microbial Biotechnology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Sciences H-4032 Debrecen Egyetem tér 1 Hungary
| | - István Pócsi
- 2 University of Debrecen Department of Microbial Biotechnology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Sciences H-4032 Debrecen Egyetem tér 1 Hungary
| | - László Hornok
- 3 Szent István University Mycology Group of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Plant Protection H-2103 Gödöllő Páter K. u. 1 Hungary
| | - Attila Ádám
- 1 Hungarian Academy of Sciences Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research H-1525 Budapest P.O. Box 102 Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Guo L, Han L, Yang L, Zeng H, Fan D, Zhu Y, Feng Y, Wang G, Peng C, Jiang X, Zhou D, Ni P, Liang C, Liu L, Wang J, Mao C, Fang X, Peng M, Huang J. Genome and transcriptome analysis of the fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense causing banana vascular wilt disease. PLoS One 2014; 9:e95543. [PMID: 24743270 PMCID: PMC3990668 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0095543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2013] [Accepted: 03/28/2014] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The asexual fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc) causing vascular wilt disease is one of the most devastating pathogens of banana (Musa spp.). To understand the molecular underpinning of pathogenicity in Foc, the genomes and transcriptomes of two Foc isolates were sequenced. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Genome analysis revealed that the genome structures of race 1 and race 4 isolates were highly syntenic with those of F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici strain Fol4287. A large number of putative virulence associated genes were identified in both Foc genomes, including genes putatively involved in root attachment, cell degradation, detoxification of toxin, transport, secondary metabolites biosynthesis and signal transductions. Importantly, relative to the Foc race 1 isolate (Foc1), the Foc race 4 isolate (Foc4) has evolved with some expanded gene families of transporters and transcription factors for transport of toxins and nutrients that may facilitate its ability to adapt to host environments and contribute to pathogenicity to banana. Transcriptome analysis disclosed a significant difference in transcriptional responses between Foc1 and Foc4 at 48 h post inoculation to the banana 'Brazil' in comparison with the vegetative growth stage. Of particular note, more virulence-associated genes were up regulated in Foc4 than in Foc1. Several signaling pathways like the mitogen-activated protein kinase Fmk1 mediated invasion growth pathway, the FGA1-mediated G protein signaling pathway and a pathogenicity associated two-component system were activated in Foc4 rather than in Foc1. Together, these differences in gene content and transcription response between Foc1 and Foc4 might account for variation in their virulence during infection of the banana variety 'Brazil'. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Foc genome sequences will facilitate us to identify pathogenicity mechanism involved in the banana vascular wilt disease development. These will thus advance us develop effective methods for managing the banana vascular wilt disease, including improvement of disease resistance in banana.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lijia Guo
- Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Control of Tropical Agricultural and Forest Invasive Alien Pests, Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, China
| | | | - Laying Yang
- Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Control of Tropical Agricultural and Forest Invasive Alien Pests, Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, China
| | - Huicai Zeng
- Institute of Tropical Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, China
| | | | | | | | - Guofen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Control of Tropical Agricultural and Forest Invasive Alien Pests, Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, China
| | | | | | | | | | - Changcong Liang
- Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Control of Tropical Agricultural and Forest Invasive Alien Pests, Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, China
| | - Lei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Control of Tropical Agricultural and Forest Invasive Alien Pests, Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Control of Tropical Agricultural and Forest Invasive Alien Pests, Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, China
| | - Chao Mao
- Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Control of Tropical Agricultural and Forest Invasive Alien Pests, Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, China
| | | | - Ming Peng
- Institute of Tropical Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, China
| | - Junsheng Huang
- Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Control of Tropical Agricultural and Forest Invasive Alien Pests, Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, China
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Abstract
Gene transfer has been identified as a prevalent and pervasive phenomenon and an important source of genomic innovation in bacteria. The role of gene transfer in microbial eukaryotes seems to be of a reduced magnitude but in some cases can drive important evolutionary innovations, such as new functions that underpin the colonization of different niches. The aim of this review is to summarize published cases that support the hypothesis that horizontal gene transfer (HGT) has played a role in the evolution of phytopathogenic traits in fungi and oomycetes. Our survey of the literature identifies 46 proposed cases of transfer of genes that have a putative or experimentally demonstrable phytopathogenic function. When considering the life-cycle steps through which a pathogen must progress, the majority of the HGTs identified are associated with invading, degrading, and manipulating the host. Taken together, these data suggest HGT has played a role in shaping how fungi and oomycetes colonize plant hosts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Darren Soanes
- Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QD, United Kingdom;
| | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Van Nguyen T, Kröger C, Bönnighausen J, Schäfer W, Bormann J. The ATF/CREB transcription factor Atf1 is essential for full virulence, deoxynivalenol production, and stress tolerance in the cereal pathogen Fusarium graminearum. MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS : MPMI 2013; 26:1378-1394. [PMID: 23945004 DOI: 10.1094/mpmi-04-13-0125-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Fusarium graminearum is a necrotrophic plant pathogen of cereals that produces mycotoxins such as deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEA) in grains. The stress-activated mitogen-activated protein kinase FgOS-2 is a central regulator in F. graminearum and controls, among others, virulence and DON and ZEA production. Here, we characterized the ATF/CREB-activating transcription factor FgAtf1, a regulator that functions downstream of FgOS-2. We created deletion and overexpression mutants of Fgatf1, the latter being also in an FgOS-2 deletion mutant. FgAtf1 localizes to the nucleus and appears to interact with FgOS-2 under osmotic stress conditions. Deletion mutants in Fgatf1 (ΔFgatf1) are more sensitive to osmotic stress and less sensitive to oxidative stress compared with the wild type. Furthermore, sexual reproduction is delayed. ΔFgatf1 strains produced higher amounts of DON under in vitro induction conditions than that of the wild type. However, during wheat infection, DON production by ΔFgatf1 is strongly reduced. The ΔFgatf1 strains displayed strongly reduced virulence to wheat and maize. Interestingly, constitutive expression of Fgatf1 in the wild type led to hypervirulence on wheat, maize, and Brachypodium distachyon. Moreover, constitutive expression of Fgatf1 in the ΔFgOS-2 mutant background almost complements ΔFgOS-2-phenotypes. These data suggest that FgAtf1 may be the most important transcription factor regulated by FgOS-2.
Collapse
|
36
|
Montibus M, Pinson-Gadais L, Richard-Forget F, Barreau C, Ponts N. Coupling of transcriptional response to oxidative stress and secondary metabolism regulation in filamentous fungi. Crit Rev Microbiol 2013; 41:295-308. [PMID: 24041414 DOI: 10.3109/1040841x.2013.829416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
To survive sudden and potentially lethal changes in their environment, filamentous fungi must sense and respond to a vast array of stresses, including oxidative stresses. The generation of reactive oxygen species, or ROS, is an inevitable aspect of existence under aerobic conditions. In addition, in the case of fungi with pathogenic lifestyles, ROS are produced by the infected hosts and serve as defense weapons via direct toxicity, as well as effectors in fungal cell death mechanisms. Filamentous fungi have thus developed complex and sophisticated responses to evade oxidative killing. Several steps are determinant in these responses, including the activation of transcriptional regulators involved in the control of the antioxidant machinery. Gathering and integrating the most recent advances in knowledge of oxidative stress responses in fungi are the main objectives of this review. Most of the knowledge coming from two models, the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and fungi of the genus Aspergillus, is summarized. Nonetheless, recent information on various other fungi is delivered when available. Finally, special attention is given on the potential link between the functional interaction between oxidative stress and secondary metabolism that has been suggested in recent reports, including the production of mycotoxins.
Collapse
|
37
|
Hulvová H, Galuszka P, Frébortová J, Frébort I. Parasitic fungus Claviceps as a source for biotechnological production of ergot alkaloids. Biotechnol Adv 2013; 31:79-89. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2012.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2011] [Revised: 12/21/2011] [Accepted: 01/05/2012] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
|
38
|
Temme N, Oeser B, Massaroli M, Heller J, Simon A, Collado IG, Viaud M, Tudzynski P. BcAtf1, a global regulator, controls various differentiation processes and phytotoxin production in Botrytis cinerea. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2012; 13:704-18. [PMID: 22293085 PMCID: PMC6638710 DOI: 10.1111/j.1364-3703.2011.00778.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Atf1-homologous basic region leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factors are known to act downstream of the stress-activated mitogen-activated protein kinase (SAPK) cascade in mammals, as well as in several fungi; they regulate the transcription of genes involved in the general stress response. Functional analyses of BcAtf1 in Botrytis cinerea show that it is also connected to the SAPK BcSak1, as it shares several stress response target genes. However, Δbcatf1 mutants are not hypersensitive to osmotic or oxidative stress, as are Δbcsak1 mutants. Both BcSak1 and BcAtf1 are regulators of differentiation, but their roles in these processes are almost inverse as, in contrast with Δbcsak1, Δbcatf1 mutants are significantly impaired in conidia production and do not differentiate any sclerotia. They show extremely vigorous growth in axenic culture, with a thick layer of aerial hyphae and a marked increase in colonization efficiency on different host plants and tissues. In addition, the sensitivity to cell wall-interfering agents is increased strongly. Microarray analyses demonstrate that the loss of BcAtf1 leads to extensive transcriptional changes: apart from stress response genes, the expression of a broad set of genes, probably involved in primary metabolism, cell wall synthesis and development, is affected by BcAtf1. Unexpectedly, BcAtf1 also controls secondary metabolism: the mutant contains significantly elevated levels of phytotoxins. These data indicate that BcAtf1 controls a diversity of cellular processes and has broad regulatory functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nora Temme
- Institut für Biologie und Biotechnologie der Pflanzen, Westf. Wilhelms-Universität, Hindenburgplatz 55, D-48143 Münster, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Van Thuat N, Schäfer W, Bormann J. The stress-activated protein kinase FgOS-2 is a key regulator in the life cycle of the cereal pathogen Fusarium graminearum. MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS : MPMI 2012; 25:1142-1156. [PMID: 22591226 DOI: 10.1094/mpmi-02-12-0047-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Fusarium graminearum is one of the most destructive pathogens of cereals and a threat to food and feed production worldwide. It is an ascomycetous plant pathogen and the causal agent of Fusarium head blight disease in small grain cereals and of cob rot disease in maize. Infection with F. graminearum leads to yield losses and mycotoxin contamination. Zearalenone (ZEA) and deoxynivalenol (DON) are hazardous mycotoxins; the latter is necessary for virulence toward wheat. Deletion mutants of the F. graminearum orthologue of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Hog1 stress-activated protein kinase, FgOS-2 (ΔFgOS-2), showed drastically reduced in planta DON and ZEA production. However, ΔFgOS-2 produced even more DON than the wild type under in vitro conditions, whereas ZEA production was similar to that of the wild type. These deletion strains are dramatically reduced in pathogenicity toward maize and wheat. We constitutively expressed the fluorescent protein dsRed in the deletion strains and the wild type. Microscopic analysis revealed that ΔFgOS-2 is unable to reach the rachis node at the base of wheat spikelets. During vegetative growth, ΔFgOS-2 strains exhibit increased resistance against the phenylpyrrole fludioxonil. Growth of mutant colonies on agar plates supplemented with NaCl is reduced but conidia formation remained unchanged. However, germination of mutant conidia on osmotic media is severely impaired. Germ tubes are swollen and contain multiple nuclei. The deletion mutants completely fail to produce perithecia and ascospores. Furthermore, FgOS-2 also plays a role in reactive oxygen species (ROS)-related signaling. The transcription and activity of fungal catalases is modulated by FgOS-2. Among the genes regulated by FgOS-2, we found a putative calcium-dependent NADPH-oxidase (noxC) and the transcriptional regulator of ROS metabolism, atf1. The present study describes new aspects of stress-activated protein kinase signaling in F. graminearum.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nguyen Van Thuat
- Department of Molecular Phytopathology and Genetics, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Singh S, Braus-Stromeyer SA, Timpner C, Valerius O, von Tiedemann A, Karlovsky P, Druebert C, Polle A, Braus GH. The plant host Brassica napus induces in the pathogen Verticillium longisporum the expression of functional catalase peroxidase which is required for the late phase of disease. MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS : MPMI 2012; 25:569-81. [PMID: 22112218 DOI: 10.1094/mpmi-08-11-0217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The devastating soilborne fungal pathogen Verticillium longisporum is host specific to members of the family Brassicaceae, including oilseed rape (Brassica napus) as the economically most important crop. The fungus infects through the roots and causes stunting and early senescence of susceptible host plants and a marked decrease in crop yield. We show here that V. longisporum reacts to the presence of B. napus xylem sap with the production of six distinct upregulated and eight downregulated proteins visualized by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Identification of 10 proteins by mass spectrometry revealed that all upregulated proteins are involved in oxidative stress response. The V. longisporum catalase peroxidase (VlCPEA) was the most upregulated protein and is encoded by two isogenes, VlcpeA-1 and VlcpeA-2. Both genes are 98% identical, corroborating the diploid or "amphihaploid" status of the fungus. Knock downs of both VlcpeA genes reduced protein expression by 80% and resulted in sensitivity against reactive oxygen species. Whereas saprophytic growth and the initial phase of the plant infection were phenotypically unaffected, the mutants were not able to perform the late phases of disease. We propose that the catalase peroxidase plays a role in protecting the fungus from the oxidative stress generated by the host plant at an advanced phase of the disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seema Singh
- Institut für Mikrobiologie und Genetik, Georg-August Universität, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Scott B, Becker Y, Becker M, Cartwright G. Morphogenesis, Growth, and Development of the Grass Symbiont Epichlöe festucae. TOPICS IN CURRENT GENETICS 2012. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-22916-9_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
|
42
|
Lara-Rojas F, Sánchez O, Kawasaki L, Aguirre J. Aspergillus nidulans transcription factor AtfA interacts with the MAPK SakA to regulate general stress responses, development and spore functions. Mol Microbiol 2011; 80:436-54. [PMID: 21320182 PMCID: PMC3108070 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2011.07581.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/03/2011] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Fungi utilize a phosphorelay system coupled to a MAP kinase module for sensing and processing environmental signals. In Aspergillus nidulans, response regulator SskA transmits osmotic and oxidative stress signals to the stress MAPK (SAPK) SakA. Using a genetic approach together with GFP tagging and molecular bifluorescence we show that SakA and ATF/CREB transcription factor AtfA define a general stress-signalling pathway that plays differential roles in oxidative stress responses during growth and development. AtfA is permanently localized in the nucleus, while SakA accumulates in the nucleus in response to oxidative or osmotic stress signals or during normal spore development, where it physically interacts with AtfA. AtfA is required for expression of several genes, the conidial accumulation of SakA and the viability of conidia. Furthermore, SakA is active (phosphorylated) in asexual spores, remaining phosphorylated in dormant conidia and becoming dephosphorylated during germination. SakA phosphorylation in spores depends on certain (SskA) but not other (SrrA and NikA) components of the phosphorelay system. Constitutive phosphorylation of SakA induced by the fungicide fludioxonil prevents both, germ tube formation and nuclear division. Similarly, Neurospora crassa SakA orthologue OS-2 is phosphorylated in intact conidia and gets dephosphorylated during germination. We propose that SakA-AtfA interaction regulates gene expression during stress and conidiophore development and that SAPK phosphorylation is a conserved mechanism to regulate transitions between non-growing (spore) and growing (mycelia) states.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Lara-Rojas
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Desarrollo, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoApartado Postal 70-242, 04510, México, D.F., México
| | - Olivia Sánchez
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Desarrollo, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoApartado Postal 70-242, 04510, México, D.F., México
| | - Laura Kawasaki
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Desarrollo, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoApartado Postal 70-242, 04510, México, D.F., México
| | - Jesús Aguirre
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Desarrollo, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoApartado Postal 70-242, 04510, México, D.F., México
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Tanabe S, Ishii-Minami N, Saitoh KI, Otake Y, Kaku H, Shibuya N, Nishizawa Y, Minami E. The role of catalase-peroxidase secreted by Magnaporthe oryzae during early infection of rice cells. MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS : MPMI 2011; 24:163-71. [PMID: 21043575 DOI: 10.1094/mpmi-07-10-0175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The biological role of a secretory catalase of the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae was studied. The internal amino acid sequences of the partially purified catalase in the culture filtrate enabled us to identify its encoding gene as a catalase-peroxidase gene, CPXB, among four putative genes for catalase or catalase-peroxidase in M. oryzae. Knockout of the gene drastically reduced the level of catalase activity in the culture filtrate and supernatant of conidial suspension (SCS), and increased the sensitivity to exogenously added H₂O₂ compared with control strains, suggesting that CPXB is the major gene encoding the secretory catalase and confers resistance to H₂O₂ in hyphae. In the mutant, the rate of appressoria that induced accumulation of H₂O₂ in epidermal cells of the leaf sheath increased and infection at early stages was delayed; however, the formation of lesions in the leaf blade was not affected compared with the control strain. These phenotypes were complimented by reintroducing the putative coding regions of CPXB driven by a constitutive promoter. These results suggest that CPXB plays a role in fungal defense against H₂O₂ accumulated in epidermal cells of rice at the early stage of infection but not in pathogenicity of M. oryzae.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shigeru Tanabe
- Division of Plant Sciences, National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, 2-1-2 Kannondai, Tsukuba, 305-8602, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Heller J, Tudzynski P. Reactive oxygen species in phytopathogenic fungi: signaling, development, and disease. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2011; 49:369-90. [PMID: 21568704 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-phyto-072910-095355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 305] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a major role in pathogen-plant interactions: recognition of a pathogen by the plant rapidly triggers the oxidative burst, which is necessary for further defense reactions. The specific role of ROS in pathogen defense is still unclear. Studies on the pathogen so far have focused on the importance of the oxidative stress response (OSR) systems to overcome the oxidative burst or of its avoidance by effectors. This review focuses on the role of ROS for fungal virulence and development. In the recent years, it has become obvious that (a) fungal OSR systems might not have the predicted crucial role in pathogenicity, (b) fungal pathogens, especially necrotrophs, can actively contribute to the ROS level in planta and even take advantage of the host's response, (c) fungi possess superoxide-generating NADPH oxidases similar to mammalian Nox complexes that are important for pathogenicity; however, recent data indicate that they are not directly involved in pathogen-host communication but in fungal differentiation processes that are necessary for virulence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jens Heller
- Molecular Biology and Biotechnology of Fungi, Institute of Biology and Biotechnology of Plants, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Germany.
| | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Shanmugam V, Ronen M, Shalaby S, Larkov O, Rachamim Y, Hadar R, Rose MS, Carmeli S, Horwitz BA, Lev S. The fungal pathogen Cochliobolus heterostrophus responds to maize phenolics: novel small molecule signals in a plant-fungal interaction. Cell Microbiol 2010; 12:1421-34. [PMID: 20438575 DOI: 10.1111/j.1462-5822.2010.01479.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The transcription factor ChAP1 of the fungal pathogen of maize, Cochliobolus heterostrophus, responds to oxidative stress by migration to the nucleus and activation of antioxidant genes. Phenolic and related compounds found naturally in the host also trigger nuclear localization of ChAP1, but only slight upregulation of some antioxidant genes. ChAP1 thus senses phenolic compounds without triggering a strong antioxidant response. We therefore searched for genes whose expression is regulated by phenolic compounds and/or ChAP1. The C. heterostrophus genome contains a cluster of genes for metabolism of phenolics. One such gene, catechol dioxygenase CCHD1, was induced at least 10-fold by caffeic and coumaric acids. At high phenolic concentrations (≥ 1.6 mM), ChAP1 is needed for maximum CCHD1 expression. At micromolar levels of phenolics CCHD1 is as strongly induced in chap1 mutants as in the wild type. The pathogen thus detects phenolics by at least two signalling pathways: one causing nuclear retention of ChAP1, and another triggering induction of CCHD1 expression. The low concentrations required for induction of CCHD1 indicate fungal receptors for plant phenolics. Symbiotic and pathogenic bacteria are known to detect phenolics, and our findings generalize this to a eukaryotic pathogen. Phenolics and related compounds thus provide a ubiquitous plant-derived signal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Veerubommu Shanmugam
- Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Guo M, Guo W, Chen Y, Dong S, Zhang X, Zhang H, Song W, Wang W, Wang Q, Lv R, Zhang Z, Wang Y, Zheng X. The basic leucine zipper transcription factor Moatf1 mediates oxidative stress responses and is necessary for full virulence of the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae. MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS : MPMI 2010; 23:1053-1068. [PMID: 20615116 DOI: 10.1094/mpmi-23-8-1053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Magnaporthe oryzae is the causal agent of rice blast disease, leading to enormous losses of rice production. Here, we characterized a basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor, Moatf1, in M. oryzae, a homolog of Schizosaccharomyces pombe ATF/CREB that regulates the oxidative stress response. Moatf1 deletion caused retarded vegetative growth of mycelia, and the Moatf1 mutant exhibited higher sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) than did the wild-type strain. The mutant showed severely reduced activity of extracellular enzymes and transcription level of laccases and peroxidases and exhibited significantly reduced virulence on rice cultivar CO-39. On rice leaf sheath, most of the infectious hyphae of the mutant became swollen and displayed restricted growth in primary infected cells. Defense response was strongly activated in plants infected by the mutant. Diamino benzidine staining revealed an accumulation of H(2)O(2) around Moatf1 mutant appressoria and rice cells with Moatf1 hyphae that was absent in the wild type. Inhibition of the plant NADPH oxidase by diphenyleneiodonium prevented host-derived H(2)O(2) accumulation and restored infectious hyphal growth of the mutant in rice cells. Thus, we conclude that Moatf1 is necessary for full virulence of M. oryzae by regulating the transcription of laccases and peroxidases to impair reactive oxygen species-mediated plant defense.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Min Guo
- Department of Plant Pathology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Abstract
Production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a hallmark of successful recognition of infection and activation of plant defenses. ROS play multifaceted signaling functions mediating the establishment of multiple responses and can act as local toxins. Controversy surrounds the origin of these ROS. Several enzymatic mechanisms, among them a plasma membrane NADPH oxidase and cell wall peroxidases, can be responsible for the ROS detected in the apoplast. However, high levels of ROS from metabolic origins and/or from downregulation of ROS-scavenging systems can also accumulate in different compartments of the plant cell. This compartmentalization could contribute to the specific functions attributed to ROS. Additionally, ROS interact with other signals and phytohormones, which could explain the variety of different scenarios where ROS signaling plays an important part. Interestingly, pathogens have developed ways to alter ROS accumulation or signaling to modify plant defenses. Although ROS have been mainly associated with pathogen attack, ROS are also detected in other biotic interactions including beneficial symbiotic interactions with bacteria or mycorrhiza, suggesting that ROS production is a common feature of different biotic interactions. Here, we present a comprehensive review describing the newer views in ROS signaling and function during biotic stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Angel Torres
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas (UPM, INIA), Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Agrónomos, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Campus Montegancedo, Autopista M40 Km 38, Pozuelo de Alarcón, 28223, Madrid, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Kim KH, Willger SD, Park SW, Puttikamonkul S, Grahl N, Cho Y, Mukhopadhyay B, Cramer RA, Lawrence CB. TmpL, a transmembrane protein required for intracellular redox homeostasis and virulence in a plant and an animal fungal pathogen. PLoS Pathog 2009; 5:e1000653. [PMID: 19893627 PMCID: PMC2766074 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1000653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2009] [Accepted: 10/13/2009] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The regulation of intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is critical for developmental differentiation and virulence of many pathogenic fungi. In this report we demonstrate that a novel transmembrane protein, TmpL, is necessary for regulation of intracellular ROS levels and tolerance to external ROS, and is required for infection of plants by the necrotroph Alternaria brassicicola and for infection of mammals by the human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. In both fungi, tmpL encodes a predicted hybrid membrane protein containing an AMP-binding domain, six putative transmembrane domains, and an experimentally-validated FAD/NAD(P)-binding domain. Localization and gene expression analyses in A. brassicicola indicated that TmpL is associated with the Woronin body, a specialized peroxisome, and strongly expressed during conidiation and initial invasive growth in planta. A. brassicicola and A. fumigatus ΔtmpL strains exhibited abnormal conidiogenesis, accelerated aging, enhanced oxidative burst during conidiation, and hypersensitivity to oxidative stress when compared to wild-type or reconstituted strains. Moreover, A. brassicicola ΔtmpL strains, although capable of initial penetration, exhibited dramatically reduced invasive growth on Brassicas and Arabidopsis. Similarly, an A. fumigatus ΔtmpL mutant was dramatically less virulent than the wild-type and reconstituted strains in a murine model of invasive aspergillosis. Constitutive expression of the A. brassicicola yap1 ortholog in an A. brassicicola ΔtmpL strain resulted in high expression levels of genes associated with oxidative stress tolerance. Overexpression of yap1 in the ΔtmpL background complemented the majority of observed developmental phenotypic changes and partially restored virulence on plants. Yap1-GFP fusion strains utilizing the native yap1 promoter exhibited constitutive nuclear localization in the A. brassicicola ΔtmpL background. Collectively, we have discovered a novel protein involved in the virulence of both plant and animal fungal pathogens. Our results strongly suggest that dysregulation of oxidative stress homeostasis in the absence of TmpL is the underpinning cause of the developmental and virulence defects observed in these studies. The critical roles of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in fungal development and virulence have been well established over the past half a century since the first experimental detection of hydrogen peroxide in fungal cells by Bach (1950). In the cell, ROS act as signaling molecules regulating physiological responses and developmental processes and are also involved in sophisticated virulence processes for many pathogenic fungi. Therefore, uncovering the biological roles of cellular ROS appears to be very important in understanding fungal development and virulence. Currently we have limited knowledge of how intracellular ROS are generated by fungal cells and which cellular ROS regulatory mechanisms are involved in establishing homeostasis. In this study we describe a novel protein, TmpL, involved in development and virulence in both plant and animal pathogenic fungi. In the absence of TmpL, dysregulation of oxidative stress homeostasis in both fungi caused developmental and virulence defects. Therefore, elucidating the role of TmpL presents an opportunity to uncover a common pathogenicity mechanism employed by both plant and animal pathogens and to develop efficient and novel therapeutics for both plant and animal fungal disease. Our findings provide new insights into mechanisms underlying the complex web of interactions between ROS and cell differentiation and the involvement of ROS for both plant and animal fungal pathogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kwang-Hyung Kim
- Virginia Bioinformatics Institute and Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Sven D. Willger
- Department of Veterinary Molecular Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
| | - Sang-Wook Park
- Virginia Bioinformatics Institute and Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Srisombat Puttikamonkul
- Department of Veterinary Molecular Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
| | - Nora Grahl
- Department of Veterinary Molecular Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
| | - Yangrae Cho
- Department of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America
| | - Biswarup Mukhopadhyay
- Virginia Bioinformatics Institute and Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Robert A. Cramer
- Department of Veterinary Molecular Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
- * E-mail: (RAC); (CBL)
| | - Christopher B. Lawrence
- Virginia Bioinformatics Institute and Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
- * E-mail: (RAC); (CBL)
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Tanabe S, Nishizawa Y, Minami E. Effects of catalase on the accumulation of H(2)O(2) in rice cells inoculated with rice blast fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2009; 137:148-154. [PMID: 19719483 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-3054.2009.01272.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Roles of H(2)O(2) in the infection process of Magnaporthe oryzae on rice were investigated. In a leaf sheath assay for up to 48 h post-inoculation, the absence or presence of catalase in the conidia suspension was correlated with the level of accumulated H(2)O(2) in infected leaf cells, as observed by staining with 3',3-diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride. In the incompatible interaction, the appearance of autofluorescence or frequency of cell death characterized by granulation (symptoms characteristic of hypersensitive responses) was not significantly affected by the presence of catalase in the conidia suspension. In the leaf blade assay, inoculation of compatible conidia in the presence of catalase produced more severe symptoms than that of conidia in the absence of catalase at 6 days post-inoculation. These results suggest that, in this host-parasite interaction, the primary role of host-produced H(2)O(2) is in limiting hyphal growth after penetration through toxic action. Furthermore, in incompatible interactions, H(2)O(2) is implied not to be a major mediator of hypersensitive cell death.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shigeru Tanabe
- Division of Plant Sciences, National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Kannondai, Tsukuba, Japan
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Oeser B, Beaussart F, Haarmann T, Lorenz N, Nathues E, Rolke Y, Scheffer J, Weiner J, Tudzynski P. Expressed sequence tags from the flower pathogen Claviceps purpurea. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2009; 10:665-84. [PMID: 19694956 PMCID: PMC6640482 DOI: 10.1111/j.1364-3703.2009.00560.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
SUMMARY The ascomycete Claviceps purpurea (ergot) is a biotrophic flower pathogen of rye and other grasses. The deleterious toxic effects of infected rye seeds on humans and grazing animals have been known since the Middle Ages. To gain further insight into the molecular basis of this disease, we generated about 10 000 expressed sequence tags (ESTs)-about 25% originating from axenic fungal culture and about 75% from tissues collected 6-20 days after infection of rye spikes. The pattern of axenic vs. in planta gene expression was compared. About 200 putative plant genes were identified within the in planta library. A high percentage of these were predicted to function in plant defence against the ergot fungus and other pathogens, for example pathogenesis-related proteins. Potential fungal pathogenicity and virulence genes were found via comparison with the pathogen-host interaction database (PHI-base; http://www.phi-base.org) and with genes known to be highly expressed in the haustoria of the bean rust fungus. Comparative analysis of Claviceps and two other fungal flower pathogens (necrotrophic Fusarium graminearum and biotrophic Ustilago maydis) highlighted similarities and differences in their lifestyles, for example all three fungi have signalling components and cell wall-degrading enzymes in their arsenal. In summary, the analysis of axenic and in planta ESTs yielded a collection of candidate genes to be evaluated for functional roles in this plant-microbe interaction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Birgitt Oeser
- Institut für Botanik, Westf. Wilhelms Universität Münster, Schlossgarten 3, D 48149 Münster, Germany.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|