1
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Lambou K, Tag A, Lassagne A, Collemare J, Clergeot PH, Barbisan C, Perret P, Tharreau D, Millazo J, Chartier E, De Vries RP, Hirsch J, Morel JB, Beffa R, Kroj T, Thomas T, Lebrun MH. The bZIP transcription factor BIP1 of the rice blast fungus is essential for infection and regulates a specific set of appressorium genes. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1011945. [PMID: 38252628 PMCID: PMC10833574 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae differentiates specialized cells called appressoria that are required for fungal penetration into host leaves. In this study, we identified the novel basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor BIP1 (B-ZIP Involved in Pathogenesis-1) that is essential for pathogenicity. BIP1 is required for the infection of plant leaves, even if they are wounded, but not for appressorium-mediated penetration of artificial cellophane membranes. This phenotype suggests that BIP1 is not implicated in the differentiation of the penetration peg but is necessary for the initial establishment of the fungus within plant cells. BIP1 expression was restricted to the appressorium by both transcriptional and post-transcriptional control. Genome-wide transcriptome analysis showed that 40 genes were down regulated in a BIP1 deletion mutant. Most of these genes were specifically expressed in the appressorium. They encode proteins with pathogenesis-related functions such as enzymes involved in secondary metabolism including those encoded by the ACE1 gene cluster, small secreted proteins such as SLP2, BAS2, BAS3, and AVR-Pi9 effectors, as well as plant cuticle and cell wall degrading enzymes. Interestingly, this BIP1 network is different from other known infection-related regulatory networks, highlighting the complexity of gene expression control during plant-fungal interactions. Promoters of BIP1-regulated genes shared a GCN4/bZIP-binding DNA motif (TGACTC) binding in vitro to BIP1. Mutation of this motif in the promoter of MGG_08381.7 from the ACE1 gene cluster abolished its appressorium-specific expression, showing that BIP1 behaves as a transcriptional activator. In summary, our findings demonstrate that BIP1 is critical for the expression of early invasion-related genes in appressoria. These genes are likely needed for biotrophic invasion of the first infected host cell, but not for the penetration process itself. Through these mechanisms, the blast fungus strategically anticipates the host plant environment and responses during appressorium-mediated penetration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karine Lambou
- CNRS-Bayer Crop Science, UMR 5240 MAP, Lyon, France
- Plant Health Institute of Montpellier (PHIM), Montpellier University, INRAE, CIRAD, Institut Agro, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Andrew Tag
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University. College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Alexandre Lassagne
- Plant Health Institute of Montpellier (PHIM), Montpellier University, INRAE, CIRAD, Institut Agro, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Jérôme Collemare
- CNRS-Bayer Crop Science, UMR 5240 MAP, Lyon, France
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Pierre-Henri Clergeot
- CNRS-Bayer Crop Science, UMR 5240 MAP, Lyon, France
- ASP Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Dijon, France
| | | | - Philippe Perret
- Biochemistry Department, Bayer Crop Science SAS, Lyon, France
- Bayer S.A.S. Crop Science Division Global Toxicology- Sophia Antipolis Cedex, France
| | - Didier Tharreau
- Plant Health Institute of Montpellier (PHIM), Montpellier University, INRAE, CIRAD, Institut Agro, IRD, Montpellier, France
- Plant Health Institute of Montpellier (PHIM), CIRAD, Montpellier, France
| | - Joelle Millazo
- Plant Health Institute of Montpellier (PHIM), Montpellier University, INRAE, CIRAD, Institut Agro, IRD, Montpellier, France
- Plant Health Institute of Montpellier (PHIM), CIRAD, Montpellier, France
| | - Elia Chartier
- Plant Health Institute of Montpellier (PHIM), Montpellier University, INRAE, CIRAD, Institut Agro, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Ronald P. De Vries
- Fungal Physiology, Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute & Fungal Molecular Physiology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Judith Hirsch
- Plant Health Institute of Montpellier (PHIM), Montpellier University, INRAE, CIRAD, Institut Agro, IRD, Montpellier, France
- Pathologie Végétale, INRAE, Montfavet, France
| | - Jean-Benoit Morel
- Plant Health Institute of Montpellier (PHIM), Montpellier University, INRAE, CIRAD, Institut Agro, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Roland Beffa
- Biochemistry Department, Bayer Crop Science SAS, Lyon, France
| | - Thomas Kroj
- Plant Health Institute of Montpellier (PHIM), Montpellier University, INRAE, CIRAD, Institut Agro, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Terry Thomas
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University. College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Marc-Henri Lebrun
- CNRS-Bayer Crop Science, UMR 5240 MAP, Lyon, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, UR 1290 BIOGER, Palaiseau, France
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2
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Shen S, Zhang C, Meng Y, Cui G, Wang Y, Liu X, He Q. Sensing of H2O2-induced oxidative stress by the UPF factor complex is crucial for activation of catalase-3 expression in Neurospora. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010985. [PMID: 37844074 PMCID: PMC10578600 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
UPF-1-UPF-2-UPF-3 complex-orchestrated nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is a well-characterized eukaryotic cellular surveillance mechanism that not only degrades aberrant transcripts to protect the integrity of the transcriptome but also eliminates normal transcripts to facilitate appropriate cellular responses to physiological and environmental changes. Here, we describe the multifaceted regulatory roles of the Neurospora crassa UPF complex in catalase-3 (cat-3) gene expression, which is essential for scavenging H2O2-induced oxidative stress. First, losing UPF proteins markedly slowed down the decay rate of cat-3 mRNA. Second, UPF proteins indirectly attenuated the transcriptional activity of cat-3 gene by boosting the decay of cpc-1 and ngf-1 mRNAs, which encode a well-studied transcription factor and a histone acetyltransferase, respectively. Further study showed that under oxidative stress condition, UPF proteins were degraded, followed by increased CPC-1 and NGF-1 activity, finally activating cat-3 expression to resist oxidative stress. Together, our data illustrate a sophisticated regulatory network of the cat-3 gene mediated by the UPF complex under physiological and H2O2-induced oxidative stress conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuangjie Shen
- MOA Key Laboratory of Soil Microbiology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Chengcheng Zhang
- MOA Key Laboratory of Soil Microbiology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuanhao Meng
- MOA Key Laboratory of Soil Microbiology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Guofei Cui
- MOA Key Laboratory of Soil Microbiology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Wang
- MOA Key Laboratory of Soil Microbiology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qun He
- MOA Key Laboratory of Soil Microbiology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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3
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Li L, Zhu XM, Zhang YR, Cai YY, Wang JY, Liu MY, Wang JY, Bao JD, Lin FC. Research on the Molecular Interaction Mechanism between Plants and Pathogenic Fungi. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094658. [PMID: 35563048 PMCID: PMC9104627 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Plant diseases caused by fungi are one of the major threats to global food security and understanding the interactions between fungi and plants is of great significance for plant disease control. The interaction between pathogenic fungi and plants is a complex process. From the perspective of pathogenic fungi, pathogenic fungi are involved in the regulation of pathogenicity by surface signal recognition proteins, MAPK signaling pathways, transcription factors, and pathogenic factors in the process of infecting plants. From the perspective of plant immunity, the signal pathway of immune response, the signal transduction pathway that induces plant immunity, and the function of plant cytoskeleton are the keys to studying plant resistance. In this review, we summarize the current research progress of fungi–plant interactions from multiple aspects and discuss the prospects and challenges of phytopathogenic fungi and their host interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Li
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Treats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China; (L.L.); (X.-M.Z.); (J.-Y.W.); (J.-D.B.)
| | - Xue-Ming Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Treats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China; (L.L.); (X.-M.Z.); (J.-Y.W.); (J.-D.B.)
| | - Yun-Ran Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Treats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (Y.-R.Z.); (Y.-Y.C.); (J.-Y.W.); (M.-Y.L.)
| | - Ying-Ying Cai
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Treats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (Y.-R.Z.); (Y.-Y.C.); (J.-Y.W.); (M.-Y.L.)
| | - Jing-Yi Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Treats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (Y.-R.Z.); (Y.-Y.C.); (J.-Y.W.); (M.-Y.L.)
| | - Meng-Yu Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Treats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (Y.-R.Z.); (Y.-Y.C.); (J.-Y.W.); (M.-Y.L.)
| | - Jiao-Yu Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Treats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China; (L.L.); (X.-M.Z.); (J.-Y.W.); (J.-D.B.)
| | - Jian-Dong Bao
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Treats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China; (L.L.); (X.-M.Z.); (J.-Y.W.); (J.-D.B.)
| | - Fu-Cheng Lin
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Treats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China; (L.L.); (X.-M.Z.); (J.-Y.W.); (J.-D.B.)
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Treats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (Y.-R.Z.); (Y.-Y.C.); (J.-Y.W.); (M.-Y.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-571-88404007
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4
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Systematic Characterization of bZIP Transcription Factors Required for Development and Aflatoxin Generation by High-Throughput Gene Knockout in Aspergillus flavus. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8040356. [PMID: 35448587 PMCID: PMC9031554 DOI: 10.3390/jof8040356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The basic leucine zipper (bZIP) is an important transcription factor required for fungal development, nutrient utilization, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, and defense against various stresses. Aspergillus flavus is a major producer of aflatoxin and an opportunistic fungus on a wide range of hosts. However, little is known about the role of most bZIP genes in A. flavus. In this study, we developed a high-throughput gene knockout method based on an Agrobacterium-mediated transformation system. Gene knockout construction by yeast recombinational cloning and screening of the null mutants by double fluorescence provides an efficient way to construct gene-deleted mutants for this multinucleate fungus. We deleted 15 bZIP genes in A. flavus. Twelve of these genes were identified and characterized in this strain for the first time. The phenotypic analysis of these mutants showed that the 15 bZIP genes play a diverse role in mycelial growth (eight genes), conidiation (13 genes), aflatoxin biosynthesis (10 genes), oxidative stress response (11 genes), cell wall stress (five genes), osmotic stress (three genes), acid and alkali stress (four genes), and virulence to kernels (nine genes). Impressively, all 15 genes were involved in the development of sclerotia, and the respective deletion mutants of five of them did not produce sclerotia. Moreover, MetR was involved in this biological process. In addition, HapX and MetR play important roles in the adaptation to excessive iron and sulfur metabolism, respectively. These studies provide comprehensive insights into the role of bZIP transcription factors in this aflatoxigenic fungus of global significance.
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Zhang J, Li L, Yang Y, Zhao C, Hu J, Xue X, Gao Q, Wang D, Zhuang Z, Zhang Y. Deletion and Overexpression of the AnOTAbzip Gene, a Positive Regulator of Ochratoxin A Biosynthesis in Aspergillus niger. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2022; 70:2169-2178. [PMID: 35143724 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.1c08160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The ochratoxin A (OTA) biosynthetic gene cluster includes a bZIP transcription factor (TF) gene (OTAbzip) that has been identified in different fungal species. However, most previous studies identified the OTAbzip gene in ochratoxigenic fungi using bioinformatics methods, while few studies focused on deleting the gene, let alone overexpressing it, to characterize the function of the OTAbZIP TF. Here, we characterized the AnOTAbZIP TF in an ochratoxigenic isolate of Aspergillus niger by deleting and overexpressing the AnOTAbzip gene and examining the role of AnOTAbZIP in morphological development, OTA biosynthesis, and pathogenicity. Chemical and gene expression analyses revealed that AnOTAbZIP positively regulates OTA biosynthesis, since the loss of OTA production and the downregulation of the OTA biosynthetic genes were observed in the ΔAnOTAbzip strain, compared with the wild-type (WT) and OE::AnOTAbzip strains. In terms of pathogenicity, the ΔAnOTAbzip strain produced a greater lesion on grape berries, especially with respect to the OE::AnOTAbzip strain, rather than WT. Finally, the ΔAnOTAbzip strain was also more tolerant to oxidative stress with respect to the OE::AnOTAbzip and WT strains in that order. These new findings improve our understanding of the AnOTAbZIP regulatory mechanism and help develop strategies to attenuate plant pathogenicity and reduce OTA biosynthesis of A. niger.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Zhang
- College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Linlin Li
- College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Yan Yang
- College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Chaofan Zhao
- College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Jiuju Hu
- College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Xianli Xue
- College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Qiang Gao
- College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Depei Wang
- College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Zhenhong Zhuang
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
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6
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Qian X, Jin H, Chen Z, Dai Q, Sarsaiya S, Qin Y, Jia Q, Jin L, Chen J. Comparative Transcriptome Analysis of Genes Involved in Sesquiterpene Alkaloid Biosynthesis in Trichoderma longibrachiatum MD33 and UN32. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:800125. [PMID: 34975823 PMCID: PMC8714885 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.800125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Trichoderma longibrachiatum MD33, a sesquiterpene alkaloid-producing endophyte isolated from Dendrobium nobile, shows potential medical and industrial applications. To understand the molecular mechanisms of sesquiterpene alkaloids production, a comparative transcriptome analysis was performed on strain MD33 and its positive mutant UN32, which was created using Ultraviolet (UV) mutagenesis and nitrogen ion (N+) implantation. The alkaloid production of UN32 was 2.62 times more than that of MD33. One thousand twenty-four differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including 519 up-regulated and 505 down-regulated genes, were identified. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis revealed 139 GO terms and 87 biosynthesis pathways. Dendrobine, arguably the main sesquiterpene alkaloid the strain MD33 produced, might start synthesis through the mevalonate (MVA) pathway. Several MVA pathway enzyme-coding genes (hydroxy-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase, mevalonate kinase, and farnesyl diphosphate synthase) were found to be differentially expressed, suggesting that physical mutagenesis can disrupt genome integrity and gene expression. Some backbone post-modification enzymes and transcript factors were either discovered, suggesting the sesquiterpene alkaloid metabolism in T. longibrachiatum is a complex genetic network. Our findings help to shed light on the underlying molecular regulatory mechanism of sesquiterpene alkaloids production in T. longibrachiatum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Qian
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China.,Bioresource Institute for Healthy Utilization, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Hui Jin
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhuojun Chen
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qingqing Dai
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
| | - Surendra Sarsaiya
- Bioresource Institute for Healthy Utilization, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Yitong Qin
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qi Jia
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China.,Bioresource Institute for Healthy Utilization, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Leilei Jin
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jishuang Chen
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China.,Bioresource Institute for Healthy Utilization, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
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7
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He Q, Zhou T, Sun J, Wang P, Yang C, Bai L, Liu Z. Transcriptome Profiles of Leaves and Roots of Goldenrain Tree ( Koelreuteria paniculata Laxm.) in Response to Cadmium Stress. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182212046. [PMID: 34831798 PMCID: PMC8621797 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182212046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) pollution is a widespread environmental problem. In this study, we explored the transcriptome and biochemical responses of goldenrain tree (Koelreuteria paniculata Laxm.) leaves and roots to Cd stress. Leaf and root growth decreased substantially under Cd stress (50 mg/L CdCl2), but leaf and root antioxidant mechanisms were significantly activated. In RNA-seq analysis, roots treated with 25 mg/L CdCl2 featured enriched GO terms in cellular components related to intracellular ribonucleoprotein complex, ribonucleoprotein complex, and macromolecular complex. In leaves under Cd stress, most differentially expressed genes were enriched in the cellular component terms intrinsic component of membrane and membrane part. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis and analysis of module–trait relations revealed candidate genes associated with superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA). Ten transcription factors responded to Cd stress expression, including those in C2H2, MYB, WRKY, and bZIP families. Transcriptomic analysis of goldenrain tree revealed that Cd stress rapidly induced the intracellular ribonucleoprotein complex in the roots and the intrinsic component of membrane in the leaves. The results also indicate directions for further analyses of molecular mechanisms of Cd tolerance and accumulation in goldenrain tree.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qihao He
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China
| | - Tao Zhou
- College of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China
| | - Jikang Sun
- College of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China
| | - Ping Wang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China
| | - Chunping Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Petrochemcial Process and Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Maoming 525000, China
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University and Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Lei Bai
- College of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China
| | - Zhiming Liu
- Department of Biology, Eastern New Mexico University, Portales, NM 88130, USA
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8
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Bákány B, Yin WB, Dienes B, Nagy T, Leiter É, Emri T, Keller NP, Pócsi I. Study on the bZIP-Type Transcription Factors NapA and RsmA in the Regulation of Intracellular Reactive Species Levels and Sterigmatocystin Production of Aspergillus nidulans. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:11577. [PMID: 34769008 PMCID: PMC8583795 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factors play a crucial role in the environmental stress response of eukaryotes. In this work, we studied the effect of gene manipulations, including both deletions and overexpressions, of two selected bZIP transcription factors, NapA and RsmA, in the oxidative stress response and sterigmatocystin production of Aspergillus nidulans. We found that NapA was important in the oxidative stress response by negatively regulating intracellular reactive species production and positively regulating catalase activities, whereas RsmA slightly negatively regulated catalase activities. Concerning sterigmatocystin production, the highest concentration was measured in the ΔrsmAΔnapA double deletion mutant, but elevated sterigmatocystin production was also found in the OErsmA OEnapA strain. Our results indicate that NapA influences sterigmatocystin production via regulating reactive species level whereas RsmA modulates toxin production independently of the redox regulation of the cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernadett Bákány
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (B.B.); (T.E.); (I.P.)
- Doctoral School of Molecular Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4010 Debrecen, Hungary
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4010 Debrecen, Hungary;
| | - Wen-Bing Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China;
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA;
| | - Beatrix Dienes
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4010 Debrecen, Hungary;
| | - Tibor Nagy
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary;
| | - Éva Leiter
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (B.B.); (T.E.); (I.P.)
| | - Tamás Emri
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (B.B.); (T.E.); (I.P.)
| | - Nancy P. Keller
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA;
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - István Pócsi
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (B.B.); (T.E.); (I.P.)
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9
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Huang L, Li X, Dong L, Wang B, Pan L. Profiling of chromatin accessibility identifies transcription factor binding sites across the genome of Aspergillus species. BMC Biol 2021; 19:189. [PMID: 34488759 PMCID: PMC8419926 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-021-01114-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The identification of open chromatin regions and transcription factor binding sites (TFBs) is an important step in understanding the regulation of gene expression in diverse species. ATAC-seq is a technique used for such purpose by providing high-resolution measurements of chromatin accessibility revealed through integration of Tn5 transposase. However, the existence of cell walls in filamentous fungi and associated difficulty in purifying nuclei have precluded the routine application of this technique, leading to a lack of experimentally determined and computationally inferred data on the identity of genome-wide cis-regulatory elements (CREs) and TFBs. In this study, we constructed an ATAC-seq platform suitable for filamentous fungi and generated ATAC-seq libraries of Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus oryzae grown under a variety of conditions. Results We applied the ATAC-seq assay for filamentous fungi to delineate the syntenic orthologue and differentially changed chromatin accessibility regions among different Aspergillus species, during different culture conditions, and among specific TF-deleted strains. The syntenic orthologues of accessible regions were responsible for the conservative functions across Aspergillus species, while regions differentially changed between culture conditions and TFs mutants drove differential gene expression programs. Importantly, we suggest criteria to determine TFBs through the analysis of unbalanced cleavage of distinct TF-bound DNA strands by Tn5 transposase. Based on this criterion, we constructed data libraries of the in vivo genomic footprint of A. niger under distinct conditions, and generated a database of novel transcription factor binding motifs through comparison of footprints in TF-deleted strains. Furthermore, we validated the novel TFBs in vivo through an artificial synthetic minimal promoter system. Conclusions We characterized the chromatin accessibility regions of filamentous fungi species, and identified a complete TFBs map by ATAC-seq, which provides valuable data for future analyses of transcriptional regulation in filamentous fungi. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12915-021-01114-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianggang Huang
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Xuejie Li
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Liangbo Dong
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Bin Wang
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, China. .,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fermentation and Enzyme Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
| | - Li Pan
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, China. .,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fermentation and Enzyme Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
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10
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John E, Singh KB, Oliver RP, Tan K. Transcription factor control of virulence in phytopathogenic fungi. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2021; 22:858-881. [PMID: 33973705 PMCID: PMC8232033 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.13056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan John
- Centre for Crop and Disease ManagementCurtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
- School of Molecular and Life SciencesCurtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Karam B. Singh
- Agriculture and FoodCommonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research OrganisationFloreatWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Richard P. Oliver
- School of Molecular and Life SciencesCurtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Kar‐Chun Tan
- Centre for Crop and Disease ManagementCurtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
- School of Molecular and Life SciencesCurtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
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11
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Muñoz-Guzmán F, Caballero V, Larrondo LF. A global search for novel transcription factors impacting the Neurospora crassa circadian clock. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2021; 11:jkab100. [PMID: 33792687 PMCID: PMC8495738 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkab100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Eukaryotic circadian oscillators share a common circuit architecture, a negative feedback loop in which a positive element activates the transcription of a negative one that then represses the action of the former, inhibiting its own expression. While studies in mammals and insects have revealed additional transcriptional inputs modulating the expression of core clock components, this has been less characterized in the model Neurospora crassa, where the participation of other transcriptional components impacting circadian clock dynamics remains rather unexplored. Thus, we sought to identify additional transcriptional regulators modulating the N. crassa clock, following a reverse genetic screen based on luminescent circadian reporters and a collection of transcription factors (TFs) knockouts, successfully covering close to 60% of them. Besides the canonical core clock components WC-1 and -2, none of the tested transcriptional regulators proved to be essential for rhythmicity. Nevertheless, we identified a set of 23 TFs that when absent lead to discrete, but significant, changes in circadian period. While the current level of analysis does not provide mechanistic information about how these new players modulate circadian parameters, the results of this screen reveal that an important number of light and clock-regulated TFs, involved in a plethora of processes, are capable of modulating the clockworks. This partial reverse genetic clock screen also exemplifies how the N. crassa knockout collection continues to serve as an expedite platform to address broad biological questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Muñoz-Guzmán
- ANID—Millennium Science Initiative Program—Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), Santiago 8331150, Chile
- Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile
| | - Valeria Caballero
- Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile
| | - Luis F Larrondo
- ANID—Millennium Science Initiative Program—Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), Santiago 8331150, Chile
- Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile
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12
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Khalid AR, Zhang S, Luo X, Shaheen H, Majeed A, Maqbool M, Zahid N, Rahim J, Ren M, Qiu D. Functional Analysis of Autophagy-Related Gene ATG12 in Potato Dry Rot Fungus Fusarium oxysporum. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22094932. [PMID: 34066497 PMCID: PMC8125257 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is an intracellular process in all eukaryotes which is responsible for the degradation of cytoplasmic constituents, recycling of organelles, and recycling of proteins. It is an important cellular process responsible for the effective virulence of several pathogenic plant fungal strains, having critical impacts on important crop plants including potatoes. However, the detailed physiological mechanisms of autophagy involved in the infection biology of soil-borne pathogens in the potato crop needs to be investigated further. In this study, the autophagy-related gene, FoATG12, in potato dry rot fungus Fusarium oxysporum was investigated by means of target gene replacement and overexpression. The deletion mutant ∆FoATG12 showed reduction in conidial formation and exhibited impaired aerial hyphae. The FoATG12 affected the expression of genes involved in pathogenicity and vegetative growth, as well as on morphology features of the colony under stressors. It was found that the disease symptoms were delayed upon being inoculated by the deletion mutant of FoATG12 compared to the wild-type (WT) and overexpression (OE), while the deletion mutant showed the disease symptoms on tomato plants. The results confirmed the significant role of the autophagy-related ATG12 gene in the production of aerial hyphae and the effective virulence of F. oxysporum in the potato crop. The current findings provid an enhanced gene-level understanding of the autophagy-related virulence of F. oxysporum, which could be helpful in pathogen control research and could have vital impacts on the potato crop.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Rehman Khalid
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China; (X.L.); (M.R.)
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Poonch Rawalakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir 12350, Pakistan
- Correspondence: (A.R.K.); (D.Q.)
| | - Shumin Zhang
- School of Preclinical Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong 637000, China;
| | - Xiumei Luo
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China; (X.L.); (M.R.)
| | - Hamayun Shaheen
- Department of Botany, University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Muzaffarabad 13100, Pakistan;
| | - Afshan Majeed
- Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Poonch Rawalakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir 12350, Pakistan;
| | - Mehdi Maqbool
- Department of Horticulture, University of Poonch Rawalakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir 12350, Pakistan; (M.M.); (N.Z.)
| | - Noosheen Zahid
- Department of Horticulture, University of Poonch Rawalakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir 12350, Pakistan; (M.M.); (N.Z.)
| | - Junaid Rahim
- Department of Entomology, University of Poonch Rawalakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir 12350, Pakistan;
| | - Maozhi Ren
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China; (X.L.); (M.R.)
| | - Dan Qiu
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China; (X.L.); (M.R.)
- Correspondence: (A.R.K.); (D.Q.)
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13
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Lenz AR, Galán-Vásquez E, Balbinot E, de Abreu FP, Souza de Oliveira N, da Rosa LO, de Avila e Silva S, Camassola M, Dillon AJP, Perez-Rueda E. Gene Regulatory Networks of Penicillium echinulatum 2HH and Penicillium oxalicum 114-2 Inferred by a Computational Biology Approach. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:588263. [PMID: 33193246 PMCID: PMC7652724 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.588263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Penicillium echinulatum 2HH and Penicillium oxalicum 114-2 are well-known cellulase fungal producers. However, few studies addressing global mechanisms for gene regulation of these two important organisms are available so far. A recent finding that the 2HH wild-type is closely related to P. oxalicum leads to a combined study of these two species. Firstly, we provide a global gene regulatory network for P. echinulatum 2HH and P. oxalicum 114-2, based on TF-TG orthology relationships, considering three related species with well-known regulatory interactions combined with TFBSs prediction. The network was then analyzed in terms of topology, identifying TFs as hubs, and modules. Based on this approach, we explore numerous identified modules, such as the expression of cellulolytic and xylanolytic systems, where XlnR plays a key role in positive regulation of the xylanolytic system. It also regulates positively the cellulolytic system by acting indirectly through the cellodextrin induction system. This remarkable finding suggests that the XlnR-dependent cellulolytic and xylanolytic regulatory systems are probably conserved in both P. echinulatum and P. oxalicum. Finally, we explore the functional congruency on the genes clustered in terms of communities, where the genes related to cellular nitrogen, compound metabolic process and macromolecule metabolic process were the most abundant. Therefore, our approach allows us to confer a degree of accuracy regarding the existence of each inferred interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Rafael Lenz
- Unidad Académica Yucatán, Instituto de Investigaciones en Matemáticas Aplicadas y en Sistemas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Mérida, Mexico
- Laboratório de Bioinformática e Biologia Computacional, Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidade de Caxias do Sul, Caxias do Sul, Brazil
- Departamento de Ciências Exatas e da Terra, Universidade do Estado da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Edgardo Galán-Vásquez
- Departamento de Ingeniería de Sistemas Computacionales y Automatización, Instituto de Investigaciones en Matemàticas Aplicadas y en Sistemas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico
| | - Eduardo Balbinot
- Laboratório de Bioinformática e Biologia Computacional, Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidade de Caxias do Sul, Caxias do Sul, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Pessi de Abreu
- Laboratório de Bioinformática e Biologia Computacional, Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidade de Caxias do Sul, Caxias do Sul, Brazil
| | - Nikael Souza de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Bioinformática e Biologia Computacional, Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidade de Caxias do Sul, Caxias do Sul, Brazil
- Laboratório de Enzimas e Biomassas, Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidade de Caxias do Sul, Caxias do Sul, Brazil
| | - Letícia Osório da Rosa
- Laboratório de Enzimas e Biomassas, Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidade de Caxias do Sul, Caxias do Sul, Brazil
| | - Scheila de Avila e Silva
- Laboratório de Bioinformática e Biologia Computacional, Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidade de Caxias do Sul, Caxias do Sul, Brazil
| | - Marli Camassola
- Laboratório de Enzimas e Biomassas, Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidade de Caxias do Sul, Caxias do Sul, Brazil
| | - Aldo José Pinheiro Dillon
- Laboratório de Enzimas e Biomassas, Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidade de Caxias do Sul, Caxias do Sul, Brazil
| | - Ernesto Perez-Rueda
- Unidad Académica Yucatán, Instituto de Investigaciones en Matemáticas Aplicadas y en Sistemas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Mérida, Mexico
- Facultad de Ciencias, Centro de Genómica y Bioinformática, Universidad Mayor, Santiago, Chile
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14
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The bZIP Transcription Factor AflRsmA Regulates Aflatoxin B 1 Biosynthesis, Oxidative Stress Response and Sclerotium Formation in Aspergillus flavus. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12040271. [PMID: 32340099 PMCID: PMC7232220 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12040271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 04/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal secondary metabolites play important roles not only in fungal ecology but also in humans living as beneficial medicine or harmful toxins. In filamentous fungi, bZIP-type transcription factors (TFs) are associated with the proteins involved in oxidative stress response and secondary metabolism. In this study, a connection between a bZIP TF and oxidative stress induction of secondary metabolism is uncovered in an opportunistic pathogen Aspergillus flavus, which produces carcinogenic and mutagenic aflatoxins. The bZIP transcription factor AflRsmA was identified by a homology research of A. flavus genome with the bZIP protein RsmA, involved in secondary metabolites production in Aspergillusnidulans. The AflrsmA deletion strain (ΔAflrsmA) displayed less sensitivity to the oxidative reagents tert-Butyl hydroperoxide (tBOOH) in comparison with wild type (WT) and AflrsmA overexpression strain (AflrsmAOE), while AflrsmAOE strain increased sensitivity to the oxidative reagents menadione sodium bisulfite (MSB) compared to WT and ΔAflrsmA strains. Without oxidative treatment, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) production of ΔAflrsmA strains was consistent with that of WT, but AflrsmAOE strain produced more AFB1 than WT; tBOOH and MSB treatment decreased AFB1 production of ΔAflrsmA compared to WT. Besides, relative to WT, ΔAflrsmA strain decreased sclerotia, while AflrsmAOE strain increased sclerotia. The decrease of AFB1 by ΔAflrsmA but increase of AFB1 by AflrsmAOE was on corn. Our results suggest that AFB1 biosynthesis is regulated by AflRsmA by oxidative stress pathways and provide insights into a possible function of AflRsmA in mediating AFB1 biosynthesis response host defense in pathogen A. flavus.
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15
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De los Santos H, Collins EJ, Mann C, Sagan AW, Jankowski MS, Bennett KP, Hurley JM. ECHO: an application for detection and analysis of oscillators identifies metabolic regulation on genome-wide circadian output. Bioinformatics 2020; 36:773-781. [PMID: 31384918 PMCID: PMC7523678 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btz617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Revised: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
MOTIVATION Time courses utilizing genome scale data are a common approach to identifying the biological pathways that are controlled by the circadian clock, an important regulator of organismal fitness. However, the methods used to detect circadian oscillations in these datasets are not able to accommodate changes in the amplitude of the oscillations over time, leading to an underestimation of the impact of the clock on biological systems. RESULTS We have created a program to efficaciously identify oscillations in large-scale datasets, called the Extended Circadian Harmonic Oscillator application, or ECHO. ECHO utilizes an extended solution of the fixed amplitude oscillator that incorporates the amplitude change coefficient. Employing synthetic datasets, we determined that ECHO outperforms existing methods in detecting rhythms with decreasing oscillation amplitudes and in recovering phase shift. Rhythms with changing amplitudes identified from published biological datasets revealed distinct functions from those oscillations that were harmonic, suggesting purposeful biologic regulation to create this subtype of circadian rhythms. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION ECHO's full interface is available at https://github.com/delosh653/ECHO. An R package for this functionality, echo.find, can be downloaded at https://CRAN.R-project.org/package=echo.find. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah De los Santos
- Department of Computer Science, Troy, NY 12180, USA,Institute for Data Exploration and Applications, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | | | | | - April W Sagan
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | | | - Kristin P Bennett
- Department of Computer Science, Troy, NY 12180, USA,Institute for Data Exploration and Applications, Troy, NY 12180, USA,Department of Mathematical Sciences, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Jennifer M Hurley
- Department of Biological Sciences, Troy, NY 12180, USA,Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA,To whom correspondence should be addressed.
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16
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The bZIP transcription factor FpAda1 is essential for fungal growth and conidiation in Fusarium pseudograminearum. Curr Genet 2019; 66:507-515. [PMID: 31696258 PMCID: PMC7198649 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-019-01042-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2019] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Fusarium pseudograminearum is an important pathogen of Fusarium crown rot and Fusarium head blight, which is able to infect wheat and barley worldwide, causing great economic losses. Transcription factors (TFs) of the basic leucine zipper (bZIP) protein family control important processes in all eukaryotes. In this study, we identified a gene, designated FpAda1, encoding a bZIP TF in F. pseudograminearum. The homolog of FpAda1 is also known to affect hyphal growth in Neurospora crassa. Deletion of FpAda1 in F. pseudograminearum resulted in defects in hyphal growth, mycelial branching and conidia formation. Pathogenicity assays showed that virulence of the Δfpada1 mutant was dramatically decreased on wheat coleoptiles and barley leaves. However, wheat coleoptile inoculation assay showed that Δfpada1 could penetrate and proliferate in wheat cells. Moreover, the FpAda1 was required for abnormal nuclear morphology in conidia and transcription of FpCdc2 and FpCdc42. Taken together, these results indicate that FpAda1 is an important transcription factor involved in growth and development in F. pseudograminearum.
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17
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Wang XS, Zhang S, Xu Z, Zheng SQ, Long J, Wang DS. Genome-wide identification, evolution of ATF/CREB family and their expression in Nile tilapia. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2019; 237:110324. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2019.110324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Revised: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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18
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Rodrigues-Pousada C, Devaux F, Caetano SM, Pimentel C, da Silva S, Cordeiro AC, Amaral C. Yeast AP-1 like transcription factors (Yap) and stress response: a current overview. MICROBIAL CELL 2019; 6:267-285. [PMID: 31172012 PMCID: PMC6545440 DOI: 10.15698/mic2019.06.679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Yeast adaptation to stress has been extensively studied. It involves large reprogramming of genome expression operated by many, more or less specific, transcription factors. Here, we review our current knowledge on the function of the eight Yap transcription factors (Yap1 to Yap8) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which were shown to be involved in various stress responses. More precisely, Yap1 is activated under oxidative stress, Yap2/Cad1 under cadmium, Yap4/Cin5 and Yap6 under osmotic shock, Yap5 under iron overload and Yap8/Arr1 by arsenic compounds. Yap3 and Yap7 seem to be involved in hydroquinone and nitrosative stresses, respectively. The data presented in this article illustrate how much knowledge on the function of these Yap transcription factors is advanced. The evolution of the Yap family and its roles in various pathogenic and non-pathogenic fungal species is discussed in the last section.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudina Rodrigues-Pousada
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica Anónio Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Avenida da República, EAN, Oeiras 2781-901, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Frédéric Devaux
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine, Laboratory of Computational and Quantitative Biology, F-75005, Paris, France
| | - Soraia M Caetano
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica Anónio Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Avenida da República, EAN, Oeiras 2781-901, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Catarina Pimentel
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica Anónio Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Avenida da República, EAN, Oeiras 2781-901, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Sofia da Silva
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica Anónio Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Avenida da República, EAN, Oeiras 2781-901, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Ana Carolina Cordeiro
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica Anónio Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Avenida da República, EAN, Oeiras 2781-901, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Catarina Amaral
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica Anónio Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Avenida da República, EAN, Oeiras 2781-901, Oeiras, Portugal
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19
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Mendoza-Martínez AE, Cano-Domínguez N, Aguirre J. Yap1 homologs mediate more than the redox regulation of the antioxidant response in filamentous fungi. Fungal Biol 2019; 124:253-262. [PMID: 32389287 DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2019.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The regulation of gene expression in response to increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a ubiquitous response in aerobic organisms. However, different organisms use different strategies to perceive and respond to high ROS levels. Yeast Yap1 is a paradigmatic example of a specific mechanism used by eukaryotic cells to link ROS sensing and gene regulation. The activation of this transcription factor by H2O2 is mediated by peroxiredoxins, which are widespread enzymes that use cysteine thiols to sense ROS, as well as to catalyze the reduction of peroxides to water. In filamentous fungi, Yap1 homologs and peroxiredoxins also are major regulators of the antioxidant response. However, Yap1 homologs are involved in a wider array of processes by regulating genes involved in nutrient assimilation, secondary metabolism, virulence and development. Such novel functions illustrate the divergent roles of ROS and other oxidizing compounds as important regulatory signaling molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariann E Mendoza-Martínez
- Departamento de Biología Celular y del Desarrollo, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 70-242, 04510 Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Nallely Cano-Domínguez
- Departamento de Biología Celular y del Desarrollo, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 70-242, 04510 Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Jesús Aguirre
- Departamento de Biología Celular y del Desarrollo, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 70-242, 04510 Ciudad de México, Mexico.
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20
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Zhu YP, Wang M, Xiang Y, Qiu L, Hu S, Zhang Z, Mattjus P, Zhu X, Zhang Y. Nach Is a Novel Subgroup at an Early Evolutionary Stage of the CNC-bZIP Subfamily Transcription Factors from the Marine Bacteria to Humans. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19102927. [PMID: 30261635 PMCID: PMC6213907 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19102927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Revised: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Normal growth and development, as well as adaptive responses to various intracellular and environmental stresses, are tightly controlled by transcriptional networks. The evolutionarily conserved genomic sequences across species highlights the architecture of such certain regulatory elements. Among them, one of the most conserved transcription factors is the basic-region leucine zipper (bZIP) family. Herein, we have performed phylogenetic analysis of these bZIP proteins and found, to our surprise, that there exist a few homologous proteins of the family members Jun, Fos, ATF2, BATF, C/EBP and CNC (cap’n’collar) in either viruses or bacteria, albeit expansion and diversification of this bZIP superfamily have occurred in vertebrates from metazoan. Interestingly, a specific group of bZIP proteins is identified, designated Nach (Nrf and CNC homology), because of their strong conservation with all the known CNC and NF-E2 p45 subunit-related factors Nrf1 and Nrf2. Further experimental evidence has also been provided, revealing that Nach1 and Nach2 from the marine bacteria exert distinctive functions, when compared with human Nrf1 and Nrf2, in the transcriptional regulation of antioxidant response element (ARE)-battery genes. Collectively, further insights into these Nach/CNC-bZIP subfamily transcription factors provide a novel better understanding of distinct biological functions of these factors expressed in distinct species from the marine bacteria to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ping Zhu
- The Laboratory of Cell Biochemistry and Topogenetic Regulation, College of Bioengineering and Faculty of Sciences, Chongqing University, No. 174 Shazheng Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing 400044, China.
| | - Meng Wang
- The Laboratory of Cell Biochemistry and Topogenetic Regulation, College of Bioengineering and Faculty of Sciences, Chongqing University, No. 174 Shazheng Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing 400044, China.
| | - Yuancai Xiang
- The Laboratory of Cell Biochemistry and Topogenetic Regulation, College of Bioengineering and Faculty of Sciences, Chongqing University, No. 174 Shazheng Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing 400044, China.
| | - Lu Qiu
- The Laboratory of Cell Biochemistry and Topogenetic Regulation, College of Bioengineering and Faculty of Sciences, Chongqing University, No. 174 Shazheng Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing 400044, China.
| | - Shaofan Hu
- The Laboratory of Cell Biochemistry and Topogenetic Regulation, College of Bioengineering and Faculty of Sciences, Chongqing University, No. 174 Shazheng Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing 400044, China.
| | - Zhengwen Zhang
- Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, School of Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, 42 Western Common Road, Glasgow G22 5PQ, Scotland, UK.
| | - Peter Mattjus
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Artillerigatan 6A, III, BioCity, FI-20520 Turku, Finland.
| | - Xiaomei Zhu
- Shanghai Center for Quantitative Life Science and Department of Physics, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Shanghai 200444, China.
| | - Yiguo Zhang
- The Laboratory of Cell Biochemistry and Topogenetic Regulation, College of Bioengineering and Faculty of Sciences, Chongqing University, No. 174 Shazheng Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing 400044, China.
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Qi S, He L, Zhang Q, Dong Q, Wang Y, Yang Q, Tian C, He Q, Wang Y. Cross-pathway control gene CPC1/GCN4 coordinates with histone acetyltransferase GCN5 to regulate catalase-3 expression under oxidative stress in Neurospora crassa. Free Radic Biol Med 2018; 117:218-227. [PMID: 29421311 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2018.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2017] [Revised: 01/04/2018] [Accepted: 02/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Catalase is an important enzyme found in nearly all aerobic organisms and plays an essential role in protecting cells from oxidative damage by catalyzing the degradation of hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. In filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa, the expression levels of catalases are rigorously regulated by morphogenetic transition during growth and development in cells. Our study revealed that catalase-3 transcription is positively regulated by histone acetyltransferase GCN5 and the cross-pathway control gene cpc-1, as the cat-3 expression level is significantly decreased in gcn5KO and cpc-1 (j-5) mutants. Moreover, gcn5KO and cpc-1 (j-5) mutants could not respond to H2O2 treatment due to the inadequate cat-3 transcription, while wild-type strains showed high expression levels of catalase upon H2O2 treatment. The global H3 acetylation and the acetylation of H3 at cat-3 locus dramatically decreased in gcn5KO under normal or oxidative stress conditions. Meanwhile, the expression of CAT-3 is reduced in gcn5E146Q, the catalytically dead mutant, suggesting that the catalytic activity of GCN5 functions in regulation of cat-3 transcription. In addition, GCN5 cannot acetylate histone H3 efficiently at cat-3 locus in cpc-1 (j-5) mutant strains under normal or oxidative stress conditions. Furthermore, ChIP assays data revealed that the CPC1/GCN4 can directly target the cat-3 promoter region, which may recruit GCN5 to modify the histone acetylation of this region. These results disclosed a distinctive function of CPC1/GCN4 in the regulatory pathway of cat-3 transcription, which is mediated by GCN5-dependent acetylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaohua Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Agro-biotechnology and MOA Key Laboratory of Soil Microbiology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Lingaonan He
- State Key Laboratory of Agro-biotechnology and MOA Key Laboratory of Soil Microbiology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Qin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Agro-biotechnology and MOA Key Laboratory of Soil Microbiology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Qing Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Agro-biotechnology and MOA Key Laboratory of Soil Microbiology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yajun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Agro-biotechnology and MOA Key Laboratory of Soil Microbiology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Qiuying Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Chaoguang Tian
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, China
| | - Qun He
- State Key Laboratory of Agro-biotechnology and MOA Key Laboratory of Soil Microbiology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Ying Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Agro-biotechnology and MOA Key Laboratory of Soil Microbiology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
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22
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Yin W, Cui P, Wei W, Lin Y, Luo C. Genome-wide identification and analysis of the basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor gene family in Ustilaginoidea virens. Genome 2017; 60:1051-1059. [DOI: 10.1139/gen-2017-0089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor (TF) family is one of the largest and most diverse TF families widely distributed across the eukaryotes. The bZIP TF family plays an important role in growth, development, and response to abiotic or biotic stresses, which have been well characterized in plants, but not in plant pathogenic fungi. In this study, we performed genome-wide and systematic bioinformatics analysis of bZIP genes in the fungus Ustilaginoidea virens, the causal agent of rice false smut disease. We identified 28 bZIP family members in the U. virens genome by searching for the bZIP domain in predicted genes. The gene structures, motifs, and phylogenetic relationships were analyzed for bZIP genes in U. virens (UvbZIP). Together with bZIP proteins from two other fungi, the bZIP genes can be divided into eight groups according to their phylogenetic relationships. Based on RNA-Seq data, the expression profiles of UvbZIP genes at different infection stages were evaluated. Results showed that 17 UvbZIP genes were up-regulated during the infection period. Furthermore, 11 infection-related UvbZIP genes were investigated under H2O2 stress and the expression level of eight genes were changed, which confirmed their role in stress tolerance and pathogenicity. In summary, our genome-wide systematic characterization and expression analysis of UvbZIP genes provided insight into the molecular function of these genes in U. virens and provides a reference for other pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weixiao Yin
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Plant Science and Technology and the Key Lab of Crop Disease Monitoring & Safety Control in Hubei Province, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Plant Science and Technology and the Key Lab of Crop Disease Monitoring & Safety Control in Hubei Province, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Peng Cui
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Plant Science and Technology and the Key Lab of Crop Disease Monitoring & Safety Control in Hubei Province, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Plant Science and Technology and the Key Lab of Crop Disease Monitoring & Safety Control in Hubei Province, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Plant Science and Technology and the Key Lab of Crop Disease Monitoring & Safety Control in Hubei Province, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Plant Science and Technology and the Key Lab of Crop Disease Monitoring & Safety Control in Hubei Province, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Yang Lin
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Plant Science and Technology and the Key Lab of Crop Disease Monitoring & Safety Control in Hubei Province, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Plant Science and Technology and the Key Lab of Crop Disease Monitoring & Safety Control in Hubei Province, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Chaoxi Luo
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Plant Science and Technology and the Key Lab of Crop Disease Monitoring & Safety Control in Hubei Province, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Plant Science and Technology and the Key Lab of Crop Disease Monitoring & Safety Control in Hubei Province, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
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Wee J, Hong SY, Roze LV, Day DM, Chanda A, Linz JE. The Fungal bZIP Transcription Factor AtfB Controls Virulence-Associated Processes in Aspergillus parasiticus. Toxins (Basel) 2017; 9:toxins9090287. [PMID: 28926946 PMCID: PMC5618220 DOI: 10.3390/toxins9090287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2017] [Revised: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 09/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factors mediate responses to oxidative stress. The ability to regulate stress response pathways in Aspergillus spp. was postulated to be an important virulence-associated cellular process, because it helps establish infection in humans, plants, and animals. Previous studies have demonstrated that the fungal transcription factor AtfB encodes a protein that is associated with resistance to oxidative stress in asexual conidiospores, and AtfB binds to the promoters of several stress response genes. Here, we conducted a gene silencing of AtfB in Aspergillus parasiticus, a well-characterized fungal pathogen of plants, animals, and humans that produces the secondary metabolite and carcinogen aflatoxin, in order to determine the mechanisms by which AtfB contributes to virulence. We show that AtfB silencing results in a decrease in aflatoxin enzyme levels, the down-regulation of aflatoxin accumulation, and impaired conidiospore development in AtfB-silenced strains. This observation is supported by a decrease of AtfB protein levels, and the down-regulation of many genes in the aflatoxin cluster, as well as genes involved in secondary metabolism and conidiospore development. Global expression analysis (RNA Seq) demonstrated that AtfB functionally links oxidative stress response pathways to a broader and novel subset of target genes involved in cellular defense, as well as in actin and cytoskeleton arrangement/transport. Thus, AtfB regulates the genes involved in development, stress response, and secondary metabolism in A. parasiticus. We propose that the bZIP regulatory circuit controlled by AtfB provides a large number of excellent cellular targets to reduce fungal virulence. More importantly, understanding key players that are crucial to initiate the cellular response to oxidative stress will enable better control over its detrimental impacts on humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josephine Wee
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
- Center for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
| | - Sung-Yong Hong
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
| | - Ludmila V Roze
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
| | - Devin M Day
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
| | - Anindya Chanda
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA.
| | - John E Linz
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
- Center for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
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24
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Noman A, Liu Z, Aqeel M, Zainab M, Khan MI, Hussain A, Ashraf MF, Li X, Weng Y, He S. Basic leucine zipper domain transcription factors: the vanguards in plant immunity. Biotechnol Lett 2017; 39:1779-1791. [DOI: 10.1007/s10529-017-2431-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Accepted: 08/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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Havlik D, Brandt U, Bohle K, Fleißner A. Establishment of Neurospora crassa as a host for heterologous protein production using a human antibody fragment as a model product. Microb Cell Fact 2017; 16:128. [PMID: 28743272 PMCID: PMC5526295 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-017-0734-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Filamentous fungi are commonly used as production hosts for bulk enzymes in biotechnological applications. Their robust and quick growth combined with their ability to secrete large amounts of protein directly into the culture medium makes fungi appealing organisms for the generation of novel production systems. The red bread mold Neurospora crassa has long been established as a model system in basic research. It can be very easily genetically manipulated and a wealth of molecular tools and mutants are available. In addition, N. crassa is very fast growing and non-toxic. All of these features point to a high but so far untapped potential of this fungus for biotechnological applications. In this study, we used genetic engineering and bioprocess development in a design-build-test-cycle process to establish N. crassa as a production host for heterologous proteins. Results The human antibody fragment HT186-D11 was fused to a truncated version of the endogenous enzyme glucoamylase (GLA-1), which served as a carrier protein to achieve secretion into the culture medium. A modular expression cassette was constructed and tested under the control of different promoters. Protease activity was identified as a major limitation of the production strain, and the effects of different mutations causing protease deficiencies were compared. Furthermore, a parallel bioreactor system (1 L) was employed to develop and optimize a production process, including the comparison of different culture media and cultivation parameters. After successful optimization of the production strain and the cultivation conditions an exemplary scale up to a 10 L stirred tank reactor was performed. Conclusions The data of this study indicate that N. crassa is suited for the production and secretion of heterologous proteins. Controlling expression by the optimized promoter Pccg1nr in a fourfold protease deletion strain resulted in the successful secretion of the heterologous product with estimated yields of 3 mg/L of the fusion protein. The fungus could easily be cultivated in bioreactors and a first scale-up was successful. The system holds therefore much potential, warranting further efforts in optimization. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12934-017-0734-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Havlik
- Division of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM), Inhoffenstr. 7, Braunschweig, 38124, Germany.,Institut für Genetik, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Spielmannstr. 7, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany.,Navigo Proteins GmbH, Heinrich-Damerow-Str. 1, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Ulrike Brandt
- Institut für Genetik, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Spielmannstr. 7, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Kathrin Bohle
- Division of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM), Inhoffenstr. 7, Braunschweig, 38124, Germany
| | - André Fleißner
- Institut für Genetik, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Spielmannstr. 7, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany.
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Mendoza-Martínez AE, Lara-Rojas F, Sánchez O, Aguirre J. NapA Mediates a Redox Regulation of the Antioxidant Response, Carbon Utilization and Development in Aspergillus nidulans. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:516. [PMID: 28424666 PMCID: PMC5371717 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Accepted: 03/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The redox-regulated transcription factors (TFs) of the bZIP AP1 family, such as yeast Yap1 and fission yeast Pap1, are activated by peroxiredoxin proteins (Prxs) to regulate the antioxidant response. Previously, Aspergillus nidulans mutants lacking the Yap1 ortholog NapA have been characterized as sensitive to H2O2 and menadione. Here we study NapA roles in relation to TFs SrrA and AtfA, also involved in oxidant detoxification, showing that these TFs play different roles in oxidative stress resistance, catalase gene regulation and development, during A. nidulans life cycle. We also uncover novel NapA roles in repression of sexual development, normal conidiation, conidial mRNA accumulation, and carbon utilization. The phenotypic characterization of ΔgpxA, ΔtpxA, and ΔtpxB single, double and triple peroxiredoxin mutants in wild type or ΔnapA backgrounds shows that none of these Prxs is required for NapA function in H2O2 and menadione resistance. However, these Prxs participate in a minor NapA-independent H2O2 resistance pathway and NapA and TpxA appear to regulate conidiation along the same route. Using transcriptomic analysis we show that during conidial development NapA-dependent gene expression pattern is different from canonical oxidative stress patterns. In the course of conidiation, NapA is required for regulation of at least 214 genes, including ethanol utilization genes alcR, alcA and aldA, and large sets of genes encoding proteins involved in transcriptional regulation, drug detoxification, carbohydrate utilization and secondary metabolism, comprising multiple oxidoreductases, membrane transporters and hydrolases. In agreement with this, ΔnapA mutants fail to grow or grow very poorly in ethanol, arabinose or fructose as sole carbon sources. Moreover, we show that NapA nuclear localization is induced not only by oxidative stress but also by growth in ethanol and by carbon starvation. Together with our previous work, these results show that SakA-AtfA, SrrA and NapA oxidative stress-sensing pathways regulate essential aspects of spore physiology (i.e., cell cycle arrest, dormancy, drug production and detoxification, and carbohydrate utilization).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariann E Mendoza-Martínez
- Departamento de Biología Celular y del Desarrollo, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoCoyoacán, Mexico
| | - Fernando Lara-Rojas
- Departamento de Biología Celular y del Desarrollo, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoCoyoacán, Mexico
| | - Olivia Sánchez
- Departamento de Biología Celular y del Desarrollo, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoCoyoacán, Mexico
| | - Jesús Aguirre
- Departamento de Biología Celular y del Desarrollo, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoCoyoacán, Mexico
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27
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Lei Y, Liu G, Yao G, Li Z, Qin Y, Qu Y. A novel bZIP transcription factor ClrC positively regulates multiple stress responses, conidiation and cellulase expression in Penicillium oxalicum. Res Microbiol 2016; 167:424-35. [PMID: 27012606 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2016.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2015] [Revised: 01/19/2016] [Accepted: 03/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Cellulase production in filamentous fungi is largely regulated at the transcriptional level, and several transcription factors have been reported to be involved in this process. In this study, we identified ClrC, a novel transcription factor in cellulase production in Penicillium oxalicum. ClrC and its orthologs have a highly conserved basic leucine zipper (bZIP) DNA binding domain, and their biological functions have not been explored. Deletion of clrC resulted in pleiotropic effects, including altered growth, reduced conidiation and increased sensitivity to oxidative and cell wall stresses. In particular, the clrC deletion mutant ΔclrC showed 46.1% ± 8.1% and 58.0% ± 8.7% decreases in production of filter paper enzyme and xylanase activities in cellulose medium, respectively. In contrast, 57.4% ± 10.0% and 70.9% ± 19.4% increased production of filter paper enzyme, and xylanase was observed in the clrC overexpressing strain, respectively. The transcription levels of major cellulase genes, as well as two cellulase transcriptional activator genes, clrB and xlnR, were significantly downregulated in ΔclrC, but substantially upregulated in clrC overexpressing strains. Furthermore, we observed that the absence of ClrC reduced full induction of cellulase expression even in the clrB overexpressing strain. These results indicated that ClrC is a novel and efficient engineering target for improving cellulolytic enzyme production in filamentous fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunfeng Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, School of Life Science, Shandong University, Shan Da Nan Road 27, Jinan, Shandong 250100, PR China
| | - Guodong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, School of Life Science, Shandong University, Shan Da Nan Road 27, Jinan, Shandong 250100, PR China
| | - Guangshan Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, School of Life Science, Shandong University, Shan Da Nan Road 27, Jinan, Shandong 250100, PR China
| | - Zhonghai Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, School of Life Science, Shandong University, Shan Da Nan Road 27, Jinan, Shandong 250100, PR China
| | - Yuqi Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, School of Life Science, Shandong University, Shan Da Nan Road 27, Jinan, Shandong 250100, PR China; National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong University, Shan Da Nan Road 27, Jinan, Shandong 250100, PR China
| | - Yinbo Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, School of Life Science, Shandong University, Shan Da Nan Road 27, Jinan, Shandong 250100, PR China; National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong University, Shan Da Nan Road 27, Jinan, Shandong 250100, PR China.
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28
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Schmoll M, Dattenböck C, Carreras-Villaseñor N, Mendoza-Mendoza A, Tisch D, Alemán MI, Baker SE, Brown C, Cervantes-Badillo MG, Cetz-Chel J, Cristobal-Mondragon GR, Delaye L, Esquivel-Naranjo EU, Frischmann A, Gallardo-Negrete JDJ, García-Esquivel M, Gomez-Rodriguez EY, Greenwood DR, Hernández-Oñate M, Kruszewska JS, Lawry R, Mora-Montes HM, Muñoz-Centeno T, Nieto-Jacobo MF, Nogueira Lopez G, Olmedo-Monfil V, Osorio-Concepcion M, Piłsyk S, Pomraning KR, Rodriguez-Iglesias A, Rosales-Saavedra MT, Sánchez-Arreguín JA, Seidl-Seiboth V, Stewart A, Uresti-Rivera EE, Wang CL, Wang TF, Zeilinger S, Casas-Flores S, Herrera-Estrella A. The Genomes of Three Uneven Siblings: Footprints of the Lifestyles of Three Trichoderma Species. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2016; 80:205-327. [PMID: 26864432 PMCID: PMC4771370 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00040-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The genus Trichoderma contains fungi with high relevance for humans, with applications in enzyme production for plant cell wall degradation and use in biocontrol. Here, we provide a broad, comprehensive overview of the genomic content of these species for "hot topic" research aspects, including CAZymes, transport, transcription factors, and development, along with a detailed analysis and annotation of less-studied topics, such as signal transduction, genome integrity, chromatin, photobiology, or lipid, sulfur, and nitrogen metabolism in T. reesei, T. atroviride, and T. virens, and we open up new perspectives to those topics discussed previously. In total, we covered more than 2,000 of the predicted 9,000 to 11,000 genes of each Trichoderma species discussed, which is >20% of the respective gene content. Additionally, we considered available transcriptome data for the annotated genes. Highlights of our analyses include overall carbohydrate cleavage preferences due to the different genomic contents and regulation of the respective genes. We found light regulation of many sulfur metabolic genes. Additionally, a new Golgi 1,2-mannosidase likely involved in N-linked glycosylation was detected, as were indications for the ability of Trichoderma spp. to generate hybrid galactose-containing N-linked glycans. The genomic inventory of effector proteins revealed numerous compounds unique to Trichoderma, and these warrant further investigation. We found interesting expansions in the Trichoderma genus in several signaling pathways, such as G-protein-coupled receptors, RAS GTPases, and casein kinases. A particularly interesting feature absolutely unique to T. atroviride is the duplication of the alternative sulfur amino acid synthesis pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Schmoll
- Austrian Institute of Technology, Department Health and Environment, Bioresources Unit, Tulln, Austria
| | - Christoph Dattenböck
- Austrian Institute of Technology, Department Health and Environment, Bioresources Unit, Tulln, Austria
| | | | | | - Doris Tisch
- Research Division Biotechnology and Microbiology, Institute of Chemical Engineering, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mario Ivan Alemán
- Cinvestav, Department of Genetic Engineering, Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Scott E Baker
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington, USA
| | - Christopher Brown
- University of Otago, Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | | | - José Cetz-Chel
- LANGEBIO, National Laboratory of Genomics for Biodiversity, Cinvestav-Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | | | - Luis Delaye
- Cinvestav, Department of Genetic Engineering, Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | | | - Alexa Frischmann
- Research Division Biotechnology and Microbiology, Institute of Chemical Engineering, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Monica García-Esquivel
- LANGEBIO, National Laboratory of Genomics for Biodiversity, Cinvestav-Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | | | - David R Greenwood
- The University of Auckland, School of Biological Sciences, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Miguel Hernández-Oñate
- LANGEBIO, National Laboratory of Genomics for Biodiversity, Cinvestav-Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Joanna S Kruszewska
- Polish Academy of Sciences, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Laboratory of Fungal Glycobiology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Robert Lawry
- Lincoln University, Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln, Canterbury, New Zealand
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Sebastian Piłsyk
- Polish Academy of Sciences, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Laboratory of Fungal Glycobiology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Kyle R Pomraning
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington, USA
| | - Aroa Rodriguez-Iglesias
- Austrian Institute of Technology, Department Health and Environment, Bioresources Unit, Tulln, Austria
| | | | | | - Verena Seidl-Seiboth
- Research Division Biotechnology and Microbiology, Institute of Chemical Engineering, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | - Chih-Li Wang
- National Chung-Hsing University, Department of Plant Pathology, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ting-Fang Wang
- Academia Sinica, Institute of Molecular Biology, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Susanne Zeilinger
- Research Division Biotechnology and Microbiology, Institute of Chemical Engineering, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria University of Innsbruck, Institute of Microbiology, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Alfredo Herrera-Estrella
- LANGEBIO, National Laboratory of Genomics for Biodiversity, Cinvestav-Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
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Jindrich K, Degnan BM. The diversification of the basic leucine zipper family in eukaryotes correlates with the evolution of multicellularity. BMC Evol Biol 2016; 16:28. [PMID: 26831906 PMCID: PMC4736632 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-016-0598-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2015] [Accepted: 01/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Multicellularity evolved multiple times in eukaryotes. In all cases, this required an elaboration of the regulatory mechanisms controlling gene expression. Amongst the conserved eukaryotic transcription factor families, the basic leucine zipper (bZIP) superfamily is one of the most ancient and best characterised. This gene family plays a diversity of roles in the specification, differentiation and maintenance of cell types in plants and animals. bZIPs are also involved in stress responses and the regulation of cell proliferation in fungi, amoebozoans and heterokonts. Results Using 49 sequenced genomes from across the Eukaryota, we demonstrate that the bZIP superfamily has evolved from a single ancestral eukaryotic gene and undergone multiple independent expansions. bZIP family diversification is largely restricted to multicellular lineages, consistent with bZIPs contributing to the complex regulatory networks underlying differential and cell type-specific gene expression in these lineages. Analyses focused on the Metazoa suggest an elaborate bZIP network was in place in the most recent shared ancestor of all extant animals that was comprised of 11 of the 12 previously recognized families present in modern taxa. In addition this analysis identifies three bZIP families that appear to have been lost in mammals. Thus the ancestral metazoan and eumetazoan bZIP repertoire consists of 12 and 16 bZIPs, respectively. These diversified from 7 founder genes present in the holozoan ancestor. Conclusions Our results reveal the ancestral opisthokont, holozoan and metazoan bZIP repertoire and provide insights into the progressive expansion and divergence of bZIPs in the five main eukaryotic kingdoms, suggesting that the early diversification of bZIPs in multiple eukaryotic lineages was a prerequisite for the evolution of complex multicellular organisms. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12862-016-0598-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katia Jindrich
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Bernard M Degnan
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
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Yue X, Que Y, Xu L, Deng S, Peng Y, Talbot NJ, Wang Z. ZNF1 Encodes a Putative C2H2 Zinc-Finger Protein Essential for Appressorium Differentiation by the Rice Blast Fungus Magnaporthe oryzae. MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS : MPMI 2016; 29:22-35. [PMID: 26441322 DOI: 10.1094/mpmi-09-15-0201-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae forms specialized infection structures called appressoria which are essential for gaining entry to plant tissue. Here, we report the identification of a novel nonpathogenic T-DNA-tagged mutant XF696 of M. oryzae with a single insertion in the promoter of ZNF1, which encodes a putative transcription factor (TF). Targeted gene deletion mutants of ZNF1 are nonpathogenic and unable to develop appressoria. However, Δznf1 mutants still respond to exogenous cyclic AMP on hydrophilic surfaces and can sense hydrophobic surfaces, initiating the differentiation of germ tubes. Interestingly, Δznf1 mutants also produce significantly more conidia compared with the isogenic wild-type strain. Quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis and green fluorescent protein fusion experiments revealed that expression of ZNF1 was highly induced during germination and appressorium development in M. oryzae and potentially regulated by the Pmk1 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. We observed that Δznf1 mutants are affected in mitosis and impaired in mobilization and degradation of lipid droplets and glycogen reserves during appressorium differentiation. Site-directed mutagenesis confirmed that three of the four C2H2 zinc-finger domains are essential for the function of Znf1. Taken together, we conclude that a C2H2 zinc-finger TF encoded by ZNF1 is essential for appressorium development by the rice blast fungus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Yue
- 1 State Key Laboratory for Rice Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, People's Republic of China
| | - Yawei Que
- 1 State Key Laboratory for Rice Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin Xu
- 1 State Key Laboratory for Rice Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuzhen Deng
- 1 State Key Laboratory for Rice Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, People's Republic of China
| | - Youliang Peng
- 2 State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology and MOA Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Nicholas J Talbot
- 3 School of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Exeter EX4 4QD, United Kingdom
| | - Zhengyi Wang
- 1 State Key Laboratory for Rice Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, People's Republic of China
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31
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The Renaissance of Neurospora crassa: How a Classical Model System is Used for Applied Research. Fungal Biol 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-27951-0_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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32
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Wang X, Wu F, Liu L, Liu X, Che Y, Keller NP, Guo L, Yin WB. The bZIP transcription factor PfZipA regulates secondary metabolism and oxidative stress response in the plant endophytic fungus Pestalotiopsis fici. Fungal Genet Biol 2015; 81:221-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2015.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2015] [Revised: 03/29/2015] [Accepted: 03/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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33
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Montenegro-Montero A, Goity A, Larrondo LF. The bZIP Transcription Factor HAC-1 Is Involved in the Unfolded Protein Response and Is Necessary for Growth on Cellulose in Neurospora crassa. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0131415. [PMID: 26132395 PMCID: PMC4488935 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0131415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2014] [Accepted: 06/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
High protein secretion capacity in filamentous fungi requires an extremely efficient system for protein synthesis, folding and transport. When the folding capacity of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is exceeded, a pathway known as the unfolded protein response (UPR) is triggered, allowing cells to mitigate and cope with this stress. In yeast, this pathway relies on the transcription factor Hac1, which mediates the up-regulation of several genes required under these stressful conditions. In this work, we identified and characterized the ortholog of the yeast HAC1 gene in the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa. We show that its mRNA undergoes an ER stress-dependent splicing reaction, which in N. crassa removes a 23 nt intron and leads to a change in the open reading frame. By disrupting the N. crassa hac-1 gene, we determined it to be crucial for activating UPR and for proper growth in the presence of ER stress-inducing chemical agents. Neurospora is naturally found growing on dead plant material, composed primarily by lignocellulose, and is a model organism for the study of plant cell wall deconstruction. Notably, we found that growth on cellulose, a substrate that requires secretion of numerous enzymes, imposes major demands on ER function and is dramatically impaired in the absence of hac-1, thus broadening the range of physiological functions of the UPR in filamentous fungi. Growth on hemicellulose however, another carbon source that necessitates the secretion of various enzymes for its deconstruction, is not impaired in the mutant nor is the amount of proteins secreted on this substrate, suggesting that secretion, as a whole, is unaltered in the absence of hac-1. The characterization of this signaling pathway in N. crassa will help in the study of plant cell wall deconstruction by fungi and its manipulation may result in important industrial biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Montenegro-Montero
- Millennium Nucleus for Fungal Integrative and Synthetic Biology, Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alejandra Goity
- Millennium Nucleus for Fungal Integrative and Synthetic Biology, Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Luis F. Larrondo
- Millennium Nucleus for Fungal Integrative and Synthetic Biology, Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- * E-mail:
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Park AR, Son H, Min K, Park J, Goo JH, Rhee S, Chae SK, Lee YW. Autoregulation of ZEB2 expression for zearalenone production in Fusarium graminearum. Mol Microbiol 2015; 97:942-56. [PMID: 26036360 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/31/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Several Fusarium species produce the polyketide mycotoxin zearalenone (ZEA), a causative agent of hyperestrogenic syndrome in animals that is often found in F. graminearum-infected cereals in temperate regions. The ZEA biosynthetic cluster genes PKS4, PKS13, ZEB1 and ZEB2 encode a reducing polyketide synthase, a non-reducing polyketide synthase, an isoamyl alcohol oxidase and a transcription factor respectively. In this study, the production of two isoforms (ZEB2L and ZEB2S) from the ZEB2 gene in F. graminearum via an alternative promoter was characterized. ZEB2L contains a basic leucine zipper (bZIP) DNA-binding domain at the N-terminus, whereas ZEB2S is an N-terminally truncated form of ZEB2L that lacks the bZIP domain. Interestingly, ZEA triggers the induction of both ZEB2L and ZEB2S transcription. ZEB2L and ZEB2S interact with each other to form a heterodimer that regulates ZEA production by reducing the binding affinity of ZEB2L for the ZEB2L gene promoter. Our study provides insight into the autoregulation of ZEB2 expression by alternative promoter usage and a feedback loop during ZEA production; this regulatory mechanism is similar to that observed in higher eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ae Ran Park
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Center for Fungal Pathogenesis, Seoul National University, 151-921, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hokyoung Son
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Center for Fungal Pathogenesis, Seoul National University, 151-921, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyunghun Min
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Center for Fungal Pathogenesis, Seoul National University, 151-921, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jinseo Park
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Center for Fungal Pathogenesis, Seoul National University, 151-921, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae Hwan Goo
- Jeonnam Nano Bio Research Center, 515-853, Jangseong, Korea
| | - Sangkee Rhee
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Center for Fungal Pathogenesis, Seoul National University, 151-921, Seoul, Korea
| | - Suhn-Kee Chae
- Department of Biochemistry, Paichai University, 302-735, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Yin-Won Lee
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Center for Fungal Pathogenesis, Seoul National University, 151-921, Seoul, Korea
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Calmes B, N’Guyen G, Dumur J, Brisach CA, Campion C, Iacomi B, Pigné S, Dias E, Macherel D, Guillemette T, Simoneau P. Glucosinolate-derived isothiocyanates impact mitochondrial function in fungal cells and elicit an oxidative stress response necessary for growth recovery. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2015; 6:414. [PMID: 26089832 PMCID: PMC4452805 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2015.00414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2015] [Accepted: 05/22/2015] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Glucosinolates are brassicaceous secondary metabolites that have long been considered as chemical shields against pathogen invasion. Isothiocyanates (ITCs), are glucosinolate-breakdown products that have negative effects on the growth of various fungal species. We explored the mechanism by which ITCs could cause fungal cell death using Alternaria brassicicola, a specialist Brassica pathogens, as model organism. Exposure of the fungus to ICTs led to a decreased oxygen consumption rate, intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial-membrane depolarization. We also found that two major regulators of the response to oxidative stress, i.e., the MAP kinase AbHog1 and the transcription factor AbAP1, were activated in the presence of ICTs. Once activated by ICT-derived ROS, AbAP1 was found to promote the expression of different oxidative-response genes. This response might play a significant role in the protection of the fungus against ICTs as mutants deficient in AbHog1 or AbAP1 were found to be hypersensitive to these metabolites. Moreover, the loss of these genes was accompanied by a significant decrease in aggressiveness on Brassica. We suggest that the robust protection response against ICT-derived oxidative stress might be a key adaptation mechanism for successful infection of host plants by Brassicaceae-specialist necrotrophs like A. brassicicola.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benoit Calmes
- Université d’Angers, INRA, Agrocampus Ouest, UMR 1345 IRHS, SFR 4207 QUASAVAngers, France
| | - Guillaume N’Guyen
- Université d’Angers, INRA, Agrocampus Ouest, UMR 1345 IRHS, SFR 4207 QUASAVAngers, France
| | - Jérome Dumur
- Université d’Angers, INRA, Agrocampus Ouest, UMR 1345 IRHS, SFR 4207 QUASAVAngers, France
| | - Carlos A. Brisach
- Université d’Angers, INRA, Agrocampus Ouest, UMR 1345 IRHS, SFR 4207 QUASAVAngers, France
| | - Claire Campion
- Université d’Angers, INRA, Agrocampus Ouest, UMR 1345 IRHS, SFR 4207 QUASAVAngers, France
| | - Béatrice Iacomi
- Universitatea de Ştiinţe Agronomice şi Medicinǎ Veterinarǎ BucureştiBucharest, Romania
| | - Sandrine Pigné
- Universitatea de Ştiinţe Agronomice şi Medicinǎ Veterinarǎ BucureştiBucharest, Romania
| | - Eva Dias
- Université d’Angers, INRA, Agrocampus Ouest, UMR 1345 IRHS, SFR 4207 QUASAVAngers, France
| | - David Macherel
- Université d’Angers, INRA, Agrocampus Ouest, UMR 1345 IRHS, SFR 4207 QUASAVAngers, France
| | - Thomas Guillemette
- Université d’Angers, INRA, Agrocampus Ouest, UMR 1345 IRHS, SFR 4207 QUASAVAngers, France
| | - Philippe Simoneau
- Université d’Angers, INRA, Agrocampus Ouest, UMR 1345 IRHS, SFR 4207 QUASAVAngers, France
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Huang W, Shang Y, Chen P, Cen K, Wang C. Basic leucine zipper (bZIP) domain transcription factor MBZ1 regulates cell wall integrity, spore adherence, and virulence in Metarhizium robertsii. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:8218-31. [PMID: 25673695 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.630939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) containing the basic leucine zipper (bZIP) domain are widely distributed in eukaryotes and display an array of distinct functions. In this study, a bZIP-type TF gene (MBZ1) was deleted and functionally characterized in the insect pathogenic fungus Metarhizium robertsii. The deletion mutant (ΔMBZ1) showed defects in cell wall integrity, adhesion to hydrophobic surfaces, and topical infection of insects. Relative to the WT, ΔMBZ1 was also impaired in growth and conidiogenesis. Examination of putative target gene expression indicated that the genes involved in chitin biosynthesis were differentially transcribed in ΔMBZ1 compared with the WT, which led to the accumulation of a higher level of chitin in mutant cell walls. MBZ1 exhibited negative regulation of subtilisin proteases, but positive control of an adhesin gene, which is consistent with the observation of effects on cell autolysis and a reduction in spore adherence to hydrophobic surfaces in ΔMBZ1. Promoter binding assays indicated that MBZ1 can bind to different target genes and suggested the possibility of heterodimer formation to increase the diversity of the MBZ1 regulatory network. The results of this study advance our understanding of the divergence of bZIP-type TFs at both intra- and interspecific levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Huang
- From the Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yanfang Shang
- From the Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Peilin Chen
- From the Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Kai Cen
- From the Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Chengshu Wang
- From the Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
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37
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Kong S, Park SY, Lee YH. Systematic characterization of the bZIP transcription factor gene family in the rice blast fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae. Environ Microbiol 2014; 17:1425-43. [PMID: 25314920 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.12633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2014] [Revised: 09/10/2014] [Accepted: 09/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory roles of the basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factors (TFs) in fungi have been identified in diverse cellular processes such as development, nutrient utilization and various stress responses. In this study, the 22 Magnaporthe oryzae genes encoding bZIP TFs were systematically characterized. Phylogenetic analysis of fungal bZIP TFs revealed that seven MobZIPs are Magnaporthe-specific, while others belongs to 15 clades of orthologous Ascomycota genes. Expression patterns of MobZIPs under various conditions showed that they are highly stress responsive. We generated deletion mutants for 13 MobZIPs: nine with orthologues in other fungal species and four Magnaporthe-specific ones. Seven of them exhibited defects in mycelial growth, development and/or pathogenicity. Consistent with the conserved functions of the orthologues, MobZIP22 and MobZIP13 played a role in sulfur metabolism and iron homeostasis respectively. Along with MobZIP22 and MobZIP13, one Magnaporthe-specific gene, MobZIP11 is essential for pathogenicity in a reactive oxygen species-dependent manner. Taken together, our results will contribute to understanding the regulatory mechanisms of the bZIP TF gene family in fungal development, adaptation to environmental stresses and pathogenicity in the rice blast fungus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunghyung Kong
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Center for Fungal Genetic Resources, and Center for Fungal Pathogenesis, Plant Genomics and Breeding Institute, and Research Institute for Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
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38
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Tang W, Ru Y, Hong L, Zhu Q, Zuo R, Guo X, Wang J, Zhang H, Zheng X, Wang P, Zhang Z. System-wide characterization of bZIP transcription factor proteins involved in infection-related morphogenesis of Magnaporthe oryzae. Environ Microbiol 2014; 17:1377-96. [PMID: 25186614 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.12618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2014] [Revised: 08/29/2014] [Accepted: 09/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The basic leucine zipper (bZIP) domain-containing transcription factors (TFs) function as key regulators of cellular growth and differentiation in eukaryotic organisms including fungi. We have previously identified MoAp1 and MoAtf1 as bZIP TFs in Magnaporthe oryzae and demonstrated that they regulate the oxidative stress response and are critical in conidiogenesis and pathogenicity. Studies of bZIP proteins could provide a novel strategy for controlling rice blast, but a systematic examination of the bZIP proteins has not been carried out. Here, we identified 19 additional bZIP TFs and characterized their functions. We found that the majority of these TFs exhibit active functions, most notably, in conidiogenesis. We showed that MoHac1 regulates the endoplasmic reticulum stress response through a conserved unfolded protein response pathway, MoMetR controls amino acid metabolism to govern growth and differentiation, and MoBzip10 governs appressorium function and invasive hyphal growth. Moreover, MoBzip5 participates in appressorium formation through a pathway distinct from that MoBzip10, and MoMeaB appears to exert a regulatory role through nutrient uptake and nitrogen utilization. Collectively, our results provide insights into shared and specific functions associated with each of these TFs and link the regulatory roles to the fungal growth, conidiation, appressorium formation, host penetration and pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Tang
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, Nanjing Agricultural University, Ministry of Education, Nanjing, 210095, China
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Gyöngyösi N, Káldi K. Interconnections of reactive oxygen species homeostasis and circadian rhythm in Neurospora crassa. Antioxid Redox Signal 2014; 20:3007-23. [PMID: 23964982 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2013.5558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE Both circadian rhythm and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are fundamental features of aerobic eukaryotic cells. The circadian clock enhances the fitness of organisms by enabling them to anticipate cycling changes in the surroundings. ROS generation in the cell is often altered in response to environmental changes, but oscillations in ROS levels may also reflect endogenous metabolic fluctuations governed by the circadian clock. On the other hand, an effective regulation and timing of antioxidant mechanisms may be crucial in the defense of cellular integrity. Thus, an interaction between the circadian timekeeping machinery and ROS homeostasis or signaling in both directions may be of advantage at all phylogenetic levels. RECENT ADVANCES The Frequency-White Collar-1 and White Collar-2 oscillator (FWO) of the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa is well characterized at the molecular level. Several members of the ROS homeostasis were found to be controlled by the circadian clock, and ROS levels display circadian rhythm in Neurospora. On the other hand, multiple data indicate that ROS affect the molecular oscillator. CRITICAL ISSUES Increasing evidence suggests the interplay between ROS homeostasis and oscillators that may be partially or fully independent of the FWO. In addition, ROS may be part of a complex cellular network synchronizing non-transcriptional oscillators with timekeeping machineries based on the classical transcription-translation feedback mechanism. FUTURE DIRECTIONS Further investigations are needed to clarify how the different layers of the bidirectional interactions between ROS homeostasis and circadian regulation are interconnected.
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40
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Todd RB, Zhou M, Ohm RA, Leeggangers HACF, Visser L, de Vries RP. Prevalence of transcription factors in ascomycete and basidiomycete fungi. BMC Genomics 2014; 15:214. [PMID: 24650355 PMCID: PMC3998117 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2013] [Accepted: 03/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Gene regulation underlies fungal physiology and therefore is a major factor in fungal biodiversity. Analysis of genome sequences has revealed a large number of putative transcription factors in most fungal genomes. The presence of fungal orthologs for individual regulators has been analysed and appears to be highly variable with some regulators widely conserved and others showing narrow distribution. Although genome-scale transcription factor surveys have been performed before, no global study into the prevalence of specific regulators across the fungal kingdom has been presented. Results In this study we have analysed the number of members for 37 regulator classes in 77 ascomycete and 31 basidiomycete fungal genomes and revealed significant differences between ascomycetes and basidiomycetes. In addition, we determined the presence of 64 regulators characterised in ascomycetes across these 108 genomes. This demonstrated that overall the highest presence of orthologs is in the filamentous ascomycetes. A significant number of regulators lacked orthologs in the ascomycete yeasts and the basidiomycetes. Conversely, of seven basidiomycete regulators included in the study, only one had orthologs in ascomycetes. Conclusions This study demonstrates a significant difference in the regulatory repertoire of ascomycete and basidiomycete fungi, at the level of both regulator class and individual regulator. This suggests that the current regulatory systems of these fungi have been mainly developed after the two phyla diverged. Most regulators detected in both phyla are involved in central functions of fungal physiology and therefore were likely already present in the ancestor of the two phyla.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard B Todd
- Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, 4024 Throckmorton Plant Sciences Center, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA.
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Cai P, Gu R, Wang B, Li J, Wan L, Tian C, Ma Y. Evidence of a critical role for cellodextrin transporte 2 (CDT-2) in both cellulose and hemicellulose degradation and utilization in Neurospora crassa. PLoS One 2014; 9:e89330. [PMID: 24586693 PMCID: PMC3930720 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0089330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2013] [Accepted: 01/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
CDT-1 and CDT-2 are two cellodextrin transporters discovered in the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa. Previous studies focused on characterizing the role of these transporters in only a few conditions, including cellulose degradation, and the function of these two transporters is not yet completely understood. In this study, we show that deletion of cdt-2, but not cdt-1, results in growth defects not only on Avicel but also on xylan. cdt-2 can be highly induced by xylan, and this mutant has a xylodextrin consumption defect. Transcriptomic analysis of the cdt-2 deletion strain on Avicel and xylan showed that major cellulase and hemicellulase genes were significantly down-regulated in the cdt-2 deletion strain and artificial over expression of cdt-2 in N. crassa increased cellulase and hemicellulase production. Together, these data clearly show that CDT-2 plays a critical role in hemicellulose sensing and utilization. This is the first time a sugar transporter has been assigned a function in the hemicellulose degradation pathway. Furthermore, we found that the transcription factor XLR-1 is the major regulator of cdt-2, while cdt-1 is primarily regulated by CLR-1. These results deepen our understanding of the functions of both cellodextrin transporters, particularly for CDT-2. Our study also provides novel insight into the mechanisms for hemicellulose sensing and utilization in N. crassa, and may be applicable to other cellulolytic filamentous fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengli Cai
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Ruimeng Gu
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Bang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Jingen Li
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Li Wan
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Chaoguang Tian
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Yanhe Ma
- Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
- Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Voigt O, Herzog B, Jakobshagen A, Pöggeler S. bZIP transcription factor SmJLB1 regulates autophagy-related genes Smatg8 and Smatg4 and is required for fruiting-body development and vegetative growth in Sordaria macrospora. Fungal Genet Biol 2013; 61:50-60. [PMID: 24095659 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2013.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2013] [Revised: 09/12/2013] [Accepted: 09/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Autophagy is a precisely controlled degradation process in eukaryotic cells, during which the bulk of the cytoplasm is engulfed by a double membrane vesicle, the autophagosome. Fusion of the autophagosome with the vacuole leads to breakdown of its contents, such as proteins and organelles, and the recycling of nutrients. Earlier studies of autophagic genes of the core autophagic machinery in the filamentous ascomycete Sordaria macrospora elucidated the impact of autophagy on fungal viability, vegetative growth and fruiting-body development. To gain further knowledge about the regulation of autophagy in S. macrospora, we analyzed the function of the bZIP transcription factor SmJLB1, a homolog of the Podospora anserina basic zipper-type transcription factor induced during incompatibility 4 (IDI-4) and the Aspergillus nidulans transcription factor jun-like bZIP A (JlbA). Generation of the homokaryotic deletion mutant demonstrated S. macrospora Smjlb1 is associated with autophagy-dependent processes. Deletion of Smjlb1 abolished fruiting-body formation and impaired vegetative growth. SmJLB1 is localized to the cytoplasm and to nuclei. Quantitative real-time PCR experiments revealed an upregulated expression of autophagy-related genes Smatg8 and Smatg4 in the Smjlb1 deletion mutant, suggesting a transcriptional repression function of SmJLB1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Voigt
- Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Department of Genetics of Eukaryotic Microorganisms, Georg-August-University, Göttingen, Germany
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bZIP transcription factors in the oomycete phytophthora infestans with novel DNA-binding domains are involved in defense against oxidative stress. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2013; 12:1403-12. [PMID: 23975888 DOI: 10.1128/ec.00141-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Transcription factors of the basic leucine zipper (bZIP) family control development and stress responses in eukaryotes. To date, only one bZIP has been described in any oomycete; oomycetes are members of the stramenopile kingdom. In this study, we describe the identification of 38 bZIPs from the Phytophthora infestans genome. Half contain novel substitutions in the DNA-binding domain at a site that in other eukaryotes is reported to always be Asn. Interspecific comparisons indicated that the novel substitutions (usually Cys, but also Val and Tyr) arose after oomycetes diverged from other stramenopiles. About two-thirds of P. infestans bZIPs show dynamic changes in mRNA levels during the life cycle, with many of the genes being upregulated in sporangia, zoospores, or germinated zoospore cysts. One bZIP with the novel Cys substitution was shown to reside in the nucleus throughout growth and development. Using stable gene silencing, the functions of eight bZIPs with the Cys substitution were tested. All but one were found to play roles in protecting P. infestans from hydrogen peroxide-induced injury, and it is proposed that the novel Cys substitution serves as a redox sensor. A ninth bZIP lacking the novel Asn-to-Cys substitution, but having Cys nearby, was also shown through silencing to contribute to defense against peroxide. Little effect on asexual development, plant pathogenesis, or resistance to osmotic stress was observed in transformants silenced for any of the nine bZIPs.
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Redox regulation of an AP-1-like transcription factor, YapA, in the fungal symbiont Epichloe festucae. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2013; 12:1335-48. [PMID: 23893078 DOI: 10.1128/ec.00129-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
One of the central regulators of oxidative stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is Yap1, a bZIP transcription factor of the AP-1 family. In unstressed cells, Yap1 is reduced and cytoplasmic, but in response to oxidative stress, it becomes oxidized and accumulates in the nucleus. To date, there have been no reports on the role of AP-1-like transcription factors in symbiotic fungi. An ortholog of Yap1, named YapA, was identified in the genome of the grass symbiont Epichloë festucae and shown to complement an S. cerevisiae Δyap1 mutant. Hyphae of the E. festucae ΔyapA strain were sensitive to menadione and diamide but resistant to H2O2, KO2, and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BOOH). In contrast, conidia of the ΔyapA strain were very sensitive to H2O2 and failed to germinate. Using a PcatA-eGFP degron-tagged reporter, YapA was shown to be required for expression of a spore-specific catalase gene, catA. Although YapA-EGFP localized to the nucleus in response to host reactive oxygen species during seedling infection, there was no difference in whole-plant and cellular phenotypes of plants infected with the ΔyapA strain compared to the wild-type strain. Homologs of the S. cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe redox-sensing proteins (Gpx3 and Tpx1, respectively) did not act as redox sensors for YapA in E. festucae. In response to oxidative stress, YapA-EGFP localized to the nuclei of E. festucae ΔgpxC, ΔtpxA, and ΔgpxC ΔtpxA cells to the same degree as that in wild-type cells. These results show that E. festucae has a robust system for countering oxidative stress in culture and in planta but that Gpx3- or Tpx1-like thiol peroxidases are dispensable for activation of YapA.
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Sulfur-regulated control of the met-2⁺ gene of Neurospora crassa encoding cystathionine β-lyase. BMC Res Notes 2013; 6:259. [PMID: 23835025 PMCID: PMC3716945 DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-6-259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2013] [Accepted: 07/03/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cystathionine β-lyase performs an essential role in the transsulfuration pathway by its primary reaction of forming homocysteine from cystathionine. Understanding how the Neurospora crassa met-2+ gene, which encodes cystathionine β-lyase, is regulated is important in determining the basis of the cellular control of transsulfuration. The aim of this study was to determine the nature of a potential regulatory connection of met-2+ to the Neurospora sulfur regulatory network. Findings The cystathionine β-lyase (met-2+) gene was cloned by the identification of a cosmid genomic clone capable of transforming a met-2 mutant to methionine prototrophy and subsequently characterized. The gene contains a single intron and encodes a protein of 457 amino acids with conserved residues predicted to be important for catalysis and pyridoxal-5′-phosphate co-factor binding. The expression of met-2+ in wild-type N. crassa increased 3.1-fold under sulfur-limiting growth conditions as compared to the transcript levels seen under high sulfur growth conditions (i.e., repressing conditions). In a Δcys-3 strain, met-2+ transcript levels were substantially reduced under either low- or high-sulfur growth conditions. In addition, the presence of CYS3 activator binding sites on the met-2+ promoter was demonstrated by gel mobility shift assays. Conclusions In this report, we demonstrate the sulfur-regulated expression of the met-2+ gene and confirm its connection to the N. crassa sulfur regulatory circuit by the reduced expression observed in a Δcys-3 mutant and the in vitro detection of CYS3 binding sites in the met-2+ promoter. The data further adds to our understanding of the regulatory dynamics of transsulfuration.
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Coordination of K+ transporters in neurospora: TRK1 is scarce and constitutive, while HAK1 is abundant and highly regulated. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2013; 12:684-96. [PMID: 23475706 DOI: 10.1128/ec.00017-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Fungi, plants, and bacteria accumulate potassium via two distinct molecular machines not directly coupled to ATP hydrolysis. The first, designated TRK, HKT, or KTR, has eight transmembrane helices and is folded like known potassium channels, while the second, designated HAK, KT, or KUP, has 12 transmembrane helices and resembles MFS class proteins. One of each type functions in the model organism Neurospora crassa, where both are readily accessible for biochemical, genetic, and electrophysiological characterization. We have now determined the operating balance between Trk1p and Hak1p under several important conditions, including potassium limitation and carbon starvation. Growth measurements, epitope tagging, and quantitative Western blotting have shown the gene HAK1 to be much more highly regulated than is TRK1. This conclusion follows from three experimental results: (i) Trk1p is expressed constitutively but at low levels, and it is barely sensitive to extracellular [K(+)] and/or the coexpression of HAK1; (ii) Hak1p is abundant but is markedly depressed by elevated extracellular concentrations of K(+) and by coexpression of TRK1; and (iii) Carbon starvation slowly enhances Hak1p expression and depresses Trk1p expression, yielding steady-state Hak1p:Trk1p ratios of ∼500:1, viz., 10- to 50-fold larger than that in K(+)- and carbon-replete cells. Additionally, it appears that both potassium transporters can adjust kinetically to sustained low-K(+) stress by means of progressively increasing transporter affinity for extracellular K(+). The underlying observations are (iv) that K(+) influx via Trk1p remains nearly constant at ∼9 mM/h when extracellular K(+) is progressively depleted below 0.05 mM and (v) that K(+) influx via Hak1p remains at ∼3 mM/h when extracellular K(+) is depleted below 0.1 mM.
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Yin WB, Reinke AW, Szilágyi M, Emri T, Chiang YM, Keating AE, Pócsi I, Wang CCC, Keller NP. bZIP transcription factors affecting secondary metabolism, sexual development and stress responses in Aspergillus nidulans. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2012; 159:77-88. [PMID: 23154967 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.063370-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The eukaryotic basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factors play critical roles in the organismal response to the environment. Recently, a novel YAP-like bZIP, restorer of secondary metabolism A (RsmA), was found in a suppressor screen of an Aspergillus nidulans secondary metabolism (SM) mutant in which overexpression of rsmA was found to partially remediate loss of SM in Velvet Complex mutants. The Velvet Complex is a conserved fungal transcriptional heteromer that couples SM with sexual development in fungi. Here we characterized and contrasted SM in mutants of RsmA and four other A. nidulans bZIP proteins (NapA, ZipA, ZipB and ZipC) with predicted DNA binding motifs similar to RsmA. Only two overexpression mutants exhibited both SM and sexual abnormalities that were noteworthy: OE : : rsmA resulted in a 100-fold increase in sterigmatocystin and a near loss of meiotic spore production. OE : : napA displayed decreased production of sterigmatocystin, emericellin, asperthecin, shamixanthone and epishamixanthone, coupled with a shift from sexual to asexual development. Quantification of bZIP homodimer and heterodimer formation using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) suggested that these proteins preferentially self-associate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Bing Yin
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI, USA
| | - Aaron W Reinke
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA, USA
| | - Melinda Szilágyi
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology and Cell Biology, University of Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Tamás Emri
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology and Cell Biology, University of Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Yi-Ming Chiang
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, CA, USA
| | - Amy E Keating
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA, USA
| | - István Pócsi
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology and Cell Biology, University of Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Clay C C Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, CA, USA
| | - Nancy P Keller
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI, USA.,Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI, USA
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Reveal BS, Paietta JV. Analysis of the sulfur-regulated control of the cystathionine γ-lyase gene of Neurospora crassa. BMC Res Notes 2012; 5:339. [PMID: 22748183 PMCID: PMC3496659 DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-5-339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2012] [Accepted: 06/05/2012] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cystathionine γ-lyase plays a key role in the transsulfuration pathway through its primary reaction of catalyzing the formation of cysteine from cystathionine. The Neurospora crassa cystathionine γ-lyase gene (cys-16+) is of particular interest in dissecting the regulation and dynamics of transsulfuration. The aim of this study was to determine the regulatory connection of cys-16+ to the Neurospora sulfur regulatory network. In addition, the cys-16+ promoter was characterized with the goal of developing a strongly expressed and regulatable gene expression tool. Findings The cystathionine γ-lyase cys-16+ gene was cloned and characterized. The gene, which contains no introns, encodes a protein of 417 amino acids with conserved pyridoxal 5’-phosphate binding site and substrate-cofactor binding pocket. Northern blot analysis using wild type cells showed that cys-16+ transcript levels increased under sulfur limiting (derepressing) conditions and were present only at a low level under sulfur sufficient (repressing) conditions. In contrast, cys-16+ transcript levels in a Δcys-3 regulatory mutant were present at a low level under either derepressing or repressing conditions. Gel mobility shift analysis demonstrated the presence of four CYS3 transcriptional activator binding sites on the cys-16+ promoter, which were close matches to the CYS3 consensus binding sequence. Conclusions In this work, we confirm the control of cystathionine γ-lyase gene expression by the CYS3 transcriptional activator through the loss of cys-16+ expression in a Δcys-3 mutant and through the in vitro binding of CYS3 to the cys-16+ promoter at four sites. The highly regulated cys-16+ promoter should be a useful tool for gene expression studies in Neurospora
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Affiliation(s)
- Brad S Reveal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Wright State University, Dayton, OH 45435, USA
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Schuster A, Bruno KS, Collett JR, Baker SE, Seiboth B, Kubicek CP, Schmoll M. A versatile toolkit for high throughput functional genomics with Trichoderma reesei. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2012; 5:1. [PMID: 22448811 PMCID: PMC3260098 DOI: 10.1186/1754-6834-5-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 170] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2011] [Accepted: 01/02/2012] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ascomycete fungus, Trichoderma reesei (anamorph of Hypocrea jecorina), represents a biotechnological workhorse and is currently one of the most proficient cellulase producers. While strain improvement was traditionally accomplished by random mutagenesis, a detailed understanding of cellulase regulation can only be gained using recombinant technologies. RESULTS Aiming at high efficiency and high throughput methods, we present here a construction kit for gene knock out in T. reesei. We provide a primer database for gene deletion using the pyr4, amdS and hph selection markers. For high throughput generation of gene knock outs, we constructed vectors using yeast mediated recombination and then transformed a T. reesei strain deficient in non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) by spore electroporation. This NHEJ-defect was subsequently removed by crossing of mutants with a sexually competent strain derived from the parental strain, QM9414. CONCLUSIONS Using this strategy and the materials provided, high throughput gene deletion in T. reesei becomes feasible. Moreover, with the application of sexual development, the NHEJ-defect can be removed efficiently and without the need for additional selection markers. The same advantages apply for the construction of multiple mutants by crossing of strains with different gene deletions, which is now possible with considerably less hands-on time and minimal screening effort compared to a transformation approach. Consequently this toolkit can considerably boost research towards efficient exploitation of the resources of T. reesei for cellulase expression and hence second generation biofuel production.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Schuster
- Chemical and Biological Process Development, Energy and Environment Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, 902 Battelle Blvd, Richland, WA, USA
- Research Area of Gene Technology and Applied Biochemistry, Institute for Chemical Engineering, Vienna University of Technology, Gumpendorfer Strasse 1a/1665, A-1060 Wien, Austria
| | - Kenneth S Bruno
- Chemical and Biological Process Development, Energy and Environment Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, 902 Battelle Blvd, Richland, WA, USA
| | - James R Collett
- Chemical and Biological Process Development, Energy and Environment Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, 902 Battelle Blvd, Richland, WA, USA
| | - Scott E Baker
- Chemical and Biological Process Development, Energy and Environment Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, 902 Battelle Blvd, Richland, WA, USA
| | - Bernhard Seiboth
- Research Area of Gene Technology and Applied Biochemistry, Institute for Chemical Engineering, Vienna University of Technology, Gumpendorfer Strasse 1a/1665, A-1060 Wien, Austria
| | - Christian P Kubicek
- Research Area of Gene Technology and Applied Biochemistry, Institute for Chemical Engineering, Vienna University of Technology, Gumpendorfer Strasse 1a/1665, A-1060 Wien, Austria
| | - Monika Schmoll
- Research Area of Gene Technology and Applied Biochemistry, Institute for Chemical Engineering, Vienna University of Technology, Gumpendorfer Strasse 1a/1665, A-1060 Wien, Austria
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