1
|
Zeng W, Lin J, Xie J, Fu Y, Lin Y, Chen T, Li B, Yu X, Chen W, Jiang D, Cheng J. RNA-dependent RNA polymerases regulate ascospore discharge through the exonic-sRNA-mediated RNAi pathway. mBio 2024; 15:e0037724. [PMID: 38752738 PMCID: PMC11237814 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00377-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Ascospores, forcibly released into the air from perithecia, are the primary inoculum for Fusarium head blight. In Fusarium graminearum, the biological functions of four RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRPs) (Fgrdrp1-4) have been reported, but their regulatory mechanisms are poorly understood and the function of Fgrdrp5 is still unknown. In this study, we found that in addition to Fgrdrp1 and Fgrdrp2, Fgrdrp5 also plays an important role in ascospore discharge, and they all participate in the generation of turgor pressure in a polyol-dependent manner. Moreover, these three genes all affect the maturation of ascospores. Deep sequencing and co-analysis of small RNA and mRNA certified that Fgrdrp1, Fgrdrp2, and Fgrdrp5 partly share their functions in the biogenesis and accumulation of exonic small interference RNA (ex-siRNA), and these three RdRPs negatively regulate the expression levels of ex-siRNA corresponding genes, including certain genes associated with ascospore development or discharge. Furthermore, the differentially expressed genes of deletion mutants, those involved in lipid and sugar metabolism or transport as well as sexual development-related transcription factors, may also contribute to the defects in ascospore maturation or ascospore discharge. In conclusion, our study suggested that the components of the dicer-dependent ex-siRNA-mediated RNA interference pathway include at least Fgrdrp1, Fgrdrp2, and Fgrdrp5. IMPORTANCE We found that in addition to Fgrdrp1 and Fgrdrp2, Fgrdrp5 also plays important roles in ascospore maturation and ascospore discharge of Fusarium graminearum. These three RNA-dependent RNA polymerases participate in the biogenesis and accumulation of exonic small interference RNA and then regulate ascospore discharge.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenping Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Environment Change and Resources Use in Beibu Gulf, Ministry of Education, Nanning Normal University, Nanning, China
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jing Lin
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- The Provincial Key Lab of Plant Pathology of Hubei Province, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiatao Xie
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- The Provincial Key Lab of Plant Pathology of Hubei Province, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yanping Fu
- The Provincial Key Lab of Plant Pathology of Hubei Province, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yang Lin
- The Provincial Key Lab of Plant Pathology of Hubei Province, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Tao Chen
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- The Provincial Key Lab of Plant Pathology of Hubei Province, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Bo Li
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- The Provincial Key Lab of Plant Pathology of Hubei Province, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiao Yu
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- The Provincial Key Lab of Plant Pathology of Hubei Province, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Weidong Chen
- USA Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Daohong Jiang
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- The Provincial Key Lab of Plant Pathology of Hubei Province, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiasen Cheng
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- The Provincial Key Lab of Plant Pathology of Hubei Province, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Niu G, Yang Q, Liao Y, Sun D, Tang Z, Wang G, Xu M, Wang C, Kang J. Advances in Understanding Fusarium graminearum: Genes Involved in the Regulation of Sexual Development, Pathogenesis, and Deoxynivalenol Biosynthesis. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:475. [PMID: 38674409 PMCID: PMC11050156 DOI: 10.3390/genes15040475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The wheat head blight disease caused by Fusarium graminearum is a major concern for food security and the health of both humans and animals. As a pathogenic microorganism, F. graminearum produces virulence factors during infection to increase pathogenicity, including various macromolecular and small molecular compounds. Among these virulence factors, secreted proteins and deoxynivalenol (DON) are important weapons for the expansion and colonization of F. graminearum. Besides the presence of virulence factors, sexual reproduction is also crucial for the infection process of F. graminearum and is indispensable for the emergence and spread of wheat head blight. Over the last ten years, there have been notable breakthroughs in researching the virulence factors and sexual reproduction of F. graminearum. This review aims to analyze the research progress of sexual reproduction, secreted proteins, and DON of F. graminearum, emphasizing the regulation of sexual reproduction and DON synthesis. We also discuss the application of new gene engineering technologies in the prevention and control of wheat head blight.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gang Niu
- College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (G.N.); (Q.Y.); (Y.L.); (D.S.); (Z.T.); (G.W.); (M.X.)
| | - Qing Yang
- College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (G.N.); (Q.Y.); (Y.L.); (D.S.); (Z.T.); (G.W.); (M.X.)
| | - Yihui Liao
- College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (G.N.); (Q.Y.); (Y.L.); (D.S.); (Z.T.); (G.W.); (M.X.)
| | - Daiyuan Sun
- College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (G.N.); (Q.Y.); (Y.L.); (D.S.); (Z.T.); (G.W.); (M.X.)
| | - Zhe Tang
- College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (G.N.); (Q.Y.); (Y.L.); (D.S.); (Z.T.); (G.W.); (M.X.)
| | - Guanghui Wang
- College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (G.N.); (Q.Y.); (Y.L.); (D.S.); (Z.T.); (G.W.); (M.X.)
| | - Ming Xu
- College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (G.N.); (Q.Y.); (Y.L.); (D.S.); (Z.T.); (G.W.); (M.X.)
| | - Chenfang Wang
- College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (G.N.); (Q.Y.); (Y.L.); (D.S.); (Z.T.); (G.W.); (M.X.)
- Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Jiangang Kang
- College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (G.N.); (Q.Y.); (Y.L.); (D.S.); (Z.T.); (G.W.); (M.X.)
- College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wilson AM, Coetzee MPA, Wingfield MJ, Wingfield BD. Needles in fungal haystacks: Discovery of a putative a-factor pheromone and a unique mating strategy in the Leotiomycetes. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0292619. [PMID: 37824487 PMCID: PMC10569646 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292619] [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: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The Leotiomycetes is a hugely diverse group of fungi, accommodating a wide variety of important plant and animal pathogens, ericoid mycorrhizal fungi, as well as producers of antibiotics. Despite their importance, the genetics of these fungi remain relatively understudied, particularly as they don't include model taxa. For example, sexual reproduction and the genetic mechanisms that underly this process are poorly understood in the Leotiomycetes. We exploited publicly available genomic and transcriptomic resources to identify genes of the mating-type locus and pheromone response pathway in an effort to characterize the mating strategies and behaviors of 124 Leotiomycete species. Our analyses identified a putative a-factor mating pheromone in these species. This significant finding represents the first identification of this gene in Pezizomycotina species outside of the Sordariomycetes. A unique mating strategy was also discovered in Lachnellula species that appear to have lost the need for the primary MAT1-1-1 protein. Ancestral state reconstruction enabled the identification of numerous transitions between homothallism and heterothallism in the Leotiomycetes and suggests a heterothallic ancestor for this group. This comprehensive catalog of mating-related genes from such a large group of fungi provides a rich resource from which in-depth, functional studies can be conducted in these economically and ecologically important species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andi M. Wilson
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics & Microbiology, Forestry & Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Martin P. A. Coetzee
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics & Microbiology, Forestry & Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Michael J. Wingfield
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics & Microbiology, Forestry & Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Brenda D. Wingfield
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics & Microbiology, Forestry & Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Jiang H, Zhang Y, Wang W, Cao X, Xu H, Liu H, Qi J, Jiang C, Wang C. FgCsn12 Is Involved in the Regulation of Ascosporogenesis in the Wheat Scab Fungus Fusarium graminearum. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:10445. [PMID: 36142356 PMCID: PMC9499528 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by the fungal pathogen Fusarium graminearum, is a destructive disease worldwide. Ascospores are the primary inoculum of F. graminearum, and sexual reproduction is a critical step in its infection cycle. In this study, we characterized the functions of FgCsn12. Although the ortholog of FgCsn12 in budding yeast was reported to have a direct interaction with Csn5, which served as the core subunit of the COP9 signalosome, the interaction between FgCsn12 and FgCsn5 was not detected through the yeast two-hybrid assay. The deletion of FgCSN12 resulted in slight defects in the growth rate, conidial morphology, and pathogenicity. Instead of forming four-celled, uninucleate ascospores, the Fgcsn12 deletion mutant produced oval ascospores with only one or two cells and was significantly defective in ascospore discharge. The 3'UTR of FgCsn12 was dispensable for vegetative growth but essential for sexual reproductive functions. Compared with those of the wild type, 1204 genes and 2240 genes were up- and downregulated over twofold, respectively, in the Fgcsn12 mutant. Taken together, FgCsn12 demonstrated an important function in the regulation of ascosporogenesis in F. graminearum.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hang Jiang
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Plant Virology, Institute of Plant Protection, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Yuhan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Northwestern A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang 712100, China
| | - Wanshan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Northwestern A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang 712100, China
| | - Xinyu Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Northwestern A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang 712100, China
| | - Huaijian Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Northwestern A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang 712100, China
| | - Huiquan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Northwestern A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang 712100, China
| | - Junshan Qi
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Plant Virology, Institute of Plant Protection, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Cong Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Northwestern A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang 712100, China
| | - Chenfang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Northwestern A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang 712100, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Wang J, Zeng W, Cheng J, Xie J, Fu Y, Jiang D, Lin Y. lncRsp1, a long noncoding RNA, influences Fgsp1 expression and sexual reproduction in Fusarium graminearum. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2022; 23:265-277. [PMID: 34841640 PMCID: PMC8743023 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.13160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are crucial regulators of gene expression in many biological processes, but their biological functions remain largely unknown, especially in fungi. Fusarium graminearum is an important pathogen that causes the destructive disease Fusarium head blight (FHB) or head scab disease on wheat and barley. In our previous RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) study, we discovered that lncRsp1 is an lncRNA that is located +99 bp upstream of a putative sugar transporter gene, Fgsp1, with the same transcription direction. Functional studies revealed that ΔlncRsp1 and ΔFgsp1 were normal in growth and conidiation but had defects in ascospore discharge and virulence on wheat coleoptiles. Moreover, lncRsp1 and Fgsp1 were shown to negatively regulate the expression of several deoxynivalenol (DON) biosynthesis genes, TRI4, TRI5, TRI6, and TRI13, as well as DON production. Further analysis showed that the overexpression of lncRsp1 enhanced the ability of ascospore release and increased the mRNA expression level of the Fgsp1 gene, while lncRsp1-silenced strains reduced ascospore discharge and inhibited Fgsp1 expression during the sexual reproduction stage. In addition, the lncRsp1 complementary strains lncRsp1-LC-1 and lncRsp1-LC-2 restored ascospore discharge to the level of the wild-type strain PH-1. Taken together, our results reveal the distinct and specific functions of lncRsp1 and Fgsp1 in F. graminearum and principally demonstrate that lncRsp1 can affect the release of ascospores by regulating the expression of Fgsp1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural MicrobiologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Plant PathologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Wenping Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural MicrobiologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
- Key Laboratory of Environment Change and Resources Use in Beibu GulfMinistry of EducationNanning Normal UniversityNanningChina
| | - Jiasen Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural MicrobiologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Plant PathologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Jiatao Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural MicrobiologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Plant PathologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Yanping Fu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Plant PathologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Daohong Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural MicrobiologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Plant PathologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Yang Lin
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Plant PathologyHuazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhanChina
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
It's All in the Genes: The Regulatory Pathways of Sexual Reproduction in Filamentous Ascomycetes. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10050330. [PMID: 31052334 PMCID: PMC6562746 DOI: 10.3390/genes10050330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Revised: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Sexual reproduction in filamentous ascomycete fungi results in the production of highly specialized sexual tissues, which arise from relatively simple, vegetative mycelia. This conversion takes place after the recognition of and response to a variety of exogenous and endogenous cues, and relies on very strictly regulated gene, protein, and metabolite pathways. This makes studying sexual development in fungi an interesting tool in which to study gene-gene, gene-protein, and protein-metabolite interactions. This review provides an overview of some of the most important genes involved in this process; from those involved in the conversion of mycelia into sexually-competent tissue, to those involved in the development of the ascomata, the asci, and ultimately, the ascospores.
Collapse
|
7
|
Hao C, Yin J, Sun M, Wang Q, Liang J, Bian Z, Liu H, Xu J. The meiosis‐specific APC activator
FgAMA1
is dispensable for meiosis but important for ascosporogenesis in
Fusarium graminearum. Mol Microbiol 2019; 111:1245-1262. [DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Chaofeng Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and NWAFU‐Purdue Joint Research Center, College of Plant Protection Northwest A&F University Yangling Shaanxi 712100China
| | - Jinrong Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and NWAFU‐Purdue Joint Research Center, College of Plant Protection Northwest A&F University Yangling Shaanxi 712100China
| | - Manli Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and NWAFU‐Purdue Joint Research Center, College of Plant Protection Northwest A&F University Yangling Shaanxi 712100China
| | - Qinhu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and NWAFU‐Purdue Joint Research Center, College of Plant Protection Northwest A&F University Yangling Shaanxi 712100China
| | - Jie Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and NWAFU‐Purdue Joint Research Center, College of Plant Protection Northwest A&F University Yangling Shaanxi 712100China
| | - Zhuyun Bian
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology Purdue University West Lafayette IN 47907USA
| | - Huiquan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and NWAFU‐Purdue Joint Research Center, College of Plant Protection Northwest A&F University Yangling Shaanxi 712100China
| | - Jin‐Rong Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and NWAFU‐Purdue Joint Research Center, College of Plant Protection Northwest A&F University Yangling Shaanxi 712100China
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology Purdue University West Lafayette IN 47907USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Lv W, Wu J, Xu Z, Dai H, Ma Z, Wang Z. The putative histone-like transcription factor FgHltf1 is required for vegetative growth, sexual reproduction, and virulence in Fusarium graminearum. Curr Genet 2019; 65:981-994. [DOI: 10.1007/s00294-019-00953-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Revised: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
|
9
|
Kim Y, Kang IJ, Shin DB, Roh JH, Heu S, Shim HK. Timing of Fusarium Head Blight Infection in Rice by Heading Stage. MYCOBIOLOGY 2018; 46:283-286. [PMID: 30294489 PMCID: PMC6171418 DOI: 10.1080/12298093.2018.1496637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Revised: 07/25/2017] [Accepted: 06/15/2018] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Fusarium graminearum causes the devastating plant disease Fusarium head blight and produces mycotoxins on small cultivated grains. To investigate the timeframe of F. graminearum infection during rice cultivation, a spore suspension of F. graminearum was applied to the rice cultivars Dongjin 1 and Nampyeongbyeo before and after the heading stage. The disease incidence rate was the highest (50%) directly after heading, when the greatest number of flowers were present, while only 10% of the rice infected 30 days after heading showed symptoms. To understand the mechanism of infection, an F. graminearum strain expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) was inoculated, and the resulting infections were visually examined. Spores were found in all areas between the glume and inner seed, with the largest amount of GFP detected in the aleurone layer. When the inner part of the rice seed was infected, the pathogen was mainly observed in the embryo. These results suggest that F. graminearum migrates from the anthers to the ovaries and into the seeds during the flowering stage of rice. This study will contribute to uncovering the infection process of this pathogen in rice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yangseon Kim
- Crop Cultivation and Environment Research Division, National Institute of Crop Science, Rural Development Administration, Suwon, Korea
| | - In Jeong Kang
- Crop Cultivation and Environment Research Division, National Institute of Crop Science, Rural Development Administration, Suwon, Korea
| | - Dong Bum Shin
- Crop Cultivation and Environment Research Division, National Institute of Crop Science, Rural Development Administration, Suwon, Korea
| | - Jae Hwan Roh
- Crop Cultivation and Environment Research Division, National Institute of Crop Science, Rural Development Administration, Suwon, Korea
| | - Sunggi Heu
- Crop Cultivation and Environment Research Division, National Institute of Crop Science, Rural Development Administration, Suwon, Korea
| | - Hyeong Kwon Shim
- Crop Cultivation and Environment Research Division, National Institute of Crop Science, Rural Development Administration, Suwon, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Sephton-Clark PCS, Voelz K. Spore Germination of Pathogenic Filamentous Fungi. ADVANCES IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY 2017; 102:117-157. [PMID: 29680124 DOI: 10.1016/bs.aambs.2017.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Fungi, algae, plants, protozoa, and bacteria are all known to form spores, especially hardy and ubiquitous propagation structures that are also often the infectious agents of diseases. Spores can survive for thousands of years, frozen in the permafrost (Kochkina et al., 2012), with the oldest viable spores extracted after 250 million years from salt crystals (Vreeland, Rosenzweig, & Powers, 2000). Their resistance to high levels of UV, desiccation, pressure, heat, and cold enables the survival of spores in the harshest conditions (Setlow, 2016). For example, Bacillus subtilis spores can survive and remain viable after experiencing conditions similar to those on Mars (Horneck et al., 2012). Spores are disseminated through environmental factors. Wind, water, or animal carriage allow spores to be spread ubiquitously throughout the environment. Spores will break dormancy and begin to germinate once exposed to favorable conditions. Germination is the mechanism that converts the spore from a dormant biological organism to one that grows vegetatively and is capable of either sexual or asexual reproduction. The process of germination has been well studied in plants, moss, bacteria, and many fungi (Hohe & Reski, 2005; Huang & Hull, 2017; Vesty et al., 2016). Unfortunately, information on the complex signaling involved in the regulation of germination, particularly in fungi remains lacking. This chapter will discuss germination of fungal spores covering our current understanding of the regulation, signaling, outcomes, and implications of germination of pathogenic fungal spores. Owing to the morphological similarities between the spore-hyphal and yeast-hyphal transition and their relevance for disease progression, relevant aspects of fungal dimorphism will be discussed alongside spore germination in this chapter.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Poppy C S Sephton-Clark
- School of Biosciences, Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Kerstin Voelz
- School of Biosciences, Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
RNA editing of the AMD1 gene is important for ascus maturation and ascospore discharge in Fusarium graminearum. Sci Rep 2017; 7:4617. [PMID: 28676631 PMCID: PMC5496914 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-04960-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 05/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Ascospores are the primary inoculum in the wheat scab fungus Fusarium graminearum that was recently shown to have sexual stage-specific A-to-I RNA editing. One of the genes with premature-stop-codons requiring A-to-I editing to encode full-length functional proteins is AMD1 that encodes a protein with a major facilitator superfamily (MFS) domain. Here, we characterized the functions of AMD1 and its UAG to UGG editing event. The amd1 deletion mutant was normal in growth and conidiation but defective in ascospore discharge due to the premature breakdown of its ascus wall in older perithecia, which is consistent with the specific expression of AMD1 at later stages of sexual development. Expression of the wild-type or edited allele of AMD1 but not un-editable allele rescued the defects of amd1 in ascospore discharge. Furthermore, Amd1-GFP localized to the ascus membrane and Amd1 orthologs are only present in ascocarp-forming fungi that physically discharge ascospores. Interestingly, deletion of AMD1 results in the up-regulation of a number of genes related to transporter activity and membrane functions. Overall, these results indicated that Amd1 may play a critical role in maintaining ascus wall integrity during ascus maturation, and A-to-I editing of its transcripts is important for ascospore discharge in F. graminearum.
Collapse
|
12
|
Liu H, Zhang S, Ma J, Dai Y, Li C, Lyu X, Wang C, Xu JR. Two Cdc2 Kinase Genes with Distinct Functions in Vegetative and Infectious Hyphae in Fusarium graminearum. PLoS Pathog 2015; 11:e1004913. [PMID: 26083253 PMCID: PMC4470668 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2014] [Accepted: 04/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic cell cycle involves a number of protein kinases important for the onset and progression through mitosis, most of which are well characterized in the budding and fission yeasts and conserved in other fungi. However, unlike the model yeast and filamentous fungi that have a single Cdc2 essential for cell cycle progression, the wheat scab fungus Fusarium graminearum contains two CDC2 orthologs. The cdc2A and cdc2B mutants had no obvious defects in growth rate and conidiation but deletion of both of them is lethal, indicating that these two CDC2 orthologs have redundant functions during vegetative growth and asexual reproduction. However, whereas the cdc2B mutant was normal, the cdc2A mutant was significantly reduced in virulence and rarely produced ascospores. Although deletion of CDC2A had no obvious effect on the formation of penetration branches or hyphopodia, the cdc2A mutant was limited in the differentiation and growth of infectious growth in wheat tissues. Therefore, CDC2A plays stage-specific roles in cell cycle regulation during infectious growth and sexual reproduction. Both CDC2A and CDC2B are constitutively expressed but only CDC2A was up-regulated during plant infection and ascosporogenesis. Localization of Cdc2A- GFP to the nucleus but not Cdc2B-GFP was observed in vegetative hyphae, ascospores, and infectious hyphae. Complementation assays with chimeric fusion constructs showed that both the N- and C-terminal regions of Cdc2A are important for its functions in pathogenesis and ascosporogenesis but only the N-terminal region is important for its subcellular localization. Among the Sordariomycetes, only three Fusarium species closely related to F. graminearum have two CDC2 genes. Furthermore, F. graminearum uniquely has two Aurora kinase genes and one additional putative cyclin gene, and its orthologs of CAK1 and other four essential mitotic kinases in the budding yeast are dispensable for viability. Overall, our data indicate that cell cycle regulation is different between vegetative and infectious hyphae in F. graminearum and Cdc2A, possibly by interacting with a stage-specific cyclin, plays a more important role than Cdc2B during ascosporogenesis and plant infection. In the model yeasts and filamentous fungi, CDC2 is an essential gene that encodes the only CDK essential for mitotic cell cycle progression. However, the wheat scab fungus F. graminearum contains two CDC2 orthologs. The cdc2A and cdc2B deletion mutants had no defects in vegetative growth but deletion of both is lethal. Whereas the cdc2B mutant was normal, the cdc2A mutant was almost non-pathogenic, indicating that only Cdc2A is essential in infectious hyphae. Cdc2A and Cdc2B differ in subcellular localization and only localization of Cdc2A to the nucleus was increased in cells active in mitosis. Furthermore, F. graminearum uniquely has two orthologs of Ipl1 Aurora kinase and mutants deleted of orthologs of five essential yeast mitotic kinase genes were viable. However, most of these mutants were significantly reduced in virulence. Overall, our data indicate that F. graminearum differs from the model fungi in CDK and other key mitotic kinase genes, and cell cycle regulation is different between vegetative and infectious hyphae. This is the first report on two Cdc2 kinases in fungi and they differ in subcellular localization and functions during sexual reproduction and plant infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huiquan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Shijie Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jiwen Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yafeng Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Chaohui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xueliang Lyu
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Chenfang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jin-Rong Xu
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Luo Y, Zhang H, Qi L, Zhang S, Zhou X, Zhang Y, Xu JR. FgKin1 kinase localizes to the septal pore and plays a role in hyphal growth, ascospore germination, pathogenesis, and localization of Tub1 beta-tubulins in Fusarium graminearum. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2014; 204:943-54. [PMID: 25078365 DOI: 10.1111/nph.12953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2014] [Accepted: 06/20/2014] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The Kin1/Par-1/MARK kinases regulate various cellular processes in eukaryotic organisms. Kin1 orthologs are well conserved in fungal pathogens but none of them have been functionally characterized. Here, we show that KIN1 is important for pathogenesis and growth in two phytopathogenic fungi and that FgKin1 regulates ascospore germination and the localization of Tub1 β-tubulins in Fusarium graminearum. The Fgkin1 mutant and putative FgKIN1(S172A) kinase dead (nonactivatable) transformants were characterized for defects in plant infection, sexual and asexual reproduction, and stress responses. The localization of FgKin1 and two β-tubulins were examined in the wild-type and mutant backgrounds. Deletion of FgKIN1 resulted in reduced virulence and defects in ascospore germination and release. FgKin1 localized to the center of septal pores. FgKIN1 deletion had no effect on Tub2 microtubules but disrupted Tub1 localization. In the mutant, Tub1 appeared to be enriched in the nucleolus. In Magnaporthe oryzae, MoKin1 has similar functions in growth and infection and it also localizes to septal pores. The S172A mutation had no effect on the localization and function of FgKIN1 during sexual reproduction. These results indicate that FgKIN1 has kinase-dependent and independent functions and it specifically regulates Tub1 β-tubulins. FgKin1 plays a critical role in ascospore discharge, germination, and plant infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yongping Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Geng Z, Zhu W, Su H, Zhao Y, Zhang KQ, Yang J. Recent advances in genes involved in secondary metabolite synthesis, hyphal development, energy metabolism and pathogenicity in Fusarium graminearum (teleomorph Gibberella zeae). Biotechnol Adv 2014; 32:390-402. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2013.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2013] [Revised: 11/11/2013] [Accepted: 12/16/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
|
15
|
Yu J, Son H, Park AR, Lee SH, Choi GJ, Kim JC, Lee YW. Functional characterization of sucrose non-fermenting 1 protein kinase complex genes in the Ascomycete Fusarium graminearum. Curr Genet 2013; 60:35-47. [PMID: 24057127 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-013-0409-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2013] [Revised: 09/10/2013] [Accepted: 09/13/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Sucrose non-fermenting 1 (SNF1) protein kinase complex is a heterotrimer that functions in energy homeostasis in eukaryotes by regulating transcription of glucose-repressible genes. Our previous study revealed that SNF1 of the homothallic ascomycete fungus Fusarium graminearum plays important roles in vegetative growth, sexual development, and virulence. In this study, we further identified the components of the SNF1 complex in F. graminearum and characterized their functions. We found that the SNF1 complex in F. graminearum consists of one alpha subunit (FgSNF1), one beta subunit (FgGAL83), and one gamma subunit (FgSNF4). Deletion of Fggal83 and Fgsnf4 resulted in alleviated phenotype changes in vegetative growth and sexual development as compared to those of the Fgsnf1 deletion mutant. However, all of the single, double, and triple deletion mutants among Fgsnf1, Fggal83, and Fgsnf4 had similar levels of decreased virulence. In addition, there was no synergistic effect of the mutant (single, double, or triple deletions of SNF1 complex component genes) phenotypes except for sucrose utilization. In this study, we revealed that FgSNF1 is mainly required for SNF1 complex functions, and the other two SNF1 complex components have adjunctive roles with FgSNF1 in sexual development and vegetative growth but have a major role in virulence in F. graminearum.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jungheon Yu
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Center for Fungal Pathogenesis, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-921, Republic of Korea
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Son H, Kim MG, Min K, Seo YS, Lim JY, Choi GJ, Kim JC, Chae SK, Lee YW. AbaA regulates conidiogenesis in the ascomycete fungus Fusarium graminearum. PLoS One 2013; 8:e72915. [PMID: 24039821 PMCID: PMC3769392 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0072915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2013] [Accepted: 07/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Fusarium graminearum (teleomorph Gibberella zeae) is a prominent pathogen that infects major cereal crops such as wheat, barley, and maize. Both sexual (ascospores) and asexual (conidia) spores are produced in F. graminearum. Since conidia are responsible for secondary infection in disease development, our objective of the present study was to reveal the molecular mechanisms underlying conidiogenesis in F. graminearum based on the framework previously described in Aspergillus nidulans. In this study, we firstly identified and functionally characterized the ortholog of AbaA, which is involved in differentiation from vegetative hyphae to conidia and known to be absent in F. graminearum. Deletion of abaA did not affect vegetative growth, sexual development, or virulence, but conidium production was completely abolished and thin hyphae grew from abnormally shaped phialides in abaA deletion mutants. Overexpression of abaA resulted in pleiotropic defects such as impaired sexual and asexual development, retarded conidium germination, and reduced trichothecene production. AbaA localized to the nuclei of phialides and terminal cells of mature conidia. Successful interspecies complementation using A. nidulans AbaA and the conserved AbaA-WetA pathway demonstrated that the molecular mechanisms responsible for AbaA activity are conserved in F. graminearum as they are in A. nidulans. Results from RNA-sequencing analysis suggest that AbaA plays a pivotal role in conidiation by regulating cell cycle pathways and other conidiation-related genes. Thus, the conserved roles of the AbaA ortholog in both A. nidulans and F. graminearum give new insight into the genetics of conidiation in filamentous fungi.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hokyoung Son
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Center for Fungal Pathogenesis, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Myung-Gu Kim
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Center for Fungal Pathogenesis, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyunghun Min
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Center for Fungal Pathogenesis, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Su Seo
- Department of Microbiology, Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Yun Lim
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Center for Fungal Pathogenesis, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Gyung Ja Choi
- Eco-friendly New Materials Research Group, Research Center for Biobased Chemistry, Division of Convergence Chemistry, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Cheol Kim
- Eco-friendly New Materials Research Group, Research Center for Biobased Chemistry, Division of Convergence Chemistry, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Suhn-Kee Chae
- Department of Biochemistry, Paichai University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Yin-Won Lee
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Center for Fungal Pathogenesis, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|