1
|
Baran B, Ölmez F, Çapa B, Dikilitas M. Defense Pathways of Wheat Plants Inoculated with Zymoseptoria tritici under NaCl Stress Conditions: An Overview. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:648. [PMID: 38792668 PMCID: PMC11122936 DOI: 10.3390/life14050648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Due to being sessile, plants develop a broad range of defense pathways when they face abiotic or biotic stress factors. Although plants are subjected to more than one type of stress at a time in nature, the combined effects of either multiple stresses of one kind (abiotic or biotic) or more kinds (abiotic and biotic) have now been realized in agricultural lands due to increases in global warming and environmental pollution, along with population increases. Soil-borne pathogens, or pathogens infecting aerial parts, can have devastating effects on plants when combined with other stressors. Obtaining yields or crops from sensitive or moderately resistant plants could be impossible, and it could be very difficult from resistant plants. The mechanisms of combined stress in many plants have previously been studied and elucidated. Recent studies proposed new defense pathways and mechanisms through signaling cascades. In light of these mechanisms, it is now time to develop appropriate strategies for crop protection under multiple stress conditions. This may involve using disease-resistant or stress-tolerant plant varieties, implementing proper irrigation and drainage practices, and improving soil quality. However, generation of both stress-tolerant and disease-resistant crop plants is of crucial importance. The establishment of a database and understanding of the defense mechanisms under combined stress conditions would be meaningful for the development of resistant and tolerant plants. It is clear that leaf pathogens show great tolerance to salinity stress and result in pathogenicity in crop plants. We noticed that regulation of the stomata through biochemical applications and some effort with the upregulation of the minor gene expressions indirectly involved with the defense mechanisms could be a great way to increase the defense metabolites without interfering with quality parameters. In this review, we selected wheat as a model plant and Zymoseptoria tritici as a model leaf pathogen to evaluate the defense mechanisms under saline conditions through physiological, biochemical, and molecular pathways and suggested various ways to generate tolerant and resistant cereal plants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Behzat Baran
- Plant Protection Research Institute, Sur, Diyarbakır 21110, Türkiye;
| | - Fatih Ölmez
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Sivas University of Science and Technology, Sivas 58010, Türkiye;
| | - Beritan Çapa
- Department of Plant Protection Şanliurfa, Faculty of Agriculture, Harran University, Sanliurfa 63000, Türkiye;
| | - Murat Dikilitas
- Department of Plant Protection Şanliurfa, Faculty of Agriculture, Harran University, Sanliurfa 63000, Türkiye;
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Alassimone J, Praz C, Lorrain C, De Francesco A, Carrasco-López C, Faino L, Shen Z, Meile L, Sánchez-Vallet A. The Zymoseptoria tritici Avirulence Factor AvrStb6 Accumulates in Hyphae Close to Stomata and Triggers a Wheat Defense Response Hindering Fungal Penetration. MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS : MPMI 2024; 37:432-444. [PMID: 38265007 DOI: 10.1094/mpmi-11-23-0181-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Zymoseptoria tritici, the causal agent of Septoria tritici blotch, is one of Europe's most damaging wheat pathogens, causing significant economic losses. Genetic resistance is a common strategy to control the disease, Stb6 being a resistance gene used for more than 100 years in Europe. This study investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying Stb6-mediated resistance. Utilizing confocal microscopy imaging, we determined that Z. tritici epiphytic hyphae mainly accumulate the corresponding avirulence factor AvrStb6 in close proximity to stomata. Consequently, the progression of AvrStb6-expressing avirulent strains is hampered during penetration. The fungal growth inhibition co-occurs with a transcriptional reprogramming in wheat characterized by an induction of immune responses, genes involved in stomatal regulation, and cell wall-related genes. Overall, we shed light on the gene-for-gene resistance mechanisms in the wheat-Z. tritici pathosystem at the cytological and transcriptomic level, and our results highlight that stomatal penetration is a critical process for pathogenicity and resistance. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julien Alassimone
- Plant Pathology, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Coraline Praz
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas (CBGP)/Universidad Politécnica de Madrid-Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agraria y Alimentaria/Centro Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (INIA/CSIC), Campus de Montegancedo, Pozuelo de Alarcón (Madrid), Spain
| | - Cécile Lorrain
- Plant Pathology, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Agustina De Francesco
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas (CBGP)/Universidad Politécnica de Madrid-Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agraria y Alimentaria/Centro Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (INIA/CSIC), Campus de Montegancedo, Pozuelo de Alarcón (Madrid), Spain
| | - Cristian Carrasco-López
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas (CBGP)/Universidad Politécnica de Madrid-Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agraria y Alimentaria/Centro Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (INIA/CSIC), Campus de Montegancedo, Pozuelo de Alarcón (Madrid), Spain
| | - Luigi Faino
- Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Roma, Italy
| | - Ziqi Shen
- Plant Pathology, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Lukas Meile
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas (CBGP)/Universidad Politécnica de Madrid-Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agraria y Alimentaria/Centro Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (INIA/CSIC), Campus de Montegancedo, Pozuelo de Alarcón (Madrid), Spain
| | - Andrea Sánchez-Vallet
- Plant Pathology, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas (CBGP)/Universidad Politécnica de Madrid-Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agraria y Alimentaria/Centro Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (INIA/CSIC), Campus de Montegancedo, Pozuelo de Alarcón (Madrid), Spain
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Amezrou R, Ducasse A, Compain J, Lapalu N, Pitarch A, Dupont L, Confais J, Goyeau H, Kema GHJ, Croll D, Amselem J, Sanchez-Vallet A, Marcel TC. Quantitative pathogenicity and host adaptation in a fungal plant pathogen revealed by whole-genome sequencing. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1933. [PMID: 38431601 PMCID: PMC10908820 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46191-1] [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: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Knowledge of genetic determinism and evolutionary dynamics mediating host-pathogen interactions is essential to manage fungal plant diseases. Studies on the genetic architecture of fungal pathogenicity often focus on large-effect effector genes triggering strong, qualitative resistance. It is not clear how this translates to predominately quantitative interactions. Here, we use the Zymoseptoria tritici-wheat model to elucidate the genetic architecture of quantitative pathogenicity and mechanisms mediating host adaptation. With a multi-host genome-wide association study, we identify 19 high-confidence candidate genes associated with quantitative pathogenicity. Analysis of genetic diversity reveals that sequence polymorphism is the main evolutionary process mediating differences in quantitative pathogenicity, a process that is likely facilitated by genetic recombination and transposable element dynamics. Finally, we use functional approaches to confirm the role of an effector-like gene and a methyltransferase in phenotypic variation. This study highlights the complex genetic architecture of quantitative pathogenicity, extensive diversifying selection and plausible mechanisms facilitating pathogen adaptation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Reda Amezrou
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, UR BIOGER, Palaiseau, France.
| | - Aurélie Ducasse
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, UR BIOGER, Palaiseau, France
| | - Jérôme Compain
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, UR URGI, Versailles, France
| | - Nicolas Lapalu
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, UR BIOGER, Palaiseau, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, UR URGI, Versailles, France
| | - Anais Pitarch
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, UR BIOGER, Palaiseau, France
| | - Laetitia Dupont
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, UR BIOGER, Palaiseau, France
| | - Johann Confais
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, UR BIOGER, Palaiseau, France
| | | | - Gert H J Kema
- Plant Research International B.V., Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Daniel Croll
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Université de Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Joëlle Amselem
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, UR URGI, Versailles, France
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Mei J, Li Z, Zhou S, Chen XL, Wilson RA, Liu W. Effector secretion and stability in the maize anthracnose pathogen Colletotrichum graminicola requires N-linked protein glycosylation and the ER chaperone pathway. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2023; 240:1449-1466. [PMID: 37598305 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
N-linked protein glycosylation is a conserved and essential modification mediating protein processing and quality control in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), but how this contributes to the infection cycle of phytopathogenic fungi is largely unknown. In this study, we discovered that inhibition of protein N-glycosylation severely affected vegetative growth, hyphal tip development, conidial germination, appressorium formation, and, ultimately, the ability of the maize (Zea mays) anthracnose pathogen Colletotrichum graminicola to infect its host. Quantitative proteomics analysis showed that N-glycosylation can coordinate protein O-glycosylation, glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor modification, and endoplasmic reticulum quality control (ERQC) by directly targeting the proteins from the corresponding pathway in the ER. We performed a functional study of the N-glycosylation pathway-related protein CgALG3 and of the ERQC pathway-related protein CgCNX1, which demonstrated that N-glycosylation of ER chaperone proteins is essential for effector stability, secretion, and pathogenicity of C. graminicola. Our study provides concrete evidence for the regulation of effector protein stability and secretion by N-glycosylation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Mei
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, 518120, China
| | - Zhiqiang Li
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Shaoqun Zhou
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, 518120, China
| | - Xiao-Lin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and Provincial Hubei Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Richard A Wilson
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 68583, USA
| | - Wende Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Suarez-Fernandez M, Álvarez-Aragón R, Pastor-Mediavilla A, Maestre-Guillén A, del Olmo I, De Francesco A, Meile L, Sánchez-Vallet A. Sas3-mediated histone acetylation regulates effector gene activation in a fungal plant pathogen. mBio 2023; 14:e0138623. [PMID: 37642412 PMCID: PMC10653901 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01386-23] [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: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Pathogen infections require the production of effectors that enable host colonization. Effectors have diverse functions and are only expressed at certain stages of the infection cycle. Thus, effector genes are tightly regulated by several mechanisms, including chromatin remodeling. Here, we investigate the role of histone acetylation in effector gene activation in the fungal wheat pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici. We demonstrate that lysine acetyltransferases (KATs) are essential for the spatiotemporal regulation of effector genes. We show that the KAT Sas3 is involved in leaf symptom development and pycnidia formation. Importantly, our results indicate that Sas3 controls histone acetylation of effector loci and is a regulator of effector gene activation during stomatal penetration. Overall, our work demonstrates the key role of histone acetylation in regulating gene expression associated with plant infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Suarez-Fernandez
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas (CBGP, UPM-INIA), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)—Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA)/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Marine Sciences and Applied Biology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Rocio Álvarez-Aragón
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas (CBGP, UPM-INIA), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)—Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA)/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Pastor-Mediavilla
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas (CBGP, UPM-INIA), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)—Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA)/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandro Maestre-Guillén
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas (CBGP, UPM-INIA), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)—Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA)/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ivan del Olmo
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas (CBGP, UPM-INIA), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)—Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA)/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Agustina De Francesco
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas (CBGP, UPM-INIA), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)—Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA)/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Lukas Meile
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas (CBGP, UPM-INIA), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)—Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA)/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Andrea Sánchez-Vallet
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas (CBGP, UPM-INIA), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)—Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA)/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ababa G. Biology, taxonomy, genetics, and management of Zymoseptoria tritici: the causal agent of wheat leaf blotch. Mycology 2023; 14:292-315. [PMID: 38187886 PMCID: PMC10769150 DOI: 10.1080/21501203.2023.2241492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Septoria tritici blotch or Septoria leaf blotch has been used for long time, but leaf blotch is a correct disease name. Moreover, Lb resistant gene is the correct name, but, not Stb gene. It has sexual and asexual parts on the mycelia, known as heterothallic fungi. Its pathogenic diversity ranged from 40% to 93% and has produced a wide variety of AvrLb6 haplotypes. M. graminicola has a plasmogamy and karyogamy sexual process. The pathogen can use macropycnidiospores, micropycnidiospores, and pycnidia vegetative growths for infection and overwintering. Synthetic M3, Kavkaz-K4500, Synthetic 6×, and TE9111 wheat genotypes have horizontal resistance. Avirulence (Avr) genes in Z. tritici and their matching wheat (R) genes indicate gene for gene mechanisms of resistance. Twenty-two R genes (vertical resistance) have been identified. In both horizontal and vertical resistance, different Lb genes have been broken down due to new Z.tritici virulent gene and currently Lb19 resistant gene is being recommended. Mixing of resistant and susceptible cultivars is also the most effective management strategy. Moreover, different cultural practices and biological control have been proposed. Lastly, different fungicides are also available. However, in developing countries cultivar mixture, isolates diversity, biological control, and epidemic studies have been greatly missed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Girma Ababa
- Department of Plant Protection (Plant Pathology), Holetta Agricultural Research Center (HARC), Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), Holetta, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Francisco CS, McDonald BA, Palma-Guerrero J. A transcription factor and a phosphatase regulate temperature-dependent morphogenesis in the fungal plant pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici. Fungal Genet Biol 2023; 167:103811. [PMID: 37196910 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2023.103811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Naturally fluctuating temperatures provide a constant environmental stress that requires adaptation. Some fungal pathogens respond to heat stress by producing new morphotypes that maximize their overall fitness. The fungal wheat pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici responds to heat stress by switching from its yeast-like blastospore form to hyphae or chlamydospores. The regulatory mechanisms underlying this switch are unknown. Here, we demonstrate that a differential heat stress response is ubiquitous in Z. tritici populations around the world. We used QTL mapping to identify a single locus associated with the temperature-dependent morphogenesis and we found two genes, the transcription factor ZtMsr1 and the protein phosphatase ZtYvh1, regulating this mechanism. We find that ZtMsr1 regulates repression of hyphal growth and induces chlamydospore formation whereas ZtYvh1 is required for hyphal growth. We next showed that chlamydospore formation is a response to the intracellular osmotic stress generated by the heat stress. This intracellular stress stimulates the cell wall integrity (CWI) and high-osmolarity glycerol (HOG) MAPK pathways resulting in hyphal growth. If cell wall integrity is compromised, however, ZtMsr1 represses the hyphal development program and may induce the chlamydospore-inducing genes as a stress-response survival strategy. Taken together, these results suggest a novel mechanism through which morphological transitions are orchestrated in Z. tritici - a mechanism that may also be present in other pleomorphic fungi.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Bruce A McDonald
- Plant Pathology Group, Institute of Integrative Biology, 8092 ETH Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Javier Palma-Guerrero
- Plant Pathology Group, Institute of Integrative Biology, 8092 ETH Zürich, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Meile L, Garrido-Arandia M, Bernasconi Z, Peter J, Schneller A, Bernasconi A, Alassimone J, McDonald BA, Sánchez-Vallet A. Natural variation in Avr3D1 from Zymoseptoria sp. contributes to quantitative gene-for-gene resistance and to host specificity. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2023; 238:1562-1577. [PMID: 36529883 DOI: 10.1111/nph.18690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Successful host colonization by plant pathogens requires the circumvention of host defense responses, frequently through sequence modifications in secreted pathogen proteins known as avirulence factors (Avrs). Although Avr sequences are often polymorphic, the contribution of these polymorphisms to virulence diversity in natural pathogen populations remains largely unexplored. We used molecular genetic tools to determine how natural sequence polymorphisms of the avirulence factor Avr3D1 in the wheat pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici contributed to adaptive changes in virulence. We showed that there is a continuous distribution in the magnitude of resistance triggered by different Avr3D1 isoforms and demonstrated that natural variation in an Avr gene can lead to a quantitative resistance phenotype. We further showed that homologues of Avr3D1 in two nonpathogenic sister species of Z. tritici are recognized by some wheat cultivars, suggesting that Avr-R gene-for-gene interactions can contribute to nonhost resistance. We suggest that the mechanisms underlying host range, qualitative resistance, and quantitative resistance are not exclusive.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Meile
- Plant Pathology, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zurich, Universitätstrasse 2, Zurich, 8092, Switzerland
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)-Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), 28223, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Garrido-Arandia
- Plant Pathology, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zurich, Universitätstrasse 2, Zurich, 8092, Switzerland
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)-Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), 28223, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Biotecnología-Biología Vegetal, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica, Alimentaria y de Biosistemas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Zoe Bernasconi
- Plant Pathology, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zurich, Universitätstrasse 2, Zurich, 8092, Switzerland
| | - Jules Peter
- Plant Pathology, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zurich, Universitätstrasse 2, Zurich, 8092, Switzerland
| | - Alissa Schneller
- Plant Pathology, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zurich, Universitätstrasse 2, Zurich, 8092, Switzerland
| | - Alessio Bernasconi
- Plant Pathology, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zurich, Universitätstrasse 2, Zurich, 8092, Switzerland
| | - Julien Alassimone
- Plant Pathology, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zurich, Universitätstrasse 2, Zurich, 8092, Switzerland
| | - Bruce A McDonald
- Plant Pathology, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zurich, Universitätstrasse 2, Zurich, 8092, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Sánchez-Vallet
- Plant Pathology, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zurich, Universitätstrasse 2, Zurich, 8092, Switzerland
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)-Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), 28223, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Chen H, King R, Smith D, Bayon C, Ashfield T, Torriani S, Kanyuka K, Hammond-Kosack K, Bieri S, Rudd J. Combined pangenomics and transcriptomics reveals core and redundant virulence processes in a rapidly evolving fungal plant pathogen. BMC Biol 2023; 21:24. [PMID: 36747219 PMCID: PMC9903594 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01520-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studying genomic variation in rapidly evolving pathogens potentially enables identification of genes supporting their "core biology", being present, functional and expressed by all strains or "flexible biology", varying between strains. Genes supporting flexible biology may be considered to be "accessory", whilst the "core" gene set is likely to be important for common features of a pathogen species biology, including virulence on all host genotypes. The wheat-pathogenic fungus Zymoseptoria tritici represents one of the most rapidly evolving threats to global food security and was the focus of this study. RESULTS We constructed a pangenome of 18 European field isolates, with 12 also subjected to RNAseq transcription profiling during infection. Combining this data, we predicted a "core" gene set comprising 9807 sequences which were (1) present in all isolates, (2) lacking inactivating polymorphisms and (3) expressed by all isolates. A large accessory genome, consisting of 45% of the total genes, was also defined. We classified genetic and genomic polymorphism at both chromosomal and individual gene scales. Proteins required for essential functions including virulence had lower-than average sequence variability amongst core genes. Both core and accessory genomes encoded many small, secreted candidate effector proteins that likely interact with plant immunity. Viral vector-mediated transient in planta overexpression of 88 candidates failed to identify any which induced leaf necrosis characteristic of disease. However, functional complementation of a non-pathogenic deletion mutant lacking five core genes demonstrated that full virulence was restored by re-introduction of the single gene exhibiting least sequence polymorphism and highest expression. CONCLUSIONS These data support the combined use of pangenomics and transcriptomics for defining genes which represent core, and potentially exploitable, weaknesses in rapidly evolving pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongxin Chen
- grid.418374.d0000 0001 2227 9389Department of Protecting Crops and the Environment, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Herts UK ,grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XPresent address: School of Agriculture, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangming District, Shenzhen, Guangdong People’s Republic of China
| | - Robert King
- grid.418374.d0000 0001 2227 9389Department of Protecting Crops and the Environment, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Herts UK
| | - Dan Smith
- grid.418374.d0000 0001 2227 9389Department of Protecting Crops and the Environment, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Herts UK
| | - Carlos Bayon
- grid.418374.d0000 0001 2227 9389Department of Protecting Crops and the Environment, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Herts UK
| | - Tom Ashfield
- grid.418374.d0000 0001 2227 9389Department of Protecting Crops and the Environment, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Herts UK ,grid.418374.d0000 0001 2227 9389Crop Health and Protection (CHaP), Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Herts UK
| | - Stefano Torriani
- grid.420222.40000 0001 0669 0426Syngenta Crop Protection AG, Schaffhauserstrasse 101, CH-4332 Stein, Switzerland
| | - Kostya Kanyuka
- grid.418374.d0000 0001 2227 9389Department of Protecting Crops and the Environment, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Herts UK ,grid.17595.3f0000 0004 0383 6532Present address: National Institute for Agricultural Botany (NIAB), 93 Lawrence Weaver Road, Cambridge, UK
| | - Kim Hammond-Kosack
- grid.418374.d0000 0001 2227 9389Department of Protecting Crops and the Environment, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Herts UK
| | - Stephane Bieri
- grid.420222.40000 0001 0669 0426Syngenta Crop Protection AG, Schaffhauserstrasse 101, CH-4332 Stein, Switzerland
| | - Jason Rudd
- Department of Protecting Crops and the Environment, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Herts, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Blyth HR, Smith D, King R, Bayon C, Ashfield T, Walpole H, Venter E, Ray RV, Kanyuka K, Rudd JJ. Fungal plant pathogen "mutagenomics" reveals tagged and untagged mutations in Zymoseptoria tritici and identifies SSK2 as key morphogenesis and stress-responsive virulence factor. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1140824. [PMID: 37206970 PMCID: PMC10190600 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1140824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
"Mutagenomics" is the combination of random mutagenesis, phenotypic screening, and whole-genome re-sequencing to uncover all tagged and untagged mutations linked with phenotypic changes in an organism. In this study, we performed a mutagenomics screen on the wheat pathogenic fungus Zymoseptoria tritici for altered morphogenetic switching and stress sensitivity phenotypes using Agrobacterium-mediated "random" T-DNA mutagenesis (ATMT). Biological screening identified four mutants which were strongly reduced in virulence on wheat. Whole genome re-sequencing defined the positions of the T-DNA insertion events and revealed several unlinked mutations potentially affecting gene functions. Remarkably, two independent reduced virulence mutant strains, with similarly altered stress sensitivities and aberrant hyphal growth phenotypes, were found to have a distinct loss of function mutations in the ZtSSK2 MAPKKK gene. One mutant strain had a direct T-DNA insertion affecting the predicted protein's N-terminus, while the other possessed an unlinked frameshift mutation towards the C-terminus. We used genetic complementation to restore both strains' wild-type (WT) function (virulence, morphogenesis, and stress response). We demonstrated that ZtSSK2 has a non-redundant function with ZtSTE11 in virulence through the biochemical activation of the stress-activated HOG1 MAPK pathway. Moreover, we present data suggesting that SSK2 has a unique role in activating this pathway in response to specific stresses. Finally, dual RNAseq-based transcriptome profiling of WT and SSK2 mutant strains revealed many HOG1-dependent transcriptional changes in the fungus during early infection and suggested that the host response does not discriminate between WT and mutant strains during this early phase. Together these data define new genes implicated in the virulence of the pathogen and emphasise the importance of a whole genome sequencing step in mutagenomic discovery pipelines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah R. Blyth
- Protecting Crops and the Environment, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, United Kingdom
| | - Dan Smith
- Protecting Crops and the Environment, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, United Kingdom
| | - Robert King
- Protecting Crops and the Environment, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, United Kingdom
| | - Carlos Bayon
- Protecting Crops and the Environment, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, United Kingdom
| | - Tom Ashfield
- Crop Health and Protection (CHAP), Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, United Kingdom
| | - Hannah Walpole
- Bioimaging Unit, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, United Kingdom
| | - Eudri Venter
- Bioimaging Unit, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, United Kingdom
| | - Rumiana V. Ray
- Division of Plant and Crop Sciences, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Loughborough, United Kingdom
| | - Kostya Kanyuka
- Protecting Crops and the Environment, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, United Kingdom
| | - Jason J. Rudd
- Protecting Crops and the Environment, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Jason J. Rudd,
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Zymoseptoria tritici white-collar complex integrates light, temperature and plant cues to initiate dimorphism and pathogenesis. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5625. [PMID: 36163135 PMCID: PMC9512790 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33183-2] [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: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Transitioning from spores to hyphae is pivotal to host invasion by the plant pathogenic fungus Zymoseptoria tritici. This dimorphic switch can be initiated by high temperature in vitro (~27 °C); however, such a condition may induce cellular heat stress, questioning its relevance to field infections. Here, we study the regulation of the dimorphic switch by temperature and other factors. Climate data from wheat-growing areas indicate that the pathogen sporadically experiences high temperatures such as 27 °C during summer months. However, using a fluorescent dimorphic switch reporter (FDR1) in four wild-type strains, we show that dimorphic switching already initiates at 15-18 °C, and is enhanced by wheat leaf surface compounds. Transcriptomics reveals 1261 genes that are up- or down-regulated in hyphae of all strains. These pan-strain core dimorphism genes (PCDGs) encode known effectors, dimorphism and transcription factors, and light-responsive proteins (velvet factors, opsins, putative blue light receptors). An FDR1-based genetic screen reveals a crucial role for the white-collar complex (WCC) in dimorphism and virulence, mediated by control of PCDG expression. Thus, WCC integrates light with biotic and abiotic cues to orchestrate Z. tritici infection.
Collapse
|
12
|
Bernasconi A, Alassimone J, McDonald BA, Sánchez‐Vallet A. Asexual reproductive potential trumps virulence as a predictor of competitive ability in mixed infections. Environ Microbiol 2022; 24:4369-4381. [PMID: 35437879 PMCID: PMC9790533 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Natural infections frequently involve several co-infecting pathogen strains. These mixed infections can affect the extent of the infection, the transmission success of the pathogen and the eventual epidemic outcome. To date, few studies have investigated how mixed infections affect transmission between hosts. Zymoseptoria tritici is a highly diverse wheat pathogen in which multiple strains often coexist in the same lesion. Here we demonstrate that the most competitive strains often exclude their competitors during serial passages of mixed infections. The outcome of the competition depended on both the host genotype and the genotypes of the competing pathogen strains. Differences in virulence among the strains were not associated with competitive advantages during transmission, while differences in reproductive potential had a strong effect on strain competitive ability. Overall, our findings suggest that host specialization is determined mainly by the ability to successfully transmit offspring to new hosts during mixed infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Bernasconi
- Plant Pathology, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH ZürichZürichCH‐8092Switzerland
| | - Julien Alassimone
- Plant Pathology, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH ZürichZürichCH‐8092Switzerland
| | - Bruce A. McDonald
- Plant Pathology, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH ZürichZürichCH‐8092Switzerland
| | - Andrea Sánchez‐Vallet
- Plant Pathology, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH ZürichZürichCH‐8092Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Rutter BD, Chu TTH, Dallery JF, Zajt KK, O'Connell RJ, Innes RW. The development of extracellular vesicle markers for the fungal phytopathogen Colletotrichum higginsianum. J Extracell Vesicles 2022; 11:e12216. [PMID: 35524440 PMCID: PMC9077143 DOI: 10.1002/jev2.12216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal phytopathogens secrete extracellular vesicles (EVs) associated with enzymes and phytotoxic metabolites. While these vesicles are thought to promote infection, defining the true contents and functions of fungal EVs, as well as suitable protein markers, is an ongoing process. To expand our understanding of fungal EVs and their possible roles during infection, we purified EVs from the hemibiotrophic phytopathogen Colletotrichum higginsianum, the causative agent of anthracnose disease in multiple plant species, including Arabidopsis thaliana. EVs were purified in large numbers from the supernatant of protoplasts but not the supernatant of intact mycelial cultures. We purified two separate populations of EVs, each associated with over 700 detected proteins, including proteins involved in vesicle transport, cell wall biogenesis and the synthesis of secondary metabolites. We selected two SNARE proteins (Snc1 and Sso2) and one 14‐3‐3 protein (Bmh1) as potential EV markers and generated transgenic strains expressing fluorescent fusions. Each marker was confirmed to be protected inside EVs. Fluorescence microscopy was used to examine the localization of each marker during infection on Arabidopsis leaves. These findings further our understanding of EVs in fungal phytopathogens and will help build an experimental system to study EV interkingdom communication between plants and fungi.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian D Rutter
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Thi-Thu-Huyen Chu
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, UR BIOGER, Thiverval-Grignon, France.,University of Science and Technology of Hanoi, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | | | - Kamil K Zajt
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | | | - Roger W Innes
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Two Novel Dimorphism-Related Virulence Factors of Zymoseptoria tritici Identified Using Agrobacterium-Mediated Insertional Mutagenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:ijms23010400. [PMID: 35008825 PMCID: PMC8745584 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Diseases caused by dimorphic phytopathogenic and systemic dimorphic fungi have markedly increased in prevalence in the last decades, and understanding the morphogenic transition to the virulent state might yield novel means of controlling dimorphic fungi. The dimorphic fungus Z. tritici causes significant economic impact on wheat production, and yet the regulation of the dimorphic switch, a key first step in successful plant colonization, is still largely unexplored in this fungus. The fungus is amenable to suppression by fungicides at this switch point, and the identification of the factors controlling the dimorphic switch provides a potential source of novel targets to control Septoria tritici blotch (STB). Inhibition of the dimorphic switch can potentially prevent penetration and avoid any damage to the host plant. The aim of the current work was to unveil genetic determinants of the dimorphic transition in Z. tritici by using a forward genetics strategy. Using this approach, we unveiled two novel factors involved in the switch to the pathogenic state and used reverse genetics and complementation to confirm the role of the novel virulence factors and further gained insight into the role of these genes, using transcriptome analysis via RNA-Seq. The transcriptomes generated potentially contain key determinants of the dimorphic transition.
Collapse
|
15
|
Liu W, Triplett L, Chen XL. Emerging Roles of Posttranslational Modifications in Plant-Pathogenic Fungi and Bacteria. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2021; 59:99-124. [PMID: 33909479 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-phyto-021320-010948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Posttranslational modifications (PTMs) play crucial roles in regulating protein function and thereby control many cellular processes and biological phenotypes in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Several recent studies illustrate how plant fungal and bacterial pathogens use these PTMs to facilitate development, stress response, and host infection. In this review, we discuss PTMs that have key roles in the biological and infection processes of plant-pathogenic fungi and bacteria. The emerging roles of PTMs during pathogen-plant interactions are highlighted. We also summarize traditional tools and emerging proteomics approaches for PTM research. These discoveries open new avenues for investigating the fundamental infection mechanisms of plant pathogens and the discovery of novel strategies for plant disease control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wende Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China;
| | - Lindsay Triplett
- Department of Plant Pathology and Ecology, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, USA;
| | - Xiao-Lin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and Provincial Hubei Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China;
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Fagundes WC, Haueisen J, Stukenbrock EH. Dissecting the Biology of the Fungal Wheat Pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici: A Laboratory Workflow. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 59:e128. [PMID: 33175475 DOI: 10.1002/cpmc.128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The fungus Zymoseptoria tritici is one of the most devastating pathogens of wheat. Aside from its importance as a disease-causing agent, this species has emerged as a powerful model system for evolutionary genetic studies of crop-infecting fungal pathogens. Z. tritici exhibits exceptionally high levels of genetic and phenotypic diversity as well as morphological plasticity, which can make experimental studies and comparability of results obtained in different laboratories, e.g., from infection assays, challenging. Therefore, standardized experimental methods are crucial for research on Z. tritici biology and the interaction of this fungus with its wheat host. Here, we describe a suite of well-tested and optimized protocols ranging from isolation of Z. tritici field specimens to analyses of virulence assays under controlled conditions. Several biological and technical aspects of working with Z. tritici under laboratory conditions are considered and carefully described in each protocol. © 2020 The Authors. Basic Protocol 1: Purification of Z. tritici field isolates from leaf material Basic Protocol 2: Molecular identification of Z. tritici isolates Support Protocol 1: Rapid extraction of Z. tritici genomic DNA Support Protocol 2: Extraction of high-quality Z. tritici genomic DNA Basic Protocol 3: In vitro culture and long-term storage of Z. tritici isolates Basic Protocol 4: Analysis of Z. tritici virulence in wheat Support Protocol 3: Preparation of Z. tritici inoculum.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wagner C Fagundes
- Environmental Genomics Group, Christian-Albrechts University Kiel, Kiel, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Plön, Germany
| | - Janine Haueisen
- Environmental Genomics Group, Christian-Albrechts University Kiel, Kiel, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Plön, Germany
| | - Eva H Stukenbrock
- Environmental Genomics Group, Christian-Albrechts University Kiel, Kiel, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Plön, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Liu C, Talbot NJ, Chen XL. Protein glycosylation during infection by plant pathogenic fungi. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2021; 230:1329-1335. [PMID: 33454977 DOI: 10.1111/nph.17207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Glycosylation is a conserved set of post-translational modifications that exists in all eukaryotic cells. During the last decade, the role of glycosylation in plant pathogenic fungi has received significant attention and considerable progress has been made especially in Ustilago maydis and Magnaporthe oryzae. Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of the role of N-glycosylation, O-glycosylation and glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchors during plant infection by pathogenic fungi. We highlight the roles of these processes in regulatory mechanisms associated with appressorium formation, host penetration, biotrophic growth and immune evasion. We argue that improved knowledge of glycosylation pathways and the impact of these modifications on fungal pathogenesis is overdue and could provide novel strategies for disease control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caiyun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and Provincial Hubei Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Nicholas J Talbot
- The Sainsbury Laboratory, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Colney Lane, Norwich,, NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Xiao-Lin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and Provincial Hubei Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Meile L, Peter J, Puccetti G, Alassimone J, McDonald BA, Sánchez-Vallet A. Chromatin Dynamics Contribute to the Spatiotemporal Expression Pattern of Virulence Genes in a Fungal Plant Pathogen. mBio 2020; 11:e02343-20. [PMID: 33024042 PMCID: PMC7542367 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02343-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Dynamic changes in transcription profiles are key for the success of pathogens in colonizing their hosts. In many pathogens, genes associated with virulence, such as effector genes, are located in regions of the genome that are rich in transposable elements and heterochromatin. The contribution of chromatin modifications to gene expression in pathogens remains largely unknown. Using a combination of a reporter gene-based approach and chromatin immunoprecipitation, we show that the heterochromatic environment of effector genes in the fungal plant pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici is a key regulator of their specific spatiotemporal expression patterns. Enrichment in trimethylated lysine 27 of histone H3 dictates the repression of effector genes in the absence of the host. Chromatin decondensation during host colonization, featuring a reduction in this repressive modification, indicates a major role for epigenetics in effector gene induction. Our results illustrate that chromatin modifications triggered during host colonization determine the specific expression profile of effector genes at the cellular level and, hence, provide new insights into the regulation of virulence in fungal plant pathogens.IMPORTANCE Fungal plant pathogens possess a large repertoire of genes encoding putative effectors, which are crucial for infection. Many of these genes are expressed at low levels in the absence of the host but are strongly induced at specific stages of the infection. The mechanisms underlying this transcriptional reprogramming remain largely unknown. We investigated the role of the genomic environment and associated chromatin modifications of effector genes in controlling their expression pattern in the fungal wheat pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici Depending on their genomic location, effector genes are epigenetically repressed in the absence of the host and during the initial stages of infection. Derepression of effector genes occurs mainly during and after penetration of plant leaves and is associated with changes in histone modifications. Our work demonstrates the role of chromatin in shaping the expression of virulence components and, thereby, the interaction between fungal pathogens and their plant hosts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Meile
- Plant Pathology, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Jules Peter
- Plant Pathology, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Guido Puccetti
- Plant Pathology, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Julien Alassimone
- Plant Pathology, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Bruce A McDonald
- Plant Pathology, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Sánchez-Vallet
- Plant Pathology, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas (CBGP, UPM-INIA), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)-Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Pozuelo de Alarcón (Madrid), Spain
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Francisco CS, Zwyssig MM, Palma-Guerrero J. The role of vegetative cell fusions in the development and asexual reproduction of the wheat fungal pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici. BMC Biol 2020; 18:99. [PMID: 32782023 PMCID: PMC7477884 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-020-00838-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ability of fungal cells to undergo cell-to-cell communication and anastomosis, the process of vegetative hyphal fusion, allows them to maximize their overall fitness. Previous studies in a number of fungal species have identified the requirement of several signaling pathways for anastomosis, including the so far best characterized soft (So) gene, and the MAPK pathway components MAK-1 and MAK-2 of Neurospora crassa. Despite the observations of hyphal fusions' involvement in pathogenicity and host adhesion, the connection between cell fusion and fungal lifestyles is still unclear. Here, we address the role of anastomosis in fungal development and asexual reproduction in Zymoseptoria tritici, the most important fungal pathogen of wheat in Europe. RESULTS We show that Z. tritici undergoes self-fusion between distinct cellular structures, and its mechanism is dependent on the initial cell density. Contrary to other fungi, cell fusion in Z. tritici only resulted in cytoplasmic mixing but not in multinucleated cell formation. The deletion of the So orthologous ZtSof1 disrupted cell-to-cell communication affecting both hyphal and germling fusion. We show that Z. tritici mutants for MAPK-encoding ZtSlt2 (orthologous to MAK-1) and ZtFus3 (orthologous to MAK-2) genes also failed to undergo anastomosis, demonstrating the functional conservation of this signaling mechanism across species. Additionally, the ΔZtSof1 mutant was severely impaired in melanization, suggesting that the So gene function is related to melanization. Finally, we demonstrated that anastomosis is dispensable for pathogenicity, but essential for the pycnidium development, and its absence abolishes the asexual reproduction of Z. tritici. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrate the role for ZtSof1, ZtSlt2, and ZtFus3 in cell fusions of Z. tritici. Cell fusions are essential for different aspects of the Z. tritici biology, and the ZtSof1 gene is a potential target to control septoria tritici blotch (STB) disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Manuela Zwyssig
- Plant Pathology Group, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich, 8092, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Javier Palma-Guerrero
- Plant Pathology Group, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich, 8092, Zürich, Switzerland.
- New Address: Department of Biointeractions and Crop Protection, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Chen XL, Liu C, Tang B, Ren Z, Wang GL, Liu W. Quantitative proteomics analysis reveals important roles of N-glycosylation on ER quality control system for development and pathogenesis in Magnaporthe oryzae. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008355. [PMID: 32092131 PMCID: PMC7058352 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic studies have shown essential functions of N-glycosylation during infection of the plant pathogenic fungi, however, systematic roles of N-glycosylation in fungi is still largely unknown. Biological analysis demonstrated N-glycosylated proteins were widely present at different development stages of Magnaporthe oryzae and especially increased in the appressorium and invasive hyphae. A large-scale quantitative proteomics analysis was then performed to explore the roles of N-glycosylation in M. oryzae. A total of 559 N-glycosites from 355 proteins were identified and quantified at different developmental stages. Functional classification to the N-glycosylated proteins revealed N-glycosylation can coordinate different cellular processes for mycelial growth, conidium formation, and appressorium formation. N-glycosylation can also modify key components in N-glycosylation, O-glycosylation and GPI anchor pathways, indicating intimate crosstalk between these pathways. Interestingly, we found nearly all key components of the endoplasmic reticulum quality control (ERQC) system were highly N-glycosylated in conidium and appressorium. Phenotypic analyses to the gene deletion mutants revealed four ERQC components, Gls1, Gls2, GTB1 and Cnx1, are important for mycelial growth, conidiation, and invasive hyphal growth in host cells. Subsequently, we identified the Gls1 N-glycosite N497 was important for invasive hyphal growth and partially required for conidiation, but didn’t affect colony growth. Mutation of N497 resulted in reduction of Gls1 in protein level, and localization from ER into the vacuole, suggesting N497 is important for protein stability of Gls1. Our study showed a snapshot of the N-glycosylation landscape in plant pathogenic fungi, indicating functions of this modification in cellular processes, developments and pathogenesis. The fungal pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae can cause rice blast and wheat blast diseases, which threatens worldwide food production. During infection, M. oryzae follows a sequence of distinct developmental stages adapted to survival and invasion of the host environment. M. oryzae attaches onto the host by the conidium, and then develops an appressorium to breach the host cuticle. After penetrating, it forms invasive hyphae to quickly spread in the host cells. Numerous genetic studies have focused on the mechanisms underlying each step in the infection process, but systemic approaches are needed for a broader, integrated understanding of regulatory events during M. oryzae pathogenesis. Many infection-related signaling events are regulated through post-translational protein modifications within the pathogen. N-linked glycosylation, in which a glycan moiety is added to the amide group of an asparagine residue, is an abundant modification known to be essential for M. oryzae infection. In this study, we employed a quantitative proteomics analysis to unravel the overall regulatory mechanisms of N-glycosylation at different developmental stages of M. oryzae. We detected changes in N-glycosylation levels at 559 glycosylated residues (N-glycosites) in 355 proteins during different stages, and determined that the ER quality control system is elaborately regulated by N-glycosylation. The insights gained will help us to better understand the regulatory mechanisms of infection in pathogenic fungi. These findings may be also important for developing novel strategies for fungal disease control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Lin Chen
- The Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology of Hubei Province, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Caiyun Liu
- The Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology of Hubei Province, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Bozeng Tang
- The Sainsbury Laboratory, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Zhiyong Ren
- The Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology of Hubei Province, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Guo-Liang Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Department of Plant Pathology, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Wende Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Habig M, Bahena‐Garrido SM, Barkmann F, Haueisen J, Stukenbrock EH. The transcription factor Zt107320 affects the dimorphic switch, growth and virulence of the fungal wheat pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2020; 21:124-138. [PMID: 31702117 PMCID: PMC6913241 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.12886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Zymoseptoria tritici is a filamentous fungus causing Septoria tritici blotch in wheat. The pathogen has a narrow host range and infections of grasses other than susceptible wheat are blocked early after stomatal penetration. During these abortive infections, the fungus shows a markedly different gene expression pattern. However, the underlying mechanisms causing differential gene expression during host and non-host interactions are largely unknown, but likely include transcriptional regulators responsible for the onset of an infection programme in compatible hosts. MoCOD1, a member of the fungal Zn(II)2 Cys6 transcription factor family, has been shown to directly affect pathogenicity in the rice blast pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae. Here, we analyse the role of the putative transcription factor Zt107320, a homologue of MoCOD1, during infection of compatible and incompatible hosts by Z. tritici. We show for the first time that Zt107320 is differentially expressed in host versus non-host infections and that lower expression corresponds to an incompatible infection of non-hosts. Applying reverse genetics approaches, we further show that Zt107320 regulates the dimorphic switch as well as the growth rate of Z. tritici and affects fungal cell wall composition in vitro. Moreover, ∆Zt107320 mutants showed reduced virulence during compatible infections of wheat. We conclude that Zt107320 directly influences pathogen fitness and propose that Zt107320 is involved in the regulation of growth processes and pathogenicity during infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Habig
- Environmental GenomicsChristian‐Albrechts University of KielKielGermany
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary BiologyPlönGermany
| | - Sharon Marie Bahena‐Garrido
- Environmental GenomicsChristian‐Albrechts University of KielKielGermany
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary BiologyPlönGermany
- Present address:
National Research Institute of Brewing3‐7‐1 KagamiyamaHigashi‐Hiroshima739‐0046Japan
| | - Friederike Barkmann
- Environmental GenomicsChristian‐Albrechts University of KielKielGermany
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary BiologyPlönGermany
| | - Janine Haueisen
- Environmental GenomicsChristian‐Albrechts University of KielKielGermany
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary BiologyPlönGermany
| | - Eva Holtgrewe Stukenbrock
- Environmental GenomicsChristian‐Albrechts University of KielKielGermany
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary BiologyPlönGermany
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Kettles GJ, Hofinger BJ, Hu P, Bayon C, Rudd JJ, Balmer D, Courbot M, Hammond-Kosack KE, Scalliet G, Kanyuka K. sRNA Profiling Combined With Gene Function Analysis Reveals a Lack of Evidence for Cross-Kingdom RNAi in the Wheat - Zymoseptoria tritici Pathosystem. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2019; 10:892. [PMID: 31333714 PMCID: PMC6620828 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2019.00892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Cross-kingdom small RNA (sRNA) silencing has recently emerged as a mechanism facilitating fungal colonization and disease development. Here we characterized RNAi pathways in Zymoseptoria tritici, a major fungal pathogen of wheat, and assessed their contribution to pathogenesis. Computational analysis of fungal sRNA and host mRNA sequencing datasets was used to define the global sRNA populations in Z. tritici and predict their mRNA targets in wheat. 389 in planta-induced sRNA loci were identified. sRNAs generated from some of these loci were predicted to target wheat mRNAs including those potentially involved in pathogen defense. However, molecular approaches failed to validate targeting of selected wheat mRNAs by fungal sRNAs. Mutant strains of Z. tritici carrying deletions of genes encoding key components of RNAi such as Dicer-like (DCL) and Argonaute (AGO) proteins were generated, and virulence bioassays suggested that these are dispensable for full infection of wheat. Nonetheless, our results did suggest the existence of non-canonical DCL-independent pathway(s) for sRNA biogenesis in Z. tritici. dsRNA targeting essential fungal genes applied in vitro or generated from an RNA virus vector in planta in a procedure known as HIGS (Host-Induced Gene Silencing) was ineffective in preventing Z. tritici growth or disease. We also demonstrated that Z. tritici is incapable of dsRNA uptake. Collectively, our data suggest that RNAi approaches for gene function analyses in this fungal species and potentially also as a control measure may not be as effective as has been demonstrated for some other plant pathogenic fungi.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Graeme J. Kettles
- Biointeractions and Crop Protection, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, United Kingdom
| | - Bernhard J. Hofinger
- Biointeractions and Crop Protection, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, United Kingdom
| | - Pingsha Hu
- Syngenta Biotechnology, Inc., Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Carlos Bayon
- Biointeractions and Crop Protection, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, United Kingdom
| | - Jason J. Rudd
- Biointeractions and Crop Protection, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, United Kingdom
| | - Dirk Balmer
- Syngenta Crop Protection AG, Stein, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | - Kostya Kanyuka
- Biointeractions and Crop Protection, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Francisco CS, Ma X, Zwyssig MM, McDonald BA, Palma-Guerrero J. Morphological changes in response to environmental stresses in the fungal plant pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici. Sci Rep 2019; 9:9642. [PMID: 31270361 PMCID: PMC6610121 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-45994-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
During their life cycles, pathogens have to adapt to many biotic and abiotic environmental stresses to maximize their overall fitness. Morphological transitions are one of the least understood of the many strategies employed by fungal plant pathogens to adapt to constantly changing environments, even though different morphotypes may play important biological roles. Here, we first show that blastospores (the "yeast-like" form of the pathogen typically known only under laboratory conditions) can form from germinated pycnidiospores (asexual spores) on the surface of wheat leaves, suggesting that this morphotype can play an important role in the natural history of Z. tritici. Next, we characterized the morphological responses of this fungus to a series of environmental stresses to understand the effects of changing environments on fungal morphology and adaptation. All tested stresses induced morphological changes, but different responses were found among four strains. We discovered that Z. tritici forms chlamydospores and demonstrated that these structures are better able to survive extreme cold, heat and drought than other cell types. Finally, a transcriptomic analysis showed that morphogenesis and the expression of virulence factors are co-regulated in this pathogen. Our findings illustrate how changing environmental conditions can affect cellular morphology and lead to the formation of new morphotypes, with each morphotype having a potential impact on both pathogen survival and disease epidemiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Xin Ma
- Plant Pathology Group, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich, 8092, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Maria Manuela Zwyssig
- Plant Pathology Group, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich, 8092, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Bruce A McDonald
- Plant Pathology Group, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich, 8092, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Javier Palma-Guerrero
- Plant Pathology Group, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich, 8092, Zürich, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Derbyshire MC, Gohari AM, Mehrabi R, Kilaru S, Steinberg G, Ali S, Bailey A, Hammond-Kosack K, Kema GHJ, Rudd JJ. Phosphopantetheinyl transferase (Ppt)-mediated biosynthesis of lysine, but not siderophores or DHN melanin, is required for virulence of Zymoseptoria tritici on wheat. Sci Rep 2018; 8:17069. [PMID: 30459352 PMCID: PMC6244202 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-35223-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Zymoseptoria tritici is the causal agent of Septoria tritici blotch (STB) disease of wheat. Z. tritici is an apoplastic fungal pathogen, which does not penetrate plant cells at any stage of infection, and has a long initial period of symptomless leaf colonisation. During this phase it is unclear to what extent the fungus can access host plant nutrients or communicate with plant cells. Several important primary and secondary metabolite pathways in fungi are regulated by the post-translational activator phosphopantetheinyl transferase (Ppt) which provides an essential co-factor for lysine biosynthesis and the activities of non-ribosomal peptide synthases (NRPS) and polyketide synthases (PKS). To investigate the relative importance of lysine biosynthesis, NRPS-based siderophore production and PKS-based DHN melanin biosynthesis, we generated deletion mutants of ZtPpt. The ∆ZtPpt strains were auxotrophic for lysine and iron, non-melanised and non-pathogenic on wheat. Deletion of the three target genes likely affected by ZtPpt loss of function (Aar- lysine; Nrps1-siderophore and Pks1- melanin), highlighted that lysine auxotrophy was the main contributing factor for loss of virulence, with no reduction caused by loss of siderophore production or melanisation. This reveals Ppt, and the lysine biosynthesis pathway, as potential targets for fungicides effective against Z. tritici.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark C Derbyshire
- BioIntercations and Crop Protection, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, UK.,Centre for Crop and Disease Management, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Amir Mirzadi Gohari
- Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Engineering, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.,Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen Plant Research, PO Box 16, 6700AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Rahim Mehrabi
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, 84156-83111, Iran
| | | | | | - Solaf Ali
- Technical College of Health, Sulaimani Polytechnic University, Qrga, Wrme Street, Mardin 327, Alley 76, Sulaimaniyah, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Sulaimani Governorate, Iraq
| | - Andy Bailey
- School of Biological Sciences, Bristol University, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, UK
| | - Kim Hammond-Kosack
- BioIntercations and Crop Protection, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Gert H J Kema
- Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen Plant Research, PO Box 16, 6700AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands. .,Wageningen University and Research, Laboratory of Phytopathology, PO box 16, 6700AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Jason J Rudd
- BioIntercations and Crop Protection, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Meile L, Croll D, Brunner PC, Plissonneau C, Hartmann FE, McDonald BA, Sánchez‐Vallet A. A fungal avirulence factor encoded in a highly plastic genomic region triggers partial resistance to septoria tritici blotch. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2018; 219:1048-1061. [PMID: 29693722 PMCID: PMC6055703 DOI: 10.1111/nph.15180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Cultivar-strain specificity in the wheat-Zymoseptoria tritici pathosystem determines the infection outcome and is controlled by resistance genes on the host side, many of which have been identified. On the pathogen side, however, the molecular determinants of specificity remain largely unknown. We used genetic mapping, targeted gene disruption and allele swapping to characterise the recognition of the new avirulence factor Avr3D1. We then combined population genetic and comparative genomic analyses to characterise the evolutionary trajectory of Avr3D1. Avr3D1 is specifically recognised by wheat cultivars harbouring the Stb7 resistance gene, triggering a strong defence response without preventing pathogen infection and reproduction. Avr3D1 resides in a cluster of putative effector genes located in a genome region populated by independent transposable element insertions. The gene was present in all 132 investigated strains and is highly polymorphic, with 30 different protein variants identified. We demonstrated that specific amino acid substitutions in Avr3D1 led to evasion of recognition. These results demonstrate that quantitative resistance and gene-for-gene interactions are not mutually exclusive. Localising avirulence genes in highly plastic genomic regions probably facilitates accelerated evolution that enables escape from recognition by resistance proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Meile
- Plant PathologyInstitute of Integrative BiologyETH ZürichCH‐8092ZürichSwitzerland
| | - Daniel Croll
- Laboratory of Evolutionary GeneticsInstitute of BiologyUniversity of NeuchâtelCH‐2000NeuchâtelSwitzerland
| | - Patrick C. Brunner
- Plant PathologyInstitute of Integrative BiologyETH ZürichCH‐8092ZürichSwitzerland
| | - Clémence Plissonneau
- Plant PathologyInstitute of Integrative BiologyETH ZürichCH‐8092ZürichSwitzerland
- UMR BIOGERINRAAgroParisTechUniversité Paris‐SaclayAvenue Lucien Bretignières, BP 01Thiverval‐GrignonF‐78850France
| | - Fanny E. Hartmann
- Ecologie Systématique EvolutionUniversite Paris‐SudAgroParisTechCNRSUniversité Paris‐Saclay91400OrsayFrance
| | - Bruce A. McDonald
- Plant PathologyInstitute of Integrative BiologyETH ZürichCH‐8092ZürichSwitzerland
| | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Krishnan P, Meile L, Plissonneau C, Ma X, Hartmann FE, Croll D, McDonald BA, Sánchez-Vallet A. Transposable element insertions shape gene regulation and melanin production in a fungal pathogen of wheat. BMC Biol 2018; 16:78. [PMID: 30012138 PMCID: PMC6047131 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-018-0543-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fungal plant pathogens pose major threats to crop yield and sustainable food production if they are highly adapted to their host and the local environment. Variation in gene expression contributes to phenotypic diversity within fungal species and affects adaptation. However, very few cases of adaptive regulatory changes have been reported in fungi and the underlying mechanisms remain largely unexplored. Fungal pathogen genomes are highly plastic and harbor numerous insertions of transposable elements, which can potentially contribute to gene expression regulation. In this work, we elucidated how transposable elements contribute to variation in melanin accumulation, a quantitative trait in fungi that affects survival under stressful conditions. RESULTS We demonstrated that differential transcriptional regulation of the gene encoding the transcription factor Zmr1, which controls expression of the genes in the melanin biosynthetic gene cluster, is responsible for variation in melanin accumulation in the fungal plant pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici. We show that differences in melanin levels between two strains of Z. tritici are due to two levels of transcriptional regulation: (1) variation in the promoter sequence of Zmr1 and (2) an insertion of transposable elements upstream of the Zmr1 promoter. Remarkably, independent insertions of transposable elements upstream of Zmr1 occurred in 9% of Z. tritici strains from around the world and negatively regulated Zmr1 expression, contributing to variation in melanin accumulation. CONCLUSIONS Our studies identified two levels of transcriptional control that regulate the synthesis of melanin. We propose that these regulatory mechanisms evolved to balance the fitness costs associated with melanin production against its positive contribution to survival in stressful environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Parvathy Krishnan
- Plant Pathology, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lukas Meile
- Plant Pathology, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Clémence Plissonneau
- Plant Pathology, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,UMR BIOGER, INRA, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, Thiverval-Grignon, France
| | - Xin Ma
- Plant Pathology, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Fanny E Hartmann
- Plant Pathology, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Ecologie Systématique Evolution, Univ. Paris-Sud, AgroParisTech, CNRS, Université Paris Saclay, Orsay, France
| | - Daniel Croll
- Plant Pathology, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Bruce A McDonald
- Plant Pathology, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Wen L, Edmunds G, Gibbons C, Zhang J, Gadi MR, Zhu H, Fang J, Liu X, Kong Y, Wang PG. Toward Automated Enzymatic Synthesis of Oligosaccharides. Chem Rev 2018; 118:8151-8187. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.8b00066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Liuqing Wen
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - Garrett Edmunds
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - Christopher Gibbons
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - Jiabin Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - Madhusudhan Reddy Gadi
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - Hailiang Zhu
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - Junqiang Fang
- National Glycoengineering Research Center and State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Xianwei Liu
- National Glycoengineering Research Center and State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Yun Kong
- National Glycoengineering Research Center and State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Peng George Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
- National Glycoengineering Research Center and State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Wen L, Gadi MR, Zheng Y, Gibbons C, Kondengaden SM, Zhang J, Wang PG. Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of Unnatural Nucleotide Sugars for Enzymatic Bioorthogonal Labeling. ACS Catal 2018. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.8b02081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Liuqing Wen
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - Madhusudhan Reddy Gadi
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - Yuan Zheng
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - Christopher Gibbons
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | | | - Jiabin Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - Peng George Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
King R, Urban M, Lauder RP, Hawkins N, Evans M, Plummer A, Halsey K, Lovegrove A, Hammond-Kosack K, Rudd JJ. A conserved fungal glycosyltransferase facilitates pathogenesis of plants by enabling hyphal growth on solid surfaces. PLoS Pathog 2017; 13:e1006672. [PMID: 29020037 PMCID: PMC5653360 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2017] [Revised: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic fungi must extend filamentous hyphae across solid surfaces to cause diseases of plants. However, the full inventory of genes which support this is incomplete and many may be currently concealed due to their essentiality for the hyphal growth form. During a random T-DNA mutagenesis screen performed on the pleomorphic wheat (Triticum aestivum) pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici, we acquired a mutant unable to extend hyphae specifically when on solid surfaces. In contrast "yeast-like" growth, and all other growth forms, were unaffected. The inability to extend surface hyphae resulted in a complete loss of virulence on plants. The affected gene encoded a predicted type 2 glycosyltransferase (ZtGT2). Analysis of >800 genomes from taxonomically diverse fungi highlighted a generally widespread, but discontinuous, distribution of ZtGT2 orthologues, and a complete absence of any similar proteins in non-filamentous ascomycete yeasts. Deletion mutants of the ZtGT2 orthologue in the taxonomically un-related fungus Fusarium graminearum were also severely impaired in hyphal growth and non-pathogenic on wheat ears. ZtGT2 expression increased during filamentous growth and electron microscopy on deletion mutants (ΔZtGT2) suggested the protein functions to maintain the outermost surface of the fungal cell wall. Despite this, adhesion to leaf surfaces was unaffected in ΔZtGT2 mutants and global RNAseq-based gene expression profiling highlighted that surface-sensing and protein secretion was also largely unaffected. However, ΔZtGT2 mutants constitutively overexpressed several transmembrane and secreted proteins, including an important LysM-domain chitin-binding virulence effector, Zt3LysM. ZtGT2 likely functions in the synthesis of a currently unknown, potentially minor but widespread, extracellular or outer cell wall polysaccharide which plays a key role in facilitating many interactions between plants and fungi by enabling hyphal growth on solid matrices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert King
- Department of Computational and Analytical Sciences, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Herts, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Urban
- Wheat Pathogenomics Team, Department of BioInteractions and Crop Protection, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Herts, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca P. Lauder
- Rothamsted Centre for Bioimaging, Department of Plant Sciences, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Herts, United Kingdom
| | - Nichola Hawkins
- Fungicide resistance group, Department of BioInteractions and Crop Protection, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Herts, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew Evans
- Cereal cell walls group, Department of Plant Sciences, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Herts, United Kingdom
| | - Amy Plummer
- Cereal cell walls group, Department of Plant Sciences, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Herts, United Kingdom
| | - Kirstie Halsey
- Rothamsted Centre for Bioimaging, Department of Plant Sciences, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Herts, United Kingdom
| | - Alison Lovegrove
- Cereal cell walls group, Department of Plant Sciences, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Herts, United Kingdom
| | - Kim Hammond-Kosack
- Wheat Pathogenomics Team, Department of BioInteractions and Crop Protection, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Herts, United Kingdom
| | - Jason J. Rudd
- Wheat Pathogenomics Team, Department of BioInteractions and Crop Protection, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Herts, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Idnurm A, Bailey AM, Cairns TC, Elliott CE, Foster GD, Ianiri G, Jeon J. A silver bullet in a golden age of functional genomics: the impact of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of fungi. Fungal Biol Biotechnol 2017; 4:6. [PMID: 28955474 PMCID: PMC5615635 DOI: 10.1186/s40694-017-0035-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The implementation of Agrobacterium tumefaciens as a transformation tool revolutionized approaches to discover and understand gene functions in a large number of fungal species. A. tumefaciens mediated transformation (AtMT) is one of the most transformative technologies for research on fungi developed in the last 20 years, a development arguably only surpassed by the impact of genomics. AtMT has been widely applied in forward genetics, whereby generation of strain libraries using random T-DNA insertional mutagenesis, combined with phenotypic screening, has enabled the genetic basis of many processes to be elucidated. Alternatively, AtMT has been fundamental for reverse genetics, where mutant isolates are generated with targeted gene deletions or disruptions, enabling gene functional roles to be determined. When combined with concomitant advances in genomics, both forward and reverse approaches using AtMT have enabled complex fungal phenotypes to be dissected at the molecular and genetic level. Additionally, in several cases AtMT has paved the way for the development of new species to act as models for specific areas of fungal biology, particularly in plant pathogenic ascomycetes and in a number of basidiomycete species. Despite its impact, the implementation of AtMT has been uneven in the fungi. This review provides insight into the dynamics of expansion of new research tools into a large research community and across multiple organisms. As such, AtMT in the fungi, beyond the demonstrated and continuing power for gene discovery and as a facile transformation tool, provides a model to understand how other technologies that are just being pioneered, e.g. CRISPR/Cas, may play roles in fungi and other eukaryotic species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Idnurm
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010 Australia
| | - Andy M. Bailey
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Timothy C. Cairns
- Department of Applied and Molecular Microbiology, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Candace E. Elliott
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010 Australia
| | - Gary D. Foster
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Giuseppe Ianiri
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, USA
| | - Junhyun Jeon
- College of Life and Applied Sciences, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, South Korea
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Harvey DJ. Analysis of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry: An update for 2011-2012. MASS SPECTROMETRY REVIEWS 2017; 36:255-422. [PMID: 26270629 DOI: 10.1002/mas.21471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2014] [Accepted: 01/15/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
This review is the seventh update of the original article published in 1999 on the application of MALDI mass spectrometry to the analysis of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates and brings coverage of the literature to the end of 2012. General aspects such as theory of the MALDI process, matrices, derivatization, MALDI imaging, and fragmentation are covered in the first part of the review and applications to various structural types constitute the remainder. The main groups of compound are oligo- and poly-saccharides, glycoproteins, glycolipids, glycosides, and biopharmaceuticals. Much of this material is presented in tabular form. Also discussed are medical and industrial applications of the technique, studies of enzyme reactions, and applications to chemical synthesis. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Mass Spec Rev 36:255-422, 2017.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David J Harvey
- Department of Biochemistry, Oxford Glycobiology Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Martinez-Rossi NM, Peres NTA, Rossi A. Pathogenesis of Dermatophytosis: Sensing the Host Tissue. Mycopathologia 2016; 182:215-227. [DOI: 10.1007/s11046-016-0057-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
|
33
|
Oliveira-Garcia E, Deising HB. Attenuation of PAMP-triggered immunity in maize requires down-regulation of the key β-1,6-glucan synthesis genes KRE5 and KRE6 in biotrophic hyphae of Colletotrichum graminicola. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2016; 87:355-75. [PMID: 27144995 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.13205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2015] [Revised: 04/05/2016] [Accepted: 04/27/2016] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
In plants, pathogen defense is initiated by recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) via plasma membrane-localized pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs). Fungal structural cell wall polymers such as branched β-glucans are essential for infection structure rigidity and pathogenicity, but at the same time represent PAMPs. Kre5 and Kre6 are key enzymes in β-1,6-glucan synthesis and formation of branch points of the β-glucan network. In spite of the importance of branched β-glucan for hyphal rigidity and plant-fungus interactions, neither the role of KRE5 and KRE6 in pathogenesis nor mechanisms allowing circumventing branched β-glucan-triggered immune responses are known. We functionally characterized KRE5 and KRE6 of the ascomycete Colletotrichum graminicola, a hemibiotroph that infects maize (Zea mays). After appressorial plant invasion, this fungus sequentially differentiates biotrophic and highly destructive necrotrophic hyphae. RNAi-mediated reduction of KRE5 and KRE6 transcript abundance caused appressoria to burst and swelling of necrotrophic hyphae, indicating that β-1,6-glucosidic bonds are essential in these cells. Live cell imaging employing KRE5:mCherry and KRE6:mCherry knock-in strains and probing of infection structures with a YFP-conjugated β-1,6-glucan-binding protein showed expression of these genes and exposure of β-1,6-glucan in conidia, appressoria and necrotrophic, but not in biotrophic hyphae. Overexpression of KRE5 and KRE6 in biotrophic hyphae led to activation of broad-spectrum plant defense responses, including papilla and H2 O2 formation, as well as transcriptional activation of several defense-related genes. Collectively, our results strongly suggest that down-regulation of synthesis and avoidance of exposure of branched β-1,3-β-1,6-glucan in biotrophic hyphae is required for attenuation of plant immune responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ely Oliveira-Garcia
- Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Naturwissenschaftliche Fakultät III, Institut für Agrar- und Ernährungswissenschaften, Phytopathologie und Pflanzenschutz, Betty-Heimann-Str. 3., D-06120, Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - Holger B Deising
- Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Naturwissenschaftliche Fakultät III, Institut für Agrar- und Ernährungswissenschaften, Phytopathologie und Pflanzenschutz, Betty-Heimann-Str. 3., D-06120, Halle/Saale, Germany.
- Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Interdisziplinäres Zentrum für Nutzpflanzenforschung, Betty-Heimann-Str. 3., D-06120, Halle/Saale, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Kilaru S, Steinberg G. Yeast recombination-based cloning as an efficient way of constructing vectors for Zymoseptoria tritici. Fungal Genet Biol 2016; 79:76-83. [PMID: 26092792 PMCID: PMC4502459 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2015.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2015] [Revised: 03/13/2015] [Accepted: 03/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Yeast recombination-based cloning (YRBC) is a reliable and inexpensive way of generating plasmids. We provide 4 vectors for YRBC that a cover different resistance genes. Using this technique promises rapid generation of molecular tools to study Z. tritici.
Many pathogenic fungi are genetically tractable. Analysis of their cellular organization and invasion mechanisms underpinning virulence determinants profits from exploiting such molecular tools as fluorescent fusion proteins or conditional mutant protein alleles. Generation of these tools requires efficient cloning methods, as vector construction is often a rate-limiting step. Here, we introduce an efficient yeast recombination-based cloning (YRBC) method to construct vectors for the fungus Zymoseptoria tritici. This method is of low cost and avoids dependency on the availability of restriction enzyme sites in the DNA sequence, as needed in more conventional restriction/ligation-based cloning procedures. Furthermore, YRBC avoids modification of the DNA of interest, indeed this potential risk limits the use of site-specific recombination systems, such as Gateway cloning. Instead, in YRBC, multiple DNA fragments, with 30 bp overlap sequences, are transformed into Saccharomyces cerevisiae, whereupon homologous recombination generates the vector in a single step. Here, we provide a detailed experimental protocol and four vectors, each encoding a different dominant selectable marker cassette, that enable YRBC of constructs to be used in the wheat pathogen Z. tritici.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Kilaru
- School of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK.
| | - G Steinberg
- School of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Cell biology of Zymoseptoria tritici: Pathogen cell organization and wheat infection. Fungal Genet Biol 2016; 79:17-23. [PMID: 26092785 PMCID: PMC4502449 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2015.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2015] [Revised: 03/27/2015] [Accepted: 04/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Cell biology of the infection begins to shed light on the host–pathogen interaction. The cell biology of the fungal pathogen is highly understudied. Intensified cell biology research promises new fungicide targets and will help mode-of-action studies.
Cell biological research in the wheat pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici (formerly Mycosphaerella graminicola) has led to a good understanding of the histology of the infection process. Expression profiling and bioinformatic approaches, combined with molecular studies on signaling pathways, effectors and potential necrosis factors provides first insight into the complex interplay between the host and the pathogen. Cell biological studies will help to further our understanding of the infection strategy of the fungus. The cellular organization and intracellular dynamics of the fungus itself is largely unexplored. Insight into essential cellular processes within the pathogen will expand our knowledge of the basic biology of Z. tritici, thereby providing putative new anti-fungal targets.
Collapse
|
36
|
Ma W, Kilaru S, Collins C, Courbot M, Steinberg G. Libraries for two-hybrid screening of yeast and hyphal growth forms in Zymoseptoria tritici. Fungal Genet Biol 2016; 79:94-101. [PMID: 26092795 PMCID: PMC4502458 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2015.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2015] [Revised: 03/12/2015] [Accepted: 03/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Pathogenic fungi are constantly emerging resistance to anti-fungal treatments. Therefore, identification of new fungicide targets is important. Good candidates are essential fungal proteins and their regulators. An efficient way to reveal the molecular environment of an essential protein is the search for interacting factors. Here, we establish three yeast two-hybrid libraries, covering yeast and hyphal stages of the wheat pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici. No detectable genomic DNA was present in any of the 3 libraries. Random amplification revealed that the libraries include cDNA fragments of up to 2000bp, suggesting that small-to-medium sized proteins are represented therein. Indeed, full-length cDNAs of five proteins were found in all libraries. The full-length cDNA of large chitin synthase gene mcs1 (5742bp with introns; 5568bp without introns) could not be amplified, but its 5' and 3' regions were represented, suggesting that even larger genes are covered in all libraries. Finally, we tested for the expected interaction of the autophagy proteins ZtAtg4 and ZtAtg8 in Z. tritici, and then used ZtAtg4 to screen one of the two-hybrid libraries. Indeed, we found ZtAtg8 as a positive interaction partner, confirming that interacting proteins can be identified. Thus, these molecular tools promise to be useful in identifying novel fungicide target proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- W Ma
- Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - S Kilaru
- Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK.
| | - C Collins
- Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre, Limerick Institute of Technology, Moylish Park, Limerick, Ireland(2)
| | - M Courbot
- Syngenta Crop Protection AG, Schaffhauserstrasse, 4332 Stein, Switzerland
| | - G Steinberg
- Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Kilaru S, Schuster M, Latz M, Guo M, Steinberg G. Fluorescent markers of the endocytic pathway in Zymoseptoria tritici. Fungal Genet Biol 2016; 79:150-7. [PMID: 26092801 PMCID: PMC4502447 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2015.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2015] [Revised: 03/12/2015] [Accepted: 03/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
We establish Z. tritici fimbrin (ZtFim1) and small GTPases (ZtRab5, ZtRab7) as endocytic markers. All markers localize correctly, proven by live cell imaging and co-staining and pharmaceutical studies. We provide 3 carboxin-resistance conveying vectors for integration of all markers into the sdi1 locus. We provide 3 hygromycin B-resistance conveying vectors for random integration of all markers.
Hyphal growth in filamentous fungi is supported by the uptake (endocytosis) and recycling of membranes and associated proteins at the growing tip. An increasing body of published evidence in various fungi demonstrates that this process is of essential importance for fungal growth and pathogenicity. Here, we introduce fluorescent markers to visualize the endocytic pathway in the wheat pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici. We fused enhanced green-fluorescent protein (eGFP) to the actin-binding protein fimbrin (ZtFim1), which is located in actin patches that are formed at the plasma membrane and are participating in endocytic uptake at the cell surface. In addition, we tagged early endosomes by eGFP-labelling a Rab5-homologue (ZtRab5) and late endosomes and vacuoles by expressing eGFP-Rab7 homologue (ZtRab7). Using fluorescent dyes and live cell imaging we confirmed the dynamic behavior and localization of these markers. This set of molecular tools enables an in-depth phenotypic analysis of Z. tritici mutant strains thereby supporting new strategies towards the goal of controlling wheat against Z. tritici.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Kilaru
- Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - M Schuster
- Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - M Latz
- Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - M Guo
- Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - G Steinberg
- Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Lo Presti L, López Díaz C, Turrà D, Di Pietro A, Hampel M, Heimel K, Kahmann R. A conserved co-chaperone is required for virulence in fungal plant pathogens. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2016; 209:1135-1148. [PMID: 26487566 DOI: 10.1111/nph.13703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2015] [Accepted: 09/04/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The maize pathogenic fungus Ustilago maydis experiences endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress during plant colonization and relies on the unfolded protein response (UPR) to cope with this stress. We identified the U. maydis co-chaperone, designated Dnj1, as part of this conserved cellular response to ER stress. ∆dnj1 cells are sensitive to the ER stressor tunicamycin and display a severe virulence defect in maize infection assays. A dnj1 mutant allele unable to stimulate the ATPase activity of chaperones phenocopies the null allele. A Dnj1-mCherry fusion protein localizes in the ER and interacts with the luminal chaperone Bip1. The Fusarium oxysporum Dnj1 ortholog contributes to the virulence of this fungal pathogen in tomato plants. Unlike the human ortholog, F. oxysporum Dnj1 partially rescues the virulence defect of the Ustilago dnj1 mutant. By enabling the fungus to restore ER homeostasis and maintain a high secretory activity, Dnj1 contributes to the establishment of a compatible interaction with the host. Dnj1 orthologs are present in many filamentous fungi, but are absent in budding and fission yeasts. We postulate a conserved and essential role during virulence for this class of co-chaperones.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Libera Lo Presti
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Karl-von Frisch-Strasse 10, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Cristina López Díaz
- Departamento de Genética, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario ceiA3, Universidad de Córdoba, 14071, Cordoba, Spain
| | - David Turrà
- Departamento de Genética, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario ceiA3, Universidad de Córdoba, 14071, Cordoba, Spain
| | - Antonio Di Pietro
- Departamento de Genética, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario ceiA3, Universidad de Córdoba, 14071, Cordoba, Spain
| | - Martin Hampel
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Grisebachstraße 8, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Kai Heimel
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Grisebachstraße 8, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Regine Kahmann
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Karl-von Frisch-Strasse 10, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Derbyshire MC, Michaelson L, Parker J, Kelly S, Thacker U, Powers SJ, Bailey A, Hammond-Kosack K, Courbot M, Rudd J. Analysis of cytochrome b(5) reductase-mediated metabolism in the phytopathogenic fungus Zymoseptoria tritici reveals novel functionalities implicated in virulence. Fungal Genet Biol 2015; 82:69-84. [PMID: 26074495 PMCID: PMC4557397 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2015.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2014] [Revised: 05/19/2015] [Accepted: 05/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Septoria tritici blotch (STB) caused by the Ascomycete fungus Zymoseptoria tritici is one of the most economically damaging diseases of wheat worldwide. Z. tritici is currently a major target for agricultural fungicides, especially in temperate regions where it is most prevalent. Many fungicides target electron transfer enzymes because these are often important for cell function. Therefore characterisation of genes encoding such enzymes may be important for the development of novel disease intervention strategies. Microsomal cytochrome b5 reductases (CBRs) are an important family of electron transfer proteins which in eukaryotes are involved in the biosynthesis of fatty acids and complex lipids including sphingolipids and sterols. Unlike the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae which possesses only one microsomal CBR, the fully sequenced genome of Z. tritici bears three possible microsomal CBRs. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that ZtCBR1 is the most highly expressed of these genes under all in vitro and in planta conditions tested, therefore ΔZtCBR1 mutant strains were generated through targeted gene disruption. These strains exhibited delayed disease symptoms on wheat leaves and severely limited asexual sporulation. ΔZtCBR1 strains also exhibited aberrant spore morphology and hyphal growth in vitro. These defects coincided with alterations in fatty acid, sphingolipid and sterol biosynthesis observed through GC-MS and HPLC analyses. Data is presented which suggests that Z. tritici may use ZtCBR1 as an additional electron donor for key steps in ergosterol biosynthesis, one of which is targeted by azole fungicides. Our study reports the first functional characterisation of CBR gene family members in a plant pathogenic filamentous fungus. This also represents the first direct observation of CBR functional ablation impacting upon fungal sterol biosynthesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark C Derbyshire
- Department of Plant Biology and Crop Science, Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, UK.
| | - Louise Michaelson
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Crop Protection, Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - Josie Parker
- Centre for Cytochrome P450 Diversity, Institute of Life Science, College of Medicine, Swansea University Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, Wales, UK
| | - Steven Kelly
- Centre for Cytochrome P450 Diversity, Institute of Life Science, College of Medicine, Swansea University Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, Wales, UK
| | | | - Stephen J Powers
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - Andy Bailey
- Bristol University, Senate House, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TH, UK
| | - Kim Hammond-Kosack
- Department of Plant Biology and Crop Science, Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - Mikael Courbot
- Syngenta, Syngenta AG, Schaffhauserstrasse, CH-4332 Stein, Switzerland
| | - Jason Rudd
- Department of Plant Biology and Crop Science, Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Comparative proteomic analyses reveal that Gnt2-mediated N-glycosylation affects cell wall glycans and protein content in Fusarium oxysporum. J Proteomics 2015; 128:189-202. [PMID: 26254006 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2015.07.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2015] [Revised: 07/09/2015] [Accepted: 07/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Protein N-glycosylation is a ubiquitous post-translational modification that contributes to appropriate protein folding, stability, functionality and localization. N-glycosylation has been identified as an important process for morphogenesis and virulence in several fungal pathogens including Fusarium oxysporum. Here we conducted comparative chemical and proteome-based analyses to better understand the physiological changes associated with protein hypo-N-glycosylation in F. oxysporum N-glycosyltransferase Gnt2-deficient mutant. The results suggest that lack of functional Gnt2 alters the size of galactofuranose chains in cell wall glycans, resulting in polysaccharides with a broad range of polymerization degrees and differential protein glycosylation patterns. Functional Gnt2 is necessary for normal conidium size and morphology and wild-type hyphal fusion rates. Hypo-N-glycosylation in ∆gnt2 mutant results in enhanced oxidative stress resistance and reduced levels of proteins involved in cell wall organization, biogenesis and remodelling. Deletion of gnt2 gene led to accumulation of trafficking vesicles at hyphal tips, reduced secretion of extracellular proteins related to detoxification of antifungal compounds and degradation of plant cell walls, and lowered extracellular polygalacturonase activity. Altogether, the results confirm that Gnt2-mediated N-glycosylation plays a crucial role in morphogenesis and virulence, and demonstrate that Gnt2 is essential for protein function, transport and relative abundance in F. oxysporum.
Collapse
|
41
|
Rudd JJ. Previous bottlenecks and future solutions to dissecting the Zymoseptoria tritici-wheat host-pathogen interaction. Fungal Genet Biol 2015; 79:24-8. [PMID: 26092786 PMCID: PMC4502452 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2015.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2015] [Revised: 04/07/2015] [Accepted: 04/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Zymoseptoria tritici (previously Mycosphaerella graminicola, teleomorph, Septoria tritici, anamorph) causes Septoria tritici blotch, one of the most economically important diseases of wheat (Triticum aestivum). The host pathogenic interaction, as currently understood, is intriguing, and may distinguish Z. tritici from many of the current models for plant pathogenic fungi. Many important questions remain which require a deeper understanding including; the nature and biological significance of the characteristic long latent periods of symptomless plant infection; how/why the fungus then effectively transitions from this to cause disease and reproduce? Elements of this transition currently resemble a putative "hijack" on plant defence but how is Z. tritici able to do this without any form of plant cell penetration? This commentary provides a summary of the recent history of research into the host-pathogen interaction, whilst highlighting some of the challenges going forwards, which will be faced by improved technologies and a growing research community.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jason J Rudd
- Department of Plant Biology and Crop Science, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Herts AL5 2JQ, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Lo Presti L, Lanver D, Schweizer G, Tanaka S, Liang L, Tollot M, Zuccaro A, Reissmann S, Kahmann R. Fungal effectors and plant susceptibility. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PLANT BIOLOGY 2015; 66:513-45. [PMID: 25923844 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-arplant-043014-114623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 650] [Impact Index Per Article: 72.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Plants can be colonized by fungi that have adopted highly diverse lifestyles, ranging from symbiotic to necrotrophic. Colonization is governed in all systems by hundreds of secreted fungal effector molecules. These effectors suppress plant defense responses and modulate plant physiology to accommodate fungal invaders and provide them with nutrients. Fungal effectors either function in the interaction zone between the fungal hyphae and host or are transferred to plant cells. This review describes the effector repertoires of 84 plant-colonizing fungi. We focus on the mechanisms that allow these fungal effectors to promote virulence or compatibility, discuss common plant nodes that are targeted by effectors, and provide recent insights into effector evolution. In addition, we address the issue of effector uptake in plant cells and highlight open questions and future challenges.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Libera Lo Presti
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, D-35043 Marburg, Germany; , , , , , , , ,
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Perez-Nadales E, Nogueira MFA, Baldin C, Castanheira S, El Ghalid M, Grund E, Lengeler K, Marchegiani E, Mehrotra PV, Moretti M, Naik V, Oses-Ruiz M, Oskarsson T, Schäfer K, Wasserstrom L, Brakhage AA, Gow NAR, Kahmann R, Lebrun MH, Perez-Martin J, Di Pietro A, Talbot NJ, Toquin V, Walther A, Wendland J. Fungal model systems and the elucidation of pathogenicity determinants. Fungal Genet Biol 2014; 70:42-67. [PMID: 25011008 PMCID: PMC4161391 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2014.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2014] [Revised: 06/23/2014] [Accepted: 06/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Fungi have the capacity to cause devastating diseases of both plants and animals, causing significant harvest losses that threaten food security and human mycoses with high mortality rates. As a consequence, there is a critical need to promote development of new antifungal drugs, which requires a comprehensive molecular knowledge of fungal pathogenesis. In this review, we critically evaluate current knowledge of seven fungal organisms used as major research models for fungal pathogenesis. These include pathogens of both animals and plants; Ashbya gossypii, Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, Fusarium oxysporum, Magnaporthe oryzae, Ustilago maydis and Zymoseptoria tritici. We present key insights into the virulence mechanisms deployed by each species and a comparative overview of key insights obtained from genomic analysis. We then consider current trends and future challenges associated with the study of fungal pathogenicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Perez-Nadales
- Department of Genetics, Edificio Gregor Mendel, Planta 1. Campus de Rabanales, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain.
| | | | - Clara Baldin
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Beutembergstr. 11a, 07745 Jena, Germany; Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Beutenbergstr. 11a, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Sónia Castanheira
- Instituto de Biología Funcional y GenómicaCSIC, Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Mennat El Ghalid
- Department of Genetics, Edificio Gregor Mendel, Planta 1. Campus de Rabanales, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain
| | - Elisabeth Grund
- Functional Genomics of Plant Pathogenic Fungi, UMR 5240 CNRS-UCB-INSA-Bayer SAS, Bayer CropScience, 69263 Lyon, France
| | - Klaus Lengeler
- Carlsberg Laboratory, Department of Yeast Genetics, Gamle Carlsberg Vej 10, DK-1799, Copenhagen V, Denmark
| | - Elisabetta Marchegiani
- Evolution and Genomics of Plant Pathogen Interactions, UR 1290 INRA, BIOGER-CPP, Campus AgroParisTech, 78850 Thiverval-Grignon, France
| | - Pankaj Vinod Mehrotra
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, School of Medical Sciences, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Marino Moretti
- Max-Planck-Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Department of Organismic Interactions, Karl-von-Frisch-Strasse 10, D-35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Vikram Naik
- Max-Planck-Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Department of Organismic Interactions, Karl-von-Frisch-Strasse 10, D-35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Miriam Oses-Ruiz
- School of Biosciences, Geoffrey Pope Building, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Therese Oskarsson
- Carlsberg Laboratory, Department of Yeast Genetics, Gamle Carlsberg Vej 10, DK-1799, Copenhagen V, Denmark
| | - Katja Schäfer
- Department of Genetics, Edificio Gregor Mendel, Planta 1. Campus de Rabanales, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain
| | - Lisa Wasserstrom
- Carlsberg Laboratory, Department of Yeast Genetics, Gamle Carlsberg Vej 10, DK-1799, Copenhagen V, Denmark
| | - Axel A Brakhage
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Beutembergstr. 11a, 07745 Jena, Germany; Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Beutenbergstr. 11a, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Neil A R Gow
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, School of Medical Sciences, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Regine Kahmann
- Max-Planck-Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Department of Organismic Interactions, Karl-von-Frisch-Strasse 10, D-35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Marc-Henri Lebrun
- Evolution and Genomics of Plant Pathogen Interactions, UR 1290 INRA, BIOGER-CPP, Campus AgroParisTech, 78850 Thiverval-Grignon, France
| | - José Perez-Martin
- Instituto de Biología Funcional y GenómicaCSIC, Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Antonio Di Pietro
- Department of Genetics, Edificio Gregor Mendel, Planta 1. Campus de Rabanales, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain
| | - Nicholas J Talbot
- School of Biosciences, Geoffrey Pope Building, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Valerie Toquin
- Biochemistry Department, Bayer SAS, Bayer CropScience, CRLD, 69263 Lyon, France
| | - Andrea Walther
- Carlsberg Laboratory, Department of Yeast Genetics, Gamle Carlsberg Vej 10, DK-1799, Copenhagen V, Denmark
| | - Jürgen Wendland
- Carlsberg Laboratory, Department of Yeast Genetics, Gamle Carlsberg Vej 10, DK-1799, Copenhagen V, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Chen XL, Shi T, Yang J, Shi W, Gao X, Chen D, Xu X, Xu JR, Talbot NJ, Peng YL. N-glycosylation of effector proteins by an α-1,3-mannosyltransferase is required for the rice blast fungus to evade host innate immunity. THE PLANT CELL 2014; 26:1360-76. [PMID: 24642938 PMCID: PMC4001389 DOI: 10.1105/tpc.114.123588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Plant pathogenic fungi deploy secreted effectors to suppress plant immunity responses. These effectors operate either in the apoplast or within host cells, so they are putatively glycosylated, but the posttranslational regulation of their activities has not been explored. In this study, the ASPARAGINE-LINKED GLYCOSYLATION3 (ALG3)-mediated N-glycosylation of the effector, Secreted LysM Protein1 (Slp1), was found to be essential for its activity in the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae. ALG3 encodes an α-1,3-mannosyltransferase for protein N-glycosylation. Deletion of ALG3 resulted in the arrest of secondary infection hyphae and a significant reduction in virulence. We observed that Δalg3 mutants induced massive production of reactive oxygen species in host cells, in a similar manner to Δslp1 mutants, which is a key factor responsible for arresting infection hyphae of the mutants. Slp1 sequesters chitin oligosaccharides to avoid their recognition by the rice (Oryza sativa) chitin elicitor binding protein CEBiP and the induction of innate immune responses, including reactive oxygen species production. We demonstrate that Slp1 has three N-glycosylation sites and that simultaneous Alg3-mediated N-glycosylation of each site is required to maintain protein stability and the chitin binding activity of Slp1, which are essential for its effector function. These results indicate that Alg3-mediated N-glycosylation of Slp1 is required to evade host innate immunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Lin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Tao Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jun Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Wei Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xusheng Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Deng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiaowen Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jin-Rong Xu
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47906
| | - Nicholas J. Talbot
- School of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, United Kingdom
| | - You-Liang Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
- Address correspondence to
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
López-Fernández L, Ruiz-Roldán C, Pareja-Jaime Y, Prieto A, Khraiwesh H, Roncero MIG. The Fusarium oxysporum gnt2, encoding a putative N-acetylglucosamine transferase, is involved in cell wall architecture and virulence. PLoS One 2013; 8:e84690. [PMID: 24416097 PMCID: PMC3886883 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0084690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2013] [Accepted: 11/26/2013] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
With the aim to decipher the molecular dialogue and cross talk between Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersci and its host during infection and to understand the molecular bases that govern fungal pathogenicity, we analysed genes presumably encoding N-acetylglucosaminyl transferases, involved in glycosylation of glycoproteins, glycolipids, proteoglycans or small molecule acceptors in other microorganisms. In silico analysis revealed the existence of seven putative N-glycosyl transferase encoding genes (named gnt) in F. oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici genome. gnt2 deletion mutants showed a dramatic reduction in virulence on both plant and animal hosts. Δgnt2 mutants had αalterations in cell wall properties related to terminal αor β-linked N-acetyl glucosamine. Mutant conidia and germlings also showed differences in structure and physicochemical surface properties. Conidial and hyphal aggregation differed between the mutant and wild type strains, in a pH independent manner. Transmission electron micrographs of germlings showed strong cell-to-cell adherence and the presence of an extracellular chemical matrix. Δgnt2 cell walls presented a significant reduction in N-linked oligosaccharides, suggesting the involvement of Gnt2 in N-glycosylation of cell wall proteins. Gnt2 was localized in Golgi-like sub-cellular compartments as determined by fluorescence microscopy of GFP::Gnt2 fusion protein after treatment with the antibiotic brefeldin A or by staining with fluorescent sphingolipid BODIPY-TR ceramide. Furthermore, density gradient ultracentrifugation allowed co-localization of GFP::Gnt2 fusion protein and Vps10p in subcellular fractions enriched in Golgi specific enzymatic activities. Our results suggest that N-acetylglucosaminyl transferases are key components for cell wall structure and influence interactions of F. oxysporum with both plant and animal hosts during pathogenicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Loida López-Fernández
- Departamento de Genética, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Campus de Excelencia Agroalimentario (ceiA3), Córdoba, Spain
| | - Carmen Ruiz-Roldán
- Departamento de Genética, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Campus de Excelencia Agroalimentario (ceiA3), Córdoba, Spain
| | - Yolanda Pareja-Jaime
- Departamento de Genética, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Campus de Excelencia Agroalimentario (ceiA3), Córdoba, Spain
| | - Alicia Prieto
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas-CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Husam Khraiwesh
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Fisiología e Inmunología, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - M. Isabel G. Roncero
- Departamento de Genética, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Campus de Excelencia Agroalimentario (ceiA3), Córdoba, Spain
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Dai Z, Aryal UK, Shukla A, Qian WJ, Smith RD, Magnuson JK, Adney WS, Beckham GT, Brunecky R, Himmel ME, Decker SR, Ju X, Zhang X, Baker SE. Impact of alg3 gene deletion on growth, development, pigment production, protein secretion, and functions of recombinant Trichoderma reesei cellobiohydrolases in Aspergillus niger. Fungal Genet Biol 2013; 61:120-32. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2013.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2013] [Revised: 09/05/2013] [Accepted: 09/16/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
|
47
|
Aguiar TQ, Maaheimo H, Heiskanen A, Wiebe MG, Penttilä M, Domingues L. Characterization of the Ashbya gossypii secreted N-glycome and genomic insights into its N-glycosylation pathway. Carbohydr Res 2013; 381:19-27. [DOI: 10.1016/j.carres.2013.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2013] [Revised: 07/04/2013] [Accepted: 08/14/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
|
48
|
Mendes NS, Trevisan GL, Silva Cruz AH, Santos RS, Peres NTA, Martinez-Rossi NM, Rossi A. Transcription of N- and O-linked mannosyltransferase genes is modulated by the pacC gene in the human dermatophyte Trichophyton rubrum. FEBS Open Bio 2012; 2:294-7. [PMID: 23772361 PMCID: PMC3678131 DOI: 10.1016/j.fob.2012.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2012] [Revised: 09/21/2012] [Accepted: 09/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
In fungi, ambient pH sensing involves the activation of the Pal/PacC signalling pathway. In the dermatophyte Trichophyton rubrum, pH-dependent secretion of keratinases, which are major virulence determinants, is affected by disruption of the pacC gene. Here, the transcription profiling of the genes coding for N- and O-linked mannosyltransferases, enzymes involved in protein glycosylation, was evaluated in T. rubrum in response to disruption of the pacC gene and growth in keratin, glucose, and glucose plus glycine. We show that transcription of these mannosyltransferase genes is affected by nutrients at acidic pH and by PacC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Niege S Mendes
- Departamento de Genética, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Wang L, Aryal UK, Dai Z, Mason AC, Monroe ME, Tian ZX, Zhou JY, Su D, Weitz KK, Liu T, Camp DG, Smith RD, Baker SE, Qian WJ. Mapping N-linked glycosylation sites in the secretome and whole cells of Aspergillus niger using hydrazide chemistry and mass spectrometry. J Proteome Res 2011; 11:143-56. [PMID: 22136231 DOI: 10.1021/pr200916k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Protein glycosylation (e.g., N-linked glycosylation) is known to play an essential role in both cellular functions and secretory pathways; however, our knowledge of in vivo N-glycosylated sites is very limited for the majority of fungal organisms including Aspergillus niger. Herein, we present the first extensive mapping of N-glycosylated sites in A. niger by applying an optimized solid phase glycopeptide enrichment protocol using hydrazide-modified magnetic beads. The enrichment protocol was initially optimized using both mouse blood plasma and A. niger secretome samples, and it was demonstrated that the protein-level enrichment protocol offered superior performance over the peptide-level protocol. The optimized protocol was then applied to profile N-glycosylated sites from both the secretome and whole cell lysates of A. niger. A total of 847 N-glycosylated sites from 330 N-glycoproteins (156 proteins from the secretome and 279 proteins from whole cells) were confidently identified by LC-MS/MS. The identified N-glycoproteins in the whole cell lysate were primarily localized in the plasma membrane, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosome, and storage vacuoles, supporting the important role of N-glycosylation in the secretory pathways. In addition, these glycoproteins are involved in many biological processes including gene regulation, signal transduction, protein folding and assembly, protein modification, and carbohydrate metabolism. The extensive coverage of N-glycosylated sites and the observation of partial glycan occupancy on specific sites in a number of enzymes provide important initial information for functional studies of N-linked glycosylation and their biotechnological applications in A. niger.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lu Wang
- Biological Science Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|