1
|
Azizullah, Noman M, Gao Y, Wang H, Xiong X, Wang J, Li D, Song F. The SUMOylation pathway regulates the pathogenicity of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum in watermelon through stabilizing the pH regulator FonPalC via SUMOylation. Microbiol Res 2024; 281:127632. [PMID: 38310728 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2024.127632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
SUMOylation is a key post-translational modification, where small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO) proteins regulate crucial biological processes, including pathogenesis, in phytopathogenic fungi. Here, we investigated the function and mechanism of the SUMOylation pathway in the pathogenicity of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum (Fon), the fungal pathogen that causes watermelon Fusarium wilt. Disruption of key SUMOylation pathway genes, FonSMT3, FonAOS1, FonUBC9, and FonMMS21, significantly reduced pathogenicity, impaired penetration ability, and attenuated invasive growth capacity of Fon. Transcription and proteomic analyses identified a diverse set of SUMOylation-regulated differentially expressed genes and putative FonSMT3-targeted proteins, which are predicted to be involved in infection, DNA damage repair, programmed cell death, reproduction, growth, and development. Among 155 putative FonSMT3-targeted proteins, FonPalC, a Pal/Rim-pH signaling regulator, was confirmed to be SUMOylated. The FonPalC protein accumulation was significantly decreased in SUMOylation-deficient mutant ∆Fonsmt3. Deletion of FonPalC resulted in impaired mycelial growth, decreased pathogenicity, enhanced osmosensitivity, and increased intracellular vacuolation in Fon. Importantly, mutations in conserved SUMOylation sites of FonPalC failed to restore the defects in ∆Fonpalc mutant, indicating the critical function of the SUMOylation in FonPalC stability and Fon pathogenicity. Identifying key SUMOylation-regulated pathogenicity-related proteins provides novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying Fon pathogenesis regulated by SUMOylation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Azizullah
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China; Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China; State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Muhammad Noman
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China; Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China; State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China; State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Treats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Yizhou Gao
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China; Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China; State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China; Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China; State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Xiaohui Xiong
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China; Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China; State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Jiajing Wang
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China; Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China; State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Dayong Li
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China; Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China; State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Fengming Song
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China; Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China; State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhang J, Qiu R, Bieger BD, Oakley CE, Oakley BR, Egan MJ, Xiang X. Aspergillus SUMOylation mutants exhibit chromosome segregation defects including chromatin bridges. Genetics 2023; 225:iyad169. [PMID: 37724751 PMCID: PMC10697819 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyad169] [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: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Functions of protein SUMOylation remain incompletely understood in different cell types. Via forward genetics, here we identified ubaBQ247*, a loss-of-function mutation in a SUMO activation enzyme UbaB in the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans. The ubaBQ247*, ΔubaB, and ΔsumO mutants all produce abnormal chromatin bridges, indicating the importance of SUMOylation in the completion of chromosome segregation. The bridges are enclosed by nuclear membrane containing peripheral nuclear pore complex proteins that normally get dispersed during mitosis, and the bridges are also surrounded by cytoplasmic microtubules typical of interphase cells. Time-lapse sequences further indicate that most bridges persist through interphase prior to the next mitosis, and anaphase chromosome segregation can produce new bridges that persist into the next interphase. When the first mitosis happens at a higher temperature of 42°C, SUMOylation deficiency produces not only chromatin bridges but also many abnormally shaped single nuclei that fail to divide. UbaB-GFP localizes to interphase nuclei just like the previously studied SumO-GFP, but the nuclear signals disappear during mitosis when the nuclear pores are partially open, and the signals reappear after mitosis. The nuclear localization is consistent with many SUMO targets being nuclear proteins. Finally, although the budding yeast SUMOylation machinery interacts with LIS1, a protein critical for dynein activation, loss of SUMOylation does not cause any obvious defect in dynein-mediated transport of nuclei and early endosomes, indicating that SUMOylation is unnecessary for dynein activation in A. nidulans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jun Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences-F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Rongde Qiu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences-F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Baronger D Bieger
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas Systems Division of Agriculture, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
| | - C Elizabeth Oakley
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Berl R Oakley
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Martin J Egan
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas Systems Division of Agriculture, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
| | - Xin Xiang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences-F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wu XM, Zhang BS, Zhao YL, Wu HW, Gao F, Zhang J, Zhao JH, Guo HS. DeSUMOylation of a Verticillium dahliae enolase facilitates virulence by derepressing the expression of the effector VdSCP8. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4844. [PMID: 37563142 PMCID: PMC10415295 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40384-w] [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: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The soil-borne fungus Verticillium dahliae, the most notorious plant pathogen of the Verticillium genus, causes vascular wilts in a wide variety of economically important crops. The molecular mechanism of V. dahliae pathogenesis remains largely elusive. Here, we identify a small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO)-specific protease (VdUlpB) from V. dahliae, and find that VdUlpB facilitates V. dahliae virulence by deconjugating SUMO from V. dahliae enolase (VdEno). We identify five lysine residues (K96, K254, K259, K313 and K434) that mediate VdEno SUMOylation, and SUMOylated VdEno preferentially localized in nucleus where it functions as a transcription repressor to inhibit the expression of an effector VdSCP8. Importantly, VdUlpB mediates deSUMOylation of VdEno facilitates its cytoplasmic distribution, which allows it to function as a glycolytic enzyme. Our study reveals a sophisticated pathogenic mechanism of VdUlpB-mediated enolase deSUMOylation, which fortifies glycolytic pathway for growth and contributes to V. dahliae virulence through derepressing the expression of an effector.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Ming Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Bo-Sen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yun-Long Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Hua-Wei Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Feng Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jian-Hua Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Hui-Shan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Son YE, Yu JH, Park HS. Regulators of the Asexual Life Cycle of Aspergillus nidulans. Cells 2023; 12:1544. [PMID: 37296664 PMCID: PMC10253035 DOI: 10.3390/cells12111544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The genus Aspergillus, one of the most abundant airborne fungi, is classified into hundreds of species that affect humans, animals, and plants. Among these, Aspergillus nidulans, as a key model organism, has been extensively studied to understand the mechanisms governing growth and development, physiology, and gene regulation in fungi. A. nidulans primarily reproduces by forming millions of asexual spores known as conidia. The asexual life cycle of A. nidulans can be simply divided into growth and asexual development (conidiation). After a certain period of vegetative growth, some vegetative cells (hyphae) develop into specialized asexual structures called conidiophores. Each A. nidulans conidiophore is composed of a foot cell, stalk, vesicle, metulae, phialides, and 12,000 conidia. This vegetative-to-developmental transition requires the activity of various regulators including FLB proteins, BrlA, and AbaA. Asymmetric repetitive mitotic cell division of phialides results in the formation of immature conidia. Subsequent conidial maturation requires multiple regulators such as WetA, VosA, and VelB. Matured conidia maintain cellular integrity and long-term viability against various stresses and desiccation. Under appropriate conditions, the resting conidia germinate and form new colonies, and this process is governed by a myriad of regulators, such as CreA and SocA. To date, a plethora of regulators for each asexual developmental stage have been identified and investigated. This review summarizes our current understanding of the regulators of conidial formation, maturation, dormancy, and germination in A. nidulans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ye-Eun Son
- Major in Food Biomaterials, School of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea;
| | - Jae-Hyuk Yu
- Department of Bacteriology, Food Research Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA;
| | - Hee-Soo Park
- Major in Food Biomaterials, School of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea;
- Department of Integrative Biology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Nie XY, Xue Y, Li L, Jiang Z, Qin B, Wang Y, Wang S. A functional intact SUMOylation machinery in Aspergillus flavus contributes to fungal and aflatoxin contamination of food. Int J Food Microbiol 2023; 398:110241. [PMID: 37167787 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2023.110241] [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: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
SUMO adducts occur in Aspergillus flavus, and are implicated in fungal biology, while the underlying mechanism and the SUMOylation apparatus components in this saprophytic food spoilage mould, remain undefined. Herein, genes encoding SUMOylation cascade enzymes in A. flavus, including two heterodimeric SUMO E1 activating enzymes, a unique SUMO E2 conjugating enzyme, and one of SUMO E3 ligases, were identified and functionally analyzed. Global SUMO adducts immunoassay, multiple morphological comparison, aflatoxin attributes test, fungal infection and transcriptomic analyses collectively revealed that: E1 and E2 were essential for intracellular SUMOylation, and contributed to both stress response and fungal virulence-related events, including sporulation, colonization, aflatoxins biosynthesis; the primary E3 in this fungus, AfSizA, might serve as the molecular linkage of SUMOylation pathway to fungal virulence rather than SUMOylation-mediated stress adaptation. These findings demonstrated that SUMOylation machinery in A. flavus was functionally intact and contributed to multiple pathobiological processes, hence offering ideas and targets to control food contamination by this mycotoxigenic fungus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Yi Nie
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.
| | - Yang Xue
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Ling Li
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zhixin Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Bei Qin
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Shihua Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhang J, Qiu R, Bieger BD, Oakley CE, Oakley BR, Egan MJ, Xiang X. Aspergillus SUMOylation mutants have normal dynein function but exhibit chromatin bridges. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.16.537086. [PMID: 37131833 PMCID: PMC10153134 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.16.537086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Functions of protein SUMOylation remain incompletely understood in different cell types. The budding yeast SUMOylation machinery interacts with LIS1, a protein critical for dynein activation, but dynein-pathway components were not identified as SUMO-targets in the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans. Via A. nidulans forward genetics, here we identified ubaBQ247*, a loss-of-function mutation in a SUMO-activation enzyme UbaB. Colonies of the ubaBQ247*, ΔubaB and ΔsumO mutants looked similar and less healthy than the wild-type colony. In these mutants, about 10% of nuclei are connected by abnormal chromatin bridges, indicating the importance of SUMOylation in the completion of chromosome segregation. Nuclei connected by chromatin bridges are mostly in interphase, suggesting that these bridges do not prevent cell-cycle progression. UbaB-GFP localizes to interphase nuclei just like the previously studied SumO-GFP, but the nuclear signals disappear during mitosis when the nuclear pores are partially open, and the signals reappear after mitosis. The nuclear localization is consistent with many SUMO-targets being nuclear proteins, for example, topoisomerase II whose SUMOylation defect gives rise to chromatin bridges in mammalian cells. Unlike in mammalian cells, however, loss of SUMOylation in A. nidulans does not apparently affect the metaphase-to-anaphase transition, further highlighting differences in the requirements of SUMOylation in different cell types. Finally, loss of UbaB or SumO does not affect dynein- and LIS1-mediated early-endosome transport, indicating that SUMOylation is unnecessary for dynein or LIS1 function in A. nidulans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jun Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences- F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, USA
| | - Rongde Qiu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences- F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, USA
| | - Baronger D. Bieger
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas Systems Division of Agriculture, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - C. Elizabeth Oakley
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Berl R. Oakley
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Martin J. Egan
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas Systems Division of Agriculture, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - Xin Xiang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences- F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Jian Y, Chen X, Sun K, Liu Z, Cheng D, Cao J, Liu J, Cheng X, Wu L, Zhang F, Luo Y, Hahn M, Ma Z, Yin Y. SUMOylation regulates pre-mRNA splicing to overcome DNA damage in fungi. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2023; 237:2298-2315. [PMID: 36539920 DOI: 10.1111/nph.18692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Pathogenic fungi are subject to DNA damage stress derived from host immune responses during infection. Small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) modification and precursor (pre)-mRNA splicing are both involved in DNA damage response (DDR). However, the mechanisms of how SUMOylation and splicing coordinated in DDR remain largely unknown. Combining with biochemical analysis, RNA-Seq method, and biological analysis, we report that SUMO pathway participates in DDR and virulence in Fusarium graminearum, a causal agent of Fusarium head blight of cereal crops world-wide. Interestingly, a key transcription factor FgSR is SUMOylated upon DNA damage stress. SUMOylation regulates FgSR nuclear-cytoplasmic partitioning and its phosphorylation by FgMec1, and promotes its interaction with chromatin remodeling complex SWI/SNF for activating the expression of DDR-related genes. Moreover, the SWI/SNF complex was found to further recruit splicing-related NineTeen Complex, subsequently modulates pre-mRNA splicing during DDR. Our findings reveal a novel function of SUMOylation in DDR by regulating a transcription factor to orchestrate gene expression and pre-mRNA splicing to overcome DNA damage during the infection of F. graminearum, which advances the understanding of the delicate regulation of DDR by SUMOylation in pathogenic fungi, and extends the knowledge of cooperation of SUMOylation and pre-mRNA splicing in DDR in eukaryotes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yunqing Jian
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Xia Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Kewei Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Zunyong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Danni Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Jie Cao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Jianzhao Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Xiaofei Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Germplasm Enhancement, Physiology and Ecology of Food Crops in Cold Region of Chinese Education Ministry, College of Agriculture, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, China
| | - Liang Wu
- Institute of Crop Science, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Yuming Luo
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Eco-Agricultural Biotechnology around Hongze Lake, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Regional Modern Agriculture and Environmental Protection, Huaiyin Normal University, Huai'an, 223300, China
| | - Matthias Hahn
- Department of Biology, University of Kaiserslautern, PO Box 3049, 67653, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Zhonghua Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yanni Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
The SUMOylation Pathway Components Are Required for Vegetative Growth, Asexual Development, Cytotoxic Responses, and Programmed Cell Death Events in Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:jof9010094. [PMID: 36675915 PMCID: PMC9866417 DOI: 10.3390/jof9010094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
SUMOylation is an essential protein modification process that regulates numerous crucial cellular and biochemical processes in phytopathogenic fungi, and thus plays important roles in multiple biological functions. The present study characterizes the SUMOylation pathway components, including SMT3 (SUMO), AOS1 (an E1 enzyme), UBC9 (an E2 enzyme), and MMS21 (an E3 ligase), in Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum (Fon), the causative agent of watermelon Fusarium wilt, in terms of the phylogenetic relationship, gene/protein structures, and basic biological functions. The SUMOylation components FonSMT3, FonAOS1, FonUBC9, and FonMMS21 are predominantly located in the nucleus. FonSMT3, FonAOS1, FonUBC9, and FonMMS21 are highly expressed in the germinating macroconidia, but their expression is downregulated gradually in infected watermelon roots with the disease progression. The disruption of FonUBA2 and FonSIZ1 seems to be lethal in Fon. The deletion mutant strains for FonSMT3, FonAOS1, FonUBC9, and FonMMS21 are viable, but exhibit significant defects in vegetative growth, asexual reproduction, conidial morphology, spore germination, responses to metal ions and DNA-damaging agents, and apoptosis. The disruption of FonSMT3, FonAOS1, FonUBC9, and FonMMS21 enhances sensitivity to cell wall-perturbing agents, but confers tolerance to digestion by cell wall-degrading enzymes. Furthermore, the disruption of FonSMT3, FonAOS1, and FonUBC9 negatively regulates autophagy in Fon. Overall, these results demonstrate that the SUMOylation pathway plays vital roles in regulating multiple basic biological processes in Fon, and, thus, can serve as a potential target for developing a disease management approach to control Fusarium wilt in watermelon.
Collapse
|
9
|
Li Y, Song Z, Wang E, Dong L, Bai J, Wang D, Zhu J, Zhang C. Potential antifungal targets based on histones post-translational modifications against invasive aspergillosis. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:980615. [PMID: 36016791 PMCID: PMC9395700 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.980615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
As a primary cause of death in patients with hematological malignancies and transplant recipients, invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a condition that warrants attention. IA infections have been increasing, which remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. During the past decade, antifungal drug resistance has emerged, which is especially concerning for management given the limited options for treating azole-resistant infections and the possibility of failure of prophylaxis in those high-risk patients. Histone posttranslational modifications (HPTMs), mainly including acetylation, methylation, ubiquitination and phosphorylation, are crucial epigenetic mechanisms regulating various biological events, which could modify the conformation of histone and influence chromatin-associated nuclear processes to regulate development, cellular responsiveness, and biological phenotype without affecting the underlying genetic sequence. In recent years, fungi have become important model organisms for studying epigenetic regulation. HPTMs involves in growth and development, secondary metabolite biosynthesis and virulence in Aspergillus. This review mainly aims at summarizing the acetylation, deacetylation, methylation, demethylation, and sumoylation of histones in IA and connect this knowledge to possible HPTMs-based antifungal drugs. We hope this research could provide a reference for exploring new drug targets and developing low-toxic and high-efficiency antifungal strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yiman Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhihui Song
- Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ente Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Liming Dong
- Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Bai
- Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Dong Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jinyan Zhu
- Department of Hematology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Chao Zhang,
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Yang K, Tian J, Keller NP. Post-translational modifications drive secondary metabolite biosynthesis in Aspergillus: a review. Environ Microbiol 2022; 24:2857-2881. [PMID: 35645150 PMCID: PMC9545273 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Post‐translational modifications (PTMs) are important for protein function and regulate multiple cellular processes and secondary metabolites (SMs) in fungi. Aspergillus species belong to a genus renown for an abundance of bioactive secondary metabolites, many important as toxins, pharmaceuticals and in industrial production. The genes required for secondary metabolites are typically co‐localized in biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs), which often localize in heterochromatic regions of genome and are ‘turned off’ under laboratory condition. Efforts have been made to ‘turn on’ these BGCs by genetic manipulation of histone modifications, which could convert the heterochromatic structure to euchromatin. Additionally, non‐histone PTMs also play critical roles in the regulation of secondary metabolism. In this review, we collate the known roles of epigenetic and PTMs on Aspergillus SM production. We also summarize the proteomics approaches and bioinformatics tools for PTM identification and prediction and provide future perspectives on the emerging roles of PTM on regulation of SM biosynthesis in Aspergillus and other fungi.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kunlong Yang
- School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, 221116, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China.,Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, 53705, USA
| | - Jun Tian
- School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, 221116, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Nancy P Keller
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, 53705, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Combination Strategy of Genetic Dereplication and Manipulation of Epigenetic Regulators Reveals a Novel Compound from Plant Endophytic Fungus. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073686. [PMID: 35409046 PMCID: PMC8998291 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073686] [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: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The strategies of genetic dereplication and manipulation of epigenetic regulators to activate the cryptic gene clusters are effective to discover natural products with novel structure in filamentous fungi. In this study, a combination of genetic dereplication (deletion of pesthetic acid biosynthetic gene, PfptaA) and manipulation of epigenetic regulators (deletion of histone methyltransferase gene PfcclA and histone deacetylase gene PfhdaA) was developed in plant endophytic fungus Pestalotiopsis fici. The deletion of PfptaA with PfcclA and/or PfhdaA led to isolation of 1 novel compound, pestaloficiol X (1), as well as another 11 known compounds with obvious yield changes. The proposed biosynthesis pathway of pestaloficiol X was speculated using comparative analysis of homologous biosynthetic gene clusters. Moreover, phenotypic effects on the conidial development and response to oxidative stressors in the mutants were explored. Our results revealed that the new strain with deletion of PfcclA or PfhdaA in ΔPfptaA background host can neutralise the hyperformation of conidia in the PfptaA mutant, and that the ΔPfptaA ΔPfhdaA mutant was generally not sensitive to oxidative stressors as much as the ΔPfptaA ΔcclA mutant in comparison with the single mutant ΔPfptaA or the parental strains. This combinatorial approach can be applied to discover new natural products in filamentous fungi.
Collapse
|
12
|
Updates on the Functions and Molecular Mechanisms of the Genes Involved in Aspergillus flavus Development and Biosynthesis of Aflatoxins. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7080666. [PMID: 34436205 PMCID: PMC8401812 DOI: 10.3390/jof7080666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Revised: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus) is a ubiquitous and opportunistic fungal pathogen that causes invasive and non-invasive aspergillosis in humans and animals. This fungus is also capable of infecting a large number of agriculture crops (e.g., peanuts, maze, cotton seeds, rice, etc.), causing economic losses and posing serious food-safety concerns when these crops are contaminated with aflatoxins, the most potent naturally occurring carcinogens. In particular, A. flavus and aflatoxins are intensely studied, and they continue to receive considerable attention due to their detrimental effects on humans, animals, and crops. Although several studies have been published focusing on the biosynthesis of the aforementioned secondary metabolites, some of the molecular mechanisms (e.g., posttranslational modifications, transcription factors, transcriptome, proteomics, metabolomics and transcriptome, etc.) involved in the fungal development and aflatoxin biosynthesis in A. flavus are still not fully understood. In this study, a review of the recently published studies on the function of the genes and the molecular mechanisms involved in development of A. flavus and the production of its secondary metabolites is presented. It is hoped that the information provided in this review will help readers to develop effective strategies to reduce A. flavus infection and aflatoxin production.
Collapse
|
13
|
Carrasco-Navarro U, Aguirre J. H 2O 2 Induces Major Phosphorylation Changes in Critical Regulators of Signal Transduction, Gene Expression, Metabolism and Developmental Networks in Aspergillus nidulans. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:624. [PMID: 34436163 PMCID: PMC8399174 DOI: 10.3390/jof7080624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) regulate several aspects of cell physiology in filamentous fungi including the antioxidant response and development. However, little is known about the signaling pathways involved in these processes. Here, we report Aspergillus nidulans global phosphoproteome during mycelial growth and show that under these conditions, H2O2 induces major changes in protein phosphorylation. Among the 1964 phosphoproteins we identified, H2O2 induced the phosphorylation of 131 proteins at one or more sites as well as the dephosphorylation of a larger set of proteins. A detailed analysis of these phosphoproteins shows that H2O2 affected the phosphorylation of critical regulatory nodes of phosphoinositide, MAPK, and TOR signaling as well as the phosphorylation of multiple proteins involved in the regulation of gene expression, primary and secondary metabolism, and development. Our results provide a novel and extensive protein phosphorylation landscape in A. nidulans, indicating that H2O2 induces a shift in general metabolism from anabolic to catabolic, and the activation of multiple stress survival pathways. Our results expand the significance of H2O2 in eukaryotic cell signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jesús Aguirre
- Departamento de Biología Celular y del Desarrollo, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 70-242, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico;
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
López-Berges MS, Scheven MT, Hortschansky P, Misslinger M, Baldin C, Gsaller F, Werner ER, Krüger T, Kniemeyer O, Weber J, Brakhage AA, Haas H. The bZIP Transcription Factor HapX Is Post-Translationally Regulated to Control Iron Homeostasis in Aspergillus fumigatus. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22147739. [PMID: 34299357 PMCID: PMC8307855 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The airborne fungus Aspergillus fumigatus causes opportunistic infections in humans with high mortality rates in immunocompromised patients. Previous work established that the bZIP transcription factor HapX is essential for virulence via adaptation to iron limitation by repressing iron-consuming pathways and activating iron acquisition mechanisms. Moreover, HapX was shown to be essential for transcriptional activation of vacuolar iron storage and iron-dependent pathways in response to iron availability. Here, we demonstrate that HapX has a very short half-life during iron starvation, which is further decreased in response to iron, while siderophore biosynthetic enzymes are very stable. We identified Fbx22 and SumO as HapX interactors and, in agreement, HapX post-translational modifications including ubiquitination of lysine161, sumoylation of lysine242 and phosphorylation of threonine319. All three modifications were enriched in the immediate adaptation from iron-limiting to iron-replete conditions. Interfering with these post-translational modifications, either by point mutations or by inactivation, of Fbx22 or SumO, altered HapX degradation, heme biosynthesis and iron resistance to different extents. Consistent with the need to precisely regulate HapX protein levels, overexpression of hapX caused significant growth defects under iron sufficiency. Taken together, our results indicate that post-translational regulation of HapX is important to control iron homeostasis in A. fumigatus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Sánchez López-Berges
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (M.M.); (C.B.); (F.G.)
- Correspondence: (M.S.L.-B.); (A.A.B.); (H.H.)
| | - Mareike Thea Scheven
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI), 07745 Jena, Germany; (M.T.S.); (P.H.); (T.K.); (O.K.); (J.W.)
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Peter Hortschansky
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI), 07745 Jena, Germany; (M.T.S.); (P.H.); (T.K.); (O.K.); (J.W.)
| | - Matthias Misslinger
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (M.M.); (C.B.); (F.G.)
| | - Clara Baldin
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (M.M.); (C.B.); (F.G.)
| | - Fabio Gsaller
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (M.M.); (C.B.); (F.G.)
| | - Ernst R. Werner
- Division of Biological Chemistry, Biocenter, Innsbruck Medical University, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
| | - Thomas Krüger
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI), 07745 Jena, Germany; (M.T.S.); (P.H.); (T.K.); (O.K.); (J.W.)
| | - Olaf Kniemeyer
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI), 07745 Jena, Germany; (M.T.S.); (P.H.); (T.K.); (O.K.); (J.W.)
| | - Jakob Weber
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI), 07745 Jena, Germany; (M.T.S.); (P.H.); (T.K.); (O.K.); (J.W.)
| | - Axel A. Brakhage
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI), 07745 Jena, Germany; (M.T.S.); (P.H.); (T.K.); (O.K.); (J.W.)
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany
- Correspondence: (M.S.L.-B.); (A.A.B.); (H.H.)
| | - Hubertus Haas
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (M.M.); (C.B.); (F.G.)
- Correspondence: (M.S.L.-B.); (A.A.B.); (H.H.)
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Höfer AM, Harting R, Aßmann NF, Gerke J, Schmitt K, Starke J, Bayram Ö, Tran VT, Valerius O, Braus-Stromeyer SA, Braus GH. The velvet protein Vel1 controls initial plant root colonization and conidia formation for xylem distribution in Verticillium wilt. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009434. [PMID: 33720931 PMCID: PMC7993770 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The conserved fungal velvet family regulatory proteins link development and secondary metabolite production. The velvet domain for DNA binding and dimerization is similar to the structure of the Rel homology domain of the mammalian NF-κB transcription factor. A comprehensive study addressed the functions of all four homologs of velvet domain encoding genes in the fungal life cycle of the soil-borne plant pathogenic fungus Verticillium dahliae. Genetic, cell biological, proteomic and metabolomic analyses of Vel1, Vel2, Vel3 and Vos1 were combined with plant pathogenicity experiments. Different phases of fungal growth, development and pathogenicity require V. dahliae velvet proteins, including Vel1-Vel2, Vel2-Vos1 and Vel3-Vos1 heterodimers, which are already present during vegetative hyphal growth. The major novel finding of this study is that Vel1 is necessary for initial plant root colonization and together with Vel3 for propagation in planta by conidiation. Vel1 is needed for disease symptom induction in tomato. Vel1, Vel2, and Vel3 control the formation of microsclerotia in senescent plants. Vel1 is the most important among all four V. dahliae velvet proteins with a wide variety of functions during all phases of the fungal life cycle in as well as ex planta.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annalena M. Höfer
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Rebekka Harting
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Nils F. Aßmann
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jennifer Gerke
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Kerstin Schmitt
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jessica Starke
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Özgür Bayram
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Van-Tuan Tran
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Oliver Valerius
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Susanna A. Braus-Stromeyer
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Gerhard H. Braus
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Göttingen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Gupta D, Garapati HS, Kakumanu AV, Shukla R, Mishra K. SUMOylation in fungi: A potential target for intervention. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2020; 18:3484-3493. [PMID: 33294142 PMCID: PMC7691676 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2020.10.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
SUMOylation is a post-translational, reversible modification process which occurs in eukaryotes. Small Ubiquitin like MOdifier or (SUMO) proteins are a family of small proteins that are covalently attached to and detached from other proteins to modify the target protein function. In pathogenic fungi, SUMO has been identified and preliminary studies indicate its importance either for survival and/or for virulence. In this review we provide an overview of the current state of knowledge of SUMOylation in fungi and the effects on pathogenesis. Subsequently we identify the orthologs of the SUMOylation pathway components across fungi. We also show the level of conservation of the proteins involved and identify the similarities/differences in the orthologs across fungi and the human and plant hosts to identify potential targets of intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dipika Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046, India
| | - Hita Sony Garapati
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046, India
| | - Akhil V.S. Kakumanu
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046, India
| | - Renu Shukla
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046, India
| | - Krishnaveni Mishra
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046, India
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Smt3, a homologue of yeast SUMO, contributes to asexual development, environmental adaptation, and host infection of a filamentous entomopathogen. Fungal Biol 2020; 124:924-931. [PMID: 33059844 DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2020.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Small ubiquitin-like modifiers (SUMOs) act as the modifiers that regulate several important eukaryotic cell events during sumoylation, but little is known about the functions of SUMO or sumoylation in filamentous entomopathogens. Here, we report the important roles of a single SUMO-encoding gene, smt3, in Beauveria bassiana, a filamentous fungal insect pathogen that serves as a main source of wide-spectrum fungal insecticides. The deletion of smt3 led to significant growth defects on the minimal media with different carbon and nitrogen sources, an obvious reduction (45.7 %) in aerial conidiation during optimal cultivation, and increasing sensitivities to metal ions, oxidation, cell wall perturbation, and the fungicide carbendazim during conidial germination and/or colony growth. Compared with the wild-type, the percentage of germination of conidia stored at 4 °C decreased by 83.9 %, and virulence to Galleria mellonella via normal infection was delayed by 24.6 %. However, conidial thermotolerance increased slightly by 11.4 % in Δsmt3. These findings concurred with the repressed transcripts of some phenotype-related genes and decreased activities of antioxidant enzymes. Taken together, smt3 or sumoylation plays vital roles in the asexual development, environmental adaptation, and pathogenicity of B. bassiana.
Collapse
|
18
|
Sahu MS, Patra S, Kumar K, Kaur R. SUMOylation in Human Pathogenic Fungi: Role in Physiology and Virulence. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:E32. [PMID: 32143470 PMCID: PMC7096222 DOI: 10.3390/jof6010032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO) protein is an important component of the post-translational protein modification systems in eukaryotic cells. It is known to modify hundreds of proteins involved in diverse cellular processes, ranging from nuclear pore dynamics to signal transduction pathways. Owing to its reversible nature, the SUMO-conjugation of proteins (SUMOylation) holds a prominent place among mechanisms that regulate the functions of a wide array of cellular proteins. The dysfunctional SUMOylation system has been associated with many human diseases, including neurodegenerative and autoimmune disorders. Furthermore, the non-pathogenic yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has served as an excellent model to advance our understanding of enzymes involved in SUMOylation and proteins modified by SUMOylation. Taking advantage of the tools and knowledge obtained from the S. cerevisiae SUMOylation system, research on fungal SUMOylation is beginning to gather pace, and new insights into the role of SUMOylation in the pathobiology of medically important fungi are emerging. Here, we summarize the known information on components of the SUMOylation machinery, and consequences of overexpression or deletion of these components in the human pathogenic fungi, with major focus on two prevalent Candida bloodstream pathogens, C. albicans and C. glabrata. Additionally, we have identified SUMOylation components, through in silico analysis, in four medically relevant fungi, and compared their sequence similarity with S. cerevisiae counterparts. SUMOylation modulates the virulence of C. albicans and C. glabrata, while it is required for conidia production in Aspergillus nidulans and A. flavus. In addition to highlighting these recent developments, we discuss how SUMOylation fine tunes the expression of virulence factors, and influences survival of fungal cells under diverse stresses in vitro and in the mammalian host.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mahima Sagar Sahu
- Laboratory of Fungal Pathogenesis, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad 500039, Telangana, India; (M.S.S.); (S.P.); (K.K.)
- Graduate studies, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad 121001, Haryana, India
| | - Sandip Patra
- Laboratory of Fungal Pathogenesis, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad 500039, Telangana, India; (M.S.S.); (S.P.); (K.K.)
- Graduate studies, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad 121001, Haryana, India
| | - Kundan Kumar
- Laboratory of Fungal Pathogenesis, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad 500039, Telangana, India; (M.S.S.); (S.P.); (K.K.)
- Graduate studies, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Rupinder Kaur
- Laboratory of Fungal Pathogenesis, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad 500039, Telangana, India; (M.S.S.); (S.P.); (K.K.)
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Harting R, Höfer A, Tran VT, Weinhold LM, Barghahn S, Schlüter R, Braus GH. The Vta1 transcriptional regulator is required for microsclerotia melanization in Verticillium dahliae. Fungal Biol 2020; 124:490-500. [PMID: 32389312 DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2020.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Many fungi are able to produce resting structures, which ensure survival and protect them against various stresses in their habitat such as exposure to UV light, temperature variations, drought as well as changing pH and nutrient conditions. Verticillium dahliae is a plant pathogenic fungus that forms melanized resting structures, called microsclerotia, for survival of time periods without a host. These highly stress resistant microsclerotia persist in the soil for many years and are therefore problematic for an effective treatment of the fungus. The Verticillium transcription activator of adhesion 1 (Vta1) was initially identified as one of several transcriptional regulators that rescue adhesion in non-adhesive Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells. Vta2 and Vta3 are required for early steps in plant infection and colonization and additionally control microsclerotia formation. Here, we show that Vta1 function is different, because it is dispensable for root colonization and infection. Vta1 is produced in the fungal cell during microsclerotia development. Analysis of the deletion mutant revealed that the absence of Vta1 allows microsclerotia production, but they are colorless and no more melanized. Vta1 is required for melanin production and activates transcription of melanin biosynthesis genes including the polyketide synthase encoding PKS1 and the laccase LAC1. The primary function of Vta1 in melanin production is important for survival of microsclerotia as resting structures of V. dahliae.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rebekka Harting
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Grisebachstr. 8, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Annalena Höfer
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Grisebachstr. 8, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Van-Tuan Tran
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Grisebachstr. 8, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Lisa-Maria Weinhold
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Grisebachstr. 8, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sina Barghahn
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Grisebachstr. 8, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Rabea Schlüter
- Imaging Center of the Department of Biology, University of Greifswald, Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Str. 15, D-17489 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Gerhard H Braus
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Grisebachstr. 8, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Corrochano LM. Light in the Fungal World: From Photoreception to Gene Transcription and Beyond. Annu Rev Genet 2019; 53:149-170. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genet-120417-031415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Fungi see light of different colors by using photoreceptors such as the White Collar proteins and cryptochromes for blue light, opsins for green light, and phytochromes for red light. Light regulates fungal development, promotes the accumulation of protective pigments and proteins, and regulates tropic growth. The White Collar complex (WCC) is a photoreceptor and a transcription factor that is responsible for regulating transcription after exposure to blue light. In Neurospora crassa, light promotes the interaction of WCCs and their binding to the promoters to activate transcription. In Aspergillus nidulans, the WCC and the phytochrome interact to coordinate gene transcription and other responses, but the contribution of these photoreceptors to fungal photobiology varies across fungal species. Ultimately, the effect of light on fungal biology is the result of the coordinated transcriptional regulation and activation of signal transduction pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luis M. Corrochano
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Sevilla, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Horio T, Szewczyk E, Oakley CE, Osmani AH, Osmani SA, Oakley BR. SUMOlock reveals a more complete Aspergillus nidulans SUMOylome. Fungal Genet Biol 2019; 127:50-59. [PMID: 30849444 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2019.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Revised: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
SUMOylation, covalent attachment of the small ubiquitin-like modifier protein SUMO to proteins, regulates protein interactions and activity and plays a crucial role in the regulation of many key cellular processes. Understanding the roles of SUMO in these processes ultimately requires identification of the proteins that are SUMOylated in the organism under study. The filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans serves as an excellent model for many aspects of fungal biology, and it would be of great value to determine the proteins that are SUMOylated in this organism (i.e. its SUMOylome). We have developed a new and effective approach for identifying SUMOylated proteins in this organism in which we lock proteins in their SUMOylated state, affinity purify SUMOylated proteins using the high affinity S-tag, and identify them using sensitive Orbitrap mass spectroscopy. This approach allows us to distinguish proteins that are SUMOylated from proteins that are binding partners of SUMOylated proteins or are bound non-covalently to SUMO. This approach has allowed us to identify 149 proteins that are SUMOylated in A. nidulans. Of these, 67 are predicted to be involved in transcription and particularly in the regulation of transcription, 21 are predicted to be involved in RNA processing and 16 are predicted to function in DNA replication or repair.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuya Horio
- Department of Natural Sciences, Nippon Sport Science University, 1221-1 Kamoshida-cho, Aoba-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 227-0033, Japan.
| | - Edyta Szewczyk
- Department of Molecular Genetics, The Ohio State University, 484 W. 12(th) Ave., Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - C Elizabeth Oakley
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Kansas, 1200 Sunnyside Ave., Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Aysha H Osmani
- Department of Molecular Genetics, The Ohio State University, 484 W. 12(th) Ave., Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Stephen A Osmani
- Department of Molecular Genetics, The Ohio State University, 484 W. 12(th) Ave., Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Berl R Oakley
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Kansas, 1200 Sunnyside Ave., Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Janevska S, Güldener U, Sulyok M, Tudzynski B, Studt L. Set1 and Kdm5 are antagonists for H3K4 methylation and regulators of the major conidiation-specific transcription factor gene ABA1 in Fusarium fujikuroi. Environ Microbiol 2018; 20:3343-3362. [PMID: 30047187 PMCID: PMC6175112 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.14339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2018] [Revised: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 06/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Here we present the identification and characterization of the H3K4‐specific histone methyltransferase Set1 and its counterpart, the Jumonji C demethylase Kdm5, in the rice pathogen Fusarium fujikuroi. While Set1 is responsible for all detectable H3K4me2/me3 in this fungus, Kdm5 antagonizes the H3K4me3 mark. Notably, deletion of both SET1 and KDM5 mainly resulted in the upregulation of genome‐wide transcription, also affecting a large set of secondary metabolite (SM) key genes. Although H3K4 methylation is a hallmark of actively transcribed euchromatin, several SM gene clusters located in subtelomeric regions were affected by Set1 and Kdm5. While the regulation of many of them is likely indirect, H3K4me2 levels at gibberellic acid (GA) genes correlated with GA biosynthesis in the wild type, Δkdm5 and OE::KDM5 under inducing conditions. Whereas Δset1 showed an abolished GA3 production in axenic culture, phytohormone biosynthesis was induced in planta, so that residual amounts of GA3 were detected during rice infection. Accordingly, Δset1 exhibited a strongly attenuated, though not abolished, virulence on rice. Apart from regulating secondary metabolism, Set1 and Kdm5 function as activator and repressor of conidiation respectively. They antagonistically regulate H3K4me3 levels and expression of the major conidiation‐specific transcription factor gene ABA1 in F. fujikuroi.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Slavica Janevska
- Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Ulrich Güldener
- Department of Bioinformatics, TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Michael Sulyok
- Center for Analytical Chemistry, Department IFA-Tulln, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Bettina Tudzynski
- Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Lena Studt
- Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany.,Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology-Tulln, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Lim Y, Kim K, Lee Y. SUMOylation is required for fungal development and pathogenicity in the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2018; 19:2134-2148. [PMID: 29633464 PMCID: PMC6638150 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.12687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2017] [Revised: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Amongst the various post-translational modifications (PTMs), SUMOylation is a conserved process of attachment of a small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO) to a protein substrate in eukaryotes. This process regulates many important biological mechanisms, including transcriptional regulation, protein stabilization, cell cycle, DNA repair and pathogenesis. However, the functional role of SUMOylation is not well understood in plant-pathogenic fungi, including the model fungal pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae. In this study, we elucidated the roles of four SUMOylation-associated genes that encode one SUMO protein (MoSMT3), two E1 enzymes (MoAOS1 and MoUBA2) and one E2 enzyme (MoUBC9) in fungal development and pathogenicity. Western blot assays showed that SUMO modification was abolished in all deletion mutants. MoAOS1 and MoUBA2 were mainly localized in the nucleus, whereas MoSMT3 and MoUBC9 were localized in both the nucleus and cytoplasm. However, the four SUMOylation-associated proteins were predominantly localized in the nucleus under oxidative stress conditions. Deletion mutants for each of the four genes were viable, but showed significant defects in mycelial growth, conidiation, septum formation, conidial germination, appressorium formation and pathogenicity. Several proteins responsible for conidiation were predicted to be SUMOylated, suggesting that conidiation is controlled at the post-translational level by SUMOylation. In addition to infection-related development, SUMOylation also played important roles in resistance to nutrient starvation, DNA damage and oxidative stresses. Therefore, SUMOylation is required for infection-related fungal development, stress responses and pathogenicity in M. oryzae. This study provides new insights into the role of SUMOylation in the molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis of the rice blast fungus and other plant pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- You‐Jin Lim
- Department of Agricultural BiotechnologySeoul National UniversitySeoul 08826South Korea
| | - Ki‐Tae Kim
- Department of Agricultural BiotechnologySeoul National UniversitySeoul 08826South Korea
| | - Yong‐Hwan Lee
- Department of Agricultural BiotechnologySeoul National UniversitySeoul 08826South Korea
- Center for Fungal Genetic Resources, Plant Genomics and Breeding Institute, and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National UniversitySeoul 08826South Korea
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Liu C, Li Z, Xing J, Yang J, Wang Z, Zhang H, Chen D, Peng YL, Chen XL. Global analysis of sumoylation function reveals novel insights into development and appressorium-mediated infection of the rice blast fungus. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2018; 219:1031-1047. [PMID: 29663402 DOI: 10.1111/nph.15141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2018] [Accepted: 03/02/2018] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Protein post-translational modifications play critical roles in cellular processes, development and stress response. The small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) to proteins is one of the essential modifications in eukaryotes, but its function remains largely unknown in plant pathogenic fungi. We present a comprehensive analysis combined with proteomic, molecular and cellular approaches to explore the roles of sumoylation in the model plant fungal pathogen, Magnaporthe oryzae. We found the SUMO pathway plays key roles in colony growth, conidia formation and virulence to the host, as well as cell-cycle-related phenotypes. Sumoylation is also involved in responding to different stresses. Affinity purification identified 940 putative SUMO substrates, many of which were reported to be involved in development, stress response and infection. Interestingly, four septins were also shown to be sumoylated. Mutation of consensus sumoylation sites in each septin all resulted in reduced virulence to the host and dislocation of septins in appressoria. Moreover, sumoylation is also involved in extracellular secretion of different effector proteins. Our study on the functions of sumoylation provides novel insight into development and infection of the rice blast fungus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caiyun Liu
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, The Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology of Hubei Province, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Zhigang Li
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, The Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology of Hubei Province, Wuhan, 430070, China
- College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Junjie Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center, Changsha, 410125, China
| | - Jun Yang
- College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Zhao Wang
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, The Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology of Hubei Province, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, The Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology of Hubei Province, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Deng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center, Changsha, 410125, China
| | - You-Liang Peng
- College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Xiao-Lin Chen
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, The Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology of Hubei Province, Wuhan, 430070, China
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center, Changsha, 410125, China
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Nie X, Li B, Wang S. Epigenetic and Posttranslational Modifications in Regulating the Biology of Aspergillus Species. ADVANCES IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY 2018; 105:191-226. [PMID: 30342722 DOI: 10.1016/bs.aambs.2018.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic and posttranslational modifications have been proved to participate in multiple cellular processes and suggested to be an important regulatory mechanism on transcription of genes in eukaryotes. However, our knowledge about epigenetic and posttranslational modifications mainly comes from the studies of yeasts, plants, and animals. Recently, epigenetic and posttranslational modifications have also raised concern for the relevance of regulating fungal biology in Aspergillus. Emerging evidence indicates that these modifications could be a connection between genetic elements and environmental factors, and their combined effects may finally lead to fungal phenotypical changes. This article describes the advances in typical DNA and protein modifications in the genus Aspergillus, focusing on methylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, ubiquitination, sumoylation, and neddylation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Nie
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Bowen Li
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China; State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, China
| | - Shihua Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Riquelme M, Aguirre J, Bartnicki-García S, Braus GH, Feldbrügge M, Fleig U, Hansberg W, Herrera-Estrella A, Kämper J, Kück U, Mouriño-Pérez RR, Takeshita N, Fischer R. Fungal Morphogenesis, from the Polarized Growth of Hyphae to Complex Reproduction and Infection Structures. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2018; 82:e00068-17. [PMID: 29643171 PMCID: PMC5968459 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00068-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 183] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Filamentous fungi constitute a large group of eukaryotic microorganisms that grow by forming simple tube-like hyphae that are capable of differentiating into more-complex morphological structures and distinct cell types. Hyphae form filamentous networks by extending at their tips while branching in subapical regions. Rapid tip elongation requires massive membrane insertion and extension of the rigid chitin-containing cell wall. This process is sustained by a continuous flow of secretory vesicles that depends on the coordinated action of the microtubule and actin cytoskeletons and the corresponding motors and associated proteins. Vesicles transport cell wall-synthesizing enzymes and accumulate in a special structure, the Spitzenkörper, before traveling further and fusing with the tip membrane. The place of vesicle fusion and growth direction are enabled and defined by the position of the Spitzenkörper, the so-called cell end markers, and other proteins involved in the exocytic process. Also important for tip extension is membrane recycling by endocytosis via early endosomes, which function as multipurpose transport vehicles for mRNA, septins, ribosomes, and peroxisomes. Cell integrity, hyphal branching, and morphogenesis are all processes that are largely dependent on vesicle and cytoskeleton dynamics. When hyphae differentiate structures for asexual or sexual reproduction or to mediate interspecies interactions, the hyphal basic cellular machinery may be reprogrammed through the synthesis of new proteins and/or the modification of protein activity. Although some transcriptional networks involved in such reprogramming of hyphae are well studied in several model filamentous fungi, clear connections between these networks and known determinants of hyphal morphogenesis are yet to be established.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meritxell Riquelme
- Department of Microbiology, Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
| | - Jesús Aguirre
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Salomon Bartnicki-García
- Department of Microbiology, Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
| | - Gerhard H Braus
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics and Goettingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Michael Feldbrügge
- Institute for Microbiology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Ursula Fleig
- Institute for Functional Genomics of Microorganisms, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Wilhelm Hansberg
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Alfredo Herrera-Estrella
- Laboratorio Nacional de Genómica para la Biodiversidad, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Irapuato, Mexico
| | - Jörg Kämper
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology-South Campus, Institute for Applied Biosciences, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Ulrich Kück
- Ruhr University Bochum, Lehrstuhl für Allgemeine und Molekulare Botanik, Bochum, Germany
| | - Rosa R Mouriño-Pérez
- Department of Microbiology, Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
| | - Norio Takeshita
- University of Tsukuba, Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Reinhard Fischer
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology-South Campus, Institute for Applied Biosciences, Karlsruhe, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Teichert I, Lutomski M, Märker R, Nowrousian M, Kück U. New insights from an old mutant: SPADIX4 governs fruiting body development but not hyphal fusion in Sordaria macrospora. Mol Genet Genomics 2016; 292:93-104. [DOI: 10.1007/s00438-016-1258-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
28
|
Nie X, Yu S, Qiu M, Wang X, Wang Y, Bai Y, Zhang F, Wang S. Aspergillus flavus SUMO Contributes to Fungal Virulence and Toxin Attributes. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2016; 64:6772-6782. [PMID: 27532332 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.6b02199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Small ubiquitin-like modifiers (SUMOs) can be reversibly attached to target proteins in a process known as SUMOylation, and this process influences several important eukaryotic cell events. However, little is known regarding SUMO or SUMOylation in Aspergillus flavus. Here, we identified a novel member of the SUMO family in A. flavus, AfSumO, and validated the existence of SUMOylation in this pathogenic filamentous fungus. We investigated the roles of AfsumO in A. flavus by determining the effects of AfsumO mutations on the growth phenotype, stress response, conidia and sclerotia production, aflatoxin biosynthesis, and pathogenicity to seeds, and we found that SUMOylation plays a role in fungal virulence and toxin attributes. Taken together, these results not only reveal potential mechanisms of fungal virulence and toxin attributes in A. flavus but also provide a novel approach for promising new control strategies of this fungal pathogen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Nie
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University , Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Song Yu
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University , Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Mengguang Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University , Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Xiuna Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University , Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University , Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Youhuang Bai
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University , Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University , Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Shihua Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University , Fuzhou 350002, China
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Gujjula R, Veeraiah S, Kumar K, Thakur SS, Mishra K, Kaur R. Identification of Components of the SUMOylation Machinery in Candida glabrata: ROLE OF THE DESUMOYLATION PEPTIDASE CgUlp2 IN VIRULENCE. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:19573-89. [PMID: 27382059 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.706044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulation of protein function by reversible post-translational modification, SUMOylation, is widely conserved in the eukaryotic kingdom. SUMOylation is essential for cell growth, division, and adaptation to stress in most organisms, including fungi. As these are key factors in determination of fungal virulence, in this study, we have investigated the importance of SUMOylation in the human pathogen, Candida glabrata We identified the enzymes involved in small ubiquitin-like modifier conjugation and show that there is strong conservation between Saccharomyces cerevisiae and C. glabrata We demonstrate that SUMOylation is an essential process and that adaptation to stress involves changes in global SUMOylation in C. glabrata Importantly, loss of the deSUMOylating enzyme CgUlp2 leads to highly reduced small ubiquitin-like modifier protein levels, and impaired growth, sensitivity to multiple stress conditions, reduced adherence to epithelial cells, and poor colonization of specific tissues in mice. Our study thus demonstrates a key role for protein SUMOylation in the life cycle and pathobiology of C. glabrata.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Gujjula
- From the Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Building 7, Gruhakalpa, 5-4-399/B, Nampally, Hyderabad 500001
| | - Sangeetha Veeraiah
- the Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Science, University of Hyderabad, Prof. C. R. Rao Road, Gachibowli, Hyderabad 500046
| | - Kundan Kumar
- From the Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Building 7, Gruhakalpa, 5-4-399/B, Nampally, Hyderabad 500001, the Graduate Studies Program, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka 576104, and
| | - Suman S Thakur
- the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Habsiguda, Uppal Road, Hyderabad 500007, India
| | - Krishnaveni Mishra
- the Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Science, University of Hyderabad, Prof. C. R. Rao Road, Gachibowli, Hyderabad 500046,
| | - Rupinder Kaur
- From the Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Building 7, Gruhakalpa, 5-4-399/B, Nampally, Hyderabad 500001,
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Schinke J, Kolog Gulko M, Christmann M, Valerius O, Stumpf SK, Stirz M, Braus GH. The DenA/DEN1 Interacting Phosphatase DipA Controls Septa Positioning and Phosphorylation-Dependent Stability of Cytoplasmatic DenA/DEN1 during Fungal Development. PLoS Genet 2016; 12:e1005949. [PMID: 27010942 PMCID: PMC4806917 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2015] [Accepted: 03/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
DenA/DEN1 and the COP9 signalosome (CSN) represent two deneddylases which remove the ubiquitin-like Nedd8 from modified target proteins and are required for distinct fungal developmental programmes. The cellular DenA/DEN1 population is divided into a nuclear and a cytoplasmatic subpopulation which is especially enriched at septa. DenA/DEN1 stability control mechanisms are different for the two cellular subpopulations and depend on different physical interacting proteins and the C-terminal DenA/DEN1 phosphorylation pattern. Nuclear DenA/DEN1 is destabilized during fungal development by five of the eight CSN subunits which target nuclear DenA/DEN1 for degradation. DenA/DEN1 becomes stabilized as a phosphoprotein at S243/S245 during vegetative growth, which is necessary to support further asexual development. After the initial phase of development, the newly identified cytoplasmatic DenA/DEN1 interacting phosphatase DipA and an additional developmental specific C-terminal phosphorylation site at serine S253 destabilize DenA/DEN1. Outside of the nucleus, DipA is co-transported with DenA/DEN1 in the cytoplasm between septa and nuclei. Deletion of dipA resulted in increased DenA/DEN1 stability in a strain which is unresponsive to illumination. The mutant strain is dysregulated in cytokinesis and impaired in asexual development. Our results suggest a dual phosphorylation-dependent DenA/DEN1 stability control with stabilizing and destabilizing modifications and physical interaction partner proteins which function as control points in the nucleus and the cytoplasm.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Josua Schinke
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), and Georg-August-University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Miriam Kolog Gulko
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), and Georg-August-University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Martin Christmann
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), and Georg-August-University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Oliver Valerius
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), and Georg-August-University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sina Kristin Stumpf
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), and Georg-August-University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Margarita Stirz
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), and Georg-August-University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Gerhard H. Braus
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), and Georg-August-University, Göttingen, Germany
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
|
32
|
Transcription Factor SomA Is Required for Adhesion, Development and Virulence of the Human Pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. PLoS Pathog 2015; 11:e1005205. [PMID: 26529322 PMCID: PMC4631450 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2015] [Accepted: 09/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor Flo8/Som1 controls filamentous growth in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and virulence in the plant pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae. Flo8/Som1 includes a characteristic N-terminal LUG/LUH-Flo8-single-stranded DNA binding (LUFS) domain and is activated by the cAMP dependent protein kinase A signaling pathway. Heterologous SomA from Aspergillus fumigatus rescued in yeast flo8 mutant strains several phenotypes including adhesion or flocculation in haploids and pseudohyphal growth in diploids, respectively. A. fumigatus SomA acts similarly to yeast Flo8 on the promoter of FLO11 fused with reporter gene (LacZ) in S. cerevisiae. FLO11 expression in yeast requires an activator complex including Flo8 and Mfg1. Furthermore, SomA physically interacts with PtaB, which is related to yeast Mfg1. Loss of the somA gene in A. fumigatus resulted in a slow growth phenotype and a block in asexual development. Only aerial hyphae without further differentiation could be formed. The deletion phenotype was verified by a conditional expression of somA using the inducible Tet-on system. A adherence assay with the conditional somA expression strain indicated that SomA is required for biofilm formation. A ptaB deletion strain showed a similar phenotype supporting that the SomA/PtaB complex controls A. fumigatus biofilm formation. Transcriptional analysis showed that SomA regulates expression of genes for several transcription factors which control conidiation or adhesion of A. fumigatus. Infection assays with fertilized chicken eggs as well as with mice revealed that SomA is required for pathogenicity. These data corroborate a complex control function of SomA acting as a central factor of the transcriptional network, which connects adhesion, spore formation and virulence in the opportunistic human pathogen A. fumigatus. Invasive fungal infections affecting immunocompromised patients are emerging worldwide. Among various human fungal pathogens, Aspergillus fumigatus is one of the most common molds causing severe invasive aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients. The conidia, which can evade from innate immunity and adhere to epithelial cells of alveoli in human lungs will start to germinate and cause the disease. Currently, the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of adherence of fungal cells to hosts is scarce. The transcription factor Flo8 controls adhesion to biotic or abiotic surfaces and morphological development in baker’s yeast. Flo8 homologues in the dimorphic human pathogenic yeast Candida albicans or the filamentous plant pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae are required for development and virulence. We found in this study that the Flo8 homologue SomA of A. fumigatus is required for adhesion and conidiation. Two independent invasive aspergillosis assays using chicken eggs or mouse demonstrated that deletion of the corresponding gene resulted in attenuated virulence. SomA represents an important fungal transcription factor at the interface between adherence, asexual spore formation and pathogenicity in an important opportunistic human pathogen.
Collapse
|
33
|
Aghcheh RK, Kubicek CP. Epigenetics as an emerging tool for improvement of fungal strains used in biotechnology. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2015; 99:6167-81. [PMID: 26115753 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-015-6763-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2015] [Revised: 06/07/2015] [Accepted: 06/10/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Filamentous fungi are today a major source of industrial biotechnology for the production of primary and secondary metabolites, as well as enzymes and recombinant proteins. All of them have undergone extensive improvement strain programs, initially by classical mutagenesis and later on by genetic manipulation. Thereby, strategies to overcome rate-limiting or yield-reducing reactions included manipulating the expression of individual genes, their regulatory genes, and also their function. Yet, research of the last decade clearly showed that cells can also undergo heritable changes in gene expression that do not involve changes in the underlying DNA sequences (=epigenetics). This involves three levels of regulation: (i) DNA methylation, (ii) chromatin remodeling by histone modification, and (iii) RNA interference. The demonstration of the occurrence of these processes in fungal model organisms such as Aspergillus nidulans and Neurospora crassa has stimulated its recent investigation as a tool for strain improvement in industrially used fungi. This review describes the progress that has thereby been obtained.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Razieh Karimi Aghcheh
- Institute of Chemical Engineering, Vienna University of Technology, Getreidemarkt 9/166-5, 1060, Vienna, Austria,
| | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Beckmann EA, Köhler AM, Meister C, Christmann M, Draht OW, Rakebrandt N, Valerius O, Braus GH. Integration of the catalytic subunit activates deneddylase activity in vivo as final step in fungal COP9 signalosome assembly. Mol Microbiol 2015; 97:110-24. [PMID: 25846252 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/31/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The eight-subunit COP9 signalosome (CSN) is conserved from filamentous fungi to humans and functions at the interface between cellular signalling and protein half-life control. CSN consists of six PCI and two MPN domain proteins and forms a scaffold for additional interacting proteins. CSN controls protein stability in the ubiquitin-proteasome system where the MPN domain CSN5/CsnE subunit inactivates cullin-RING ligases. The CSN5/CsnE isopeptidase functions as deneddylase and removes the ubiquitin-like protein Nedd8. The six PCI domain proteins of human CSN form a horseshoe-like ring and all eight subunits are connected by a bundle of C-terminal α-helices. We show that single deletions of any csn subunit of Aspergillus nidulans resulted in the lack of deneddylase activity and identical defects in the coordination of development and secondary metabolism. The CSN1/CsnA N-terminus is dispensable for deneddylase activity but required for asexual spore formation. Complex analyses in mutant strains revealed the presence of a seven-subunit pre-CSN without catalytic activity. Reconstitution experiments with crude extracts of deletion strains and recombinant proteins allowed the integration of CSN5/CsnE into pre-CSN resulting in an active deneddylase. This supports a stable seven subunit pre-CSN intermediate where deneddylase activation in vivo can be controlled by CSN5/CsnE integration as final assembly step.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena A Beckmann
- Institut für Mikrobiologie und Genetik, Georg-August Universität Göttingen, Grisebachstrasse 8, D-37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Anna M Köhler
- Institut für Mikrobiologie und Genetik, Georg-August Universität Göttingen, Grisebachstrasse 8, D-37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Cindy Meister
- Institut für Mikrobiologie und Genetik, Georg-August Universität Göttingen, Grisebachstrasse 8, D-37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Martin Christmann
- Institut für Mikrobiologie und Genetik, Georg-August Universität Göttingen, Grisebachstrasse 8, D-37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Oliver W Draht
- Institut für Mikrobiologie und Genetik, Georg-August Universität Göttingen, Grisebachstrasse 8, D-37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Nikolas Rakebrandt
- Institut für Mikrobiologie und Genetik, Georg-August Universität Göttingen, Grisebachstrasse 8, D-37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Oliver Valerius
- Institut für Mikrobiologie und Genetik, Georg-August Universität Göttingen, Grisebachstrasse 8, D-37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Gerhard H Braus
- Institut für Mikrobiologie und Genetik, Georg-August Universität Göttingen, Grisebachstrasse 8, D-37077, Göttingen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Popova B, Kleinknecht A, Braus GH. Posttranslational Modifications and Clearing of α-Synuclein Aggregates in Yeast. Biomolecules 2015; 5:617-34. [PMID: 25915624 PMCID: PMC4496687 DOI: 10.3390/biom5020617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2015] [Revised: 04/01/2015] [Accepted: 04/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae represents an established model system to study the molecular mechanisms associated to neurodegenerative disorders. A key-feature of Parkinson’s disease is the formation of Lewy bodies, which are cytoplasmic protein inclusions. Misfolded α-synuclein is one of their main constituents. Expression of α-synuclein protein in yeast leads to protein aggregation and cellular toxicity, which is reminiscent to Lewy body containing human cells. The molecular mechanism involved in clearance of α-synuclein aggregates is a central question for elucidating the α-synuclein-related toxicity. Cellular clearance mechanisms include ubiquitin mediated 26S proteasome function as well as lysosome/vacuole associated degradative pathways as autophagy. Various modifications change α-synuclein posttranslationally and alter its inclusion formation, cytotoxicity and the distribution to different clearance pathways. Several of these modification sites are conserved from yeast to human. In this review, we summarize recent findings on the effect of phosphorylation and sumoylation of α-synuclein to the enhanced channeling to either the autophagy or the proteasome degradation pathway in yeast model of Parkinson’s disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Blagovesta Popova
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany.
- Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB), D-37077 Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Alexandra Kleinknecht
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany.
- Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB), D-37077 Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Gerhard H Braus
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany.
- Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB), D-37077 Göttingen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Epigenetics of Fungal Secondary Metabolism Related Genes. Fungal Biol 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-2531-5_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
|
37
|
Lehr NA, Wang Z, Li N, Hewitt DA, López-Giráldez F, Trail F, Townsend JP. Gene expression differences among three Neurospora species reveal genes required for sexual reproduction in Neurospora crassa. PLoS One 2014; 9:e110398. [PMID: 25329823 PMCID: PMC4203796 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0110398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2014] [Accepted: 09/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Many fungi form complex three-dimensional fruiting bodies, within which the meiotic machinery for sexual spore production has been considered to be largely conserved over evolutionary time. Indeed, much of what we know about meiosis in plant and animal taxa has been deeply informed by studies of meiosis in Saccharomyces and Neurospora. Nevertheless, the genetic basis of fruiting body development and its regulation in relation to meiosis in fungi is barely known, even within the best studied multicellular fungal model Neurospora crassa. We characterized morphological development and genome-wide transcriptomics in the closely related species Neurospora crassa, Neurospora tetrasperma, and Neurospora discreta, across eight stages of sexual development. Despite diverse life histories within the genus, all three species produce vase-shaped perithecia. Transcriptome sequencing provided gene expression levels of orthologous genes among all three species. Expression of key meiosis genes and sporulation genes corresponded to known phenotypic and developmental differences among these Neurospora species during sexual development. We assembled a list of genes putatively relevant to the recent evolution of fruiting body development by sorting genes whose relative expression across developmental stages increased more in N. crassa relative to the other species. Then, in N. crassa, we characterized the phenotypes of fruiting bodies arising from crosses of homozygous knockout strains of the top genes. Eight N. crassa genes were found to be critical for the successful formation of perithecia. The absence of these genes in these crosses resulted in either no perithecium formation or in arrested development at an early stage. Our results provide insight into the genetic basis of Neurospora sexual reproduction, which is also of great importance with regard to other multicellular ascomycetes, including perithecium-forming pathogens, such as Claviceps purpurea, Ophiostoma ulmi, and Glomerella graminicola.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nina A. Lehr
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Zheng Wang
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Ning Li
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - David A. Hewitt
- Department of Botany, Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Wagner Free Institute of Science, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Francesc López-Giráldez
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Frances Trail
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
- Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey P. Townsend
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Program in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Program in Microbiology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|