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Müller M, Kües U, Budde KB, Gailing O. Applying molecular and genetic methods to trees and their fungal communities. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 107:2783-2830. [PMID: 36988668 PMCID: PMC10106355 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12480-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
Forests provide invaluable economic, ecological, and social services. At the same time, they are exposed to several threats, such as fragmentation, changing climatic conditions, or increasingly destructive pests and pathogens. Trees, the inherent species of forests, cannot be viewed as isolated organisms. Manifold (micro)organisms are associated with trees playing a pivotal role in forest ecosystems. Of these organisms, fungi may have the greatest impact on the life of trees. A multitude of molecular and genetic methods are now available to investigate tree species and their associated organisms. Due to their smaller genome sizes compared to tree species, whole genomes of different fungi are routinely compared. Such studies have only recently started in forest tree species. Here, we summarize the application of molecular and genetic methods in forest conservation genetics, tree breeding, and association genetics as well as for the investigation of fungal communities and their interrelated ecological functions. These techniques provide valuable insights into the molecular basis of adaptive traits, the impacts of forest management, and changing environmental conditions on tree species and fungal communities and can enhance tree-breeding cycles due to reduced time for field testing. It becomes clear that there are multifaceted interactions among microbial species as well as between these organisms and trees. We demonstrate the versatility of the different approaches based on case studies on trees and fungi. KEY POINTS: • Current knowledge of genetic methods applied to forest trees and associated fungi. • Genomic methods are essential in conservation, breeding, management, and research. • Important role of phytobiomes for trees and their ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Müller
- Forest Genetics and Forest Tree Breeding, Faculty for Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, University of Goettingen, Büsgenweg 2, 37077, Göttingen, Germany.
- Center for Integrated Breeding Research (CiBreed), University of Goettingen, 37073, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Ursula Kües
- Molecular Wood Biotechnology and Technical Mycology, Faculty for Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, University of Goettingen, Büsgenweg 2, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
- Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Georg-August-University Göttingen, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
- Center of Sustainable Land Use (CBL), Georg-August-University Göttingen, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Katharina B Budde
- Forest Genetics and Forest Tree Breeding, Faculty for Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, University of Goettingen, Büsgenweg 2, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
- Center of Sustainable Land Use (CBL), Georg-August-University Göttingen, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Oliver Gailing
- Forest Genetics and Forest Tree Breeding, Faculty for Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, University of Goettingen, Büsgenweg 2, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
- Center for Integrated Breeding Research (CiBreed), University of Goettingen, 37073, Göttingen, Germany
- Center of Sustainable Land Use (CBL), Georg-August-University Göttingen, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
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Ma B, Luo XM, Zhao S, Feng JX. Protein Kinase PoxMKK1 Regulates Plant-Polysaccharide-Degrading Enzyme Biosynthesis, Mycelial Growth and Conidiation in Penicillium oxalicum. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:jof9040397. [PMID: 37108852 PMCID: PMC10143691 DOI: 10.3390/jof9040397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions is crucial for living organisms, as it enables them to successfully compete in natural niches, a process which generally depends upon protein phosphorylation-mediated signaling transduction. In the present study, protein kinase PoxMKK1, an ortholog of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase Ste7 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, was identified and characterized in the filamentous fungus Penicillium oxalicum. Deletion of PoxMKK1 in P. oxalicum ΔPoxKu70 led the fungus to lose 64.4-88.6% and 38.0-86.1% of its plant-polysaccharide-degrading enzyme (PPDE) production on day 4 after a shift under submerged- and solid-state fermentation, respectively, compared with the control strain ΔPoxKu70. In addition, PoxMKK1 affected hypha growth and sporulation, though this was dependent on culture formats and carbon sources. Comparative transcriptomics and real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR assay revealed that PoxMKK1 activated the expression of genes encoding major PPDEs, known regulatory genes (i.e., PoxClrB and PoxCxrB) and cellodextrin transporter genes (i.e., PoxCdtD and PoxCdtC), while it inhibited the essential conidiation-regulating genes, including PoxBrlA, PoxAbaA and PoxFlbD. Notably, regulons modulated by PoxMKK1 and its downstream mitogen-activated protein kinase PoxMK1 co-shared 611 differential expression genes, including 29 PPDE genes, 23 regulatory genes, and 16 sugar-transporter genes. Collectively, these data broaden our insights into the diverse functions of Ste7-like protein kinase, especially regulation of PPDE biosynthesis, in filamentous fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Ma
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi Research Center for Microbial and Enzyme Engineering Technology, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Xue-Mei Luo
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi Research Center for Microbial and Enzyme Engineering Technology, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Shuai Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi Research Center for Microbial and Enzyme Engineering Technology, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Jia-Xun Feng
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi Research Center for Microbial and Enzyme Engineering Technology, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
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Zhang C, Zhang H, Zheng X, Wang Y, Ye W. Functional Characterization of Two Cell Wall Integrity Pathway Components of the MAPK Cascade in Phomopsis longicolla. MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS : MPMI 2023; 36:47-58. [PMID: 36282555 DOI: 10.1094/mpmi-07-22-0156-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The pathogenic fungus Phomopsis longicolla causes numerous plant diseases, such as Phomopsis seed decay, pod and stem blight, and stem canker, which seriously affect the yield and quality of soybean production worldwide. Because of a lack of technology for efficient manipulation of genes for functional genomics, understanding of P. longicolla pathogenesis is limited. Here, we developed an efficient polyethylene glycol-mediated protoplast transformation system in P. longicolla that we used to characterize the functions of two genes involved in the cell wall integrity (CWI) pathway of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade, including PlMkk1, which encodes MAPK kinase, and its downstream gene PlSlt2, which encodes MAPK. Both gene knockout mutants ΔPlMkk1 and ΔPlSlt2 displayed a reduced growth rate, fragile aerial hyphae, abnormal polarized growth and pigmentation, defects in sporulation, inadequate CWI, enhanced sensitivity to abiotic stress agents, and significant deficiencies in virulence, although there were some differences in degree. The results suggest that PlMkk1 and PlSlt2 are crucial for a series of growth and development processes as well as pathogenicity. The developed transformation system will be a useful tool for additional gene function research and will aid in the elucidation of the pathogenic mechanisms of P. longicolla. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Zhang
- Department of Plant Pathology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China
- Key Laboratory of Soybean Disease and Pest Control (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs), Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China
- Key Laboratory of Plant Immunity, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China
| | - Haifeng Zhang
- Department of Plant Pathology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China
- Key Laboratory of Soybean Disease and Pest Control (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs), Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China
- Key Laboratory of Plant Immunity, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China
| | - Xiaobo Zheng
- Department of Plant Pathology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China
- Key Laboratory of Soybean Disease and Pest Control (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs), Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China
- Key Laboratory of Plant Immunity, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China
| | - Yuanchao Wang
- Department of Plant Pathology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China
- Key Laboratory of Soybean Disease and Pest Control (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs), Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China
- Key Laboratory of Plant Immunity, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China
| | - Wenwu Ye
- Department of Plant Pathology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China
- Key Laboratory of Soybean Disease and Pest Control (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs), Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China
- Key Laboratory of Plant Immunity, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China
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Chun J, Ko YH, So KK, Cho SH, Kim DH. A fungal GPI-anchored protein gene functions as a virulence and antiviral factor. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111481. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
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Zhang X, Wang Z, Jiang C, Xu JR. Regulation of biotic interactions and responses to abiotic stresses by MAP kinase pathways in plant pathogenic fungi. STRESS BIOLOGY 2021; 1:5. [PMID: 37676417 PMCID: PMC10429497 DOI: 10.1007/s44154-021-00004-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Like other eukaryotes, fungi use MAP kinase (MAPK) pathways to mediate cellular changes responding to external stimuli. In the past two decades, three well-conserved MAP kinase pathways have been characterized in various plant pathogenic fungi for regulating responses and adaptations to a variety of biotic and abiotic stresses encountered during plant infection or survival in nature. The invasive growth (IG) pathway is homologous to the yeast pheromone response and filamentation pathways. In plant pathogens, the IG pathway often is essential for pathogenesis by regulating infection-related morphogenesis, such as appressorium formation, penetration, and invasive growth. The cell wall integrity (CWI) pathway also is important for plant infection although the infection processes it regulates vary among fungal pathogens. Besides its universal function in cell wall integrity, it often plays a minor role in responses to oxidative and cell wall stresses. Both the IG and CWI pathways are involved in regulating known virulence factors as well as effector genes during plant infection and mediating defenses against mycoviruses, bacteria, and other fungi. In contrast, the high osmolarity growth (HOG) pathway is dispensable for virulence in some fungi although it is essential for plant infection in others. It regulates osmoregulation in hyphae and is dispensable for appressorium turgor generation. The HOG pathway also plays a major role for responding to oxidative, heat, and other environmental stresses and is overstimulated by phenylpyrrole fungicides. Moreover, these three MAPK pathways crosstalk and coordinately regulate responses to various biotic and abiotic stresses. The IG and CWI pathways, particularly the latter, also are involved in responding to abiotic stresses to various degrees in different fungal pathogens, and the HOG pathway also plays a role in interactions with other microbes or fungi. Furthermore, some infection processes or stress responses are co-regulated by MAPK pathways with cAMP or Ca2+/CaM signaling. Overall, functions of individual MAP kinase pathways in pathogenesis and stress responses have been well characterized in a number of fungal pathogens, showing the conserved genetic elements with diverged functions, likely by rewiring transcriptional regulatory networks. In the near future, applications of genomics and proteomics approaches will likely lead to better understanding of crosstalk among the MAPKs and with other signaling pathways as well as roles of MAPKs in defense against other microbes (biotic interactions).
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and NWAFU-Purdue Joint Research Center, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Zeyi Wang
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Cong Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and NWAFU-Purdue Joint Research Center, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jin-Rong Xu
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.
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Li R, Bai S, He Y, Chen Q, Yao Y, Wang J, Chen B. Cpvma1, a Vacuolar H +-ATPase Catalytic Subunit of Cryphonectria parasitica, is Essential for Virulence and Hypovirus RNA Accumulation. PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2019; 109:1417-1424. [PMID: 30860430 DOI: 10.1094/phyto-08-18-0289-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The vacuolar H+-ATPases (V-ATPases) are conserved ATP-dependent proton pumps that acidify intracellular compartments in eukaryotic cells. The role of Cpvma1, a V-ATPase catalytic subunit A of Cryphonectria parasitica, was investigated by generating cpvma1-overexpressing and cpvma1-silenced strains. The mutant strains were evaluated for phenotypic characteristics, V-ATPase activity, response to elevated pH and Ca2+ in the medium, virulence on chestnut, and accumulation of hypovirus RNA in the cells. Compared with the wild-type strain, cpvma1-overexpressing strains showed no significant difference in phenotype; however, cpvma1-silenced strains exhibited a phenotype of reduced growth rate, lower level of sporulation, and a marked decrease in V-ATPase activity and virulence. In addition, silencing of cpvma1 increased sensitivity to elevated pH and Ca2+, implicating an important role for Cpvma1 in pH adaptation and Ca2+ homeostasis. Furthermore, silencing of cpvma1 resulted in significantly decreased accumulation of hypoviral RNA. Taken together, our results indicate that Cpvma1 plays an important role in the regulation of phenotypic traits and virulence and the accumulation of hypovirus RNA in C. parasitica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ru Li
- 1State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
- 2College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Shan Bai
- 2College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Yuanyuan He
- 2College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Qi Chen
- 2College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Yanping Yao
- 2College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Jinzi Wang
- 2College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Baoshan Chen
- 1State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
- 2College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
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Fabre F, Vignassa M, Urbach S, Langin T, Bonhomme L. Time-resolved dissection of the molecular crosstalk driving Fusarium head blight in wheat provides new insights into host susceptibility determinism. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2019; 42:2291-2308. [PMID: 30866080 DOI: 10.1111/pce.13549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Fungal plant diseases are controlled by a complex molecular dialogue that involves pathogen effectors able to manipulate plant susceptibility factors at the earliest stages of the interaction. By probing the wheat-Fusarium graminearum pathosystem, we profiled the coregulations of the fungal and plant proteins shaping the molecular responses of a 96-hr-long infection's dynamics. Although no symptoms were yet detectable, fungal biomass swiftly increased along with an extremely diverse set of secreted proteins and candidate effectors supposed to target key plant organelles. Some showed to be early accumulated during the interaction or already present in spores, otherwise stored in germinating spores and detectable in an in vitro F. graminearum exudate. Wheat responses were swiftly set up and were evidenced before any visible symptom. Significant wheat protein abundance changes co-occurred along with the accumulation of putative secreted fungal proteins and predicted effectors. Regulated wheat proteins were closely connected to basal cellular processes occurring during spikelet ontogeny, and particular coregulation patterns were evidenced between chloroplast proteins and fungal proteins harbouring a predicted chloroplast transit peptide. The described plant and fungal coordinated responses provide a resourceful set of data and expand our understanding of the wheat-F. graminearum interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis Fabre
- Genetics, Diversity and Ecophysiology of Cereals, UMR 1095, INRA, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Manon Vignassa
- Genetics, Diversity and Ecophysiology of Cereals, UMR 1095, INRA, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Serge Urbach
- Functional Proteomics Platform (FPP), Institute of Functional Genomics (IGF), CNRS UMR 5203 INSERM U661, Montpellier, France
| | - Thierry Langin
- Genetics, Diversity and Ecophysiology of Cereals, UMR 1095, INRA, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Ludovic Bonhomme
- Genetics, Diversity and Ecophysiology of Cereals, UMR 1095, INRA, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
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Nerva L, Silvestri A, Ciuffo M, Palmano S, Varese GC, Turina M. Transmission of Penicillium aurantiogriseum partiti-like virus 1 to a new fungal host (Cryphonectria parasitica) confers higher resistance to salinity and reveals adaptive genomic changes. Environ Microbiol 2017; 19:4480-4492. [PMID: 28836717 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.13894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 08/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
We attempted to transfect six recently characterized virus species to protoplasts of Penicillium janczewskii and Chryphonectria parasitica. None of the recovered P. janczewskii colonies was positive for the transfected viruses, but Penicillium aurantiogriseum partiti-like virus 1 (PaPLV1) was detected in three distinct regenerated C. parasitica colonies. We screened the phenotype of the infected strains in up to 45 different conditions combining different media, salinity and temperatures: our results show that the infected strains grow slower than the virus- free in most of the tested conditions with the exception of halophilic stress in a specific nutrient combination media. We proceeded to characterize molecularly the population of distinct isolates of PaPLV1 infected C. parasitica through RNAseq: comparison to the viral population present in the original host - P. auratiogriseum - showed that two isolates accumulated non-synonymous mutations suggesting adaptation to the new host. RNAseq analyses identified a second genomic RNA segment and northern blot of RNA extracted from purified virus suspensions allowed establishing that PaPLV1 is at least bipartite in nature and that it forms isometric virions of circa 36-38 nm in diameter. In light of these new acquisitions, we discuss the taxonomic placement of PaPLV1 inside the Partitiviridae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Nerva
- Istituto per la Protezione Sostenibile delle Piante, CNR, Strada delle Cacce 73, Torino 10135, Italy.,Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Mycotheca Universitatis Taurinensis (MUT), Viale Mattioli 25, Torino 10125, Italy
| | - Alessandro Silvestri
- Istituto per la Protezione Sostenibile delle Piante, CNR, Strada delle Cacce 73, Torino 10135, Italy.,Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Mycotheca Universitatis Taurinensis (MUT), Viale Mattioli 25, Torino 10125, Italy
| | - Marina Ciuffo
- Istituto per la Protezione Sostenibile delle Piante, CNR, Strada delle Cacce 73, Torino 10135, Italy
| | - Sabrina Palmano
- Istituto per la Protezione Sostenibile delle Piante, CNR, Strada delle Cacce 73, Torino 10135, Italy
| | - Givanna Cristina Varese
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Mycotheca Universitatis Taurinensis (MUT), Viale Mattioli 25, Torino 10125, Italy
| | - Massimo Turina
- Istituto per la Protezione Sostenibile delle Piante, CNR, Strada delle Cacce 73, Torino 10135, Italy
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Mutation of the Slt2 ortholog from Cryphonectria parasitica results in abnormal cell wall integrity and sectorization with impaired pathogenicity. Sci Rep 2017; 7:9038. [PMID: 28831166 PMCID: PMC5567307 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-09383-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
We assessed the biological function of CpSlt2, an ortholog of the cell wall integrity (CWI) MAPK of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, in the chestnut blight fungus Cryphonectria parasitica. The CpSlt2-null mutant exhibited marked changes in colonial growth, near absence of conidiation and aerial hyphae, and abnormal pigmentation. In addition, the CpSlt2-null mutant exhibited CWI-related phenotypic defects including hypersensitivity to cell wall-disturbing agents and other stresses. Electron microscopy revealed the presence of abnormal hyphae such as intrahyphal hyphae. In addition, virulence assays indicated that the CpSlt2 gene plays an important role in fungal pathogenesis. As cultivation of the mutant strains progressed, the majority of the colonies showed sporadic sectorization and mycelia from the sectored area stably maintained the sectored phenotype. Although mycelial growth was partially recovered, the sectored progeny had dramatically impaired virulence, confirming the CpSlt2 gene has a role in pathogenicity. Compared to a previous mutant of the CpBck1 gene, a MAPKKK gene in CWI pathway, the CpSlt2-null mutant showed similar, although not identical, phenotypic changes and most phenotypic changes were less severe than those of the CpBck1-null mutant. These results suggest that the unique sectorization is CWI pathway-specific, though the components in the same CWI pathway have common and specific functions.
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Tian L, Wang Y, Yu J, Xiong D, Zhao H, Tian C. The Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinase VdPbs2 of Verticillium dahliae Regulates Microsclerotia Formation, Stress Response, and Plant Infection. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:1532. [PMID: 27729908 PMCID: PMC5037172 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.01532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Accepted: 09/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Verticillium dahliae, a ubiquitous phytopathogenic fungus, forms resting structures, known as microsclerotia that play crucial roles in Verticillium wilt diseases. VdHog1, a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), controls microsclerotia formation, virulence, and stress response in V. dahliae. In this study, we present detailed evidence that the conserved upstream component of VdHog1, VdPbs2, is a key regulator of microsclerotia formation, oxidative stress and fungicide response and plant virulence in V. dahliae. We identified VdPbs2, homologous to the yeast MAPK kinase Pbs2. Similar to the VdHog1 deletion mutant, VdPbs2 deletion strains exhibited delayed melanin synthesis and reduced formation of microsclerotia. When exposed to stresses, VdPbs2 mutants were more sensitive than the wild type to osmotic agents and peroxide, but more resistant to inhibitors of cell wall synthesis and some fungicides. Finally, VdPbs2 deletion mutants exhibited reduced virulence on smoke tree and tobacco seedlings. When taken together, we implicate that VdPbs2 and VdHog1 function in a cascade that regulates microsclerotia formation and virulence, but not all VdHog1 dependent functions are VdPbs2 regulated. This study thus provides novel insights into the signal transduction mechanisms that regulate microsclerotia formation and pathogenesis in this fungus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longyan Tian
- The Key Laboratory for Silviculture and Conservation of Ministry of Education, College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University Beijing, China
| | - Yonglin Wang
- The Key Laboratory for Silviculture and Conservation of Ministry of Education, College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University Beijing, China
| | - Jun Yu
- The Key Laboratory for Silviculture and Conservation of Ministry of Education, College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University Beijing, China
| | - Dianguang Xiong
- The Key Laboratory for Silviculture and Conservation of Ministry of Education, College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University Beijing, China
| | - Hengjun Zhao
- The Key Laboratory for Silviculture and Conservation of Ministry of Education, College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University Beijing, China
| | - Chengming Tian
- The Key Laboratory for Silviculture and Conservation of Ministry of Education, College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University Beijing, China
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Turina M, Rossi M, Moretti M. Investigation on the partial resistance of Cpkk2 knock out strain of Cryphonectria parasitica to Cryphonectria hypovirus 1 infection in presence of Geneticin and Geneticin resistance gene. Virus Res 2016; 219:58-61. [PMID: 26643512 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2015.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2015] [Revised: 11/18/2015] [Accepted: 11/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
We have recently characterized the central components of the three MAP kinase cascades present in Cryphonectria parasitica : the MEK genes cpkk1, cpkk2 and cpkk3. When we attempted to infect through anastomosis the three knock out strains with Cryphonectria hypovirus 1 (CHV1), only the deletion strain of Cpkk2, the yeast Ste7 homologue, involved in mating and filamentous growth, could not be infected. We then proceeded to attempt virus infection through transformation of Δcpkk2 protoplasts using an infectious cDNA clone able to establish virus infection through transformation. In this case, a very limited number of strains could be recovered as stable transformants compared to the efficiency of control transformations with plasmid carrying only the antibiotic marker. Furthermore, transformants carrying actively replicating virus could be isolated only if the selection marker Geneticin was used during the very initial selection process, and not maintained throughout the growth of the colonies. Moreover, Δcpkk2 isolates that maintained the virus lost Geneticin resistance. We therefore unveiled a specific negative interaction among virus infection, presence of Geneticin in the growth media, and lack of Cpkk2 MEK in the fungal host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Turina
- Istituto per la Protezione Sostenibile delle Piante, CNR, Strada delle Cacce 73, 10135 Torino, Italy.
| | - Marika Rossi
- Istituto per la Protezione Sostenibile delle Piante, CNR, Strada delle Cacce 73, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Marino Moretti
- Istituto per la Protezione Sostenibile delle Piante, CNR, Strada delle Cacce 73, 10135 Torino, Italy
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Belmondo S, Marschall R, Tudzynski P, López Ráez JA, Artuso E, Prandi C, Lanfranco L. Identification of genes involved in fungal responses to strigolactones using mutants from fungal pathogens. Curr Genet 2016; 63:201-213. [DOI: 10.1007/s00294-016-0626-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2016] [Revised: 06/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Kim JM, Lee JG, Yun SH, So KK, Ko YH, Kim YH, Park SM, Kim DH. A Mutant of the Bck1 Homolog from Cryphonectria parasitica Resulted in Sectorization with an Impaired Pathogenicity. MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS : MPMI 2016; 29:268-276. [PMID: 26757242 DOI: 10.1094/mpmi-08-15-0185-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
CpBck1, an ortholog of the cell-wall integrity mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, was cloned and characterized from the chestnut blight fungus Cryphonectria parasitica. The CpBck1-null mutant displayed cell wall integrity-related phenotypic changes such as abnormal cell morphology and wall formation and hypersensitivity to cell wall-disrupting agents. In addition, the mutant showed severely retarded growth without any sign of normal development, such as hyphal differentiation, conidiation, or pigmentation. As the culture proceeded, the mutant colony showed sporadic sectorization. Once sectored, the sectored phenotype of robust mycelial growth without differentiation was stably inherited. Compared with the wild type, both the parental CpBck1-null mutant and the sectored progeny exhibited marked impaired virulence. The present study revealed that a mutation in a signaling pathway component related to cell-wall integrity resulted in sporadic sectorization and these sectored phenotypes were stably inherited, suggesting that this signal transduction pathway is implicated in adaptive genetic changes for sectorization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung-Mi Kim
- 1 Department of Bio-Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Life Science and Natural Resources, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Chonbuk 570-749, Korea
| | - Joong-Gi Lee
- 2 Institute for Molecular Biology and Genetics, Center for Fungal Pathogenesis, Department of Bioactive Material Sciences, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Chonbuk 561-756, Korea; and
| | - Suk-Hyun Yun
- 2 Institute for Molecular Biology and Genetics, Center for Fungal Pathogenesis, Department of Bioactive Material Sciences, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Chonbuk 561-756, Korea; and
| | - Kum-Kang So
- 2 Institute for Molecular Biology and Genetics, Center for Fungal Pathogenesis, Department of Bioactive Material Sciences, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Chonbuk 561-756, Korea; and
| | - Yo-Han Ko
- 2 Institute for Molecular Biology and Genetics, Center for Fungal Pathogenesis, Department of Bioactive Material Sciences, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Chonbuk 561-756, Korea; and
| | - Young Ho Kim
- 3 Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-921, Korea
| | - Seung-Moon Park
- 2 Institute for Molecular Biology and Genetics, Center for Fungal Pathogenesis, Department of Bioactive Material Sciences, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Chonbuk 561-756, Korea; and
| | - Dae-Hyuk Kim
- 2 Institute for Molecular Biology and Genetics, Center for Fungal Pathogenesis, Department of Bioactive Material Sciences, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Chonbuk 561-756, Korea; and
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