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Kan Y, He Z, Keyhani NO, Li N, Huang S, Zhao X, Liu P, Zeng F, Li M, Luo Z, Zhang Y. A network of transcription factors in complex with a regulating cell cycle cyclin orchestrates fungal oxidative stress responses. BMC Biol 2024; 22:81. [PMID: 38609978 PMCID: PMC11015564 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-024-01884-3] [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: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Response to oxidative stress is universal in almost all organisms and the mitochondrial membrane protein, BbOhmm, negatively affects oxidative stress responses and virulence in the insect fungal pathogen, Beauveria bassiana. Nothing further, however, is known concerning how BbOhmm and this phenomenon is regulated. RESULTS Three oxidative stress response regulating Zn2Cys6 transcription factors (BbOsrR1, 2, and 3) were identified and verified via chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-qPCR analysis as binding to the BbOhmm promoter region, with BbOsrR2 showing the strongest binding. Targeted gene knockout of BbOsrR1 or BbOsrR3 led to decreased BbOhmm expression and consequently increased tolerances to free radical generating compounds (H2O2 and menadione), whereas the ΔBbOsrR2 strain showed increased BbOhmm expression with concomitant decreased tolerances to these compounds. RNA and ChIP sequencing analysis revealed that BbOsrR1 directly regulated a wide range of antioxidation and transcription-associated genes, negatively affecting the expression of the BbClp1 cyclin and BbOsrR2. BbClp1 was shown to localize to the cell nucleus and negatively mediate oxidative stress responses. BbOsrR2 and BbOsrR3 were shown to feed into the Fus3-MAPK pathway in addition to regulating antioxidation and detoxification genes. Binding motifs for the three transcription factors were found to partially overlap in the promoter region of BbOhmm and other target genes. Whereas BbOsrR1 appeared to function independently, co-immunoprecipitation revealed complex formation between BbClp1, BbOsrR2, and BbOsrR3, with BbClp1 partially regulating BbOsrR2 phosphorylation. CONCLUSIONS These findings reveal a regulatory network mediated by BbOsrR1 and the formation of a BbClp1-BbOsrR2-BbOsrR3 complex that orchestrates fungal oxidative stress responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanze Kan
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhangjiang He
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
- Biochemical Engineering Center of Guizhou Province, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 50025, People's Republic of China
| | - Nemat O Keyhani
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - Ning Li
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuaishuai Huang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Pengfei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Fanqin Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Min Li
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhibing Luo
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongjun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, Beibei Culture Collection of Chongqing Agricultural Microbiology, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China.
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Yang N, Wu H, Tong Y, Liu Z, Li X, Huang B. The homeobox transcription factor MrHOX7 contributes to stress tolerance and virulence in the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium robertsii. J Invertebr Pathol 2024; 203:108071. [PMID: 38286328 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2024.108071] [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: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Entomopathogenic fungi, including Metarhizium species, represent promising environmentally friendly biopesticides. Understanding the molecular mechanisms governing their infection processes is vital for enhancing their effectiveness. Transcription factors (TFs) play critical roles in gene regulation, yet the functions of many TFs in M. robertsii remain unknown. Homeobox transcription factors, implicated in diverse cellular processes, have received limited attention in entomopathogenic fungi. Here, we identify and characterize, a homeobox TF, MrHOX7, in the model entomopathogenic fungus M. robertsii. Subcellular localization and transcriptional profiling revealed MrHOX7's nuclear localization and high expression during conidia and appressoria formation. Deletion of Mrhox7 (ΔMrhox7) enhanced conidial tolerance to heat and UV-B stress, accompanying with upregulated stress-related gene expression. Intriguingly, ΔMrhox7 exhibits inhibited virulence exclusively through topical inoculation. Further investigations unveiled reduced conidial adhesion and appressorium formation, with downregulation of the adhesion gene Mad1 and appressorium-related genes, as the underlying causes of the reduced fungal virulence. Our findings illuminate the role of MrHOX7 in stress tolerance and virulence, providing insights into the molecular basis of fungal biopesticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ningning Yang
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Pest Control, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Hao Wu
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Pest Control, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China; School of Life Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Youmin Tong
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Pest Control, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Zhenbang Liu
- School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Xiaojuan Li
- Key Laboratory of State Forestry Administration on Prevention and Control of Pine Wood Nematode Disease, Anhui Academy of Forestry, Hefei 230088, China
| | - Bo Huang
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Pest Control, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China.
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3
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cAMP Signalling Pathway in Biocontrol Fungi. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2022; 44:2622-2634. [PMID: 35735620 PMCID: PMC9221721 DOI: 10.3390/cimb44060179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Biocontrol is a complex process, in which a variety of physiological and biochemical characteristics are altered. The cAMP signalling pathway is an important signal transduction pathway in biocontrol fungi and consists of several key components. The G-protein system contains G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), heterotrimeric G-proteins, adenylate cyclase (AC), cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), and downstream transcription factors (TFs). The cAMP signalling pathway can regulate fungal growth, development, differentiation, sporulation, morphology, secondary metabolite production, environmental stress tolerance, and the biocontrol of pathogens. However, few reviews of the cAMP signalling pathway in comprehensive biocontrol processes have been reported. This work reviews and discusses the functions and applications of genes encoding each component in the cAMP signalling pathway from biocontrol fungi, including the G-protein system components, AC, PKA, and TFs, in biocontrol behaviour. Finally, future suggestions are provided for constructing a complete cAMP signalling pathway in biocontrol fungi containing all the components and downstream effectors involved in biocontrol behavior. This review provides useful information for the understanding the biocontrol mechanism of biocontrol fungi by utilising the cAMP signalling pathway.
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Host–Pathogen Interactions between Metarhizium spp. and Locusts. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8060602. [PMID: 35736085 PMCID: PMC9224550 DOI: 10.3390/jof8060602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The progress in research on the interactions between Metarhizium spp. and locusts has improved our understanding of the interactions between fungal infection and host immunity. A general network of immune responses has been constructed, and the pathways regulating fungal pathogenicity have also been explored in depth. However, there have been no systematic surveys of interaction between Metarhizium spp. and locusts. The pathogenesis of Metarhizium comprises conidial attachment, germination, appressorial formation, and colonization in the body cavity of the host locusts. Meanwhile, the locust resists fungal infection through humoral and cellular immunity. Here, we summarize the crucial pathways that regulate the pathogenesis of Metarhizium and host immune defense. Conidial hydrophobicity is mainly affected by the contents of hydrophobins and chitin. Appressorial formation is regulated by the pathways of MAPKs, cAMP/PKA, and Ca2+/calmodulin. Lipid droplets degradation and secreted enzymes contributed to fungal penetration. The humoral response of locust is coordinated by the Toll pathway and the ecdysone. The regulatory mechanism of hemocyte differentiation and migration is elusive. In addition, behavioral fever and density-dependent population immunity have an impact on the resistance of hosts against fungal infection. This review depicts a prospect to help us understand host–pathogen interactions and provides a foundation for the engineering of entomopathogenic fungi and the discovery of insecticidal targets to control insect pests.
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Yang K, Geng Q, Luo Y, Xie R, Sun T, Wang Z, Qin L, Zhao W, Liu M, Li Y, Tian J. Dysfunction of FadA-cAMP signalling decreases Aspergillus flavus resistance to antimicrobial natural preservative Perillaldehyde and AFB1 biosynthesis. Environ Microbiol 2022; 24:1590-1607. [PMID: 35194912 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Aspergillus flavus is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that colonizes agriculture crops with aflatoxin contamination. We found that Perillaldehyde (PAE) effectively inhibited A. flavus viability and aflatoxin production by inducing excess reactive oxygen species (ROS). Transcriptome analysis indicated that the Gα protein FadA was significantly induced by PAE. Functional characterization of FadA showed it is important for asexual development and aflatoxin biosynthesis by regulation of cAMP-PKA signalling. The ΔfadA mutant was more sensitive to PAE, while ΔpdeL and ΔpdeH mutants can tolerate excess PAE compared to wild-type A. flavus. Further RNA-sequence analysis showed that fadA was important for expression of genes involved in oxidation-reduction and cellular metabolism. The flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy demonstrated that ΔfadA accumulated more concentration of ROS in cells, and the transcriptome data indicated that genes involved in ROS scavenging were downregulated in ΔfadA mutant. We further found that FadA participated in regulating response to extracellular environmental stresses by increasing phosphorylation levels of MAPK Kinase Slt2 and Hog1. Overall, our results indicated that FadA signalling engages in mycotoxin production and A. flavus resistance to antimicrobial PAE, which provide valuable information for controlling this fungus and AF biosynthesis in pre- and postharvest of agricultural crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunlong Yang
- School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221116, China
| | - Qingru Geng
- School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221116, China
| | - Yue Luo
- School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221116, China
| | - Rui Xie
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Tongzheng Sun
- School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221116, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221116, China
| | - Ling Qin
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Wei Zhao
- School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221116, China
| | - Man Liu
- School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221116, China
| | - Yongxin Li
- School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221116, China
| | - Jun Tian
- School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221116, China
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Su X, Jiao R, Liu Z, Xia Y, Cao Y. Functional and characteristic analysis of an appressorium-specific promoter PMagas1 in Metarhizium acridum. J Invertebr Pathol 2021; 182:107565. [PMID: 33676966 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2021.107565] [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: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Entomopathogenic fungi have been used as important biological control agents throughout the world. To improve the biocontrol efficacy of entomopathogenic fungi, many genes have been used to improve fungal virulence or tolerance to adverse conditions via modulating their expression with strong promoters. The Magas1 gene is specifically expressed during appressorium formation and contributes to the virulence in Metarhizium acridum. In this study, we analyzed the functional region of the promoter of Magas1 gene (PMagas1) in M. acridum using 5'-deletion technique with enhanced green fluoresces protein (EGFP) as a reporter. Results showed the full length of the PMagas1 was at least 897 bp. Two regions (-897 to -611 bp and -392 to -328 bp) were essential for the activity of PMagas1. An engineered M. acridum strain was constructed with PMagas1 driving the expression of a subtilisin-like proteinase gene Pr1A (PMagas1-PR1A). Bioassay showed that the virulence was significantly increased in PMagas1-PR1A strain compared to wild type strain. Pmagas1 promoter is suitable for the overexpression of some genes during the infection of entomopathogenic fungi, which avoids the waste of nutritional resources and the influence on other fungal characteristics during the saprophytic process of constitutive promoter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueling Su
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, People's Republic of China; Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Fungal Insecticides, Chongqing 401331, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation Technologies under Chongqing Municipal Education Commission, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Run Jiao
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, People's Republic of China; Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Fungal Insecticides, Chongqing 401331, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation Technologies under Chongqing Municipal Education Commission, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhe Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, People's Republic of China; Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Fungal Insecticides, Chongqing 401331, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation Technologies under Chongqing Municipal Education Commission, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuxian Xia
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, People's Republic of China; Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Fungal Insecticides, Chongqing 401331, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation Technologies under Chongqing Municipal Education Commission, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yueqing Cao
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, People's Republic of China; Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Fungal Insecticides, Chongqing 401331, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation Technologies under Chongqing Municipal Education Commission, Chongqing, People's Republic of China.
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The response regulator Skn7 of Aspergillus fumigatus is essential for the antifungal effect of fludioxonil. Sci Rep 2021; 11:5317. [PMID: 33674651 PMCID: PMC7935864 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-84740-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is an important fungal pathogen that represents a major threat for severely immunocompromised patients. Cases of invasive aspergillosis are associated with a high mortality rate, which reflects the limited treatment options that are currently available. The development of novel therapeutic approaches is therefore an urgent task. An interesting compound is fludioxonil, a derivative of the bacterial secondary metabolite pyrrolnitrin. Both agents possess potent antimicrobial activity against A. fumigatus and trigger a lethal activation of the group III hybrid histidine kinase TcsC, the major sensor kinase of the High Osmolarity Glycerol (HOG) pathway in A. fumigatus. In the current study, we have characterized proteins that operate downstream of TcsC and analyzed their roles in the antifungal activity of fludioxonil and in other stress situations. We found that the SskA-SakA axis of the HOG pathway and Skn7 can independently induce an increase of the internal glycerol concentration, but each of these individual responses amounts for only half of the level found in the wild type. The lethal fludioxonil-induced ballooning occurs in the sskA and the sakA mutant, but not in the skn7-deficient strain, although all three strains show comparable glycerol responses. This indicates that an elevated osmotic pressure is necessary, but not sufficient and that a second, decisive and Skn7-dependent mechanism mediates the antifungal activity. We assume that fludioxonil triggers a reorganization in the fungal cell wall that reduces its rigidity, which in combination with the elevated osmotic pressure executes the lethal expansion of the fungal cells. Two findings link Skn7 to the cell wall of A. fumigatus: (1) the fludioxonil-induced massive increase in the chitin content depends on Skn7 and (2) the skn7 mutant is more resistant to the cell wall stressor Calcofluor white. In conclusion, our data suggest that the antifungal activity of fludioxonil in A. fumigatus relies on two distinct and synergistic processes: A high internal osmotic pressure and a weakened cell wall. The involvement of Skn7 in both processes most likely accounts for its particular importance in the antifungal activity of fludioxonil.
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Shin TY, Lee MR, Park SE, Lee SJ, Kim WJ, Kim JS. Pathogenesis-related genes of entomopathogenic fungi. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2020; 105:e21747. [PMID: 33029869 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
All living things on Earth experience various diseases such as those caused by viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Insects are no exception to this rule, and fungi that cause disease in insects are called entomopathogenic fungi. These fungi have been developed as microbial insecticides and are used to control various pests. Generally, the mode of action of entomopathogenic fungi is divided into the attachment of conidia, germination, penetration, growth, and generation of secondary infectious conidia. In each of these steps, that entomopathogenic fungi use genes in a complex manner (specific or diverse) has been shown by gene knock-out and RNA-sequencing analysis. In this review, the information mechanism of entomopathogenic fungi was divided into six steps: (1) attachment of conidia to host, (2) germination and appressorium, (3) penetration, (4) fungal growth in hemolymph, (5) conidia production on host, and (6) transmission and dispersal. The strategy used by the fungi in each step was described at the genetic level. In addition, an approach for studying the mode of action of the fungi is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tae Young Shin
- Department of Agricultural Biology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi Rong Lee
- Department of Agricultural Biology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
| | - So Eun Park
- Department of Agricultural Biology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Se Jin Lee
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Woo Jin Kim
- Department of Agricultural Biology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Su Kim
- Department of Agricultural Biology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
- Department of Agricultural Convergence Technology, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
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Shang J, Shang Y, Tang G, Wang C. Identification of a key G-protein coupled receptor in mediating appressorium formation and fungal virulence against insects. SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES 2020; 64:466-477. [PMID: 32712834 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-020-1763-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Fungal G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) play essential roles in sensing environmental cues including host signals. The study of GPCR in mediating fungus-insect interactions is still limited. Here we report the evolution of GPCR genes encoded in the entomopathogenic Metarhizium species and found the expansion of Pth11-like GPCRs in the generalist species with a wide host range. By deletion of ten candidate genes MrGpr1-MrGpr10 selected from the six obtained subfamilies in the generalist M. robertsii, we found that each of them played a varied level of roles in mediating appressorium formation. In particular, deletion of MrGpr8 resulted in the failure of appressorium formation on different substrates and the loss of virulence during topical infection of insects but not during injection assays when compared with the wild-type (WT) strain. Further analysis revealed that disruption of MrGpr8 substantially impaired the nucleus translocation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) Mero-Fus3 but not the MAPK Mero-Slt2 during appressorium formation. We also found that the defect of AMrGpr8 could not be rescued with the addition of cyclic AMP for appressorium formation. Relative to the WT, differential expression of the selected genes have also been detected in AMrGpr8. The results of this study may benefit the understanding of fungus-interactions mediated by GPCRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junmei Shang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China.,CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yanfang Shang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Guirong Tang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Chengshu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China. .,School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China.
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Yuan Y, Huang W, Chen K, Ling E. Beauveria bassiana ribotoxin inhibits insect immunity responses to facilitate infection via host translational blockage. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 106:103605. [PMID: 31904434 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2019.103605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Entomopathogenic fungi are promising bio-pesticides. To facilitate infection, fungi recruit multiple virulence factors and deploy different molecular strategies to evade host immunity. Fungal ribotoxins are extracellular secreted ribonucleases (RNases) with ribotoxic cytotoxicity and insecticidal activity. However, it remains unclear whether they have further biological functions. Here we show that the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana ribotoxin (Rib) contributes to fungal virulence by inhibiting insect host immunity. Gene deletion of Rib (ΔRib) resulted in attenuated fungal virulence during infection. Pathogenesis analysis demonstrated that Rib mainly inhibits insect immunity through modulating the reactive oxygen species (ROS) response, suppressing antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) production and retarding hyphae penetration from insect cuticles. To further confirm this immunosuppressive function, recombinant ribotoxin (rRib) protein was purified and co-injected with living or heat-killed bacteria, bacteria-derived peptidoglycan (PGN) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) separately, which also significantly inhibited the AMPs production in Drosophila fat bodies. Furthermore, co-injection of rRib with Escherichia coli or Staphylococcus aureus significantly enhanced bacterial pathogenicity and facilitated infection. In addition, rRib injection resulted in a global inhibition of protein expression in different tissues of Drosophila adults. This work identified B. bassiana ribotoxin as a key virulence factor that inhibits insect immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Yuan
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China; Institute of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China; Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Wuren Huang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Keping Chen
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China; Institute of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Erjun Ling
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai, 200032, China; Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China.
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11
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Meng Y, Zhang X, Guo N, Fang W. MrSt12 implicated in the regulation of transcription factor AFTF1 by Fus3-MAPK during cuticle penetration by the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium robertsii. Fungal Genet Biol 2019; 131:103244. [PMID: 31228645 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2019.103244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Revised: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Metarhizium robertsii is a versatile fungus with multifactorial lifestyles, and it is an emerging fungal model for investigating the mechanisms of multiple lifestyle transitions that involve trans-kingdom host jumping. Penetration of the insect cuticle is the necessary step for the transition from saprophytic or symbiotic to pathogenic lifestyle. Previously, we found the transcription factor AFTF1 plays an important role in cuticle penetration, which is precisely regulated by Fus3-MAPK, Slt2-MAPK, and the membrane protein Mr-OPY2. Here, we identified a transcription factor (MrSt12) that directly regulated the transcription of Aftf1 by physically interacting with the cis-acting element (ATGAAACA) in the promoter of Aftf1. The deletion mutant of MrSt12 failed to form the infection structure appressorium and was thus nonpathogenic. We further found that the regulation of Aftf1 by MrSt12 was directly controlled by the Fus3-MAPK. In conclusion, we found a new signaling cascade containing Fus3-MAPK, MrSt12, and AFTF1, which regulates cuticle penetration by M. robertsii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yamin Meng
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Institute of Microbiology, College of Life Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xing Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Institute of Microbiology, College of Life Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Na Guo
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Institute of Microbiology, College of Life Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Weiguo Fang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Institute of Microbiology, College of Life Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
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12
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Zhou G, Ying SH, Hu Y, Fang X, Feng MG, Wang J. Roles of Three HSF Domain-Containing Proteins in Mediating Heat-Shock Protein Genes and Sustaining Asexual Cycle, Stress Tolerance, and Virulence in Beauveria bassiana. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1677. [PMID: 30090094 PMCID: PMC6068467 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Heat-shock transcription factors (HSFs) with a HSF domain are regulators of fungal heat-shock protein (HSP) genes and many others vectoring heat-shock elements, to which the domain binds in response to heat shock and other stress cues. The fungal insect pathogen Beauveria bassiana harbors three HSF domain-containing orthologous to Hsf1, Sfl1, and Skn7 in many fungi. Here, we show that the three proteins are interrelated at transcription level, play overlapping or opposite roles in activating different families of 28 HSP genes and mediate differential expression of some genes required for asexual developmental and intracellular Na+ homeostasis. Expression levels of skn7 and sfl1 largely increased in Δhsf1, which is evidently lethal in some other fungi. Hsf1 was distinct from Sfl1 and Skn7 in activating most HSP genes under normal and heat-shocked conditions. Sfl1 and Skn7 played overlapping roles in activating more than half of the HSP genes under heat shock. Each protein also activated a few HSP genes not targeted by two others under certain conditions. Deletion of sfl1 resulted in most severe growth defects on rich medium and several minimal media at optimal 25°C while such growth defects were less severe in Δhsf1 and minor in Δskn7. Conidiation level was lowered by 76% in Δskn7, 62% in Δsfl1, and 39% in Δhsf1. These deletion mutants also showed differential changes in cell wall integrity, antioxidant activity, virulence and cellular tolerance to osmotic salt, heat shock, and UV-B irradiation. These results provide a global insight into vital roles of Hsf1, Sfl1, and Skn7 in B. bassiana adaptation to environment and host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Zhou
- College of Food Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Open Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Culture Collection and Application, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangzhou, China.,Institute of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Sheng-Hua Ying
- Institute of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yue Hu
- Institute of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiang Fang
- College of Food Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ming-Guang Feng
- Institute of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jie Wang
- College of Food Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.,Institute of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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13
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Sun ZB, Wang Q, Zhang J, Jiang WZ, Wang Q, Li SD, Ma GZ, Sun MH. The transcription factor-encoding gene crtf is involved in Clonostachys chloroleuca mycoparasitism on Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Microbiol Res 2018; 210:6-11. [PMID: 29625660 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2018.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Revised: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/03/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Clonostachys chloroleuca 67-1 (formerly C. rosea 67-1) is a potential biocontrol fungus active against various fungal plant pathogens. From transcriptome sequencing of 67-1 parasitizing sclerotia of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, we identified the transcription factor-encoding gene crtf that is significantly up-regulated during mycoparasitism. Transcription factors are widely distributed in fungi and involved in multiple biological processes. However, their role and regulatory mechanisms in mycoparasitism remain poorly understood. In this study, the function of crtf during 67-1 mycoparasitism was verified through gene knockout and complementation. The results showed that deletion of crtf did not influence fungal morphological characteristics, but the ability of the Δcrtf mutant to parasitize sclerotia and suppress soybean Sclerotinia white mold in the greenhouse was markedly diminished compared with the wild type strain. The biocontrol activity of Δcrtf recovered wild type levels when complemented with a plasmid expressing the crtf gene. These findings suggest that crtf plays a crucial role in C. chloroleuca mycoparasitism and provide insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying C. chloroleuca mycoparasitism on plant pathogenic fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhan-Bin Sun
- Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China; School of Marine Science and Technology, Huaihai Institute of Technology, Lianyungang, 222005, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Wei-Zhi Jiang
- Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Shi-Dong Li
- Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Gui-Zhen Ma
- School of Marine Science and Technology, Huaihai Institute of Technology, Lianyungang, 222005, China
| | - Man-Hong Sun
- Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China.
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14
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Roles of the Skn7 response regulator in stress resistance, cell wall integrity and GA biosynthesis in Ganoderma lucidum. Fungal Genet Biol 2018. [PMID: 29524659 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2018.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The transcription factor Skn7 is a highly conserved fungal protein that participates in a variety of processes, including oxidative stress adaptation, fungicide sensitivity, cell wall biosynthesis, cell cycle, and sporulation. In this study, a homologous gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Skn7 was cloned from Ganoderma lucidum. RNA interference (RNAi) was used to study the functions of Skn7, and the two knockdown strains Skn7i-5 and Skn7i-7 were obtained in G. lucidum. The knockdown of GlSkn7 resulted in hypersensitivity to oxidative and cell wall stresses. The concentrations of chitin and β-1,3-glucan distinctly decreased in the GlSkn7 knockdown strains compared with those of the wild type (WT). In addition, the expression of cell wall biosynthesis related genes was also significantly down-regulated and the thickness of the cell wall also significantly reduced in the GlSkn7 knockdown strains. The intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) content and ganoderic acids biosynthesis increased significantly in the GlSkn7 knockdown strains. Interestingly, the level of intracellular ROS and the content of ganoderic acids decreased after N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), an ROS scavenger, was added, indicating that GlSkn7 might regulate ganoderic acids biosynthesis via the intracellular ROS level. The transcript level of GlSkn7 were up-regulated in osmotic stress, heat stress and fungicide condition. At the same time, the content of ganoderic acids in the GlSkn7 knockdown strains also changed distinctly in these conditions. Overall, GlSkn7 is involved in stress resistance, cell wall integrity and ganoderic acid biosynthesis in G. lucidum.
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15
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Chen Y, Li B, Cen K, Lu Y, Zhang S, Wang C. Diverse effect of phosphatidylcholine biosynthetic genes on phospholipid homeostasis, cell autophagy and fungal developments in Metarhizium robertsii. Environ Microbiol 2017; 20:293-304. [PMID: 29159973 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.13998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2017] [Accepted: 11/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Phosphatidylcholine (PC) plays an important role in maintaining membrane integrity and functionality. In this study, two key genes (Mrpct and Mrpem) putatively involved in the cytidine diphosphate (CDP)-choline and phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT) pathways for PC biosynthesis were characterized in the insect pathogenic fungus Metarhizium robertsii. The results indicated that disruption of Mrpct did not lead to any reduction of total PC content but impaired fungal virulence and increased cellular accumulation of triacylglycerol. Deletion of Mrpem reduced PC content and impaired fungal conidiation and infection structure differentiation but did not result in virulence defects. Lipidomic analysis revealed that deletion of Mrpct and Mrpem resulted in dissimilar effects on increase and decrease of PC moieties and other phospholipid species accumulations. Interestingly, we found that these two genes played opposite roles in activation of cell autophagy when the fungi were grown in a nutrient-rich medium. The connection between PC metabolism and autophagy was confirmed because PC content was drastically reduced in Mratg8Δ and that the addition of PC could rescue null mutant sporulation defect. The results of this study facilitate the understanding of PC metabolism on fungal physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixiong Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Bing Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Kai Cen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yuzhen Lu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Siwei Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Chengshu Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
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16
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Tang C, Xiong D, Fang Y, Tian C, Wang Y. The two-component response regulator VdSkn7 plays key roles in microsclerotial development, stress resistance and virulence of Verticillium dahliae. Fungal Genet Biol 2017; 108:26-35. [PMID: 28917999 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2017.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2017] [Revised: 09/07/2017] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The fungus Verticillium dahliae causes vascular wilt disease on various plant species resulting in devastating yield losses worldwide. The capacity of V. dahliae to colonize in host plant xylem and disseminate by microsclerotia has led to studies to evaluate genes associated with pathogenesis and microsclerotia formation. Here, we identified and characterized a V. dahliae homolog to Skn7, a two-component stress response regulator of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Results showed that melanized microsclerotia formation and conidiation were significantly inhibited in the VdSkn7 deletion mutants. VdSkn7-deficient mutants displayed severe growth defect under heat shock, cell wall perturbing agents and H2O2, and were significantly less virulent but were not sensitive to osmotic stresses compared to the wild-type strain. Finally, we demonstrated that VdSkn7 is required for the plant penetration. Taken together, our study thus provides new evidence on the functional conservation and divergence of Skn7 orthologs among fungal organisms and indicates that VdSkn7 contributes to microsclerotial development, virulence and stress response of V. dahliae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Tang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Forest Pest Control, College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Dianguang Xiong
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Forest Pest Control, College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Yulin Fang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Forest Pest Control, College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Chengming Tian
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Forest Pest Control, College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Yonglin Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Forest Pest Control, College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China.
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17
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Basso V, Znaidi S, Lagage V, Cabral V, Schoenherr F, LeibundGut-Landmann S, d'Enfert C, Bachellier-Bassi S. The two-component response regulator Skn7 belongs to a network of transcription factors regulating morphogenesis in Candida albicans and independently limits morphogenesis-induced ROS accumulation. Mol Microbiol 2017; 106:157-182. [PMID: 28752552 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Skn7 is a conserved fungal heat shock factor-type transcriptional regulator. It participates in maintaining cell wall integrity and regulates the osmotic/oxidative stress response (OSR) in S. cerevisiae, where it is part of a two-component signal transduction system. Here, we comprehensively address the function of Skn7 in the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans. We provide evidence reinforcing functional divergence, with loss of the cell wall/osmotic stress-protective roles and acquisition of the ability to regulate morphogenesis on solid medium. Mapping of the Skn7 transcriptional circuitry, through combination of genome-wide expression and location technologies, pointed to a dual regulatory role encompassing OSR and filamentous growth. Genetic interaction analyses revealed close functional interactions between Skn7 and master regulators of morphogenesis, including Efg1, Cph1 and Ume6. Intracellular biochemical assays revealed that Skn7 is crucial for limiting the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in filament-inducing conditions on solid medium. Interestingly, functional domain mapping using site-directed mutagenesis allowed decoupling of Skn7 function in morphogenesis from protection against intracellular ROS. Our work identifies Skn7 as an integral part of the transcriptional circuitry controlling C. albicans filamentous growth and illuminates how C. albicans relies on an evolutionarily-conserved regulator to protect itself from intracellular ROS during morphological development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Basso
- Institut Pasteur, INRA, Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, 25 rue du Docteur Roux, Paris, France.,Univ. Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Cellule Pasteur, rue du Dr. Roux, Paris, France
| | - Sadri Znaidi
- Institut Pasteur, INRA, Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, 25 rue du Docteur Roux, Paris, France.,Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Laboratoire de Microbiologie Moléculaire, Vaccinologie et Développement Biotechnologique, 13 Place Pasteur, Tunis-Belvédère, B.P. 74, 1002, Tunisia.,University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1036, Tunisia
| | - Valentine Lagage
- Institut Pasteur, INRA, Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, 25 rue du Docteur Roux, Paris, France
| | - Vitor Cabral
- Institut Pasteur, INRA, Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, 25 rue du Docteur Roux, Paris, France.,Univ. Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Cellule Pasteur, rue du Dr. Roux, Paris, France
| | - Franziska Schoenherr
- Institute of Virology, Winterthurerstr. 266a, Zürich, Switzerland.,SUPSI, Laboratorio Microbiologia Applicata, via Mirasole 22a, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | | | - Christophe d'Enfert
- Institut Pasteur, INRA, Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, 25 rue du Docteur Roux, Paris, France
| | - Sophie Bachellier-Bassi
- Institut Pasteur, INRA, Unité Biologie et Pathogénicité Fongiques, 25 rue du Docteur Roux, Paris, France
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18
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Zeng G, Chen X, Zhang X, Zhang Q, Xu C, Mi W, Guo N, Zhao H, You Y, Dryburgh FJ, Bidochka MJ, St. Leger RJ, Zhang L, Fang W. Genome-wide identification of pathogenicity, conidiation and colony sectorization genes in Metarhizium robertsii. Environ Microbiol 2017; 19:3896-3908. [DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.13777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Revised: 04/17/2017] [Accepted: 04/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Guohong Zeng
- Institute of Microbiology; Zhejiang University; Hangzhou China
| | - Xiaoxuan Chen
- Institute of Microbiology; Zhejiang University; Hangzhou China
| | - Xing Zhang
- Institute of Microbiology; Zhejiang University; Hangzhou China
| | | | - Chuan Xu
- Institute of Microbiology; Zhejiang University; Hangzhou China
| | - Wubin Mi
- Institute of Microbiology; Zhejiang University; Hangzhou China
| | - Na Guo
- Institute of Microbiology; Zhejiang University; Hangzhou China
| | - Hong Zhao
- Institute of Microbiology; Zhejiang University; Hangzhou China
| | - Yue You
- Institute of Microbiology; Zhejiang University; Hangzhou China
| | - Farah-Jade Dryburgh
- Department of Biological Sciences; Brock University; St. Catharines ON Canada
| | - Michael J. Bidochka
- Department of Biological Sciences; Brock University; St. Catharines ON Canada
| | | | - Lei Zhang
- School of Biological and Chemical Engineering; Zhejiang University of Science & Technology; Hangzhou China
| | - Weiguo Fang
- Institute of Microbiology; Zhejiang University; Hangzhou China
- Institute of Insect Sciences; Zhejiang University; Hangzhou China
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19
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Wang C, Wang S. Insect Pathogenic Fungi: Genomics, Molecular Interactions, and Genetic Improvements. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENTOMOLOGY 2017; 62:73-90. [PMID: 27860524 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ento-031616-035509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 245] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Entomopathogenic fungi play a pivotal role in the regulation of insect populations in nature, and representative species have been developed as promising environmentally friendly mycoinsecticides. Recent advances in the genome biology of insect pathogenic fungi have revealed genomic features associated with fungal adaptation to insect hosts and different host ranges, as well as the evolutionary relationships between insect and noninsect pathogens. By using species in the Beauveria and Metarhizium genera as models, molecular biology studies have revealed the genes that function in fungus-insect interactions and thereby contribute to fungal virulence. Taken together with efforts toward genetic improvement of fungal virulence and stress resistance, knowledge of entomopathogenic fungi will potentiate cost-effective applications of mycoinsecticides for pest control in the field. Relative to our advanced insights into the mechanisms of fungal pathogenesis in plants and humans, future studies will be necessary to unravel the gene-for-gene relationships in fungus-insect interactive models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengshu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China; ,
| | - Sibao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China; ,
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20
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Zhang F, Xu G, Geng L, Lu X, Yang K, Yuan J, Nie X, Zhuang Z, Wang S. The Stress Response Regulator AflSkn7 Influences Morphological Development, Stress Response, and Pathogenicity in the Fungus Aspergillus flavus. Toxins (Basel) 2016; 8:toxins8070202. [PMID: 27399770 PMCID: PMC4963835 DOI: 10.3390/toxins8070202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2016] [Revised: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 06/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
This study focused on AflSkn7, which is a stress response regulator in the aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus flavus. The ΔAflSkn7 mutants exhibited partially defective conidial formation and a complete inability to generate sclerotia, indicating AflSkn7 affects A. flavus asexual and sexual development. The mutants tolerated osmotic stress but were partially susceptible to the effects of cell wall stress. Additionally, the ΔAflSkn7 mutants were especially sensitive to oxidative stress. These observations confirmed that AflSkn7 influences oxidative stress responses rather than osmotic stress responses. Additionally, AflSkn7 was observed to increase aflatoxin biosynthesis and seed infection rates. These results indicate AflSkn7 affects A. flavus morphological development, stress response, aflatoxin production, and pathogenicity. The results of this study may facilitate the development of new methods to manage A. flavus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of the Education Ministry, and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
| | - Gaopo Xu
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of the Education Ministry, and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
| | - Longpo Geng
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of the Education Ministry, and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
| | - Xiaoyan Lu
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of the Education Ministry, and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
| | - Kunlong Yang
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of the Education Ministry, and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
| | - Jun Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of the Education Ministry, and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
| | - Xinyi Nie
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of the Education Ministry, and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
| | - Zhenhong Zhuang
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of the Education Ministry, and 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 the Education Ministry, and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
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21
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UvHOG1 is important for hyphal growth and stress responses in the rice false smut fungus Ustilaginoidea virens. Sci Rep 2016; 6:24824. [PMID: 27095476 PMCID: PMC4837404 DOI: 10.1038/srep24824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2016] [Accepted: 04/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Rice false smut caused by Ustilaginoidea virens is one of the most important diseases of rice worldwide. Although its genome has been sequenced, to date there is no report on targeted gene deletion in U. virens and no molecular studies on genetic mechanisms regulating the infection processes of this destructive pathogen. In this study, we attempted to generate knockout mutants of the ortholog of yeast HOG1 MAP kinase gene in U. virens. One Uvhog1 deletion mutant was identified after screening over 600 hygromycin-resistant transformants generated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated transformation. The Uvhog1 mutant was reduced in growth rate and conidiation but had increased sensitivities to SDS, Congo red, and hyperosmotic stress. Deletion of UvHOG1 resulted in reduced expression of the stress response-related genes UvATF1 and UvSKN7. In the Uvhog1 mutant, NaCl treatment failed to stimulate the accumulation of sorbitol and glycerol. In addition, the Uvhog1 mutant had reduced toxicity on shoot growth in rice seed germination assays. Overall, as the first report of targeted gene deletion mutant in U. virens, our results showed that UvHOG1 likely has conserved roles in regulating stress responses, hyphal growth, and possibly secondary metabolism.
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22
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Butt TM, Coates CJ, Dubovskiy IM, Ratcliffe NA. Entomopathogenic Fungi: New Insights into Host-Pathogen Interactions. ADVANCES IN GENETICS 2016; 94:307-64. [PMID: 27131329 DOI: 10.1016/bs.adgen.2016.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 180] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Although many insects successfully live in dangerous environments exposed to diverse communities of microbes, they are often exploited and killed by specialist pathogens. Studies of host-pathogen interactions (HPI) provide valuable insights into the dynamics of the highly aggressive coevolutionary arms race between entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) and their arthropod hosts. The host defenses are designed to exclude the pathogen or mitigate the damage inflicted while the pathogen responds with immune evasion and utilization of host resources. EPF neutralize their immediate surroundings on the insect integument and benefit from the physiochemical properties of the cuticle and its compounds that exclude competing microbes. EPF also exhibit adaptations aimed at minimizing trauma that can be deleterious to both host and pathogen (eg, melanization of hemolymph), form narrow penetration pegs that alleviate host dehydration and produce blastospores that lack immunogenic sugars/enzymes but facilitate rapid assimilation of hemolymph nutrients. In response, insects deploy an extensive armory of hemocytes and macromolecules, such as lectins and phenoloxidase, that repel, immobilize, and kill EPF. New evidence suggests that immune bioactives work synergistically (eg, lysozyme with antimicrobial peptides) to combat infections. Some proteins, including transferrin and apolipophorin III, also demonstrate multifunctional properties, participating in metabolism, homeostasis, and pathogen recognition. This review discusses the molecular intricacies of these HPI, highlighting the interplay between immunity, stress management, and metabolism. Increased knowledge in this area could enhance the efficacy of EPF, ensuring their future in integrated pest management programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- T M Butt
- Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom
| | - C J Coates
- Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom
| | | | - N A Ratcliffe
- Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom; Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Genes involved in virulence of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana. J Invertebr Pathol 2016; 133:41-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2015.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2015] [Revised: 11/18/2015] [Accepted: 11/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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