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Navarro-Mendoza MI, Pérez-Arques C, Parker J, Xu Z, Kelly S, Heitman J. Alternative ergosterol biosynthetic pathways confer antifungal drug resistance in the human pathogens within the Mucor species complex. mBio 2024; 15:e0166124. [PMID: 38980037 PMCID: PMC11323496 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01661-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Mucormycoses are emerging fungal infections caused by a variety of heterogeneous species within the Mucorales order. Among the Mucor species complex, Mucor circinelloides is the most frequently isolated pathogen in mucormycosis patients and despite its clinical significance, there is an absence of established genome manipulation techniques to conduct molecular pathogenesis studies. In this study, we generated a spontaneous uracil auxotrophic strain and developed a genetic transformation procedure to analyze molecular mechanisms conferring antifungal drug resistance. With this new model, phenotypic analyses of gene deletion mutants were conducted to define Erg3 and Erg6a as key biosynthetic enzymes in the M. circinelloides ergosterol pathway. Erg3 is a C-5 sterol desaturase involved in growth, sporulation, virulence, and azole susceptibility. In other fungal pathogens, erg3 mutations confer azole resistance because Erg3 catalyzes the production of a toxic diol upon azole exposure. Surprisingly, M. circinelloides produces only trace amounts of this toxic diol and yet, it is still susceptible to posaconazole and isavuconazole due to alterations in membrane sterol composition. These alterations are severely aggravated by erg3Δ mutations, resulting in ergosterol depletion and, consequently, hypersusceptibility to azoles. We also identified Erg6a as the main C-24 sterol methyltransferase, whose activity may be partially rescued by the paralogs Erg6b and Erg6c. Loss of Erg6a function diverts ergosterol synthesis to the production of cholesta-type sterols, resulting in resistance to amphotericin B. Our findings suggest that mutations or epimutations causing loss of Erg6 function may arise during human infections, resulting in antifungal drug resistance to first-line treatments against mucormycosis. IMPORTANCE The Mucor species complex comprises a variety of opportunistic pathogens known to cause mucormycosis, a potentially lethal fungal infection with limited therapeutic options. The only effective first-line treatments against mucormycosis consist of liposomal formulations of amphotericin B and the triazoles posaconazole and isavuconazole, all of which target components within the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway. This study uncovered M. circinelloides Erg3 and Erg6a as key enzymes to produce ergosterol, a vital constituent of fungal membranes. Absence of any of those enzymes leads to decreased ergosterol and consequently, resistance to ergosterol-binding polyenes such as amphotericin B. Particularly, losing Erg6a function poses a higher threat as the ergosterol pathway is channeled into alternative sterols similar to cholesterol, which maintain membrane permeability. As a result, erg6a mutants survive within the host and disseminate the infection, indicating that Erg6a deficiency may arise during human infections and confer resistance to the most effective treatment against mucormycoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Isabel Navarro-Mendoza
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Carlos Pérez-Arques
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Josie Parker
- Molecular Biosciences Division, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
| | - Ziyan Xu
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Steven Kelly
- Institute of Life Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph Heitman
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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2
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Navarro-Mendoza MI, Pérez-Arques C, Parker J, Xu Z, Kelly S, Heitman J. Alternative ergosterol biosynthetic pathways confer antifungal drug resistance in the human pathogens within the Mucor species complex. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.12.01.569667. [PMID: 38076934 PMCID: PMC10705545 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.01.569667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Mucormycoses are emerging fungal infections caused by a variety of heterogeneous species within the Mucorales order. Among the Mucor species complex, Mucor circinelloides is the most frequently isolated pathogen in mucormycosis patients and despite its clinical significance, there is an absence of established genome manipulation techniques to conduct molecular pathogenesis studies. In this study, we generated a spontaneous uracil auxotrophic strain and developed a genetic transformation procedure to analyze molecular mechanisms conferring antifungal drug resistance. With this new model, phenotypic analyses of gene deletion mutants were conducted to define Erg3 and Erg6a as key biosynthetic enzymes in the M. circinelloides ergosterol pathway. Erg3 is a C-5 sterol desaturase involved in growth, sporulation, virulence, and azole susceptibility. In other fungal pathogens, erg3 mutations confer azole resistance because Erg3 catalyzes the production of a toxic diol upon azole exposure. Surprisingly, M. circinelloides produces only trace amounts of this toxic diol and yet, it is still susceptible to posaconazole and isavuconazole due to alterations in membrane sterol composition. These alterations are severely aggravated by erg3Δ mutations, resulting in ergosterol depletion and consequently, hypersusceptibility to azoles. We also identified Erg6a as the main C-24 sterol methyltransferase, whose activity may be partially rescued by the paralogs Erg6b and Erg6c. Loss of Erg6a function diverts ergosterol synthesis to the production of cholesta-type sterols, resulting in resistance to amphotericin B. Our findings suggest that mutations or epimutations causing loss of Erg6 function may arise during human infections, resulting in antifungal drug resistance to first-line treatments against mucormycosis.
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3
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Hooker CA, Hanafy R, Hillman ET, Muñoz Briones J, Solomon KV. A Genetic Engineering Toolbox for the Lignocellulolytic Anaerobic Gut Fungus Neocallimastix frontalis. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:1034-1045. [PMID: 36920337 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
Anaerobic fungi are powerful platforms for biotechnology that remain unexploited due to a lack of genetic tools. These gut fungi encode the largest number of lignocellulolytic carbohydrate active enzymes (CAZymes) in the fungal kingdom, making them attractive for applications in renewable energy and sustainability. However, efforts to genetically modify anaerobic fungi have remained limited due to inefficient methods for DNA uptake and a lack of characterized genetic parts. We demonstrate that anaerobic fungi are naturally competent for DNA and leverage this to develop a nascent genetic toolbox informed by recently acquired genomes for transient transformation of anaerobic fungi. We validate multiple selectable markers (HygR and Neo), an anaerobic reporter protein (iRFP702), enolase and TEF1A promoters, TEF1A terminator, and a nuclear localization tag for protein compartmentalization. This work establishes novel methods to reliably transform the anaerobic fungus Neocallimastix frontalis, thereby paving the way for strain development and various synthetic biology applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey A Hooker
- Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States.,Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Radwa Hanafy
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Ethan T Hillman
- Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Javier Muñoz Briones
- Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Kevin V Solomon
- Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States.,Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
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Use of Metagenomic Whole Genome Shotgun Sequencing Data in Taxonomic Assignment of Dipterygium glaucum Rhizosphere and Surrounding Bulk Soil Microbiomes, and Their Response to Watering. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14148764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The metagenomic whole genome shotgun sequencing (mWGS) approach was used to detect signatures of the rhizosphere microbiomes of Dipterygium glaucum and surrounding bulk soil microbiomes, and to detect differential microbial responses due to watering. Preliminary results reflect the reliability of the experiment and the rationality of grouping microbiomes. Based on the abundance of non-redundant genes, bacterial genomes showed the highest level, followed by Archaeal and Eukaryotic genomes, then, the least abundant viruses. Overall results indicate that most members of bacteria have a higher abundance/relative abundance (AB/RA) pattern in the rhizosphere towards plant growth promotion, while members of eukaryota have a higher pattern in bulk soil, most likely acting as pathogens. The results also indicate the contribution of mycorrhiza (genus Rhizophagus) in mediating complex mutualistic associations between soil microbes (either beneficial or harmful) and plant roots. Some of these symbiotic relationships involve microbes of different domains responding differentially to plant root exudates. Among these are included the bacterial genus Burkholderia and eukaryotic genus Trichoderma, which have antagonistic activities against the eukaryotic genus Fusarium. Another example involves Ochrobactrum phage POA1180, its bacterial host and plant roots. One of the major challenges in plant nutrition involves other microbes that manipulate nitrogen levels in the soil. Among these are the microbes that perform contraversal actions of nitrogen fixation (the methanogen Euryarchaeota) and ammonia oxidation (Crenarchaeota). The net nitrogen level in the soil is originally based on the AB/RA of these microbes and partially on the environmental condition. Watering seems to influence the AB/RA of a large number of soil microbes, where drought-sensitive microbes (members of phyla Acidobacteria and Gemmatimonadetes) showed an increased AB/RA pattern after watering, while others (Burkholderia and Trichoderma) seem to be among microbes assisting plants to withstand abiotic stresses. This study sheds light on the efficient use of mWGS in the taxonomic assignment of soil microbes and in their response to watering. It also provides new avenues for improving biotic and abiotic resistance in domestic plant germplasm via the manipulation of soil microbes.
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Hage H, Rosso MN, Tarrago L. Distribution of methionine sulfoxide reductases in fungi and conservation of the free-methionine-R-sulfoxide reductase in multicellular eukaryotes. Free Radic Biol Med 2021; 169:187-215. [PMID: 33865960 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2021.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Methionine, either as a free amino acid or included in proteins, can be oxidized into methionine sulfoxide (MetO), which exists as R and S diastereomers. Almost all characterized organisms possess thiol-oxidoreductases named methionine sulfoxide reductase (Msr) enzymes to reduce MetO back to Met. MsrA and MsrB reduce the S and R diastereomers of MetO, respectively, with strict stereospecificity and are found in almost all organisms. Another type of thiol-oxidoreductase, the free-methionine-R-sulfoxide reductase (fRMsr), identified so far in prokaryotes and a few unicellular eukaryotes, reduces the R MetO diastereomer of the free amino acid. Moreover, some bacteria possess molybdenum-containing enzymes that reduce MetO, either in the free or protein-bound forms. All these Msrs play important roles in the protection of organisms against oxidative stress. Fungi are heterotrophic eukaryotes that colonize all niches on Earth and play fundamental functions, in organic matter recycling, as symbionts, or as pathogens of numerous organisms. However, our knowledge on fungal Msrs is still limited. Here, we performed a survey of msr genes in almost 700 genomes across the fungal kingdom. We show that most fungi possess one gene coding for each type of methionine sulfoxide reductase: MsrA, MsrB, and fRMsr. However, several fungi living in anaerobic environments or as obligate intracellular parasites were devoid of msr genes. Sequence inspection and phylogenetic analyses allowed us to identify non-canonical sequences with potentially novel enzymatic properties. Finaly, we identified several ocurences of msr horizontal gene transfer from bacteria to fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayat Hage
- Biodiversité et Biotechnologie Fongiques, UMR1163, INRAE, Aix Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Marie-Noëlle Rosso
- Biodiversité et Biotechnologie Fongiques, UMR1163, INRAE, Aix Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Lionel Tarrago
- Biodiversité et Biotechnologie Fongiques, UMR1163, INRAE, Aix Marseille Université, Marseille, France.
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Stanford FA, Matthies N, Cseresnyés Z, Figge MT, Hassan MIA, Voigt K. Expression Patterns in Reductive Iron Assimilation and Functional Consequences during Phagocytosis of Lichtheimia corymbifera, an Emerging Cause of Mucormycosis. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7040272. [PMID: 33916756 PMCID: PMC8065604 DOI: 10.3390/jof7040272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Iron is an essential micronutrient for most organisms and fungi are no exception. Iron uptake by fungi is facilitated by receptor-mediated internalization of siderophores, heme and reductive iron assimilation (RIA). The RIA employs three protein groups: (i) the ferric reductases (Fre5 proteins), (ii) the multicopper ferroxidases (Fet3) and (iii) the high-affinity iron permeases (Ftr1). Phenotyping under different iron concentrations revealed detrimental effects on spore swelling and hyphal formation under iron depletion, but yeast-like morphology under iron excess. Since access to iron is limited during pathogenesis, pathogens are placed under stress due to nutrient limitations. To combat this, gene duplication and differential gene expression of key iron uptake genes are utilized to acquire iron against the deleterious effects of iron depletion. In the genome of the human pathogenic fungus L. corymbifera, three, four and three copies were identified for FRE5, FTR1 and FET3 genes, respectively. As in other fungi, FET3 and FTR1 are syntenic and co-expressed in L. corymbifera. Expression of FRE5, FTR1 and FET3 genes is highly up-regulated during iron limitation (Fe-), but lower during iron excess (Fe+). Fe- dependent upregulation of gene expression takes place in LcFRE5 II and III, LcFTR1 I and II, as well as LcFET3 I and II suggesting a functional role in pathogenesis. The syntenic LcFTR1 I–LcFET3 I gene pair is co-expressed during germination, whereas LcFTR1 II- LcFET3 II is co-expressed during hyphal proliferation. LcFTR1 I, II and IV were overexpressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae to represent high and moderate expression of intracellular transport of Fe3+, respectively. Challenge of macrophages with the yeast mutants revealed no obvious role for LcFTR1 I, but possible functions of LcFTR1 II and IVs in recognition by macrophages. RIA expression pattern was used for a new model of interaction between L. corymbifera and macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicia Adelina Stanford
- Jena Microbial Resource Collection, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research, and Infection Biology—Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), 07745 Jena, Germany; (F.A.S.); (N.M.); (M.I.A.H.)
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany;
| | - Nina Matthies
- Jena Microbial Resource Collection, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research, and Infection Biology—Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), 07745 Jena, Germany; (F.A.S.); (N.M.); (M.I.A.H.)
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany;
| | - Zoltán Cseresnyés
- Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research, and Infection Biology—Hans Knöll Institute, 12622 Jena, Germany;
| | - Marc Thilo Figge
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany;
- Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research, and Infection Biology—Hans Knöll Institute, 12622 Jena, Germany;
| | - Mohamed I. Abdelwahab Hassan
- Jena Microbial Resource Collection, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research, and Infection Biology—Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), 07745 Jena, Germany; (F.A.S.); (N.M.); (M.I.A.H.)
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany;
- National Research Centre, Pests & Plant Protection Department, 33rd El Buhouth St., Dokki, Giza 12622, Egypt
| | - Kerstin Voigt
- Jena Microbial Resource Collection, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research, and Infection Biology—Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), 07745 Jena, Germany; (F.A.S.); (N.M.); (M.I.A.H.)
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany;
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +49-3641-532-1395
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Prostak SM, Robinson KA, Titus MA, Fritz-Laylin LK. The actin networks of chytrid fungi reveal evolutionary loss of cytoskeletal complexity in the fungal kingdom. Curr Biol 2021; 31:1192-1205.e6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Bellas CM, Sommaruga R. Polinton-like viruses are abundant in aquatic ecosystems. MICROBIOME 2021; 9:13. [PMID: 33436089 PMCID: PMC7805220 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-020-00956-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Polintons are large mobile genetic elements found in the genomes of eukaryotic organisms that are considered the ancient ancestors of most eukaryotic dsDNA viruses. Originally considered as transposons, they have been found to encode virus capsid genes, suggesting they may actually be integrated viruses; however, an extracellular form has yet to be detected. Recently, circa 25 Polinton-like viruses have been discovered in environmental metagenomes and algal genomes, which shared distantly related genes to both Polintons and virophages (Lavidaviridae). These entities could be the first members of a major class of ancient eukaryotic viruses; however, owing to the lack of available genomes for analysis, information on their global diversity, evolutionary relationships, eukaryotic hosts, and status as free virus particles is limited. RESULTS Here, we analysed the metaviromes of an alpine lake to show that Polinton-like virus genome sequences are abundant in the water column. We identify major capsid protein genes belonging to 82 new Polinton-like viruses and use these to interrogate publicly available metagenomic datasets, identifying 543 genomes and a further 16 integrated into eukaryotic genomes. Using an analysis of shared gene content and major capsid protein phylogeny, we define large groups of Polinton-like viruses and link them to diverse eukaryotic hosts, including a new group of viruses, which possess all the core genes of virophages and infect oomycetes and Chrysophyceae. CONCLUSIONS Our study increased the number of known Polinton-like viruses by 25-fold, identifying five major new groups of eukaryotic viruses, which until now have been hidden in metagenomic datasets. The large enrichment (> 100-fold) of Polinton-like virus sequences in the virus-sized fraction of this alpine lake and the fact that their viral major capsid proteins are found in eukaryotic host transcriptomes support the hypothesis that Polintons in unicellular eukaryotes are viruses. In summary, our data reveals a diverse assemblage of globally distributed viruses, associated with a wide range of unicellular eukaryotic hosts. We anticipate that the methods we have developed for Polinton-like virus detection and the database of over 20,000 genes we present will allow for continued discovery and analysis of these new viral groups. Video abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M. Bellas
- Department of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ruben Sommaruga
- Department of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
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Benton R, Dessimoz C, Moi D. A putative origin of the insect chemosensory receptor superfamily in the last common eukaryotic ancestor. eLife 2020; 9:62507. [PMID: 33274716 PMCID: PMC7746228 DOI: 10.7554/elife.62507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The insect chemosensory repertoires of Odorant Receptors (ORs) and Gustatory Receptors (GRs) together represent one of the largest families of ligand-gated ion channels. Previous analyses have identified homologous 'Gustatory Receptor-Like' (GRL) proteins across Animalia, but the evolutionary origin of this novel class of ion channels is unknown. We describe a survey of unicellular eukaryotic genomes for GRLs, identifying several candidates in fungi, protists and algae that contain many structural features characteristic of animal GRLs. The existence of these proteins in unicellular eukaryotes, together with ab initio protein structure predictions, provide evidence for homology between GRLs and a family of uncharacterized plant proteins containing the DUF3537 domain. Together, our analyses suggest an origin of this protein superfamily in the last common eukaryotic ancestor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Benton
- Center for Integrative Genomics, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Christophe Dessimoz
- Center for Integrative Genomics, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Department of Computational Biology, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Computer Science, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - David Moi
- Center for Integrative Genomics, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Department of Computational Biology, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Phylogenomic Analyses of Non-Dikarya Fungi Supports Horizontal Gene Transfer Driving Diversification of Secondary Metabolism in the Amphibian Gastrointestinal Symbiont, Basidiobolus. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2020; 10:3417-3433. [PMID: 32727924 PMCID: PMC7466969 DOI: 10.1534/g3.120.401516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Research into secondary metabolism (SM) production by fungi has resulted in the discovery of diverse, biologically active compounds with significant medicinal applications. The fungi rich in SM production are taxonomically concentrated in the subkingdom Dikarya, which comprises the phyla Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. Here, we explore the potential for SM production in Mucoromycota and Zoopagomycota, two phyla of nonflagellated fungi that are not members of Dikarya, by predicting and identifying core genes and gene clusters involved in SM. The majority of non-Dikarya have few genes and gene clusters involved in SM production except for the amphibian gut symbionts in the genus Basidiobolus. Basidiobolus genomes exhibit an enrichment of SM genes involved in siderophore, surfactin-like, and terpene cyclase production, all these with evidence of constitutive gene expression. Gene expression and chemical assays also confirm that Basidiobolus has significant siderophore activity. The expansion of SMs in Basidiobolus are partially due to horizontal gene transfer from bacteria, likely as a consequence of its ecology as an amphibian gut endosymbiont.
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Medina R, Franco MEE, Bartel LC, Martinez Alcántara V, Saparrat MCN, Balatti PA. Fungal Mitogenomes: Relevant Features to Planning Plant Disease Management. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:978. [PMID: 32547508 PMCID: PMC7272585 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial genomes (mt-genomes) are characterized by a distinct codon usage and their autonomous replication. Mt-genomes encode highly conserved genes (mt-genes), like proteins involved in electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation but they also carry highly variable regions that are in part responsible for their high plasticity. The degree of conservation of their genes is such that they allow the establishment of phylogenetic relationships even across distantly related species. Here, we describe the mechanisms that generate changes along mt-genomes, which play key roles at enlarging the ability of fungi to adapt to changing environments. Within mt-genomes of fungal pathogens, there are dispensable as well as indispensable genes for survival, virulence and/or pathogenicity. We also describe the different complexes or mechanisms targeted by fungicides, thus addressing a relevant issue regarding disease management. Despite the controversial origin and evolution of fungal mt-genomes, the intrinsic mechanisms and molecular biology involved in their evolution will help to understand, at the molecular level, the strategies for fungal disease management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocio Medina
- Centro de Investigaciones de Fitopatología, Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CIDEFI-CICPBA), Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
| | | | - Laura Cecilia Bartel
- Centro de Investigaciones de Fitopatología, Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CIDEFI-CICPBA), Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Virginia Martinez Alcántara
- Cátedra de Microbiología Agrícola, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Mario Carlos Nazareno Saparrat
- Cátedra de Microbiología Agrícola, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
- Instituto de Fisiología Vegetal (INFIVE), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Pedro Alberto Balatti
- Centro de Investigaciones de Fitopatología, Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CIDEFI-CICPBA), Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
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12
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Responses of unicellular predators to cope with the phototoxicity of photosynthetic prey. Nat Commun 2019; 10:5606. [PMID: 31811209 PMCID: PMC6898599 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13568-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Feeding on unicellular photosynthetic organisms by unicellular eukaryotes is the base of the aquatic food chain and evolutionarily led to the establishment of photosynthetic endosymbionts/organelles. Photosynthesis generates reactive oxygen species and damages cells; thus, photosynthetic organisms possess several mechanisms to cope with the stress. Here, we demonstrate that photosynthetic prey also exposes unicellular amoebozoan and excavates predators to photosynthetic oxidative stress. Upon illumination, there is a commonality in transcriptomic changes among evolutionarily distant organisms feeding on photosynthetic prey. One of the genes commonly upregulated is a horizontally transferred homolog of algal and plant genes for chlorophyll degradation/detoxification. In addition, the predators reduce their phagocytic uptake while accelerating digestion of photosynthetic prey upon illumination, reducing the number of photosynthetic cells inside the predator cells, as this also occurs in facultative endosymbiotic associations upon certain stresses. Thus, some mechanisms in predators observed here probably have been necessary for evolution of endosymbiotic associations. Photosynthesis generates reactive oxygen species that can damage cells. Here, the authors show that unicellular predators of photosynthetic prey have shared responses to photosynthetic oxidative stress and these may also have been important for the evolution of endosymbiosis.
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13
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Sista Kameshwar AK, Qin W. Systematic review of publicly available non-Dikarya fungal proteomes for understanding their plant biomass-degrading and bioremediation potentials. BIORESOUR BIOPROCESS 2019. [DOI: 10.1186/s40643-019-0264-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
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Lange L, Pilgaard B, Herbst FA, Busk PK, Gleason F, Pedersen AG. Origin of fungal biomass degrading enzymes: Evolution, diversity and function of enzymes of early lineage fungi. FUNGAL BIOL REV 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fbr.2018.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Wijayawardene NN, Pawłowska J, Letcher PM, Kirk PM, Humber RA, Schüßler A, Wrzosek M, Muszewska A, Okrasińska A, Istel Ł, Gęsiorska A, Mungai P, Lateef AA, Rajeshkumar KC, Singh RV, Radek R, Walther G, Wagner L, Walker C, Wijesundara DSA, Papizadeh M, Dolatabadi S, Shenoy BD, Tokarev YS, Lumyong S, Hyde KD. Notes for genera: basal clades of Fungi (including Aphelidiomycota, Basidiobolomycota, Blastocladiomycota, Calcarisporiellomycota, Caulochytriomycota, Chytridiomycota, Entomophthoromycota, Glomeromycota, Kickxellomycota, Monoblepharomycota, Mortierellomycota, Mucoromycota, Neocallimastigomycota, Olpidiomycota, Rozellomycota and Zoopagomycota). FUNGAL DIVERS 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s13225-018-0409-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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16
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Farrer RA, Martel A, Verbrugghe E, Abouelleil A, Ducatelle R, Longcore JE, James TY, Pasmans F, Fisher MC, Cuomo CA. Genomic innovations linked to infection strategies across emerging pathogenic chytrid fungi. Nat Commun 2017; 8:14742. [PMID: 28322291 PMCID: PMC5364385 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms14742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 01/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
To understand the evolutionary pathways that lead to emerging infections of vertebrates, here we explore the genomic innovations that allow free-living chytrid fungi to adapt to and colonize amphibian hosts. Sequencing and comparing the genomes of two pathogenic species of Batrachochytrium to those of close saprophytic relatives reveals that pathogenicity is associated with remarkable expansions of protease and cell wall gene families, while divergent infection strategies are linked to radiations of lineage-specific gene families. By comparing the host–pathogen response to infection for both pathogens, we illuminate the traits that underpin a strikingly different immune response within a shared host species. Our results show that, despite commonalities that promote infection, specific gene-family radiations contribute to distinct infection strategies. The breadth and evolutionary novelty of candidate virulence factors that we discover underscores the urgent need to halt the advance of pathogenic chytrids and prevent incipient loss of biodiversity. Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and B. salamandrivorans are both important pathogens of amphibians, but they differ in their host ranges, infection strategies, and host immune responses. Here, Farrer and colleagues compare their genomes and transcriptomes to identify the genetic basis of these differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhys A Farrer
- Genome Sequencing and Analysis Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA.,Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London W2 1PG, UK
| | - An Martel
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Elin Verbrugghe
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Amr Abouelleil
- Genome Sequencing and Analysis Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | - Richard Ducatelle
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Joyce E Longcore
- School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, Orono, Maine 04469, USA
| | - Timothy Y James
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - Frank Pasmans
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Matthew C Fisher
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London W2 1PG, UK
| | - Christina A Cuomo
- Genome Sequencing and Analysis Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
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Hérivaux A, Dugé de Bernonville T, Roux C, Clastre M, Courdavault V, Gastebois A, Bouchara JP, James TY, Latgé JP, Martin F, Papon N. The Identification of Phytohormone Receptor Homologs in Early Diverging Fungi Suggests a Role for Plant Sensing in Land Colonization by Fungi. mBio 2017; 8:e01739-16. [PMID: 28143977 PMCID: PMC5285503 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01739-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Histidine kinases (HKs) are among the most prominent sensing proteins studied in the kingdom Fungi. Their distribution and biological functions in early diverging fungi (EDF), however, remain elusive. We have taken advantage of recent genomic resources to elucidate whether relationships between the occurrence of specific HKs in some EDF and their respective habitat/lifestyle could be established. This led to the unexpected discovery of fungal HKs that share a high degree of similarity with receptors for plant hormones (ethylene and cytokinin). Importantly, these phytohormone receptor homologs are found not only in EDF that behave as plant root symbionts or endophytes but also in EDF species that colonize decaying plant material. We hypothesize that these particular sensing proteins promoted the interaction of EDF with plants, leading to the conquest of land by these ancestral fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anaïs Hérivaux
- Université d'Angers, Groupe d'Etude des Interactions Hôte-Pathogène, Angers, France
| | - Thomas Dugé de Bernonville
- Université François-Rabelais de Tours, EA 2106, Biomolécules et Biotechnologies Végétales, Tours, France
| | - Christophe Roux
- Laboratoire de Recherche en Sciences Végétales, Université de Toulouse, UPS, Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Marc Clastre
- Université François-Rabelais de Tours, EA 2106, Biomolécules et Biotechnologies Végétales, Tours, France
| | - Vincent Courdavault
- Université François-Rabelais de Tours, EA 2106, Biomolécules et Biotechnologies Végétales, Tours, France
| | - Amandine Gastebois
- Université d'Angers, Groupe d'Etude des Interactions Hôte-Pathogène, Angers, France
| | | | - Timothy Y James
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jean-Paul Latgé
- Institut Pasteur de Paris, Unité des Aspergillus, Paris, France
| | - Francis Martin
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Université de Lorraine, UMR 1136 Interactions Arbres/Microorganismes, Laboratoire d'Excellence ARBRE, Nancy, France
| | - Nicolas Papon
- Université d'Angers, Groupe d'Etude des Interactions Hôte-Pathogène, Angers, France
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