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Evidencing New Roles for the Glycosyl-Transferase Cps1 in the Phytopathogenic Fungus Botrytis cinerea. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8090899. [PMID: 36135623 PMCID: PMC9500679 DOI: 10.3390/jof8090899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The fungal cell wall occupies a central place in the interaction between fungi and their environment. This study focuses on the role of the putative polysaccharide synthase Cps1 in the physiology, development and virulence of the grey mold-causing agent Botrytis cinerea. Deletion of the Bccps1 gene does not affect the germination of the conidia (asexual spores) or the early mycelial development, but it perturbs hyphal expansion after 24 h, revealing a two-phase hyphal development that has not been reported so far. It causes a severe reduction of mycelial growth in a solid medium and modifies hyphal aggregation into pellets in liquid cultures. It strongly impairs plant penetration, plant colonization and the formation of sclerotia (survival structures). Loss of the BcCps1 protein associates with a decrease in glucans and glycoproteins in the fungus cell wall and the up-accumulation of 132 proteins in the mutant’s exoproteome, among which are fungal cell wall enzymes. This is accompanied by an increased fragility of the mutant mycelium, an increased sensitivity to some environmental stresses and a reduced adhesion to plant surface. Taken together, the results support a significant role of Cps1 in the cell wall biology of B. cinerea.
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Chitin Synthase Genes Are Differentially Required for Growth, Stress Response, and Virulence in Verticillium dahliae. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8070681. [PMID: 35887437 PMCID: PMC9320267 DOI: 10.3390/jof8070681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Crop wilt disease caused by Verticillium dahliae usually leads to serious yield loss. Chitin, an important component of most fungal cell walls, functions to maintain the rigidity of cell walls and septa. Chitin synthesis mainly relies on the activity of chitin synthase (CHS). Eight CHS genes have been predicted in V. dahliae. In this study, we characterized the functions of these genes in terms of growth, stress responses, penetration, and virulence. Results showed that VdCHS5 is important for conidia germination and resistance to hyperosmotic stress. Conidial production is significantly decreased in Vdchs1, Vdchs4, and Vdchs8 mutants. VdCHS1, VdCHS2, VdCHS4, VdCHS6, VdCHS7, and VdCHS8 genes are important for cell wall integrity, while all mutants are important for cell membrane integrity. All of the VdCHS genes, except for VdCHS3, are required for the full pathogenicity of V. dahliae to Arabidopsis thaliana and cotton plants. The in vitro and in vivo penetration of Vdchs1, Vdchs4, Vdchs6, and Vdchs7 mutants was impaired, while that of the other mutants was normal. Overall, our results indicate that the VdCHS genes exert diverse functions to regulate the growth and development, conidial germination, conidial production, stress response, penetration, and virulence in V. dahliae.
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Piombo E, Vetukuri RR, Broberg A, Kalyandurg PB, Kushwaha S, Funck Jensen D, Karlsson M, Dubey M. Role of Dicer-Dependent RNA Interference in Regulating Mycoparasitic Interactions. Microbiol Spectr 2021; 9:e0109921. [PMID: 34549988 PMCID: PMC8557909 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01099-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Dicer-like proteins (DCLs) play a vital role in RNA interference (RNAi), by cleaving RNA filament into small RNAs. Although DCL-mediated RNAi can regulate interspecific communication between pathogenic/mutualistic organisms and their hosts, its role in mycoparasitic interactions is yet to be investigated. In this study, we deleted dcl genes in the mycoparasitic fungus Clonostachys rosea and characterize the functions of DCL-dependent RNAi in mycoparasitism. Deletion of dcl2 resulted in a mutant with reduced secondary metabolite production, antagonism toward the plant-pathogenic fungus Botrytis cinerea, and reduced ability to control Fusarium foot rot disease on wheat, caused by Fusarium graminearum. Transcriptome sequencing of the in vitro interaction between the C. rosea Δdcl2 strain and B. cinerea or F. graminearum identified the downregulation of genes coding for transcription factors, membrane transporters, hydrolytic enzymes, and secondary metabolites biosynthesis enzymes putatively involved in antagonistic interactions, in comparison with the C. rosea wild-type interaction. A total of 61 putative novel microRNA-like RNAs (milRNAs) were identified in C. rosea, and 11 were downregulated in the Δdcl2 mutant. In addition to putative endogenous gene targets, these milRNAs were predicted to target B. cinerea and F. graminearum virulence factor genes, which showed an increased expression during interaction with the Δdcl2 mutant incapable of producing the targeting milRNAs. In summary, this study constitutes the first step in elucidating the role of RNAi in mycoparasitic interactions, with important implications for biological control of plant diseases, and poses the base for future studies focusing on the role of cross-species RNAi regulating mycoparasitic interactions. IMPORTANCE Small RNAs mediated RNA interference (RNAi) known to regulate several biological processes. Dicer-like endoribonucleases (DCLs) play a vital role in the RNAi pathway by generating sRNAs. In this study, we investigated a role of DCL-mediated RNAi in interference interactions between mycoparasitic fungus Clonostachys rosea and the two fungal pathogens Botrytis cinerea and Fusarium graminearum (here called mycohosts). We found that the dcl mutants were not able to produce 11 sRNAs predicted to finetune the regulatory network of genes known to be involved in production of hydrolytic enzymes, antifungal compounds, and membrane transporters needed for antagonistic action of C. rosea. We also found C. rosea sRNAs putatively targeting known virulence factors in the mycohosts, indicating RNAi-mediated cross-species communication. Our study expanded the understanding of underlying mechanisms of cross-species communication during interference interactions and poses a base for future works studying the role of DCL-based cross-species RNAi in fungal interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edoardo Piombo
- Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ramesh R. Vetukuri
- Department of Plant Breeding, Horticum, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Lomma, Sweden
| | - Anders Broberg
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Pruthvi B. Kalyandurg
- Department of Plant Breeding, Horticum, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Lomma, Sweden
| | - Sandeep Kushwaha
- Department of Plant Breeding, Horticum, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Lomma, Sweden
- National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Dan Funck Jensen
- Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Magnus Karlsson
- Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mukesh Dubey
- Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
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Plaza V, Silva-Moreno E, Castillo L. Breakpoint: Cell Wall and Glycoproteins and their Crucial Role in the Phytopathogenic Fungi Infection. Curr Protein Pept Sci 2021; 21:227-244. [PMID: 31490745 DOI: 10.2174/1389203720666190906165111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The cell wall that surrounds fungal cells is essential for their survival, provides protection against physical and chemical stresses, and plays relevant roles during infection. In general, the fungal cell wall is composed of an outer layer of glycoprotein and an inner skeletal layer of β-glucans or α- glucans and chitin. Chitin synthase genes have been shown to be important for septum formation, cell division and virulence. In the same way, chitin can act as a potent elicitor to activate defense response in several plant species; however, the fungi can convert chitin to chitosan during plant infection to evade plant defense mechanisms. Moreover, α-1,3-Glucan, a non-degradable polysaccharide in plants, represents a key feature in fungal cell walls formed in plants and plays a protective role for this fungus against plant lytic enzymes. A similar case is with β-1,3- and β-1,6-glucan which are essential for infection, structure rigidity and pathogenicity during fungal infection. Cell wall glycoproteins are also vital to fungi. They have been associated with conidial separation, the increase of chitin in conidial cell walls, germination, appressorium formation, as well as osmotic and cell wall stress and virulence; however, the specific roles of glycoproteins in filamentous fungi remain unknown. Fungi that can respond to environmental stimuli distinguish these signals and relay them through intracellular signaling pathways to change the cell wall composition. They play a crucial role in appressorium formation and penetration, and release cell wall degrading enzymes, which determine the outcome of the interaction with the host. In this review, we highlight the interaction of phypatophogen cell wall and signaling pathways with its host and their contribution to fungal pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verónica Plaza
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular y Bioquímica, Departamento de Biología, Universidad de La Serena, La Serena, Chile
| | - Evelyn Silva-Moreno
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Temuco, Chile
| | - Luis Castillo
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular y Bioquímica, Departamento de Biología, Universidad de La Serena, La Serena, Chile
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Fernandes C, Gow NA, Gonçalves T. The importance of subclasses of chitin synthase enzymes with myosin-like domains for the fitness of fungi. FUNGAL BIOL REV 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fbr.2016.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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Huang S, He Z, Zhang S, Keyhani NO, Song Y, Yang Z, Jiang Y, Zhang W, Pei Y, Zhang Y. Interplay between calcineurin and the Slt2 MAP-kinase in mediating cell wall integrity, conidiation and virulence in the insect fungal pathogen Beauveria bassiana. Fungal Genet Biol 2015; 83:78-91. [PMID: 26319315 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2015.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2015] [Revised: 08/20/2015] [Accepted: 08/25/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana, is of environmental and economic importance as an insect pathogen, currently used for the biological control of a number of pests. Cell wall integrity and conidiation are critical parameters for the ability of the fungus to infect insects and for production of the infectious propagules. The contribution of calcineurin and the Slt2 MAP kinase to cell wall integrity and development in B. bassiana was investigated. Gene knockouts of either the calcineurin CNA1 subunit or the Slt2 MAP kinase resulted in decreased tolerance to calcofluor white and high temperature. In contrast, the Δcna1 strain was more tolerant to Congo red but more sensitive to osmotic stress (NaCl, sorbitol) than the wild type, whereas the Δslt2 strain had the opposite phenotype. Changes in cell wall structure and composition were seen in the Δslt2 and Δcna1 strains during growth under cell wall stress as compared to the wild type. Both Δslt2 and Δcna1 strains showed significant alterations in growth, conidiation, and viability. Elevation of intracellular ROS levels, and decreased conidial hydrophobicity and adhesion to hydrophobic surfaces, were also seen for both mutants, as well as decreased virulence. Under cell wall stress conditions, inactivation of Slt2 significantly repressed CN-mediated phosphatase activity suggesting some level of cross talk between the two pathways. Comparative transcriptome profiling of the Δslt2 and Δcna1 strains revealed alterations in the expression of distinct gene sets, with overlap in transcripts involved in cell wall integrity, stress response, conidiation and virulence. These data illustrate convergent and divergent phenotypes and targets of the calcineurin and Slt2 pathways in B. bassiana.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuaishuai Huang
- College of Plant Protection, Biotechnology Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhangjiang He
- College of Plant Protection, Biotechnology Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Shiwei Zhang
- College of Plant Protection, Biotechnology Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Nemat O Keyhani
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Yulin Song
- College of Plant Protection, Biotechnology Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi Yang
- College of Plant Protection, Biotechnology Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Yahui Jiang
- College of Plant Protection, Biotechnology Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenli Zhang
- Medical Research Center, North China University of Science and Technology, Hebei 06000, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Pei
- College of Plant Protection, Biotechnology Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongjun Zhang
- College of Plant Protection, Biotechnology Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, People's Republic of China.
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Gene Overexpression and RNA Silencing Tools for the Genetic Manipulation of the S-(+)-Abscisic Acid Producing Ascomycete Botrytis cinerea. Int J Mol Sci 2015; 16:10301-23. [PMID: 25955649 PMCID: PMC4463647 DOI: 10.3390/ijms160510301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2015] [Revised: 04/14/2015] [Accepted: 04/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The phytopathogenic ascomycete Botrytis cinerea produces several secondary metabolites that have biotechnical significance and has been particularly used for S-(+)-abscisic acid production at the industrial scale. To manipulate the expression levels of specific secondary metabolite biosynthetic genes of B. cinerea with Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation system, two expression vectors (pCBh1 and pCBg1 with different selection markers) and one RNA silencing vector, pCBSilent1, were developed with the In-Fusion assembly method. Both expression vectors were highly effective in constitutively expressing eGFP, and pCBSilent1 effectively silenced the eGFP gene in B. cinerea. Bcaba4, a gene suggested to participate in ABA biosynthesis in B. cinerea, was then targeted for gene overexpression and RNA silencing with these reverse genetic tools. The overexpression of bcaba4 dramatically induced ABA formation in the B. cinerea wild type strain Bc-6, and the gene silencing of bcaba4 significantly reduced ABA-production in an ABA-producing B. cinerea strain.
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BcMctA, a putative monocarboxylate transporter, is required for pathogenicity in Botrytis cinerea. Curr Genet 2015; 61:545-53. [DOI: 10.1007/s00294-015-0474-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2014] [Revised: 01/14/2015] [Accepted: 01/15/2015] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Gandía M, Harries E, Marcos JF. The myosin motor domain-containing chitin synthase PdChsVII is required for development, cell wall integrity and virulence in the citrus postharvest pathogen Penicillium digitatum. Fungal Genet Biol 2014; 67:58-70. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2014.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2013] [Revised: 03/21/2014] [Accepted: 04/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Magellan H, Boccara M, Drujon T, Soulié MC, Guillou C, Dubois J, Becker HF. Discovery of two new inhibitors of Botrytis cinerea chitin synthase by a chemical library screening. Bioorg Med Chem 2013; 21:4997-5003. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2013.06.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2013] [Revised: 06/19/2013] [Accepted: 06/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Cui Z, Wang Y, Lei N, Wang K, Zhu T. Botrytis cinerea chitin synthase BcChsVI is required for normal growth and pathogenicity. Curr Genet 2013; 59:119-28. [DOI: 10.1007/s00294-013-0393-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2012] [Revised: 05/10/2013] [Accepted: 05/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Morcx S, Kunz C, Choquer M, Assie S, Blondet E, Simond-Côte E, Gajek K, Chapeland-Leclerc F, Expert D, Soulie MC. Disruption of Bcchs4, Bcchs6 or Bcchs7 chitin synthase genes in Botrytis cinerea and the essential role of class VI chitin synthase (Bcchs6). Fungal Genet Biol 2012; 52:1-8. [PMID: 23268147 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2012.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2012] [Revised: 11/15/2012] [Accepted: 11/26/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Chitin synthases play critical roles in hyphal development and fungal pathogenicity. Previous studies on Botrytis cinerea, a model organism for necrotrophic pathogens, have shown that disruption of Bcchs1 and more particularly Bcchs3a genes have a drastic impact on virulence (Soulié et al., 2003, 2006). In this work, we investigate the role of other CHS including BcCHS4, BcCHS6 and BcCHS7 during the life cycle of B. cinerea. Single deletions of corresponding genes were carried out. Phenotypic analysis indicates that: (i) BcCHS4 enzyme is not essential for development and pathogenicity of the fungus; (ii) BcCHS7 is required for pathogenicity in a host dependant manner. For Bcchs6 gene disruption, we obtained only heterokaryotic strains. Indeed, sexual or asexual purification assays were unsuccessful. We concluded that class VI chitin synthase could be essential for B. cinerea and therefore BcCHS6 represents a valuable antifungal target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Morcx
- UPMC Univ. Paris 06, UMR217, 75005 Paris, France
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Transformation of Botrytis cinerea by direct hyphal blasting or by wound-mediated transformation of sclerotia. BMC Microbiol 2011; 11:266. [PMID: 22188865 PMCID: PMC3293788 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-11-266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2011] [Accepted: 12/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Botrytis cinerea is a haploid necrotrophic ascomycete which is responsible for 'grey mold' disease in more than 200 plant species. Broad molecular research has been conducted on this pathogen in recent years, resulting in the sequencing of two strains, which has generated a wealth of information toward developing additional tools for molecular transcriptome, proteome and secretome investigations. Nonetheless, transformation protocols have remained a significant bottleneck for this pathogen, hindering functional analysis research in many labs. Results In this study, we tested three different transformation methods for B. cinerea: electroporation, air-pressure-mediated and sclerotium-mediated transformation. We demonstrate successful transformation with three different DNA constructs using both air-pressure- and sclerotium-mediated transformation. Conclusions These transformation methods, which are fast, simple and reproducible, can expedite functional gene analysis of B. cinerea.
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