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Sankaranarayanan S, Kwon S, Heimel K, Feldbrügge M. The RNA world of fungal pathogens. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011762. [PMID: 38032970 PMCID: PMC10688622 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Srimeenakshi Sankaranarayanan
- Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Institute for Microbiology, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Seomun Kwon
- Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Institute for Microbiology, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Kai Heimel
- Georg-August University Göttingen, Institute for Microbiology and Genetics, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Michael Feldbrügge
- Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Institute for Microbiology, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, Düsseldorf, Germany
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Starke J, Harting R, Maurus I, Leonard M, Bremenkamp R, Heimel K, Kronstad JW, Braus GH. Unfolded Protein Response and Scaffold Independent Pheromone MAP Kinase Signaling Control Verticillium dahliae Growth, Development, and Plant Pathogenesis. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7040305. [PMID: 33921172 PMCID: PMC8071499 DOI: 10.3390/jof7040305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Differentiation, growth, and virulence of the vascular plant pathogen Verticillium dahliae depend on a network of interconnected cellular signaling cascades. The transcription factor Hac1 of the endoplasmic reticulum-associated unfolded protein response (UPR) is required for initial root colonization, fungal growth, and vascular propagation by conidiation. Hac1 is essential for the formation of microsclerotia as long-time survival resting structures in the field. Single endoplasmic reticulum-associated enzymes for linoleic acid production as precursors for oxylipin signal molecules support fungal growth but not pathogenicity. Microsclerotia development, growth, and virulence further require the pheromone response mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, but without the Ham5 scaffold function. The MAPK phosphatase Rok1 limits resting structure development of V.dahliae, but promotes growth, conidiation, and virulence. The interplay between UPR and MAPK signaling cascades includes several potential targets for fungal growth control for supporting disease management of the vascular pathogen V.dahliae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Starke
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; (J.S.); (R.H.); (I.M.); (M.L.); (R.B.); (K.H.)
| | - Rebekka Harting
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; (J.S.); (R.H.); (I.M.); (M.L.); (R.B.); (K.H.)
| | - Isabel Maurus
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; (J.S.); (R.H.); (I.M.); (M.L.); (R.B.); (K.H.)
| | - Miriam Leonard
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; (J.S.); (R.H.); (I.M.); (M.L.); (R.B.); (K.H.)
| | - Rica Bremenkamp
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; (J.S.); (R.H.); (I.M.); (M.L.); (R.B.); (K.H.)
| | - Kai Heimel
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; (J.S.); (R.H.); (I.M.); (M.L.); (R.B.); (K.H.)
| | - James W. Kronstad
- Michael Smith Laboratories, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada;
| | - Gerhard H. Braus
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; (J.S.); (R.H.); (I.M.); (M.L.); (R.B.); (K.H.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-(0)551-39-33771
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A Human IRE1 Inhibitor Blocks the Unfolded Protein Response in the Pathogenic Fungus Aspergillus fumigatus and Suggests Noncanonical Functions within the Pathway. mSphere 2020; 5:5/5/e00879-20. [PMID: 33087521 PMCID: PMC7580959 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00879-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The unfolded protein response (UPR) is a signaling pathway that maintains endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis, with functions that overlap virulence mechanisms in the human-pathogenic mold Aspergillus fumigatus. The canonical pathway centers on HacA, its master transcriptional regulator. Translation of this protein requires the removal of an unconventional intron from the cytoplasmic mRNA of the hacA gene, which is achieved by an RNase domain located in the ER-transmembrane stress sensor IreA. Here, we show that targeting this RNase activity with a small-molecule inhibitor effectively blocked UPR activation, resulting in effects that mirror the consequences of genetic deletion of the RNase domain. However, these phenotypes were surprisingly narrow in scope relative to those associated with a complete deletion of the hacA gene. These findings expand the understanding of UPR signaling in this species by supporting the existence of noncanonical functions for the unspliced hacA mRNA in ER stress response. The unfolded protein response (UPR) is a signaling network that maintains homeostasis of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In the human-pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus, the UPR is initiated by activation of an endoribonuclease (RNase) domain in the ER transmembrane stress sensor IreA, which splices the downstream mRNA hacAu into its active form, hacAi, encoding the master transcriptional regulator of the pathway. Small-molecule inhibitors against IRE1, the human ortholog of IreA, have been developed for anticancer therapy, but their effects on the fungal UPR are unexplored. Here, we demonstrate that the IRE1 RNase inhibitor 4μ8C prevented A. fumigatus from increasing the levels of hacAi mRNA, thereby blocking induction of downstream UPR target gene expression. Treatment with 4μ8C had minimal effects on growth in minimal medium but severely impaired growth on a collagen substrate that requires high levels of hydrolytic enzyme secretion, mirroring the phenotype of other fungal UPR mutants. 4μ8C also increased sensitivity to carvacrol, a natural compound that disrupts ER integrity in fungi, and hygromycin B, which correlated with reduced expression of glycosylation-related genes. Interestingly, treatment with 4μ8C was unable to induce all of the phenotypes attributed to the loss of the canonical UPR in a ΔhacA mutant but showed remarkable similarity to the phenotype of an RNase-deficient IreA mutant that is also unable to generate the hacAi mRNA. These results establish proof of principle that pharmacological inhibition of the canonical UPR pathway is feasible in A. fumigatus and support a noncanonical role for the hacAu mRNA in ER stress response. IMPORTANCE The unfolded protein response (UPR) is a signaling pathway that maintains endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis, with functions that overlap virulence mechanisms in the human-pathogenic mold Aspergillus fumigatus. The canonical pathway centers on HacA, its master transcriptional regulator. Translation of this protein requires the removal of an unconventional intron from the cytoplasmic mRNA of the hacA gene, which is achieved by an RNase domain located in the ER-transmembrane stress sensor IreA. Here, we show that targeting this RNase activity with a small-molecule inhibitor effectively blocked UPR activation, resulting in effects that mirror the consequences of genetic deletion of the RNase domain. However, these phenotypes were surprisingly narrow in scope relative to those associated with a complete deletion of the hacA gene. These findings expand the understanding of UPR signaling in this species by supporting the existence of noncanonical functions for the unspliced hacA mRNA in ER stress response.
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Functional Coupling between the Unfolded Protein Response and Endoplasmic Reticulum/Golgi Ca 2+-ATPases Promotes Stress Tolerance, Cell Wall Biosynthesis, and Virulence of Aspergillus fumigatus. mBio 2020; 11:mBio.01060-20. [PMID: 32487759 PMCID: PMC7267887 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01060-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Many species of pathogenic fungi deploy the unfolded protein response (UPR) to expand the folding capacity of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in proportion to the demand for virulence-related proteins that traffic through the secretory pathway. Although Ca2+ plays a pivotal role in ER function, the mechanism by which transcriptional upregulation of the protein folding machinery is coordinated with Ca2+ homeostasis is incompletely understood. In this study, we investigated the link between the UPR and genes encoding P-type Ca2+-ATPases in the human-pathogenic mold Aspergillus fumigatus We demonstrate that acute ER stress increases transcription of the srcA gene, encoding a member of the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) family, as well as that of pmrA, encoding a secretory pathway Ca2+-ATPase (SPCA) in the Golgi membrane. Loss of the UPR transcription factor HacA prevented the induction of srcA and pmrA transcription during ER stress, defining these ER/Golgi Ca2+ pumps as novel downstream targets of this pathway. While deletion of srcA alone caused no major deficiencies, a ΔsrcA/ΔpmrA mutant displayed a severe polarity defect, was hypersensitive to ER stress, and showed attenuated virulence. In addition, cell wall analyses revealed a striking reduction in mannose levels in the absence of both Ca2+ pumps. The ΔhacA mutant was hypersensitive to agents that block calcineurin-dependent signaling, consistent with a functional coupling between the UPR and Ca2+ homeostasis. Together, these findings demonstrate that the UPR integrates the need for increased levels of chaperone and folding enzymes with an influx of Ca2+ into the secretory pathway to support fungal growth, stress adaptation, and pathogenicity.IMPORTANCE The UPR is an intracellular signal transduction pathway that maintains homeostasis of the ER. The pathway is also tightly linked to the expression of virulence-related traits in diverse species of human-pathogenic and plant-pathogenic fungal species, including the predominant mold pathogen infecting humans, Aspergillus fumigatus Despite advances in the understanding of UPR signaling, the linkages and networks that are governed by this pathway are not well defined. In this study, we revealed that the UPR is a major driving force for stimulating Ca2+ influx at the ER and Golgi membranes and that the coupling between the UPR and Ca2+ import is important for virulence, cell wall biosynthesis, and resistance to antifungal compounds that inhibit Ca2+ signaling.
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Schmitz L, Kronstad JW, Heimel K. Conditional gene expression reveals stage-specific functions of the unfolded protein response in the Ustilago maydis-maize pathosystem. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2020; 21:258-271. [PMID: 31802604 PMCID: PMC6988420 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.12893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Ustilago maydis is a model organism for the study of biotrophic plant-pathogen interactions. The sexual and pathogenic development of the fungus are tightly connected since fusion of compatible haploid sporidia is prerequisite for infection of the host plant, maize (Zea mays). After plant penetration, the unfolded protein response (UPR) is activated and required for biotrophic growth. The UPR is continuously active throughout all stages of pathogenic development in planta. However, since development of UPR deletion mutants stops directly after plant penetration, the role of an active UPR at later stages of development remained to be determined. Here, we established a gene expression system for U. maydis that uses endogenous, conditionally active promoters to either induce or repress expression of a gene of interest during different stages of plant infection. Integration of the expression constructs into the native genomic locus and removal of resistance cassettes were required to obtain a wild-type-like expression pattern. This indicates that genomic localization and chromatin structure are important for correct promoter activity and gene expression. By conditional expression of the central UPR regulator, Cib1, in U. maydis, we show that a functional UPR is required for continuous plant defence suppression after host infection and that U. maydis relies on a robust control system to prevent deleterious UPR hyperactivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Schmitz
- Institute for Microbiology and GeneticsDepartment of Molecular Microbiology and GeneticsGöttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB)University of GöttingenGrisebachstr. 8D‐37077GöttingenGermany
- International Research Training Group 2172 PRoTECTGöttingen, VancouverGermany
| | - James W. Kronstad
- International Research Training Group 2172 PRoTECTGöttingen, VancouverGermany
- Michael Smith LaboratoriesDepartment of Microbiology and ImmunologyUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCV6T 1Z4Canada
| | - Kai Heimel
- Institute for Microbiology and GeneticsDepartment of Molecular Microbiology and GeneticsGöttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB)University of GöttingenGrisebachstr. 8D‐37077GöttingenGermany
- International Research Training Group 2172 PRoTECTGöttingen, VancouverGermany
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The Unfolded Protein Response Regulates Pathogenic Development of Ustilago maydis by Rok1-Dependent Inhibition of Mating-Type Signaling. mBio 2019; 10:mBio.02756-19. [PMID: 31848283 PMCID: PMC6918084 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02756-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The unfolded protein response (UPR) is crucial for endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis and disease development in fungal pathogens. In the plant-pathogenic fungus Ustilago maydis, the UPR supports fungal proliferation in planta and effector secretion for plant defense suppression. In this study, we uncovered that UPR activity, which is normally restricted to the biotrophic stage in planta, inhibits mating and the formation of infectious filaments by Rok1-dependent dephosphorylation of the pheromone responsive mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) Kpp2. This observation is relevant for understanding how the fungal virulence program is regulated by cellular physiology. UPR-mediated control of mating-type signaling pathways predicts that effector gene expression and the virulence potential are controlled by ER stress levels. Fungal pathogens require the unfolded protein response (UPR) to maintain protein homeostasis of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) during pathogenic development. In the corn smut fungus Ustilago maydis, pathogenic development is controlled by the a and b mating-type loci. The UPR is specifically activated after plant penetration and required for efficient secretion of effectors and suppression of the plant defense response. The interaction between the UPR regulator Cib1 and the central developmental regulator Clp1 modulates the pathogenic program and triggers fungal colonization of the host plant. By contrast, when activated before plant penetration, the UPR interferes with fungal virulence by reducing expression of bE and bW, the central regulators of pathogenic development encoded by the b mating-type locus. Here, we show that this inhibitory effect results from UPR-mediated suppression of the pheromone response pathway upstream of the b regulatory network. UPR activity prompts dephosphorylation of the pheromone-responsive mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) Kpp2, reducing activity of the pheromone response factor Prf1 that regulates expression of bE and bW. Deletion of the dual specificity phosphatase rok1 fully suppressed UPR-dependent inhibition of Kpp2 phosphorylation, formation of infectious filaments, and fungal virulence. Rok1 determines the activity of mating-type signaling pathways and thus the degree of fungal virulence. We propose that UPR-dependent regulation of Rok1 aligns ER physiology with fungal aggressiveness and effector gene expression during biotrophic growth of U. maydis in the host plant.
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Rodríguez-López J, López AH, Estrada-Navarrete G, Sánchez F, Díaz-Camino C. The Noncanonical Heat Shock Protein PvNod22 Is Essential for Infection Thread Progression During Rhizobial Endosymbiosis in Common Bean. MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS : MPMI 2019; 32:939-948. [PMID: 30893001 DOI: 10.1094/mpmi-02-19-0041-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
In the establishment of plant-rhizobial symbiosis, the plant hosts express nodulin proteins during root nodule organogenesis. A limited number of nodulins have been characterized, and these perform essential functions in root nodule development and metabolism. Most nodulins are expressed in the nodule and at lower levels in other plant tissues. Previously, we isolated Nodulin 22 (PvNod22) from a common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cDNA library derived from Rhizobium-infected roots. PvNod22 is a noncanonical, endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-localized, small heat shock protein that confers protection against oxidative stress when overexpressed in Escherichia coli. Virus-induced gene silencing of PvNod22 resulted in necrotic lesions in the aerial organs of P. vulgaris plants cultivated under optimal conditions, activation of the ER-unfolded protein response (UPR), and, finally, plant death. Here, we examined the expression of PvNod22 in common bean plants during the establishment of rhizobial endosymbiosis and its relationship with two cellular processes associated with plant immunity, the UPR and autophagy. In the RNA interference lines, numerous infection threads stopped their progression before reaching the cortex cell layer of the root, and nodules contained fewer nitrogen-fixing bacteroids. Collectively, our results suggest that PvNod22 has a nonredundant function during legume-rhizobia symbiosis associated with infection thread elongation, likely by sustaining protein homeostasis in the ER.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Rodríguez-López
- Departamento de Biología Molecular de Plantas, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad 2001, Colonia Chamilpa, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62210, Mexico
| | - Alejandrina Hernández López
- Departamento de Biología Molecular de Plantas, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad 2001, Colonia Chamilpa, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62210, Mexico
| | - Georgina Estrada-Navarrete
- Departamento de Biología Molecular de Plantas, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad 2001, Colonia Chamilpa, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62210, Mexico
| | - Federico Sánchez
- Departamento de Biología Molecular de Plantas, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad 2001, Colonia Chamilpa, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62210, Mexico
| | - Claudia Díaz-Camino
- Departamento de Biología Molecular de Plantas, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad 2001, Colonia Chamilpa, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62210, Mexico
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Pinter N, Hach CA, Hampel M, Rekhter D, Zienkiewicz K, Feussner I, Poehlein A, Daniel R, Finkernagel F, Heimel K. Signal peptide peptidase activity connects the unfolded protein response to plant defense suppression by Ustilago maydis. PLoS Pathog 2019; 15:e1007734. [PMID: 30998787 PMCID: PMC6490947 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Revised: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The corn smut fungus Ustilago maydis requires the unfolded protein response (UPR) to maintain homeostasis of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) during the biotrophic interaction with its host plant Zea mays (maize). Crosstalk between the UPR and pathways controlling pathogenic development is mediated by protein-protein interactions between the UPR regulator Cib1 and the developmental regulator Clp1. Cib1/Clp1 complex formation results in mutual modification of the connected regulatory networks thereby aligning fungal proliferation in planta, efficient effector secretion with increased ER stress tolerance and long-term UPR activation in planta. Here we address UPR-dependent gene expression and its modulation by Clp1 using combinatorial RNAseq/ChIPseq analyses. We show that increased ER stress resistance is connected to Clp1-dependent alterations of Cib1 phosphorylation, protein stability and UPR gene expression. Importantly, we identify by deletion screening of UPR core genes the signal peptide peptidase Spp1 as a novel key factor that is required for establishing a compatible biotrophic interaction between U. maydis and its host plant maize. Spp1 is dispensable for ER stress resistance and vegetative growth but requires catalytic activity to interfere with the plant defense, revealing a novel virulence specific function for signal peptide peptidases in a biotrophic fungal/plant interaction. Biotrophic pathogens establish compatible interactions with their host to cause disease. A critical step in this process is the suppression of plant defense responses by secreted effector proteins. In the maize infecting fungus Ustilago maydis expression of effector encoding genes is coordinately upregulated at defined stages of pathogenic development in so-called effector waves. Efficient secretion of the multitude of effectors relies on the unfolded protein response (UPR) to maintain homeostasis of the endoplasmic reticulum. Activation of the UPR is connected to the control of fungal proliferation through direct protein-protein interactions between the UPR regulator Cib1 and the developmental regulator Clp1. Here, we show that this interaction leads to functional modification of Cib1 and modulation of UPR gene expression to adapt the UPR for long-term activity in the plant. Within a core set of UPR regulated genes we identify the signal peptide peptidase Spp1 as a key factor for fungal virulence. We show that Spp1 requires its conserved catalytic activity to suppress the plant defense and cause disease. The virulence specific function of Spp1 does not involve pathways previously known to be associated with Spp1-like proteins or plant defense suppression, suggesting a novel role for Spp1 substrates in biotrophic interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niko Pinter
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Christina Andrea Hach
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Martin Hampel
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Dmitrij Rekhter
- Department of Plant Biochemistry, Albrecht-von-Haller-Institute for Plant Sciences, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Krzysztof Zienkiewicz
- Department of Plant Biochemistry, Albrecht-von-Haller-Institute for Plant Sciences, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Service Unit for Metabolomics and Lipidomics, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ivo Feussner
- Department of Plant Biochemistry, Albrecht-von-Haller-Institute for Plant Sciences, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Service Unit for Metabolomics and Lipidomics, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Anja Poehlein
- Department of Genomic and Applied Microbiology & Göttingen Genomics Laboratory, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Rolf Daniel
- Department of Genomic and Applied Microbiology & Göttingen Genomics Laboratory, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Florian Finkernagel
- Center for Tumor Biology and Immunology (ZTI), Institute of Molecular Biology and Tumor Research (IMT), Marburg, Germany
| | - Kai Heimel
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Lanver D, Müller AN, Happel P, Schweizer G, Haas FB, Franitza M, Pellegrin C, Reissmann S, Altmüller J, Rensing SA, Kahmann R. The Biotrophic Development of Ustilago maydis Studied by RNA-Seq Analysis. THE PLANT CELL 2018; 30:300-323. [PMID: 29371439 PMCID: PMC5868686 DOI: 10.1105/tpc.17.00764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2017] [Revised: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
The maize smut fungus Ustilago maydis is a model organism for elucidating host colonization strategies of biotrophic fungi. Here, we performed an in depth transcriptional profiling of the entire plant-associated development of U. maydis wild-type strains. In our analysis, we focused on fungal metabolism, nutritional strategies, secreted effectors, and regulatory networks. Secreted proteins were enriched in three distinct expression modules corresponding to stages on the plant surface, establishment of biotrophy, and induction of tumors. These modules are likely the key determinants for U. maydis virulence. With respect to nutrient utilization, we observed that expression of several nutrient transporters was tied to these virulence modules rather than being controlled by nutrient availability. We show that oligopeptide transporters likely involved in nitrogen assimilation are important virulence factors. By measuring the intramodular connectivity of transcription factors, we identified the potential drivers for the virulence modules. While known components of the b-mating type cascade emerged as inducers for the plant surface and biotrophy module, we identified a set of yet uncharacterized transcription factors as likely responsible for expression of the tumor module. We demonstrate a crucial role for leaf tumor formation and effector gene expression for one of these transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Lanver
- Max-Planck-Institut für Terrestrische Mikrobiologie, Abteilung Organismische Interaktionen, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - André N Müller
- Max-Planck-Institut für Terrestrische Mikrobiologie, Abteilung Organismische Interaktionen, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Petra Happel
- Max-Planck-Institut für Terrestrische Mikrobiologie, Abteilung Organismische Interaktionen, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Gabriel Schweizer
- Max-Planck-Institut für Terrestrische Mikrobiologie, Abteilung Organismische Interaktionen, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Fabian B Haas
- Philipps Universität Marburg, Fb17 Biologie, AG Zellbiologie der Pflanzen, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Marek Franitza
- Cologne Center for Genomics, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Clément Pellegrin
- Max-Planck-Institut für Terrestrische Mikrobiologie, Abteilung Organismische Interaktionen, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Reissmann
- Max-Planck-Institut für Terrestrische Mikrobiologie, Abteilung Organismische Interaktionen, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Janine Altmüller
- Cologne Center for Genomics, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Stefan A Rensing
- Philipps Universität Marburg, Fb17 Biologie, AG Zellbiologie der Pflanzen, 35043 Marburg, Germany
- BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Regine Kahmann
- Max-Planck-Institut für Terrestrische Mikrobiologie, Abteilung Organismische Interaktionen, 35043 Marburg, Germany
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Yu Y, Hube B, Kämper J, Meyer V, Krappmann S. When green and red mycology meet: Impressions from an interdisciplinary forum on virulence mechanisms of phyto- and human-pathogenic fungi. Virulence 2017; 8:1435-1444. [PMID: 28723316 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2017.1356502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections pose a constant threat to plants and humans, but detailed knowledge about pathogenesis, immunity, or virulence is rather scarce. Due to the fact that a certain overlap in the armoury of infection exists between plant- and human-pathogenic fungi, an interdisciplinary forum was held in October 2016 at the Institute for Clinical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene in Erlangen under the organisational umbrella from two special interest groups of German microbial societies. Scientific exchange and intense discussion of this timely topic was fostered by bringing together renowned experts in their respective fields to present their thoughts and recent findings in the course of a plenary lecture and six themed sessions, accompanied by oral and poster contributions of young researchers. By targeting the topic of fungal virulence mechanisms from various angles and in the context of plant and human hosts, some common grounds and exciting perspectives could be deduced during this vibrant scientific event.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yidong Yu
- a Institute for Clinical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg , Erlangen , Bavaria , Germany
| | - Bernhard Hube
- b Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms , Hans Knöll Institute , Jena , Thuringia , Germany
| | - Jörg Kämper
- c Department of Genetics , Institute of Applied Biosciences, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology , Karlsruhe , Baden-Wuerttemberg , Germany
| | - Vera Meyer
- d Institute of Biotechnology , Department of Applied and Molecular Microbiology, Technische Universität Berlin , Berlin , Germany
| | - Sven Krappmann
- a Institute for Clinical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg , Erlangen , Bavaria , Germany
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van der Does HC, Rep M. Adaptation to the Host Environment by Plant-Pathogenic Fungi. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2017; 55:427-450. [PMID: 28645233 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-phyto-080516-035551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Many fungi can live both saprophytically and as endophyte or pathogen inside a living plant. In both environments, complex organic polymers are used as sources of nutrients. Propagation inside a living host also requires the ability to respond to immune responses of the host. We review current knowledge of how plant-pathogenic fungi do this. First, we look at how fungi change their global gene expression upon recognition of the host environment, leading to secretion of effectors, enzymes, and secondary metabolites; changes in metabolism; and defense against toxic compounds. Second, we look at what is known about the various cues that enable fungi to sense the presence of living plant cells. Finally, we review literature on transcription factors that participate in gene expression in planta or are suspected to be involved in that process because they are required for the ability to cause disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Martijn Rep
- Molecular Plant Pathology, University of Amsterdam, 1098XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
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Abstract
Biotrophic fungal plant pathogens establish an intimate relationship with their host to support the infection process. Central to this strategy is the secretion of a range of protein effectors that enable the pathogen to evade plant immune defences and modulate host metabolism to meet its needs. In this Review, using the smut fungus Ustilago maydis as an example, we discuss new insights into the effector repertoire of smut fungi that have been gained from comparative genomics and discuss the molecular mechanisms by which U. maydis effectors change processes in the plant host. Finally, we examine how the expression of effector genes and effector secretion are coordinated with fungal development in the host.
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Matei A, Doehlemann G. Cell biology of corn smut disease —Ustilago maydis as a model for biotrophic interactions. Curr Opin Microbiol 2016; 34:60-66. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2016.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2016] [Revised: 07/25/2016] [Accepted: 07/27/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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