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Chen T, Wang T, Du M, Malik K, Li C, Bao G. Discovery of Epichloë as novel endophytes of Psathyrostachys lanuginosa in China and their alkaloid profiling. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1383923. [PMID: 38846569 PMCID: PMC11153765 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1383923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The Epichloë genus represents a significant group of above-ground endophytes extensively researched for their potential applications in agriculture and ecology. Additionally, Epichloë species synthesize bioactive alkaloids, which generally cause health problems in livestock and have detrimental effects on the performance of insect herbivores. Psathyrostachys lanuginosa serves as a valuable forage grass for livestock owing to its high nutritional value and resilience in adverse environmental conditions. Nevertheless, to date, no reports have documented Epichloë as endophytes of P. lanuginosa. In this study, four strains (PF5, PF9, QG2, and QG4) were isolated and identified through morphological, molecular, and phylogenetic analyses as endophytes of P. lanuginosa. Morphological analysis indicated colony characteristics and conidia features consistent with symbiotic Epichloë, with no significant differences observed in growth rates or conidia dimensions among the four strains. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed all strains as E. bromicola. Additionally, alkaloid biosynthetic genes were detected, revealing differences in the potential synthesis of peramine and indole diterpenoid alkaloids among strains from different geographic origins. However, all four E. bromicola strains exhibited similar potential for synthesizing ergot alkaloids, but not loline alkaloids. Overall, this study identified P. lanuginosa as a novel host for E. bromicola and provided insights into the alkaloid profiles of these strains, laying a solid foundation for the scientific and rational utilization of Epichloë resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taixiang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, China
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Gansu Tech Innovation Centre of Western China Grassland Industry, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Tian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Gansu Tech Innovation Centre of Western China Grassland Industry, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Mingxiang Du
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Gansu Tech Innovation Centre of Western China Grassland Industry, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Kamran Malik
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Gansu Tech Innovation Centre of Western China Grassland Industry, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Chunjie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Gansu Tech Innovation Centre of Western China Grassland Industry, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Gensheng Bao
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, China
- Qinghai Academy of Animal and Veterinary Medicine, Xining, China
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Bandeira JB, Rodrigues JN, de Oliveira RS, Pinto IO, Chagas-Júnior AF, Nascimento VL, Sarmento MI, de Moraes CB, Sarmento RA. Endophytic colonization of five Trichoderma species and their effects on growth of a Eucalyptus hybrid. Braz J Microbiol 2023; 54:3113-3125. [PMID: 37661212 PMCID: PMC10689710 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-023-01112-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of endophytic colonization via leaf and root inoculation of five Trichoderma species in a Eucalyptus hybrid, as well as the effects of inoculation on plant growth. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 6 × 2 factorial scheme. Plant growth was evaluated during the experimental period at three different times: 20 days after inoculation (d.a.i), 40 d.a.i., and 60 d.a.i. A statistical difference was observed between the inoculation methods during each period and between the Trichoderma species. Plants inoculated with T. asperellum showed the greatest growth among the treatments. Root-inoculated plants produced the greatest growth response. This showed that the presence of Trichoderma in the roots assisted in nutrient assimilation, promoted greater plant growth, when compared with leaf-inoculated plants. Evaluation of the effectiveness of endophytic colonization was performed at each sampling period by collecting leaf samples, and at 60 d.a.i., by collecting leaf, stem, and root samples. T. longibrachiatum and T. harzianum were isolated from leaves at 20 d.a.i., with an increase in the number of colonized plants throughout the evaluation of leaf-inoculated plants. In root-inoculated plants, treatment with T. longibrachiatum, T. harzianum, and T. asperellum presented the highest endophytic colonization in the stem and root samples (at 60 d.a.i.).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica Bezerra Bandeira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Florestais e Ambientais, Universidade Federal do Tocantins (UFT)-Campus Gurupi, Gurupi, TO, 77402-970, Brazil
| | - Jovielly Neves Rodrigues
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Florestais e Ambientais, Universidade Federal do Tocantins (UFT)-Campus Gurupi, Gurupi, TO, 77402-970, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Silva de Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Produção Vegetal, Universidade Federal do Tocantins (UFT)-Campus Gurupi, Gurupi, TO, 77402-970, Brazil
| | - Ismael Oliveira Pinto
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Produção Vegetal, Universidade Federal do Tocantins (UFT)-Campus Gurupi, Gurupi, TO, 77402-970, Brazil
- Setor de Agricultura, Instituto Federal do Tocantins (IFTO)-Campus Avançado Formoso do Araguaia, Formoso do Araguaia, TO, 77470-000, Brazil
| | - Aloísio Freitas Chagas-Júnior
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Florestais e Ambientais, Universidade Federal do Tocantins (UFT)-Campus Gurupi, Gurupi, TO, 77402-970, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Produção Vegetal, Universidade Federal do Tocantins (UFT)-Campus Gurupi, Gurupi, TO, 77402-970, Brazil
| | - Vitor L Nascimento
- Setor de Fisiologia Vegetal-Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA), Lavras, MG, 37200-900, Brazil
| | - Maíra Ignacio Sarmento
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Florestais e Ambientais, Universidade Federal do Tocantins (UFT)-Campus Gurupi, Gurupi, TO, 77402-970, Brazil
| | - Cristiano Bueno de Moraes
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Florestais e Ambientais, Universidade Federal do Tocantins (UFT)-Campus Gurupi, Gurupi, TO, 77402-970, Brazil
| | - Renato Almeida Sarmento
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Florestais e Ambientais, Universidade Federal do Tocantins (UFT)-Campus Gurupi, Gurupi, TO, 77402-970, Brazil.
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Produção Vegetal, Universidade Federal do Tocantins (UFT)-Campus Gurupi, Gurupi, TO, 77402-970, Brazil.
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Zhang W, Forester NT, Applegate ER, Liu X, Johnson LJ. High-affinity iron uptake is required for optimal Epichloë festucae colonization of Lolium perenne and seed transmission. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2023; 24:1430-1442. [PMID: 37477276 PMCID: PMC10576175 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.13379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Epichloë festucae uses a siderophore-mediated system to acquire iron, which is important to maintain endophyte-grass symbioses. Here we investigate the roles of the alternative iron acquisition system, reductive iron assimilation (RIA), via disruption of the fetC gene, which encodes a multicopper ferroxidase, either alone (i.e., ΔfetC) or in combination with disruption of the gene sidA, which encodes a siderophore biosynthesis enzyme (i.e., ΔfetC/ΔsidA). The phenotypic characteristics of these mutants were compared to ΔsidA and wild-type (WT) strains during growth under axenic culture conditions (in culture) and in symbiosis with the host grass, perennial ryegrass (in planta). Under iron deficiency, the colony growth rate of ΔfetC was slightly slower than that of WT, while the growth of ΔsidA and ΔfetC/ΔsidA mutants was severely suppressed. Siderophore analyses indicated that ΔfetC mutants hyperaccumulate ferriepichloënin A (FEA) at low iron concentrations and ferricrocin and FEA at higher iron concentrations. When compared to WT, all mutant strains displayed hyperbranching hyphal structures and a reduced ratio of Epichloë DNA to total DNA in planta. Furthermore, host colonization and vertical transmission through infection of the host seed were significantly reduced in the ΔfetC/ΔsidA mutants, confirming that high-affinity iron uptake is a critical process for Epichloë transmission. Thus, RIA and siderophore iron uptake are complementary systems required for the maintenance of iron metabolism, fungal growth, and symbiosis between E. festucae and perennial ryegrass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhang
- AgResearch Limited, Grasslands Research CentrePalmerston NorthNew Zealand
| | | | - Emma R. Applegate
- AgResearch Limited, Grasslands Research CentrePalmerston NorthNew Zealand
| | - Xinqi Liu
- AgResearch Limited, Grasslands Research CentrePalmerston NorthNew Zealand
| | - Linda J. Johnson
- AgResearch Limited, Grasslands Research CentrePalmerston NorthNew Zealand
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Ma P, Liu E, Zhang Z, Li T, Zhou Z, Yao W, Chen J, Wu J, Xu Y, Zhang H. Genetic variation in ZmWAX2 confers maize resistance to Fusarium verticillioides. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2023; 21:1812-1826. [PMID: 37293701 PMCID: PMC10440989 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Fusarium verticillioides (F. verticillioides) is a widely distributed phytopathogen that incites multiple destructive diseases in maize, posing a grave threat to corn yields and quality worldwide. However, there are few reports of resistance genes to F. verticillioides. Here, we reveal that a combination of two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) corresponding to ZmWAX2 gene associates with quantitative resistance variations to F. verticillioides in maize through a genome-wide association study. A lack of ZmWAX2 compromises maize resistance to F. verticillioides-caused seed rot, seedling blight and stalk rot by reducing cuticular wax deposition, while the transgenic plants overexpressing ZmWAX2 show significantly increased immunity to F. verticillioides. A natural occurrence of two 7-bp deletions within the promoter increases ZmWAX2 transcription, thus enhancing maize resistance to F. verticillioides. Upon Fusarium stalk rot, ZmWAX2 greatly promotes the yield and grain quality of maize. Our studies demonstrate that ZmWAX2 confers multiple disease resistances caused by F. verticillioides and can serve as an important gene target for the development of F. verticillioides-resistant maize varieties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peipei Ma
- College of Life SciencesHenan Agricultural UniversityZhengzhouChina
- College of Agronomy, Synergetic Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops and National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop ScienceHenan Agricultural UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Enpeng Liu
- College of Life SciencesHenan Agricultural UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Zhirui Zhang
- College of Life SciencesHenan Agricultural UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Tao Li
- College of Life SciencesHenan Agricultural UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Zijian Zhou
- College of Life SciencesHenan Agricultural UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Wen Yao
- College of Life SciencesHenan Agricultural UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Jiafa Chen
- College of Life SciencesHenan Agricultural UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Jianyu Wu
- College of Life SciencesHenan Agricultural UniversityZhengzhouChina
- College of Agronomy, Synergetic Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops and National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop ScienceHenan Agricultural UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Yufang Xu
- College of Life SciencesHenan Agricultural UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Huiyong Zhang
- College of Life SciencesHenan Agricultural UniversityZhengzhouChina
- College of Agronomy, Synergetic Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops and National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop ScienceHenan Agricultural UniversityZhengzhouChina
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Ashrafi S, Wennrich JP, Becker Y, Maciá-Vicente JG, Brißke-Rode A, Daub M, Thünen T, Dababat AA, Finckh MR, Stadler M, Maier W. Polydomus karssenii gen. nov. sp. nov. is a dark septate endophyte with a bifunctional lifestyle parasitising eggs of plant parasitic cyst nematodes (Heterodera spp.). IMA Fungus 2023; 14:6. [PMID: 36998098 PMCID: PMC10064538 DOI: 10.1186/s43008-023-00113-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study fungal strains were investigated, which had been isolated from eggs of the cereal cyst nematode Heterodera filipjevi, and roots of Microthlaspi perfoliatum (Brassicaceae). The morphology, the interaction with nematodes and plants and the phylogenetic relationships of these strains originating from a broad geographic range covering Western Europe to Asia Minor were studied. Phylogenetic analyses using five genomic loci including ITSrDNA, LSUrDNA, SSUrDNA, rpb2 and tef1-α were carried out. The strains were found to represent a distinct phylogenetic lineage most closely related to Equiseticola and Ophiosphaerella, and Polydomus karssenii (Phaeosphaeriaceae, Pleosporales) is introduced here as a new species representing a monotypic genus. The pathogenicity tests against nematode eggs fulfilled Koch's postulates using in vitro nematode bioassays and showed that the fungus could parasitise its original nematode host H. filipjevi as well as the sugar beet cyst nematode H. schachtii, and colonise cysts and eggs of its hosts by forming highly melanised moniliform hyphae. Light microscopic observations on fungus-root interactions in an axenic system revealed the capacity of the same fungal strain to colonise the roots of wheat and produce melanised hyphae and microsclerotia-like structure typical for dark septate endophytes. Confocal laser scanning microscopy further demonstrated that the fungus colonised the root cells by predominant intercellular growth of hyphae, and frequent formation of appressorium-like as well as penetration peg-like structures through internal cell walls surrounded by callosic papilla-like structures. Different strains of the new fungus produced a nearly identical set of secondary metabolites with various biological activities including nematicidal effects irrespective of their origin from plants or nematodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samad Ashrafi
- Institute for Epidemiology and Pathogen Diagnostics, Julius Kühn Institute (JKI) - Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Messeweg 11/12, 38104, Brunswick, Germany.
- Institute for Crop and Soil Science, Julius Kühn Institute (JKI) - Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Bundesallee 58, 38116, Brunswick, Germany.
| | - Jan-Peer Wennrich
- Department Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Inhoffenstraße 7, 38124, Brunswick, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Spielmannstraße 7, 38106, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Yvonne Becker
- Institute for Epidemiology and Pathogen Diagnostics, Julius Kühn Institute (JKI) - Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Messeweg 11/12, 38104, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Jose G Maciá-Vicente
- Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation, Wageningen University and Research, PO Box 47, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Anke Brißke-Rode
- Institute for Epidemiology and Pathogen Diagnostics, Julius Kühn Institute (JKI) - Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Messeweg 11/12, 38104, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Matthias Daub
- Institute for Plant Protection in Field Crops and Grassland, Julius Kühn Institute (JKI) - Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Dürener Str. 71, 50189, Elsdorf, Germany
| | - Torsten Thünen
- Institute for Crop and Soil Science, Julius Kühn Institute (JKI) - Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Bundesallee 58, 38116, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Abdelfattah A Dababat
- International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), Emek, P.O. Box 39, 06511, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Maria R Finckh
- Department of Ecological Plant Protection, University of Kassel, Witzenhausen, Germany
| | - Marc Stadler
- Department Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Inhoffenstraße 7, 38124, Brunswick, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Spielmannstraße 7, 38106, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Maier
- Institute for Epidemiology and Pathogen Diagnostics, Julius Kühn Institute (JKI) - Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Messeweg 11/12, 38104, Brunswick, Germany
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Berry D, Lee K, Winter D, Mace W, Becker Y, Nagabhyru P, Treindl AD, Bogantes EV, Young CA, Leuchtmann A, Johnson LJ, Johnson RD, Cox MP, Schardl CL, Scott B. Cross-species transcriptomics identifies core regulatory changes differentiating the asymptomatic asexual and virulent sexual life cycles of grass-symbiotic Epichloë fungi. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2022; 12:jkac043. [PMID: 35191483 PMCID: PMC8982410 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkac043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Fungi from the genus Epichloë form systemic endobiotic infections of cool season grasses, producing a range of host-protective natural products in return for access to nutrients. These infections are asymptomatic during vegetative host growth, with associations between asexual Epichloë spp. and their hosts considered mutualistic. However, the sexual cycle of Epichloë spp. involves virulent growth, characterized by the envelopment and sterilization of a developing host inflorescence by a dense sheath of mycelia known as a stroma. Microscopic analysis of stromata revealed a dramatic increase in hyphal propagation and host degradation compared with asymptomatic tissues. RNAseq was used to identify differentially expressed genes in asymptomatic vs stromatized tissues from 3 diverse Epichloë-host associations. Comparative analysis identified a core set of 135 differentially expressed genes that exhibited conserved transcriptional changes across all 3 associations. The core differentially expressed genes more strongly expressed during virulent growth encode proteins associated with host suppression, digestion, adaptation to the external environment, a biosynthetic gene cluster, and 5 transcription factors that may regulate Epichloë stroma formation. An additional 5 transcription factor encoding differentially expressed genes were suppressed during virulent growth, suggesting they regulate mutualistic processes. Expression of biosynthetic gene clusters for natural products that suppress herbivory was universally suppressed during virulent growth, and additional biosynthetic gene clusters that may encode production of novel host-protective natural products were identified. A comparative analysis of 26 Epichloë genomes found a general decrease in core differentially expressed gene conservation among asexual species, and a specific decrease in conservation for the biosynthetic gene cluster expressed during virulent growth and an unusual uncharacterized gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Berry
- Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - Kate Lee
- Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - David Winter
- Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - Wade Mace
- AgResearch Ltd, Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - Yvonne Becker
- Institute for Epidemiology and Pathogen Diagnostics, Julius Kühn Institute, Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, 38104 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Padmaja Nagabhyru
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
| | - Artemis D Treindl
- Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Adrian Leuchtmann
- Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Murray P Cox
- Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | | | - Barry Scott
- Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
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Epichloë scottii sp. nov., a new endophyte isolated from Melica uniflora is the missing ancestor of Epichloë disjuncta. IMA Fungus 2022; 13:2. [PMID: 35109929 PMCID: PMC8812020 DOI: 10.1186/s43008-022-00088-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we describe a new, haploid and stroma forming species within the genus Epichloë, as Epichloë scottii sp. nov. The fungus was isolated from Melica uniflora growing in Bad Harzburg, Germany. Phylogenetic reconstruction using a combined dataset of the tubB and tefA genes strongly support that E. scottii is a distinct species and the so far unknown ancestor species of the hybrid E. disjuncta. A distribution analysis showed a high infection rate in close vicinity of the initial sampling site and only two more spots with low infection rates. Genetic variations in key genes required for alkaloid production suggested that E. scottii sp. nov. might not be capable of producing any of the major alkaloids including ergot alkaloid, loline, indole-diterpene and peramine. All isolates and individuals found in the distribution analysis were identified as mating-type B explaining the lack of mature stromata during this study. We further release a telomere-to-telomere de novo assembly of all seven chromosomes and the mitogenome of E. scottii sp. nov.
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Hassing B, Candy A, Eaton CJ, Fernandes TR, Mesarich CH, Di Pietro A, Scott B. Localisation of phosphoinositides in the grass endophyte Epichloë festucae and genetic and functional analysis of key components of their biosynthetic pathway in E. festucae symbiosis and Fusarium oxysporum pathogenesis. Fungal Genet Biol 2022; 159:103669. [PMID: 35114379 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2022.103669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Phosphoinositides (PI) are essential components of eukaryotic membranes and function in a large number of signaling processes. While lipid second messengers are well studied in mammals and yeast, their role in filamentous fungi is poorly understood. We used fluorescent PI-binding molecular probes to localize the phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol species PI[3]P, PI[3,5]P2, PI[4]P and PI[4,5]P2 in hyphae of the endophyte Epichloë festucae in axenic culture and during interaction with its grass host Lolium perenne. We also analysed the roles of the phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5-kinase MssD and the predicted phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-triphosphate 3-phosphatase TepA, a homolog of the mammalian tumour suppressor protein PTEN. Deletion of tepA in E. festucae and in the root-infecting tomato pathogen Fusarium oxysporum had no impact on growth in culture or the host interaction phenotype. However, this mutation did enable the detection of PI[3,4,5]P3 in septa and mycelium of E. festucae and showed that TepA is required for chemotropism in F. oxysporum. The identification of PI[3,4,5]P3 in ΔtepA strains suggests that filamentous fungi are able to generate PI[3,4,5]P3 and that fungal PTEN homologs are functional lipid phosphatases. The F. oxysporum chemotropism defect suggests a conserved role of PTEN homologs in chemotaxis across protists, fungi and mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berit Hassing
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand; Bio-Protection Research Centre, New Zealand
| | - Alyesha Candy
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand; Bio-Protection Research Centre, New Zealand
| | - Carla J Eaton
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand; Bio-Protection Research Centre, New Zealand
| | - Tania R Fernandes
- Departamento de Genética, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario ceiA3, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Carl H Mesarich
- Bio-Protection Research Centre, New Zealand; School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Antonio Di Pietro
- Departamento de Genética, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario ceiA3, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Barry Scott
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand; Bio-Protection Research Centre, New Zealand.
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Ren Y, Che X, Liang J, Wang S, Han L, Liu Z, Chen H, Tang M. Brassinosteroids Benefit Plants Performance by Augmenting Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Symbiosis. Microbiol Spectr 2021; 9:e0164521. [PMID: 34908500 PMCID: PMC8672874 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01645-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) play an important role in improving plant growth and development. The interaction between phytohormones and AM symbiosis is gradually revealed. Here we examined the effect of Brassinosteroids (BR) on AM symbiosis and discussed the synergistic promotion of plant growth by BR and AM symbiosis. The xylophyta Eucalyptus grandis Hill (E. grandis) was inoculated with AM fungi Rhizoglomus irregularis R197198 (R. irregularis) and treated with different concentrations (0, 1, 10, and 100 nM) of 24-epibrassinolide (24-epiBL) for 6 weeks. With the increase of 24-epiBL concentration, E. grandis growth was firstly promoted and then inhibited, but inoculation with AM fungi alleviated this inhibition. 24-epiBL and R. irregularis colonization significantly improved E. grandis growth and antioxidant system response, and the synergistic effect was the best. Compared with the control group, 24-epiBL treatment significantly increased the mycorrhizal colonization and arbuscular abundance of AM fungi R. irregular in E. grandis roots. The expression of AM symbiosis maker genes was significantly increased by 24-epiBL treatment. Both 24-epiBL treatment and AM colonization upregulated gibberellins (GA) synthesis genes, but no inhibition caused by GA levels was found. 24-epiBL is a kind of synthetic highly active BR. Based on the results of 24-epiBL treatment, we hypothesized that BR actively regulates AM symbiosis regulates AM symbiosis without affecting GA-INSENSITIVE DWARF1 (GID1)-DELLA expression. The synergistic treatment of BR and AM symbiosis can significantly promote the growth and development of plants. IMPORTANCE Brassinosteroids (BR) and Arbuscular mycorrhizas (AM) symbiosis play an important role in improving plant growth and development. Previous studies have shown that there is a complex regulatory network between phytohormones and AM symbiosis. However, the interactions of BR-signaling and AM symbiosis are still poorly understood. Our results suggest that BR actively regulates the colonization and development of AM fungi, and AM fungal colonization can alleviate the inhibition of plant growth caused by excessive BR. In addition, BR actively regulates AM symbiosis, but does not primarily mediate gibberellins-DELLA interaction. The synergistic treatment of BR and AM symbiosis can significantly promote the growth and development of plants. The conclusions of this study provide a reference for phytohormones-AM symbiosis interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xianrong Che
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingwei Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sijia Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lina Han
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ziyi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hui Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ming Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
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10
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Rahnama M, Fleetwood DJ, Johnson RD. Histological Methods to Detect Early-stage Plant Defense Responses during Artificial Inoculation of Lolium perenne with Epichloë festucae. Bio Protoc 2021; 11:e4013. [PMID: 34124312 PMCID: PMC8161103 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.4013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Epichloë species form agriculturally important symbioses with many cool season grasses. To study these symbioses, such as the interaction of Epichloë festucae with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), host plants can be infected by artificial inoculation of etiolated seedlings. This inoculation is performed by placing mycelium into an incision in the meristem, as previously described by Latch and Christensen (1985). In recent years, this method has been broadly used to study this interaction at the molecular level using different Epichloë festucae mutants that can cause incompatible interactions. We have developed and adapted methods to study four of the most important host plant responses to infection, including cell death, callose deposition, lignin production, and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production, which are useful in defining the host response to infection at a very early time point.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa Rahnama
- AgResearch, Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Damien J. Fleetwood
- AgResearch, Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand
- Biotelliga Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand
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11
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Passarge A, Demir F, Green K, Depotter JRL, Scott B, Huesgen PF, Doehlemann G, Misas Villamil JC. Host apoplastic cysteine protease activity is suppressed during the mutualistic association of Lolium perenne and Epichloë festucae. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2021; 72:3410-3426. [PMID: 33630999 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erab088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Plants secrete various defence-related proteins into the apoplast, including proteases. Papain-like cysteine proteases (PLCPs) are central components of the plant immune system. To overcome plant immunity and successfully colonize their hosts, several plant pathogens secrete effector proteins inhibiting plant PLCPs. We hypothesized that not only pathogens, but also mutualistic microorganisms interfere with PLCP-meditated plant defences to maintain endophytic colonization with their hosts. Epichloë festucae forms mutualistic associations with cool season grasses and produces a range of secondary metabolites that protect the host against herbivores. In this study, we performed a genome-wide identification of Lolium perenne PLCPs, analysed their evolutionary relationship, and classified them into nine PLCP subfamilies. Using activity-based protein profiling, we identified four active PLCPs in the apoplast of L. perenne leaves that are inhibited during endophyte interactions. We characterized the L. perenne cystatin LpCys1 for its inhibitory capacity against ryegrass PLCPs. LpCys1 abundance is not altered during the mutualistic interaction and it mainly inhibits LpCP2. However, since the activity of other L. perenne PLCPs is not sensitive to LpCys1, we propose that additional inhibitors, likely of fungal origin, are involved in the suppression of apoplastic PLCPs during E. festucae infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Passarge
- Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Fatih Demir
- Central Institute for Engineering, Electronics and Analytics, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Kimberly Green
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
- Bio-Protection Research Centre, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | | | - Barry Scott
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
- Bio-Protection Research Centre, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Pitter F Huesgen
- Central Institute for Engineering, Electronics and Analytics, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
- Cologne Excellence Cluster for Stress Responses in Ageing-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Institute for Biochemistry, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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12
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Green KA, Berry D, Feussner K, Eaton CJ, Ram A, Mesarich CH, Solomon P, Feussner I, Scott B. Lolium perenne apoplast metabolomics for identification of novel metabolites produced by the symbiotic fungus Epichloë festucae. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2020; 227:559-571. [PMID: 32155669 PMCID: PMC7317419 DOI: 10.1111/nph.16528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Epichloë festucae is an endophytic fungus that forms a symbiotic association with Lolium perenne. Here we analysed how the metabolome of the ryegrass apoplast changed upon infection of this host with sexual and asexual isolates of E. festucae. A metabolite fingerprinting approach was used to analyse the metabolite composition of apoplastic wash fluid from uninfected and infected L. perenne. Metabolites enriched or depleted in one or both of these treatments were identified using a set of interactive tools. A genetic approach in combination with tandem MS was used to identify a novel product of a secondary metabolite gene cluster. Metabolites likely to be present in the apoplast were identified using MarVis in combination with the BioCyc and KEGG databases, and an in-house Epichloë metabolite database. We were able to identify the known endophyte-specific metabolites, peramine and epichloëcyclins, as well as a large number of unknown markers. To determine whether these methods can be applied to the identification of novel Epichloë-derived metabolites, we deleted a gene encoding a NRPS (lgsA) that is highly expressed in planta. Comparative MS analysis of apoplastic wash fluid from wild-type- vs mutant-infected plants identified a novel Leu/Ile glycoside metabolite present in the former.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly A. Green
- School of Fundamental SciencesMassey UniversityPalmerston North4442New Zealand
- Bioprotection Research CentreMassey UniversityPalmerston North4442New Zealand
| | - Daniel Berry
- School of Fundamental SciencesMassey UniversityPalmerston North4442New Zealand
- Bioprotection Research CentreMassey UniversityPalmerston North4442New Zealand
| | - Kirstin Feussner
- Department of Plant BiochemistryAlbrecht von Haller Institute for Plant SciencesUniversity of GoettingenD‐37077GoettingenGermany
- Service Unit for Metabolomics and LipidomicsGoettingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB)University of GoettingenD‐37077GoettingenGermany
| | - Carla J. Eaton
- School of Fundamental SciencesMassey UniversityPalmerston North4442New Zealand
- Bioprotection Research CentreMassey UniversityPalmerston North4442New Zealand
| | - Arvina Ram
- School of Fundamental SciencesMassey UniversityPalmerston North4442New Zealand
| | - Carl H. Mesarich
- Bioprotection Research CentreMassey UniversityPalmerston North4442New Zealand
- School of Agriculture and EnvironmentMassey UniversityPalmerston North4442New Zealand
| | - Peter Solomon
- Research School of BiologyAustralian National UniversityCanberraACT0200Australia
| | - Ivo Feussner
- Department of Plant BiochemistryAlbrecht von Haller Institute for Plant SciencesUniversity of GoettingenD‐37077GoettingenGermany
- Service Unit for Metabolomics and LipidomicsGoettingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB)University of GoettingenD‐37077GoettingenGermany
- Department of Plant BiochemistryGoettingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB)University of GoettingenD‐37077GoettingenGermany
| | - Barry Scott
- School of Fundamental SciencesMassey UniversityPalmerston North4442New Zealand
- Bioprotection Research CentreMassey UniversityPalmerston North4442New Zealand
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13
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Hassing B, Eaton CJ, Winter D, Green KA, Brandt U, Savoian MS, Mesarich CH, Fleissner A, Scott B. Phosphatidic acid produced by phospholipase D is required for hyphal cell-cell fusion and fungal-plant symbiosis. Mol Microbiol 2020; 113:1101-1121. [PMID: 32022309 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Although lipid signaling has been shown to serve crucial roles in mammals and plants, little is known about this process in filamentous fungi. Here we analyze the contribution of phospholipase D (PLD) and its product phosphatidic acid (PA) in hyphal morphogenesis and growth of Epichloë festucae and Neurospora crassa, and in the establishment of a symbiotic interaction between E. festucae and Lolium perenne. Growth of E. festucae and N. crassa PLD deletion strains in axenic culture, and for E. festucae in association with L. perenne, were analyzed by light-, confocal- and electron microscopy. Changes in PA distribution were analyzed in E. festucae using a PA biosensor and the impact of these changes on the endocytic recycling and superoxide production investigated. We found that E. festucae PldB, and the N. crassa ortholog, PLA-7, are required for polarized growth and cell fusion and contribute to ascospore development, whereas PldA/PLA-8 are dispensable for these functions. Exogenous addition of PA rescues the cell-fusion phenotype in E. festucae. PldB is also crucial for E. festucae to establish a symbiotic association with L. perenne. This study identifies a new component of the cell-cell communication and cell fusion signaling network for hyphal morphogenesis and growth of filamentous fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berit Hassing
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.,Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln, New Zealand
| | - Carla J Eaton
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.,Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln, New Zealand
| | - David Winter
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.,Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln, New Zealand
| | - Kimberly A Green
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.,Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln, New Zealand
| | - Ulrike Brandt
- Institute for Genetics, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Matthew S Savoian
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Carl H Mesarich
- Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln, New Zealand.,School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Andre Fleissner
- Institute for Genetics, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Barry Scott
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.,Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln, New Zealand
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14
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Green KA, Eaton CJ, Savoian MS, Scott B. A homologue of the fungal tetraspanin Pls1 is required for Epichloë festucae expressorium formation and establishment of a mutualistic interaction with Lolium perenne. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2019; 20:961-975. [PMID: 31008572 PMCID: PMC6589725 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.12805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Epichloë festucae is an endophytic fungus that forms a mutualistic symbiotic association with the grass host Lolium perenne. Endophytic hyphae exit the host by an appressorium-like structure known as an expressorium. In plant-pathogenic fungi, the tetraspanin Pls1 and the NADPH oxidase component Nox2 are required for appressorium development. Previously we showed that the homologue of Nox2, NoxB, is required for E. festucae expressorium development and establishment of a mutualistic symbiotic interaction with the grass host. Here we used a reverse genetics approach to functionally characterize the role of the E. festucae homologue of Pls1, PlsA. The morphology and growth of ΔplsA in axenic culture was comparable to wild-type. The tiller length of plants infected with ΔplsA was significantly reduced. Hyphae of ΔplsA had a proliferative pattern of growth within the leaves of L. perenne with increased colonization of the intercellular spaces and the vascular bundles. The ΔplsA mutant was also defective in expressorium development although the phenotype was not as severe as for ΔnoxB, highlighting potentially distinct roles for PlsA and NoxB in signalling through the NoxB complex. Hyphae of ΔplsA proliferate below the cuticle surface but still occasionally form an expressorium-like structure that enables the mutant hyphae to exit the leaf to grow on the surface. These expressoria still form a septin ring-like structure at the point of cuticle exit as found in the wild-type strain. These results establish that E. festucae PlsA has an important, but distinct, role to NoxB in expressorium development and plant symbiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly A. Green
- Institute of Fundamental SciencesMassey UniversityPalmerston NorthNew Zealand
| | - Carla J. Eaton
- Institute of Fundamental SciencesMassey UniversityPalmerston NorthNew Zealand
| | - Matthew S. Savoian
- Institute of Fundamental SciencesMassey UniversityPalmerston NorthNew Zealand
| | - Barry Scott
- Institute of Fundamental SciencesMassey UniversityPalmerston NorthNew Zealand
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15
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Hassing B, Winter D, Becker Y, Mesarich CH, Eaton CJ, Scott B. Analysis of Epichloë festucae small secreted proteins in the interaction with Lolium perenne. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0209463. [PMID: 30759164 PMCID: PMC6374014 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Epichloë festucae is an endophyte of the agriculturally important perennial ryegrass. This species systemically colonises the aerial tissues of this host where its growth is tightly regulated thereby maintaining a mutualistic symbiotic interaction. Recent studies have suggested that small secreted proteins, termed effectors, play a vital role in the suppression of host defence responses. To date only a few effectors with important roles in mutualistic interactions have been described. Here we make use of the fully assembled E. festucae genome and EffectorP to generate a suite of 141 effector candidates. These were analysed with respect to their genome location and expression profiles in planta and in several symbiosis-defective mutants. We found an association between effector candidates and a class of transposable elements known as MITEs, but no correlation with other dynamic features of the E. festucae genome, such as transposable element-rich regions. Three effector candidates and a small GPI-anchored protein were chosen for functional analysis based on their high expression in planta compared to in culture and their differential regulation in symbiosis defective E. festucae mutants. All three candidate effector proteins were shown to possess a functional signal peptide and two could be detected in the extracellular medium by western blotting. Localization of the effector candidates in planta suggests that they are not translocated into the plant cell, but rather, are localized in the apoplastic space or are attached to the cell wall. Deletion and overexpression of the effector candidates, as well as the putative GPI-anchored protein, did not affect the plant growth phenotype or restrict growth of E. festucae mutants in planta. These results indicate that these proteins are either not required for the interaction at the observed life stages or that there is redundancy between effectors expressed by E. festucae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berit Hassing
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
- Bio-Protection Research Centre, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - David Winter
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
- Bio-Protection Research Centre, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Yvonne Becker
- Institute for Epidemiology and Pathogen Diagnostics, Julius Küehn-Institute, Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Carl H. Mesarich
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
- School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Carla J. Eaton
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
- Bio-Protection Research Centre, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Barry Scott
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
- Bio-Protection Research Centre, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
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