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Qiu C, Liu Z. Positive selection and functional diversification of transcription factor Cmr1 homologs in Alternaria. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:133. [PMID: 38229332 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12893-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Transcription factor Cmr1 (Colletotrichum melanin regulation 1) and its homologs in several plant fungal pathogens are the regulators of the 1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN)-melanin biosynthesis pathway and have evolved functional diversification in morphology and pathogenicity. The fungal genus Alternaria comprises the group of "black fungi" that are rich in DHN-melanin in the primary cell wall and septa of the conidia. Some Alternaria species cause many economically important plant diseases worldwide. However, the evolution and function of Cmr1 homologs in Alternaria remain poorly understood. Here, we identified a total of forty-two Cmr1 homologs from forty-two Alternaria spp. and all contained one additional diverse fungal specific transcription factor motif. Phylogenetic analysis indicated the division of these homologs into five major clades and three branches. Dated phylogeny showed the A and D clades diverged latest and earliest, respectively. Molecular evolutionary analyses revealed that three amino acid sites of Cmr1 homologs in Alternaria were the targets of positive selection. Asmr1, the homolog of Cmr1 in the potato early blight pathogen, Alternaria solani was amplified and displayed the sequence conservation at the amino acid level in different A. solani isolates. Asmr1 was further confirmed to have the transcriptional activation activity and was upregulated during the early stage of potato infection. Deletion of asmr1 led to the decreased melanin content and pathogenicity, deformed conidial morphology, and responses to cell wall and fungicide stresses in A. solani. These results suggest positive selection and functional divergence have played a role in the evolution of Cmr1 homologs in Alternaria. KEY POINTS: • Cmr1 homologs were under positive selection in Alternaria species • Asmr1 is a functional transcription factor, involved in spore development, melanin biosynthesis, pathogenicity, and responses to cell wall and fungicide stresses in A. solani • Cmr1 might be used as a potential taxonomic marker of the genus Alternaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaodong Qiu
- Department of Plant Pathology, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Zhenyu Liu
- Department of Plant Pathology, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China.
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management On Crops, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China.
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2
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Li H, Sheng RC, Zhang CN, Wang LC, Li M, Wang YH, Qiao YH, Klosterman SJ, Chen JY, Kong ZQ, Subbarao KV, Chen FM, Zhang DD. Two zinc finger proteins, VdZFP1 and VdZFP2, interact with VdCmr1 to promote melanized microsclerotia development and stress tolerance in Verticillium dahliae. BMC Biol 2023; 21:237. [PMID: 37904147 PMCID: PMC10617112 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01697-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Melanin plays important roles in morphological development, survival, host-pathogen interactions and in the virulence of phytopathogenic fungi. In Verticillum dahliae, increases in melanin are recognized as markers of maturation of microsclerotia which ensures the long-term survival and stress tolerance, while decreases in melanin are correlated with increased hyphal growth in the host. The conserved upstream components of the VdCmr1-regulated pathway controlling melanin production in V. dahliae have been extensively identified, but the direct activators of this pathway are still unclear. RESULTS We identified two genes encoding conserved C2H2-type zinc finger proteins VdZFP1 and VdZFP2 adjacent to VdPKS9, a gene encoding a negative regulator of both melanin biosynthesis and microsclerotia formation in V. dahliae. Both VdZFP1 and VdZFP2 were induced during microsclerotia development and were involved in melanin deposition. Their localization changed from cytoplasmic to nuclear in response to osmotic pressure. VdZFP1 and VdZFP2 act as modulators of microsclerotia melanization in V. dahliae, as confirmed by melanin biosynthesis inhibition and supplementation with the melanin pathway intermediate scytalone in albino strains. The results indicate that VdZFP1 and VdZFP2 participate in melanin biosynthesis by positively regulating VdCmr1. Based on the results obtained with yeast one- and two-hybrid (Y1H and Y2H) and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) systems, we determined the melanin biosynthesis relies on the direct interactions among VdZFP1, VdZFP2 and VdCmr1, and these interactions occur on the cell walls of microsclerotia. Additionally, VdZFP1 and/or VdZFP2 mutants displayed increased sensitivity to stress factors rather than alterations in pathogenicity, reflecting the importance of melanin in stress tolerance of V. dahliae. CONCLUSIONS Our results revealed that VdZFP1 and VdZFP2 positively regulate VdCmr1 to promote melanin deposition during microsclerotia development, providing novel insight into the regulation of melanin biosynthesis in V. dahliae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Li
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, Jiangsu, China
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Ruo-Cheng Sheng
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, Jiangsu, China
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Chen-Ning Zhang
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, Jiangsu, China
| | - Li-Chao Wang
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, Jiangsu, China
| | - Min Li
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ya-Hong Wang
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yu-Hang Qiao
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, Jiangsu, China
| | - Steven J Klosterman
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Salinas, CA, USA
| | - Jie-Yin Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
- Western Agricultural Research Center, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changji, 831100, China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Kong
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
- Western Agricultural Research Center, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changji, 831100, China
| | - Krishna V Subbarao
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis, c/o United States Agricultural Research Station,, Salinas, CA, USA.
| | - Feng-Mao Chen
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Dan-Dan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China.
- Western Agricultural Research Center, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changji, 831100, China.
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3
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Antifungal Activity and Biocontrol Potential of Simplicillium lamellicola JC-1 against Multiple Fungal Pathogens of Oilseed Rape. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 9:jof9010057. [PMID: 36675878 PMCID: PMC9860836 DOI: 10.3390/jof9010057] [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: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
A fungal strain (JC-1) of Simplicillium was isolated from a pod of oilseed rape (Brassica napus) infested with the blackleg pathogen Leptosphaeria biglobosa. This study was done to clarify its taxonomic identity using morphological and molecular approaches, to characterize its antifungal activity through bioassays and genome-based identification of antifungal metabolites, and to determine its efficacy in inducing systemic resistance (ISR) in oilseed rape. The results showed that JC-1 belongs to Simplicillium lamellicola. It displayed a strong antagonistic relationship with L. biglobosa, Botrytis cinerea (gray mold) and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (stem rot). The cultural filtrates of JC-1 showed a high efficacy in suppressing infection by S. sclerotiorum on detached leaves of oilseed rape. Genome analysis indicated that JC-1 has the capability of producing multiple antifungal metabolites, including aureobasidin A1, squalestatin S1 and verlamelin. Inoculation of JC-1 on seeds of oilseed rape caused a suppressive effect on infection by L. biglobosa on the cotyledons of the resulting seedlings, suggesting that JC-1 can trigger ISR. Endophytic growth, accumulation of anthocyanins, up-regulated expression of CHI (for chalcone isomerase) and PR1 (for pathogenesis-related protein 1), and down-regulated expression of NECD3 (for 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase) were detected to be associated with the ISR. This study provided new insights into the biocontrol potential and modes of action of S. lamellicola.
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Zhou Y, Song J, Wang Y, Yang L, Wu M, Li G, Zhang J. Biological characterization of the melanin biosynthesis gene Bcscd1 in the plant pathogenic fungus Botrytis cinerea. Fungal Genet Biol 2022; 160:103693. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2022.103693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Xu Y, Ao K, Tian L, Qiu Y, Huang X, Liu X, Hoy R, Zhang Y, Rashid KY, Xia S, Li X. A Forward Genetic Screen in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Revealed the Transcriptional Regulation of Its Sclerotial Melanization Pathway. MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS : MPMI 2022; 35:244-256. [PMID: 34813706 DOI: 10.1094/mpmi-10-21-0254-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Most plant fungal pathogens that cause worldwide crop losses are understudied, due to various technical challenges. With the increasing availability of sequenced whole genomes of these non-model fungi, effective genetic analysis methods are highly desirable. Here, we describe a newly developed pipeline, which combines forward genetic screening with high-throughput next-generation sequencing to enable quick gene discovery. We applied this pipeline in the notorious soilborne phytopathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and identified 32 mutants with various developmental and growth deficiencies. Detailed molecular studies of three melanization-deficient mutants provide a proof of concept for the effectiveness of our method. A master transcription factor was found to regulate melanization of sclerotia through the DHN (1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene) melanin biosynthesis pathway. In addition, these mutants revealed that sclerotial melanization is important for sclerotia survival under abiotic stresses, sclerotial surface structure, and sexual reproduction. Foreseeably, this pipeline can be applied to facilitate efficient in-depth studies of other non-model fungal species in the future.[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY 4.0 International license.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Xu
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Kevin Ao
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Lei Tian
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Yilan Qiu
- Department of Life Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
| | - Xingchuan Huang
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Phytohormones and Growth Development, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Xueru Liu
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Ryan Hoy
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Yishan Zhang
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Khalid Youssef Rashid
- Oilseed Crops Pathology, Science and Technology Branch, Ottawa Research and Development Centre, K.W. Neatby Building, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa K1A 0C6, Canada
| | - Shitou Xia
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Phytohormones and Growth Development, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Xin Li
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
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6
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Transcription Factors Pmr1 and Pmr2 Cooperatively Regulate Melanin Biosynthesis, Conidia Development and Secondary Metabolism in Pestalotiopsis microspora. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 8:jof8010038. [PMID: 35049978 PMCID: PMC8781371 DOI: 10.3390/jof8010038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanins are the common fungal pigment, which contribute to stress resistance and pathogenesis. However, few studies have explored the regulation mechanism of its synthesis in filamentous fungi. In this study, we identified two transcription factors, Pmr1 and Pmr2, in the filamentous fungus Pestalotiopsis microspora. Computational and phylogenetic analyses revealed that Pmr1 and Pmr2 were located in the gene cluster for melanin biosynthesis. The targeted deletion mutant strain Δpmr1 displayed defects in biosynthesis of conidia pigment and morphological integrity. The deletion of pmr2 resulted in reduced conidia pigment, but the mycelial morphology had little change. Moreover, Δpmr2 produced decreased conidia. RT-qPCR data revealed that expression levels of genes in the melanin biosynthesis gene cluster were downregulated from the loss of Pmr1 and Pmr2. Interestingly, the yield of secondary metabolites in the mutant strains Δpmr1 and Δpmr2 increased, comparing with the wild type, and additionally, Pmr1 played a larger regulatory role in secondary metabolism. Taken together, our results revealed the crucial roles of the transcription factors Pmr1 and Pmr2 in melanin synthesis, asexual development and secondary metabolism in the filamentous fungus P. microspora.
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7
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Olivares-Yañez C, Sánchez E, Pérez-Lara G, Seguel A, Camejo PY, Larrondo LF, Vidal EA, Canessa P. A comprehensive transcription factor and DNA-binding motif resource for the construction of gene regulatory networks in Botrytis cinerea and Trichoderma atroviride. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:6212-6228. [PMID: 34900134 PMCID: PMC8637145 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Botrytis cinerea and Trichoderma atroviride are two relevant fungi in agricultural systems. To gain insights into these organisms' transcriptional gene regulatory networks (GRNs), we generated a manually curated transcription factor (TF) dataset for each of them, followed by a GRN inference utilizing available sequence motifs describing DNA-binding specificity and global gene expression data. As a proof of concept of the usefulness of this resource to pinpoint key transcriptional regulators, we employed publicly available transcriptomics data and a newly generated dual RNA-seq dataset to build context-specific Botrytis and Trichoderma GRNs under two different biological paradigms: exposure to continuous light and Botrytis-Trichoderma confrontation assays. Network analysis of fungal responses to constant light revealed striking differences in the transcriptional landscape of both fungi. On the other hand, we found that the confrontation of both microorganisms elicited a distinct set of differentially expressed genes with changes in T. atroviride exceeding those in B. cinerea. Using our regulatory network data, we were able to determine, in both fungi, central TFs involved in this interaction response, including TFs controlling a large set of extracellular peptidases in the biocontrol agent T. atroviride. In summary, our work provides a comprehensive catalog of transcription factors and regulatory interactions for both organisms. This catalog can now serve as a basis for generating novel hypotheses on transcriptional regulatory circuits in different experimental contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Consuelo Olivares-Yañez
- ANID - Millennium Science Initiative Program - Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), Avda. Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 340, Santiago, Chile.,Centro de Biotecnologia Vegetal, Universidad Andres Bello, Republica 330, Santiago, Chile
| | - Evelyn Sánchez
- ANID - Millennium Science Initiative Program - Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), Avda. Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 340, Santiago, Chile.,Centro de Genomica y Bioinformatica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Mayor, Camino la Pirámide 5750, Huechuraba, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gabriel Pérez-Lara
- ANID - Millennium Science Initiative Program - Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), Avda. Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 340, Santiago, Chile.,Centro de Biotecnologia Vegetal, Universidad Andres Bello, Republica 330, Santiago, Chile
| | - Aldo Seguel
- ANID - Millennium Science Initiative Program - Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), Avda. Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 340, Santiago, Chile.,Departamento de Genetica Molecular y Microbiologia, Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Avda. Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 340, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pamela Y Camejo
- ANID - Millennium Science Initiative Program - Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), Avda. Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 340, Santiago, Chile
| | - Luis F Larrondo
- ANID - Millennium Science Initiative Program - Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), Avda. Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 340, Santiago, Chile.,Departamento de Genetica Molecular y Microbiologia, Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Avda. Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 340, Santiago, Chile
| | - Elena A Vidal
- ANID - Millennium Science Initiative Program - Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), Avda. Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 340, Santiago, Chile.,Centro de Genomica y Bioinformatica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Mayor, Camino la Pirámide 5750, Huechuraba, Santiago, Chile.,Escuela de Biotecnologia, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Mayor, Camino la Pirámide 5750, Huechuraba, Santiago, Chile
| | - Paulo Canessa
- ANID - Millennium Science Initiative Program - Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), Avda. Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 340, Santiago, Chile.,Centro de Biotecnologia Vegetal, Universidad Andres Bello, Republica 330, Santiago, Chile
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Wang X, Lu D, Tian C. Analysis of melanin biosynthesis in the plant pathogenic fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Fungal Biol 2021; 125:679-692. [PMID: 34420695 DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2021.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Revised: 04/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Melanin is recognized as a dark pigment that can protect fungi from the harm of environmental stresses. To investigate what roles of melanin played in the pathogenicity and development of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, a causal agent of poplar anthracnose, genes encoding a transcription factor CgCmr1 and a polyketide synthase CgPks1 were isolated as the ortholog of Magnaporthe oryzae Pig1 and Pks1 respectively. Deletion of CgCmr1 or CgPks1 resulted in melanin-deficient fungal colony. The ΔCgPks1 mutant showed no melanin accumulation in appressoria, and lack of CgCmr1 also resulted in the delayed and decreased melanization of appressoria. In addition, the turgor pressure of the appressorium was lower in ΔCgPks1 and ΔCgCmr1 than in the wild-type (WT). However, DHN melanin was not a vital factor for virulence in C. gloeosporioides. Moreover, deletion of CgCmr1 and CgPks1 resulted in the hypersensitivity to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) oxidative stress but not to other abiotic stresses. Collectively, these results suggest that CgCmr1 and CgPks1 play an important role in DHN melanin biosynthesis, and melanin was not an essential factor in penetration and pathogenicity in C. gloeosporioides. The data presented in this study will facilitate future evaluations of the melanin biosynthetic pathway and development in filamentous fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolian Wang
- The Key Laboratory for Silviculture and Conservation of Ministry of Education, College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Dongxiao Lu
- The Key Laboratory for Silviculture and Conservation of Ministry of Education, College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Chengming Tian
- The Key Laboratory for Silviculture and Conservation of Ministry of Education, College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China.
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9
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Zhang Z, Jia H, Liu N, Li H, Meng Q, Wu N, Cao Z, Dong J. The zinc finger protein StMR1 affects the pathogenicity and melanin synthesis of Setosphaeria turcica and directly regulates the expression of DHN melanin synthesis pathway genes. Mol Microbiol 2021; 117:261-273. [PMID: 34278632 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The infection and colonization of pathogenic fungi are often regulated by transcription factors. In our previous study, the zinc finger protein-encoding gene StMR1 was found to be highly expressed during the infection process of Setosphaeria turcica, the pathogen causing northern corn leaf blight. Evolutionary tree analysis showed that this gene was associated with regulatory factors of melanin synthesis. However, the regulatory mechanism of melanin synthesis and its effect on pathogenicity remain unclear. In this study, the function of StMR1 was analyzed by gene knockout. When the expression level of StMR1 in the mutants was significantly reduced, the colony color became lighter, the mycelia were curved and transparent, and the mutant showed a significant loss of pathogenicity. In addition, compared with wild-type, the accumulation of melanin decreased significantly in △Stmr1. RNA-seq analysis revealed 1,981 differentially expressed genes between the wild-type and knockout mutant, among which 39 genes were involved in melanin metabolism. qPCR revealed that the expression levels of 6 key genes in the melanin synthesis pathway were significantly reduced. ChIP-PCR and yeast one-hybrid assays confirmed that StMR1 directly binds to the promoters of St3HNR, St4HNR, StPKS, and StLAC2 in the DHN melanin synthesis pathway and regulates gene expression. The C2H2-type zinc fingers and Zn(Ⅱ)2Cys6 binuclear cluster in StMR1 was important for the binding to targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zexue Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation/Key Laboratory of Hebei Province for Plant Physiology and Molecular Pathology, Hebei Agricultural University, Mycotoxin and Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, 071001, P.R.China
| | - Hui Jia
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation/Key Laboratory of Hebei Province for Plant Physiology and Molecular Pathology, Hebei Agricultural University, Mycotoxin and Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, 071001, P.R.China
| | - Ning Liu
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation/Key Laboratory of Hebei Province for Plant Physiology and Molecular Pathology, Hebei Agricultural University, Mycotoxin and Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, 071001, P.R.China
| | - Haixiao Li
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation/Key Laboratory of Hebei Province for Plant Physiology and Molecular Pathology, Hebei Agricultural University, Mycotoxin and Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, 071001, P.R.China
| | - Qingjiang Meng
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation/Key Laboratory of Hebei Province for Plant Physiology and Molecular Pathology, Hebei Agricultural University, Mycotoxin and Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, 071001, P.R.China
| | - Nan Wu
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation/Key Laboratory of Hebei Province for Plant Physiology and Molecular Pathology, Hebei Agricultural University, Mycotoxin and Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, 071001, P.R.China
| | - Zhiyan Cao
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation/Key Laboratory of Hebei Province for Plant Physiology and Molecular Pathology, Hebei Agricultural University, Mycotoxin and Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, 071001, P.R.China
| | - Jingao Dong
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation/Key Laboratory of Hebei Province for Plant Physiology and Molecular Pathology, Hebei Agricultural University, Mycotoxin and Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, 071001, P.R.China
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10
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John E, Singh KB, Oliver RP, Tan K. Transcription factor control of virulence in phytopathogenic fungi. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2021; 22:858-881. [PMID: 33973705 PMCID: PMC8232033 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.13056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Plant-pathogenic fungi are a significant threat to economic and food security worldwide. Novel protection strategies are required and therefore it is critical we understand the mechanisms by which these pathogens cause disease. Virulence factors and pathogenicity genes have been identified, but in many cases their roles remain elusive. It is becoming increasingly clear that gene regulation is vital to enable plant infection and transcription factors play an essential role. Efforts to determine their regulatory functions in plant-pathogenic fungi have expanded since the annotation of fungal genomes revealed the ubiquity of transcription factors from a broad range of families. This review establishes the significance of transcription factors as regulatory elements in plant-pathogenic fungi and provides a systematic overview of those that have been functionally characterized. Detailed analysis is provided on regulators from well-characterized families controlling various aspects of fungal metabolism, development, stress tolerance, and the production of virulence factors such as effectors and secondary metabolites. This covers conserved transcription factors with either specialized or nonspecialized roles, as well as recently identified regulators targeting key virulence pathways. Fundamental knowledge of transcription factor regulation in plant-pathogenic fungi provides avenues to identify novel virulence factors and improve our understanding of the regulatory networks linked to pathogen evolution, while transcription factors can themselves be specifically targeted for disease control. Areas requiring further insight regarding the molecular mechanisms and/or specific classes of transcription factors are identified, and direction for future investigation is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan John
- Centre for Crop and Disease ManagementCurtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
- School of Molecular and Life SciencesCurtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Karam B. Singh
- Agriculture and FoodCommonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research OrganisationFloreatWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Richard P. Oliver
- School of Molecular and Life SciencesCurtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Kar‐Chun Tan
- Centre for Crop and Disease ManagementCurtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
- School of Molecular and Life SciencesCurtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
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Compartmentalization of Melanin Biosynthetic Enzymes Contributes to Self-Defense against Intermediate Compound Scytalone in Botrytis cinerea. mBio 2021; 12:mBio.00007-21. [PMID: 33758088 PMCID: PMC8092192 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00007-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
In filamentous fungi, 1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN) melanin is a major component of the extracellular matrix, endowing fungi with environmental tolerance and some pathogenic species with pathogenicity. However, the subcellular location of the melanin biosynthesis pathway components remains obscure. Using the gray mold pathogen Botrytis cinerea, the DHN melanin intermediate scytalone was characterized via phenotypic and chemical analysis of mutants, and the key enzymes participating in melanin synthesis were fused with fluorescent proteins to observe their subcellular localizations. The Δbcscd1 mutant accumulated scytalone in the culture filtrate rather than in mycelium. Excessive scytalone appears to be self-inhibitory to the fungus, leading to repressed sclerotial germination and sporulation in the Δbcscd1 mutant. The BcBRN1/2 enzymes responsible for synthesizing scytalone were localized in endosomes and found to be trafficked to the cell surface, accompanied by the accumulation of BcSCD1 proteins in the cell wall. In contrast, the early-stage melanin synthesis enzymes BcPKS12/13 and BcYGH1 were localized in peroxisomes. Taken together, the results of this study revealed the subcellular distribution of melanin biosynthetic enzymes in B. cinerea, indicating that the encapsulation and externalization of the melanin synthetic enzymes need to be delicately orchestrated to ensure enzymatic efficiency and protect itself from the adverse effect of the toxic intermediate metabolite.IMPORTANCE The devastating gray mold pathogen Botrytis cinerea propagates via melanized conidia and sclerotia. This study reveals that the sclerotial germination of B. cinerea is differentially affected by different enzymes in the melanin synthesis pathway. Using gene knockout mutants and chemical analysis, we found that excessive accumulation of the melanin intermediate scytalone is inhibitory to B. cinerea. Subcellular localization analysis of the melanin synthesis enzymes of B. cinerea suggested two-stage partitioning of the melanogenesis pathway: the intracellular stage involves the steps until the intermediate scytalone was translocated to the cell surface, whereas the extracellular stage comprises all the steps occurring in the wall from scytalone to final melanin formation. These strategies make the fungus avert self-poisoning during melanin production. This study opens avenues for better understanding the mechanisms of secondary metabolite production in filamentous fungi.
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The Destructive Fungal Pathogen Botrytis cinerea-Insights from Genes Studied with Mutant Analysis. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9110923. [PMID: 33171745 PMCID: PMC7695001 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9110923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Botrytis cinerea is one of the most destructive fungal pathogens affecting numerous plant hosts, including many important crop species. As a molecularly under-studied organism, its genome was only sequenced at the beginning of this century and it was recently updated with improved gene annotation and completeness. In this review, we summarize key molecular studies on B. cinerea developmental and pathogenesis processes, specifically on genes studied comprehensively with mutant analysis. Analyses of these studies have unveiled key genes in the biological processes of this pathogen, including hyphal growth, sclerotial formation, conidiation, pathogenicity and melanization. In addition, our synthesis has uncovered gaps in the present knowledge regarding development and virulence mechanisms. We hope this review will serve to enhance the knowledge of the biological mechanisms behind this notorious fungal pathogen.
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Zhang P, Zhou S, Wang G, An Z, Liu X, Li K, Yin WB. Two transcription factors cooperatively regulate DHN melanin biosynthesis and development in Pestalotiopsis fici. Mol Microbiol 2019; 112:649-666. [PMID: 31116900 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Fungal 1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN) melanin plays important roles in UV protection, oxidative stress and pathogenesis. However, knowledge of the regulatory mechanisms of its biosynthesis is limited. Previous studies showed two transcription factors, PfmaF and PfmaH, located in the DHN melanin biosynthetic gene cluster (Pfma) in Pestalotiopsis fici. In this study, deletion of PfmaH resulted in loss of melanin and affected conidia cell wall integrity. Specifically, PfmaH directly regulates the expression of scytalone dehydratase, which catalyzes the transition of scytalone to T3 HN. However, PfmaF disruption using CRISPR/Cas9 system affected neither DHN melanin distribution nor conidia cell wall integrity in P. fici. Unexpectedly, overexpression of PfmaF leads to heavy pigment accumulation in P. fici hyphae. Transcriptome and qRT-PCR analyses provide insight into the roles of PfmaF and PfmaH in DHN melanin regulation. PfmaH, as a pathway specific regulator, mainly regulates melanin biosynthesis that contributes to cell wall development. Furthermore, PfmaF functions as a broad regulator to stimulate PfmaH expression in melanin production, secondary metabolism as well as fungal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Gang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiqiang An
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, the Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
| | - Xingzhong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Kuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen-Bing Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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Wang Y, Hu X, Fang Y, Anchieta A, Goldman PH, Hernandez G, Klosterman SJ. Transcription factor VdCmr1 is required for pigment production, protection from UV irradiation, and regulates expression of melanin biosynthetic genes in Verticillium dahliae. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2018; 164:685-696. [PMID: 29485393 PMCID: PMC5982140 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.000633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2017] [Accepted: 02/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Verticillium dahliae is a soilborne fungus that causes vascular wilt diseases on numerous plant species worldwide. The production of darkly melanized microsclerotia is crucial in the disease cycle of V. dahliae, as these structures allow for long-term survival in soil. Previously, transcriptomic and genomic analysis identified a cluster of genes in V. dahliae that encodes some dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN) melanin biosynthetic pathway homologues found in related fungi. In this study, we explored the roles of cluster-specific transcription factor VdCmr1, as well as two other genes within the cluster encoding a polyketide synthase (VdPKS1) and a laccase (VdLac1), enzymes at initial and endpoint steps in DHN melanin production. The results revealed that VdCmr1 and VdPKS1 are required for melanin production, but neither is required for microsclerotia production. None of the three genes were required for pathogenesis on tobacco and lettuce. Exposure of ΔVdCmr1 and wild-type strains to UV irradiation, or to high temperature (40 °C), revealed an approx. 50 % reduction of survival in the ΔVdCmr1 strain, relative to the wild-type strain, in response to either condition. Expression profiles revealed that expression of some melanin biosynthetic genes are in part dependent on VdCmr1. Combined data indicate VdCmr1 is a key regulator of melanin biosynthesis, and that via regulation of melanogenesis, VdCmr1 affects survival of V. dahliae in response to abiotic threats. We conclude with a model showing regulation of VdCmr1 by a high osmolarity glycerol response (Hog)-type MAP kinase pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonglin Wang
- College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Xiaoping Hu
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, PR China
| | - Yulin Fang
- College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Amy Anchieta
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 1636 E. Alisal St., Salinas, CA 93905, USA
| | - Polly H. Goldman
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 1636 E. Alisal St., Salinas, CA 93905, USA
| | - Gustavo Hernandez
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 1636 E. Alisal St., Salinas, CA 93905, USA
| | - Steven J. Klosterman
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 1636 E. Alisal St., Salinas, CA 93905, USA
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