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Rodríguez-Piña AL, Castaño de la Serna E, Jiménez-Bremont JF. The serine-arginine (SR) protein UmRrm75 from Ustilago maydis is a functional ortholog of yeast ScHrb1. Int Microbiol 2024; 27:819-830. [PMID: 37776379 DOI: 10.1007/s10123-023-00432-3] [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: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
The Basidiomycete fungus Ustilago maydis is a biotrophic pathogen of maize. The U. maydis UmRrm75 gene encodes an RNA-binding protein (RBP). In a previous study, we reported that ΔUmRrm75 null mutant strains accumulate H2O2, exhibit slow growth, and have decreased virulence in maize. Herein, we describe UmRrm75 as an ortholog of the ScHrb1, a serine-arginine (SR) protein identified in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which plays a role in nuclear quality control, specifically in mRNA splicing and export processes. The yeast ScHrb1 mutant (ΔScHrb1) exhibits an increased sensitivity to elevated levels of boron. We noticed that the ΔScHrb1 displayed sensitivity to H2O2, which is consistent with previous findings in the ΔUmRrm75 mutant. We reversed the sensitivity phenotypes of boron and H2O2 by introducing the UmRrm75 gene into the ΔScHrb1 mutant. Furthermore, we generated complementary strains of U. maydis by expressing UmRrm75-GFP under its native promoter in the ∆UmRrm75 mutants. The UmRrm75-GFP/∆UmRrm75 complementary strains successfully recovered their growth capability under stressors, H2O2 and boron, resembling the parental strains FB2 and AB33. The subcellular localization experiments conducted in U. maydis revealed that the UmRrm75 protein is localized within the nucleus of both yeast and hyphae. The nuclear localization of the UmRrm75 protein remains unaltered even under conditions of heat or oxidative stress. This suggests that UmRrm75 might perform its RBP activity in the nucleus, as previously reported for ScHrb1. Our data contribute to understanding the role of the nuclear RBP UmRrm75 from the corn smut fungus U. maydis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alma Laura Rodríguez-Piña
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Molecular Plantas, División de Biología Molecular, Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica A.C., San Luis Potosi, San Luis Potosi, Mexico
- Unidad de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular de Plantas, Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán A.C., Merida, Yucatan, Mexico
| | - Enrique Castaño de la Serna
- Unidad de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular de Plantas, Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán A.C., Merida, Yucatan, Mexico
| | - Juan Francisco Jiménez-Bremont
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Molecular Plantas, División de Biología Molecular, Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica A.C., San Luis Potosi, San Luis Potosi, Mexico.
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2
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Weiland P, Dempwolff F, Steinchen W, Freibert S, Tian H, Glatter T, Martin R, Thomma BPHJ, Bange G, Altegoer F. Structural and functional analysis of the cerato-platanin-like protein Cpl1 suggests diverging functions in smut fungi. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2023; 24:768-787. [PMID: 37171083 PMCID: PMC10257043 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.13349] [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: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Plant-pathogenic fungi are causative agents of the majority of plant diseases and can lead to severe crop loss in infected populations. Fungal colonization is achieved by combining different strategies, such as avoiding and counteracting the plant immune system and manipulating the host metabolome. Of major importance are virulence factors secreted by fungi, which fulfil diverse functions to support the infection process. Most of these proteins are highly specialized, with structural and biochemical information often absent. Here, we present the atomic structures of the cerato-platanin-like protein Cpl1 from Ustilago maydis and its homologue Uvi2 from Ustilago hordei. Both proteins adopt a double-Ψβ-barrel architecture reminiscent of cerato-platanin proteins, a class so far not described in smut fungi. Our structure-function analysis shows that Cpl1 binds to soluble chitin fragments via two extended grooves at the dimer interface of the two monomer molecules. This carbohydrate-binding mode has not been observed previously and expands the repertoire of chitin-binding proteins. Cpl1 localizes to the cell wall of U. maydis and might synergize with cell wall-degrading and decorating proteins during maize infection. The architecture of Cpl1 harbouring four surface-exposed loop regions supports the idea that it might play a role in the spatial coordination of these proteins. While deletion of cpl1 has only mild effects on the virulence of U. maydis, a recent study showed that deletion of uvi2 strongly impairs U. hordei virulence. Our structural comparison between Cpl1 and Uvi2 reveals sequence variations in the loop regions that might explain a diverging function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Weiland
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Faculty of ChemistryPhilipps‐University MarburgMarburgGermany
| | - Felix Dempwolff
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Faculty of ChemistryPhilipps‐University MarburgMarburgGermany
| | - Wieland Steinchen
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Faculty of ChemistryPhilipps‐University MarburgMarburgGermany
| | - Sven‐Andreas Freibert
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Institute of CytobiologyPhilipps‐University MarburgMarburgGermany
- Protein Biochemistry and Spectroscopy Core Facility, Institute of CytobiologyPhilipps‐University MarburgMarburgGermany
| | - Hui Tian
- Institute for Plant SciencesUniversity of CologneCologneGermany
| | - Timo Glatter
- Max‐Planck Institute for Terrestrial MicrobiologyMarburgGermany
| | - Roman Martin
- Faculty of Mathematics and Computer SciencePhilipps‐University MarburgMarburgGermany
| | - Bart P. H. J. Thomma
- Institute for Plant SciencesUniversity of CologneCologneGermany
- Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS)CologneGermany
| | - Gert Bange
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Faculty of ChemistryPhilipps‐University MarburgMarburgGermany
- Max‐Planck Institute for Terrestrial MicrobiologyMarburgGermany
| | - Florian Altegoer
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Faculty of ChemistryPhilipps‐University MarburgMarburgGermany
- Max‐Planck Institute for Terrestrial MicrobiologyMarburgGermany
- Institute of MicrobiologyHeinrich‐Heine‐UniversityDüsseldorfGermany
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3
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Ingole KD, Nagarajan N, Uhse S, Giannini C, Djamei A. Tetracycline-controlled (TetON) gene expression system for the smut fungus Ustilago maydis. FRONTIERS IN FUNGAL BIOLOGY 2022; 3:1029114. [PMID: 37746190 PMCID: PMC10512375 DOI: 10.3389/ffunb.2022.1029114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Ustilago maydis is a biotrophic phytopathogenic fungus that causes corn smut disease. As a well-established model system, U. maydis is genetically fully accessible with large omics datasets available and subject to various biological questions ranging from DNA-repair, RNA-transport, and protein secretion to disease biology. For many genetic approaches, tight control of transgene regulation is important. Here we established an optimised version of the Tetracycline-ON (TetON) system for U. maydis. We demonstrate the Tetracycline concentration-dependent expression of fluorescent protein transgenes and the system's suitability for the induced expression of the toxic protein BCL2 Associated X-1 (Bax1). The Golden Gate compatible vector system contains a native minimal promoter from the mating factor a-1 encoding gene, mfa with ten copies of the tet-regulated operator (tetO) and a codon optimised Tet-repressor (tetR*) which is translationally fused to the native transcriptional corepressor Mql1 (UMAG_05501). The metabolism-independent transcriptional regulator system is functional both, in liquid culture as well as on solid media in the presence of the inducer and can become a useful tool for toxin-antitoxin studies, identification of antifungal proteins, and to study functions of toxic gene products in Ustilago maydis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kishor D. Ingole
- Department of Plant Pathology, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Nithya Nagarajan
- Department of Plant Pathology, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Simon Uhse
- Austrian Academy of Sciences (OEAW), Vienna Biocentre (VBC), Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Caterina Giannini
- Austrian Academy of Sciences (OEAW), Vienna Biocentre (VBC), Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Armin Djamei
- Department of Plant Pathology, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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4
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Saado I, Chia KS, Betz R, Alcântara A, Pettkó-Szandtner A, Navarrete F, D'Auria JC, Kolomiets MV, Melzer M, Feussner I, Djamei A. Effector-mediated relocalization of a maize lipoxygenase protein triggers susceptibility to Ustilago maydis. THE PLANT CELL 2022; 34:2785-2805. [PMID: 35512341 PMCID: PMC9252493 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koac105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
As the gall-inducing smut fungus Ustilago maydis colonizes maize (Zea mays) plants, it secretes a complex effector blend that suppresses host defense responses, including production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and redirects host metabolism to facilitate colonization. We show that the U. maydis effector ROS burst interfering protein 1 (Rip1), which is involved in pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP)-triggered suppression of host immunity, is functionally conserved in several other monocot-infecting smut fungi. We also have identified a conserved C-terminal motif essential for Rip1-mediated PAMP-triggered suppression of the ROS burst. The maize susceptibility factor lipoxygenase 3 (Zmlox3) bound by Rip1 was relocalized to the nucleus, leading to partial suppression of the ROS burst. Relocalization was independent of its enzymatic activity, revealing a distinct function for ZmLox3. Most importantly, whereas Zmlox3 maize mutant plants showed increased resistance to U. maydis wild-type strains, rip1 deletion strains infecting the Zmlox3 mutant overcame this effect. This could indicate that Rip1-triggered host resistance depends on ZmLox3 to be suppressed and that lox3 mutation-based resistance of maize to U. maydis requires functional Rip1. Together, our results reveal that Rip1 acts in several cellular compartments to suppress immunity and that targeting of ZmLox3 by Rip1 is responsible for the suppression of Rip1-dependent reduced susceptibility of maize to U. maydis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indira Saado
- Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences (OEAW), Vienna BioCenter 7(VBC),Vienna 1030, Austria
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Stadt Seeland D-06466, Germany
| | - Khong-Sam Chia
- Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences (OEAW), Vienna BioCenter 7(VBC),Vienna 1030, Austria
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Stadt Seeland D-06466, Germany
| | - Ruben Betz
- Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences (OEAW), Vienna BioCenter 7(VBC),Vienna 1030, Austria
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Stadt Seeland D-06466, Germany
| | - André Alcântara
- Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences (OEAW), Vienna BioCenter 7(VBC),Vienna 1030, Austria
| | | | - Fernando Navarrete
- Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences (OEAW), Vienna BioCenter 7(VBC),Vienna 1030, Austria
| | - John C D'Auria
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Stadt Seeland D-06466, Germany
| | | | - Michael Melzer
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Stadt Seeland D-06466, Germany
| | - Ivo Feussner
- Department of Plant Biochemistry, University of Göttingen, Albrecht-von-Haller Institute for Plant Sciences and Goettingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Göttingen 37077, Germany
| | - Armin Djamei
- Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences (OEAW), Vienna BioCenter 7(VBC),Vienna 1030, Austria
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Stadt Seeland D-06466, Germany
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5
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Philipp M, Hussnaetter KP, Reindl M, Müntjes K, Feldbrügge M, Schipper K. A Novel Potent Carrier for Unconventional Protein Export in Ustilago maydis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:816335. [PMID: 35083222 PMCID: PMC8784666 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.816335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Recombinant proteins are ubiquitously applied in fields like research, pharma, diagnostics or the chemical industry. To provide the full range of useful proteins, novel expression hosts need to be established for proteins that are not sufficiently produced by the standard platform organisms. Unconventional secretion in the fungal model Ustilago maydis is an attractive novel option for export of heterologous proteins without N-glycosylation using chitinase Cts1 as a carrier. Recently, a novel factor essential for unconventional Cts1 secretion termed Jps1 was identified. Here, we show that Jps1 is unconventionally secreted using a fusion to bacterial β-glucuronidase as an established reporter. Interestingly, the experiment also demonstrates that the protein functions as an alternative carrier for heterologous proteins, showing about 2-fold higher reporter activity than the Cts1 fusion in the supernatant. In addition, Jps1-mediated secretion even allowed for efficient export of functional firefly luciferase as a novel secretion target which could not be achieved with Cts1. As an application for a relevant pharmaceutical target, export of functional bi-specific synthetic nanobodies directed against the SARS-CoV2 spike protein was demonstrated. The establishment of an alternative efficient carrier thus constitutes an excellent expansion of the existing secretion platform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magnus Philipp
- Institute for Microbiology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Kai P Hussnaetter
- Institute for Microbiology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Michèle Reindl
- Institute for Microbiology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Kira Müntjes
- Institute for Microbiology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Michael Feldbrügge
- Institute for Microbiology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Kerstin Schipper
- Institute for Microbiology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
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6
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Kraemer FJ, Lunde C, Koch M, Kuhn BM, Ruehl C, Brown PJ, Hoffmann P, Göhre V, Hake S, Pauly M, Ramírez V. A mixed-linkage (1,3;1,4)-β-D-glucan specific hydrolase mediates dark-triggered degradation of this plant cell wall polysaccharide. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 185:1559-1573. [PMID: 33793956 PMCID: PMC8133622 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiab009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The presence of mixed-linkage (1,3;1,4)-β-d-glucan (MLG) in plant cell walls is a key feature of grass species such as cereals, the main source of calorie intake for humans and cattle. Accumulation of this polysaccharide involves the coordinated regulation of biosynthetic and metabolic machineries. While several components of the MLG biosynthesis machinery have been identified in diverse plant species, degradation of MLG is poorly understood. In this study, we performed a large-scale forward genetic screen for maize (Zea mays) mutants with altered cell wall polysaccharide structural properties. As a result, we identified a maize mutant with increased MLG content in several tissues, including adult leaves and senesced organs, where only trace amounts of MLG are usually detected. The causative mutation was found in the GRMZM2G137535 gene, encoding a GH17 licheninase as demonstrated by an in vitro activity assay of the heterologously expressed protein. In addition, maize plants overexpressing GRMZM2G137535 exhibit a 90% reduction in MLG content, indicating that the protein is not only required, but its expression is sufficient to degrade MLG. Accordingly, the mutant was named MLG hydrolase 1 (mlgh1). mlgh1 plants show increased saccharification yields upon enzymatic digestion. Stacking mlgh1 with lignin-deficient mutations results in synergistic increases in saccharification. Time profiling experiments indicate that wall MLG content is modulated during day/night cycles, inversely associated with MLGH1 transcript accumulation. This cycling is absent in the mlgh1 mutant, suggesting that the mechanism involved requires MLG degradation, which may in turn regulate MLGH1 gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian J Kraemer
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, Energy Biosciences Institute, University of California Berkeley, California 94720, USA
| | - China Lunde
- Plant Gene Expression Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Albany, California 94710, USA
| | - Moritz Koch
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, Energy Biosciences Institute, University of California Berkeley, California 94720, USA
| | - Benjamin M Kuhn
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, Energy Biosciences Institute, University of California Berkeley, California 94720, USA
| | - Clemens Ruehl
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, Energy Biosciences Institute, University of California Berkeley, California 94720, USA
| | - Patrick J Brown
- Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
| | - Philipp Hoffmann
- Institute of Microbiology/Group Pathogenicity, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
| | - Vera Göhre
- Institute of Microbiology/Group Pathogenicity, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
| | - Sarah Hake
- Plant Gene Expression Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Albany, California 94710, USA
| | - Markus Pauly
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, Energy Biosciences Institute, University of California Berkeley, California 94720, USA
- Institute for Plant Cell Biology and Biotechnology—Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
| | - Vicente Ramírez
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, Energy Biosciences Institute, University of California Berkeley, California 94720, USA
- Institute for Plant Cell Biology and Biotechnology—Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
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7
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Perspectives for the application of Ustilaginaceae as biotech cell factories. Essays Biochem 2021; 65:365-379. [PMID: 33860800 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20200141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Basidiomycetes fungi of the family Ustilaginaceae are mainly known as plant pathogens causing smut disease on crops and grasses. However, they are also natural producers of value-added substances like glycolipids, organic acids, polyols, and harbor secretory enzymes with promising hydrolytic activities. These attributes recently evoked increasing interest in their biotechnological exploitation. The corn smut fungus Ustilago maydis is the best characterized member of the Ustilaginaceae. After decades of research in the fields of genetics and plant pathology, a broad method portfolio and detailed knowledge on its biology and biochemistry are available. As a consequence, U. maydis has developed into a versatile model organism not only for fundamental research but also for applied biotechnology. Novel genetic, synthetic biology, and process development approaches have been implemented to engineer yields and product specificity as well as for the expansion of the repertoire of produced substances. Furthermore, research on U. maydis also substantially promoted the interest in other members of the Ustilaginaceae, for which the available tools can be adapted. Here, we review the latest developments in applied research on Ustilaginaceae towards their establishment as future biotech cell factories.
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Hussnaetter KP, Philipp M, Müntjes K, Feldbrügge M, Schipper K. Controlling Unconventional Secretion for Production of Heterologous Proteins in Ustilago maydis through Transcriptional Regulation and Chemical Inhibition of the Kinase Don3. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7030179. [PMID: 33802393 PMCID: PMC7999842 DOI: 10.3390/jof7030179] [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: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Heterologous protein production is a highly demanded biotechnological process. Secretion of the product to the culture broth is advantageous because it drastically reduces downstream processing costs. We exploit unconventional secretion for heterologous protein expression in the fungal model microorganism Ustilago maydis. Proteins of interest are fused to carrier chitinase Cts1 for export via the fragmentation zone of dividing yeast cells in a lock-type mechanism. The kinase Don3 is essential for functional assembly of the fragmentation zone and hence, for release of Cts1-fusion proteins. Here, we are first to develop regulatory systems for unconventional protein secretion using Don3 as a gatekeeper to control when export occurs. This enables uncoupling the accumulation of biomass and protein synthesis of a product of choice from its export. Regulation was successfully established at two different levels using transcriptional and post-translational induction strategies. As a proof-of-principle, we applied autoinduction based on transcriptional don3 regulation for the production and secretion of functional anti-Gfp nanobodies. The presented developments comprise tailored solutions for differentially prized products and thus constitute another important step towards a competitive protein production platform.
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Plücker L, Bösch K, Geißl L, Hoffmann P, Göhre V. Genetic Manipulation of the Brassicaceae Smut Fungus Thecaphora thlaspeos. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7010038. [PMID: 33435409 PMCID: PMC7826943 DOI: 10.3390/jof7010038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Investigation of plant–microbe interactions greatly benefit from genetically tractable partners to address, molecularly, the virulence and defense mechanisms. The smut fungus Ustilago maydis is a model pathogen in that sense: efficient homologous recombination and a small genome allow targeted modification. On the host side, maize is limiting with regard to rapid genetic alterations. By contrast, the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana is an excellent model with a vast amount of information and techniques as well as genetic resources. Here, we present a transformation protocol for the Brassicaceae smut fungus Thecaphora thlaspeos. Using the well-established methodology of protoplast transformation, we generated the first reporter strains expressing fluorescent proteins to follow mating. As a proof-of-principle for homologous recombination, we deleted the pheromone receptor pra1. As expected, this mutant cannot mate. Further analysis will contribute to our understanding of the role of mating for infection biology in this novel model fungus. From now on, the genetic manipulation of T. thlaspeos, which is able to colonize the model plant A. thaliana, provides us with a pathosystem in which both partners are genetically amenable to study smut infection biology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Vera Göhre
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-211-811-1529
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10
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Reindl M, Stock J, Hussnaetter KP, Genc A, Brachmann A, Schipper K. A Novel Factor Essential for Unconventional Secretion of Chitinase Cts1. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1529. [PMID: 32733418 PMCID: PMC7358432 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Subcellular targeting of proteins is essential to orchestrate cytokinesis in eukaryotic cells. During cell division of Ustilago maydis, for example, chitinases must be specifically targeted to the fragmentation zone at the site of cell division to degrade remnant chitin and thus separate mother and daughter cells. Chitinase Cts1 is exported to this location via an unconventional secretion pathway putatively operating in a lock-type manner. The underlying mechanism is largely unexplored. Here, we applied a forward genetic screen based on UV mutagenesis to identify components essential for Cts1 export. The screen revealed a novel factor termed Jps1 lacking known protein domains. Deletion of the corresponding gene confirmed its essential role for Cts1 secretion. Localization studies demonstrated that Jps1 colocalizes with Cts1 in the fragmentation zone of dividing yeast cells. While loss of Jps1 leads to exclusion of Cts1 from the fragmentation zone and strongly reduced unconventional secretion, deletion of the chitinase does not disturb Jps1 localization. Yeast-two hybrid experiments indicate that the two proteins might interact. In essence, we identified a novel component of unconventional secretion that functions in the fragmentation zone to enable export of Cts1. We hypothesize that Jps1 acts as an anchoring factor for Cts1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michèle Reindl
- Institute for Microbiology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Bioeconomy Science Center, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Janpeter Stock
- Institute for Microbiology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Bioeconomy Science Center, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Kai P. Hussnaetter
- Institute for Microbiology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Bioeconomy Science Center, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Aycin Genc
- Institute for Microbiology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Andreas Brachmann
- Genetics, Faculty of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Kerstin Schipper
- Institute for Microbiology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Bioeconomy Science Center, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
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11
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Complementing the intrinsic repertoire of Ustilago maydis for degradation of the pectin backbone polygalacturonic acid. J Biotechnol 2020; 307:148-163. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2019.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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12
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New Insights of Ustilago maydis as Yeast Model for Genetic and Biotechnological Research: A Review. Curr Microbiol 2019; 76:917-926. [DOI: 10.1007/s00284-019-01629-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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13
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Haag C, Klein T, Feldbrügge M. ESCRT Mutant Analysis and Imaging of ESCRT Components in the Model Fungus Ustilago maydis. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1998:251-271. [PMID: 31250308 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9492-2_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The ESCRT machinery (endosomal sorting complex required for transport) is an evolutionarily highly conserved multiprotein complex involved in numerous cellular processes like endocytosis, membrane repair, or endosomal long-distance transport. In fungal hyphae, endocytosis and long-distance mRNA transport are tightly linked, as endocytotic vesicles are also the key carrier vehicles for mRNAs. Studying the regulatory component Did2 (CHMP1) in the plant pathogen Ustilago maydis revealed that loss of Did2 resulted in disturbed endosomal maturation, thereby causing defects in microtubule-dependent transport of early endosomes. Here, we describe methods and protocols that allow studying the role of ESCRT components during endosomal transport. We present experimental strategies to analyze U. maydis ESCRT mutant phenotypes and test complementation with heterologous components, such as ESCRT regulators from Drosophila melanogaster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl Haag
- Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS), Institute for Microbiology, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Thomas Klein
- Institute of Genetics, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Michael Feldbrügge
- Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS), Institute for Microbiology, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
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Huck S, Bock J, Girardello J, Gauert M, Pul Ü. Marker-free genome editing in Ustilago trichophora with the CRISPR-Cas9 technology. RNA Biol 2018; 16:397-403. [PMID: 29996713 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2018.1493329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In this communication, we report the adaptation of the CRISPR-Cas9 technology in Ustilago trichophora prototrophic wild-type isolate obtained from its natural host Echinochloa crus-galli. The established CRISPR vector and method enable a rapid and marker-free introduction of Cas9-induced non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) dependent mutation at the targeted gene. Moreover, the method allows a specific modification of the chromosomal DNA sequence by Cas9-induced homologous recombination using short DNA repair templates. The results demonstrate the applicability of the CRISPR-Cas9 technology in U. trichophora for both gene knock-out by the NHEJ pathway and specific gene modification by templated genome editing, paving the way for rapid metabolic engineering of this Ustilago species for industrial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Ümit Pul
- a B.R.A.I.N AG , Zwingenberg , Germany
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15
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Schuster M, Trippel C, Happel P, Lanver D, Reißmann S, Kahmann R. Single and Multiplexed Gene Editing in Ustilago maydis Using CRISPR-Cas9. Bio Protoc 2018; 8:e2928. [DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.2928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Revised: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
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Abstract
An essential feature of protein expression is the tight regulation of when and where a protein is translated from its cognate mRNA. This spatiotemporal expression is particularly important in guaranteeing the correct and efficient targeting of proteins to defined subcellular sites. In order to achieve local translation, mRNAs must be deposited at specific locations. A common mechanism is the active transport of mRNAs along the actin or microtubule cytoskeleton. To study such dynamic transport processes in vivo RNA live imaging is the method of choice. This method is based on the principle that defined binding sites for a heterologous RNA-binding protein (RBP) are inserted in the 3' UTR of target mRNAs. Coexpression of the RBP fused to a fluorescent protein enables mRNA detection in vivo using fluorescence microscopy techniques. In this chapter we describe the well-established method of studying microtubule-dependent mRNA transport in the eukaryotic model microorganism Ustilago maydis. The presented experimental design and the microscopic techniques are applicable to a broad range of other organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Zander
- Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Institute for Microbiology, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS), Universitätsstr. 1, Geb. 26.12, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Kira Müntjes
- Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Institute for Microbiology, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS), Universitätsstr. 1, Geb. 26.12, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Michael Feldbrügge
- Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Institute for Microbiology, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS), Universitätsstr. 1, Geb. 26.12, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany.
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Applying Unconventional Secretion in Ustilago maydis for the Export of Functional Nanobodies. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18050937. [PMID: 28468279 PMCID: PMC5454850 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18050937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Revised: 04/21/2017] [Accepted: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Exploiting secretory pathways for production of heterologous proteins is highly advantageous with respect to efficient downstream processing. In eukaryotic systems the vast majority of heterologous proteins for biotechnological application is exported via the canonical endoplasmic reticulum–Golgi pathway. In the endomembrane system target proteins are often glycosylated and may thus be modified with foreign glycan patterns. This can be destructive for their activity or cause immune reactions against therapeutic proteins. Hence, using unconventional secretion for protein expression is an attractive alternative. In the fungal model Ustilago maydis, chitinase Cts1 is secreted via an unconventional pathway connected to cell separation which can be used to co-export heterologous proteins. Here, we apply this mechanism for the production of nanobodies. First, we achieved expression and unconventional secretion of a functional nanobody directed against green fluorescent protein (Gfp). Second, we found that Cts1 binds to chitin and that this feature can be applied to generate a Gfp-trap. Thus, we demonstrated the dual use of Cts1 serving both as export vehicle and as purification tag. Finally, we established and optimized the production of a nanobody against botulinum toxin A and hence describe the first pharmaceutically relevant target exported by Cts1-mediated unconventional secretion.
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