PIR121 regulates pseudopod dynamics and SCAR activity in Dictyostelium

BACKGROUND

The WASP/SCAR family of adaptor proteins coordinates actin reorganization by coupling different signaling molecules, including Rho-family GTPases, to the activation of the Arp2/3 complex. WASP binds directly to Cdc42 through its GTPase binding domain (GBD), but SCAR does not contain a GBD, and no direct binding has been found. However, SCAR has recently been found to copurify with four other proteins in a complex. One of these, PIR121, binds directly to Rac.

RESULTS

We have identified four of the members of this complex in Dictyostelium and disrupted the pirA gene, which encodes PIR121. The resulting mutant cells are unusually large, maintain an excessive proportion of their actin in a polymerized state and display severe defects in movement and chemotaxis. They also continually extend new pseudopods by widening and splitting existing leading edges rather than by initiating new pseudopods. Comparing these cells to scar null mutants shows behavior that is broadly consistent with overactivation of SCAR. Deletion of the pirA gene in a scar(-) mutant resulted in cells resembling their scar(-) parents with no obvious changes, confirming that PIR121 mainly acts through SCAR in vivo. Surprisingly given their hyperactive phenotype, we find that pirA(-) mutants contain very little intact SCAR protein despite normal levels of mRNA, suggesting a posttranscriptional downregulation of activated SCAR.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate a genetic connection between the pirA and scar genes. PIR121 appears to inhibit the activity of SCAR in the absence of activating signals. The location of the newly formed protrusions indicates that unregulated SCAR is acting at the edges of existing pseudopods, not elsewhere in the cell. We suggest that active SCAR protein released from the inhibitory complex is rapidly removed and that this is an important and novel mechanism for controlling actin dynamics.

Genome analyses of the sunflower pathogen Plasmopara halstedii provide insights into effector evolution in downy mildews and Phytophthora

BACKGROUND

Downy mildews are the most speciose group of oomycetes and affect crops of great economic importance. So far, there is only a single deeply-sequenced downy mildew genome available, from Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis. Further genomic resources for downy mildews are required to study their evolution, including pathogenicity effector proteins, such as RxLR effectors. Plasmopara halstedii is a devastating pathogen of sunflower and a potential pathosystem model to study downy mildews, as several Avr-genes and R-genes have been predicted and unlike Arabidopsis downy mildew, large quantities of almost contamination-free material can be obtained easily.

RESULTS

Here a high-quality draft genome of Plasmopara halstedii is reported and analysed with respect to various aspects, including genome organisation, secondary metabolism, effector proteins and comparative genomics with other sequenced oomycetes. Interestingly, the present analyses revealed further variation of the RxLR motif, suggesting an important role of the conservation of the dEER-motif. Orthology analyses revealed the conservation of 28 RxLR-like core effectors among Phytophthora species. Only six putative RxLR-like effectors were shared by the two sequenced downy mildews, highlighting the fast and largely independent evolution of two of the three major downy mildew lineages. This is seemingly supported by phylogenomic results, in which downy mildews did not appear to be monophyletic.

CONCLUSIONS

The genome resource will be useful for developing markers for monitoring the pathogen population and might provide the basis for new approaches to fight Phytophthora and downy mildew pathogens by targeting core pathogenicity effectors.

Time-Series Transcriptomics Reveals That AGAMOUS-LIKE22 Affects Primary Metabolism and Developmental Processes in Drought-Stressed Arabidopsis

In Arabidopsis thaliana, changes in metabolism and gene expression drive increased drought tolerance and initiate diverse drought avoidance and escape responses. To address regulatory processes that link these responses, we set out to identify genes that govern early responses to drought. To do this, a high-resolution time series transcriptomics data set was produced, coupled with detailed physiological and metabolic analyses of plants subjected to a slow transition from well-watered to drought conditions. A total of 1815 drought-responsive differentially expressed genes were identified. The early changes in gene expression coincided with a drop in carbon assimilation, and only in the late stages with an increase in foliar abscisic acid content. To identify gene regulatory networks (GRNs) mediating the transition between the early and late stages of drought, we used Bayesian network modeling of differentially expressed transcription factor (TF) genes. This approach identified AGAMOUS-LIKE22 (AGL22), as key hub gene in a TF GRN. It has previously been shown that AGL22 is involved in the transition from vegetative state to flowering but here we show that AGL22 expression influences steady state photosynthetic rates and lifetime water use. This suggests that AGL22 uniquely regulates a transcriptional network during drought stress, linking changes in primary metabolism and the initiation of stress responses.

Genome sequences of six Phytophthora species associated with forests in New Zealand

In New Zealand there has been a long association of Phytophthora diseases in forests, nurseries, remnant plantings and horticultural crops. However, new Phytophthora diseases of trees have recently emerged. Genome sequencing has been performed for 12 Phytophthora isolates, from six species: Phytophthora pluvialis, Phytophthora kernoviae, Phytophthora cinnamomi, Phytophthora agathidicida, Phytophthora multivora and Phytophthora taxon Totara. These sequences will enable comparative analyses to identify potential virulence strategies and ultimately facilitate better control strategies. This Whole Genome Shotgun data have been deposited in DDBJ/ENA/GenBank under the accession numbers LGTT00000000, LGTU00000000, JPWV00000000, JPWU00000000, LGSK00000000, LGSJ00000000, LGTR00000000, LGTS00000000, LGSM00000000, LGSL00000000, LGSO00000000, and LGSN00000000.

The diversity of cyanomyovirus populations along a North-South Atlantic Ocean transect

Viruses that infect the marine cyanobacterium Prochlorococcus have the potential to impact the growth, productivity, diversity and abundance of their hosts. In this study, changes in the microdiversity of cyanomyoviruses were investigated in 10 environmental samples taken along a North-South Atlantic Ocean transect using a myoviral-specific PCR-sequencing approach. Phylogenetic analyses of 630 viral g20 clones from this study, with 786 published g20 sequences, revealed that myoviral populations in the Atlantic Ocean had higher diversity than previously reported, with several novel putative g20 clades. Some of these clades were detected throughout the Atlantic Ocean. Multivariate statistical analyses did not reveal any significant correlations between myoviral diversity and environmental parameters, although myoviral diversity appeared to be lowest in samples collected from the north and south of the transect where Prochlorococcus diversity was also lowest. The results were correlated to the abundance and diversity of the co-occurring Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus populations, but revealed no significant correlations to either of the two potential host genera. This study provides evidence that cyanophages have extremely high and variable diversity and are distributed over large areas of the Atlantic Ocean.

Metagenomic analysis of the complex microbial consortium associated with cultures of the oil-rich alga Botryococcus braunii

Microalgae are widely viewed as a promising and sustainable source of renewable chemicals and biofuels. Botryococcus braunii synthesizes and secretes significant amounts of long-chain (C30 -C40 ) hydrocarbons that can be subsequently converted into gasoline, diesel, and aviation fuel. B. braunii cultures are not axenic and the effects of co-cultured microorganisms on B. braunii growth and hydrocarbon yield are important, but sometimes contradictory. To understand the composition of the B. braunii microbial consortium, we used high throughput Illumina sequencing of metagenomic DNA to profile the microbiota within a well established, stable B. braunii culture and characterized the demographic changes in the microcosm following modification to the culture conditions. DNA sequences attributed to B. braunii were present in equal quantities in all treatments, whereas sequences assigned to the associated microbial community were dramatically altered. Bacterial species least affected by treatments, and more robustly associated with the algal cells, included members of Rhizobiales, comprising Bradyrhizobium and Methylobacterium, and representatives of Dyadobacter, Achromobacter and Asticcacaulis. The presence of bacterial species identified by metagenomics was confirmed by additional 16S rDNA analysis of bacterial isolates. Our study demonstrates the advantages of high throughput sequencing and robust metagenomic analyses to define microcosms and further our understanding of microbial ecology.

Draft genome sequences of Phytophthora kernoviae and Phytophthora ramorum lineage EU2 from Scotland

Newly discovered Phytophthora species include invasive pathogens that threaten trees and shrubs. We present draft genome assemblies for three isolates of Phytophthora kernoviae and one isolate of the EU2 lineage of Phytophthora ramorum, collected from outbreak sites in Scotland.

Genome sequence of the oleaginous yeast Rhodotorula toruloides strain CGMCC 2.1609

Most eukaryotic oleaginous species are yeasts and among them the basidiomycete red yeast, Rhodotorula (Rhodosporidium) toruloides (Pucciniomycotina) is known to produce high quantities of lipids when grown in nitrogen-limiting media, and has potential for biodiesel production. The genome of the CGMCC 2.1609 strain of this oleaginous red yeast was sequenced using a hybrid of Roche 454 and Illumina technology generating 13 × coverage. The de novo assembly was carried out using MIRA and scaffolded using MAQ and BAMBUS. The sequencing and assembly resulted in 365 scaffolds with total genome size of 33.4 Mb. The complete genome sequence of this strain was deposited in GenBank and the accession number is LKER00000000. The annotation is available on Figshare (doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.4754251).

Genome sequencing of oomycete isolates from Chile supports the New Zealand origin of Phytophthora kernoviae and makes available the first Nothophytophthora sp. genome

Genome sequences were generated for six oomycete isolates collected from forests in Valdivia, Chile. Three of the isolates were identified morphologically as Phytophthora kernoviae, whereas two were similar to other clade 10 Phytophthora species. One isolate was tentatively identified as Nothophytophthora valdiviana based on nucleotide sequence similarity in the cytochrome oxidase 1 gene. This is the first genome sequence for this recently described genus. The genome assembly was more fragmented and contained many duplicated genes when compared with the other Phytophthora sequences. Comparative analyses were performed with genomic sequences of the P. kernoviae isolates from the UK and New Zealand. Although the potential New Zealand origin of P. kernoviae has been suggested, new isolations from Chile had cast doubt on this hypothesis. We present evidence supporting P. kernoviae as having originated in New Zealand. However, investigation of the diversity of oomycete species in Chile has been limited and warrants further exploration. We demonstrate the expediency of genomic analyses in determining phylogenetic relationships between isolates within new and often scantly represented taxonomic groups, such as Phytophthora clade 10 and Nothophytophthora. Data are available on GenBank via BioProject accession number PRJNA352331.

Functional analysis of RXLR effectors from the New Zealand kauri dieback pathogen Phytophthora agathidicida

New Zealand kauri is an ancient, iconic, gymnosperm tree species that is under threat from a lethal dieback disease caused by the oomycete Phytophthora agathidicida. To gain insight into this pathogen, we determined whether proteinaceous effectors of P. agathidicida interact with the immune system of a model angiosperm, Nicotiana, as previously shown for Phytophthora pathogens of angiosperms. From the P. agathidicida genome, we defined and analysed a set of RXLR effectors, a class of proteins that typically have important roles in suppressing or activating the plant immune system. RXLRs were screened for their ability to activate or suppress the Nicotiana plant immune system using Agrobacterium tumefaciens transient transformation assays. Nine P. agathidicida RXLRs triggered cell death or suppressed plant immunity in Nicotiana, of which three were expressed in kauri. For the most highly expressed, P. agathidicida (Pa) RXLR24, candidate cognate immune receptors associated with cell death were identified in Nicotiana benthamiana using RNA silencing-based approaches. Our results show that RXLRs of a pathogen of gymnosperms can interact with the immune system of an angiosperm species. This study provides an important foundation for studying the molecular basis of plant-pathogen interactions in gymnosperm forest trees, including kauri.

Chitosan modulates Pochonia chlamydosporia gene expression during nematode egg parasitism

Climate change makes plant‐parasitic nematodes (PPN) an increasing threat to commercial crops. PPN can be managed sustainably by the biocontrol fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia (Pc). Chitosan generated from chitin deacetylation enhances PPN parasitism by Pc. In this work, we investigate the molecular mechanisms of Pc for chitosan resistance and root‐knot nematode (RKN) parasitism, using transcriptomics. Chitosan and RKN modify the expression of Pc genes, mainly those involved in oxidation–reduction processes. Both agents significantly modify the expression of genes associated to 113 GO terms and 180 Pc genes. Genes encoding putative glycoproteins (Pc adhesives) to nematode eggshell, as well as genes involved in redox, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism trigger the response to chitosan. We identify genes expressed in both the parasitic and endophytic phases of the Pc lifecycle; these include proteases, chitosanases and transcription factors. Using the Pathogen—Host Interaction database (PHI‐base), our previous RNA‐seq data and RT‐PCR of Pc colonizing banana we have investigated genes expressed both in the parasitic and endophytic phases of Pc lifecycle.

Intersexuality in crustaceans: genetic, individual and population level effects

Scientists investigating toxicants such as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) at the cellular at the sub-cellular level are often faced with criticisms as to how these effects can be extrapolated to the level of individuals and their populations. This report aims to provide an overview of the studies undertaken on crustacean model, Echinogammarus marinus LEACH (AMPHIPODA), and intersex phenotypes, at the individual and population levels, and provide additional emergent data at the genomic level. These, normal and intersex, males and females have been investigated by cross-hybridisation microarray analysis and specific sexually dimorphic genes and corresponding properties identified between each sexual phenotype. The morphology, physiology and histology of these intersexes have been investigated in detail and a number of reproductive costs have been identified including reduced fecundity and fertility. These costs have been incorporated into a population model and simulated over a ten-year period to ascertain how different levels of intersexuality affect the stability of populations. Based on the information gained through study of intersex models (with known endocrine dysfunction) together with the substantial quantity of historical data relating to effects of chemicals on amphipod fecundity, growth and mortality, the development of appropriate biomarkers is nearer to being assessed from the level of genes to that of the population.

Diversity of secoiridoid glycosides in leaves of UK and Danish ash provide new insight for ash dieback management

Secoiridoid glycosides are anti-feeding deterrents of the Oleaceae family recently highlighted as potential biomarkers in Danish ash trees to differentiate between those tolerant and susceptible to the fungal disease ash dieback. With the knowledge that emerald ash borer has recently entered Europe from Russia, and that extensive selection trials are ongoing in Europe for ash dieback tolerant European ash (Fraxinus excelsior), we undertook comprehensive screening of secoiridoid glycosides in leaf extracts of trees tolerant and susceptible to ash dieback sampled from sites in the UK and Denmark. Here we report an unexpected diversity of secoiridoid glycosides in UK trees and higher levels of secoiridoid glycosides in the UK sample group. While it is unlikely that secoiridoid glycosides generally can serve as reliable markers for ash dieback susceptibility, there are differences between tolerant and susceptible groups for specific secoiridoids. We predict that the high levels-and structural diversity-of secoiridoids present in the UK group may provide a robust reservoir of anti-feeding deterrents to mitigate future herbivore threats such as the Emerald ash borer.

Genome sequencing data for wild and cultivated bananas, plantains and abacá

We performed shotgun genome sequencing on a total of 19 different Musa genotypes including representatives of wild banana species Musa acuminata and M. balibisiana, allopolyploid bananas and plantains, Fe'i banana, pink banana (also known as hairy banana) and abacá (also known as hemp banana). We aligned sequence reads against a previously sequenced reference genome and assessed ploidy and, in the case of allopolyploids, the contributions of the A and B genomes; this provides important quality-assurance data about the taxonomic identities of the sequenced plant material. These data will be useful for phylogenetics, crop improvement, studies of the complex story of intergenomic recombination in AAB and ABB allotriploid bananas and plantains and can be integrated into resources such as the Banana Genome Hub.

Chitosan induces differential transcript usage of chitosanase 3 encoding gene (csn3) in the biocontrol fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia 123

Background

Pochonia chlamydosporia is an endophytic fungus used for nematode biocontrol that employs its cellular and molecular machinery to degrade the nematode egg-shell. Chitosanases, among other enzymes, are involved in this process. In this study, we improve the genome sequence assembly of P. chlamydosporia 123, by utilizing long Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) sequence reads. Combining this improved genome assembly with previous RNA-seq data revealed alternative isoforms of a chitosanase in the presence of chitosan. This study could open new insights into understanding fungal resistance to chitosan and root-knot nematode (RKN) egg infection processes.

Results

The P. chlamydosporia 123 genome sequence assembly has been updated using long-read PacBio sequencing and now includes 12,810 predicted protein-coding genes. Compared with the previous assembly based on short reads, there are 701 newly annotated genes, and 69 previous genes are now split. Eight of the new genes were differentially expressed in fungus interactions with Meloidogyne javanica eggs or chitosan.

A survey of the RNA-seq data revealed alternative splicing in the csn3 gene that encodes a chitosanase, with four putative splicing variants: csn3_v1, csn3_v2, csn3_v3 and csn3_v4. When P. chlamydosporia is treated with 0.1 mg·mL^− 1 chitosan for 4 days, csn3 is expressed 10-fold compared with untreated controls. Furthermore, the relative abundances of each of the four transcripts are different in chitosan treatment compared with controls. In controls, the abundances of each transcript are nil, 32, 55, and 12% for isoforms csn3_v1, csn3_v2, csn3_v3 and csn3_v4 respectively. Conversely, in chitosan-treated P. chlamydosporia, the abundances are respectively 80, 15%, 2—3%, 2—3%. Since isoform csn3_v1 is expressed with chitosan only, the putatively encoded enzyme is probably induced and likely important for chitosan degradation.

Conclusions

Alternative splicing events have been discovered and described in the chitosanase 3 encoding gene from P. chlamydosporia 123. Gene csn3 takes part in RKN parasitism process and chitosan enhances its expression. The isoform csn3_v1 would be related to the degradation of this polymer in bulk form, while other isoforms may be related to the degradation of chitosan in the nematode egg-shell.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-021-08232-7.