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Pogačar K, Grundner M, Žigon P, Coll A, Panevska A, Lukan T, Petek M, Razinger J, Gruden K, Sepčić K. Protein complexes from edible mushrooms as a sustainable potato protection against coleopteran pests. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2024; 22:2518-2529. [PMID: 38733093 PMCID: PMC11331795 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14365] [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: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Protein complexes from edible oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus sp.) composed of pleurotolysin A2 (PlyA2) and pleurotolysin B (PlyB) exert toxicity in feeding tests against Colorado potato beetle (CPB) larvae, acting through the interaction with insect-specific membrane sphingolipid. Here we present a new strategy for crop protection, based on in planta production of PlyA2/PlyB protein complexes, and we exemplify this strategy in construction of transgenic potato plants of cv Désirée. The transgenics in which PlyA2 was directed to the vacuole and PlyB to the endoplasmic reticulum are effectively protected from infestation by CPB larvae without impacting plant performance. These transgenic plants showed a pronounced effect on larval feeding rate, the larvae feeding on transgenic plants being on average five to six folds lighter than larvae feeding on controls. Further, only a fraction (11%-37%) of the larvae that fed on transgenic potato plants completed their life cycle and developed into adult beetles. Moreover, gene expression analysis of CPB larvae exposed to PlyA2/PlyB complexes revealed the response indicative of a general stress status of larvae and no evidence of possibility of developing resistance due to the functional inactivation of PlyA2/PlyB sphingolipid receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karmen Pogačar
- Department of Biotechnology and Systems BiologyNational Institute of BiologyLjubljanaSlovenia
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate SchoolLjubljanaSlovenia
| | - Maja Grundner
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical FacultyUniversity of LjubljanaLjubljanaSlovenia
| | - Primož Žigon
- Plant Protection DepartmentAgricultural Institute of SloveniaLjubljanaSlovenia
| | - Anna Coll
- Department of Biotechnology and Systems BiologyNational Institute of BiologyLjubljanaSlovenia
| | - Anastasija Panevska
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical FacultyUniversity of LjubljanaLjubljanaSlovenia
| | - Tjaša Lukan
- Department of Biotechnology and Systems BiologyNational Institute of BiologyLjubljanaSlovenia
| | - Marko Petek
- Department of Biotechnology and Systems BiologyNational Institute of BiologyLjubljanaSlovenia
| | - Jaka Razinger
- Plant Protection DepartmentAgricultural Institute of SloveniaLjubljanaSlovenia
| | - Kristina Gruden
- Department of Biotechnology and Systems BiologyNational Institute of BiologyLjubljanaSlovenia
| | - Kristina Sepčić
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical FacultyUniversity of LjubljanaLjubljanaSlovenia
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2
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Towards Understanding the Function of Aegerolysins. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14090629. [PMID: 36136567 PMCID: PMC9505663 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14090629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Aegerolysins are remarkable proteins. They are distributed over the tree of life, being relatively widespread in bacteria and fungi, but also present in some insects, plants, protozoa, and viruses. Despite their abundance in cells of certain developmental stages and their presence in secretomes, only a few aegerolysins have been studied in detail. Their function, in particular, is intriguing. Here, we summarize previously published findings on the distribution, molecular interactions, and function of these versatile aegerolysins. They have very diverse protein sequences but a common fold. The machine learning approach of the AlphaFold2 algorithm, which incorporates physical and biological knowledge of protein structures and multisequence alignments, provides us new insights into the aegerolysins and their pore-forming partners, complemented by additional genomic support. We hypothesize that aegerolysins are involved in the mechanisms of competitive exclusion in the niche.
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3
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Towards a Fungal Science That Is Independent of Researchers’ Gender. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8070675. [PMID: 35887432 PMCID: PMC9321353 DOI: 10.3390/jof8070675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The main drivers of gender mainstreaming in basic and clinical research appear to be funding agencies and scientific journals. Some funding agencies have already recognized the importance of their actions for the global development of ideas in science, but further targeted efforts are needed. The challenges for women scientists in fungal research appear to be similar to those in other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines, although the gender gap in mycology publishing appears to be less pronounced; however, women are underrepresented as last (corresponding) authors. Two examples of best practices to bridge the gap have been promoted in the fungal community: “power hour” and a central resource database for women researchers of fungi and oomycetes. A more balanced ratio of women researchers among (plenary) session speakers, (plenary) session chairs, and committee members at the recent fungal genetics conference is an encouraging sign that the gender gap can be closed. The editorial policy of some journals follows the guidance “Sex and Gender Equality in Research,” and other journals should follow, and indicate the gender ratio among authors and reviewers.
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4
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Yamaji-Hasegawa A, Murate M, Inaba T, Dohmae N, Sato M, Fujimori F, Sako Y, Greimel P, Kobayashi T. A novel sterol-binding protein reveals heterogeneous cholesterol distribution in neurite outgrowth and in late endosomes/lysosomes. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:324. [PMID: 35644822 PMCID: PMC11072113 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04339-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
We identified a mushroom-derived protein, maistero-2 that specifically binds 3-hydroxy sterol including cholesterol (Chol). Maistero-2 bound lipid mixture in Chol-dependent manner with a binding threshold of around 30%. Changing lipid composition did not significantly affect the threshold concentration. EGFP-maistero-2 labeled cell surface and intracellular organelle Chol with higher sensitivity than that of well-established Chol probe, D4 fragment of perfringolysin O. EGFP-maistero-2 revealed increase of cell surface Chol during neurite outgrowth and heterogeneous Chol distribution between CD63-positive and LAMP1-positive late endosomes/lysosomes. The absence of strictly conserved Thr-Leu pair present in Chol-dependent cytolysins suggests a distinct Chol-binding mechanism for maistero-2.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Motohide Murate
- Lipid Biology Laboratory, RIKEN, 2-1, Hirosawa, Wako-shi, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
- Cellular Informatics Laboratory, RIKEN CPR, 2-1, Hirosawa, Wako-shi, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
- UMR 7021, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, 67401, Illkirch, France
| | - Takehiko Inaba
- Lipid Biology Laboratory, RIKEN, 2-1, Hirosawa, Wako-shi, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
- Cellular Informatics Laboratory, RIKEN CPR, 2-1, Hirosawa, Wako-shi, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Naoshi Dohmae
- Biomolecular Characterization Unit, RIKEN CSRS, 2-1, Hirosawa, Wako-shi, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Masayuki Sato
- Yukiguni Maitake Co, Ltd. Yokawa 89, Minamiuonuma, Niigata, 949-6695, Japan
| | - Fumihiro Fujimori
- Laboratory of Biological Science and Technology, Tokyo Kasei University, 1-18-1 Kaga, Itabashi, Tokyo, 173-8062, Japan
| | - Yasushi Sako
- Cellular Informatics Laboratory, RIKEN CPR, 2-1, Hirosawa, Wako-shi, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Peter Greimel
- Lipid Biology Laboratory, RIKEN, 2-1, Hirosawa, Wako-shi, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Toshihide Kobayashi
- Lipid Biology Laboratory, RIKEN, 2-1, Hirosawa, Wako-shi, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan.
- Cellular Informatics Laboratory, RIKEN CPR, 2-1, Hirosawa, Wako-shi, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan.
- UMR 7021, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, 67401, Illkirch, France.
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5
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Kraševec N, Panevska A, Lemež Š, Razinger J, Sepčić K, Anderluh G, Podobnik M. Lipid-Binding Aegerolysin from Biocontrol Fungus Beauveria bassiana. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:820. [PMID: 34822604 PMCID: PMC8624791 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13110820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungi are the most common pathogens of insects and thus important regulators of their populations. Lipid-binding aegerolysin proteins, which are commonly found in the fungal kingdom, may be involved in several biologically relevant processes including attack and defense against other organisms. Aegerolysins act alone or together with membrane-attack-complex/perforin (MACPF)-like proteins to form transmembrane pores that lead to cell lysis. We performed an in-depth bioinformatics analysis of aegerolysins in entomopathogenic fungi and selected a candidate aegerolysin, beauveriolysin A (BlyA) from Beauveria bassiana. BlyA was expressed as a recombinant protein in Escherichia coli, and purified to further determine its functional and structural properties, including lipid-binding ability. Aegerolysins were found to be encoded in genomes of entomopathogenic fungi, such as Beauveria, Cordyceps, Metarhizium and Ophiocordyceps. Detailed bioinformatics analysis revealed that they are linked to MACPF-like genes in most genomes. We also show that BlyA interacts with an insect-specific membrane lipid. These results were placed in the context of other fungal and bacterial aegerolysins and their partner proteins. We believe that aegerolysins play a role in promoting the entomopathogenic and antagonistic activity of B. bassiana, which is an active ingredient of bioinsecticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nada Kraševec
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (Š.L.); (G.A.); (M.P.)
| | - Anastasija Panevska
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (A.P.); (K.S.)
| | - Špela Lemež
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (Š.L.); (G.A.); (M.P.)
- Biotechnology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jaka Razinger
- Plant Protection Department, Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, Hacquetova 17, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Kristina Sepčić
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (A.P.); (K.S.)
| | - Gregor Anderluh
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (Š.L.); (G.A.); (M.P.)
| | - Marjetka Podobnik
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (Š.L.); (G.A.); (M.P.)
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6
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Zaghloul HAH, Hice RH, Arensburger P, Bideshi DK, Federici BA. Extended in vivo transcriptomes of two ascoviruses with different tissue tropisms reveal alternative mechanisms for enhancing virus reproduction in hemolymph. Sci Rep 2021; 11:16402. [PMID: 34385487 PMCID: PMC8361023 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-95553-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ascoviruses are large dsDNA viruses characterized by the extraordinary changes they induce in cellular pathogenesis and architecture whereby after nuclear lysis and extensive hypertrophy, each cell is cleaved into numerous vesicles for virion reproduction. However, the level of viral replication and transcription in vesicles compared to other host tissues remains uncertain. Therefore, we applied RNA-Sequencing to compare the temporal transcriptome of Spodoptera frugiperda ascovirus (SfAV) and Trichoplusia ni ascovirus (TnAV) at 7, 14, and 21 days post-infection (dpi). We found most transcription occurred in viral vesicles, not in initial tissues infected, a remarkably novel reproduction mechanism compared to all other viruses and most other intracellular pathogens. Specifically, the highest level of viral gene expression occurred in hemolymph, for TnAV at 7 dpi, and SfAV at 14 dpi. Moreover, we found that host immune genes were partially down-regulated in hemolymph, where most viral replication occurred in highly dense accumulations of vesicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heba A H Zaghloul
- Interdepartmental Graduate Program in Microbiology and Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, Riverside, USA.,Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Robert H Hice
- Interdepartmental Graduate Program in Microbiology and Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, Riverside, USA
| | - Peter Arensburger
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Pomona, CA, 91768, USA
| | - Dennis K Bideshi
- Department of Biological Sciences, California Baptist University, Riverside, CA, 92504, USA
| | - Brian A Federici
- Interdepartmental Graduate Program in Microbiology and Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, Riverside, USA. .,Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA.
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7
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Milijaš Jotić M, Panevska A, Iacovache I, Kostanjšek R, Mravinec M, Skočaj M, Zuber B, Pavšič A, Razinger J, Modic Š, Trenti F, Guella G, Sepčić K. Dissecting Out the Molecular Mechanism of Insecticidal Activity of Ostreolysin A6/Pleurotolysin B Complexes on Western Corn Rootworm. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13070455. [PMID: 34209983 PMCID: PMC8310357 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13070455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Ostreolysin A6 (OlyA6) is a protein produced by the oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus). It binds to membrane sphingomyelin/cholesterol domains, and together with its protein partner, pleurotolysin B (PlyB), it forms 13-meric transmembrane pore complexes. Further, OlyA6 binds 1000 times more strongly to the insect-specific membrane sphingolipid, ceramide phosphoethanolamine (CPE). In concert with PlyB, OlyA6 has potent and selective insecticidal activity against the western corn rootworm. We analysed the histological alterations of the midgut wall columnar epithelium of western corn rootworm larvae fed with OlyA6/PlyB, which showed vacuolisation of the cell cytoplasm, swelling of the apical cell surface into the gut lumen, and delamination of the basal lamina underlying the epithelium. Additionally, cryo-electron microscopy was used to explore the membrane interactions of the OlyA6/PlyB complex using lipid vesicles composed of artificial lipids containing CPE, and western corn rootworm brush border membrane vesicles. Multimeric transmembrane pores were formed in both vesicle preparations, similar to those described for sphingomyelin/cholesterol membranes. These results strongly suggest that the molecular mechanism of insecticidal action of OlyA6/PlyB arises from specific interactions of OlyA6 with CPE, and the consequent formation of transmembrane pores in the insect midgut.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matej Milijaš Jotić
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.M.J.); (A.P.); (R.K.); (M.M.); (M.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Anastasija Panevska
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.M.J.); (A.P.); (R.K.); (M.M.); (M.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Ioan Iacovache
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; (I.I.); (B.Z.)
| | - Rok Kostanjšek
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.M.J.); (A.P.); (R.K.); (M.M.); (M.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Martina Mravinec
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.M.J.); (A.P.); (R.K.); (M.M.); (M.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Matej Skočaj
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.M.J.); (A.P.); (R.K.); (M.M.); (M.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Benoît Zuber
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; (I.I.); (B.Z.)
| | - Ana Pavšič
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.M.J.); (A.P.); (R.K.); (M.M.); (M.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Jaka Razinger
- Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (J.R.); (Š.M.)
| | - Špela Modic
- Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (J.R.); (Š.M.)
| | - Francesco Trenti
- Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (F.T.); (G.G.)
| | - Graziano Guella
- Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (F.T.); (G.G.)
| | - Kristina Sepčić
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.M.J.); (A.P.); (R.K.); (M.M.); (M.S.); (A.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +386-1-320-3419
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8
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Nguyen M, Wemheuer B, Laffy PW, Webster NS, Thomas T. Taxonomic, functional and expression analysis of viral communities associated with marine sponges. PeerJ 2021; 9:e10715. [PMID: 33604175 PMCID: PMC7863781 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Viruses play an essential role in shaping the structure and function of ecological communities. Marine sponges have the capacity to filter large volumes of ‘virus-laden’ seawater through their bodies and host dense communities of microbial symbionts, which are likely accessible to viral infection. However, despite the potential of sponges and their symbionts to act as viral reservoirs, little is known about the sponge-associated virome. Here we address this knowledge gap by analysing metagenomic and (meta-) transcriptomic datasets from several sponge species to determine what viruses are present and elucidate their predicted and expressed functionality. Sponges were found to carry diverse, abundant and active bacteriophages as well as eukaryotic viruses belonging to the Megavirales and Phycodnaviridae. These viruses contain and express auxiliary metabolic genes (AMGs) for photosynthesis and vitamin synthesis as well as for the production of antimicrobials and the defence against toxins. These viral AMGs can therefore contribute to the metabolic capacities of their hosts and also potentially enhance the survival of infected cells. This suggest that viruses may play a key role in regulating the abundance and activities of members of the sponge holobiont.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Nguyen
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation & School of Biological & Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Bernd Wemheuer
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation & School of Biological & Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Patrick W Laffy
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Nicole S Webster
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD, Australia.,Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Torsten Thomas
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation & School of Biological & Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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9
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Kraševec N, Novak M, Barat S, Skočaj M, Sepčić K, Anderluh G. Unconventional Secretion of Nigerolysins A from Aspergillus Species. Microorganisms 2020; 8:E1973. [PMID: 33322461 PMCID: PMC7763983 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8121973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Aegerolysins are small lipid-binding proteins particularly abundant in fungi. Aegerolysins from oyster mushrooms interact with an insect-specific membrane lipid and, together with MACPF proteins produced by the same organism, form pesticidal pore-forming complexes. The specific interaction with the same membrane lipid was recently demonstrated for nigerolysin A2 (NigA2), an aegerolysin from Aspergillus niger. In Aspergillus species, the aegerolysins were frequently found as secreted proteins, indicating their function in fungal defense. Using immunocytochemistry and live-cell imaging we investigated the subcellular localization of the nigerolysins A in A. niger, while their secretion was addressed by secretion prediction and Western blotting. We show that both nigerolysins A are leaderless proteins that reach the cell exterior by an unconventional protein secretion. NigA proteins are evenly distributed in the cytoplasm of fungal hyphae. A detailed bioinformatics analysis of Aspergillus aegerolysins suggests that the same function occurs only in a limited number of aegerolysins. From alignment, analysis of chromosomal loci, orthology, synteny, and phylogeny it follows that the same or a similar function described for pairs of pesticidal proteins of Pleurotus sp. can be expected in species of the subgenus Circumdati, section Nigri, series Nigri, and some other species with adjacent pairs of putative pesticidal proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nada Kraševec
- National Institute of Chemistry, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (S.B.); (G.A.)
| | - Maruša Novak
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.N.); (M.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Simona Barat
- National Institute of Chemistry, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (S.B.); (G.A.)
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.N.); (M.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Matej Skočaj
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.N.); (M.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Kristina Sepčić
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.N.); (M.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Gregor Anderluh
- National Institute of Chemistry, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (S.B.); (G.A.)
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10
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Panevska A, Skočaj M, Modic Š, Razinger J, Sepčić K. Aegerolysins from the fungal genus Pleurotus - Bioinsecticidal proteins with multiple potential applications. J Invertebr Pathol 2020; 186:107474. [PMID: 32971130 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2020.107474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The aegerolysin proteins ostreolysin A6, pleurotolysin A2 and erylysin A are produced by mushrooms of the genus Pleurotus. These aegerolysins can interact specifically with sphingolipid-enriched membranes. In particular, they strongly bind insect cells and to artificial lipid membranes that contain physiologically relevant concentrations of the main invertebrate-specific sphingolipid, ceramide phosphoethanolamine. Moreover, the aegerolysins permeabilise these membranes when combined with their protein partner pleurotolysin B, which contains a membrane-attack-complex/perforin domain. These aegerolysin/ pleurotolysin B complexes show strong and selective toxicity towards western corn rootworm larvae and adults and Colorado potato beetle larvae. Their insecticidal activities arise through aegerolysin binding to ceramide phosphoethanolamine in the insect midgut. This mode of membrane binding is different from those described for similar aegerolysin-based complexes of bacterial origin (e.g., Cry34Ab1/Cry35Ab1), or other Bacillus thuringiensis proteinaceous crystal toxins, which associate with protein receptors. The ability of Pleurotus aegerolysins to specifically interact with sphingolipid-enriched domains in mammalian cells can be further exploited to visualize lipid rafts in living cells, and to treat certain types of tumours and metabolic disorders. Finally, these proteins can strongly enhance fruiting initiation of P. ostreatus even when applied externally. In this review, we summarise the current knowledge of the potential biotechnological and biomedical applications of the Pleurotus aegerolysins, either alone or when complexed with pleurotolysin B, with special emphasis on their bioinsecticidal effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasija Panevska
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Matej Skočaj
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Špela Modic
- Plant Protection Department, Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, Hacquetova 17, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Jaka Razinger
- Plant Protection Department, Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, Hacquetova 17, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Kristina Sepčić
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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11
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Novak M, Čepin U, Hodnik V, Narat M, Jamnik M, Kraševec N, Sepčić K, Anderluh G. Functional studies of aegerolysin and MACPF-like proteins in Aspergillus niger. Mol Microbiol 2019; 112:1253-1269. [PMID: 31376198 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Proteins of the aegerolysin family have a high abundance in Fungi. Due to their specific binding to membrane lipids, and their membrane-permeabilization potential in concert with protein partner(s) belonging to a membrane-attack-complex/perforin (MACPF) superfamily, they were proposed as useful tools in different biotechnological and biomedical applications. In this work, we performed functional studies on expression of the genes encoding aegerolysin and MACPF-like proteins in Aspergillus niger. Our results suggest the sporulation process being crucial for strong induction of the expression of all these genes. However, deletion of either of the aegerolysin genes did not influence the growth, development, sporulation efficiency and phenotype of the mutants, indicating that aegerolysins are not key factors in the sporulation process. In all our expression studies we noticed a strong correlation in the expression of one aegerolysin and MACPF-like gene. Aegerolysins were confirmed to be secreted from the fungus. We also showed the specific interaction of a recombinant A. niger aegerolysin with an invertebrate-specific membrane sphingolipid. Moreover, using this protein labelled with mCherry we successfully stained insect cells membranes containing this particular sphingolipid. Our combined results suggest, that aegerolysins in this species, and probably also in other aspergilli, could be involved in defence against predators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maruša Novak
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Urška Čepin
- BioSistemika Ltd and National Institute of Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Vesna Hodnik
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mojca Narat
- Department of Animal Science, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maja Jamnik
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nada Kraševec
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Kristina Sepčić
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Anderluh
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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12
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Li Y, Liu Z, Yang J, Liu L, Han R. Low-density lipoprotein as an opsonin promoting the phagocytosis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by U937 cells. J Microbiol 2019; 57:711-716. [PMID: 31089970 DOI: 10.1007/s12275-019-8413-3] [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] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) was recently reported to be an opsonin, enhancing the phagocytosis of group A Streptococcus (GAS) by human monocytic leukemia U937 cells due to the binding of LDL to some GAS strains. We postulated that LDL might also promote the opsonophagocytosis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by U937 cells since this bacterium interacts with LDL. In this study, P. aeruginosa (CMCC10104), U937 cells, and human LDL were used in phagocytosis assays to test our hypothesis. Escherichia coli strain BL21, which does not interact with LDL, was used as a negative control. Colony counting and fluorescence microscopy were used to determine the bacterial quantity in the opsonophagocytosis assays. After incubation of U937 cells and P. aeruginosa with LDL (100 µg/ml) for 15 and 30 min, phagocytosis was observed to be increased by 22.71% and 32.90%, respectively, compared to that seen in the LDL-free group. However, LDL did not increase the phagocytosis of E. coli by U937 cells. In addition, we identified CD36 as a major opsonin receptor on U937 cells, since an anti-CD36 monoclonal antibody, but not an anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody, almost completely abolished the opsonophagocytosis of P. aeruginosa by U937 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Huhhot, 010018, P. R. China
| | - Zhi Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Huhhot, 010018, P. R. China
| | - Jinli Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Huhhot, 010018, P. R. China
| | - Ling Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Huhhot, 010018, P. R. China
| | - Runlin Han
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Huhhot, 010018, P. R. China.
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13
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Panevska A, Hodnik V, Skočaj M, Novak M, Modic Š, Pavlic I, Podržaj S, Zarić M, Resnik N, Maček P, Veranič P, Razinger J, Sepčić K. Pore-forming protein complexes from Pleurotus mushrooms kill western corn rootworm and Colorado potato beetle through targeting membrane ceramide phosphoethanolamine. Sci Rep 2019; 9:5073. [PMID: 30911026 PMCID: PMC6433908 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-41450-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Aegerolysins ostreolysin A (OlyA) and pleurotolysin A (PlyA), and pleurotolysin B (PlyB) with the membrane-attack-complex/perforin domain are proteins from the mushroom genus Pleurotus. Upon binding to sphingomyelin/cholesterol-enriched membranes, OlyA and PlyA can recruit PlyB to form multimeric bi-component transmembrane pores. Recently, Pleurotus aegerolysins OlyA, PlyA2 and erylysin A (EryA) were demonstrated to preferentially bind to artificial lipid membranes containing 50 mol% ceramide phosphoethanolamine (CPE), the main sphingolipid in invertebrate cell membranes. In this study, we demonstrate that OlyA6, PlyA2 and EryA bind to insect cells and to artificial lipid membranes with physiologically relevant CPE concentrations. Moreover, these aegerolysins permeabilize these membranes when combined with PlyB. These aegerolysin/PlyB complexes show selective toxicity toward western corn rootworm larvae and adults and Colorado potato beetle larvae. These data strongly suggest that these aegerolysin/PlyB complexes recognize CPE as their receptor molecule in the insect midgut. This mode of binding is different from those described for similar aegerolysin-based bacterial complexes, or other Bacillus thuringiensis Cry toxins, which have protein receptors. Targeting of Pleurotus aegerolysins to CPE and formation of transmembrane pores in concert with PlyB suggest the use of aegerolysin/PlyB complexes as novel biopesticides for the control of western corn rootworm and Colorado potato beetle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasija Panevska
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Vesna Hodnik
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Matej Skočaj
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maruša Novak
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Špela Modic
- Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, Hacquetova 17, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ivana Pavlic
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, Radmile Matejčić 2, 51000, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Sara Podržaj
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Miki Zarić
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nataša Resnik
- Institute of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Peter Maček
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Peter Veranič
- Institute of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jaka Razinger
- Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, Hacquetova 17, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Kristina Sepčić
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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14
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Chen ZS, Cheng XW, Wang X, Hou DH, Huang GH. Proteomic analysis of the Heliothis virescens ascovirus 3i (HvAV-3i) virion. J Gen Virol 2018; 100:301-307. [PMID: 30540243 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ascoviruses are enveloped, circular, double-stranded DNA viruses that can effectively control the appetite of lepidopteran larvae, thereby reducing the consequent damage and economic losses to crops. In this study, the virion of a sequenced Heliothis virescens ascovirus 3i (HvAV-3i) strain was used to perform proteomic analysis using both in-gel and in-solution digestion. A total of 81 viral proteins, of which 67 were associated with the virions, were identified in the proteome of HvAV-3i virions. Among these proteins, 23 with annotated functions were associated with DNA/RNA metabolism/transcription, virion assembly, sugar and lipid metabolism, signalling, cellular homoeostasis and cell lysis. Twenty-one viral membrane proteins were also identified. Some of the minor 'virion' proteins identified may be non-virion contaminants of viral proteins synthesized during replication, identified by more recent and highly sensitive methods. The extensive identification of the ascoviral proteome will establish a foundation for further investigation of ascoviral replication and infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Shu Chen
- 1Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Biology and Control of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan 410128, PR China.,2Institute of Virology, College of Plant Protection, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan 410128, PR China
| | - Xiao-Wen Cheng
- 3Department of Microbiology, 212 Pearson Hall, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA
| | - Xing Wang
- 1Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Biology and Control of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan 410128, PR China.,2Institute of Virology, College of Plant Protection, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan 410128, PR China
| | - Dian-Hai Hou
- 4School of Bioscience and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261053, PR China
| | - Guo-Hua Huang
- 2Institute of Virology, College of Plant Protection, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan 410128, PR China.,1Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Biology and Control of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan 410128, PR China
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15
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Wu B, Xu Z, Knudson A, Carlson A, Chen N, Kovaka S, LaButti K, Lipzen A, Pennachio C, Riley R, Schakwitz W, Umezawa K, Ohm RA, Grigoriev IV, Nagy LG, Gibbons J, Hibbett D. Genomics and Development of Lentinus tigrinus: A White-Rot Wood-Decaying Mushroom with Dimorphic Fruiting Bodies. Genome Biol Evol 2018; 10:3250-3261. [PMID: 30398645 PMCID: PMC6305247 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evy246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Lentinus tigrinus is a species of wood-decaying fungi (Polyporales) that has an agaricoid form (a gilled mushroom) and a secotioid form (puffball-like, with enclosed spore-bearing structures). Previous studies suggested that the secotioid form is conferred by a recessive allele of a single locus. We sequenced the genomes of one agaricoid (Aga) strain and one secotioid (Sec) strain (39.53–39.88 Mb, with 15,581–15,380 genes, respectively). We mated the Sec and Aga monokaryons, genotyped the progeny, and performed bulked segregant analysis (BSA). We also fruited three Sec/Sec and three Aga/Aga dikaryons, and sampled transcriptomes at four developmental stages. Using BSA, we identified 105 top candidate genes with nonsynonymous SNPs that cosegregate with fruiting body phenotype. Transcriptome analyses of Sec/Sec versus Aga/Aga dikaryons identified 907 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) along four developmental stages. On the basis of BSA and DEGs, the top 25 candidate genes related to fruiting body development span 1.5 Mb (4% of the genome), possibly on a single chromosome, although the precise locus that controls the secotioid phenotype is unresolved. The top candidates include genes encoding a cytochrome P450 and an ATP-dependent RNA helicase, which may play a role in development, based on studies in other fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baojun Wu
- Biology Department, Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Zhangyi Xu
- Institute of Applied Mycology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Alicia Knudson
- Biology Department, Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Alexis Carlson
- Biology Department, Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Naiyao Chen
- Institute of Applied Mycology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Sam Kovaka
- Biology Department, Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Kurt LaButti
- US Department of Energy (DOE) Joint Genome Institute, Walnut Creek, California
| | - Anna Lipzen
- US Department of Energy (DOE) Joint Genome Institute, Walnut Creek, California
| | - Christa Pennachio
- US Department of Energy (DOE) Joint Genome Institute, Walnut Creek, California
| | - Robert Riley
- US Department of Energy (DOE) Joint Genome Institute, Walnut Creek, California
| | - Wendy Schakwitz
- US Department of Energy (DOE) Joint Genome Institute, Walnut Creek, California
| | - Kiwamu Umezawa
- Biology Department, Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts.,Department of Environmental and Natural Resource Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Japan
| | - Robin A Ohm
- Department of Biology, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
| | - Igor V Grigoriev
- US Department of Energy (DOE) Joint Genome Institute, Walnut Creek, California.,Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley
| | - László G Nagy
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Unit, Institute of Biochemistry, BRC-HAS, Szeged, Hungary
| | - John Gibbons
- Biology Department, Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - David Hibbett
- Biology Department, Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts
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16
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Yalpani N, Altier D, Barry J, Kassa A, Nowatzki TM, Sethi A, Zhao JZ, Diehn S, Crane V, Sandahl G, Guan R, Poland B, Perez Ortega C, Nelson ME, Xie W, Liu L, Wu G. An Alcaligenes strain emulates Bacillus thuringiensis producing a binary protein that kills corn rootworm through a mechanism similar to Cry34Ab1/Cry35Ab1. Sci Rep 2017; 7:3063. [PMID: 28596570 PMCID: PMC5465095 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-03544-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Accepted: 04/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Crops expressing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)-derived insecticidal protein genes have been commercially available for over 15 years and are providing significant value to growers. However, there remains the need for alternative insecticidal actives due to emerging insect resistance to certain Bt proteins. A screen of bacterial strains led to the discovery of a two-component insecticidal protein named AfIP-1A/1B from an Alcaligenes faecalis strain. This protein shows selectivity against coleopteran insects including western corn rootworm (WCR). Transgenic maize plants expressing AfIP-1A/1B demonstrate strong protection from rootworm injury. Surprisingly, although little sequence similarity exists to known insecticidal proteins, efficacy tests using WCR populations resistant to two different Cry proteins show that AfIP-1A/1B and mCry3A differ in their mode of action while AfIP-1A/1B and the binary Cry34Ab1/Cry35Ab1 protein share a similar mode. These findings are supported by results of competitive binding assays and the similarity of the x-ray structure of AfIP-1A to Cry34Ab1. Our work indicates that insecticidal proteins obtained from a non-Bt bacterial source can be useful for developing genetically modified crops and can function similarly to familiar proteins from Bt.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dan Altier
- DuPont Pioneer, Johnston, IA, 50131, USA
| | | | | | | | - Amit Sethi
- DuPont Pioneer, Johnston, IA, 50131, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Rongjin Guan
- Nexomics Biosciences, Bordentown, NJ, 08505, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Lu Liu
- DuPont Pioneer, Hayward, CA, 94545, USA
| | - Gusui Wu
- DuPont Pioneer, Johnston, IA, 50131, USA
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17
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Frangež R, Šuput D, Molgó J, Benoit E. Ostreolysin A/Pleurotolysin B and Equinatoxins: Structure, Function and Pathophysiological Effects of These Pore-Forming Proteins. Toxins (Basel) 2017; 9:toxins9040128. [PMID: 28379176 PMCID: PMC5408202 DOI: 10.3390/toxins9040128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Revised: 03/30/2017] [Accepted: 03/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Acidic ostreolysin A/pleurotolysin B (OlyA/PlyB, formerly known as ostreolysin (Oly), and basic 20 kDa equinatoxins (EqTs) are cytolytic proteins isolated from the edible mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus and the sea anemone Actinia equina, respectively. Both toxins, although from different sources, share many similar biological activities: (i) colloid-osmotic shock by forming pores in cellular and artificial membranes enriched in cholesterol and sphingomyelin; (ii) increased vascular endothelial wall permeability in vivo and perivascular oedema; (iii) dose-dependent contraction of coronary vessels; (iv) haemolysis with pronounced hyperkalaemia in vivo; (v) bradycardia, myocardial ischemia and ventricular extrasystoles accompanied by progressive fall of arterial blood pressure and respiratory arrest in rodents. Both types of toxins are haemolytic within nanomolar range concentrations, and it seems that hyperkalaemia plays an important role in toxin cardiotoxicity. However, it was observed that the haemolytically more active EqT III is less toxic than EqT I, the most toxic and least haemolytic EqT. In mice, EqT II is more than 30 times more toxic than OlyA/PlyB when applied intravenously. These observations imply that haemolysis with hyperkalaemia is not the sole cause of the lethal activity of both toxins. Additional mechanisms responsible for lethal action of the two toxins are direct effects on heart, coronary vasoconstriction and related myocardial hypoxia. In this review, we appraise the pathophysiological mechanisms related to the chemical structure of OlyA/PlyB and EqTs, as well as their toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Frangež
- Institute of Preclinical Sciences, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana; 1115-Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Dušan Šuput
- Laboratory for Cell Physiology and Toxinology, Institute of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, P.O. Box 11, 1105-Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Jordi Molgó
- DRF/Institut de Sciences de la Vie Frédéric Joliot/SIMOPRO, CEA de Saclay, and Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay (Neuro-PSI), UMR 9197 CNRS/Université Paris-Sud, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
| | - Evelyne Benoit
- DRF/Institut de Sciences de la Vie Frédéric Joliot/SIMOPRO, CEA de Saclay, and Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay (Neuro-PSI), UMR 9197 CNRS/Université Paris-Sud, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
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18
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de Bekker C, Ohm RA, Loreto RG, Sebastian A, Albert I, Merrow M, Brachmann A, Hughes DP. Gene expression during zombie ant biting behavior reflects the complexity underlying fungal parasitic behavioral manipulation. BMC Genomics 2015; 16:620. [PMID: 26285697 PMCID: PMC4545319 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-015-1812-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2015] [Accepted: 08/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adaptive manipulation of animal behavior by parasites functions to increase parasite transmission through changes in host behavior. These changes can range from slight alterations in existing behaviors of the host to the establishment of wholly novel behaviors. The biting behavior observed in Carpenter ants infected by the specialized fungus Ophiocordyceps unilateralis s.l. is an example of the latter. Though parasitic manipulation of host behavior is generally assumed to be due to the parasite's gene expression, few studies have set out to test this. RESULTS We experimentally infected Carpenter ants to collect tissue from both parasite and host during the time period when manipulated biting behavior is experienced. Upon observation of synchronized biting, samples were collected and subjected to mixed RNA-Seq analysis. We also sequenced and annotated the O. unilateralis s.l. genome as a reference for the fungal sequencing reads. CONCLUSIONS Our mixed transcriptomics approach, together with a comparative genomics study, shows that the majority of the fungal genes that are up-regulated during manipulated biting behavior are unique to the O. unilateralis s.l. genome. This study furthermore reveals that the fungal parasite might be regulating immune- and neuronal stress responses in the host during manipulated biting, as well as impairing its chemosensory communication and causing apoptosis. Moreover, we found genes up-regulated during manipulation that putatively encode for proteins with reported effects on behavioral outputs, proteins involved in various neuropathologies and proteins involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charissa de Bekker
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Goethestrasse 31, 80336, Munich, Germany.
- Department of Entomology and Department of Biology, Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, State College, Pennsylvania, 16802, PA, USA.
| | - Robin A Ohm
- Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584, CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Raquel G Loreto
- Department of Entomology and Department of Biology, Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, State College, Pennsylvania, 16802, PA, USA
- CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasília, 70040-020, DF, Brazil
| | - Aswathy Sebastian
- Bioinformatics Consulting Center, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, State College, Pennsylvania, 16802, PA, USA
| | - Istvan Albert
- Bioinformatics Consulting Center, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, State College, Pennsylvania, 16802, PA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, State College, Pennsylvania, 16802, PA, USA
| | - Martha Merrow
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Goethestrasse 31, 80336, Munich, Germany
| | - Andreas Brachmann
- Faculty of Biology, Section Genetics, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Grosshaderner Strasse 2-4, 82152, Martinsried, Germany
| | - David P Hughes
- Department of Entomology and Department of Biology, Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, State College, Pennsylvania, 16802, PA, USA.
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19
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Yap HYY, Fung SY, Ng ST, Tan CS, Tan NH. Genome-based proteomic analysis of Lignosus rhinocerotis (Cooke) Ryvarden sclerotium. Int J Med Sci 2015; 12:23-31. [PMID: 25552915 PMCID: PMC4278872 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.10019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2014] [Accepted: 10/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Lignosus rhinocerotis (Cooke) Ryvarden (Polyporales, Basidiomycota), also known as the tiger milk mushroom, has received much interest in recent years owing to its wide-range ethnobotanical uses and the recent success in its domestication. The sclerotium is the part with medicinal value. Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis coupled with mass spectrometry analysis, a total of 16 non-redundant, major proteins were identified with high confidence level in L. rhinocerotis sclerotium based on its genome as custom mapping database. Some of these proteins, such as the putative lectins, immunomodulatory proteins, superoxide dismutase, and aegerolysin may have pharmaceutical potential; while others are involved in nutrient mobilization and the protective antioxidant mechanism in the sclerotium. The findings from this study provide a molecular basis for future research on potential pharmacologically active proteins of L. rhinocerotis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Yeng Yeannie Yap
- 1. Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Shin-Yee Fung
- 1. Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Szu-Ting Ng
- 2. Ligno Biotech Sdn. Bhd., 43300 Balakong Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Chon-Seng Tan
- 2. Ligno Biotech Sdn. Bhd., 43300 Balakong Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Nget-Hong Tan
- 1. Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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20
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Novak M, Kraševec N, Skočaj M, Maček P, Anderluh G, Sepčić K. Fungal aegerolysin-like proteins: distribution, activities, and applications. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2014; 99:601-10. [PMID: 25476018 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-014-6239-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2014] [Revised: 11/13/2014] [Accepted: 11/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The aegerolysin protein family (from aegerolysin of the mushroom Agrocybe aegerita) comprises proteins of ∼15-20 kDa from various eukaryotic and bacterial taxa. Aegerolysins are inconsistently distributed among fungal species, and variable numbers of homologs have been reported for species within the same genus. As such noncore proteins, without a member of a protein family in each of the sequenced fungi, they can give insight into different species-specific processes. Some aegerolysins have been reported to be hemolytically active against mammalian erythrocytes. However, some function as bi-component proteins that have membrane activity in concert with another protein that contains a membrane attack complex/perforin domain. The function of most of aegerolysins is unknown, although some have been suggested to have a role in development of the organism. Potential biotechnological applications of aegerolysins are already evident, despite the limited scientific knowledge available at present. Some mushroom aegerolysins, for example, can be used as markers to detect and label specific membrane lipids. Others can be used as biomarkers of fungal exposure, where their genes can serve as targets for detection of fungi and their progression during infectious diseases. Antibodies against aegerolysins can also be raised as immuno-diagnostic tools. Aegerolysins have been shown to serve as a species determination tool for fungal phytopathogen isolates in terms of some closely related species, where commonly used internal transcribed spacer barcoding has failed. Moreover, strong promoters that regulate aegerolysin genes can promote secretion of heterologous proteins from fungi and have been successfully applied in simultaneous multi-gene expression techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maruša Novak
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 111, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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21
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Kelker MS, Berry C, Evans SL, Pai R, McCaskill DG, Wang NX, Russell JC, Baker MD, Yang C, Pflugrath JW, Wade M, Wess TJ, Narva KE. Structural and biophysical characterization of Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal proteins Cry34Ab1 and Cry35Ab1. PLoS One 2014; 9:e112555. [PMID: 25390338 PMCID: PMC4229197 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0112555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2014] [Accepted: 10/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis strains are well known for the production of insecticidal proteins upon sporulation and these proteins are deposited in parasporal crystalline inclusions. The majority of these insect-specific toxins exhibit three domains in the mature toxin sequence. However, other Cry toxins are structurally and evolutionarily unrelated to this three-domain family and little is known of their three dimensional structures, limiting our understanding of their mechanisms of action and our ability to engineer the proteins to enhance their function. Among the non-three domain Cry toxins, the Cry34Ab1 and Cry35Ab1 proteins from B. thuringiensis strain PS149B1 are required to act together to produce toxicity to the western corn rootworm (WCR) Diabrotica virgifera virgifera Le Conte via a pore forming mechanism of action. Cry34Ab1 is a protein of ∼14 kDa with features of the aegerolysin family (Pfam06355) of proteins that have known membrane disrupting activity, while Cry35Ab1 is a ∼44 kDa member of the toxin_10 family (Pfam05431) that includes other insecticidal proteins such as the binary toxin BinA/BinB. The Cry34Ab1/Cry35Ab1 proteins represent an important seed trait technology having been developed as insect resistance traits in commercialized corn hybrids for control of WCR. The structures of Cry34Ab1 and Cry35Ab1 have been elucidated to 2.15 Å and 1.80 Å resolution, respectively. The solution structures of the toxins were further studied by small angle X-ray scattering and native electrospray ion mobility mass spectrometry. We present here the first published structure from the aegerolysin protein domain family and the structural comparisons of Cry34Ab1 and Cry35Ab1 with other pore forming toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S. Kelker
- Dow AgroSciences, LLC, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Colin Berry
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
| | - Steven L. Evans
- Dow AgroSciences, LLC, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Reetal Pai
- Dow AgroSciences, LLC, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | | | - Nick X. Wang
- Dow AgroSciences, LLC, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Joshua C. Russell
- Dow AgroSciences, LLC, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Matthew D. Baker
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
| | - Cheng Yang
- Rigaku Americas Corporation, The Woodlands, Texas, United States of America
| | - J. W. Pflugrath
- Rigaku Americas Corporation, The Woodlands, Texas, United States of America
| | - Matthew Wade
- School of Optometry & Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
| | - Tim J. Wess
- School of Optometry & Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
| | - Kenneth E. Narva
- Dow AgroSciences, LLC, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
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22
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The cry toxin operon of Clostridium bifermentans subsp. malaysia is highly toxic to Aedes Larval Mosquitoes. Appl Environ Microbiol 2014; 80:5689-97. [PMID: 25002432 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01139-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The management and control of mosquito vectors of human disease currently rely primarily on chemical insecticides. However, larvicidal treatments can be effective, and if based on biological insecticides, they can also ameliorate the risk posed to human health by chemical insecticides. The aerobic bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis and Lysinibacillus sphaericus have been used for vector control for a number of decades. But a more cost-effective use would be an anaerobic bacterium because of the ease with which these can be cultured. More recently, the anaerobic bacterium Clostridium bifermentans subsp. malaysia has been reported to have high mosquitocidal activity, and a number of proteins were identified as potentially mosquitocidal. However, the cloned proteins showed no mosquitocidal activity. We show here that four toxins encoded by the Cry operon, Cry16A, Cry17A, Cbm17.1, and Cbm17.2, are all required for toxicity, and these toxins collectively show remarkable selectivity for Aedes rather than Anopheles mosquitoes, even though C. bifermentans subsp. malaysia is more toxic to Anopheles. Hence, toxins that target Anopheles are different from those expressed by the Cry operon.
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23
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Skočaj M, Resnik N, Grundner M, Ota K, Rojko N, Hodnik V, Anderluh G, Sobota A, Maček P, Veranič P, Sepčić K. Tracking cholesterol/sphingomyelin-rich membrane domains with the ostreolysin A-mCherry protein. PLoS One 2014; 9:e92783. [PMID: 24664106 PMCID: PMC3963934 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0092783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2013] [Accepted: 02/25/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Ostreolysin A (OlyA) is an ∼15-kDa protein that has been shown to bind selectively to membranes rich in cholesterol and sphingomyelin. In this study, we investigated whether OlyA fluorescently tagged at the C-terminal with mCherry (OlyA-mCherry) labels cholesterol/sphingomyelin domains in artificial membrane systems and in membranes of Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) epithelial cells. OlyA-mCherry showed similar lipid binding characteristics to non-tagged OlyA. OlyA-mCherry also stained cholesterol/sphingomyelin domains in the plasma membranes of both fixed and living MDCK cells, and in the living cells, this staining was abolished by pretreatment with either methyl-β-cyclodextrin or sphingomyelinase. Double labelling of MDCK cells with OlyA-mCherry and the sphingomyelin-specific markers equinatoxin II-Alexa488 and GST-lysenin, the cholera toxin B subunit as a probe that binds to the ganglioside GM1, or the cholesterol-specific D4 domain of perfringolysin O fused with EGFP, showed different patterns of binding and distribution of OlyA-mCherry in comparison with these other proteins. Furthermore, we show that OlyA-mCherry is internalised in living MDCK cells, and within 90 min it reaches the juxtanuclear region via caveolin-1-positive structures. No binding to membranes could be seen when OlyA-mCherry was expressed in MDCK cells. Altogether, these data clearly indicate that OlyA-mCherry is a promising tool for labelling a distinct pool of cholesterol/sphingomyelin membrane domains in living and fixed cells, and for following these domains when they are apparently internalised by the cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matej Skočaj
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nataša Resnik
- Institute of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maja Grundner
- Institute of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Katja Ota
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nejc Rojko
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Vesna Hodnik
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Anderluh
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Andrzej Sobota
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Peter Maček
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Peter Veranič
- Institute of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Kristina Sepčić
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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24
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Bhat HB, Kishimoto T, Abe M, Makino A, Inaba T, Murate M, Dohmae N, Kurahashi A, Nishibori K, Fujimori F, Greimel P, Ishitsuka R, Kobayashi T. Binding of a pleurotolysin ortholog from Pleurotus eryngii to sphingomyelin and cholesterol-rich membrane domains. J Lipid Res 2013; 54:2933-43. [PMID: 23918047 DOI: 10.1194/jlr.d041731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A mixture of sphingomyelin (SM) and cholesterol (Chol) exhibits a characteristic lipid raft domain of the cell membranes that provides a platform to which various signal molecules as well as virus and bacterial proteins are recruited. Several proteins capable of specifically binding either SM or Chol have been reported. However, proteins that selectively bind to SM/Chol mixtures are less well characterized. In our screening for proteins specifically binding to SM/Chol liposomes, we identified a novel ortholog of Pleurotus ostreatus, pleurotolysin (Ply)A, from the extract of edible mushroom Pleurotus eryngii, named PlyA2. Enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-conjugated PlyA2 bound to SM/Chol but not to phosphatidylcholine/Chol liposomes. Cell surface labeling of PlyA2-EGFP was abolished after sphingomyelinase as well as methyl-β-cyclodextrin treatment, removing SM and Chol, respectively, indicating that PlyA2-EGFP specifically binds cell surface SM/Chol rafts. Tryptophan to alanine point mutation of PlyA2 revealed the importance of C-terminal tryptophan residues for SM/Chol binding. Our results indicate that PlyA2-EGFP is a novel protein probe to label SM/Chol lipid domains both in cell and model membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hema Balakrishna Bhat
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Saitama 338-8570, Japan
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25
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Anantharaman V, Makarova KS, Burroughs AM, Koonin EV, Aravind L. Comprehensive analysis of the HEPN superfamily: identification of novel roles in intra-genomic conflicts, defense, pathogenesis and RNA processing. Biol Direct 2013; 8:15. [PMID: 23768067 PMCID: PMC3710099 DOI: 10.1186/1745-6150-8-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 184] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2013] [Accepted: 05/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The major role of enzymatic toxins that target nucleic acids in biological conflicts at all levels has become increasingly apparent thanks in large part to the advances of comparative genomics. Typically, toxins evolve rapidly hampering the identification of these proteins by sequence analysis. Here we analyze an unexpectedly widespread superfamily of toxin domains most of which possess RNase activity. Results The HEPN superfamily is comprised of all α-helical domains that were first identified as being associated with DNA polymerase β-type nucleotidyltransferases in prokaryotes and animal Sacsin proteins. Using sensitive sequence and structure comparison methods, we vastly extend the HEPN superfamily by identifying numerous novel families and by detecting diverged HEPN domains in several known protein families. The new HEPN families include the RNase LS and LsoA catalytic domains, KEN domains (e.g. RNaseL and Ire1) and the RNase domains of RloC and PrrC. The majority of HEPN domains contain conserved motifs that constitute a metal-independent endoRNase active site. Some HEPN domains lacking this motif probably function as non-catalytic RNA-binding domains, such as in the case of the mannitol repressor MtlR. Our analysis shows that HEPN domains function as toxins that are shared by numerous systems implicated in intra-genomic, inter-genomic and intra-organismal conflicts across the three domains of cellular life. In prokaryotes HEPN domains are essential components of numerous toxin-antitoxin (TA) and abortive infection (Abi) systems and in addition are tightly associated with many restriction-modification (R-M) and CRISPR-Cas systems, and occasionally with other defense systems such as Pgl and Ter. We present evidence of multiple modes of action of HEPN domains in these systems, which include direct attack on viral RNAs (e.g. LsoA and RNase LS) in conjunction with other RNase domains (e.g. a novel RNase H fold domain, NamA), suicidal or dormancy-inducing attack on self RNAs (RM systems and possibly CRISPR-Cas systems), and suicidal attack coupled with direct interaction with phage components (Abi systems). These findings are compatible with the hypothesis on coupling of pathogen-targeting (immunity) and self-directed (programmed cell death and dormancy induction) responses in the evolution of robust antiviral strategies. We propose that altruistic cell suicide mediated by HEPN domains and other functionally similar RNases was essential for the evolution of kin and group selection and cell cooperation. HEPN domains were repeatedly acquired by eukaryotes and incorporated into several core functions such as endonucleolytic processing of the 5.8S-25S/28S rRNA precursor (Las1), a novel ER membrane-associated RNA degradation system (C6orf70), sensing of unprocessed transcripts at the nuclear periphery (Swt1). Multiple lines of evidence suggest that, similar to prokaryotes, HEPN proteins were recruited to antiviral, antitransposon, apoptotic systems or RNA-level response to unfolded proteins (Sacsin and KEN domains) in several groups of eukaryotes. Conclusions Extensive sequence and structure comparisons reveal unexpectedly broad presence of the HEPN domain in an enormous variety of defense and stress response systems across the tree of life. In addition, HEPN domains have been recruited to perform essential functions, in particular in eukaryotic rRNA processing. These findings are expected to stimulate experiments that could shed light on diverse cellular processes across the three domains of life. Reviewers This article was reviewed by Martijn Huynen, Igor Zhulin and Nick Grishin
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivek Anantharaman
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
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26
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Abstract
Hemolysins are a class of proteins defined by their ability to lyse red cells but have been described to exhibit pleiotropic functions. These proteins have been extensively studied in bacteria and more recently in fungi. Within the last decade, a number of studies have characterized fungal hemolysins and revealed a fascinating yet diverse group of proteins. The purpose of this review is to provide a synopsis of the known fungal hemolysins with an emphasis on those belonging to the aegerolysin protein family. New insight and perspective into fungal hemolysins in biotechnology and health are additionally presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajay P Nayak
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA.
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27
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Schubert M, Bleuler-Martinez S, Butschi A, Wälti MA, Egloff P, Stutz K, Yan S, Wilson IBH, Hengartner MO, Aebi M, Allain FHT, Künzler M. Plasticity of the β-trefoil protein fold in the recognition and control of invertebrate predators and parasites by a fungal defence system. PLoS Pathog 2012; 8:e1002706. [PMID: 22615566 PMCID: PMC3355094 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1002706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2012] [Accepted: 04/02/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Discrimination between self and non-self is a prerequisite for any defence mechanism; in innate defence, this discrimination is often mediated by lectins recognizing non-self carbohydrate structures and so relies on an arsenal of host lectins with different specificities towards target organism carbohydrate structures. Recently, cytoplasmic lectins isolated from fungal fruiting bodies have been shown to play a role in the defence of multicellular fungi against predators and parasites. Here, we present a novel fruiting body lectin, CCL2, from the ink cap mushroom Coprinopsis cinerea. We demonstrate the toxicity of the lectin towards Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster and present its NMR solution structure in complex with the trisaccharide, GlcNAcβ1,4[Fucα1,3]GlcNAc, to which it binds with high specificity and affinity in vitro. The structure reveals that the monomeric CCL2 adopts a β-trefoil fold and recognizes the trisaccharide by a single, topologically novel carbohydrate-binding site. Site-directed mutagenesis of CCL2 and identification of C. elegans mutants resistant to this lectin show that its nematotoxicity is mediated by binding to α1,3-fucosylated N-glycan core structures of nematode glycoproteins; feeding with fluorescently labeled CCL2 demonstrates that these target glycoproteins localize to the C. elegans intestine. Since the identified glycoepitope is characteristic for invertebrates but absent from fungi, our data show that the defence function of fruiting body lectins is based on the specific recognition of non-self carbohydrate structures. The trisaccharide specifically recognized by CCL2 is a key carbohydrate determinant of pollen and insect venom allergens implying this particular glycoepitope is targeted by both fungal defence and mammalian immune systems. In summary, our results demonstrate how the plasticity of a common protein fold can contribute to the recognition and control of antagonists by an innate defence mechanism, whereby the monovalency of the lectin for its ligand implies a novel mechanism of lectin-mediated toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Schubert
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Alex Butschi
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Pascal Egloff
- Institute of Microbiology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Katrin Stutz
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Shi Yan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, Austria
| | - Iain B. H. Wilson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Markus Aebi
- Institute of Microbiology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Markus Künzler
- Institute of Microbiology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
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28
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Lokar M, Kabaso D, Resnik N, Sepčić K, Kralj-Iglič V, Veranič P, Zorec R, Iglič A. The role of cholesterol-sphingomyelin membrane nanodomains in the stability of intercellular membrane nanotubes. Int J Nanomedicine 2012; 7:1891-902. [PMID: 22605937 PMCID: PMC3352693 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s28723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Intercellular membrane nanotubes (ICNs) are highly curved tubular structures that connect neighboring cells. The stability of these structures depends on the inner cytoskeleton and the cell membrane composition. Yet, due to the difficulty in the extraction of ICNs, the cell membrane composition remains elusive. In the present study, a raft marker, ostreolysin, revealed the enrichment of cholesterol-sphingomyelin membrane nanodomains along ICNs in a T24 (malignant) urothelial cancer cell line. Cholesterol depletion, due to the addition of methyl-β-cyclodextrin, caused the dispersion of cholesterol-sphingomyelin membrane nanodomains and the retraction of ICNs. The depletion of cholesterol also led to cytoskeleton reorganization and to formation of actin stress fibers. Live cell imaging data revealed the possible functional coupling between the change from polygonal to spherical shape, cell separation, and the disconnection of ICNs. The ICN was modeled as an axisymmetric tubular structure, enabling us to investigate the effects of cholesterol content on the ICN curvature. The removal of cholesterol was predicted to reduce the positive spontaneous curvature of the remaining membrane components, increasing their curvature mismatch with the tube curvature. The mechanisms by which the increased curvature mismatch could contribute to the disconnection of ICNs are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maruša Lokar
- Laboratory of Biophysics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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29
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Moran Y, Fredman D, Szczesny P, Grynberg M, Technau U. Recurrent horizontal transfer of bacterial toxin genes to eukaryotes. Mol Biol Evol 2012; 29:2223-30. [PMID: 22411854 PMCID: PMC3424411 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/mss089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In this work, we report likely recurrent horizontal (lateral) gene transfer events of genes encoding pore-forming toxins of the aerolysin family between species belonging to different kingdoms of life. Clustering based on pairwise similarity and phylogenetic analysis revealed several distinct aerolysin sequence groups, each containing proteins from multiple kingdoms of life. These results strongly support at least six independent transfer events between distantly related phyla in the evolutionary history of one protein family and discount selective retention of ancestral genes as a plausible explanation for this patchy phylogenetic distribution. We discuss the possible roles of these proteins and show evidence for a convergent new function in two extant species. We hypothesize that certain gene families are more likely to be maintained following horizontal gene transfer from commensal or pathogenic organism to its host if they 1) can function alone; and 2) are immediately beneficial for the ecology of the organism, as in the case of pore-forming toxins which can be utilized in multicellular organisms for defense and predation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yehu Moran
- Department for Molecular Evolution and Development, Center for Organismal Systems Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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30
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Nayak AP, Green BJ, Friend S, Beezhold DH. Development of monoclonal antibodies to recombinant terrelysin and characterization of expression in Aspergillus terreus. J Med Microbiol 2011; 61:489-499. [PMID: 22160315 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.039511-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus terreus is an emerging pathogen that mostly affects immunocompromised patients, causing infections that are often difficult to manage therapeutically. Current diagnostic strategies are limited to the detection of fungal growth using radiological methods or biopsy, which often does not enable species-specific identification. There is thus a critical need for diagnostic techniques to enable early and specific identification of the causative agent. In this study, we describe monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) developed to a previously described recombinant form of the haemolysin terrelysin. Sixteen hybridomas of various IgG isotypes were generated to the recombinant protein, of which seven demonstrated reactivity to the native protein in hyphal extracts. Cross-reactivity analysis using hyphal extracts from 29 fungal species, including 12 Aspergillus species and five strains of A. terreus, showed that three mAbs (13G10, 15B5 and 10G4) were A. terreus-specific. Epitope analysis demonstrated mAbs 13G10 and 10G4 recognize the same epitope, PSNEFE, while mAb 15B5 recognizes the epitope LYEGQFHS. Time-course studies showed that terrelysin expression was highest during early hyphal growth and dramatically decreased after mycelial expansion. Immunolocalization studies demonstrated that terrelysin was not only localized within the cytoplasm of hyphae but appeared to be more abundant at the hyphal tip. These findings were confirmed in cultures grown at room temperature as well as at 37 °C. Additionally, terrelysin was detected in the supernatant of A. terreus cultures. These observations suggest that terrelysin may be a candidate biomarker for A. terreus infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajay P Nayak
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA.,Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
| | - Brett J Green
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
| | - Sherri Friend
- Pathology and Physiology Research Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
| | - Donald H Beezhold
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
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31
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Nayak AP, Green BJ, Janotka E, Hettick JM, Friend S, Vesper SJ, Schmechel D, Beezhold DH. Monoclonal antibodies to hyphal exoantigens derived from the opportunistic pathogen Aspergillus terreus. CLINICAL AND VACCINE IMMUNOLOGY : CVI 2011; 18:1568-76. [PMID: 21734068 PMCID: PMC3165237 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.05163-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2011] [Accepted: 06/25/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Aspergillus terreus has been difficult to identify in cases of aspergillosis, and clinical identification has been restricted to the broad identification of aspergillosis lesions in affected organs or the detection of fungal carbohydrates. As a result, there is a clinical need to identify species-specific biomarkers that can be used to detect invasive A. terreus disease. Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were developed to a partially purified preparation of cytolytic hyphal exoantigens (HEA) derived from A. terreus culture supernatant (CSN). Twenty-three IgG1 isotype murine MAbs were developed and tested for cross-reactivity against hyphal extracts of 54 fungal species. Sixteen MAbs were shown to be specific for A. terreus. HEA were detected in conidia, hyphae, and in CSN of A. terreus. HEA were expressed in high levels in the hyphae during early stages of A. terreus growth at 37°C, whereas at room temperature the expression of HEA peaked by days 4 to 5. Expression kinetics of HEA in CSN showed a lag, with peak levels at later time points at room temperature and 37°C than in hyphal extracts. Serum spiking experiments demonstrated that human serum components do not inhibit detection of the HEA epitopes by MAb enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunoprecipitation and proteomic analysis demonstrated that MAbs 13E11 and 12C4 immunoprecipitated a putative uncharacterized leucine aminopeptidase (Q0CAZ7), while MAb 19B2 recognized a putative dipeptidyl-peptidase V (DPP5). Studies using confocal laser scanning microscopy showed that the uncharacterized leucine aminopeptidase mostly localized to extracellular matrix structures while dipeptidyl-peptidase V was mostly confined to the cytoplasm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajay P. Nayak
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, West Virginia
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Brett J. Green
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Erika Janotka
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Justin M. Hettick
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Sherri Friend
- Pathology and Physiology Research Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Steve J. Vesper
- Microbial Exposure Research Branch, Microbiological and Chemical Exposure Assessment Research Division, National Exposure Research Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Detlef Schmechel
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Donald H. Beezhold
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, West Virginia
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32
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Rao J, Elliott MR, Leitinger N, Jensen RV, Goldberg JB, Amin AR. RahU: an inducible and functionally pleiotropic protein in Pseudomonas aeruginosa modulates innate immunity and inflammation in host cells. Cell Immunol 2011; 270:103-13. [PMID: 21704311 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2011.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2011] [Revised: 05/17/2011] [Accepted: 05/18/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to define the functional role of a recently identified RahU protein from Pseudomonas aeruginosa in macrophages and its role in bacterial defense. Recombinant (r)-RahU had no significant effect on cell apoptosis or cell viability in human monocytic THP-1 cells. Gene expression array of murine macrophage cells (RAW 264.7) stimulated with LPS showed modulation of common transcripts (by r-RahU and predisone) involved in inflammation. Functional cellular analysis showed RAW cells incubated with r-RahU at 1.0-10 μg/ml (0.06-0.6 μM) inhibited accumulation of nitric oxide (NO) in the presence of LPS by 10-50%. The IC(50) of r-RahU (0.6 μM) was distinct from the known inhibitors of NO production: prednisone (50 μM) and L-NMMA (100 μM). r-RahU also significantly inhibited chemotactic activity of THP-1 cells toward CCL2 or chemotactic supernatants from apoptotic T-cells. These reports show previously unknown pleiotropic properties of RahU in modulating both microbial physiology and host innate immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayasimha Rao
- Research Department, Carilion Clinic and Virginia Tech, Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA 24013, USA
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Kubicek CP, Herrera-Estrella A, Seidl-Seiboth V, Martinez DA, Druzhinina IS, Thon M, Zeilinger S, Casas-Flores S, Horwitz BA, Mukherjee PK, Mukherjee M, Kredics L, Alcaraz LD, Aerts A, Antal Z, Atanasova L, Cervantes-Badillo MG, Challacombe J, Chertkov O, McCluskey K, Coulpier F, Deshpande N, von Döhren H, Ebbole DJ, Esquivel-Naranjo EU, Fekete E, Flipphi M, Glaser F, Gómez-Rodríguez EY, Gruber S, Han C, Henrissat B, Hermosa R, Hernández-Oñate M, Karaffa L, Kosti I, Le Crom S, Lindquist E, Lucas S, Lübeck M, Lübeck PS, Margeot A, Metz B, Misra M, Nevalainen H, Omann M, Packer N, Perrone G, Uresti-Rivera EE, Salamov A, Schmoll M, Seiboth B, Shapiro H, Sukno S, Tamayo-Ramos JA, Tisch D, Wiest A, Wilkinson HH, Zhang M, Coutinho PM, Kenerley CM, Monte E, Baker SE, Grigoriev IV. Comparative genome sequence analysis underscores mycoparasitism as the ancestral life style of Trichoderma. Genome Biol 2011; 12:R40. [PMID: 21501500 PMCID: PMC3218866 DOI: 10.1186/gb-2011-12-4-r40] [Citation(s) in RCA: 383] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2010] [Revised: 03/28/2011] [Accepted: 04/18/2011] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mycoparasitism, a lifestyle where one fungus is parasitic on another fungus, has special relevance when the prey is a plant pathogen, providing a strategy for biological control of pests for plant protection. Probably, the most studied biocontrol agents are species of the genus Hypocrea/Trichoderma. RESULTS Here we report an analysis of the genome sequences of the two biocontrol species Trichoderma atroviride (teleomorph Hypocrea atroviridis) and Trichoderma virens (formerly Gliocladium virens, teleomorph Hypocrea virens), and a comparison with Trichoderma reesei (teleomorph Hypocrea jecorina). These three Trichoderma species display a remarkable conservation of gene order (78 to 96%), and a lack of active mobile elements probably due to repeat-induced point mutation. Several gene families are expanded in the two mycoparasitic species relative to T. reesei or other ascomycetes, and are overrepresented in non-syntenic genome regions. A phylogenetic analysis shows that T. reesei and T. virens are derived relative to T. atroviride. The mycoparasitism-specific genes thus arose in a common Trichoderma ancestor but were subsequently lost in T. reesei. CONCLUSIONS The data offer a better understanding of mycoparasitism, and thus enforce the development of improved biocontrol strains for efficient and environmentally friendly protection of plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian P Kubicek
- Area Gene Technology and Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Chemical Engineering Vienna University of Technology, Getreidemarkt 9, 1060 Vienna, Austria
| | - Alfredo Herrera-Estrella
- Laboratorio Nacional de Genómica para la Biodiversidad, Cinvestav Campus Guanajuato, Km. 9.6 Libramiento Norte, Carretera Irapuato-León, 36821 Irapuato, Mexico
| | - Verena Seidl-Seiboth
- Area Gene Technology and Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Chemical Engineering Vienna University of Technology, Getreidemarkt 9, 1060 Vienna, Austria
| | - Diego A Martinez
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, 301 Binney St, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Irina S Druzhinina
- Area Gene Technology and Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Chemical Engineering Vienna University of Technology, Getreidemarkt 9, 1060 Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Thon
- Centro Hispanoluso de Investigaciones Agrarias (CIALE), Department of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Salamanca, Calle Del Duero, 12, Villamayor 37185, Spain
| | - Susanne Zeilinger
- Area Gene Technology and Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Chemical Engineering Vienna University of Technology, Getreidemarkt 9, 1060 Vienna, Austria
| | - Sergio Casas-Flores
- División de Biología Molecular, Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica, Camino a la Presa San José, No. 2055, Colonia Lomas 4a Sección, San Luis Potosí, SLP., 78216, México
| | - Benjamin A Horwitz
- Department of Biology, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Neve Shaanan Campus, Technion City, Haifa, 32000, Israel
| | - Prasun K Mukherjee
- Nuclear Agriculture and Biotechnology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400085, India
| | - Mala Mukherjee
- Department of Biology, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Neve Shaanan Campus, Technion City, Haifa, 32000, Israel
| | - László Kredics
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, Szeged, H-6726, Hungary
| | - Luis D Alcaraz
- Laboratorio Nacional de Genómica para la Biodiversidad, Cinvestav Campus Guanajuato, Km. 9.6 Libramiento Norte, Carretera Irapuato-León, 36821 Irapuato, Mexico
| | - Andrea Aerts
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, 2800 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598, USA
| | - Zsuzsanna Antal
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, Szeged, H-6726, Hungary
| | - Lea Atanasova
- Area Gene Technology and Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Chemical Engineering Vienna University of Technology, Getreidemarkt 9, 1060 Vienna, Austria
| | - Mayte G Cervantes-Badillo
- División de Biología Molecular, Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica, Camino a la Presa San José, No. 2055, Colonia Lomas 4a Sección, San Luis Potosí, SLP., 78216, México
| | - Jean Challacombe
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, 2800 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598, USA
| | - Olga Chertkov
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, 2800 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598, USA
| | - Kevin McCluskey
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri- Kansas City, 5007 Rockhill Road, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Fanny Coulpier
- Institut de Biologie de l'École normale supérieure (IBENS), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1024, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR8197, 46, rue d'Ulm, Paris 75005, France
| | - Nandan Deshpande
- Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Research Park Drive Building F7B, North Ryde, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Hans von Döhren
- TU Berlin, Institut für Chemie, FG Biochemie und Molekulare Biologie OE2, Franklinstr. 29, 10587 Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel J Ebbole
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology Building 0444, Nagle Street, Texas A&M University College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Edgardo U Esquivel-Naranjo
- Laboratorio Nacional de Genómica para la Biodiversidad, Cinvestav Campus Guanajuato, Km. 9.6 Libramiento Norte, Carretera Irapuato-León, 36821 Irapuato, Mexico
| | - Erzsébet Fekete
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, Debrecen, H-4010, Hungary
| | - Michel Flipphi
- Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Apartado de Correos 73, Burjassot (Valencia) E-46100, Spain
| | - Fabian Glaser
- Department of Biology, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Neve Shaanan Campus, Technion City, Haifa, 32000, Israel
| | - Elida Y Gómez-Rodríguez
- División de Biología Molecular, Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica, Camino a la Presa San José, No. 2055, Colonia Lomas 4a Sección, San Luis Potosí, SLP., 78216, México
| | - Sabine Gruber
- Area Gene Technology and Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Chemical Engineering Vienna University of Technology, Getreidemarkt 9, 1060 Vienna, Austria
| | - Cliff Han
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, 2800 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598, USA
| | - Bernard Henrissat
- Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, UMR6098, CNRS, Université de la Méditerranée, Case 932, 163 Avenue de Luminy, 13288 Marseille 13288, France
| | - Rosa Hermosa
- Centro Hispanoluso de Investigaciones Agrarias (CIALE), Department of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Salamanca, Calle Del Duero, 12, Villamayor 37185, Spain
| | - Miguel Hernández-Oñate
- Laboratorio Nacional de Genómica para la Biodiversidad, Cinvestav Campus Guanajuato, Km. 9.6 Libramiento Norte, Carretera Irapuato-León, 36821 Irapuato, Mexico
| | - Levente Karaffa
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, Debrecen, H-4010, Hungary
| | - Idit Kosti
- Department of Biology, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Neve Shaanan Campus, Technion City, Haifa, 32000, Israel
| | - Stéphane Le Crom
- Institut de Biologie de l'École normale supérieure (IBENS), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1024, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR8197, 46, rue d'Ulm, Paris 75005, France
| | - Erika Lindquist
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, 2800 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598, USA
| | - Susan Lucas
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, 2800 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598, USA
| | - Mette Lübeck
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Aalborg University, Lautrupvang 15, DK-2750 Ballerup, Denmark
| | - Peter S Lübeck
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Aalborg University, Lautrupvang 15, DK-2750 Ballerup, Denmark
| | - Antoine Margeot
- Biotechnology Department, IFP Energies nouvelles, 1-4 avenue de Bois Préau, Rueil-Malmaison, 92852, France
| | - Benjamin Metz
- Area Gene Technology and Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Chemical Engineering Vienna University of Technology, Getreidemarkt 9, 1060 Vienna, Austria
| | - Monica Misra
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, 2800 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598, USA
| | - Helena Nevalainen
- Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Research Park Drive Building F7B, North Ryde, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Markus Omann
- Area Gene Technology and Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Chemical Engineering Vienna University of Technology, Getreidemarkt 9, 1060 Vienna, Austria
| | - Nicolle Packer
- Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Research Park Drive Building F7B, North Ryde, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Giancarlo Perrone
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production (ISPA), National Research Council (CNR), Via Amendola 122/O, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Edith E Uresti-Rivera
- División de Biología Molecular, Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica, Camino a la Presa San José, No. 2055, Colonia Lomas 4a Sección, San Luis Potosí, SLP., 78216, México
| | - Asaf Salamov
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, 2800 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598, USA
| | - Monika Schmoll
- Area Gene Technology and Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Chemical Engineering Vienna University of Technology, Getreidemarkt 9, 1060 Vienna, Austria
| | - Bernhard Seiboth
- Area Gene Technology and Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Chemical Engineering Vienna University of Technology, Getreidemarkt 9, 1060 Vienna, Austria
| | - Harris Shapiro
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, 2800 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598, USA
| | - Serenella Sukno
- Centro Hispanoluso de Investigaciones Agrarias (CIALE), Department of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Salamanca, Calle Del Duero, 12, Villamayor 37185, Spain
| | - Juan Antonio Tamayo-Ramos
- Wageningen University, Systems and Synthetic Biology, Fungal Systems Biology Group, Dreijenplein 10, 6703 HB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Doris Tisch
- Area Gene Technology and Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Chemical Engineering Vienna University of Technology, Getreidemarkt 9, 1060 Vienna, Austria
| | - Aric Wiest
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri- Kansas City, 5007 Rockhill Road, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Heather H Wilkinson
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology Building 0444, Nagle Street, Texas A&M University College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Michael Zhang
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, 2800 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598, USA
| | - Pedro M Coutinho
- Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, UMR6098, CNRS, Université de la Méditerranée, Case 932, 163 Avenue de Luminy, 13288 Marseille 13288, France
| | - Charles M Kenerley
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology Building 0444, Nagle Street, Texas A&M University College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Enrique Monte
- Centro Hispanoluso de Investigaciones Agrarias (CIALE), Department of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Salamanca, Calle Del Duero, 12, Villamayor 37185, Spain
| | - Scott E Baker
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, 2800 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598, USA
- Chemical and Biological Process Development Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, 902 Battelle Boulevard, Richland, WA 99352, USA
| | - Igor V Grigoriev
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, 2800 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598, USA
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Nayak AP, Blachere FM, Hettick JM, Lukomski S, Schmechel D, Beezhold DH. Characterization of recombinant terrelysin, a hemolysin of Aspergillus terreus. Mycopathologia 2010; 171:23-34. [PMID: 20632211 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-010-9343-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2010] [Accepted: 06/29/2010] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Fungal hemolysins are potential virulence factors. Some fungal hemolysins belong to the aegerolysin protein family that includes cytolysins capable of lysing erythrocytes and other cells. Here, we describe a hemolysin from Aspergillus terreus called terrelysin. We used the genome sequence database to identify the terrelysin sequence based on homology with other known aegerolysins. Aspergillus terreus mRNA was isolated, transcribed to cDNA and the open reading frame for terrelysin amplified by PCR using specific primers. Using the pASK-IBA6 cloning vector, we produced recombinant terrelysin (rTerrelysin) as a fusion product in Escherichia coli. The recombinant protein was purified and using MALDI-TOF MS determined to have a mass of 16,428 Da. Circular dichroism analysis suggests the secondary structure of the protein to be predominantly β-sheet. Results from thermal denaturation of rTerrelysin show that the protein maintained the β-sheet confirmation up to 65°C. Polyclonal antibody to rTerrelysin recognized a protein of approximately 16.5 kDa in mycelial extracts from A. terreus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajay P Nayak
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1095 Willowdale Rd, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
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35
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Pires ABL, Gramacho KP, Silva DC, Góes-Neto A, Silva MM, Muniz-Sobrinho JS, Porto RF, Villela-Dias C, Brendel M, Cascardo JCM, Pereira GAG. Early development of Moniliophthora perniciosa basidiomata and developmentally regulated genes. BMC Microbiol 2009; 9:158. [PMID: 19653910 PMCID: PMC2782264 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-9-158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2008] [Accepted: 08/04/2009] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The hemibiotrophic fungus Moniliophthora perniciosa is the causal agent of Witches' broom, a disease of Theobroma cacao. The pathogen life cycle ends with the production of basidiocarps in dead tissues of the infected host. This structure generates millions of basidiospores that reinfect young tissues of the same or other plants. A deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying the sexual phase of this fungus may help develop chemical, biological or genetic strategies to control the disease. RESULTS Mycelium was morphologically analyzed prior to emergence of basidiomata by stereomicroscopy, light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The morphological changes in the mycelium before fructification show a pattern similar to other members of the order Agaricales. Changes and appearance of hyphae forming a surface layer by fusion were correlated with primordia emergence. The stages of hyphal nodules, aggregation, initial primordium and differentiated primordium were detected. The morphological analysis also allowed conclusions on morphogenetic aspects. To analyze the genes involved in basidiomata development, the expression of some selected EST genes from a non-normalized cDNA library, representative of the fruiting stage of M. perniciosa, was evaluated. A macroarray analysis was performed with 192 selected clones and hybridized with two distinct RNA pools extracted from mycelium in different phases of basidiomata formation. This analysis showed two groups of up and down-regulated genes in primordial phases of mycelia. Hydrophobin coding, glucose transporter, Rho-GEF, Rheb, extensin precursor and cytochrome p450 monooxygenase genes were grouped among the up-regulated. In the down-regulated group relevant genes clustered coding calmodulin, lanosterol 14 alpha demethylase and PIM1. In addition, 12 genes with more detailed expression profiles were analyzed by RT-qPCR. One aegerolysin gene had a peak of expression in mycelium with primordia and a second in basidiomata, confirming their distinctiveness. The number of transcripts of the gene for plerototolysin B increased in reddish-pink mycelium and indicated an activation of the initial basidiomata production even at this culturing stage. Expression of the glucose transporter gene increased in mycelium after the stress, coinciding with a decrease of adenylate cyclase gene transcription. This indicated that nutrient uptake can be an important signal to trigger fruiting in this fungus. CONCLUSION The identification of genes with increased expression in this phase of the life cycle of M. perniciosa opens up new possibilities of controlling fungus spread as well as of genetic studies of biological processes that lead to basidiomycete fruiting. This is the first comparative morphologic study of the early development both in vivo and in vitro of M. perniciosa basidiomata and the first description of genes expressed at this stage of the fungal life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Acássia B L Pires
- Centro de Biotecnologia e Genética, Laboratório de Genômica e Expressão Gênica, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Rodovia Ilhéus-Itabuna, km 16, 45662-000, Ilhéus-Bahia, Brazil.
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