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Liu L, Wang Z, Fang Y, Yang R, Pu Y, Meng X, Liu W. Small GTPase Rab7 is involved in stress adaptation to carbon starvation to ensure the induced cellulase biosynthesis in Trichoderma reesei. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS 2024; 17:55. [PMID: 38643207 PMCID: PMC11032611 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-024-02504-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The saprophytic filamentous fungus Trichoderma reesei represents one of the most prolific cellulase producers. The bulk production of lignocellulolytic enzymes by T. reesei not only relies on the efficient transcription of cellulase genes but also their efficient secretion after being translated. However, little attention has been paid to the functional roles of the involved secretory pathway in the high-level production of cellulases in T. reesei. Rab GTPases are key regulators in coordinating various vesicle trafficking associated with the eukaryotic secretory pathway. Specifically, Rab7 is a representative GTPase regulating the transition of the early endosome to the late endosome followed by its fusion to the vacuole as well as homotypic vacuole fusion. Although crosstalk between the endosomal/vacuolar pathway and the secretion pathway has been reported, the functional role of Rab7 in cellulase production in T. reesei remains unknown. RESULTS A TrRab7 was identified and characterized in T. reesei. TrRab7 was shown to play important roles in T. reesei vegetative growth and vacuole morphology. Whereas knock-down of Trrab7 significantly compromised the induced production of T. reesei cellulases, overexpression of the key transcriptional activator, Xyr1, restored the production of cellulases in the Trrab7 knock-down strain (Ptcu-rab7KD) on glucose, indicating that the observed defective cellulase biosynthesis results from the compromised cellulase gene transcription. Down-regulation of Trrab7 was also found to make T. reesei more sensitive to various stresses including carbon starvation. Interestingly, overexpression of Snf1, a serine/threonine protein kinase known as an energetic sensor, partially restored the cellulase production of Ptcu-rab7KD on Avicel, implicating that TrRab7 is involved in an energetic adaptation to carbon starvation which contributes to the successful cellulase gene expression when T. reesei is transferred from glucose to cellulose. CONCLUSIONS TrRab7 was shown to play important roles in T. reesei development and a stress response to carbon starvation resulting from nutrient shift. This adaptation may allow T. reesei to successfully initiate the inducing process leading to efficient cellulase production. The present study provides useful insights into the functional involvement of the endosomal/vacuolar pathway in T. reesei development and hydrolytic enzyme production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Microbiology Technology Institute, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao, 266237, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhixing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Microbiology Technology Institute, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao, 266237, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Microbiology Technology Institute, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao, 266237, People's Republic of China
| | - Renfei Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Microbiology Technology Institute, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao, 266237, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Pu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Microbiology Technology Institute, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao, 266237, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiangfeng Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Microbiology Technology Institute, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao, 266237, People's Republic of China.
| | - Weifeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Microbiology Technology Institute, Shandong University, No. 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao, 266237, People's Republic of China.
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Xiao Z, Zhao Q, Li W, Gao L, Liu G. Strain improvement of Trichoderma harzianum for enhanced biocontrol capacity: Strategies and prospects. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1146210. [PMID: 37125207 PMCID: PMC10134904 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1146210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
In the control of plant diseases, biocontrol has the advantages of being efficient and safe for human health and the environment. The filamentous fungus Trichoderma harzianum and its closely related species can inhibit the growth of many phytopathogenic fungi, and have been developed as commercial biocontrol agents for decades. In this review, we summarize studies on T. harzianum species complex from the perspective of strain improvement. To elevate the biocontrol ability, the production of extracellular proteins and compounds with antimicrobial or plant immunity-eliciting activities need to be enhanced. In addition, resistance to various environmental stressors should be strengthened. Engineering the gene regulatory system has the potential to modulate a variety of biological processes related to biocontrol. With the rapidly developing technologies for fungal genetic engineering, T. harzianum strains with increased biocontrol activities are expected to be constructed to promote the sustainable development of agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyang Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
- Tobacco Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Qingdao, China
| | - Qinqin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Wei Li
- Shanghai Tobacco Group Beijing Cigarette Factory Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Liwei Gao
- Tobacco Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Qingdao, China
- Liwei Gao,
| | - Guodong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
- *Correspondence: Guodong Liu,
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Elhamouly NA, Hewedy OA, Zaitoon A, Miraples A, Elshorbagy OT, Hussien S, El-Tahan A, Peng D. The hidden power of secondary metabolites in plant-fungi interactions and sustainable phytoremediation. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:1044896. [PMID: 36578344 PMCID: PMC9790997 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1044896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The global environment is dominated by various small exotic substances, known as secondary metabolites, produced by plants and microorganisms. Plants and fungi are particularly plentiful sources of these molecules, whose physiological functions, in many cases, remain a mystery. Fungal secondary metabolites (SM) are a diverse group of substances that exhibit a wide range of chemical properties and generally fall into one of four main family groups: Terpenoids, polyketides, non-ribosomal peptides, or a combination of the latter two. They are incredibly varied in their functions and are often related to the increased fitness of the respective fungus in its environment, often competing with other microbes or interacting with plant species. Several of these metabolites have essential roles in the biological control of plant diseases by various beneficial microorganisms used for crop protection and biofertilization worldwide. Besides direct toxic effects against phytopathogens, natural metabolites can promote root and shoot development and/or disease resistance by activating host systemic defenses. The ability of these microorganisms to synthesize and store biologically active metabolites that are a potent source of novel natural compounds beneficial for agriculture is becoming a top priority for SM fungi research. In this review, we will discuss fungal-plant secondary metabolites with antifungal properties and the role of signaling molecules in induced and acquired systemic resistance activities. Additionally, fungal secondary metabolites mimic plant promotion molecules such as auxins, gibberellins, and abscisic acid, which modulate plant growth under biotic stress. Moreover, we will present a new trend regarding phytoremediation applications using fungal secondary metabolites to achieve sustainable food production and microbial diversity in an eco-friendly environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neveen Atta Elhamouly
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Agriculture, Menoufia University, Shibin El-Kom, Egypt
| | - Omar A. Hewedy
- Department of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Amr Zaitoon
- Department of Food Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Angelica Miraples
- Department of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Omnia T. Elshorbagy
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Agriculture & Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Suzan Hussien
- Botany Department Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Amira El-Tahan
- Plant Production Department, Arid Lands Cultivation Research Institute, the City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA-City), Borg El Arab, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Deliang Peng
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
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Wang Y, Chen H, Ma L, Gong M, Wu Y, Bao D, Zou G. Use of CRISPR-Cas tools to engineer Trichoderma species. Microb Biotechnol 2022; 15:2521-2532. [PMID: 35908288 PMCID: PMC9518982 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14126] [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: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Given their lignocellulose degradability and biocontrol activities, fungi of the ubiquitously distributed genus Trichoderma have multiple industrial and agricultural applications. Genetic manipulation plays a valuable role in tailoring novel engineered strains with enhanced target traits. Nevertheless, as applied to fungi, the classic tools of genetic manipulation tend to be time-consuming and tedious. However, the recent development of the CRISPR-Cas system for gene editing has enabled researchers to achieve genome-wide gene disruptions, gene replacements, and precise editing, and this technology has emerged as a primary focus for novel developments in engineered strains of Trichoderma. Here, we provide a brief overview of the traditional approaches to genetic manipulation, the different strategies employed in establishing CRSIPR-Cas systems, the utilization of these systems to develop engineered strains of Trichoderma for desired applications, and the future trends in biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genetics and Breeding, Institute of Edible Fungi, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongyu Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genetics and Breeding, Institute of Edible Fungi, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Liang Ma
- Key Laboratory for Quality Improvement of Agricultural Products of Zhejiang Province, College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Zhejiang A&F University, Lin'an Hangzhou, China
| | - Ming Gong
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genetics and Breeding, Institute of Edible Fungi, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yingying Wu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genetics and Breeding, Institute of Edible Fungi, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Dapeng Bao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genetics and Breeding, Institute of Edible Fungi, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Gen Zou
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genetics and Breeding, Institute of Edible Fungi, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
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Tomico-Cuenca I, Mach RL, Mach-Aigner AR, Derntl C. An overview on current molecular tools for heterologous gene expression in Trichoderma. Fungal Biol Biotechnol 2021; 8:11. [PMID: 34702369 PMCID: PMC8549263 DOI: 10.1186/s40694-021-00119-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungi of the genus Trichoderma are routinely used as biocontrol agents and for the production of industrial enzymes. Trichoderma spp. are interesting hosts for heterologous gene expression because their saprotrophic and mycoparasitic lifestyles enable them to thrive on a large number of nutrient sources and some members of this genus are generally recognized as safe (GRAS status). In this review, we summarize and discuss several aspects involved in heterologous gene expression in Trichoderma, including transformation methods, genome editing strategies, native and synthetic expression systems and implications of protein secretion. This review focuses on the industrial workhorse Trichoderma reesei because this fungus is the best-studied member of this genus for protein expression and secretion. However, the discussed strategies and tools can be expected to be transferable to other Trichoderma species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Tomico-Cuenca
- Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, TU Wien, Gumpendorfer Strasse 1a, 1060, Wien, Austria
| | - Robert L Mach
- Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, TU Wien, Gumpendorfer Strasse 1a, 1060, Wien, Austria
| | - Astrid R Mach-Aigner
- Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, TU Wien, Gumpendorfer Strasse 1a, 1060, Wien, Austria
| | - Christian Derntl
- Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, TU Wien, Gumpendorfer Strasse 1a, 1060, Wien, Austria.
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