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Coelho MA, David-Palma M, Shea T, Bowers K, McGinley-Smith S, Mohammad AW, Gnirke A, Yurkov AM, Nowrousian M, Sun S, Cuomo CA, Heitman J. Comparative genomics of Cryptococcus and Kwoniella reveals pathogenesis evolution and contrasting karyotype dynamics via intercentromeric recombination or chromosome fusion. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.12.27.573464. [PMID: 38234769 PMCID: PMC10793447 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.27.573464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
A large-scale comparative genomic analysis was conducted for the global human fungal pathogens within the Cryptococcus genus, compared to non-pathogenic Cryptococcus species, and related species from the sister genus Kwoniella. Chromosome-level genome assemblies were generated for multiple species of both genera, resulting in a dataset encompassing virtually all of their known diversity. Although Cryptococcus and Kwoniella have comparable genome sizes (about 19.2 and 22.9 Mb) and similar gene content, hinting at pre-adaptive pathogenic potential, our analysis found evidence in pathogenic Cryptococcus species of specific examples of gene gain (via horizontal gene transfer) and gene loss, which might represent evolutionary signatures of pathogenic development. Genome analysis also revealed a significant variation in chromosome number and structure between the two genera. By combining synteny analysis and experimental centromere validation, we found that most Cryptococcus species have 14 chromosomes, whereas most Kwoniella species have fewer (11, 8, 5 or even as few as 3). Reduced chromosome number in Kwoniella is associated with formation of giant chromosomes (up to 18 Mb) through repeated chromosome fusion events, each marked by a pericentric inversion and centromere loss. While similar chromosome inversion-fusion patterns were observed in all Kwoniella species with fewer than 14 chromosomes, no such pattern was detected in Cryptococcus. Instead, Cryptococcus species with less than 14 chromosomes, underwent chromosome reductions primarily through rearrangements associated with the loss of repeat-rich centromeres. Additionally, Cryptococcus genomes exhibited frequent interchromosomal translocations, including intercentromeric recombination facilitated by transposons shared between centromeres. Taken together, our findings advance our understanding of genomic changes possibly associated with pathogenicity in Cryptococcus and provide a foundation to elucidate mechanisms of centromere loss and chromosome fusion driving distinct karyotypes in closely related fungal species, including prominent global human pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco A. Coelho
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Márcia David-Palma
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Terrance Shea
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Katharine Bowers
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | - Andreas Gnirke
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Andrey M. Yurkov
- Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Minou Nowrousian
- Lehrstuhl für Molekulare und Zelluläre Botanik, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Sheng Sun
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Joseph Heitman
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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Scadden AW, Graybill AS, Hull-Crew C, Lundberg TJ, Lande NM, Klocko AD. Histone deacetylation and cytosine methylation compartmentalize heterochromatic regions in the genome organization of Neurospora crassa. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2311249120. [PMID: 37963248 PMCID: PMC10666030 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2311249120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Chromosomes must correctly fold in eukaryotic nuclei for proper genome function. Eukaryotic organisms hierarchically organize their genomes, including in the fungus Neurospora crassa, where chromatin fiber loops compact into Topologically Associated Domain-like structures formed by heterochromatic region aggregation. However, insufficient data exist on how histone posttranslational modifications (PTMs), including acetylation, affect genome organization. In Neurospora, the HCHC complex [composed of the proteins HDA-1, CDP-2 (Chromodomain Protein-2), Heterochromatin Protein-1, and CHAP (CDP-2 and HDA-1 Associated Protein)] deacetylates heterochromatic nucleosomes, as loss of individual HCHC members increases centromeric acetylation, and alters the methylation of cytosines in DNA. Here, we assess whether the HCHC complex affects genome organization by performing Hi-C in strains deleted of the cdp-2 or chap genes. CDP-2 loss increases intra- and interchromosomal heterochromatic region interactions, while loss of CHAP decreases heterochromatic region compaction. Individual HCHC mutants exhibit different patterns of histone PTMs genome-wide, as CDP-2 deletion increases heterochromatic H4K16 acetylation, yet smaller heterochromatic regions lose H3K9 trimethylation and gain interheterochromatic region interactions; CHAP loss produces minimal acetylation changes but increases heterochromatic H3K9me3 enrichment. Loss of both CDP-2 and the DIM-2 DNA methyltransferase causes extensive genome disorder as heterochromatic-euchromatic contacts increase despite additional H3K9me3 enrichment. Our results highlight how the increased cytosine methylation in HCHC mutants ensures genome compartmentalization when heterochromatic regions become hyperacetylated without HDAC activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley W. Scadden
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, CO80918
| | - Alayne S. Graybill
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, CO80918
| | - Clayton Hull-Crew
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, CO80918
| | - Tiffany J. Lundberg
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, CO80918
| | - Nickolas M. Lande
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, CO80918
| | - Andrew D. Klocko
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, CO80918
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Sperschneider J, Yildirir G, Rizzi YS, Malar C M, Mayrand Nicol A, Sorwar E, Villeneuve-Laroche M, Chen ECH, Iwasaki W, Brauer EK, Bosnich W, Gutjahr C, Corradi N. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi heterokaryons have two nuclear populations with distinct roles in host-plant interactions. Nat Microbiol 2023; 8:2142-2153. [PMID: 37884816 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-023-01495-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are prominent root symbionts that can carry thousands of nuclei deriving from two parental strains in a large syncytium. These co-existing genomes can also vary in abundance with changing environmental conditions. Here we assemble the nuclear genomes of all four publicly available AMF heterokaryons using PacBio high-fidelity and Hi-C sequencing. We find that the two co-existing genomes of these strains are phylogenetically related but differ in structure, content and epigenetics. We confirm that AMF heterokaryon genomes vary in relative abundance across conditions and show this can lead to nucleus-specific differences in expression during interactions with plants. Population analyses also reveal signatures of genetic exchange indicative of past events of sexual reproduction in these strains. This work uncovers the origin and contribution of two nuclear genomes in AMF heterokaryons and opens avenues for the improvement and environmental application of these strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Sperschneider
- Black Mountain Science and Innovation Park, CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Gokalp Yildirir
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yanina S Rizzi
- Plant Genetics, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
- Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Mathu Malar C
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Essam Sorwar
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Eric C H Chen
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Wataru Iwasaki
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Elizabeth K Brauer
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Ottawa Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Whynn Bosnich
- Ottawa Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Caroline Gutjahr
- Plant Genetics, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
- Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Nicolas Corradi
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
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Scadden AW, Graybill AS, Hull-Crew C, Lundberg TJ, Lande NM, Klocko AD. Histone deacetylation and cytosine methylation compartmentalize heterochromatic regions in the genome organization of Neurospora crassa. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.03.547530. [PMID: 37461718 PMCID: PMC10349943 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.03.547530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Chromosomes must correctly fold in eukaryotic nuclei for proper genome function. Eukaryotic organisms hierarchically organize their genomes, including in the fungus Neurospora crassa, where chromatin fiber loops compact into Topologically Associated Domain (TAD)-like structures formed by heterochromatic region aggregation. However, insufficient data exists on how histone post-translational modifications, including acetylation, affect genome organization. In Neurospora, the HCHC complex (comprised of the proteins HDA-1, CDP-2, HP1, and CHAP) deacetylates heterochromatic nucleosomes, as loss of individual HCHC members increases centromeric acetylation and alters the methylation of cytosines in DNA. Here, we assess if the HCHC complex affects genome organization by performing Hi-C in strains deleted of the cdp-2 or chap genes. CDP-2 loss increases intra- and inter-chromosomal heterochromatic region interactions, while loss of CHAP decreases heterochromatic region compaction. Individual HCHC mutants exhibit different patterns of histone post-translational modifications genome-wide: without CDP-2, heterochromatic H4K16 acetylation is increased, yet smaller heterochromatic regions lose H3K9 trimethylation and gain inter-heterochromatic region interactions; CHAP loss produces minimal acetylation changes but increases heterochromatic H3K9me3 enrichment. Loss of both CDP-2 and the DIM-2 DNA methyltransferase causes extensive genome disorder, as heterochromatic-euchromatic contacts increase despite additional H3K9me3 enrichment. Our results highlight how the increased cytosine methylation in HCHC mutants ensures genome compartmentalization when heterochromatic regions become hyperacetylated without HDAC activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley W. Scadden
- University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Colorado Springs, CO 80918, USA
| | - Alayne S. Graybill
- University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Colorado Springs, CO 80918, USA
| | - Clayton Hull-Crew
- University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Colorado Springs, CO 80918, USA
| | - Tiffany J. Lundberg
- University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Colorado Springs, CO 80918, USA
| | - Nickolas M. Lande
- University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Colorado Springs, CO 80918, USA
| | - Andrew D. Klocko
- University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Colorado Springs, CO 80918, USA
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5
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Kramer HM, Cook DE, Seidl MF, Thomma BP. Epigenetic regulation of nuclear processes in fungal plant pathogens. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011525. [PMID: 37535497 PMCID: PMC10399791 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Through the association of protein complexes to DNA, the eukaryotic nuclear genome is broadly organized into open euchromatin that is accessible for enzymes acting on DNA and condensed heterochromatin that is inaccessible. Chemical and physical alterations to chromatin may impact its organization and functionality and are therefore important regulators of nuclear processes. Studies in various fungal plant pathogens have uncovered an association between chromatin organization and expression of in planta-induced genes that are important for pathogenicity. This review discusses chromatin-based regulation mechanisms as determined in the fungal plant pathogen Verticillium dahliae and relates the importance of epigenetic transcriptional regulation and other nuclear processes more broadly in fungal plant pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- H. Martin Kramer
- Laboratory of Phytopathology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - David E. Cook
- Laboratory of Phytopathology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
- Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States of America
| | - Michael F. Seidl
- Laboratory of Phytopathology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
- Theoretical Biology & Bioinformatics, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Bart P.H.J. Thomma
- Laboratory of Phytopathology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
- University of Cologne, Institute for Plant Sciences, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS), Cologne, Germany
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Zhgun AA. Fungal BGCs for Production of Secondary Metabolites: Main Types, Central Roles in Strain Improvement, and Regulation According to the Piano Principle. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11184. [PMID: 37446362 PMCID: PMC10342363 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241311184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Filamentous fungi are one of the most important producers of secondary metabolites. Some of them can have a toxic effect on the human body, leading to diseases. On the other hand, they are widely used as pharmaceutically significant drugs, such as antibiotics, statins, and immunosuppressants. A single fungus species in response to various signals can produce 100 or more secondary metabolites. Such signaling is possible due to the coordinated regulation of several dozen biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs), which are mosaically localized in different regions of fungal chromosomes. Their regulation includes several levels, from pathway-specific regulators, whose genes are localized inside BGCs, to global regulators of the cell (taking into account changes in pH, carbon consumption, etc.) and global regulators of secondary metabolism (affecting epigenetic changes driven by velvet family proteins, LaeA, etc.). In addition, various low-molecular-weight substances can have a mediating effect on such regulatory processes. This review is devoted to a critical analysis of the available data on the "turning on" and "off" of the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in response to signals in filamentous fungi. To describe the ongoing processes, the model of "piano regulation" is proposed, whereby pressing a certain key (signal) leads to the extraction of a certain sound from the "musical instrument of the fungus cell", which is expressed in the production of a specific secondary metabolite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander A Zhgun
- Group of Fungal Genetic Engineering, Federal Research Center "Fundamentals of Biotechnology", Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky Prosp. 33-2, 119071 Moscow, Russia
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