Involvement of BcStr2 in methionine biosynthesis, vegetative differentiation, multiple stress tolerance and virulence in Botrytis cinerea

Function of the Mitochondrial Transport Protein BcMtp1 in Regulating Vegetative Development, Asexual Reproduction, Stress Response, Fungicide Sensitivity, and Virulence of Botrytis cinerea

In model fungi, mitochondrial transport proteins (MTPs), also known as "mitochondrial carriers" (MC), are known to facilitate the exchange of biochemical substances across the mitochondrial inner membrane. In this study, we characterized an MTP in Botrytis cinerea homologous to the known MTPs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae designated BcMtp1. The BcMtp1 deletion mutant phenotype was strikingly defective in vegetative development, conidiation, and sclerotia production. In addition, ΔBcMtp1 showed increased sensitivity to osmotic stress, oxidative stress, and cell wall biogenesis inhibitors. In the pathogenicity assay, ΔBcMtp1 displayed compromised virulence on various host-plant tissues. The BcMtp1 deletion mutant phenotype was rescued by transforming the wild-type BcMtp1 variant into the mutant. Together, these data indicate that BcMtp1 is critical for vegetative development, asexual reproduction, stress tolerance, and virulence of B. cinerea.

Two adjacent mutations in the conserved domain of SdhB confer various resistance phenotypes to fluopyram in Corynespora cassiicola

BACKGROUND

For Corynespora cassiicola (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) C.T. Wei, a necrotrophic pathogen with a broad host range and a worldwide distribution, resistance to fluopyram has been attributed to mutations in SdhB/C/D subunit of the succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) complex. In our previous study, two point mutations in SdhB from isoleucine to valine at position 280 (I280V) and histidine to tyrosine at position 278 (H278Y) showed different resistance phenotypes to fluopyram and boscalid. This research was conducted to explore the correlation between the mutation of SdhB-I280V or SdhB-H278Y and resistance to fluopyram or boscalid and its effect on the fitness characteristics of C. cassiicola.

RESULTS

The sdhB gene in a succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI)-sensitive C. cassiicola strain (wild type) was successfully replaced with the mutant sdhB gene (GTT at position 280, SdhB-I280V) or with the mutant sdhB gene (TAC at position 278, SdhB-H278Y,). Compared with the wild-type strain, the replacement mutants exhibited significantly different resistance phenotypes, with SdhB-V280 demonstrating moderate resistance to fluopyram and low resistance to boscalid, while SdhB-Y278 was supersensitive to fluopyram and very highly resistant to boscalid. Both of the mutants exhibited decreased sensitivity to salt stress and increased SDH activity. These two mutations had no effect on the mycelial growth rate, sporulation ability, pathogenicity in vivo, sensitivity to osmotic stress and oxidative stress, cell wall damaging agents, or SHAM.

CONCLUSION

Two adjacent mutations in the SdhB gene conferred different resistance phenotypes to SDHIs in C. cassiicola, which is important for the development of alternative antifungal fungicides and fluopyram resistance management. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Plant volatile organic compound (E)-2-hexenal facilitates Botrytis cinerea infection of fruits by inducing sulfate assimilation

Investigation into plant-fungal pathogen interactions is one of the most interesting fields in plant sciences. However, the roles of plant volatile organic compounds in the arms race are still largely unknown. Based on precise quantification of plant volatiles, we discovered that the plant volatile organic compound (E)-2-hexenal, at concentrations that were similar to or lower than those in tissues of strawberry and tomato fruits, upregulates sulfate assimilation in spores and hyphae of the phytopathogenic fungus Botrytis cinerea. This upregulation is independent of the types of sulfur sources in the plant and can be achieved in the presence of inorganic sulfate and organic sulfur sources. Using the fungal deletion mutants, we further found that sulfate assimilation is involved in the infection of tomato and strawberry fruits by B. cinerea, and that the severity of the disease is proportional to the sulfate content in the fruits. Both before and during the infection, (E)-2-hexenal induced utilisation of plant sulfate by B. cinerea facilitates its pathogenesis through enhancing its tolerance to oxidative stress. This work provides novel insights into the role of plant volatiles in plant-fungal pathogen interaction and highlights the importance of sulfur levels in the host in the prevention of grey mould disease.

Molecular targets for antifungals in amino acid and protein biosynthetic pathways

Fungi cause death of over 1.5 million people every year, while cutaneous mycoses are among the most common infections in the world. Mycoses vary greatly in severity, there are long-term skin (ringworm), nail or hair infections (tinea capitis), recurrent like vaginal candidiasis or severe, life-threatening systemic, multiorgan infections. In the last few years, increasing importance is attached to the health and economic problems caused by fungal pathogens. There is a growing need for improvement of the availability of antifungal drugs, decreasing their prices and reducing side effects. Searching for novel approaches in this respect, amino acid and protein biosynthesis pathways appear to be competitive. The route that leads from amino acid biosynthesis to protein folding and its activation is rich in enzymes that are descriptive of fungi. Blocking the action of those enzymes often leads to avirulence or growth inhibition. In this review, we want to trace the principal processes of fungi vitality. We present the data of genes encoding enzymes involved in amino acid and protein biosynthesis, potential molecular targets in antifungal chemotherapy, and describe the impact of inhibitors on fungal organisms.

The critical role of MetR/MetB/MetC/MetX in cysteine and methionine metabolism, fungal development and virulence of Alternaria alternata

Methionine is a unique sulfur-containing amino acid, which plays an important role in biological protein synthesis and various cellular processes. Here, we characterized the biological functions of AaMetB, AaMetC, and AaMetX in the tangerine pathotype of Alternaria alternata Morphological analysis showed that the mutants lacking AaMetB, AaMetC, or AaMetX resulted in less aerial hypha and fewer conidia in artificial media. Pathogenicity analysis showed that AaMetB, AaMetC, and AaMetX are required for full virulence. The defects in vegetative growth, conidiation and virulence of ΔMetB, ΔMetC, and ΔMetX can be restored by exogenous methionine and homocysteine, indicating that AaMetB, AaMetC, and AaMetX are required for methionine biosynthesis. However, exogenous cysteine only restored the growth and virulence defects of ΔMetR but not ΔMetB/C/X, suggesting that AaMetR is essential for cysteine biosynthesis. Oxidant sensitivity assay showed that only ΔMetR is sensitive to H₂O₂ and many ROS-generating compounds, indicating that AaMetR is essential for oxidative tolerance. Interestingly, fungicides indoor bioassays showed that only the ΔMetR mutants are susceptive to chlorothalonil, a fungicide that could bind to the cysteine of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. Comparative transcriptome analysis showed that the inactivation of MetB, MetC, MetX, or MetR significantly affected the expression of methionine metabolism-related genes. Moreover, the inactivation of AaMetR significantly affected the expression of many genes related to glutathione metabolism, which is essential for ROS tolerance. Taken together, our study provides genetic evidence to define the critical roles of AaMetB, AaMetC, AaMetX, and AaMetR in cysteine and methionine metabolism, fungal development and virulence of Alternaria alternata IMPORTANCE The transcription factor METR regulating methionine metabolism is essential for reactive oxygen species (ROS) tolerance and virulence in many phytopathogenic fungi. However, the underlying regulatory mechanism of METR involved in this process is still unclear. In the present study, we generated AaMetB, AaMetC and AaMetX deletion mutants and compared these mutants with AaMetR disrupted mutants. Interestingly, we found that AaMetB, AaMetC and AaMetX are required for vegetative growth, conidiation, and pathogenicity in Alternaria alternata, but not for ROS tolerance and cysteine metabolism. Furthermore, we found that METR is involved in the biosynthesis of cysteine, which is an essential substrate for the biosynthesis of methionine and glutathione. This study emphasizes the critical roles of MetR, MetB, MetC, MetX in the regulation of cysteine and methionine metabolism, as well as the cross-link with glutathione-mediated ROS tolerance in phytopathogenic fungi, which provides a foundation for future investigations.

The Destructive Fungal Pathogen Botrytis cinerea-Insights from Genes Studied with Mutant Analysis

Botrytis cinerea is one of the most destructive fungal pathogens affecting numerous plant hosts, including many important crop species. As a molecularly under-studied organism, its genome was only sequenced at the beginning of this century and it was recently updated with improved gene annotation and completeness. In this review, we summarize key molecular studies on B. cinerea developmental and pathogenesis processes, specifically on genes studied comprehensively with mutant analysis. Analyses of these studies have unveiled key genes in the biological processes of this pathogen, including hyphal growth, sclerotial formation, conidiation, pathogenicity and melanization. In addition, our synthesis has uncovered gaps in the present knowledge regarding development and virulence mechanisms. We hope this review will serve to enhance the knowledge of the biological mechanisms behind this notorious fungal pathogen.

Localization and Expression of Sirtuins 1, 2, 6 and Plasticity-Related Proteins in the Recovery Period after a Photothrombotic Stroke in Mice

Sirtuins, class III histone deacetylases, are involved in the regulation of tissue repair processes and brain functions after a stroke. The ability of some isoforms of sirtuins to circulate between the nucleus and cytoplasm may have various pathophysiological effects on the cells. In present work, we focused on the role of non-mitochondrial sirtuins SIRT1, SIRT2, and SIRT6 in the restoration of brain cells following ischemic stroke. Here, using a photothrombotic stroke (PTS) model in mice, we studied whether local stroke affects the level and intracellular localization of SIRT1, SIRT2, and SIRT6 in neurons and astrocytes of the intact cerebral cortex adjacent to the ischemic ipsilateral hemisphere and in the analogous region of the contralateral hemisphere at different time points during the recovery period after a stroke. We evaluated the co-localization of sirtuins with growth-associated protein-43 (GAP-43), the presynaptic marker synaptophysin (SYN) and acetylated α-tubulin (Ac-α-Tub), that are associated with brain plasticity and are known to be involved in brain repair after a stroke. The results show that during the recovery period, an increase in SIRT1 and SIRT2 levels occurred. The increase of SIRT1 level was associated with an increase in synaptic plasticity proteins, whereas the increase of SIRT2 level was associated with an acetylated of α-tubulin, that can reduce the mobility of neurites. SIRT6 co-localized with GAP-43, but not with SYN. Moreover, we showed that SIRT1, SIRT2, and SIRT6 are not involved in the PTS-induced apoptosis of penumbra cells. Taken together, our results suggest that sirtuins functions differ depending on cell type, intracellular localization, specificity of sirtuins isoforms to different substrates and nature of post-translational modifications of enzymes.

Response of young Nerium oleander plants to long-term non-ionizing radiation

Although exposure to low frequency electromagnetic radiation is harmful to plants, LF-EM irradiated Nerium oleander seedlings exhibited enhanced development and growth, probably taking advantage of defined structural leaf deformations. Currently, evidence supports the undesirable, often destructive impact of low frequency electromagnetic (LF-EM) radiation on plants. The response of plants to LF-EM radiation often entails induction in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, a subject matter that is well documented. Nerium oleander is a Mediterranean plant species, which evolved remarkable resistance to various environmental stress conditions. In the current investigation, cultivated N. oleander plants, following their long-term exposure to LF-EM radiation, exhibited major structural modifications as the flattening of crypts, the elimination of trichomes and the reduction of the layers of the epidermal cells. These changes co-existed with an oxidative stress response manifested by a significant increase in reactive oxygen species at both the roots and the above ground parts, a decline in the absorbance of light by photosynthetic pigments and the substantially increased biosynthesis of L-Dopa decarboxylase (DDC), an enzyme catalyzing the production of secondary metabolites that alleviate stress. The exposed plants exhibited greater primary plant productivity, despite a manifested photosynthetic pigment limitation and the severe oxidative stress. This unique response of N. oleander to severe abiotic stress conditions may be owed to the advantage offered by a structural change consistent to an easier diffusion of CO₂ within the leaves. A major plant response to an emerging "pollutant" was documented.

The Arsenic Resistance-Associated Listeria Genomic Island LGI2 Exhibits Sequence and Integration Site Diversity and a Propensity for Three Listeria monocytogenes Clones with Enhanced Virulence

In the foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes, arsenic resistance is encountered primarily in serotype 4b clones considered to have enhanced virulence and is associated with an arsenic resistance gene cluster within a 35-kb chromosomal region, Listeria genomic island 2 (LGI2). LGI2 was first identified in strain Scott A and includes genes putatively involved in arsenic and cadmium resistance, DNA integration, conjugation, and pathogenicity. However, the genomic localization and sequence content of LGI2 remain poorly characterized. Here we investigated 85 arsenic-resistant L. monocytogenes strains, mostly of serotype 4b. All but one of the 70 serotype 4b strains belonged to clonal complex 1 (CC1), CC2, and CC4, three major clones associated with enhanced virulence. PCR analysis suggested that 53 strains (62.4%) harbored an island highly similar to LGI2 of Scott A, frequently (42/53) in the same location as Scott A (LMOf2365_2257 homolog). Random-primed PCR and whole-genome sequencing revealed seven novel insertion sites, mostly internal to chromosomal coding sequences, among strains harboring LGI2 outside the LMOf2365_2257 homolog. Interestingly, many CC1 strains harbored a noticeably diversified LGI2 (LGI2-1) in a unique location (LMOf2365_0902 homolog) and with a novel additional gene. With few exceptions, the tested LGI2 genes were not detected in arsenic-resistant strains of serogroup 1/2, which instead often harbored a Tn554-associated arsenic resistance determinant not encountered in serotype 4b. These findings indicate that in L. monocytogenes, LGI2 has a propensity for certain serotype 4b clones, exhibits content diversity, and is highly promiscuous, suggesting an ability to mobilize various accessory genes into diverse chromosomal loci.IMPORTANCEListeria monocytogenes is widely distributed in the environment and causes listeriosis, a foodborne disease with high mortality and morbidity. Arsenic and other heavy metals can powerfully shape the populations of human pathogens with pronounced environmental lifestyles such as L. monocytogenes Arsenic resistance is encountered primarily in certain serotype 4b clones considered to have enhanced virulence and is associated with a large chromosomal island, Listeria genomic island 2 (LGI2). LGI2 also harbors a cadmium resistance cassette and genes putatively involved in DNA integration, conjugation, and pathogenicity. Our findings indicate that LGI2 exhibits pronounced content plasticity and is capable of transferring various accessory genes into diverse chromosomal locations. LGI2 may serve as a paradigm on how exposure to a potent environmental toxicant such as arsenic may have dynamically selected for arsenic-resistant subpopulations in certain clones of L. monocytogenes which also contribute significantly to disease.

VdThit, a Thiamine Transport Protein, Is Required for Pathogenicity of the Vascular Pathogen Verticillium dahliae

Verticillium dahliae causes a serious wilt disease of important crops and is difficult to control. Few plasma-membrane transport proteins for nutrient acquisition have been identified for this fungus, and their involvement in the disease process is unknown. Here, a plasma-membrane protein, the V. dahliae thiamine transporter protein VdThit, was characterized functionally by deletion of the VdThit gene in V. dahliae. Disruption strains were viable, but growth and conidial germination and production were reduced and virulence was impaired. Interestingly, by supplementing exogenous thiamine, growth, conidiation, and virulence of the VdΔThit mutants were partially restored. Stress-tolerance assays showed that the VdΔThit mutant strains were markedly more susceptible to oxidative stress and UV damage. High-pressure liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses showed low levels of pyruvate metabolism intermediates acetoin and acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) in the VdΔThit mutant strains, suggesting that pyruvate metabolism was suppressed. Expression analysis of VdThit confirmed the importance of VdThit in vegetative growth, reproduction, and invasive hyphal growth. Furthermore, a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-labeled VdΔThit mutant (VdΔThit-7-GFP) was suppressed in initial infection and root colonization, as viewed with light microscopy. Together, these results showed that VdThit plays an indispensable role in the pathogenicity of V. dahliae.