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Ruan Z, Jiao J, Zhao J, Liu J, Liang C, Yang X, Sun Y, Tang G, Li P. Genome sequencing and comparative genomics reveal insights into pathogenicity and evolution of Fusarium zanthoxyli, the causal agent of stem canker in prickly ash. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:502. [PMID: 38773367 PMCID: PMC11110190 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10424-w] [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: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fusarium zanthoxyli is a destructive pathogen causing stem canker in prickly ash, an ecologically and economically important forest tree. However, the genome lack of F. zanthoxyli has hindered research on its interaction with prickly ash and the development of precise control strategies for stem canker. RESULTS In this study, we sequenced and annotated a relatively high-quality genome of F. zanthoxyli with a size of 43.39 Mb, encoding 11,316 putative genes. Pathogenicity-related factors are predicted, comprising 495 CAZymes, 217 effectors, 156 CYP450s, and 202 enzymes associated with secondary metabolism. Besides, a comparative genomics analysis revealed Fusarium and Colletotrichum diverged from a shared ancestor approximately 141.1 ~ 88.4 million years ago (MYA). Additionally, a phylogenomic investigation of 12 different phytopathogens within Fusarium indicated that F. zanthoxyli originated approximately 34.6 ~ 26.9 MYA, and events of gene expansion and contraction within them were also unveiled. Finally, utilizing conserved domain prediction, the results revealed that among the 59 unique genes, the most enriched domains were PnbA and ULP1. Among the 783 expanded genes, the most enriched domains were PKc_like kinases and those belonging to the APH_ChoK_Like family. CONCLUSION This study sheds light on the genetic basis of F. zanthoxyli's pathogenicity and evolution which provides valuable information for future research on its molecular interactions with prickly ash and the development of effective strategies to combat stem canker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Ruan
- Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Management of Western Forest Bio- Disaster, College of Forestry, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiahui Jiao
- Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Management of Western Forest Bio- Disaster, College of Forestry, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, People's Republic of China
| | - Junchi Zhao
- Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Management of Western Forest Bio- Disaster, College of Forestry, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiaxue Liu
- Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Management of Western Forest Bio- Disaster, College of Forestry, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, People's Republic of China
| | - Chaoqiong Liang
- Shaanxi Academy of Forestry, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710082, People's Republic of China
| | - Xia Yang
- Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Management of Western Forest Bio- Disaster, College of Forestry, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Sun
- Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Management of Western Forest Bio- Disaster, College of Forestry, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, People's Republic of China
| | - Guanghui Tang
- Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Management of Western Forest Bio- Disaster, College of Forestry, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, People's Republic of China
| | - Peiqin Li
- Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Management of Western Forest Bio- Disaster, College of Forestry, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, People's Republic of China.
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Ahsan SM, Injamum-Ul-Hoque M, Das AK, Rahman MM, Mollah MMI, Paul NC, Choi HW. Plant-Entomopathogenic Fungi Interaction: Recent Progress and Future Prospects on Endophytism-Mediated Growth Promotion and Biocontrol. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:1420. [PMID: 38794490 PMCID: PMC11124879 DOI: 10.3390/plants13101420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Entomopathogenic fungi, often acknowledged primarily for their insecticidal properties, fulfill diverse roles within ecosystems. These roles encompass endophytism, antagonism against plant diseases, promotion of the growth of plants, and inhabitation of the rhizosphere, occurring both naturally and upon artificial inoculation, as substantiated by a growing body of contemporary research. Numerous studies have highlighted the beneficial aspects of endophytic colonization. This review aims to systematically organize information concerning the direct (nutrient acquisition and production of phytohormones) and indirect (resistance induction, antibiotic and secondary metabolite production, siderophore production, and mitigation of abiotic and biotic stresses) implications of endophytic colonization. Furthermore, a thorough discussion of these mechanisms is provided. Several challenges, including isolation complexities, classification of novel strains, and the impact of terrestrial location, vegetation type, and anthropogenic reluctance to use fungal entomopathogens, have been recognized as hurdles. However, recent advancements in biotechnology within microbial research hold promising solutions to many of these challenges. Ultimately, the current constraints delineate potential future avenues for leveraging endophytic fungal entomopathogens as dual microbial control agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. M. Ahsan
- Department of Plant Medicals, Andong National University, Andong 36729, Republic of Korea;
| | - Md. Injamum-Ul-Hoque
- Department of Applied Biosciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea; (M.I.-U.-H.); (A.K.D.)
| | - Ashim Kumar Das
- Department of Applied Biosciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea; (M.I.-U.-H.); (A.K.D.)
| | - Md. Mezanur Rahman
- Department of Plant and Soil Science, Institute of Genomics for Crop Abiotic Stress Tolerance, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA;
| | - Md. Mahi Imam Mollah
- Department of Entomology, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali 8602, Bangladesh;
| | - Narayan Chandra Paul
- Kumho Life Science Laboratory, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea;
| | - Hyong Woo Choi
- Department of Plant Medicals, Andong National University, Andong 36729, Republic of Korea;
- Institute of Cannabis Biotechnology, Andong National University, Andong 36729, Republic of Korea
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Kusch S, Qian J, Loos A, Kümmel F, Spanu PD, Panstruga R. Long-term and rapid evolution in powdery mildew fungi. Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e16909. [PMID: 36862075 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
The powdery mildew fungi (Erysiphaceae) are globally distributed plant pathogens with a range of more than 10,000 plant hosts. In this review, we discuss the long- and short-term evolution of these obligate biotrophic fungi and outline their diversity with respect to morphology, lifestyle, and host range. We highlight their remarkable ability to rapidly overcome plant immunity, evolve fungicide resistance, and broaden their host range, for example, through adaptation and hybridization. Recent advances in genomics and proteomics, particularly in cereal powdery mildews (genus Blumeria), provided first insights into mechanisms of genomic adaptation in these fungi. Transposable elements play key roles in shaping their genomes, where even close relatives exhibit diversified patterns of recent and ongoing transposon activity. These transposons are ubiquitously distributed in the powdery mildew genomes, resulting in a highly adaptive genome architecture lacking obvious regions of conserved gene space. Transposons can also be neofunctionalized to encode novel virulence factors, particularly candidate secreted effector proteins, which may undermine the plant immune system. In cereals like barley and wheat, some of these effectors are recognized by plant immune receptors encoded by resistance genes with numerous allelic variants. These effectors determine incompatibility ("avirulence") and evolve rapidly through sequence diversification and copy number variation. Altogether, powdery mildew fungi possess plastic genomes that enable their fast evolutionary adaptation towards overcoming plant immunity, host barriers, and chemical stress such as fungicides, foreshadowing future outbreaks, host range shifts and expansions as well as potential pandemics by these pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Kusch
- Unit of Plant Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Biology I, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Jiangzhao Qian
- Unit of Plant Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Biology I, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Anne Loos
- Unit of Plant Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Biology I, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Florian Kümmel
- Department of Plant-Microbe Interactions, Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Cologne, Germany
| | - Pietro D Spanu
- Unit of Plant Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Biology I, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Ralph Panstruga
- Unit of Plant Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Biology I, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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Li Z, Velásquez‐Zapata V, Elmore JM, Li X, Xie W, Deb S, Tian X, Banerjee S, Jørgensen HJL, Pedersen C, Wise RP, Thordal‐Christensen H. Powdery mildew effectors AVR A1 and BEC1016 target the ER J-domain protein HvERdj3B required for immunity in barley. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2024; 25:e13463. [PMID: 38695677 PMCID: PMC11064805 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.13463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
The barley powdery mildew fungus, Blumeria hordei (Bh), secretes hundreds of candidate secreted effector proteins (CSEPs) to facilitate pathogen infection and colonization. One of these, CSEP0008, is directly recognized by the barley nucleotide-binding leucine-rich-repeat (NLR) receptor MLA1 and therefore is designated AVRA1. Here, we show that AVRA1 and the sequence-unrelated Bh effector BEC1016 (CSEP0491) suppress immunity in barley. We used yeast two-hybrid next-generation interaction screens (Y2H-NGIS), followed by binary Y2H and in planta protein-protein interactions studies, and identified a common barley target of AVRA1 and BEC1016, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-localized J-domain protein HvERdj3B. Silencing of this ER quality control (ERQC) protein increased Bh penetration. HvERdj3B is ER luminal, and we showed using split GFP that AVRA1 and BEC1016 translocate into the ER signal peptide-independently. Overexpression of the two effectors impeded trafficking of a vacuolar marker through the ER; silencing of HvERdj3B also exhibited this same cellular phenotype, coinciding with the effectors targeting this ERQC component. Together, these results suggest that the barley innate immunity, preventing Bh entry into epidermal cells, requires ERQC. Here, the J-domain protein HvERdj3B appears to be essential and can be regulated by AVRA1 and BEC1016. Plant disease resistance often occurs upon direct or indirect recognition of pathogen effectors by host NLR receptors. Previous work has shown that AVRA1 is directly recognized in the cytosol by the immune receptor MLA1. We speculate that the AVRA1 J-domain target being inside the ER, where it is inapproachable by NLRs, has forced the plant to evolve this challenging direct recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zizhang Li
- Department of Plant and Environmental SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenFrederiksberg CDenmark
- Present address:
Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research & Department of Plant Sciences and Landscape ArchitectureUniversity of MarylandRockvilleMarylandUSA
| | - Valeria Velásquez‐Zapata
- Program in Bioinformatics & Computational BiologyIowa State UniversityAmesIowaUSA
- Department of Plant Pathology, Entomology and MicrobiologyIowa State UniversityAmesIowaUSA
- Present address:
GreenLight Biosciences, IncResearch Triangle ParkNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - J. Mitch Elmore
- Department of Plant Pathology, Entomology and MicrobiologyIowa State UniversityAmesIowaUSA
- USDA‐Agricultural Research Service, Corn Insects and Crop Genetics Research UnitAmesIowaUSA
- Present address:
USDA‐Agricultural Research Service, Cereal Disease LaboratorySt. PaulMinnesotaUSA
| | - Xuan Li
- Department of Plant and Environmental SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenFrederiksberg CDenmark
| | - Wenjun Xie
- Department of Plant and Environmental SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenFrederiksberg CDenmark
| | - Sohini Deb
- Department of Plant and Environmental SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenFrederiksberg CDenmark
| | - Xiao Tian
- Department of Plant and Environmental SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenFrederiksberg CDenmark
| | - Sagnik Banerjee
- Program in Bioinformatics & Computational BiologyIowa State UniversityAmesIowaUSA
- Department of StatisticsIowa State UniversityAmesIowaUSA
- Present address:
Bristol Myers SquibbSan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Hans J. L. Jørgensen
- Department of Plant and Environmental SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenFrederiksberg CDenmark
| | - Carsten Pedersen
- Department of Plant and Environmental SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenFrederiksberg CDenmark
| | - Roger P. Wise
- Program in Bioinformatics & Computational BiologyIowa State UniversityAmesIowaUSA
- Department of Plant Pathology, Entomology and MicrobiologyIowa State UniversityAmesIowaUSA
- USDA‐Agricultural Research Service, Corn Insects and Crop Genetics Research UnitAmesIowaUSA
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Cissé OH, Ma L, Kovacs JA. Retracing the evolution of Pneumocystis species, with a focus on the human pathogen Pneumocystis jirovecii. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2024:e0020222. [PMID: 38587383 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00202-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYEvery human being is presumed to be infected by the fungus Pneumocystis jirovecii at least once in his or her lifetime. This fungus belongs to a large group of species that appear to exclusively infect mammals, with P. jirovecii being the only one known to cause disease in humans. The mystery of P. jirovecii origin and speciation is just beginning to unravel. Here, we provide a review of the major steps of P. jirovecii evolution. The Pneumocystis genus likely originated from soil or plant-associated organisms during the period of Cretaceous ~165 million years ago and successfully shifted to mammals. The transition coincided with a substantial loss of genes, many of which are related to the synthesis of nutrients that can be scavenged from hosts or cell wall components that could be targeted by the mammalian immune system. Following the transition, the Pneumocystis genus cospeciated with mammals. Each species specialized at infecting its own host. Host specialization is presumably built at least partially upon surface glycoproteins, whose protogene was acquired prior to the genus formation. P. jirovecii appeared at ~65 million years ago, overlapping with the emergence of the first primates. P. jirovecii and its sister species P. macacae, which infects macaques nowadays, may have had overlapping host ranges in the distant past. Clues from molecular clocks suggest that P. jirovecii did not cospeciate with humans. Molecular evidence suggests that Pneumocystis speciation involved chromosomal rearrangements and the mounting of genetic barriers that inhibit gene flow among species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ousmane H Cissé
- Critical Care Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Liang Ma
- Critical Care Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Joseph A Kovacs
- Critical Care Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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Cohen AB, Cai G, Price DC, Molnar TJ, Zhang N, Hillman BI. The massive 340 megabase genome of Anisogramma anomala, a biotrophic ascomycete that causes eastern filbert blight of hazelnut. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:347. [PMID: 38580927 PMCID: PMC10998396 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10198-1] [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: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ascomycete fungus Anisogramma anomala causes Eastern Filbert Blight (EFB) on hazelnut (Corylus spp.) trees. It is a minor disease on its native host, the American hazelnut (C. americana), but is highly destructive on the commercially important European hazelnut (C. avellana). In North America, EFB has historically limited commercial production of hazelnut to west of the Rocky Mountains. A. anomala is an obligately biotrophic fungus that has not been grown in continuous culture, rendering its study challenging. There is a 15-month latency before symptoms appear on infected hazelnut trees, and only a sexual reproductive stage has been observed. Here we report the sequencing, annotation, and characterization of its genome. RESULTS The genome of A. anomala was assembled into 108 scaffolds totaling 342,498,352 nt with a GC content of 34.46%. Scaffold N50 was 33.3 Mb and L50 was 5. Nineteen scaffolds with lengths over 1 Mb constituted 99% of the assembly. Telomere sequences were identified on both ends of two scaffolds and on one end of another 10 scaffolds. Flow cytometry estimated the genome size of A. anomala at 370 Mb. The genome exhibits two-speed evolution, with 93% of the assembly as AT-rich regions (32.9% GC) and the other 7% as GC-rich (57.1% GC). The AT-rich regions consist predominantly of repeats with low gene content, while 90% of predicted protein coding genes were identified in GC-rich regions. Copia-like retrotransposons accounted for more than half of the genome. Evidence of repeat-induced point mutation (RIP) was identified throughout the AT-rich regions, and two copies of the rid gene and one of dim-2, the key genes in the RIP mutation pathway, were identified in the genome. Consistent with its homothallic sexual reproduction cycle, both MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 idiomorphs were found. We identified a large suite of genes likely involved in pathogenicity, including 614 carbohydrate active enzymes, 762 secreted proteins and 165 effectors. CONCLUSIONS This study reveals the genomic structure, composition, and putative gene function of the important pathogen A. anomala. It provides insight into the molecular basis of the pathogen's life cycle and a solid foundation for studying EFB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alanna B Cohen
- Department of Plant Biology, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
- Graduate Program in Microbial Biology, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Guohong Cai
- Crop Production and Pest Control Research Unit, USDA-ARS, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.
| | - Dana C Price
- Department of Entomology, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
- Center for Vector Biology, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Thomas J Molnar
- Department of Plant Biology, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Ning Zhang
- Department of Plant Biology, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
- Graduate Program in Microbial Biology, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Bradley I Hillman
- Department of Plant Biology, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA.
- Graduate Program in Microbial Biology, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA.
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Nallathambi P, Umamaheswari C, Reddy B, Aarthy B, Javed M, Ravikumar P, Watpade S, Kashyap PL, Boopalakrishnan G, Kumar S, Sharma A, Kumar A. Deciphering the Genomic Landscape and Virulence Mechanisms of the Wheat Powdery Mildew Pathogen Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici Wtn1: Insights from Integrated Genome Assembly and Conidial Transcriptomics. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:267. [PMID: 38667938 PMCID: PMC11051031 DOI: 10.3390/jof10040267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
A high-quality genome sequence from an Indian isolate of Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici Wtn1, a persistent threat in wheat farming, was obtained using a hybrid method. The assembly of over 9.24 million DNA-sequence reads resulted in 93 contigs, totaling a 140.61 Mb genome size, potentially encoding 8480 genes. Notably, more than 73.80% of the genome, spanning approximately 102.14 Mb, comprises retro-elements, LTR elements, and P elements, influencing evolution and adaptation significantly. The phylogenomic analysis placed B. graminis f. sp. tritici Wtn1 in a distinct monocot-infecting clade. A total of 583 tRNA anticodon sequences were identified from the whole genome of the native virulent strain B. graminis f. sp. tritici, which comprises distinct genome features with high counts of tRNA anticodons for leucine (70), cysteine (61), alanine (58), and arginine (45), with only two stop codons (Opal and Ochre) present and the absence of the Amber stop codon. Comparative InterProScan analysis unveiled "shared and unique" proteins in B. graminis f. sp. tritici Wtn1. Identified were 7707 protein-encoding genes, annotated to different categories such as 805 effectors, 156 CAZymes, 6102 orthologous proteins, and 3180 distinct protein families (PFAMs). Among the effectors, genes like Avra10, Avrk1, Bcg-7, BEC1005, CSEP0105, CSEP0162, BEC1016, BEC1040, and HopI1 closely linked to pathogenesis and virulence were recognized. Transcriptome analysis highlighted abundant proteins associated with RNA processing and modification, post-translational modification, protein turnover, chaperones, and signal transduction. Examining the Environmental Information Processing Pathways in B. graminis f. sp. tritici Wtn1 revealed 393 genes across 33 signal transduction pathways. The key pathways included yeast MAPK signaling (53 genes), mTOR signaling (38 genes), PI3K-Akt signaling (23 genes), and AMPK signaling (21 genes). Additionally, pathways like FoxO, Phosphatidylinositol, the two-component system, and Ras signaling showed significant gene representation, each with 15-16 genes, key SNPs, and Indels in specific chromosomes highlighting their relevance to environmental responses and pathotype evolution. The SNP and InDel analysis resulted in about 3.56 million variants, including 3.45 million SNPs, 5050 insertions, and 5651 deletions within the whole genome of B. graminis f. sp. tritici Wtn1. These comprehensive genome and transcriptome datasets serve as crucial resources for understanding the pathogenicity, virulence effectors, retro-elements, and evolutionary origins of B. graminis f. sp. tritici Wtn1, aiding in developing robust strategies for the effective management of wheat powdery mildew.
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Affiliation(s)
- Perumal Nallathambi
- ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Regional Station, Wellington 643231, Tamil Nadu, India; (P.N.); (C.U.); (B.A.); (P.R.)
| | - Chandrasekaran Umamaheswari
- ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Regional Station, Wellington 643231, Tamil Nadu, India; (P.N.); (C.U.); (B.A.); (P.R.)
| | - Bhaskar Reddy
- ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa Campus, New Delhi 110012, Delhi, India; (M.J.); (G.B.)
| | - Balakrishnan Aarthy
- ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Regional Station, Wellington 643231, Tamil Nadu, India; (P.N.); (C.U.); (B.A.); (P.R.)
| | - Mohammed Javed
- ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa Campus, New Delhi 110012, Delhi, India; (M.J.); (G.B.)
| | - Priya Ravikumar
- ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Regional Station, Wellington 643231, Tamil Nadu, India; (P.N.); (C.U.); (B.A.); (P.R.)
| | - Santosh Watpade
- ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Regional Station, Shimla 171004, Himachal Pradesh, India;
| | - Prem Lal Kashyap
- ICAR-Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research, Karnal 132001, Haryana, India; (P.L.K.); (S.K.); (A.S.)
| | | | - Sudheer Kumar
- ICAR-Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research, Karnal 132001, Haryana, India; (P.L.K.); (S.K.); (A.S.)
| | - Anju Sharma
- ICAR-Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research, Karnal 132001, Haryana, India; (P.L.K.); (S.K.); (A.S.)
| | - Aundy Kumar
- ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa Campus, New Delhi 110012, Delhi, India; (M.J.); (G.B.)
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Kumakura N, Singkaravanit-Ogawa S, Gan P, Tsushima A, Ishihama N, Watanabe S, Seo M, Iwasaki S, Narusaka M, Narusaka Y, Takano Y, Shirasu K. Guanosine-specific single-stranded ribonuclease effectors of a phytopathogenic fungus potentiate host immune responses. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2024; 242:170-191. [PMID: 38348532 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19582] [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: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Plants activate immunity upon recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns. Although phytopathogens have evolved a set of effector proteins to counteract plant immunity, some effectors are perceived by hosts and induce immune responses. Here, we show that two secreted ribonuclease effectors, SRN1 and SRN2, encoded in a phytopathogenic fungus, Colletotrichum orbiculare, induce cell death in a signal peptide- and catalytic residue-dependent manner, when transiently expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana. The pervasive presence of SRN genes across Colletotrichum species suggested the conserved roles. Using a transient gene expression system in cucumber (Cucumis sativus), an original host of C. orbiculare, we show that SRN1 and SRN2 potentiate host pattern-triggered immunity responses. Consistent with this, C. orbiculare SRN1 and SRN2 deletion mutants exhibited increased virulence on the host. In vitro analysis revealed that SRN1 specifically cleaves single-stranded RNAs at guanosine, leaving a 3'-end phosphate. Importantly, the potentiation of C. sativus responses by SRN1 and SRN2, present in the apoplast, depends on ribonuclease catalytic residues. We propose that the pathogen-derived apoplastic guanosine-specific single-stranded endoribonucleases lead to immunity potentiation in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoyoshi Kumakura
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan
| | | | - Pamela Gan
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Ayako Tsushima
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan
- Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Nobuaki Ishihama
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Watanabe
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Mitsunori Seo
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan
- Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Nakagami, Okinawa, 903-0213, Japan
| | - Shintaro Iwasaki
- RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
- Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8561, Japan
| | - Mari Narusaka
- Okayama Prefectural Technology Center for Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, Research Institute for Biological Sciences, Kaga, Okayama, 716-1241, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Narusaka
- Okayama Prefectural Technology Center for Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, Research Institute for Biological Sciences, Kaga, Okayama, 716-1241, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Takano
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Ken Shirasu
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan
- Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
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9
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Qian J, Ibrahim HMM, Erz M, Kümmel F, Panstruga R, Kusch S. Long noncoding RNAs emerge from transposon-derived antisense sequences and may contribute to infection stage-specific transposon regulation in a fungal phytopathogen. Mob DNA 2023; 14:17. [PMID: 37964319 PMCID: PMC10648671 DOI: 10.1186/s13100-023-00305-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The genome of the obligate biotrophic phytopathogenic barley powdery mildew fungus Blumeria hordei is inflated due to highly abundant and possibly active transposable elements (TEs). In the absence of the otherwise common repeat-induced point mutation transposon defense mechanism, noncoding RNAs could be key for regulating the activity of TEs and coding genes during the pathogenic life cycle. RESULTS We performed time-course whole-transcriptome shotgun sequencing (RNA-seq) of total RNA derived from infected barley leaf epidermis at various stages of fungal pathogenesis and observed significant transcript accumulation and time point-dependent regulation of TEs in B. hordei. Using a manually curated consensus database of 344 TEs, we discovered phased small RNAs mapping to 104 consensus transposons, suggesting that RNA interference contributes significantly to their regulation. Further, we identified 5,127 long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) genome-wide in B. hordei, of which 823 originated from the antisense strand of a TE. Co-expression network analysis of lncRNAs, TEs, and coding genes throughout the asexual life cycle of B. hordei points at extensive positive and negative co-regulation of lncRNAs, subsets of TEs and coding genes. CONCLUSIONS Our work suggests that similar to mammals and plants, fungal lncRNAs support the dynamic modulation of transcript levels, including TEs, during pivotal stages of host infection. The lncRNAs may support transcriptional diversity and plasticity amid loss of coding genes in powdery mildew fungi and may give rise to novel regulatory elements and virulence peptides, thus representing key drivers of rapid evolutionary adaptation to promote pathogenicity and overcome host defense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangzhao Qian
- Unit of Plant Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Biology I, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52056, Aachen, Germany
| | - Heba M M Ibrahim
- Department of Biosystems, Division of Plant Biotechnics, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3001, Leuven, Belgium
- Present address: Institute of Bio- and Geosciences IBG-2, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425, Jülich, Germany
| | - Myriam Erz
- Unit of Plant Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Biology I, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52056, Aachen, Germany
| | - Florian Kümmel
- Unit of Plant Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Biology I, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52056, Aachen, Germany
- Present address: Department of Plant-Microbe Interactions, Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Carl-Von-Linné-Weg 10, 50829, Cologne, Germany
| | - Ralph Panstruga
- Unit of Plant Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Biology I, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52056, Aachen, Germany
| | - Stefan Kusch
- Unit of Plant Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Biology I, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52056, Aachen, Germany.
- Present address: Institute of Bio- and Geosciences IBG-4, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425, Jülich, Germany.
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10
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Ichida H, Murata H, Hatakeyama S, Yamada A, Ohta A. Near-complete de novo assembly of Tricholoma bakamatsutake chromosomes revealed the structural divergence and differentiation of Tricholoma genomes. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2023; 13:jkad198. [PMID: 37659058 PMCID: PMC10627285 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkad198] [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: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Tricholoma bakamatsutake, which is an edible ectomycorrhizal fungus associated with Fagaceae trees, may have diverged before the other species in Tricholoma section Caligata. We generated a highly contiguous whole-genome sequence for T. bakamatsutake SF-Tf05 isolated in an Oak (Quercus salicina) forest in Japan. The assembly of high-fidelity long reads, with a median read length of 12.3 kb, resulted in 13 chromosome-sized contigs comprising 142,068,211 bases with an average guanine and cytosine (GC) content of 43.94%. The 13 chromosomes were predicted to encode 11,060 genes. A contig (122,566 bases) presumably containing the whole circular mitochondrial genome was also recovered. The chromosome-wide comparison of T. bakamatsutake and Tricholoma matsutake (TMA_r1.0) indicated that the basic number of chromosomes (13) was conserved, but the structures of the corresponding chromosomes diverged, with multiple inversions and translocations. Gene conservation and cluster analyses revealed at least 3 phylogenetic clades in Tricholoma section Caligata. Specifically, all T. bakamatsutake strains belonged to the "bakamatsutake" clade, which is most proximal to the "caligatum" clade consisting of Tricholoma caligatum and Tricholoma fulvocastaneum. The constructed highly contiguous nearly telomere-to-telomere genome sequence of a T. bakamatsutake isolate will serve as a fundamental resource for future research on the evolution and differentiation of Tricholoma species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Ichida
- Ion Beam Breeding Group, RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Murata
- Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute (FFPRI), Forest Research and Management Organization, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8687, Japan
| | - Shin Hatakeyama
- Department of Regulatory Biology, Faculty of Science, Saitama University, Saitama, Saitama 338-8570, Japan
| | - Akiyoshi Yamada
- Faculty of Agriculture, Shinshu University, Minami-minowa, Nagano 399-4598, Japan
| | - Akira Ohta
- Kansai Research Center, FFPRI, Kyoto, Kyoto 612-0855, Japan
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11
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Tang B, Feng L, Hulin MT, Ding P, Ma W. Cell-type-specific responses to fungal infection in plants revealed by single-cell transcriptomics. Cell Host Microbe 2023; 31:1732-1747.e5. [PMID: 37741284 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2023.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
Pathogen infection is a dynamic process. Here, we employ single-cell transcriptomics to investigate plant response heterogeneity. By generating an Arabidopsis thaliana leaf atlas encompassing 95,040 cells during infection by a fungal pathogen, Colletotrichum higginsianum, we unveil cell-type-specific gene expression, notably an enrichment of intracellular immune receptors in vasculature cells. Trajectory inference identifies cells that had different interactions with the invading fungus. This analysis divulges transcriptional reprogramming of abscisic acid signaling specifically occurring in guard cells, which is consistent with a stomatal closure dependent on direct contact with the fungus. Furthermore, we investigate the transcriptional plasticity of genes involved in glucosinolate biosynthesis in cells at the fungal infection sites, emphasizing the contribution of the epidermis-expressed MYB122 to disease resistance. This work underscores spatially dynamic, cell-type-specific plant responses to a fungal pathogen and provides a valuable resource that supports in-depth investigations of plant-pathogen interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bozeng Tang
- The Sainsbury Laboratory, Norwich Research Park, University of East Anglia, NR4 7UH Norwich, UK
| | - Li Feng
- The Sainsbury Laboratory, Norwich Research Park, University of East Anglia, NR4 7UH Norwich, UK
| | - Michelle T Hulin
- The Sainsbury Laboratory, Norwich Research Park, University of East Anglia, NR4 7UH Norwich, UK
| | - Pingtao Ding
- Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Wenbo Ma
- The Sainsbury Laboratory, Norwich Research Park, University of East Anglia, NR4 7UH Norwich, UK.
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12
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Mu B, Teng Z, Tang R, Lu M, Chen J, Xu X, Wen YQ. An effector of Erysiphe necator translocates to chloroplasts and plasma membrane to suppress host immunity in grapevine. HORTICULTURE RESEARCH 2023; 10:uhad163. [PMID: 37746307 PMCID: PMC10516348 DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhad163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
The powdery mildew (Erysiphe necator) is a prevalent pathogen hampering grapevine growth in the vineyard. An arsenal of candidate secreted effector proteins (CSEPs) was encoded in the E. necator genome, but it is largely unclear what role CSEPs plays during the E. necator infection. In the present study, we identified a secreted effector CSEP080 of E. necator, which was located in plant chloroplasts and plasma membrane. Transient expressing CSEP080 promotes plant photosynthesis and inhibits INF1-induced cell death in tobacco leaves. We found that CSEP080 was a necessary effector for the E. necator pathogenicity, which interacted with grapevine chloroplast protein VviB6f (cytochrome b6-f complex iron-sulfur subunit), affecting plant photosynthesis. Transient silencing VviB6f increased the plant hydrogen peroxide production, and the plant resistance to powdery mildew. In addition, CSEP080 manipulated the VviPE (pectinesterase) to promote pectin degradation. Our results demonstrated the molecular mechanisms that an effector of E. necator translocates to host chloroplasts and plasma membrane, which suppresses with the grapevine immunity system by targeting the chloroplast protein VviB6f to suppress hydrogen peroxide accumulation and manipulating VviPE to promote pectin degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Mu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology and Germplasm Innovation in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhaolin Teng
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology and Germplasm Innovation in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ruixin Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology and Germplasm Innovation in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Mengjiao Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology and Germplasm Innovation in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jinfu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology and Germplasm Innovation in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiangnan Xu
- College of Water Resources and Architectural Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Weihui Road 23, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ying-Qiang Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology and Germplasm Innovation in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
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13
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Zaccaron AZ, Neill T, Corcoran J, Mahaffee WF, Stergiopoulos I. A chromosome-scale genome assembly of the grape powdery mildew pathogen Erysiphe necator reveals its genomic architecture and previously unknown features of its biology. mBio 2023; 14:e0064523. [PMID: 37341476 PMCID: PMC10470754 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00645-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Erysiphe necator is an obligate fungal pathogen that causes grape powdery mildew, globally the most important disease on grapevines. Previous attempts to obtain a quality genome assembly for this pathogen were hindered by its high repetitive DNA content. Here, chromatin conformation capture (Hi-C) with long-read PacBio sequencing was combined to obtain a chromosome-scale assembly and a high-quality annotation for E. necator isolate EnFRAME01. The resulting 81.1 Mb genome assembly is 98% complete and consists of 34 scaffolds, 11 of which represent complete chromosomes. All chromosomes contain large centromeric-like regions and lack synteny to the 11 chromosomes of the cereal PM pathogen Blumeria graminis. Further analysis of their composition showed that repeats and transposable elements (TEs) occupy 62.7% of their content. TEs were almost evenly interspersed outside centromeric and telomeric regions and massively overlapped with regions of annotated genes, suggesting that they could have a significant functional impact. Abundant gene duplicates were observed as well, particularly in genes encoding candidate secreted effector proteins. Moreover, younger in age gene duplicates exhibited more relaxed selection pressure and were more likely to be located physically close in the genome than older duplicates. A total of 122 genes with copy number variations among six isolates of E. necator were also identified and were enriched in genes that were duplicated in EnFRAME01, indicating they may reflect an adaptive variation. Taken together, our study illuminates higher-order genomic architectural features of E. necator and provides a valuable resource for studying genomic structural variations in this pathogen. IMPORTANCE Grape powdery mildew caused by the ascomycete fungus Erysiphe necator is economically the most important and recurrent disease in vineyards across the world. The obligate biotrophic nature of E. necator hinders the use of typical genetic methods to elucidate its pathogenicity and adaptation to adverse conditions, and thus comparative genomics has been a major method to study its genome biology. However, the current reference genome of E. necator isolate C-strain is highly fragmented with many non-coding regions left unassembled. This incompleteness prohibits in-depth comparative genomic analyses and the study of genomic structural variations (SVs) that are known to affect several aspects of microbial life, including fitness, virulence, and host adaptation. By obtaining a chromosome-scale genome assembly and a high-quality gene annotation for E. necator, we reveal the organization of its chromosomal content, unearth previously unknown features of its biology, and provide a reference for studying genomic SVs in this pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Z. Zaccaron
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Tara Neill
- USDA-ARS, Horticultural Crops Disease and Pest Management Research Unit, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Jacob Corcoran
- USDA-ARS, Horticultural Crops Disease and Pest Management Research Unit, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Walter F. Mahaffee
- USDA-ARS, Horticultural Crops Disease and Pest Management Research Unit, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Ioannis Stergiopoulos
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA
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14
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Bakhat N, Vielba-Fernández A, Padilla-Roji I, Martínez-Cruz J, Polonio Á, Fernández-Ortuño D, Pérez-García A. Suppression of Chitin-Triggered Immunity by Plant Fungal Pathogens: A Case Study of the Cucurbit Powdery Mildew Fungus Podosphaera xanthii. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:771. [PMID: 37504759 PMCID: PMC10381495 DOI: 10.3390/jof9070771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungal pathogens are significant plant-destroying microorganisms that present an increasing threat to the world's crop production. Chitin is a crucial component of fungal cell walls and a conserved MAMP (microbe-associated molecular pattern) that can be recognized by specific plant receptors, activating chitin-triggered immunity. The molecular mechanisms underlying the perception of chitin by specific receptors are well known in plants such as rice and Arabidopsis thaliana and are believed to function similarly in many other plants. To become a plant pathogen, fungi have to suppress the activation of chitin-triggered immunity. Therefore, fungal pathogens have evolved various strategies, such as prevention of chitin digestion or interference with plant chitin receptors or chitin signaling, which involve the secretion of fungal proteins in most cases. Since chitin immunity is a very effective defensive response, these fungal mechanisms are believed to work in close coordination. In this review, we first provide an overview of the current understanding of chitin-triggered immune signaling and the fungal proteins developed for its suppression. Second, as an example, we discuss the mechanisms operating in fungal biotrophs such as powdery mildew fungi, particularly in the model species Podosphaera xanthii, the main causal agent of powdery mildew in cucurbits. The key role of fungal effector proteins involved in the modification, degradation, or sequestration of immunogenic chitin oligomers is discussed in the context of fungal pathogenesis and the promotion of powdery mildew disease. Finally, the use of this fundamental knowledge for the development of intervention strategies against powdery mildew fungi is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisrine Bakhat
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, 29071 Malaga, Spain
- Instituto de Hortofruticultura Subtropical y Mediterránea "La Mayora", Universidad de Málaga, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IHSM-UMA-CSIC), 29071 Malaga, Spain
| | - Alejandra Vielba-Fernández
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, 29071 Malaga, Spain
- Instituto de Hortofruticultura Subtropical y Mediterránea "La Mayora", Universidad de Málaga, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IHSM-UMA-CSIC), 29071 Malaga, Spain
| | - Isabel Padilla-Roji
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, 29071 Malaga, Spain
- Instituto de Hortofruticultura Subtropical y Mediterránea "La Mayora", Universidad de Málaga, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IHSM-UMA-CSIC), 29071 Malaga, Spain
| | - Jesús Martínez-Cruz
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, 29071 Malaga, Spain
- Instituto de Hortofruticultura Subtropical y Mediterránea "La Mayora", Universidad de Málaga, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IHSM-UMA-CSIC), 29071 Malaga, Spain
| | - Álvaro Polonio
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, 29071 Malaga, Spain
- Instituto de Hortofruticultura Subtropical y Mediterránea "La Mayora", Universidad de Málaga, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IHSM-UMA-CSIC), 29071 Malaga, Spain
| | - Dolores Fernández-Ortuño
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, 29071 Malaga, Spain
- Instituto de Hortofruticultura Subtropical y Mediterránea "La Mayora", Universidad de Málaga, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IHSM-UMA-CSIC), 29071 Malaga, Spain
| | - Alejandro Pérez-García
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, 29071 Malaga, Spain
- Instituto de Hortofruticultura Subtropical y Mediterránea "La Mayora", Universidad de Málaga, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IHSM-UMA-CSIC), 29071 Malaga, Spain
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15
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Feng Y, Tang M, Xiang J, Liu P, Wang Y, Chen W, Fang Z, Wang W. Genome-wide characterization of L-aspartate oxidase genes in wheat and their potential roles in the responses to wheat disease and abiotic stresses. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1210632. [PMID: 37476177 PMCID: PMC10354440 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1210632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
L-aspartate oxidase (AO) is the first enzyme in NAD+ biosynthesis and is widely distributed in plants, animals, and microorganisms. Recently, AO family members have been reported in several plants, including Arabidopsis thaliana and Zea mays. Research on AO in these plants has revealed that AO plays important roles in plant growth, development, and biotic stresses; however, the nature and functions of AO proteins in wheat are still unclear. In this study, nine AO genes were identified in the wheat genome via sequence alignment and conserved protein domain analysis. These nine wheat AO genes (TaAOs) were distributed on chromosomes 2, 5, and 6 of sub-genomes A, B, and D. Analysis of the phylogenetic relationships, conserved motifs, and gene structure showed that the nine TaAOs were clustered into three groups, and the TaAOs in each group had similar conserved motifs and gene structure. Meanwhile, the subcellular localization analysis of transient expression mediated by Agrobacterium tumetioniens indicated that TaAO3-6D was localized to chloroplasts. Prediction of cis-elements indicated that a large number of cis-elements involved in responses to ABA, SA, and antioxidants/electrophiles, as well as photoregulatory responses, were found in TaAO promoters, which suggests that the expression of TaAOs may be regulated by these factors. Finally, transcriptome and real-time PCR analysis showed that the expression of TaAOs belonging to Group III was strongly induced in wheat infected by F. graminearum during anthesis, while the expression of TaAOs belonging to Group I was heavily suppressed. Additionally, the inducible expression of TaAOs belonging to Group III during anthesis in wheat spikelets infected by F. graminearum was repressed by ABA. Finally, expression of almost all TaAOs was induced by exposure to cold treatment. These results indicate that TaAOs may participate in the response of wheat to F. graminearum infection and cold stress, and ABA may play a negative role in this process. This study lays a foundation for further investigation of TaAO genes and provides novel insights into their biological functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanqun Feng
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) Key Laboratory of Sustainable Crop Production in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River (Co-Construction by Ministry and Province)/Engineering Research Center of Ecology and Agricultural Use of Wetland, Ministry of Education, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Grain Industry, College of Agriculture, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Mingshuang Tang
- Nanchong Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Nanchong, Sichuan, China
| | - Junhui Xiang
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) Key Laboratory of Sustainable Crop Production in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River (Co-Construction by Ministry and Province)/Engineering Research Center of Ecology and Agricultural Use of Wetland, Ministry of Education, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Grain Industry, College of Agriculture, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Pingu Liu
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) Key Laboratory of Sustainable Crop Production in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River (Co-Construction by Ministry and Province)/Engineering Research Center of Ecology and Agricultural Use of Wetland, Ministry of Education, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Grain Industry, College of Agriculture, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Youning Wang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Quality Control of Characteristic Fruits and Vegetables, Hubei Engineering University, Xiaogan, Hubei, China
| | - Wang Chen
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) Key Laboratory of Sustainable Crop Production in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River (Co-Construction by Ministry and Province)/Engineering Research Center of Ecology and Agricultural Use of Wetland, Ministry of Education, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Grain Industry, College of Agriculture, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Zhengwu Fang
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) Key Laboratory of Sustainable Crop Production in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River (Co-Construction by Ministry and Province)/Engineering Research Center of Ecology and Agricultural Use of Wetland, Ministry of Education, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Grain Industry, College of Agriculture, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Wenli Wang
- College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
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16
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Weiland P, Dempwolff F, Steinchen W, Freibert S, Tian H, Glatter T, Martin R, Thomma BPHJ, Bange G, Altegoer F. Structural and functional analysis of the cerato-platanin-like protein Cpl1 suggests diverging functions in smut fungi. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2023; 24:768-787. [PMID: 37171083 PMCID: PMC10257043 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.13349] [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: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Plant-pathogenic fungi are causative agents of the majority of plant diseases and can lead to severe crop loss in infected populations. Fungal colonization is achieved by combining different strategies, such as avoiding and counteracting the plant immune system and manipulating the host metabolome. Of major importance are virulence factors secreted by fungi, which fulfil diverse functions to support the infection process. Most of these proteins are highly specialized, with structural and biochemical information often absent. Here, we present the atomic structures of the cerato-platanin-like protein Cpl1 from Ustilago maydis and its homologue Uvi2 from Ustilago hordei. Both proteins adopt a double-Ψβ-barrel architecture reminiscent of cerato-platanin proteins, a class so far not described in smut fungi. Our structure-function analysis shows that Cpl1 binds to soluble chitin fragments via two extended grooves at the dimer interface of the two monomer molecules. This carbohydrate-binding mode has not been observed previously and expands the repertoire of chitin-binding proteins. Cpl1 localizes to the cell wall of U. maydis and might synergize with cell wall-degrading and decorating proteins during maize infection. The architecture of Cpl1 harbouring four surface-exposed loop regions supports the idea that it might play a role in the spatial coordination of these proteins. While deletion of cpl1 has only mild effects on the virulence of U. maydis, a recent study showed that deletion of uvi2 strongly impairs U. hordei virulence. Our structural comparison between Cpl1 and Uvi2 reveals sequence variations in the loop regions that might explain a diverging function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Weiland
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Faculty of ChemistryPhilipps‐University MarburgMarburgGermany
| | - Felix Dempwolff
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Faculty of ChemistryPhilipps‐University MarburgMarburgGermany
| | - Wieland Steinchen
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Faculty of ChemistryPhilipps‐University MarburgMarburgGermany
| | - Sven‐Andreas Freibert
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Institute of CytobiologyPhilipps‐University MarburgMarburgGermany
- Protein Biochemistry and Spectroscopy Core Facility, Institute of CytobiologyPhilipps‐University MarburgMarburgGermany
| | - Hui Tian
- Institute for Plant SciencesUniversity of CologneCologneGermany
| | - Timo Glatter
- Max‐Planck Institute for Terrestrial MicrobiologyMarburgGermany
| | - Roman Martin
- Faculty of Mathematics and Computer SciencePhilipps‐University MarburgMarburgGermany
| | - Bart P. H. J. Thomma
- Institute for Plant SciencesUniversity of CologneCologneGermany
- Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS)CologneGermany
| | - Gert Bange
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Faculty of ChemistryPhilipps‐University MarburgMarburgGermany
- Max‐Planck Institute for Terrestrial MicrobiologyMarburgGermany
| | - Florian Altegoer
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Faculty of ChemistryPhilipps‐University MarburgMarburgGermany
- Max‐Planck Institute for Terrestrial MicrobiologyMarburgGermany
- Institute of MicrobiologyHeinrich‐Heine‐UniversityDüsseldorfGermany
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17
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Kusch S, Singh M, Thieron H, Spanu PD, Panstruga R. Site-specific analysis reveals candidate cross-kingdom small RNAs, tRNA and rRNA fragments, and signs of fungal RNA phasing in the barley-powdery mildew interaction. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2023; 24:570-587. [PMID: 36917011 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.13324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The establishment of host-microbe interactions requires molecular communication between both partners, which may involve the mutual transfer of noncoding small RNAs. Previous evidence suggests that this is also true for powdery mildew disease in barley, which is caused by the fungal pathogen Blumeria hordei. However, previous studies lacked spatial resolution regarding the accumulation of small RNAs upon host infection by B. hordei. Here, we analysed site-specific small RNA repertoires in the context of the barley-B. hordei interaction. To this end, we dissected infected leaves into separate fractions representing different sites that are key to the pathogenic process: epiphytic fungal mycelium, infected plant epidermis, isolated haustoria, a vesicle-enriched fraction from infected epidermis, and extracellular vesicles. Unexpectedly, we discovered enrichment of specific 31-33-base 5'-terminal fragments of barley 5.8S ribosomal RNA in extracellular vesicles and infected epidermis, as well as particular B. hordei transfer RNA fragments in haustoria. We describe canonical small RNAs from both the plant host and the fungal pathogen that may confer cross-kingdom RNA interference activity. Interestingly, we found first evidence of phased small interfering RNAs in B. hordei, a feature usually attributed to plants, which may be associated with the posttranscriptional control of fungal coding genes, pseudogenes, and transposable elements. Our data suggest a key and possibly site-specific role for cross-kingdom RNA interference and noncoding RNA fragments in the host-pathogen communication between B. hordei and its host barley.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Kusch
- Unit of Plant Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Biology I, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Mansi Singh
- Unit of Plant Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Biology I, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Hannah Thieron
- Unit of Plant Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Biology I, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Pietro D Spanu
- Unit of Plant Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Biology I, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ralph Panstruga
- Unit of Plant Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Biology I, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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18
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Wang J, Chen T, Tang Y, Zhang S, Xu M, Liu M, Zhang J, Loake GJ, Jiang J. The Biological Roles of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici Effectors during Infection of Wheat. Biomolecules 2023; 13:889. [PMID: 37371469 DOI: 10.3390/biom13060889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst) is the causative agent of wheat stripe rust, which can lead to a significant loss in annual wheat yields. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a deeper comprehension of the basic mechanisms underlying Pst infection. Effectors are known as the agents that plant pathogens deliver into host tissues to promote infection, typically by interfering with plant physiology and biochemistry. Insights into effector activity can significantly aid the development of future strategies to generate disease-resistant crops. However, the functional analysis of Pst effectors is still in its infancy, which hinders our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of the interaction between Pst and wheat. In this review, we summarize the potential roles of validated and proposed Pst effectors during wheat infection, including proteinaceous effectors, non-coding RNAs (sRNA effectors), and secondary metabolites (SMs effectors). Further, we suggest specific countermeasures against Pst pathogenesis and future research directions, which may promote our understanding of Pst effector functions during wheat immunity attempts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjuan Wang
- School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou 221116, China
| | - Tongtong Chen
- School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou 221116, China
| | - Yawen Tang
- School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou 221116, China
| | - Sihan Zhang
- School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou 221116, China
| | - Mengyao Xu
- School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou 221116, China
| | - Meiyan Liu
- School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou 221116, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou 221116, China
| | - Gary J Loake
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3JH, UK
| | - Jihong Jiang
- School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou 221116, China
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19
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Kloppe T, Whetten RB, Kim SB, Powell OR, Lück S, Douchkov D, Whetten RW, Hulse-Kemp AM, Balint-Kurti P, Cowger C. Two pathogen loci determine Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici virulence to wheat resistance gene Pm1a. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2023; 238:1546-1561. [PMID: 36772855 DOI: 10.1111/nph.18809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici (Bgt) is a globally important fungal pathogen of wheat that can rapidly evolve to defeat wheat powdery mildew (Pm) resistance genes. Despite periodic regional deployment of the Pm1a resistance gene in US wheat production, Bgt strains that overcome Pm1a have been notably nonpersistent in the United States, while on other continents, they are more widely established. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted to map sequence variants associated with Pm1a virulence in 216 Bgt isolates from six countries, including the United States. A virulence variant apparently unique to Bgt isolates from the United States was detected in the previously mapped gene AvrPm1a (BgtE-5612) on Bgt chromosome 6; an in vitro growth assay suggested no fitness reduction associated with this variant. A gene on Bgt chromosome 8, Bgt-51526, was shown to function as a second determinant of Pm1a virulence, and despite < 30% amino acid identity, BGT-51526 and BGTE-5612 were predicted to share > 85% of their secondary structure. A co-expression study in Nicotiana benthamiana showed that BGTE-5612 and BGT-51526 each produce a PM1A-dependent hypersensitive response. More than one member of a B. graminis effector family can be recognized by a single wheat immune receptor, and a two-gene model is necessary to explain virulence to Pm1a.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Kloppe
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Rebecca B Whetten
- Plant Science Research Unit, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Saet-Byul Kim
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | | | - Stefanie Lück
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research, D-06466, OT Gatersleben, Seeland, Germany
| | - Dimitar Douchkov
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research, D-06466, OT Gatersleben, Seeland, Germany
| | - Ross W Whetten
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Amanda M Hulse-Kemp
- Genomics and Bioinformatics Research Unit, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Peter Balint-Kurti
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
- Plant Science Research Unit, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Christina Cowger
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
- Plant Science Research Unit, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
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20
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Liang J, Li Y, Dodds PN, Figueroa M, Sperschneider J, Han S, Tsui CKM, Zhang K, Li L, Ma Z, Cai L. Haplotype-phased and chromosome-level genome assembly of Puccinia polysora, a giga-scale fungal pathogen causing southern corn rust. Mol Ecol Resour 2023; 23:601-620. [PMID: 36403246 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Rust fungi are characterized by large genomes with high repeat content and have two haploid nuclei in most life stages, which makes achieving high-quality genome assemblies challenging. Here, we described a pipeline using HiFi reads and Hi-C data to assemble a gigabase-sized fungal pathogen, Puccinia polysora f.sp. zeae, to haplotype-phased and chromosome-scale. The final assembled genome is 1.71 Gbp, with ~850 Mbp and 18 chromosomes in each haplotype, being currently one of the two giga-scale fungi assembled to chromosome level. Transcript-based annotation identified 47,512 genes for the dikaryotic genome with a similar number for each haplotype. A high level of interhaplotype variation was found with 10% haplotype-specific BUSCO genes, 5.8 SNPs/kbp, and structural variation accounting for 3% of the genome size. The P. polysora genome displayed over 85% repeat contents, with genome-size expansion and copy number increasing of species-specific orthogroups. Interestingly, these features did not affect overall synteny with other Puccinia species having smaller genomes. Fine-time-point transcriptomics revealed seven clusters of coexpressed secreted proteins that are conserved between two haplotypes. The fact that candidate effectors interspersed with all genes indicated the absence of a "two-speed genome" evolution in P. polysora. Genome resequencing of 79 additional isolates revealed a clonal population structure of P. polysora in China with low geographic differentiation. Nevertheless, a minor population differentiated from the major population by having mutations on secreted proteins including AvrRppC, indicating the ongoing virulence to evade recognition by RppC, a major resistance gene in Chinese corn cultivars. The high-quality assembly provides valuable genomic resources for future studies on disease management and the evolution of P. polysora.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junmin Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuanjie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Peter N Dodds
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Agriculture and Food, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Melania Figueroa
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Agriculture and Food, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Jana Sperschneider
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Agriculture and Food, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Shiling Han
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Clement K M Tsui
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,National Centre for Infectious Diseases, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore City, Singapore.,LKC School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore City, Singapore
| | - Keyu Zhang
- Department of Plant Pathology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Leifu Li
- Department of Plant Pathology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhanhong Ma
- Department of Plant Pathology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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21
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Hadimani S, De Britto S, Udayashankar AC, Geetha N, Nayaka CS, Ali D, Alarifi S, Ito SI, Jogaiah S. Genome-Wide Characterization of Effector Protein-Encoding Genes in Sclerospora graminicola and Its Validation in Response to Pearl Millet Downy Mildew Disease Stress. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:jof9040431. [PMID: 37108886 PMCID: PMC10142805 DOI: 10.3390/jof9040431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] is the essential food crop for over ninety million people living in drier parts of India and South Africa. Pearl millet crop production is harshly hindered by numerous biotic stresses. Sclerospora graminicola causes downy mildew disease in pearl millet. Effectors are the proteins secreted by several fungi and bacteria that manipulate the host cell structure and function. This current study aims to identify genes encoding effector proteins from the S. graminicola genome and validate them through molecular techniques. In silico analyses were employed for candidate effector prediction. A total of 845 secretory transmembrane proteins were predicted, out of which 35 proteins carrying LxLFLAK (Leucine–any amino acid–Phenylalanine–Leucine–Alanine–Lysine) motif were crinkler, 52 RxLR (Arginine, any amino acid, Leucine, Arginine), and 17 RxLR-dEER putative effector proteins. Gene validation analysis of 17 RxLR-dEER effector protein-producing genes was carried out, of which 5genes were amplified on the gel. These novel gene sequences were submitted to NCBI. This study is the first report on the identification and characterization of effector genes in Sclerospora graminicola. This dataset will aid in the integration of effector classes that act independently, paving the way to investigate how pearl millet responds to effector protein interactions. These results will assist in identifying functional effector proteins involving the omic approach using newer bioinformatics tools to protect pearl millet plants against downy mildew stress. Considered together, the identified effector protein-encoding functional genes can be utilized in screening oomycetes downy mildew diseases in other crops across the globe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiva Hadimani
- Laboratory of Plant Healthcare and Diagnostics, PG Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology, Karnatak University, Dharwad 580003, India
| | - Savitha De Britto
- Division of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, University of Goroka, Goroka 441, Papua New Guinea
| | - Arakere C. Udayashankar
- Department of Studies in Biotechnology, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysuru 570006, India
| | - Nagaraj Geetha
- Department of Studies in Biotechnology, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysuru 570006, India
| | - Chandra S. Nayaka
- Department of Studies in Biotechnology, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysuru 570006, India
| | - Daoud Ali
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saud Alarifi
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shin-ichi Ito
- Research Center for Thermotolerant Microbial Resources, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
| | - Sudisha Jogaiah
- Laboratory of Plant Healthcare and Diagnostics, PG Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology, Karnatak University, Dharwad 580003, India
- Department of Environmental Science, Central University of Kerala, Tejaswini Hills, Periye (PO) 671316, Kasaragod (DT), Kerala, India
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +91-836-2779533; Fax: +91-836-2747884
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22
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Hossain MM, Sultana F, Li W, Tran LSP, Mostofa MG. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary: Insights into the Pathogenomic Features of a Global Pathogen. Cells 2023; 12:cells12071063. [PMID: 37048136 PMCID: PMC10093061 DOI: 10.3390/cells12071063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary is a broad host-range fungus that infects an inclusive array of plant species and afflicts significant yield losses globally. Despite being a notorious pathogen, it has an uncomplicated life cycle consisting of either basal infection from myceliogenically germinated sclerotia or aerial infection from ascospores of carpogenically germinated sclerotia. This fungus is unique among necrotrophic pathogens in that it inevitably colonizes aging tissues to initiate an infection, where a saprophytic stage follows the pathogenic phase. The release of cell wall-degrading enzymes, oxalic acid, and effector proteins are considered critical virulence factors necessary for the effective pathogenesis of S. sclerotiorum. Nevertheless, the molecular basis of S. sclerotiorum pathogenesis is still imprecise and remains a topic of continuing research. Previous comprehensive sequencing of the S. sclerotiorum genome has revealed new insights into its genome organization and provided a deeper comprehension of the sophisticated processes involved in its growth, development, and virulence. This review focuses on the genetic and genomic aspects of fungal biology and molecular pathogenicity to summarize current knowledge of the processes utilized by S. sclerotiorum to parasitize its hosts. Understanding the molecular mechanisms regulating the infection process of S. sclerotiorum will contribute to devising strategies for preventing infections caused by this destructive pathogen.
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23
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Singh SK, Shree A, Verma S, Singh K, Kumar K, Srivastava V, Singh R, Saxena S, Singh AP, Pandey A, Verma PK. The nuclear effector ArPEC25 from the necrotrophic fungus Ascochyta rabiei targets the chickpea transcription factor CaβLIM1a and negatively modulates lignin biosynthesis, increasing host susceptibility. THE PLANT CELL 2023; 35:1134-1159. [PMID: 36585808 PMCID: PMC10015165 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koac372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Fungal pathogens deploy a barrage of secreted effectors to subvert host immunity, often by evading, disrupting, or altering key components of transcription, defense signaling, and metabolic pathways. However, the underlying mechanisms of effectors and their host targets are largely unexplored in necrotrophic fungal pathogens. Here, we describe the effector protein Ascochyta rabiei PEXEL-like Effector Candidate 25 (ArPEC25), which is secreted by the necrotroph A. rabiei, the causal agent of Ascochyta blight disease in chickpea (Cicer arietinum), and is indispensable for virulence. After entering host cells, ArPEC25 localizes to the nucleus and targets the host LIM transcription factor CaβLIM1a. CaβLIM1a is a transcriptional regulator of CaPAL1, which encodes phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), the regulatory, gatekeeping enzyme of the phenylpropanoid pathway. ArPEC25 inhibits the transactivation of CaβLIM1a by interfering with its DNA-binding ability, resulting in negative regulation of the phenylpropanoid pathway and decreased levels of intermediates of lignin biosynthesis, thereby suppressing lignin production. Our findings illustrate the role of fungal effectors in enhancing virulence by targeting a key defense pathway that leads to the biosynthesis of various secondary metabolites and antifungal compounds. This study provides a template for the study of less explored necrotrophic effectors and their host target functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shreenivas Kumar Singh
- Plant Immunity Laboratory, National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
- Plant Immunity Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Ankita Shree
- Plant Immunity Laboratory, National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Sandhya Verma
- Plant Immunity Laboratory, National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Kunal Singh
- Plant Immunity Laboratory, National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Kamal Kumar
- Plant Immunity Laboratory, National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Vikas Srivastava
- Plant Immunity Laboratory, National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Ritu Singh
- Plant Immunity Laboratory, National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Samiksha Saxena
- Plant Immunity Laboratory, National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Agam Prasad Singh
- National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Ashutosh Pandey
- Plant Immunity Laboratory, National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Praveen Kumar Verma
- Plant Immunity Laboratory, National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
- Plant Immunity Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
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24
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Hoffman JR, Karol KG, Ohmura Y, Pogoda CS, Keepers KG, McMullin RT, Lendemer JC. Mitochondrial genomes in the iconic reindeer lichens: Architecture, variation, and synteny across multiple evolutionary scales. Mycologia 2023; 115:187-205. [PMID: 36736327 DOI: 10.1080/00275514.2022.2157665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Variation in mitochondrial genome composition across intraspecific, interspecific, and higher taxonomic scales has been little studied in lichen obligate symbioses. Cladonia is one of the most diverse and ecologically important lichen genera, with over 500 species representing an array of unique morphologies and chemical profiles. Here, we assess mitochondrial genome diversity and variation in this flagship genus, with focused sampling of two clades of the "true" reindeer lichens, Cladonia subgenus Cladina, and additional genomes from nine outgroup taxa. We describe composition and architecture at the gene and the genome scale, examining patterns in organellar genome size in larger taxonomic groups in Ascomycota. Mitochondrial genomes of Cladonia, Pilophorus, and Stereocaulon were consistently larger than those of Lepraria and contained more introns, suggesting a selective pressure in asexual morphology in Lepraria driving it toward genomic simplification. Collectively, lichen mitochondrial genomes were larger than most other fungal life strategies, reaffirming the notion that coevolutionary streamlining does not correlate to genome size reductions. Genomes from Cladonia ravenelii and Stereocaulon pileatum exhibited ATP9 duplication, bearing paralogs that may still be functional. Homing endonuclease genes (HEGs), though scarce in Lepraria, were diverse and abundant in Cladonia, exhibiting variable evolutionary histories that were sometimes independent of the mitochondrial evolutionary history. Intraspecific HEG diversity was also high, with C. rangiferina especially bearing a range of HEGs with one unique to the species. This study reveals a rich history of events that have transformed mitochondrial genomes of Cladonia and related genera, allowing future study alongside a wealth of assembled genomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan R Hoffman
- Department of Biology, The City University of New York Graduate Center, 365 5th Avenue, New York, New York 10016
- Institute of Systemic Botany, The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York 10458-5126
| | - Kenneth G Karol
- Institute of Systemic Botany, The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York 10458-5126
| | - Yoshihito Ohmura
- Department of Botany, National Museum of Nature and Science, 4-1-1 Amakubo, Tsukuba 305-0005, Japan
| | - Cloe S Pogoda
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309
| | - Kyle G Keepers
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309
| | - Richard T McMullin
- Research and Collections, Canadian Museum of Nature, PO Box 3443, Station D, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 6P4, Canada
| | - James C Lendemer
- Institute of Systemic Botany, The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York 10458-5126
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25
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Engelhardt S, Trutzenberg A, Kopischke M, Probst K, McCollum C, Hofer J, Hückelhoven R. Barley RIC157, a potential RACB scaffold protein, is involved in susceptibility to powdery mildew. PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 111:329-344. [PMID: 36562946 PMCID: PMC10090020 DOI: 10.1007/s11103-022-01329-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
CRIB motif-containing barley RIC157 is a novel ROP scaffold protein that interacts directly with barley RACB, promotes susceptibility to fungal penetration, and colocalizes with RACB at the haustorial neck. Successful obligate pathogens benefit from host cellular processes. For the biotrophic ascomycete fungus Blumeria hordei (Bh) it has been shown that barley RACB, a small monomeric G-protein (ROP, Rho of plants), is required for full susceptibility to fungal penetration. The susceptibility function of RACB probably lies in its role in cell polarity, which may be co-opted by the pathogen for invasive ingrowth of its haustorium. However, how RACB supports fungal penetration success and which other host proteins coordinate this process is incompletely understood. RIC (ROP-Interactive and CRIB-(Cdc42/Rac Interactive Binding) motif-containing) proteins are considered scaffold proteins which can interact directly with ROPs via a conserved CRIB motif. Here we describe a previously uncharacterized barley RIC protein, RIC157, which can interact directly with RACB in planta. We show that, in the presence of constitutively activated RACB, RIC157 shows a localization at the cell periphery/plasma membrane, whereas it otherwise localizes to the cytoplasm. RIC157 appears to mutually stabilize the plasma membrane localization of the activated ROP. During fungal infection, RIC157 and RACB colocalize at the penetration site, particularly at the haustorial neck. Additionally, transiently overexpressed RIC157 renders barley epidermal cells more susceptible to fungal penetration. We discuss that RIC157 may promote fungal penetration into barley epidermal cells by operating probably downstream of activated RACB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Engelhardt
- Phytopathology, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Emil- Ramann-Str.2, 85354, Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany
| | - Adriana Trutzenberg
- Phytopathology, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Emil- Ramann-Str.2, 85354, Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany
| | - Michaela Kopischke
- Phytopathology, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Emil- Ramann-Str.2, 85354, Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany
| | - Katja Probst
- Phytopathology, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Emil- Ramann-Str.2, 85354, Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany
| | - Christopher McCollum
- Phytopathology, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Emil- Ramann-Str.2, 85354, Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany
| | - Johanna Hofer
- Phytopathology, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Emil- Ramann-Str.2, 85354, Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany
| | - Ralph Hückelhoven
- Phytopathology, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Emil- Ramann-Str.2, 85354, Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany.
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26
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Sun G, Xie S, Tang L, Zhao C, Zhang M, Huang L. Comparative genomics of five Valsa species gives insights on their pathogenicity evolution. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2023; 13:jkac312. [PMID: 36454665 PMCID: PMC9911072 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkac312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Valsa is a genus of ascomycetes within the Valsaceae family. This family includes many wood destructive pathogens such as the well known Valsa mali and Valsa pyri which cause canker diseases in fruit trees and threaten the global fruit production. Lack of genomic information of this family is impeding our understandings about their evolution and genetic basis of their pathogenicity divergence. Here, we report genome assemblies of Valsa malicola, Valsa persoonii, and Valsa sordida which represent close relatives of Valsa mali and Valsa pyri with different host preferences. Comparative genomics analysis revealed that segmental rearrangements, inversions, and translocations frequently occurred among Valsa spp. genomes. Gene families that exhibited gene copy expansions tended to be associated with secondary metabolism, transmembrane transport, and pyrophosphatase activities. Orthologous genes in regions lost synteny exhibited significantly higher rate of synonymous substitution (KS) than those in regions retained synteny. Moreover, among these genes, membrane transporter families associated with antidrug (MFS, DHA) activities and nutrient transportation (SP and APCs) activities were significantly over-represented. Lineage specific synonymous substitution (KS) and nonsynonymous substitution (KA) analysis based on the phylogeny constructed from 11 fungal species identified a set of genes with selection signatures in Valsa clade and these genes were significantly enriched in functions associated with fatty acid beta-oxidation, DNA helicase activity, and ATPase activity. Furthermore, unique genes that possessed or retained by each of the five Valsa species are more likely part of the secondary metabolic (SM) gene clusters. SM gene clusters conserved across five Valsa species showed various degrees of diversification in both identity and completeness. All 11 syntenically conserved SM clusters showed differential expression during the infection of apple branch with Valsa mali suggesting involvements of secondary metabolism in the pathogenicity of Valsa species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangchao Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Shichang Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Lin Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Chao Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Mian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Lili Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
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Heaven T, Cockerton HM, Xu X, Goddard M, Armitage AD. A Genomic Resource for the Strawberry Powdery Mildew Pathogen Podosphaera aphanis. PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2023; 113:355-359. [PMID: 36738090 DOI: 10.1094/phyto-03-22-0091-a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Powdery mildew is one of the most economically destructive diseases in protected strawberry production. Here we present the first genome assembly for Podosphaera aphanis, the causal agent of powdery mildew on strawberry. This obligate-biotrophic fungal pathogen was sampled from a naturally occurring outbreak on Fragaria × ananassa 'Malling Centenary' plants grown under cover in the United Kingdom. Assembled reads resolved a 55.6 Mb genome, composed of 12,357 contigs whose annotation led to prediction of 17,239 genes encoding 17,328 proteins. The genome is highly-complete, with 97.5% of conserved single-copy Ascomycete genes shown to be present. This annotated P. aphanis genome provides a molecular resource for further investigation into host-pathogen interactions in the strawberry powdery mildew pathosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Heaven
- NIAB, New Road, East Malling, Kent, ME19 6BJ, U.K
- School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN6 7DL, U.K
| | - Helen M Cockerton
- NIAB, New Road, East Malling, Kent, ME19 6BJ, U.K
- Kent Fungal Group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NZ, U.K
| | - Xiangming Xu
- NIAB, New Road, East Malling, Kent, ME19 6BJ, U.K
| | - Matthew Goddard
- School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN6 7DL, U.K
| | - Andrew D Armitage
- National Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Kent, ME4 4TB, U.K
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Fei W, Liu Y. Biotrophic Fungal Pathogens: a Critical Overview. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2023; 195:1-16. [PMID: 35951248 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-022-04087-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Biotrophic fungi are one group of heterogeneous organisms and these fungi differ in their traits like mode of nutrition, types of reproduction, and dispersal systems. Generally, based on the nutritional mode, fungi are classified into three broad categories, viz. biotrophs, necrotrophs, and hemi-biotrophs. Biotrophs derive their nutrients and energy from living plant cells and survive within the interstitial space of the cells. Biotrophic fungi cause serious crop diseases but are highly challenging to investigate and develop a treatment strategy. Blumeria (Erysiphe) graminis, Uromyces fabae, Ustilago maydis, Cladosporium fulvum, Puccinia graminis, and Phytophthora infestans are some of the significant biotrophic fungi that affect mainly plants. One among the biotrophic fungus, Pneumocystis jirovecii (Taphrinomycotina subphylum of the Ascomycota) exclusively a human pathogen, can cause lung diseases such as "pneumocystis." Biotrophic fungus widely parasitizing Solanaceae family crops (Tomato and potato) has done massive damage to the crops and has led to economic impact worldwide. During infection and for nutrient absorption, biotrophs develops external appendages such as appressoria or haustoria. The hyphae or appressorium adheres to the plant cell wall and collapses the layers for their nutrient absorption. The pathogen also secretes effector molecules to escape from the plant defense mechanism. Later, plants activate their primary and secondary defense mechanisms; however, the pathogen induces virulence genes to escape the host immune responses. Obligate biotrophic fungi pathogenicity has not been fully understood at the molecular level because of the complex interaction, recognition, and signaling with the host. This review summarizes the mechanism of infection in the host, and immune response to emphasize the understanding of the biotrophic fungal biology and pathogenesis in crops. Thus, the detailed review will pave the way to design methods to overcome the resistance of biotrophic fungi and develop disease-free crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang Fei
- Zhengzhou Yongfeng Bio-Fertilizer Co., Ltd, high-tech district, 6 Tsui Zhu Street, 863 Software Park, Building 9 1102, Henan Province, 450001, Zhengzhou City, China.
| | - Ye Liu
- Xiangtan Institute for Food and Drug Control, Xiangtan, China
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29
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Liao W, Nielsen ME, Pedersen C, Xie W, Thordal-Christensen H. Barley endosomal MONENSIN SENSITIVITY1 is a target of the powdery mildew effector CSEP0162 and plays a role in plant immunity. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2023; 74:118-129. [PMID: 36227010 PMCID: PMC9786837 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erac403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Encasements formed around haustoria and biotrophic hyphae as well as hypersensitive reaction (HR) cell death are essential plant immune responses to filamentous pathogens. In this study we examine the components that may contribute to the absence of these responses in susceptible barley attacked by the powdery mildew fungus. We find that the effector CSEP0162 from this pathogen targets plant MONENSIN SENSITIVITY1 (MON1), which is important for the fusion of multivesicular bodies to their target membranes. Overexpression of CSEP0162 and silencing of barley MON1 both inhibit encasement formation. We find that the Arabidopsis ecotype No-0 has resistance to powdery mildew, and that this is partially dependent on MON1. Surprisingly, we find the MON1-dependent resistance in No-0 not only includes an encasement response, but also an effective HR. Similarly, silencing of MON1 in barley also blocks Mla3-mediated HR-based powdery mildew resistance. Our results indicate that MON1 is a vital plant immunity component, and we speculate that the barley powdery mildew fungus introduces the effector CSEP0162 to target MON1 and hence reduce encasement formation and HR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenlin Liao
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Mads E Nielsen
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Carsten Pedersen
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Wenjun Xie
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
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Reilly A, Feechan A. The endosome as an effector target to mediate plant immunity? JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2023; 74:12-15. [PMID: 36563103 PMCID: PMC9786820 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erac460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
This article comments on: Liao W, Nielsen ME, Pedersen C, Xie W, Thordal-Christensen H. 2023. Barley endosomal MONENSIN SENSITIVITY1 is a target of the powdery mildew effector CSEP0162 and plays a role in plant immunity. Journal of Experimental Botany 74, 118–129.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aisling Reilly
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
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Mapuranga J, Chang J, Zhang L, Zhang N, Yang W. Fungal Secondary Metabolites and Small RNAs Enhance Pathogenicity during Plant-Fungal Pathogen Interactions. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 9:jof9010004. [PMID: 36675825 PMCID: PMC9862911 DOI: 10.3390/jof9010004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal plant pathogens use proteinaceous effectors as well as newly identified secondary metabolites (SMs) and small non-coding RNA (sRNA) effectors to manipulate the host plant's defense system via diverse plant cell compartments, distinct organelles, and many host genes. However, most molecular studies of plant-fungal interactions have focused on secreted effector proteins without exploring the possibly equivalent functions performed by fungal (SMs) and sRNAs, which are collectively known as "non-proteinaceous effectors". Fungal SMs have been shown to be generated throughout the plant colonization process, particularly in the early biotrophic stages of infection. The fungal repertoire of non-proteinaceous effectors has been broadened by the discovery of fungal sRNAs that specifically target plant genes involved in resistance and defense responses. Many RNAs, particularly sRNAs involved in gene silencing, have been shown to transmit bidirectionally between fungal pathogens and their hosts. However, there are no clear functional approaches to study the role of these SM and sRNA effectors. Undoubtedly, fungal SM and sRNA effectors are now a treasured land to seek. Therefore, understanding the role of fungal SM and sRNA effectors may provide insights into the infection process and identification of the interacting host genes that are targeted by these effectors. This review discusses the role of fungal SMs and sRNAs during plant-fungal interactions. It will also focus on the translocation of sRNA effectors across kingdoms, the application of cross-kingdom RNA interference in managing plant diseases and the tools that can be used to predict and study these non-proteinaceous effectors.
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Comparative genomic analysis reveals contraction of gene families with putative roles in pathogenesis in the fungal boxwood pathogens Calonectria henricotiae and C. pseudonaviculata. BMC Ecol Evol 2022; 22:79. [PMID: 35725368 PMCID: PMC9210730 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-022-02035-4] [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: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Boxwood blight disease caused by Calonectria henricotiae and C. pseudonaviculata is of ecological and economic significance in cultivated and native ecosystems worldwide. Prior research has focused on understanding the population genetic and genomic diversity of C. henricotiae and C. pseudonaviculata, but gene family evolution in the context of host adaptation, plant pathogenesis, and trophic lifestyle is poorly understood. This study applied bioinformatic and phylogenetic methods to examine gene family evolution in C. henricotiae, C. pseudonaviculata and 22 related fungi in the Nectriaceae that vary in pathogenic and saprobic (apathogenic) lifestyles. Results A total of 19,750 gene families were identified in the 24 genomes, of which 422 were rapidly evolving. Among the six Calonectria species, C. henricotiae and C. pseudonaviculata were the only species to experience high levels of rapid contraction of pathogenesis-related gene families (89% and 78%, respectively). In contrast, saprobic species Calonectria multiphialidica and C. naviculata, two of the closest known relatives of C. henricotiae and C. pseudonaviculata, showed rapid expansion of pathogenesis-related gene families. Conclusions Our results provide novel insight into gene family evolution within C. henricotiae and C. pseudonaviculata and suggest gene family contraction may have contributed to limited host-range expansion of these pathogens within the plant family Buxaceae. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12862-022-02035-4.
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Yadav IS, Bhardwaj SC, Kaur J, Singla D, Kaur S, Kaur H, Rawat N, Tiwari VK, Saunders D, Uauy C, Chhuneja P. Whole genome resequencing and comparative genome analysis of three Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici pathotypes prevalent in India. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0261697. [PMID: 36327308 PMCID: PMC9632834 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Stripe rust disease of wheat, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, (Pst) is one of the most serious diseases of wheat worldwide. In India, virulent stripe rust races have been constantly evolving in the North-Western Plains Zone leading to the failure of some of the most widely grown resistant varieties in the region. With the goal of studying the recent evolution of virulent races in this region, we conducted whole-genome re-sequencing of three prevalent Indian Pst pathotypes Pst46S119, Pst78S84 and Pst110S119. We assembled 58.62, 58.33 and 55.78 Mb of Pst110S119, Pst46S119 and Pst78S84 genome, respectively and found that pathotypes were highly heterozygous. Comparative phylogenetic analysis indicated the recent evolution of pathotypes Pst110S119 and Pst78S84 from Pst46S119. Pathogenicity-related genes classes (CAZyme, proteases, effectors, and secretome proteins) were identified and found to be under positive selection. Higher rate of gene families expansion were also observed in the three pathotypes. A strong association between the effector genes and transposable elements may be the source of the rapid evolution of these strains. Phylogenetic analysis differentiated the Indian races in this study from other known United States, European, African, and Asian races. Diagnostic markers developed for the identification of three Pst pathotypes will help tracking of yellow rust at farmers field and strategizing resistance gene deployment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inderjit Singh Yadav
- School of Agricultural Biotechnology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India
| | - S. C. Bhardwaj
- Regional Station, Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research, Flowerdale, Shimla, India
| | - Jaspal Kaur
- Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India
| | - Deepak Singla
- School of Agricultural Biotechnology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India
| | - Satinder Kaur
- School of Agricultural Biotechnology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India
| | - Harmandeep Kaur
- Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India
| | - Nidhi Rawat
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland College Park, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Vijay Kumar Tiwari
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland College Park, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Diane Saunders
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Cristobal Uauy
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Parveen Chhuneja
- School of Agricultural Biotechnology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India
- * E-mail:
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Rocafort M, Bowen JK, Hassing B, Cox MP, McGreal B, de la Rosa S, Plummer KM, Bradshaw RE, Mesarich CH. The Venturia inaequalis effector repertoire is dominated by expanded families with predicted structural similarity, but unrelated sequence, to avirulence proteins from other plant-pathogenic fungi. BMC Biol 2022; 20:246. [PMID: 36329441 PMCID: PMC9632046 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01442-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Scab, caused by the biotrophic fungus Venturia inaequalis, is the most economically important disease of apples worldwide. During infection, V. inaequalis occupies the subcuticular environment, where it secretes virulence factors, termed effectors, to promote host colonization. Consistent with other plant-pathogenic fungi, many of these effectors are expected to be non-enzymatic proteins, some of which can be recognized by corresponding host resistance proteins to activate plant defences, thus acting as avirulence determinants. To develop durable control strategies against scab, a better understanding of the roles that these effector proteins play in promoting subcuticular growth by V. inaequalis, as well as in activating, suppressing, or circumventing resistance protein-mediated defences in apple, is required. Results We generated the first comprehensive RNA-seq transcriptome of V. inaequalis during colonization of apple. Analysis of this transcriptome revealed five temporal waves of gene expression that peaked during early, mid, or mid-late infection. While the number of genes encoding secreted, non-enzymatic proteinaceous effector candidates (ECs) varied in each wave, most belonged to waves that peaked in expression during mid-late infection. Spectral clustering based on sequence similarity determined that the majority of ECs belonged to expanded protein families. To gain insights into function, the tertiary structures of ECs were predicted using AlphaFold2. Strikingly, despite an absence of sequence similarity, many ECs were predicted to have structural similarity to avirulence proteins from other plant-pathogenic fungi, including members of the MAX, LARS, ToxA and FOLD effector families. In addition, several other ECs, including an EC family with sequence similarity to the AvrLm6 avirulence effector from Leptosphaeria maculans, were predicted to adopt a KP6-like fold. Thus, proteins with a KP6-like fold represent another structural family of effectors shared among plant-pathogenic fungi. Conclusions Our study reveals the transcriptomic profile underpinning subcuticular growth by V. inaequalis and provides an enriched list of ECs that can be investigated for roles in virulence and avirulence. Furthermore, our study supports the idea that numerous sequence-unrelated effectors across plant-pathogenic fungi share common structural folds. In doing so, our study gives weight to the hypothesis that many fungal effectors evolved from ancestral genes through duplication, followed by sequence diversification, to produce sequence-unrelated but structurally similar proteins. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12915-022-01442-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes Rocafort
- Laboratory of Molecular Plant Pathology/Bioprotection Aotearoa, School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand
| | - Joanna K Bowen
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Mount Albert Research Centre, Auckland, 1025, New Zealand
| | - Berit Hassing
- Laboratory of Molecular Plant Pathology/Bioprotection Aotearoa, School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand
| | - Murray P Cox
- Bioprotection Aotearoa, School of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand
| | - Brogan McGreal
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Mount Albert Research Centre, Auckland, 1025, New Zealand
| | - Silvia de la Rosa
- Laboratory of Molecular Plant Pathology/Bioprotection Aotearoa, School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand
| | - Kim M Plummer
- Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Sciences, La Trobe University, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBiosciences, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Rosie E Bradshaw
- Bioprotection Aotearoa, School of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand
| | - Carl H Mesarich
- Laboratory of Molecular Plant Pathology/Bioprotection Aotearoa, School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand.
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RoyChowdhury M, Sternhagen J, Xin Y, Lou B, Li X, Li C. Evolution of pathogenicity in obligate fungal pathogens and allied genera. PeerJ 2022; 10:e13794. [PMID: 36042858 PMCID: PMC9420410 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Obligate fungal pathogens (ascomycetes and basidiomycetes) and oomycetes are known to cause diseases in cereal crop plants. They feed on living cells and most of them have learned to bypass the host immune machinery. This paper discusses some of the factors that are associated with pathogenicity drawing examples from ascomycetes, basidiomycetes and oomycetes, with respect to their manifestation in crop plants. The comparisons have revealed a striking similarity in the three groups suggesting convergent pathways that have arisen from three lineages independently leading to an obligate lifestyle. This review has been written with the intent, that new information on adaptation strategies of biotrophs, modifications in pathogenicity strategies and population dynamics will improve current strategies for breeding with stable resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moytri RoyChowdhury
- Infectious Diseases Program, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, California, United States of America
| | - Jake Sternhagen
- Riverside School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States of America
| | - Ya Xin
- Hangzhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Binghai Lou
- Guangxi Academy of Specialty Crops, Guilin, Guangxi, P.R. China
| | - Xiaobai Li
- Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Chunnan Li
- Hangzhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, P.R. China
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Xia C, Qiu A, Wang M, Liu T, Chen W, Chen X. Current Status and Future Perspectives of Genomics Research in the Rust Fungi. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179629. [PMID: 36077025 PMCID: PMC9456177 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Rust fungi in Pucciniales have caused destructive plant epidemics, have become more aggressive with new virulence, rapidly adapt to new environments, and continually threaten global agriculture. With the rapid advancement of genome sequencing technologies and data analysis tools, genomics research on many of the devastating rust fungi has generated unprecedented insights into various aspects of rust biology. In this review, we first present a summary of the main findings in the genomics of rust fungi related to variations in genome size and gene composition between and within species. Then we show how the genomics of rust fungi has promoted our understanding of the pathogen virulence and population dynamics. Even with great progress, many questions still need to be answered. Therefore, we introduce important perspectives with emphasis on the genome evolution and host adaptation of rust fungi. We believe that the comparative genomics and population genomics of rust fungi will provide a further understanding of the rapid evolution of virulence and will contribute to monitoring the population dynamics for disease management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chongjing Xia
- Wheat Research Institute, School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, China
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
- Correspondence: (C.X.); (X.C.); Tel.: +86-13880134318 (C.X.); +1-509-335-8086 (X.C.)
| | - Age Qiu
- Wheat Research Institute, School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, China
| | - Meinan Wang
- Department of Plant Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-6430, USA
| | - Taiguo Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Wanquan Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xianming Chen
- Department of Plant Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-6430, USA
- Wheat Health, Genetics, and Quality Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Pullman, WA 99164-6430, USA
- Correspondence: (C.X.); (X.C.); Tel.: +86-13880134318 (C.X.); +1-509-335-8086 (X.C.)
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Ogaji YO, Lee RC, Sawbridge TI, Cocks BG, Daetwyler HD, Kaur S. De Novo Long-Read Whole-Genome Assemblies and the Comparative Pan-Genome Analysis of Ascochyta Blight Pathogens Affecting Field Pea. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8080884. [PMID: 36012871 PMCID: PMC9410150 DOI: 10.3390/jof8080884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ascochyta Blight (AB) is a major disease of many cool-season legumes globally. In field pea, three fungal pathogens have been identified to be responsible for this disease in Australia, namely Peyronellaea pinodes, Peyronellaea pinodella and Phoma koolunga. Limited genomic resources for these pathogens have been generated, which has hampered the implementation of effective management strategies and breeding for resistant cultivars. Using Oxford Nanopore long-read sequencing, we report the first high-quality, fully annotated, near-chromosome-level nuclear and mitochondrial genome assemblies for 18 isolates from the Australian AB complex. Comparative genome analysis was performed to elucidate the differences and similarities between species and isolates using phylogenetic relationships and functional diversity. Our data indicated that P. pinodella and P. koolunga are heterothallic, while P. pinodes is homothallic. More homology and orthologous gene clusters are shared between P. pinodes and P. pinodella compared to P. koolunga. The analysis of the repetitive DNA content showed differences in the transposable repeat composition in the genomes and their expression in the transcriptomes. Significant repeat expansion in P. koolunga’s genome was seen, with strong repeat-induced point mutation (RIP) activity being evident. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that genetic diversity can be exploited for species marker development. This study provided the much-needed genetic resources and characterization of the AB species to further drive research in key areas such as disease epidemiology and host–pathogen interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne O. Ogaji
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, 5 Ring Road, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Robert C. Lee
- Centre for Crop and Disease Management, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Tim I. Sawbridge
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, 5 Ring Road, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Benjamin G. Cocks
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, 5 Ring Road, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Hans D. Daetwyler
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, 5 Ring Road, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Sukhjiwan Kaur
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, 5 Ring Road, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia
- Correspondence:
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Rangel LI, Bolton MD. The unsung roles of microbial secondary metabolite effectors in the plant disease cacophony. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2022; 68:102233. [PMID: 35679804 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2022.102233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Plants counter disease with an array of responses to styme pathogen ingress. In contrast to this cacophony, plant pathogens orchestrate a finely tuned repertoire of virulence mechanisms in their attempt to cause disease. One such example is the production of secondary metabolite effectors (SMEs). Despite many attempts to functionally categorize SMEs, their many roles in plant disease have proven they march to the beat of their producer's drum. Some lesser studied features of SMEs in plant disease include self-resistance (SR) and manipulation of the microbiome to enhance pathogen virulence. SR can be accomplished in three general compositions, with the first being the transport of the SME to a benign location; the second being modification of the SME so it cannot harm the producer; and the third being metabolic regulation of the SME or the producer homolog of the SME target. SMEs may also play an interlude prior to disease by shaping the plant microbial community, allowing producers to better establish themselves. Taken together, SMEs are integral players in the phytopathology canon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena I Rangel
- Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center, U.S. Dept. Agriculture, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Melvin D Bolton
- Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center, U.S. Dept. Agriculture, Fargo, ND, USA.
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Genome-wide comparison deciphers lifestyle adaptation and glass biodeterioration property of Curvularia eragrostidis C52. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11411. [PMID: 35794131 PMCID: PMC9259613 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15334-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Glass biodeterioration by fungi has caused irreversible damage to valuable glass materials such as cultural heritages and optical devices. To date, knowledge about metabolic potential and genomic profile of biodeteriorative fungi is still scarce. Here, we report for the first time the whole genome sequence of Curvularia eragrostidis C52 that strongly degraded silica-based glasses coated with fluorine and hafnium, as expressed by the hyphal surface coverage of 46.16 ± 3.3% and reduced light transmission of 50.93 ± 1.45%. The genome of C. eragrostidis C52 is 36.9 Mb long with a GC content of 52.1% and contains 14,913 protein-coding genes, which is the largest genome ever recorded in the genus Curvularia. Phylogenomic analysis revealed C. eragrostidis C52 formed a distinct cluster with Curvularia sp. IFB-Z10 and was not evolved from compared genomes. Genome-wide comparison showed that strain C52 harbored significantly higher proportion of proteins involved in carbohydrate-active enzymes, peptidases, secreted proteins, and transcriptional factors, which may be potentially attributed to a lifestyle adaptation. Furthermore, 72 genes involved in the biosynthesis of 6 different organic acids were identified and expected to be crucial for the fungal survival in the glass environment. To form biofilm against stress, the fungal strain utilized 32 genes responsible for exopolysaccharide production. These findings will foster a better understanding of the biology of C. eragrostidis and the mechanisms behind fungal biodeterioration in the future.
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Lebreton A, Tang N, Kuo A, LaButti K, Andreopoulos W, Drula E, Miyauchi S, Barry K, Clum A, Lipzen A, Mousain D, Ng V, Wang R, Dai Y, Henrissat B, Grigoriev IV, Guerin-Laguette A, Yu F, Martin FM. Comparative genomics reveals a dynamic genome evolution in the ectomycorrhizal milk-cap (Lactarius) mushrooms. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2022; 235:306-319. [PMID: 35383395 DOI: 10.1111/nph.18143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Ectomycorrhizal fungi play a key role in forests by establishing mutualistic symbioses with woody plants. Genome analyses have identified conserved symbiosis-related traits among ectomycorrhizal fungal species, but the molecular mechanisms underlying host specificity remain poorly known. We sequenced and compared the genomes of seven species of milk-cap fungi (Lactarius, Russulales) with contrasting host specificity. We also compared these genomes with those of symbiotic and saprotrophic Russulales species, aiming to identify genes involved in their ecology and host specificity. The size of Lactarius genomes is significantly larger than other Russulales species, owing to a massive accumulation of transposable elements and duplication of dispensable genes. As expected, their repertoire of genes coding for plant cell wall-degrading enzymes is restricted, but they retained a substantial set of genes involved in microbial cell wall degradation. Notably, Lactarius species showed a striking expansion of genes encoding proteases, such as secreted ectomycorrhiza-induced sedolisins. A high copy number of genes coding for small secreted LysM proteins and Lactarius-specific lectins were detected, which may be linked to host specificity. This study revealed a large diversity in the genome landscapes and gene repertoires within Russulaceae. The known host specificity of Lactarius symbionts may be related to mycorrhiza-induced species-specific genes, including secreted sedolisins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie Lebreton
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Tree Breeding by Molecular Design, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
- Université de Lorraine, INRAE, Unité mixte de recherche Interactions Arbres/Microorganismes, Centre INRAE, Grand Est-Nancy, 54280, Champenoux, France
| | - Nianwu Tang
- Université de Lorraine, INRAE, Unité mixte de recherche Interactions Arbres/Microorganismes, Centre INRAE, Grand Est-Nancy, 54280, Champenoux, France
- Germplasm Bank of Wild Species, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Fungal Diversity and Green Development, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Alan Kuo
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Kurt LaButti
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - William Andreopoulos
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Elodie Drula
- CNRS, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, 13288, France
- USC1408 AFMB, INRAE, Marseille, 13288, France
| | - Shingo Miyauchi
- Department of Plant Microbe Interactions, Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Cologne, 50829, Germany
| | - Kerrie Barry
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Alicia Clum
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Anna Lipzen
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | | | - Vivian Ng
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Ran Wang
- Germplasm Bank of Wild Species, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Fungal Diversity and Green Development, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Yucheng Dai
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Tree Breeding by Molecular Design, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Bernard Henrissat
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (DTU Bioengineering), Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, 2800, Denmark
- Department of Biological Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Igor V Grigoriev
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Alexis Guerin-Laguette
- Mycotree C/- Southern Woods Nursery, 1002 Robinsons Road, RD8, Christchurch, 7678, New Zealand
| | - Fuqiang Yu
- Germplasm Bank of Wild Species, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Fungal Diversity and Green Development, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Francis M Martin
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Tree Breeding by Molecular Design, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
- Université de Lorraine, INRAE, Unité mixte de recherche Interactions Arbres/Microorganismes, Centre INRAE, Grand Est-Nancy, 54280, Champenoux, France
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Kretschmer M, Damoo D, Sun S, Lee CWJ, Croll D, Brumer H, Kronstad J. Organic acids and glucose prime late-stage fungal biotrophy in maize. Science 2022; 376:1187-1191. [PMID: 35679407 DOI: 10.1126/science.abo2401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Many plant-associated fungi are obligate biotrophs that depend on living hosts to proliferate. However, little is known about the molecular basis of the biotrophic lifestyle, despite the impact of fungi on the environment and food security. In this work, we show that combinations of organic acids and glucose trigger phenotypes that are associated with the late stage of biotrophy for the maize pathogen Ustilago maydis. These phenotypes include the expression of a set of effectors normally observed only during biotrophic development, as well as the formation of melanin associated with sporulation in plant tumors. U. maydis and other hemibiotrophic fungi also respond to a combination of carbon sources with enhanced proliferation. Thus, the response to combinations of nutrients from the host may be a conserved feature of fungal biotrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Kretschmer
- Michael Smith Laboratories and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Djihane Damoo
- Michael Smith Laboratories and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Sherry Sun
- Michael Smith Laboratories and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Christopher W J Lee
- Michael Smith Laboratories and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Daniel Croll
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics, Institute of Biology, Université de Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Harry Brumer
- Michael Smith Laboratories and Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - James Kronstad
- Michael Smith Laboratories and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Vaghefi N, Kusch S, Németh MZ, Seress D, Braun U, Takamatsu S, Panstruga R, Kiss L. Beyond Nuclear Ribosomal DNA Sequences: Evolution, Taxonomy, and Closest Known Saprobic Relatives of Powdery Mildew Fungi ( Erysiphaceae) Inferred From Their First Comprehensive Genome-Scale Phylogenetic Analyses. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:903024. [PMID: 35756050 PMCID: PMC9218914 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.903024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Powdery mildew fungi (Erysiphaceae), common obligate biotrophic pathogens of many plants, including important agricultural and horticultural crops, represent a monophyletic lineage within the Ascomycota. Within the Erysiphaceae, molecular phylogenetic relationships and DNA-based species and genera delimitations were up to now mostly based on nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) phylogenies. This is the first comprehensive genome-scale phylogenetic analysis of this group using 751 single-copy orthologous sequences extracted from 24 selected powdery mildew genomes and 14 additional genomes from Helotiales, the fungal order that includes the Erysiphaceae. Representative genomes of all powdery mildew species with publicly available whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data that were of sufficient quality were included in the analyses. The 24 powdery mildew genomes included in the analysis represented 17 species belonging to eight out of 19 genera recognized within the Erysiphaceae. The epiphytic genera, all but one represented by multiple genomes, belonged each to distinct, well-supported lineages. Three hemiendophytic genera, each represented by a single genome, together formed the hemiendophytic lineage. Out of the 14 other taxa from the Helotiales, Arachnopeziza araneosa, a saprobic species, was the only taxon that grouped together with the 24 genome-sequenced powdery mildew fungi in a monophyletic clade. The close phylogenetic relationship between the Erysiphaceae and Arachnopeziza was revealed earlier by a phylogenomic study of the Leotiomycetes. Further analyses of powdery mildew and Arachnopeziza genomes may discover signatures of the evolutionary processes that have led to obligate biotrophy from a saprobic way of life. A separate phylogeny was produced using the 18S, 5.8S, and 28S nrDNA sequences of the same set of powdery mildew specimens and compared to the genome-scale phylogeny. The nrDNA phylogeny was largely congruent to the phylogeny produced using 751 orthologs. This part of the study has revealed multiple contamination and other quality issues in some powdery mildew genomes. We recommend that the presence of 28S, internal transcribed spacer (ITS), and 18S nrDNA sequences in powdery mildew WGS datasets that are identical to those determined by Sanger sequencing should be used to assess the quality of assemblies, in addition to the commonly used Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs (BUSCO) values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niloofar Vaghefi
- Centre for Crop Health, Institute for Life Sciences and the Environment, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD, Australia
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Stefan Kusch
- Unit of Plant Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Biology I, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Márk Z. Németh
- Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Diána Seress
- Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Uwe Braun
- Department of Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Herbarium, Institute for Biology, Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Susumu Takamatsu
- Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Bioresources, Mie University, Tsu, Japan
| | - Ralph Panstruga
- Unit of Plant Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Biology I, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Levente Kiss
- Centre for Crop Health, Institute for Life Sciences and the Environment, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD, Australia
- Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Budapest, Hungary
- Centre for Research and Development, Eszterházy Károly Catholic University, Eger, Hungary
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Mapuranga J, Zhang N, Zhang L, Chang J, Yang W. Infection Strategies and Pathogenicity of Biotrophic Plant Fungal Pathogens. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:799396. [PMID: 35722337 PMCID: PMC9201565 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.799396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Biotrophic plant pathogenic fungi are widely distributed and are among the most damaging pathogenic organisms of agriculturally important crops responsible for significant losses in quality and yield. However, the pathogenesis of obligate parasitic pathogenic microorganisms is still under investigation because they cannot reproduce and complete their life cycle on an artificial medium. The successful lifestyle of biotrophic fungal pathogens depends on their ability to secrete effector proteins to manipulate or evade plant defense response. By integrating genomics, transcriptomics, and effectoromics, insights into how the adaptation of biotrophic plant fungal pathogens adapt to their host populations can be gained. Efficient tools to decipher the precise molecular mechanisms of rust–plant interactions, and standardized routines in genomics and functional pipelines have been established and will pave the way for comparative studies. Deciphering fungal pathogenesis not only allows us to better understand how fungal pathogens infect host plants but also provides valuable information for plant diseases control, including new strategies to prevent, delay, or inhibit fungal development. Our review provides a comprehensive overview of the efforts that have been made to decipher the effector proteins of biotrophic fungal pathogens and demonstrates how rapidly research in the field of obligate biotrophy has progressed.
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Velásquez-Zapata V, Elmore JM, Fuerst G, Wise RP. An interolog-based barley interactome as an integration framework for immune signaling. Genetics 2022; 221:iyac056. [PMID: 35435213 PMCID: PMC9157089 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyac056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The barley MLA nucleotide-binding leucine-rich-repeat (NLR) receptor and its orthologs confer recognition specificity to many fungal diseases, including powdery mildew, stem-, and stripe rust. We used interolog inference to construct a barley protein interactome (Hordeum vulgare predicted interactome, HvInt) comprising 66,133 edges and 7,181 nodes, as a foundation to explore signaling networks associated with MLA. HvInt was compared with the experimentally validated Arabidopsis interactome of 11,253 proteins and 73,960 interactions, verifying that the 2 networks share scale-free properties, including a power-law distribution and small-world network. Then, by successive layering of defense-specific "omics" datasets, HvInt was customized to model cellular response to powdery mildew infection. Integration of HvInt with expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) enabled us to infer disease modules and responses associated with fungal penetration and haustorial development. Next, using HvInt and infection-time-course RNA sequencing of immune signaling mutants, we assembled resistant and susceptible subnetworks. The resulting differentially coexpressed (resistant - susceptible) interactome is essential to barley immunity, facilitates the flow of signaling pathways and is linked to mildew resistance locus a (Mla) through trans eQTL associations. Lastly, we anchored HvInt with new and previously identified interactors of the MLA coiled coli + nucleotide-binding domains and extended these to additional MLA alleles, orthologs, and NLR outgroups to predict receptor localization and conservation of signaling response. These results link genomic, transcriptomic, and physical interactions during MLA-specified immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Velásquez-Zapata
- Program in Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
- Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - James Mitch Elmore
- Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
- Corn Insects and Crop Genetics Research, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Gregory Fuerst
- Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
- Corn Insects and Crop Genetics Research, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Roger P Wise
- Program in Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
- Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
- Corn Insects and Crop Genetics Research, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Ames, IA 50011, USA
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Virulence Structure and Genetic Diversity of Blumeria graminis f. sp. avenae from Different Regions of Europe. PLANTS 2022; 11:plants11101358. [PMID: 35631783 PMCID: PMC9145444 DOI: 10.3390/plants11101358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The structure and dynamics of changes in pathogen populations can be analysed by assessing the level of virulence and genetic diversity. The aim of the present study was to determine the diversity of Blumeria graminis f. sp. avenae populations. Diversity and virulence of B. graminis f. sp. avenae was assessed based on 80 single-spore isolates collected in different European countries such as Poland (40 isolates), Germany (10), Finland (10), Czech Republic (10) and Ireland (10) using ISSR (Inter-Simple Sequence Repeats) and SCoT (Start Codon Targeted) markers. This work demonstrated differences in virulence of B. graminis f. sp. avenae isolates sampled from different countries. Molecular analysis showed that both systems were useful for assessing genetic diversity, but ISSR markers were superior and generated more polymorphic products, as well as higher PIC and RP values. UPMGA and PCoA divided the isolates into groups corresponding with their geographical origin. In conclusion, the low level of genetic differentiation of the analysed isolates has suggested that the evolution of B. graminis f. sp. Avenae population is slow, and thus the evolutionary potential of the pathogen is low. This work paves the way for future studies on B. graminis f. sp. Avenae population structure and dynamics based on genetic variability.
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Onetto CA, Sosnowski MR, Van Den Heuvel S, Borneman AR. Population genomics of the grapevine pathogen Eutypa lata reveals evidence for population expansion and intraspecific differences in secondary metabolite gene clusters. PLoS Genet 2022; 18:e1010153. [PMID: 35363788 PMCID: PMC9007359 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Eutypa dieback of grapevine is an important disease caused by the generalist Ascomycete fungus Eutypa lata. Despite the relevance of this species to the global wine industry, its genomic diversity remains unknown, with only a single publicly available genome assembly. Whole-genome sequencing and comparative genomics was performed on forty Australian E. lata isolates to understand the genome evolution, adaptation, population size and structure of these isolates. Phylogenetic and linkage disequilibrium decay analyses provided evidence of extensive gene flow through sexual recombination between isolates obtained from different geographic locations and hosts. Investigation of the genetic diversity of these isolates suggested rapid population expansion, likely as a consequence of the recent growth of the Australian wine industry. Genomic regions affected by selective sweeps were shown to be enriched for genes associated with secondary metabolite clusters and included genes encoding proteins with a role in nutrient acquisition, degradation of host cell wall and metal and drug resistance, suggesting recent adaptation to both abiotic factors and potentially host genotypes. Genome synteny analysis using long-read genome assemblies showed significant intraspecific genomic plasticity with extensive chromosomal rearrangements impacting the secondary metabolite production potential of this species. Finally, k-mer based GWAS analysis identified a potential locus associated with mycelia recovery in canes of Vitis vinifera that will require further investigations. Eutypa dieback of grapevine, caused by the Ascomycete fungus Eutypa lata, is responsible for significant economic losses to the wine industry. Despite the worldwide prevalence of this pathogen, its genomic diversity remains unknown, with only a single publicly available genome assembly. This knowledge gap was addressed by performing whole-genome sequencing of 40 E. lata isolates sourced from different hosts and geographical locations around Australia. Investigation of the genetic diversity of this population showed a high degree of gene-flow and sexual recombination as well as demographic expansion. Through the inspection of signatures of selective sweeps, repeat-mediated chromosomal rearrangements, and pan-genomic elements, it was shown that this species has a highly dynamic secondary metabolite production potential that could have important implications for its pathogenicity and lifestyle. In addition, application of a k-mer based GWAS methodology, identified a potential locus associated with the growth of this species within canes of Vitis vinifera.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mark R. Sosnowski
- South Australian Research and Development Institute, Adelaide, Australia
- School of Wine, Food and Agriculture, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | | | - Anthony R. Borneman
- The Australian Wine Research Institute, Adelaide, Australia
- School of Wine, Food and Agriculture, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
- * E-mail:
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Kusch S, Vaghefi N, Takamatsu S, Liu SY, Németh MZ, Seress D, Frantzeskakis L, Chiu PE, Panstruga R, Kiss L. First Draft Genome Assemblies of Pleochaeta shiraiana and Phyllactinia moricola, Two Tree-Parasitic Powdery Mildew Fungi with Hemiendophytic Mycelia. PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2022; 112:961-967. [PMID: 34524883 DOI: 10.1094/phyto-08-21-0337-a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Powdery mildew fungi (Erysiphaceae) are widespread obligate biotrophic plant pathogens. Thus, applying genetic and omics approaches to study these fungi remains a major challenge, particularly for species with hemiendophytic mycelium. These belong to a distinct phylogenetic lineage within the family Erysiphaceae. To date, only a single draft genome assembly is available for this clade, obtained for Leveillula taurica. Here, we generated the first draft genome assemblies of Pleochaeta shiraiana and Phyllactinia moricola, two tree-parasitic powdery mildew species with hemiendophytic mycelium, representing two genera that have not yet been investigated with genomics tools. The Pleochaeta shiraiana assembly was 96,769,103 bp in length and consisted of 14,447 scaffolds, and the Phyllactinia moricola assembly was 180,382,532 bp in length on 45,569 scaffolds. Together with the draft genome of L. taurica, these resources will be pivotal for understanding the molecular basis of the lifestyle of these fungi, which is unique within the family Erysiphaceae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Kusch
- Unit of Plant Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Biology I, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Niloofar Vaghefi
- Centre for Crop Health, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Australia
| | - Susumu Takamatsu
- Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Bioresources, Mie University, Tsu, Japan
| | - Shu-Yan Liu
- College of Plant Protection, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Márk Z Németh
- Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), Budapest, Hungary
| | - Diána Seress
- Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Pin-En Chiu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, U.S.A
| | - Ralph Panstruga
- Unit of Plant Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Biology I, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Levente Kiss
- Centre for Crop Health, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Australia
- Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), Budapest, Hungary
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48
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Guo Q, Atkinson SD, Xiao B, Zhai Y, Bartholomew JL, Gu Z. A myxozoan genome reveals mosaic evolution in a parasitic cnidarian. BMC Biol 2022; 20:51. [PMID: 35177085 PMCID: PMC8855578 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01249-8] [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: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Parasite evolution has been conceptualized as a process of genetic loss and simplification. Contrary to this model, there is evidence of expansion and conservation of gene families related to essential functions of parasitism in some parasite genomes, reminiscent of widespread mosaic evolution—where subregions of a genome have different rates of evolutionary change. We found evidence of mosaic genome evolution in the cnidarian Myxobolus honghuensis, a myxozoan parasite of fish, with extremely simple morphology. Results We compared M. honghuensis with other myxozoans and free-living cnidarians, and determined that it has a relatively larger myxozoan genome (206 Mb), which is less reduced and less compact due to gene retention, large introns, transposon insertion, but not polyploidy. Relative to other metazoans, the M. honghuensis genome is depleted of neural genes and has only the simplest animal immune components. Conversely, it has relatively more genes involved in stress resistance, tissue invasion, energy metabolism, and cellular processes compared to other myxozoans and free-living cnidarians. We postulate that the expansion of these gene families is the result of evolutionary adaptations to endoparasitism. M. honghuensis retains genes found in free-living Cnidaria, including a reduced nervous system, myogenic components, ANTP class Homeobox genes, and components of the Wnt and Hedgehog pathways. Conclusions Our analyses suggest that the M. honghuensis genome evolved as a mosaic of conservative, divergent, depleted, and enhanced genes and pathways. These findings illustrate that myxozoans are not as genetically simple as previously regarded, and the evolution of some myxozoans is driven by both genomic streamlining and expansion. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12915-022-01249-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingxiang Guo
- Department of Aquatic Animal Medicine, College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China.,Hubei Engineering Technology Research Center for Aquatic Animal Diseases Control and Prevention, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Stephen D Atkinson
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
| | - Bin Xiao
- Department of Aquatic Animal Medicine, College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China.,Hubei Engineering Technology Research Center for Aquatic Animal Diseases Control and Prevention, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanhua Zhai
- Department of Aquatic Animal Medicine, College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China.,Hubei Engineering Technology Research Center for Aquatic Animal Diseases Control and Prevention, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Jerri L Bartholomew
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
| | - Zemao Gu
- Department of Aquatic Animal Medicine, College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China. .,Hubei Engineering Technology Research Center for Aquatic Animal Diseases Control and Prevention, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China.
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49
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Orłowska M, Muszewska A. In Silico Predictions of Ecological Plasticity Mediated by Protein Family Expansions in Early-Diverging Fungi. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:67. [PMID: 35050007 PMCID: PMC8778642 DOI: 10.3390/jof8010067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Early-diverging fungi (EDF) are ubiquitous and versatile. Their diversity is reflected in their genome sizes and complexity. For instance, multiple protein families have been reported to expand or disappear either in particular genomes or even whole lineages. The most commonly mentioned are CAZymes (carbohydrate-active enzymes), peptidases and transporters that serve multiple biological roles connected to, e.g., metabolism and nutrients intake. In order to study the link between ecology and its genomic underpinnings in a more comprehensive manner, we carried out a systematic in silico survey of protein family expansions and losses among EDF with diverse lifestyles. We found that 86 protein families are represented differently according to EDF ecological features (assessed by median count differences). Among these there are 19 families of proteases, 43 CAZymes and 24 transporters. Some of these protein families have been recognized before as serine and metallopeptidases, cellulases and other nutrition-related enzymes. Other clearly pronounced differences refer to cell wall remodelling and glycosylation. We hypothesize that these protein families altogether define the preliminary fungal adaptasome. However, our findings need experimental validation. Many of the protein families have never been characterized in fungi and are discussed in the light of fungal ecology for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Orłowska
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawinskiego 5A, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Muszewska
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawinskiego 5A, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
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50
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Wang Y, Wu J, Yan J, Guo M, Xu L, Hou L, Zou Q. Comparative genome analysis of plant ascomycete fungal pathogens with different lifestyles reveals distinctive virulence strategies. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:34. [PMID: 34996360 PMCID: PMC8740420 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-08165-1] [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: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pathogens have evolved diverse lifestyles and adopted pivotal new roles in both natural ecosystems and human environments. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying their adaptation to new lifestyles are obscure. Comparative genomics was adopted to determine distinct strategies of plant ascomycete fungal pathogens with different lifestyles and to elucidate their distinctive virulence strategies. Results We found that plant ascomycete biotrophs exhibited lower gene gain and loss events and loss of CAZyme-encoding genes involved in plant cell wall degradation and biosynthesis gene clusters for the production of secondary metabolites in the genome. Comparison with the candidate effectome detected distinctive variations between plant biotrophic pathogens and other groups (including human, necrotrophic and hemibiotrophic pathogens). The results revealed the biotroph-specific and lifestyle-conserved candidate effector families. These data have been configured in web-based genome browser applications for public display (http://lab.malab.cn/soft/PFPG). This resource allows researchers to profile the genome, proteome, secretome and effectome of plant fungal pathogens. Conclusions Our findings demonstrated different genome evolution strategies of plant fungal pathogens with different lifestyles and explored their lifestyle-conserved and specific candidate effectors. It will provide a new basis for discovering the novel effectors and their pathogenic mechanisms. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-021-08165-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yansu Wang
- School of Electronic and Communication Engineering, Shenzhen Polytechnic, 518000, Shenzhen, P. R. China.,Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 610054, Chengdu, P. R. China
| | - Jie Wu
- Key Laboratory of Biotechnology for Medicinal Plants of Jiangsu Province, School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, 221116, Xuzhou, P. R. China
| | - Jiacheng Yan
- Key Laboratory of Biotechnology for Medicinal Plants of Jiangsu Province, School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, 221116, Xuzhou, P. R. China
| | - Ming Guo
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, USA
| | - Lei Xu
- School of Electronic and Communication Engineering, Shenzhen Polytechnic, 518000, Shenzhen, P. R. China
| | - Liping Hou
- Beidahuang Industry Group General Hospital, Harbin, China.
| | - Quan Zou
- Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 610054, Chengdu, P. R. China. .,State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China.
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