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Schuster M, Schweizer G, Reißmann S, Happel P, Aßmann D, Rössel N, Güldener U, Mannhaupt G, Ludwig N, Winterberg S, Pellegrin C, Tanaka S, Vincon V, Presti LL, Wang L, Bender L, Gonzalez C, Vranes M, Kämper J, Seong K, Krasileva K, Kahmann R. Novel Secreted Effectors Conserved Among Smut Fungi Contribute to the Virulence of Ustilago maydis. MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS : MPMI 2024; 37:250-263. [PMID: 38416124 DOI: 10.1094/mpmi-09-23-0139-fi] [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: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Fungal pathogens deploy a set of molecules (proteins, specialized metabolites, and sRNAs), so-called effectors, to aid the infection process. In comparison to other plant pathogens, smut fungi have small genomes and secretomes of 20 Mb and around 500 proteins, respectively. Previous comparative genomic studies have shown that many secreted effector proteins without known domains, i.e., novel, are conserved only in the Ustilaginaceae family. By analyzing the secretomes of 11 species within Ustilaginaceae, we identified 53 core homologous groups commonly present in this lineage. By collecting existing mutants and generating additional ones, we gathered 44 Ustilago maydis strains lacking single core effectors as well as 9 strains containing multiple deletions of core effector gene families. Pathogenicity assays revealed that 20 of these 53 mutant strains were affected in virulence. Among the 33 mutants that had no obvious phenotypic changes, 13 carried additional, sequence-divergent, structurally similar paralogs. We report a virulence contribution of seven previously uncharacterized single core effectors and of one effector family. Our results help to prioritize effectors for understanding U. maydis virulence and provide genetic resources for further characterization. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Schuster
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, 35043 Marburg, Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Weinberg 3, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Gabriel Schweizer
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, 35043 Marburg, Germany
- Independent Data Lab UG, 80937 Munich, Germany
| | - Stefanie Reißmann
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Petra Happel
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Daniela Aßmann
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Nicole Rössel
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Ulrich Güldener
- Deutsches Herzzentrum München, Technische Universität München, 80636 München, Germany
| | - Gertrud Mannhaupt
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Nicole Ludwig
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, 35043 Marburg, Germany
- Research & Development, Weed Control Bayer AG, Crop Science Division, 65926 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sarah Winterberg
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Clément Pellegrin
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Shigeyuki Tanaka
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Volker Vincon
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Libera Lo Presti
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Lei Wang
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Lena Bender
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, 35043 Marburg, Germany
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, Phillips-University Marburg, 35037 Marburg, Germany
| | - Carla Gonzalez
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Miroslav Vranes
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute for Applied Biosciences, Department of Genetics, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Jörg Kämper
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute for Applied Biosciences, Department of Genetics, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Kyungyong Seong
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, U.S.A
| | - Ksenia Krasileva
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, U.S.A
| | - Regine Kahmann
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, 35043 Marburg, Germany
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Treindl AD, Stapley J, Croll D, Leuchtmann A. Two-speed genomes of Epichloe fungal pathogens show contrasting signatures of selection between species and across populations. Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e17242. [PMID: 38084851 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17242] [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: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Antagonistic selection between pathogens and their hosts can drive rapid evolutionary change and leave distinct molecular footprints of past and ongoing selection in the genomes of the interacting species. Despite an increasing availability of tools able to identify signatures of selection, the genetic mechanisms underlying coevolutionary interactions and the specific genes involved are still poorly understood, especially in heterogeneous natural environments. We searched the genomes of two species of Epichloe plant pathogen for evidence of recent selection. The Epichloe genus includes highly host-specific species that can sterilize their grass hosts. We performed selection scans using genome-wide SNP data from seven natural populations of two co-occurring Epichloe sibling species specialized on different hosts. We found evidence of recent (and ongoing) selective sweeps across the genome in both species. However, selective sweeps were more abundant in the species with a larger effective population size. Sweep regions often overlapped with highly polymorphic AT-rich regions supporting the role of these genome compartments in adaptive evolution. Although most loci under selection were specific to individual populations, we could also identify several candidate genes targeted by selection in sweep regions shared among populations. The genes encoded small secreted proteins typical of fungal effectors and cell wall-degrading enzymes. By investigating the genomic signatures of selection across multiple populations and species, this study contributes to our understanding of complex adaptive processes in natural plant pathogen systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artemis D Treindl
- Plant Ecological Genetics Group, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Jessica Stapley
- Plant Pathology Group, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Croll
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Adrian Leuchtmann
- Plant Ecological Genetics Group, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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3
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Gurjar MS, Kumar TPJ, Shakouka MA, Saharan MS, Rawat L, Aggarwal R. Draft genome sequencing of Tilletia caries inciting common bunt of wheat provides pathogenicity-related genes. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1283613. [PMID: 38033590 PMCID: PMC10684912 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1283613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Common bunt of wheat caused by Tilletia caries is an important disease worldwide. The T. caries TC1_MSG genome was sequenced using the Illumina HiSeq 2500 and Nanopore ONT platforms. The Nanopore library was prepared using the ligation sequencing kit SQK-LSK110 to generate approximately 24 GB for sequencing. The assembly size of 38.18 Mb was generated with a GC content of 56.10%. The whole genome shotgun project was deposited at DDBJ/ENA/GenBank under the accession number JALUTQ000000000. Forty-six contigs were obtained with N50 of 1,798,756 bp. In total, 10,698 genes were predicted in the assembled genome. Out of 10,698 genes, 10,255 genes were predicted significantly in the genome. The repeat sequences made up approximately 1.57% of the genome. Molecular function, cellular components, and biological processes for predicted genes were mapped into the genome. In addition, repeat elements in the genome were assessed. In all, 0.89% of retroelements were observed, followed by long terminal repeat elements (0.86%) in the genome. In simple sequence repeat (SSR) analysis, 8,582 SSRs were found in the genome assembly. The trinucleotide SSR type (3,703) was the most abundant. Few putative secretory signal peptides and pathogenicity-related genes were predicted. The genomic information of T. caries will be valuable in understanding the pathogenesis mechanism as well as developing new methods for the management of the common bunt disease of wheat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malkhan Singh Gurjar
- Division of Plant Pathology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Mohamad Ayham Shakouka
- Division of Plant Pathology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - Mahender Singh Saharan
- Division of Plant Pathology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - Laxmi Rawat
- College of Hill Agriculture, VCSG Uttarakhand University of Horticulture and Forestry, Ranichauri, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Rashmi Aggarwal
- Division of Plant Pathology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
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4
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Dittiger LD, Chaudhary S, Furch ACU, Mithöfer A, Schirawski J. Plant Responses of Maize to Two formae speciales of Sporisorium reilianum Support Recent Fungal Host Jump. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15604. [PMID: 37958588 PMCID: PMC10648682 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115604] [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: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Host jumps are a major factor for the emergence of new fungal pathogens. In the evolution of smut fungi, a putative host jump occurred in Sporisorium reilianum that today exists in two host-adapted formae speciales, the sorghum-pathogenic S. reilianum f. sp. reilianum and maize-pathogenic S. reilianum f. sp. zeae. To understand the molecular host-specific adaptation to maize, we compared the transcriptomes of maize leaves colonized by both formae speciales. We found that both varieties induce many common defense response-associated genes, indicating that both are recognized by the plant as pathogens. S. reilianum f. sp. reilianum additionally induced genes involved in systemic acquired resistance. In contrast, only S. reilianum f. sp. zeae induced expression of chorismate mutases that function in reducing the level of precursors for generation of the defense compound salicylic acid (SA), as well as oxylipin biosynthesis enzymes necessary for generation of the SA antagonist jasmonic acid (JA). In accordance, we found reduced SA levels as well as elevated JA and JA-Ile levels in maize leaves inoculated with the maize-adapted variety. These findings support a model of the emergence of the maize-pathogenic variety from a sorghum-specific ancestor following a recent host jump.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Dorian Dittiger
- Department of Genetics, Matthias Schleiden Institute, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 12, 07743 Jena, Germany; (L.D.D.); (S.C.)
| | - Shivam Chaudhary
- Department of Genetics, Matthias Schleiden Institute, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 12, 07743 Jena, Germany; (L.D.D.); (S.C.)
| | - Alexandra Charlotte Ursula Furch
- Department of Plant Physiology, Matthias Schleiden Institute, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Dornburgerstr. 159, 07743 Jena, Germany;
| | - Axel Mithöfer
- Research Group Plant Defense Physiology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Straße 8, 07745 Jena, Germany;
| | - Jan Schirawski
- Department of Genetics, Matthias Schleiden Institute, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 12, 07743 Jena, Germany; (L.D.D.); (S.C.)
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5
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Huang P, Tate M, Berg‐Falloure KM, Christensen SA, Zhang J, Schirawski J, Meeley R, Kolomiets MV. A non-JA producing oxophytodienoate reductase functions in salicylic acid-mediated antagonism with jasmonic acid during pathogen attack. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2023; 24:725-741. [PMID: 36715587 PMCID: PMC10257049 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.13299] [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: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Peroxisome-localized oxo-phytodienoic acid (OPDA) reductases (OPR) are enzymes converting 12-OPDA into jasmonic acid (JA). However, the biochemical and physiological functions of the cytoplasmic non-JA producing OPRs remain largely unknown. Here, we generated Mutator-insertional mutants of the maize OPR2 gene and tested its role in resistance to pathogens with distinct lifestyles. Functional analyses showed that the opr2 mutants were more susceptible to the (hemi)biotrophic pathogens Colletotrichum graminicola and Ustilago maydis, but were more resistant to the necrotrophic fungus Cochliobolus heterostrophus. Hormone profiling revealed that increased susceptibility to C. graminicola was associated with decreased salicylic acid (SA) but increased JA levels. Mutation of the JA-producing lipoxygenase 10 (LOX10) reversed this phenotype in the opr2 mutant background, corroborating the notion that JA promotes susceptibility to this pathogen. Exogenous SA did not rescue normal resistance levels in opr2 mutants, suggesting that this SA-inducible gene is the key downstream component of the SA-mediated defences against C. graminicola. Disease assays of the single and double opr2 and lox10 mutants and the JA-deficient opr7opr8 mutants showed that OPR2 negatively regulates JA biosynthesis, and that JA is required for resistance against C. heterostrophus. Overall, this study uncovers a novel function of a non-JA producing OPR as a major negative regulator of JA biosynthesis during pathogen infection, a function that leads to its contrasting contribution to either resistance or susceptibility depending on pathogen lifestyle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei‐Cheng Huang
- Department of Plant Pathology and MicrobiologyTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTexasUSA
| | - Morgan Tate
- Department of Plant Pathology and MicrobiologyTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTexasUSA
| | | | - Shawn A. Christensen
- Department of Plant Pathology and MicrobiologyTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTexasUSA
- Present address:
Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food ScienceBrigham Young UniversityProvoUtahUSA
| | - Jinglan Zhang
- Department of Plant Pathology and MicrobiologyTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTexasUSA
- Present address:
Obstetrics and Gynecology HospitalInstitute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Jan Schirawski
- Matthias‐Schleiden Institute/Genetics, Faculty of Biological SciencesFriedrich‐Schiller UniversityJenaGermany
| | | | - Michael V. Kolomiets
- Department of Plant Pathology and MicrobiologyTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTexasUSA
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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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7
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Lin NQ, Liang ZB, Wang HS, Wu XY, Zhang LH, Deng YZ. Engineered Sucrose Metabolism Improves the Smut Disease Suppression Potency of Pseudomonas sp. ST4. Appl Environ Microbiol 2023; 89:e0220822. [PMID: 37093016 PMCID: PMC10231245 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02208-22] [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: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Sporisorium scitamineum and Ustilago maydis are two fungal pathogens causing severe sugarcane and maize diseases, respectively. Sexual mating of compatible sporidia is essential for these pathogens to form infections dikaryotic mycelia and cause smut diseases. We showed recently that in the presence of exogenous glucose, the Pseudomonas sp. strain ST4 could block the fungal mating and display a strong disease suppression potency on S. scitamineum. With the aim of conferring strain ST4 the ability to metabolize sucrose in plants for glucose production, we identified a strong native promoter pSsrA in strain ST4 and additional promoter elements to facilitate translation and peptide translocation for the construction of a fusion gene encoding sucrose metabolism. The cscA gene encoding sucrose hydrolase from Pseudomonas protegens Pf-5 was fused to the promoter pSsrA, a translational coupler bicistronic design and a Tat signal peptide, which was then cloned into mini-Tn7 transposon. This synthetic gene cassette was integrated into the chromosome of strain ST4, and the resultant engineered strain ST4E was able to hydrolyze sucrose with high efficiency and displayed elevated inhibitory activity on the mating and virulence of S. scitamineum and U. maydis. The findings from this study provide a valuable device and useful clues for the engineering of sucrose metabolism in non- or weak-sucrose-utilizing bacterial strains and present an improved biocontrol agent against plant smut pathogens. IMPORTANCE Sporisorium scitamineum and Ustilago maydis are typical dimorphic fungi causing severe sugarcane and maize smut diseases, respectively. Sexual mating of compatible sporidia is essential for these pathogens to form infections dikaryotic mycelia and cause smut diseases. We previously demonstrated that the biocontrol strain Pseudomonas sp. ST4 could block the fungal mating and displays a strong suppression potency on smut diseases, while it was unable to utilize the host-sourced sucrose for glucose production critical for antifungus efficiency. In this study, we constructed a high-expression gene cassette for minitransposon-mediated genome integration and sucrose hydrolysis in the bacterial periplasmic space. The resultant engineered strain ST4E was able to hydrolyze sucrose and inhibit the mating and hyphal growth of S. scitamineum and U. maydis. These findings provide a valuable tool and useful clues for the engineering of sucrose metabolism in non- or weak-sucrose-utilizing bacterial strains and present an improved biocontrol agent against plant smut pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuo Qiao Lin
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhi Bin Liang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hui Shan Wang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao Yan Wu
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lian Hui Zhang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yi Zhen Deng
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China
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8
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Gupta YK, Marcelino-Guimarães FC, Lorrain C, Farmer A, Haridas S, Ferreira EGC, Lopes-Caitar VS, Oliveira LS, Morin E, Widdison S, Cameron C, Inoue Y, Thor K, Robinson K, Drula E, Henrissat B, LaButti K, Bini AMR, Paget E, Singan V, Daum C, Dorme C, van Hoek M, Janssen A, Chandat L, Tarriotte Y, Richardson J, Melo BDVA, Wittenberg AHJ, Schneiders H, Peyrard S, Zanardo LG, Holtman VC, Coulombier-Chauvel F, Link TI, Balmer D, Müller AN, Kind S, Bohnert S, Wirtz L, Chen C, Yan M, Ng V, Gautier P, Meyer MC, Voegele RT, Liu Q, Grigoriev IV, Conrath U, Brommonschenkel SH, Loehrer M, Schaffrath U, Sirven C, Scalliet G, Duplessis S, van Esse HP. Major proliferation of transposable elements shaped the genome of the soybean rust pathogen Phakopsora pachyrhizi. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1835. [PMID: 37005409 PMCID: PMC10067951 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37551-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023] Open
Abstract
With >7000 species the order of rust fungi has a disproportionately large impact on agriculture, horticulture, forestry and foreign ecosystems. The infectious spores are typically dikaryotic, a feature unique to fungi in which two haploid nuclei reside in the same cell. A key example is Phakopsora pachyrhizi, the causal agent of Asian soybean rust disease, one of the world's most economically damaging agricultural diseases. Despite P. pachyrhizi's impact, the exceptional size and complexity of its genome prevented generation of an accurate genome assembly. Here, we sequence three independent P. pachyrhizi genomes and uncover a genome up to 1.25 Gb comprising two haplotypes with a transposable element (TE) content of ~93%. We study the incursion and dominant impact of these TEs on the genome and show how they have a key impact on various processes such as host range adaptation, stress responses and genetic plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yogesh K Gupta
- 2Blades, Evanston, Illinois, USA
- The Sainsbury Laboratory, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | | | - Cécile Lorrain
- Pathogen Evolutionary Ecology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Andrew Farmer
- National Center for Genome Resources, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
| | - Sajeet Haridas
- U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Everton Geraldo Capote Ferreira
- 2Blades, Evanston, Illinois, USA
- The Sainsbury Laboratory, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
- Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation - National Soybean Research Center (Embrapa Soja), Paraná, Brazil
| | - Valéria S Lopes-Caitar
- Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation - National Soybean Research Center (Embrapa Soja), Paraná, Brazil
| | - Liliane Santana Oliveira
- Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation - National Soybean Research Center (Embrapa Soja), Paraná, Brazil
- Department of Computer Science, Federal University of Technology of Paraná (UTFPR), Paraná, Brazil
| | | | | | - Connor Cameron
- National Center for Genome Resources, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
| | - Yoshihiro Inoue
- 2Blades, Evanston, Illinois, USA
- The Sainsbury Laboratory, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Kathrin Thor
- 2Blades, Evanston, Illinois, USA
- The Sainsbury Laboratory, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Kelly Robinson
- 2Blades, Evanston, Illinois, USA
- The Sainsbury Laboratory, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Elodie Drula
- AFMB, Aix-Marseille Univ., INRAE, Marseille, France
- Biodiversité et Biotechnologie Fongiques, INRAE, Marseille, France
| | - Bernard Henrissat
- Department of Biological Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- DTU Bioengineering, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Kurt LaButti
- U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Aline Mara Rudsit Bini
- Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation - National Soybean Research Center (Embrapa Soja), Paraná, Brazil
- Department of Computer Science, Federal University of Technology of Paraná (UTFPR), Paraná, Brazil
| | - Eric Paget
- Bayer SAS, Crop Science Division, Lyon, France
| | - Vasanth Singan
- U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Christopher Daum
- U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Tobias I Link
- Institute of Phytomedicine, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Dirk Balmer
- Syngenta Crop Protection AG, Stein, Switzerland
| | - André N Müller
- Department of Plant Physiology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Sabine Kind
- Department of Plant Physiology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Stefan Bohnert
- Department of Plant Physiology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Louisa Wirtz
- Department of Plant Physiology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Cindy Chen
- U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Mi Yan
- U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Vivian Ng
- U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
| | | | - Maurício Conrado Meyer
- Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation - National Soybean Research Center (Embrapa Soja), Paraná, Brazil
| | | | - Qingli Liu
- Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Igor V Grigoriev
- U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Uwe Conrath
- Department of Plant Physiology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | | | - Marco Loehrer
- Department of Plant Physiology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ulrich Schaffrath
- Department of Plant Physiology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | | | | | | | - H Peter van Esse
- 2Blades, Evanston, Illinois, USA.
- The Sainsbury Laboratory, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.
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9
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Mierke F, Brink DP, Norbeck J, Siewers V, Andlid T. Functional genome annotation and transcriptome analysis of Pseudozyma hubeiensis BOT-O, an oleaginous yeast that utilizes glucose and xylose at equal rates. Fungal Genet Biol 2023; 166:103783. [PMID: 36870442 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2023.103783] [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: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Pseudozyma hubeiensis is a basidiomycete yeast that has the highly desirable traits for lignocellulose valorisation of being equally efficient at utilization of glucose and xylose, and capable of their co-utilization. The species has previously mainly been studied for its capacity to produce secreted biosurfactants in the form of mannosylerythritol lipids, but it is also an oleaginous species capable of accumulating high levels of triacylglycerol storage lipids during nutrient starvation. In this study, we aimed to further characterize the oleaginous nature of P. hubeiensis by evaluating metabolism and gene expression responses during storage lipid formation conditions with glucose or xylose as a carbon source. The genome of the recently isolated P. hubeiensis BOT-O strain was sequenced using MinION long-read sequencing and resulted in the most contiguous P. hubeiensis assembly to date with 18.95 Mb in 31 contigs. Using transcriptome data as experimental support, we generated the first mRNA-supported P. hubeiensis genome annotation and identified 6540 genes. 80% of the predicted genes were assigned functional annotations based on protein homology to other yeasts. Based on the annotation, key metabolic pathways in BOT-O were reconstructed, including pathways for storage lipids, mannosylerythritol lipids and xylose assimilation. BOT-O was confirmed to consume glucose and xylose at equal rates, but during mixed glucose-xylose cultivation glucose was found to be taken up faster. Differential expression analysis revealed that only a total of 122 genes were significantly differentially expressed at a cut-off of |log2 fold change| ≥ 2 when comparing cultivation on xylose with glucose, during exponential growth and during nitrogen-starvation. Of these 122 genes, a core-set of 24 genes was identified that were differentially expressed at all time points. Nitrogen-starvation resulted in a larger transcriptional effect, with a total of 1179 genes with significant expression changes at the designated fold change cut-off compared with exponential growth on either glucose or xylose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friederike Mierke
- Food and Nutrition Science, Department of Life Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden; Systems and Synthetic Biology, Department of Life Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Daniel P Brink
- Systems and Synthetic Biology, Department of Life Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden; Applied Microbiology, Department of Chemistry, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Joakim Norbeck
- Systems and Synthetic Biology, Department of Life Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Verena Siewers
- Systems and Synthetic Biology, Department of Life Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Thomas Andlid
- Food and Nutrition Science, Department of Life Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
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10
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Cheng Z, Lv X, Duan C, Zhu H, Wang J, Xu Z, Yin H, Zhou X, Li M, Hao Z, Li F, Li X, Weng J. Pathogenicity Variation in Two Genomes of Cercospora Species Causing Gray Leaf Spot in Maize. MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS : MPMI 2023; 36:14-25. [PMID: 36251001 DOI: 10.1094/mpmi-06-22-0138-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The gray leaf spots caused by Cercospora spp. severely affect the yield and quality of maize. However, the evolutionary relation and pathogenicity variation between species of the Cercospora genus is largely unknown. In this study, we constructed high-quality reference genomes by nanopore sequencing two Cercospora species, namely, C. zeae-maydis and C. zeina, with differing pathogenicity, collected from northeast (Liaoning [LN]) and southeast (Yunnan [YN]) China, respectively. The genome size of C. zeae-maydis-LN is 45.08 Mb, containing 10,839 annotated genes, whereas that of Cercospora zeina-YN is 42.18 Mb, containing 10,867 annotated genes, of which approximately 86.58% are common in the two species. The difference in their genome size is largely attributed to increased long terminal repeat retrotransposons of 3.8 Mb in total length in C. zeae-maydis-LN. There are 41 and 30 carbohydrate-binding gene subfamilies identified in C. zeae-maydis-LN and C. zeina-YN, respectively. A higher number of carbohydrate-binding families found in C. zeae-maydis-LN, and its unique CBM4, CBM37, and CBM66, in particular, may contribute to variation in pathogenicity between the two species, as the carbohydrate-binding genes are known to encode cell wall-degrading enzymes. Moreover, there are 114 and 107 effectors predicted, with 47 and 46 having unique potential pathogenicity in C. zeae-maydis-LN and C. zeina-YN, respectively. Of eight effectors randomly selected for pathogenic testing, five were found to inhibit cell apoptosis induced by Bcl-2-associated X. Taken together, our results provide genomic insights into variation in pathogenicity between C. zeae-maydis and C. zeina. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixiang Cheng
- Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Xiangling Lv
- College of Agronomy, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110161, China
| | - Canxing Duan
- Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Hanyong Zhu
- Wenshan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wenshan, Yunnan, 663000, China
| | - Jianjun Wang
- Corn Research Institute, Shanxi Agricultural University, Xinzhou, Shanxi, 030600, China
| | - Zhennan Xu
- Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Huifei Yin
- College of Agronomy, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110161, China
| | - Xiaohang Zhou
- College of Agronomy, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110161, China
| | - Mingshun Li
- Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Zhuafang Hao
- Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Fenghai Li
- College of Agronomy, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110161, China
| | - Xinhai Li
- Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Jianfeng Weng
- Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
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11
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β-Xylosidase SRBX1 Activity from Sporisorium reilianum and Its Synergism with Xylanase SRXL1 in Xylose Release from Corn Hemicellulose. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8121295. [PMID: 36547628 PMCID: PMC9781407 DOI: 10.3390/jof8121295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Sposisorium reilianum is the causal agent of corn ear smut disease. Eleven genes have been identified in its genome that code for enzymes that could constitute its hemicellulosic system, three of which have been associated with two Endo-β-1,4-xylanases and one with α-L-arabinofuranosidase activity. In this study, the native protein extracellular with β-xylosidase activity, called SRBX1, produced by this basidiomycete was analyzed by performing production kinetics and its subsequent purification by gel filtration. The enzyme was characterized biochemically and sequenced. Finally, its synergism with Xylanase SRXL1 was determined. Its activity was higher in a medium with corn hemicellulose and glucose as carbon sources. The purified protein was a monomer associated with the sr16700 gene, with a molecular weight of 117 kDa and optimal activity at 60 °C in a pH range of 4-7, which had the ability to hydrolyze the ρ-nitrophenyl β-D-xylanopyranoside and ρ-Nitrophenyl α-L-arabinofuranoside substrates. Its activity was strongly inhibited by silver ions and presented Km and Vmax values of 2.5 mM and 0.2 μmol/min/mg, respectively, using ρ-nitrophenyl β-D-xylanopyranoside as a substrate. The enzyme degrades corn hemicellulose and birch xylan in combination and in sequential synergism with the xylanase SRXL1.
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12
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Bindics J, Khan M, Uhse S, Kogelmann B, Baggely L, Reumann D, Ingole KD, Stirnberg A, Rybecky A, Darino M, Navarrete F, Doehlemann G, Djamei A. Many ways to TOPLESS - manipulation of plant auxin signalling by a cluster of fungal effectors. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2022; 236:1455-1470. [PMID: 35944559 DOI: 10.1111/nph.18315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Plant biotrophic pathogens employ secreted molecules, called effectors, to suppress the host immune system and redirect the host's metabolism and development in their favour. Putative effectors of the gall-inducing maize pathogenic fungus Ustilago maydis were analysed for their ability to induce auxin signalling in plants. Using genetic, biochemical, cell-biological, and bioinformatic approaches we functionally elucidate a set of five, genetically linked effectors, called Topless (TPL) interacting protein (Tips) effectors that induce auxin signalling. We show that Tips induce auxin signalling by interfering with central corepressors of the TPL family. CRISPR-Cas9 mutants and deletion strain analysis indicate that the auxin signalling inducing subcluster effectors plays a redundant role in virulence. Although none of the Tips seem to have a conserved interaction motif, four of them bind solely to the N-terminal TPL domain and, for Tip1 and Tip4, we demonstrate direct competition with auxin/indole-3-acetic acid transcriptional repressors for their binding to TPL class of corepressors. Our findings reveal that TPL proteins, key regulators of growth-defence antagonism, are a major target of the U. maydis effectome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janos Bindics
- Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences (OEAW), Vienna Bio Center (VBC), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mamoona Khan
- Department of Plant Pathology, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Nussallee 9, 53115, Bonn, Germany
| | - Simon Uhse
- Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences (OEAW), Vienna Bio Center (VBC), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Benjamin Kogelmann
- Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences (OEAW), Vienna Bio Center (VBC), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Laura Baggely
- Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences (OEAW), Vienna Bio Center (VBC), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Daniel Reumann
- Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences (OEAW), Vienna Bio Center (VBC), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kishor D Ingole
- Department of Plant Pathology, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Nussallee 9, 53115, Bonn, Germany
| | - Alexandra Stirnberg
- Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences (OEAW), Vienna Bio Center (VBC), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anna Rybecky
- CEPLAS, Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Cologne, 50674, Cologne, Germany
| | - Martin Darino
- Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences (OEAW), Vienna Bio Center (VBC), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Fernando Navarrete
- Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences (OEAW), Vienna Bio Center (VBC), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gunther Doehlemann
- CEPLAS, Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Cologne, 50674, Cologne, Germany
| | - Armin Djamei
- Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences (OEAW), Vienna Bio Center (VBC), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, 1030, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Plant Pathology, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Nussallee 9, 53115, Bonn, Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), OT Gatersleben, Corrensstraße 3, D-06466, Stadt Seeland, Germany
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13
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Depotter JRL, Ökmen B, Ebert MK, Beckers J, Kruse J, Thines M, Doehlemann G. High Nucleotide Substitution Rates Associated with Retrotransposon Proliferation Drive Dynamic Secretome Evolution in Smut Pathogens. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0034922. [PMID: 35972267 PMCID: PMC9603552 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00349-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) play a pivotal role in shaping diversity in eukaryotic genomes. The covered smut pathogen on barley, Ustilago hordei, encountered a recent genome expansion. Using long reads, we assembled genomes of 6 U. hordei strains and 3 sister species, to study this genome expansion. We found that larger genome sizes can mainly be attributed to a higher genome fraction of long terminal repeat retrotransposons (LTR-RTs). In the studied smut genomes, LTR-RTs fractions are the largest in U. hordei and are positively correlated with the mating-type locus sizes, which is up to ~560 kb in U. hordei. Furthermore, LTR-RTs were found to be associated with higher nucleotide substitution levels, as these occur in specific genome regions of smut species with a recent LTR-RT proliferation. Moreover, genes in genome regions with higher nucleotide substitution levels generally reside closer to LTR-RTs than other genome regions. Genome regions with many nucleotide substitutions encountered an especially high fraction of CG substitutions, which is not observed for LTR-RT sequences. The high nucleotide substitution levels particularly accelerate the evolution of secretome genes, as their more accessory nature results in substitutions that often lead to amino acid alterations. IMPORTANCE Genomic alteration can be generated through various means, in which transposable elements (TEs) can play a pivotal role. Their mobility causes mutagenesis in itself and can disrupt the function of the sequences they insert into. They also impact genome evolution as their repetitive nature facilitates nonhomologous recombination. Furthermore, TEs have been linked to specific epigenetic genome organizations. We report a recent TE proliferation in the genome of the barley covered smut fungus, Ustilago hordei. This proliferation is associated with a distinct nucleotide substitution regime that has a higher rate and a higher fraction of CG substitutions. This different regime shapes the evolution of genes in subjected genome regions. We hypothesize that TEs may influence the error-rate of DNA polymerase in a hitherto unknown fashion.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. R. L. Depotter
- CEPLAS, Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - B. Ökmen
- CEPLAS, Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - M. K. Ebert
- CEPLAS, Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - J. Beckers
- CEPLAS, Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - J. Kruse
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F), Frankfurt a. M., Germany
- Institute of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt a. M., Germany
| | - M. Thines
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F), Frankfurt a. M., Germany
- Institute of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt a. M., Germany
| | - G. Doehlemann
- CEPLAS, Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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14
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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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15
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Poloni A, Garde R, Dittiger LD, Heidrich T, Müller C, Drechsler F, Zhao Y, Mazumdar T, Schirawski J. Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Contrasting Plant Responses of Sorghum bicolor upon Colonization by Two Formae Speciales of Sporisorium reilianum. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23168864. [PMID: 36012130 PMCID: PMC9407964 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23168864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The biotrophic fungus Sporisorium reilianum exists in two host-adapted formae speciales that cause head smut in maize (S. reilianum f. sp. zeae; SRZ) and sorghum (S. reilianum f. sp. reilianum; SRS). In sorghum, the spread of SRZ is limited to the leaves. To understand the plant responses to each forma specialis, we determined the transcriptome of sorghum leaves inoculated either with SRS or SRZ. Fungal inoculation led to gene expression rather than suppression in sorghum. SRZ induced a much greater number of genes than SRS. Each forma specialis induced a distinct set of plant genes. The SRZ-induced genes were involved in plant defense mainly at the plasma membrane and were associated with the Molecular Function Gene Ontology terms chitin binding, abscisic acid binding, protein phosphatase inhibitor activity, terpene synthase activity, chitinase activity, transmembrane transporter activity and signaling receptor activity. Specifically, we found an upregulation of the genes involved in phospholipid degradation and sphingolipid biosynthesis, suggesting that the lipid content of the plant plasma membrane may contribute to preventing the systemic spread of SRZ. In contrast, the colonization of sorghum with SRS increased the expression of the genes involved in the detoxification of cellular oxidants and in the unfolded protein response at the endoplasmic reticulum, as well as of the genes modifying the cuticle wax and lipid composition through the generation of alkanes and phytosterols. These results identified plant compartments that may have a function in resistance against SRZ (plasma membrane) and susceptibility towards SRS (endoplasmic reticulum) that need more attention in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alana Poloni
- Department for Molecular Biology of Plant-Microbe Interaction, Albrecht-von-Haller Institute for Plant Sciences, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Julia-Lermontowa-Weg 3, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Microbial Genetics, Institute of Applied Microbiology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Ravindra Garde
- Department of Genetics, Matthias-Schleiden-Institute, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Philosophenweg 12, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Lukas Dorian Dittiger
- Department of Genetics, Matthias-Schleiden-Institute, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Philosophenweg 12, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Theresa Heidrich
- Department for Molecular Biology of Plant-Microbe Interaction, Albrecht-von-Haller Institute for Plant Sciences, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Julia-Lermontowa-Weg 3, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Microbial Genetics, Institute of Applied Microbiology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Christian Müller
- Department of Microbial Genetics, Institute of Applied Microbiology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- Department of Genetics, Matthias-Schleiden-Institute, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Philosophenweg 12, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Frank Drechsler
- Department of Microbial Genetics, Institute of Applied Microbiology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Yulei Zhao
- Department for Molecular Biology of Plant-Microbe Interaction, Albrecht-von-Haller Institute for Plant Sciences, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Julia-Lermontowa-Weg 3, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Microbial Genetics, Institute of Applied Microbiology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Tilottama Mazumdar
- Department of Genetics, Matthias-Schleiden-Institute, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Philosophenweg 12, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Jan Schirawski
- Department for Molecular Biology of Plant-Microbe Interaction, Albrecht-von-Haller Institute for Plant Sciences, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Julia-Lermontowa-Weg 3, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Microbial Genetics, Institute of Applied Microbiology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- Department of Genetics, Matthias-Schleiden-Institute, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Philosophenweg 12, 07743 Jena, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-3641-949555
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16
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Ma Z, Huang Y, Zhang Z, Liu X, Xuan Y, Liu B, Gao Z. Comparative genomic analysis reveals cellulase plays an important role in the pathogenicity of Setosphaeria turcica f. sp. zeae. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:925355. [PMID: 35935234 PMCID: PMC9355644 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.925355] [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: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Setosphaeria turcica f. sp. zeae and S. turcica f. sp. sorghi, the two formae speciales of S. turcica, cause northern leaf blight disease of corn and sorghum, respectively, and often cause serious economic losses. They have obvious physiological differentiation and show complete host specificity. Host specificity is often closely related to pathogen virulence factors, including secreted protein effectors and secondary metabolites. Genomic sequencing can provide more information for understanding the virulence mechanisms of pathogens. However, the complete genomic sequence of S. turcica f. sp. sorghi has not yet been reported, and no comparative genomic information is available for the two formae speciales. In this study, S. turcica f. sp. zeae was predicted to have fewer secreted proteins, pathogen-host interaction (PHI) genes and carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZys) than S. turcica f. sp. sorghi. Fifteen and 20 polyketide synthase (PKS) genes were identified in S. turcica f. sp. zeae and S. turcica f. sp. sorghi, respectively, which maintained high homology. There were eight functionally annotated effector protein-encoding genes specifically in S. turcica f. sp. zeae, among which the encoding gene StCEL2 of endo-1, 4-β-D-glucanase, an important component of cellulase, was significantly up-regulated during the interaction process. Finally, gluconolactone inhibited cellulase activity and decreased infection rate and pathogenicity, which indicates that cellulase is essential for maintaining virulence. These findings demonstrate that cellulase plays an important role in the pathogenicity of S. turcica f. sp. zeae. Our results also provide a theoretical basis for future research on the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenicity of the two formae speciales and for identifying any associated genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhoujie Ma
- Institute of Plant Immunology, College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yufei Huang
- Institute of Plant Immunology, College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhaoran Zhang
- Institute of Plant Immunology, College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiaodi Liu
- Institute of Plant Immunology, College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yuanhu Xuan
- Institute of Plant Immunology, College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Bo Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Yan’an University, Yan’an, China
- *Correspondence: Bo Liu,
| | - Zenggui Gao
- Institute of Plant Immunology, College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
- Zenggui Gao,
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17
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Maphosa MN, Steenkamp ET, Kanzi AM, van Wyk S, De Vos L, Santana QC, Duong TA, Wingfield BD. Intra-Species Genomic Variation in the Pine Pathogen Fusarium circinatum. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8070657. [PMID: 35887414 PMCID: PMC9316270 DOI: 10.3390/jof8070657] [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: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Fusarium circinatum is an important global pathogen of pine trees. Genome plasticity has been observed in different isolates of the fungus, but no genome comparisons are available. To address this gap, we sequenced and assembled to chromosome level five isolates of F. circinatum. These genomes were analysed together with previously published genomes of F. circinatum isolates, FSP34 and KS17. Multi-sample variant calling identified a total of 461,683 micro variants (SNPs and small indels) and a total of 1828 macro structural variants of which 1717 were copy number variants and 111 were inversions. The variant density was higher on the sub-telomeric regions of chromosomes. Variant annotation revealed that genes involved in transcription, transport, metabolism and transmembrane proteins were overrepresented in gene sets that were affected by high impact variants. A core genome representing genomic elements that were conserved in all the isolates and a non-redundant pangenome representing all genomic elements is presented. Whole genome alignments showed that an average of 93% of the genomic elements were present in all isolates. The results of this study reveal that some genomic elements are not conserved within the isolates and some variants are high impact. The described genome-scale variations will help to inform novel disease management strategies against the pathogen.
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The Sporisorium reilianum Effector Vag2 Promotes Head Smut Disease via Suppression of Plant Defense Responses. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8050498. [PMID: 35628753 PMCID: PMC9146561 DOI: 10.3390/jof8050498] [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: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Genome comparison between the maize pathogens Ustilago maydis and Sporisorium reilianum revealed a large diversity region (19-1) containing nearly 30 effector gene candidates, whose deletion severely hampers virulence of both fungi. Dissection of the S. reilianum gene cluster resulted in the identification of one major contributor to virulence, virulence-associated gene 2 (vag2; sr10050). Quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) experiments revealed high expression of vag2 during biotrophic growth of S. reilianum. Using the yeast secretion trap assay, we confirmed the existence of a functional signal peptide allowing protein secretion via the conventional secretory pathway. We identified the cytoplasmic maize chorismate mutase ZmCM2 by yeast two-hybrid screening as a possible interaction partner of Vag2. Interaction of the two proteins in planta was confirmed by bimolecular fluorescence complementation. qRT-PCR experiments revealed vag2-dependent downregulation of salicylic acid (SA)-induced genes, which correlated with higher SA levels in plant tissues colonized by Δvag2 deletion strains relative to S. reilianum wildtype strains. Metabolite analysis suggested rewiring of pathogen-induced SA biosynthesis by preferential conversion of the SA precursor chorismate into the aromatic amino acid precursor prephenate by ZmCM2 in the presence of Vag2. Possibly, the binding of Vag2 to ZmCM2 inhibits the back reaction of the ZmCM2-catalyzed interconversion of chorismate and prephenate, thus contributing to fungal virulence by lowering the plant SA-induced defenses.
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Comparative genomic analysis reveals cellulase plays an important role in the pathogenicity of Setosphaeria turcica f. sp. zeae. Fungal Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2022.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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20
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Kahmann R. My Personal Journey from the Fascination for Phages to a Tumor-Inducing Fungal Pathogen of Corn. Annu Rev Microbiol 2022; 76:1-19. [PMID: 35395169 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-micro-121721-111032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
My path in science began with a fascination for microbiology and phages and later involved a switch of subjects to the fungus Ustilago maydis and how it causes disease in maize. I will not provide a review of my work but rather focus on decisive findings, serendipitous, lucky moments when major advances made the U. maydis-maize system what it is now-a well-established model for biotrophic fungi. I also want to share with you the joy of finding the needle in a haystack at the very end of my scientific career, a fungal structure likely used for effector delivery, and how we were able to translate this into a potential application in agriculture. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Microbiology, Volume 76 is September 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regine Kahmann
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany;
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21
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Navarrete F, Gallei M, Kornienko AE, Saado I, Khan M, Chia KS, Darino MA, Bindics J, Djamei A. TOPLESS promotes plant immunity by repressing auxin signaling and is targeted by the fungal effector Naked1. PLANT COMMUNICATIONS 2022; 3:100269. [PMID: 35529945 PMCID: PMC9073326 DOI: 10.1016/j.xplc.2021.100269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
In plants, the antagonism between growth and defense is hardwired by hormonal signaling. The perception of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) from invading microorganisms inhibits auxin signaling and plant growth. Conversely, pathogens manipulate auxin signaling to promote disease, but how this hormone inhibits immunity is not fully understood. Ustilago maydis is a maize pathogen that induces auxin signaling in its host. We characterized a U. maydis effector protein, Naked1 (Nkd1), that is translocated into the host nucleus. Through its native ethylene-responsive element binding factor-associated amphiphilic repression (EAR) motif, Nkd1 binds to the transcriptional co-repressors TOPLESS/TOPLESS-related (TPL/TPRs) and prevents the recruitment of a transcriptional repressor involved in hormonal signaling, leading to the de-repression of auxin and jasmonate signaling and thereby promoting susceptibility to (hemi)biotrophic pathogens. A moderate upregulation of auxin signaling inhibits the PAMP-triggered reactive oxygen species (ROS) burst, an early defense response. Thus, our findings establish a clear mechanism for auxin-induced pathogen susceptibility. Engineered Nkd1 variants with increased expression or increased EAR-mediated TPL/TPR binding trigger typical salicylic-acid-mediated defense reactions, leading to pathogen resistance. This implies that moderate binding of Nkd1 to TPL is a result of a balancing evolutionary selection process to enable TPL manipulation while avoiding host recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Navarrete
- Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences (OEAW), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Michelle Gallei
- Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences (OEAW), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Aleksandra E. Kornienko
- Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences (OEAW), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Indira Saado
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), OT Gatersleben, Corrensstraße 3, 06466 Stadt Seeland, Germany
| | - Mamoona Khan
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), OT Gatersleben, Corrensstraße 3, 06466 Stadt Seeland, Germany
| | - Khong-Sam Chia
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), OT Gatersleben, Corrensstraße 3, 06466 Stadt Seeland, Germany
| | - Martin A. Darino
- Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences (OEAW), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Janos Bindics
- Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences (OEAW), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Armin Djamei
- Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences (OEAW), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), OT Gatersleben, Corrensstraße 3, 06466 Stadt Seeland, Germany
- Corresponding author
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Intracellular Aminopeptidase Activity Determination from the Fungus Sporisorium reilianum: Purification and Biochemical Characterization of psrAPEi Enzyme. Curr Microbiol 2022; 79:90. [PMID: 35129692 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-022-02787-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The aims of this study were to, first, determine the intracellular aminopeptidase activity (APEi) and second, purify and biochemically characterize one intracellular aminopeptidase enzyme from the phytopathogen fungus Sporisorium reilianum (psrAPEi), the causal agent of head smut in corn. The fungus produced APEi activity in all media cultures evaluated. The psrAPEi was purified by a procedure that involved ammonium sulfate fractionation and four chromatographic steps using an FPLC system (Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography). Results showed an estimated molecular mass of 52.2 kDa. Enzymatic activity was optimal at pH 7.0 and 35 °C and was inhibited by EDTA-Na2, 1,10-phenanthroline, bestatin, and PMSF. This aminopeptidase showed a preference for leucine, arginine, and lysine at the N-position. The Km and Vmax values were 3.72 μM and 188.0 μmol/min, respectively, for L-lysyl-4-nitroanilide. This is the first study to report on intracellular aminopeptidase activity in S. reilianum and the purification and characterization of an intracellular metallo-serine-aminopeptidase (psrAPEi).
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Abstract
Corn head smut fungus Sporisorium reilianum f. sp. zeae is a biotrophic pathogen belonging to the class of basidiomycetes. Under field conditions, it infects maize (Zea mays L.) still in the soil at early stages of development. Later, the infection spreads systemically to all aerial parts of the plant with mild symptoms of anthocyanin accumulation until the development of inflorescences, where it causes a replacement of maize inflorescences with spore-filled sori or leaf-like structures. Recently, Sporisorium reilianum (S. reilianum) is being established as a model organism to study fungal-plant interactions and corresponding virulence factors. Here, we describe a detailed protocol for a method that has been described and employed previously (Ghareeb H, Zhao Y, Schirawski J, Molecular plant pathology 20:124-136, 2019) to test the virulence of S. reilianum in maize under controlled laboratory conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mamoona Khan
- Department of Plant Pathology, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
| | - Armin Djamei
- Department of Plant Pathology, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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24
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Solano-González S, Solano-Campos F. Production of mannosylerythritol lipids: biosynthesis, multi-omics approaches, and commercial exploitation. Mol Omics 2022; 18:699-715. [DOI: 10.1039/d2mo00150k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Compilation of resources regarding MEL biosynthesis, key production parameters; available omics resources and current commercial applications, for smut fungi known to produce MELs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefany Solano-González
- Universidad Nacional, Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Laboratorio de Bioinformática Aplicada, Heredia, Costa Rica
| | - Frank Solano-Campos
- Universidad Nacional, Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Laboratorio de Biotecnología de Plantas, Heredia, Costa Rica
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25
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Achari SR, Edwards J, Mann RC, Kaur JK, Sawbridge T, Summerell BA. Comparative transcriptomic analysis of races 1, 2, 5 and 6 of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. pisi in a susceptible pea host identifies differential pathogenicity profiles. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:734. [PMID: 34627148 PMCID: PMC8502283 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-08033-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. pisi (Fop) causes Fusarium wilt in peas. There are four races globally: 1, 2, 5 and 6 and all of these races are present in Australia. Molecular infection mechanisms have been studied in a few other F. oxysporum formae speciales; however, there has been no transcriptomic Fop-pea pathosystem study. RESULTS A transcriptomic study was carried out to understand the molecular pathogenicity differences between the races. Transcriptome analysis at 20 days post-inoculation revealed differences in the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the Fop races potentially involved in fungal pathogenicity variations. Most of the DEGs in all the races were engaged in transportation, metabolism, oxidation-reduction, translation, biosynthetic processes, signal transduction, proteolysis, among others. Race 5 expressed the most virulence-associated genes. Most genes encoding for plant cell wall degrading enzymes, CAZymes and effector-like proteins were expressed in race 2. Race 6 expressed the least number of genes at this time point. CONCLUSION Fop races deploy various factors and complex strategies to mitigate host defences to facilitate colonisation. This investigation provides an overview of the putative pathogenicity genes in different Fop races during the necrotrophic stage of infection. These genes need to be functionally characterised to confirm their pathogenicity/virulence roles and the race-specific genes can be further explored for molecular characterisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saidi R Achari
- AgriBio, Agriculture Victoria Research, DJPR, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia.
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Jacqueline Edwards
- AgriBio, Agriculture Victoria Research, DJPR, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ross C Mann
- AgriBio, Agriculture Victoria Research, DJPR, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jatinder K Kaur
- AgriBio, Agriculture Victoria Research, DJPR, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tim Sawbridge
- AgriBio, Agriculture Victoria Research, DJPR, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Brett A Summerell
- Australian Institute of Botanical Science, Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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26
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Zuo W, Depotter JRL, Gupta DK, Thines M, Doehlemann G. Cross-species analysis between the maize smut fungi Ustilago maydis and Sporisorium reilianum highlights the role of transcriptional change of effector orthologs for virulence and disease. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2021; 232:719-733. [PMID: 34270791 DOI: 10.1111/nph.17625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The constitution and regulation of effector repertoires shape host-microbe interactions. Ustilago maydis and Sporisorium reilianum are two closely related smut fungi, which both infect maize but cause distinct disease symptoms. Understanding how effector orthologs are regulated in these two pathogens can therefore provide insights into the evolution of different infection strategies. We tracked the infection progress of U. maydis and S. reilianum in maize leaves and used two distinct infection stages for cross-species RNA-sequencing analyses. We identified 207 of 335 one-to-one effector orthologs as differentially regulated during host colonization, which might reflect the distinct disease development strategies. Using CRISPR-Cas9-mediated gene conversion, we identified two differentially expressed effector orthologs with conserved function between two pathogens. Thus, differential expression of functionally conserved genes might contribute to species-specific adaptation and symptom development. Interestingly, another differentially expressed orthogroup (UMAG_05318/Sr10075) showed divergent protein function, providing a possible case for neofunctionalization. Collectively, we demonstrated that the diversification of effector genes in related pathogens can be caused both by alteration on the transcriptional level and through functional diversification of the encoded effector proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiliang Zuo
- Institute for Plant Sciences and Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS), University of Cologne, Zuelpicher Str. 47a, Cologne, 50674, Germany
| | - Jasper R L Depotter
- Institute for Plant Sciences and Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS), University of Cologne, Zuelpicher Str. 47a, Cologne, 50674, Germany
| | - Deepak K Gupta
- Department for Biological Sciences, Institute of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, 60325, Germany
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Frankfurt am Main, 60325, Germany
- Integrative Fungal Research Cluster (IPF), Frankfurt am Main, 60325, Germany
| | - Marco Thines
- Department for Biological Sciences, Institute of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, 60325, Germany
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Frankfurt am Main, 60325, Germany
- Integrative Fungal Research Cluster (IPF), Frankfurt am Main, 60325, Germany
| | - Gunther Doehlemann
- Institute for Plant Sciences and Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS), University of Cologne, Zuelpicher Str. 47a, Cologne, 50674, Germany
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Storfie ERM, Saville BJ. Fungal Pathogen Emergence: Investigations with an Ustilago maydis × Sporisorium reilianum Hybrid. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:672. [PMID: 34436211 PMCID: PMC8400639 DOI: 10.3390/jof7080672] [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: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of new fungal pathogens threatens sustainable crop production worldwide. One mechanism by which new pathogens may arise is hybridization. To investigate hybridization, the related smut fungi, Ustilago maydis and Sporisorium reilianum, were selected because they both infect Zea mays, can hybridize, and tools are available for their analysis. The hybrid dikaryons of these fungi grew as filaments on plates but their colonization and virulence in Z. mays were reduced compared to the parental dikaryons. The anthocyanin induction caused by the hybrid dikaryon infections was distinct, suggesting its interaction with the host was different from that of the parental dikaryons. Selected virulence genes previously characterized in U. maydis and their predicted S. reilianum orthologs had altered transcript levels during hybrid infection of Z. mays. The downregulated U. maydis effectors, tin2, pit2, and cce1, and transcription factors, rbf1, hdp2, and nlt1, were constitutively expressed in the hybrid. Little impact was observed with increased effector expression; however, increased expression of rbf1 and hdp2, which regulate early pathogenic development by U. maydis, increased the hybrid's capacity to induce symptoms including the rare induction of small leaf tumors. These results establish a base for investigating molecular aspects of smut fungal hybrid pathogen emergence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilee R. M. Storfie
- Department of Agricultural, Food, and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada;
| | - Barry J. Saville
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, Canada
- Forensic Science Program, Trent University, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, Canada
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28
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Hoang CV, Bhaskar CK, Ma LS. A Novel Core Effector Vp1 Promotes Fungal Colonization and Virulence of Ustilago maydis. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7080589. [PMID: 34436129 PMCID: PMC8396986 DOI: 10.3390/jof7080589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The biotrophic fungus Ustilago maydis secretes a plethora of uncharacterized effector proteins and causes smut disease in maize. Among the effector genes that are up-regulated during the biotrophic growth in maize, we identified vp1 (virulence promoting 1), which has an expression that was up-regulated and maintained at a high level throughout the life cycle of the fungus. We characterized Vp1 by applying in silico analysis, reverse genetics, phenotypic assessment, microscopy, and protein localization and provided a fundamental understanding of the Vp1 protein in U. maydis. The reduction in fungal virulence and colonization in the vp1 mutant suggests the virulence-promoting function of Vp1. The deletion studies on the NLS (nuclear localization signal) sequence and the protein localization study revealed that the C-terminus of Vp1 is processed after secretion in plant apoplast and could localize to the plant nucleus. The Ustilago hordei ortholog UhVp1 lacks NLS localized in the plant cytoplasm, suggesting that the orthologs might have a distinct subcellular localization. Further complementation studies of the Vp1 orthologs in related smut fungi revealed that none of them could complement the virulence function of U. maydis Vp1, suggesting that UmVp1 could acquire a specialized function via sequence divergence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuong V. Hoang
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan; (C.V.H.); (C.K.B.)
- Molecular and Biological Agricultural Sciences Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, National Chung Hsing University and Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Chibbhi K. Bhaskar
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan; (C.V.H.); (C.K.B.)
- Molecular and Biological Agricultural Sciences Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, National Chung Hsing University and Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Lay-Sun Ma
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan; (C.V.H.); (C.K.B.)
- Molecular and Biological Agricultural Sciences Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, National Chung Hsing University and Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
- Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-2-2787-1145
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Comparative expression analysis of potential pathogenicity-associated genes of high- and low-virulent Sporisorium scitamineum isolates during interaction with sugarcane. 3 Biotech 2021; 11:353. [PMID: 34249594 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-021-02893-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Sporisorium scitamineum is a teleomorphic, biotrophic fungus causing the globally prevalent sugarcane smut disease in sugarcane. The severity of the disease depends on two major factors, viz. degree of resistance in the host genotype and virulence level of the pathogen. Hence, in this study, temporal transcriptomic expression of potential pathogenicity-associated genes of two distinctly virulent S. scitamineum isolates, viz. SsV89101 (low virulent) and Ss97009 (high virulent) were analyzed during interaction with a smut susceptible sugarcane cv. Co 97009 at six different time intervals. The pathogenicity-associated genes profiled in this study comprises 14 plant cell wall degrading enzymes (PCWDEs) and ten candidates secreted effector protein-coding (CSEPs) genes. Absolute quantification of pathogen biomass and comparative expression profiling analyses of these pathogenicity-associated genes during host-pathogen interaction indicated that there was a significant variation between low and high virulent isolates. More precisely, the higher and early expression (24 hpi) of certain PCWDEs, viz. Chitinase-1 and Laccase, and the CSEPs, viz. SUC2, SRT1 and CMU1 during the colonization of high virulent isolate suggested that they might possibly play a major role in facilitating faster and successful pathogen ingress, and tissue colonization than the less-virulent isolate. Transcript expression profiling of Chitinase and Laccases were also in correlation with their corresponding enzyme activity assays. Comprehensively, this quantitative temporal expression analysis has provided critical insights into the early expression of pathogenicity-associated genes and their putative role in attributing to higher virulence. Moreover, this study provides valuable clues for the screening of candidate virulence determinants for further functional characterization of the test pathogen isolates used for the evaluation of smut resistance in breeding clones. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-021-02893-7.
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Fukada F, Rössel N, Münch K, Glatter T, Kahmann R. A small Ustilago maydis effector acts as a novel adhesin for hyphal aggregation in plant tumors. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2021; 231:416-431. [PMID: 33843063 DOI: 10.1111/nph.17389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The biotrophic basidiomycete fungus Ustilago maydis causes smut disease in maize. Hallmarks of the disease are characteristic large tumors in which dark pigmented spores are formed. Here, we functionally characterized a novel core effector lep1 (late effector protein 1) which is highly expressed during tumor formation and contributes to virulence. We characterize lep1 mutants, localize the protein, determine phenotypic consequences upon deletion as well as constitutive expression, and analyze relationships with the repellent protein Rep1 and hydrophobins. In tumors, lep1 mutants show attenuated hyphal aggregation, fail to undergo massive late proliferation and produce only a few spores. Upon constitutive expression, cell aggregation is induced and the surface of filamentous colonies displays enhanced hydrophobicity. Lep1 is bound to the cell wall of biotrophic hyphae and associates with Rep1 when constitutively expressed in hyphae. We conclude that Lep1 acts as a novel kind of cell adhesin which functions together with other surface-active proteins to allow proliferation of diploid hyphae as well as for induction of the morphological changes associated with spore formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumi Fukada
- Department of Organismic Interactions, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Karl-von-Frisch-Straße 10, Marburg, 35043, Germany
- Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University, Chuo 2-20-1, Kurashiki, 710-0046, Japan
| | - Nicole Rössel
- Department of Organismic Interactions, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Karl-von-Frisch-Straße 10, Marburg, 35043, Germany
| | - Karin Münch
- Department of Organismic Interactions, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Karl-von-Frisch-Straße 10, Marburg, 35043, Germany
| | - Timo Glatter
- Mass Spectroscopy and Proteomics, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Karl-von-Frisch-Straße 10, Marburg, 35043, Germany
| | - Regine Kahmann
- Department of Organismic Interactions, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Karl-von-Frisch-Straße 10, Marburg, 35043, Germany
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31
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The Pleiades are a cluster of fungal effectors that inhibit host defenses. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009641. [PMID: 34166468 PMCID: PMC8224859 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Biotrophic plant pathogens secrete effector proteins to manipulate the host physiology. Effectors suppress defenses and induce an environment favorable to disease development. Sequence-based prediction of effector function is impeded by their rapid evolution rate. In the maize pathogen Ustilago maydis, effector-coding genes frequently organize in clusters. Here we describe the functional characterization of the pleiades, a cluster of ten effector genes, by analyzing the micro- and macroscopic phenotype of the cluster deletion and expressing these proteins in planta. Deletion of the pleiades leads to strongly impaired virulence and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in infected tissue. Eight of the Pleiades suppress the production of ROS upon perception of pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Although functionally redundant, the Pleiades target different host components. The paralogs Taygeta1 and Merope1 suppress ROS production in either the cytoplasm or nucleus, respectively. Merope1 targets and promotes the auto-ubiquitination activity of RFI2, a conserved family of E3 ligases that regulates the production of PAMP-triggered ROS burst in plants.
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Hage H, Rosso MN, Tarrago L. Distribution of methionine sulfoxide reductases in fungi and conservation of the free-methionine-R-sulfoxide reductase in multicellular eukaryotes. Free Radic Biol Med 2021; 169:187-215. [PMID: 33865960 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2021.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Methionine, either as a free amino acid or included in proteins, can be oxidized into methionine sulfoxide (MetO), which exists as R and S diastereomers. Almost all characterized organisms possess thiol-oxidoreductases named methionine sulfoxide reductase (Msr) enzymes to reduce MetO back to Met. MsrA and MsrB reduce the S and R diastereomers of MetO, respectively, with strict stereospecificity and are found in almost all organisms. Another type of thiol-oxidoreductase, the free-methionine-R-sulfoxide reductase (fRMsr), identified so far in prokaryotes and a few unicellular eukaryotes, reduces the R MetO diastereomer of the free amino acid. Moreover, some bacteria possess molybdenum-containing enzymes that reduce MetO, either in the free or protein-bound forms. All these Msrs play important roles in the protection of organisms against oxidative stress. Fungi are heterotrophic eukaryotes that colonize all niches on Earth and play fundamental functions, in organic matter recycling, as symbionts, or as pathogens of numerous organisms. However, our knowledge on fungal Msrs is still limited. Here, we performed a survey of msr genes in almost 700 genomes across the fungal kingdom. We show that most fungi possess one gene coding for each type of methionine sulfoxide reductase: MsrA, MsrB, and fRMsr. However, several fungi living in anaerobic environments or as obligate intracellular parasites were devoid of msr genes. Sequence inspection and phylogenetic analyses allowed us to identify non-canonical sequences with potentially novel enzymatic properties. Finaly, we identified several ocurences of msr horizontal gene transfer from bacteria to fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayat Hage
- Biodiversité et Biotechnologie Fongiques, UMR1163, INRAE, Aix Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Marie-Noëlle Rosso
- Biodiversité et Biotechnologie Fongiques, UMR1163, INRAE, Aix Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Lionel Tarrago
- Biodiversité et Biotechnologie Fongiques, UMR1163, INRAE, Aix Marseille Université, Marseille, France.
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Schweizer G, Haider MB, Barroso GV, Rössel N, Münch K, Kahmann R, Dutheil JY. Population Genomics of the Maize Pathogen Ustilago maydis: Demographic History and Role of Virulence Clusters in Adaptation. Genome Biol Evol 2021; 13:evab073. [PMID: 33837781 PMCID: PMC8120014 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evab073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The tight interaction between pathogens and their hosts results in reciprocal selective forces that impact the genetic diversity of the interacting species. The footprints of this selection differ between pathosystems because of distinct life-history traits, demographic histories, or genome architectures. Here, we studied the genome-wide patterns of genetic diversity of 22 isolates of the causative agent of the corn smut disease, Ustilago maydis, originating from five locations in Mexico, the presumed center of origin of this species. In this species, many genes encoding secreted effector proteins reside in so-called virulence clusters in the genome, an arrangement that is so far not found in other filamentous plant pathogens. Using a combination of population genomic statistical analyses, we assessed the geographical, historical, and genome-wide variation of genetic diversity in this fungal pathogen. We report evidence of two partially admixed subpopulations that are only loosely associated with geographic origin. Using the multiple sequentially Markov coalescent model, we inferred the demographic history of the two pathogen subpopulations over the last 0.5 Myr. We show that both populations experienced a recent strong bottleneck starting around 10,000 years ago, coinciding with the assumed time of maize domestication. Although the genome average genetic diversity is low compared with other fungal pathogens, we estimated that the rate of nonsynonymous adaptive substitutions is three times higher in genes located within virulence clusters compared with nonclustered genes, including nonclustered effector genes. These results highlight the role that these singular genomic regions play in the evolution of this pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Schweizer
- Department of Organismic Interactions, Max-Planck-Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Muhammad Bilal Haider
- Max-Planck-Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Research Group Molecular Systems Evolution, Plön, Germany
| | - Gustavo V Barroso
- Max-Planck-Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Research Group Molecular Systems Evolution, Plön, Germany
| | - Nicole Rössel
- Department of Organismic Interactions, Max-Planck-Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Karin Münch
- Department of Organismic Interactions, Max-Planck-Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Regine Kahmann
- Department of Organismic Interactions, Max-Planck-Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Julien Y Dutheil
- Department of Organismic Interactions, Max-Planck-Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
- Max-Planck-Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Research Group Molecular Systems Evolution, Plön, Germany
- Institute of Evolutionary Sciences of Montpellier, University of Montpellier 2, France
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Schurack S, Depotter JRL, Gupta D, Thines M, Doehlemann G. Comparative transcriptome profiling identifies maize line specificity of fungal effectors in the maize-Ustilago maydis interaction. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 106:733-752. [PMID: 33570802 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.15195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The biotrophic pathogen Ustilago maydis causes smut disease on maize (Zea mays) and induces the formation of tumours on all aerial parts of the plant. Unlike in other biotrophic interactions, no gene-for-gene interactions have been identified in the maize-U. maydis pathosystem. Thus, maize resistance to U. maydis is considered a polygenic, quantitative trait. Here, we study the molecular mechanisms of quantitative disease resistance (QDR) in maize, and how U. maydis interferes with its components. Based on quantitative scoring of disease symptoms in 26 maize lines, we performed an RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) analysis of six U. maydis-infected maize lines of highly distinct resistance levels. The different maize lines showed specific responses of diverse cellular processes to U. maydis infection. For U. maydis, our analysis identified 406 genes being differentially expressed between maize lines, of which 102 encode predicted effector proteins. Based on this analysis, we generated U. maydis CRISPR/Cas9 knock-out mutants for selected candidate effector sets. After infections of different maize lines with the fungal mutants, RNA-Seq analysis identified effectors with quantitative, maize line-specific virulence functions, and revealed auxin-related processes as a possible target for one of them. Thus, we show that both transcriptional activity and virulence function of fungal effector genes are modified according to the infected maize line, providing insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying QDR in the maize-U. maydis interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selma Schurack
- CEPLAS, Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- IMPRS, Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jasper R L Depotter
- CEPLAS, Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Deepak Gupta
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F), Frankfurt a. M, Germany
- Institute of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Frankfurt a. M, Germany
| | - Marco Thines
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F), Frankfurt a. M, Germany
- Institute of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Frankfurt a. M, Germany
| | - Gunther Doehlemann
- CEPLAS, Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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Zhang B, Zhang N, Zhang Q, Xu Q, Zhong T, Zhang K, Xu M. Transcriptome Profiles of Sporisorium reilianum during the Early Infection of Resistant and Susceptible Maize Isogenic Lines. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7020150. [PMID: 33669631 PMCID: PMC7922634 DOI: 10.3390/jof7020150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The biotrophic fungus Sporisorium reilianum causes destructive head smut disease in maize (Zea mays L.). To explore the pathogenicity arsenal of this fungus, we tracked its transcriptome changes during infection of the maize seedling mesocotyls of two near-isogenic lines, HZ4 and HZ4R, differing solely in the disease resistance gene ZmWAK. Parasitic growth of S. reilianum resulted in thousands of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) compared with growth in axenic culture. The protein synthesis and energy metabolism of S. reilianum were predominantly enriched with down-regulated DEGs, consistent with the arrested hyphal growth observed following colonization. Nutrition-related metabolic processes were enriched with both up- and down-regulated DEGs, which, together with activated transmembrane transport, reflected a potential transition in nutrition uptake of S. reilianum once it invaded maize. Notably, genes encoding secreted proteins of S. reilianum were mostly up-regulated during biotrophy. ZmWAK-mediated resistance to head smut disease reduced the number of DEGs of S. reilianum, particularly those related to the secretome. These observations deepen our understanding of the mechanisms underlying S. reilianum pathogenicity and ZmWAK-induced innate immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boqi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, National Maize Improvement Center, Center for Crop Functional Genomics and Molecular Breeding, China Agricultural University, 2 West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing 100193, China; (B.Z.); (N.Z.); (Q.Z.); (Q.X.); (T.Z.); (K.Z.)
| | - Nan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, National Maize Improvement Center, Center for Crop Functional Genomics and Molecular Breeding, China Agricultural University, 2 West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing 100193, China; (B.Z.); (N.Z.); (Q.Z.); (Q.X.); (T.Z.); (K.Z.)
- Crops Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinying 2 West Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Qianqian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, National Maize Improvement Center, Center for Crop Functional Genomics and Molecular Breeding, China Agricultural University, 2 West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing 100193, China; (B.Z.); (N.Z.); (Q.Z.); (Q.X.); (T.Z.); (K.Z.)
| | - Qianya Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, National Maize Improvement Center, Center for Crop Functional Genomics and Molecular Breeding, China Agricultural University, 2 West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing 100193, China; (B.Z.); (N.Z.); (Q.Z.); (Q.X.); (T.Z.); (K.Z.)
| | - Tao Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, National Maize Improvement Center, Center for Crop Functional Genomics and Molecular Breeding, China Agricultural University, 2 West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing 100193, China; (B.Z.); (N.Z.); (Q.Z.); (Q.X.); (T.Z.); (K.Z.)
| | - Kaiyue Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, National Maize Improvement Center, Center for Crop Functional Genomics and Molecular Breeding, China Agricultural University, 2 West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing 100193, China; (B.Z.); (N.Z.); (Q.Z.); (Q.X.); (T.Z.); (K.Z.)
| | - Mingliang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, National Maize Improvement Center, Center for Crop Functional Genomics and Molecular Breeding, China Agricultural University, 2 West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing 100193, China; (B.Z.); (N.Z.); (Q.Z.); (Q.X.); (T.Z.); (K.Z.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-010-6273-3166
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Versatile CRISPR/Cas9 Systems for Genome Editing in Ustilago maydis. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7020149. [PMID: 33670568 PMCID: PMC7922307 DOI: 10.3390/jof7020149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The phytopathogenic smut fungus Ustilago maydis is a versatile model organism to study plant pathology, fungal genetics, and molecular cell biology. Here, we report several strategies to manipulate the genome of U. maydis by the CRISPR/Cas9 technology. These include targeted gene deletion via homologous recombination of short double-stranded oligonucleotides, introduction of point mutations, heterologous complementation at the genomic locus, and endogenous N-terminal tagging with the fluorescent protein mCherry. All applications are independent of a permanent selectable marker and only require transient expression of the endonuclease Cas9hf and sgRNA. The techniques presented here are likely to accelerate research in the U. maydis community but can also act as a template for genome editing in other important fungi.
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Genomic rearrangements generate hypervariable mini-chromosomes in host-specific isolates of the blast fungus. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009386. [PMID: 33591993 PMCID: PMC7909708 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Supernumerary mini-chromosomes–a unique type of genomic structural variation–have been implicated in the emergence of virulence traits in plant pathogenic fungi. However, the mechanisms that facilitate the emergence and maintenance of mini-chromosomes across fungi remain poorly understood. In the blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae (Syn. Pyricularia oryzae), mini-chromosomes have been first described in the early 1990s but, until very recently, have been overlooked in genomic studies. Here we investigated structural variation in four isolates of the blast fungus M. oryzae from different grass hosts and analyzed the sequences of mini-chromosomes in the rice, foxtail millet and goosegrass isolates. The mini-chromosomes of these isolates turned out to be highly diverse with distinct sequence composition. They are enriched in repetitive elements and have lower gene density than core-chromosomes. We identified several virulence-related genes in the mini-chromosome of the rice isolate, including the virulence-related polyketide synthase Ace1 and two variants of the effector gene AVR-Pik. Macrosynteny analyses around these loci revealed structural rearrangements, including inter-chromosomal translocations between core- and mini-chromosomes. Our findings provide evidence that mini-chromosomes emerge from structural rearrangements and segmental duplication of core-chromosomes and might contribute to adaptive evolution of the blast fungus. The genomes of plant pathogens often exhibit an architecture that facilitates high rates of dynamic rearrangements and genetic diversification in virulence associated regions. These regions, which tend to be gene sparse and repeat rich, are thought to serve as a cradle for adaptive evolution. Supernumerary chromosomes, i.e. chromosomes that are only present in some but not all individuals of a species, are a special type of structural variation that have been observed in plants, animals, and fungi. Here we identified and studied supernumerary mini-chromosomes in the blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae, a pathogen that causes some of the most destructive plant diseases. We found that rice, foxtail millet and goosegrass isolates of this pathogen contain mini-chromosomes with distinct sequence composition. All mini-chromosomes are rich in repetitive genetic elements and have lower gene densities than core-chromosomes. Further, we identified virulence-related genes on the mini-chromosome of the rice isolate. We observed large-scale genomic rearrangements around these loci, indicative of a role of mini-chromosomes in facilitating genome dynamics. Taken together, our results indicate that mini-chromosomes contribute to genome rearrangements and possibly adaptive evolution of the blast fungus.
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Wyka SA, Mondo SJ, Liu M, Dettman J, Nalam V, Broders KD. Whole-Genome Comparisons of Ergot Fungi Reveals the Divergence and Evolution of Species within the Genus Claviceps Are the Result of Varying Mechanisms Driving Genome Evolution and Host Range Expansion. Genome Biol Evol 2021; 13:evaa267. [PMID: 33512490 PMCID: PMC7883665 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evaa267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The genus Claviceps has been known for centuries as an economically important fungal genus for pharmacology and agricultural research. Only recently have researchers begun to unravel the evolutionary history of the genus, with origins in South America and classification of four distinct sections through ecological, morphological, and metabolic features (Claviceps sects. Citrinae, Paspalorum, Pusillae, and Claviceps). The first three sections are additionally characterized by narrow host range, whereas section Claviceps is considered evolutionarily more successful and adaptable as it has the largest host range and biogeographical distribution. However, the reasons for this success and adaptability remain unclear. Our study elucidates factors influencing adaptability by sequencing and annotating 50 Claviceps genomes, representing 21 species, for a comprehensive comparison of genome architecture and plasticity in relation to host range potential. Our results show the trajectory from specialized genomes (sects. Citrinae and Paspalorum) toward adaptive genomes (sects. Pusillae and Claviceps) through colocalization of transposable elements around predicted effectors and a putative loss of repeat-induced point mutation resulting in unconstrained tandem gene duplication coinciding with increased host range potential and speciation. Alterations of genomic architecture and plasticity can substantially influence and shape the evolutionary trajectory of fungal pathogens and their adaptability. Furthermore, our study provides a large increase in available genomic resources to propel future studies of Claviceps in pharmacology and agricultural research, as well as, research into deeper understanding of the evolution of adaptable plant pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen A Wyka
- Department of Agricultural Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Stephen J Mondo
- Department of Agricultural Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
- U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Miao Liu
- Ottawa Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jeremy Dettman
- Ottawa Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vamsi Nalam
- Department of Agricultural Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Kirk D Broders
- Department of Agricultural Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panamá, República de Panamá
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van der Linde K, Göhre V. How Do Smut Fungi Use Plant Signals to Spatiotemporally Orientate on and In Planta? J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:107. [PMID: 33540708 PMCID: PMC7913117 DOI: 10.3390/jof7020107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Smut fungi represent a large group of biotrophic plant pathogens that cause extensive yield loss and are also model organisms for studying plant-pathogen interactions. In recent years, they have become biotechnological tools. After initial penetration of the plant epidermis, smut fungi grow intra-and intercellularly without disrupting the plant-plasma membrane. Following the colonialization step, teliospores are formed and later released. While some smuts only invade the tissues around the initial penetration site, others colonize in multiple plant organs resulting in spore formation distal from the original infection site. The intimate contact zone between fungal hyphae and the host is termed the biotrophic interaction zone and enables exchange of signals and nutrient uptake. Obviously, all steps of on and in planta growth require fine sensing of host conditions as well as reprogramming of the host by the smut fungus. In this review, we highlight selected examples of smut fungal colonization styles, directional growth in planta, induction of spore formation, and the signals required, pointing to excellent reviews for details, to draw attention to some of the open questions in this important research field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina van der Linde
- Department of Cell Biology and Plant Biochemistry, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Vera Göhre
- Institute for Microbiology, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, Heinrich-Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
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40
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Eschenbrenner CJ, Feurtey A, Stukenbrock EH. Population Genomics of Fungal Plant Pathogens and the Analyses of Rapidly Evolving Genome Compartments. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2090:337-355. [PMID: 31975174 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0199-0_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Genome sequencing of fungal pathogens have documented extensive variation in genome structure and composition between species and in many cases between individuals of the same species. This type of genomic variation can be adaptive for pathogens to rapidly evolve new virulence phenotypes. Analyses of genome-wide variation in fungal pathogen genomes rely on high quality assemblies and methods to detect and quantify structural variation. Population genomic studies in fungi have addressed the underlying mechanisms whereby structural variation can be rapidly generated. Transposable elements, high mutation and recombination rates as well as incorrect chromosome segregation during mitosis and meiosis contribute to extensive variation observed in many species. We here summarize key findings in the field of fungal pathogen genomics and we discuss methods to detect and characterize structural variants including an alignment-based pipeline to study variation in population genomic data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph J Eschenbrenner
- Environmental Genomics, Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Plön, Germany
| | - Alice Feurtey
- Environmental Genomics, Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Plön, Germany
| | - Eva H Stukenbrock
- Environmental Genomics, Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany.
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Plön, Germany.
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Lv Z, He Z, Hao L, Kang X, Ma B, Li H, Luo Y, Yuan J, He N. Genome Sequencing Analysis of Scleromitrula shiraiana, a Causal Agent of Mulberry Sclerotial Disease With Narrow Host Range. Front Microbiol 2021; 11:603927. [PMID: 33519746 PMCID: PMC7840784 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.603927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Scleromitrula shiraiana is a necrotrophic fungus with a narrow host range, and is one of the main causal pathogens of mulberry sclerotial disease. However, its molecular mechanisms and pathogenesis are unclear. Here, we report a 39.0 Mb high-quality genome sequence for S. shiraiana strain SX-001. The S. shiraiana genome contains 11,327 protein-coding genes. The number of genes and genome size of S. shiraiana are similar to most other Ascomycetes. The cross-similarities and differences of S. shiraiana with the closely related Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Botrytis cinerea indicated that S. shiraiana differentiated earlier from their common ancestor. A comparative genomic analysis showed that S. shiraiana has fewer genes encoding cell wall-degrading enzymes (CWDEs) and effector proteins than that of S. sclerotiorum and B. cinerea, as well as many other Ascomycetes. This is probably a key factor in the weaker aggressiveness of S. shiraiana to other plants. S. shiraiana has many species-specific genes encoding secondary metabolism core enzymes. The diversity of secondary metabolites may be related to the adaptation of these pathogens to specific ecological niches. However, melanin and oxalic acid are conserved metabolites among many Sclerotiniaceae fungi, and may be essential for survival and infection. Our results provide insights into the narrow host range of S. shiraiana and its adaptation to mulberries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyuan Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ziwen He
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lijuan Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xin Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Bi Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hongshun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yiwei Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jianglian Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ningjia He
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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Eitzen K, Sengupta P, Kroll S, Kemen E, Doehlemann G. A fungal member of the Arabidopsis thaliana phyllosphere antagonizes Albugo laibachii via a GH25 lysozyme. eLife 2021; 10:65306. [PMID: 33427195 PMCID: PMC7870139 DOI: 10.7554/elife.65306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Plants are not only challenged by pathogenic organisms but also colonized by commensal microbes. The network of interactions these microbes establish with their host and among each other is suggested to contribute to the immune responses of plants against pathogens. In wild Arabidopsis thaliana populations, the oomycete pathogen Albugo laibachii plays an influential role in structuring the leaf phyllosphere. We show that the epiphytic yeast Moesziomyces bullatus ex Albugo on Arabidopsis, a close relative of pathogenic smut fungi, is an antagonistic member of the A. thaliana phyllosphere, which reduces infection of A. thaliana by A. laibachii. Combination of transcriptomics, reverse genetics, and protein characterization identified a GH25 hydrolase with lysozyme activity as a major effector of this microbial antagonism. Our findings broaden the understanding of microbial interactions within the phyllosphere, provide insights into the evolution of epiphytic basidiomycete yeasts, and pave the way for novel biocontrol strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Eitzen
- Institute for Plant Sciences and Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS), University of Cologne, Center for Molecular Biosciences, Cologne, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Cologne, Germany
| | - Priyamedha Sengupta
- Institute for Plant Sciences and Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS), University of Cologne, Center for Molecular Biosciences, Cologne, Germany
| | - Samuel Kroll
- Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Cologne, Germany
| | - Eric Kemen
- Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Cologne, Germany.,Department of Microbial Interactions, IMIT/ZMBP, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Gunther Doehlemann
- Institute for Plant Sciences and Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS), University of Cologne, Center for Molecular Biosciences, Cologne, Germany
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43
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Abstract
Pharmacological approaches have made a tremendous impact on the field of microbial secretion systems. This protocol describes the inhibition of Golgi-dependent secretion in Magnaporthe oryzae though brefeldin A (BFA) treatment. State-of-the-art live-cell imaging allows tracking secreted proteins in their secretion pathways. Here we applied this protocol for defining the secretion systems of two fluorescently labeled effectors, Bas4 (apoplastic) and Pwl2 (cytoplasmic). Secretion of Bas4 is clearly inhibited by brefeldin A (BFA), indicating its Golgi-dependent secretion pathway. By contrast, secretion of Pwl2 is BFA insensitive and follows a nonconventional secretion pathway that is Snare and Exocyst dependent. The protocol is suitable to other plant-microbial systems and in vitro secreted microbial proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ely Oliveira-Garcia
- Department of Plant Pathology and Crop Physiology, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
| | - Barbara Valent
- Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
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44
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Ludwig N, Reissmann S, Schipper K, Gonzalez C, Assmann D, Glatter T, Moretti M, Ma LS, Rexer KH, Snetselaar K, Kahmann R. A cell surface-exposed protein complex with an essential virulence function in Ustilago maydis. Nat Microbiol 2021; 6:722-730. [PMID: 33941900 PMCID: PMC8159752 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-021-00896-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Plant pathogenic fungi colonizing living plant tissue secrete a cocktail of effector proteins to suppress plant immunity and reprogramme host cells. Although many of these effectors function inside host cells, delivery systems used by pathogenic bacteria to translocate effectors into host cells have not been detected in fungi. Here, we show that five unrelated effectors and two membrane proteins from Ustilago maydis, a biotrophic fungus causing smut disease in corn, form a stable protein complex. All seven genes appear co-regulated and are only expressed during colonization. Single mutants arrest in the epidermal layer, fail to suppress host defence responses and fail to induce non-host resistance, two reactions that likely depend on translocated effectors. The complex is anchored in the fungal membrane, protrudes into host cells and likely contacts channel-forming plant plasma membrane proteins. Constitutive expression of all seven complex members resulted in a surface-exposed form in cultured U. maydis cells. As orthologues of the complex-forming proteins are conserved in smut fungi, the complex may become an interesting fungicide target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Ludwig
- grid.419554.80000 0004 0491 8361Department of Organismic Interactions, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Reissmann
- grid.419554.80000 0004 0491 8361Department of Organismic Interactions, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Kerstin Schipper
- grid.419554.80000 0004 0491 8361Department of Organismic Interactions, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany ,grid.411327.20000 0001 2176 9917Present Address: Institut für Mikrobiologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Carla Gonzalez
- grid.419554.80000 0004 0491 8361Department of Organismic Interactions, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Daniela Assmann
- grid.419554.80000 0004 0491 8361Department of Organismic Interactions, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Timo Glatter
- grid.419554.80000 0004 0491 8361Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Marino Moretti
- grid.419554.80000 0004 0491 8361Department of Organismic Interactions, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Lay-Sun Ma
- grid.419554.80000 0004 0491 8361Department of Organismic Interactions, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany ,grid.28665.3f0000 0001 2287 1366Present Address: Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Karl-Heinz Rexer
- grid.10253.350000 0004 1936 9756Department of Evolutionary Ecology of Plants, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Karen Snetselaar
- grid.262952.80000 0001 0699 5924Department of Biology, Saint Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Regine Kahmann
- grid.419554.80000 0004 0491 8361Department of Organismic Interactions, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
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45
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Zhu P, Kou M, Liu C, Zhang S, Lü R, Xia Z, Yu M, Zhao A. Genome Sequencing of Ciboria shiraiana Provides Insights into the Pathogenic Mechanisms of Hypertrophy Sorosis Scleroteniosis. MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS : MPMI 2021; 34:62-74. [PMID: 33021883 DOI: 10.1094/mpmi-07-20-0201-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Ciboria shiraiana causes hypertrophy sorosis scleroteniosis in mulberry trees, resulting in huge economic losses, and exploring its pathogenic mechanism at a genomic level is important for developing new control methods. Here, genome sequencing of C. shiraiana based on PacBio RSII and Illumina HiSeq 2500 platform as well as manual gap filling was performed. Synteny analysis with Sclerotinia sclerotiorum revealed 16 putative chromosomes corresponding to 16 chromosomes of C. shiraiana. Screening of rapid-evolution genes revealed that 97 and 2.4% of genes had undergone purifying selection and positive selection, respectively. When compared with S. sclerotiorum, fewer secreted effector proteins were found in C. shiraiana. The number of genes involved in pathogenicity, including secondary metabolites, carbohydrate active enzymes, and P450s, in the C. shiraiana genome was comparable with that of other necrotrophs but higher than that of biotrophs and saprotrophs. The growth-related genes and plant cell-wall-degradation-related genes in C. shiraiana were expressed in different developmental and infection stages, and may be potential targets for prevention and control of this pathogen. These results provide new insights into C. shiraiana pathogenic mechanisms, especially host range and necrotrophy features, and lay the foundation for further study of the underlying molecular mechanisms.[Formula: see text] The author(s) have dedicated the work to the public domain under the Creative Commons CC0 "No Rights Reserved" license by waiving all of his or her rights to the work worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panpan Zhu
- The State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Min Kou
- The State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Changying Liu
- The State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shuai Zhang
- The State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ruihua Lü
- The State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- College of Medical Technology, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Zhongqiang Xia
- The State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Maode Yu
- The State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Aichun Zhao
- The State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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46
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Depotter JRL, Zuo W, Hansen M, Zhang B, Xu M, Doehlemann G. Effectors with Different Gears: Divergence of Ustilago maydis Effector Genes Is Associated with Their Temporal Expression Pattern during Plant Infection. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 7:16. [PMID: 33383948 PMCID: PMC7823823 DOI: 10.3390/jof7010016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Plant pathogens secrete a variety of effector proteins that enable host colonization but are also typical pathogen detection targets for the host immune system. Consequently, effector genes encounter high selection pressures, which typically makes them fast evolving. The corn smut pathogen Ustilago maydis has an effector gene repertoire with a dynamic expression across the different disease stages. We determined the amino acid divergence of U. maydis effector candidates with Sporisorium reilianum orthologs, a close relative of U. maydis. Intriguingly, there are two distinct groups of effector candidates, ones with a respective conserved and diverged protein evolution. Conservatively evolving effector genes especially have their peak expression during the (pre-)penetration stages of the disease cycle. In contrast, expression of divergently evolving effector genes generally peaks during fungal proliferation within the host. To test if this interspecific effector diversity corresponds to intraspecific diversity, we sampled and sequenced a diverse collection of U. maydis strains from the most important maize breeding and production regions in China. Effector candidates with a diverged interspecific evolution had more intraspecific amino acid variation than candidates with a conserved evolution. In conclusion, we highlight diversity in evolution within the U. maydis effector repertoire with dynamically and conservatively evolving members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasper R. L. Depotter
- Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Cologne, CEPLAS, D-50674 Cologne, Germany; (J.R.L.D.); (W.Z.); (M.H.)
| | - Weiliang Zuo
- Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Cologne, CEPLAS, D-50674 Cologne, Germany; (J.R.L.D.); (W.Z.); (M.H.)
| | - Maike Hansen
- Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Cologne, CEPLAS, D-50674 Cologne, Germany; (J.R.L.D.); (W.Z.); (M.H.)
| | - Boqi Zhang
- National Maize Improvement Centre of China, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (B.Z.); (M.X.)
| | - Mingliang Xu
- National Maize Improvement Centre of China, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (B.Z.); (M.X.)
| | - Gunther Doehlemann
- Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Cologne, CEPLAS, D-50674 Cologne, Germany; (J.R.L.D.); (W.Z.); (M.H.)
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47
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Understanding Ustilago maydis Infection of Multiple Maize Organs. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 7:jof7010008. [PMID: 33375485 PMCID: PMC7823922 DOI: 10.3390/jof7010008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Ustilago maydis is a smut fungus that infects all aerial maize organs, namely, seedling leaves, tassels, and ears. In all organs, tumors are formed by inducing hypertrophy and hyperplasia in actively dividing cells; however, the vast differences in cell types and developmental stages for different parts of the plant requires that U. maydis have both general and organ-specific strategies for infecting maize. In this review, we summarize how the maize–U. maydis interaction can be studied using mutant U. maydis strains to better understand how individual effectors contribute to this interaction, either through general or specific expression in a cell type, tissue, or organ. We also examine how male sterile maize mutants that do not support tumor formation can be used to explore key features of the maize anthers that are required for successful infection. Finally, we discuss key unanswered questions about the maize–U. maydis interaction and how new technologies can potentially be used to answer them.
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48
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Kijpornyongpan T, Aime MC. Investigating the Smuts: Common Cues, Signaling Pathways, and the Role of MAT in Dimorphic Switching and Pathogenesis. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:jof6040368. [PMID: 33339287 PMCID: PMC7766764 DOI: 10.3390/jof6040368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The corn smut fungus Ustilago maydis serves as a model species for studying fungal dimorphism and its role in phytopathogenic development. The pathogen has two growth phases: a saprobic yeast phase and a pathogenic filamentous phase. Dimorphic transition of U. maydis involves complex processes of signal perception, mating, and cellular reprogramming. Recent advances in improvement of reference genomes, high-throughput sequencing and molecular genetics studies have been expanding research in this field. However, the biology of other non-model species is frequently overlooked. This leads to uncertainty regarding how much of what is known in U. maydis is applicable to other dimorphic fungi. In this review, we will discuss dimorphic fungi in the aspects of physiology, reproductive biology, genomics, and molecular genetics. We also perform comparative analyses between U. maydis and other fungi in Ustilaginomycotina, the subphylum to which U. maydis belongs. We find that lipid/hydrophobicity is a potential common cue for dimorphic transition in plant-associated dimorphic fungi. However, genomic profiles alone are not adequate to explain dimorphism across different fungi.
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49
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Dutheil JY, Münch K, Schotanus K, Stukenbrock EH, Kahmann R. The insertion of a mitochondrial selfish element into the nuclear genome and its consequences. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:11117-11132. [PMID: 33144953 PMCID: PMC7593156 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Homing endonucleases (HE) are enzymes capable of cutting DNA at highly specific target sequences, the repair of the generated double-strand break resulting in the insertion of the HE-encoding gene ("homing" mechanism). HEs are present in all three domains of life and viruses; in eukaryotes, they are mostly found in the genomes of mitochondria and chloroplasts, as well as nuclear ribosomal RNAs. We here report the case of a HE that accidentally integrated into a telomeric region of the nuclear genome of the fungal maize pathogen Ustilago maydis. We show that the gene has a mitochondrial origin, but its original copy is absent from the U. maydis mitochondrial genome, suggesting a subsequent loss or a horizontal transfer from a different species. The telomeric HE underwent mutations in its active site and lost its original start codon. A potential other start codon was retained downstream, but we did not detect any significant transcription of the newly created open reading frame, suggesting that the inserted gene is not functional. Besides, the insertion site is located in a putative RecQ helicase gene, truncating the C-terminal domain of the protein. The truncated helicase is expressed during infection of the host, together with other homologous telomeric helicases. This unusual mutational event altered two genes: The integrated HE gene subsequently lost its homing activity, while its insertion created a truncated version of an existing gene, possibly altering its function. As the insertion is absent in other field isolates, suggesting that it is recent, the U. maydis 521 reference strain offers a snapshot of this singular mutational event.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Y. Dutheil
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary BiologyPlönGermany
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial MicrobiologyMarburgGermany
- Institute of Evolutionary SciencesCNRS – University of Montpellier – IRD – EPHEMontpellierFrance
| | - Karin Münch
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial MicrobiologyMarburgGermany
| | - Klaas Schotanus
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial MicrobiologyMarburgGermany
- Christian Albrechts University of KielKielGermany
- Present address:
Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology (MGM)Duke University Medical CenterDurhamNCUSA
| | - Eva H. Stukenbrock
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary BiologyPlönGermany
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial MicrobiologyMarburgGermany
- Christian Albrechts University of KielKielGermany
| | - Regine Kahmann
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial MicrobiologyMarburgGermany
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50
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Kanja C, Hammond‐Kosack KE. Proteinaceous effector discovery and characterization in filamentous plant pathogens. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2020; 21:1353-1376. [PMID: 32767620 PMCID: PMC7488470 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.12980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/05/2020] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The complicated interplay of plant-pathogen interactions occurs on multiple levels as pathogens evolve to constantly evade the immune responses of their hosts. Many economically important crops fall victim to filamentous pathogens that produce small proteins called effectors to manipulate the host and aid infection/colonization. Understanding the effector repertoires of pathogens is facilitating an increased understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying virulence as well as guiding the development of disease control strategies. The purpose of this review is to give a chronological perspective on the evolution of the methodologies used in effector discovery from physical isolation and in silico predictions, to functional characterization of the effectors of filamentous plant pathogens and identification of their host targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Kanja
- Department of Biointeractions and Crop ProtectionRothamsted ResearchHarpendenUK
- School of BiosciencesUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamUK
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