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Lohmar JM, Rhoades NA, Patel TN, Proctor RH, Hammond TM, Brown DW. A-to-I mRNA editing controls spore death induced by a fungal meiotic drive gene in homologous and heterologous expression systems. Genetics 2022; 221:6528853. [PMID: 35166849 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyac029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Spore killers are meiotic drive elements that can block development of sexual spores in fungi. In the maize ear rot and mycotoxin-producing fungus Fusarium verticillioides, a spore killer called SkK has been mapped to a 102-kb interval of chromosome V. Here, we show that a gene within this interval, SKC1, is required for SkK-mediated spore killing and meiotic drive. We also demonstrate that SKC1 is associated with at least four transcripts, two sense (sense-SKC1a and sense-SKC1b) and two antisense (antisense-SKC1a and antisense-SKC1b). Both antisense SKC1 transcripts lack obvious protein-coding sequences and thus appear to be non-coding RNAs. In contrast, sense-SKC1a is a protein-coding transcript that undergoes A-to-I editing to sense-SKC1b in sexual tissue. Translation of sense-SKC1a produces a 70 amino acid protein (Skc1a), whereas translation of sense-SKC1b produces an 84 amino acid protein (Skc1b). Heterologous expression analysis of SKC1 transcripts shows that sense-SKC1a also undergoes A-to-I editing to sense-SKC1b during the Neurospora crassa sexual cycle. Site directed mutagenesis studies indicate that Skc1b is responsible for spore killing in F. verticillioides and that it induces most meiotic cells to die in N. crassa. Finally, we report that SKC1 homologs are present in over 20 Fusarium species. Overall, our results demonstrate that fungal meiotic drive elements like SKC1 can influence the outcome of meiosis by hijacking a cell's A-to-I editing machinery and that the involvement of A-to-I editing in a fungal meiotic drive system does not preclude its horizontal transfer to a distantly related species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica M Lohmar
- USDA, Agricultural Research Service, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Mycotoxin Prevention and Applied Microbiology Unit, 1815 N. University St., Peoria, Illinois, 61604, USA
| | - Nicholas A Rhoades
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois, 61790, USA
| | - Tejas N Patel
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois, 61790, USA
| | - Robert H Proctor
- USDA, Agricultural Research Service, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Mycotoxin Prevention and Applied Microbiology Unit, 1815 N. University St., Peoria, Illinois, 61604, USA
| | - Thomas M Hammond
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois, 61790, USA
| | - Daren W Brown
- USDA, Agricultural Research Service, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Mycotoxin Prevention and Applied Microbiology Unit, 1815 N. University St., Peoria, Illinois, 61604, USA
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Li FJ, Komura R, Nakashima C, Shimizu M, Kageyama K, Suga H. Molecular Diagnosis of Thiophanate-Methyl-Resistant Strains of Fusarium fujikuroi in Japan. PLANT DISEASE 2022; 106:634-640. [PMID: 34494869 DOI: 10.1094/pdis-07-21-1501-re] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Fusarium fujikuroi is the pathogen of rice bakanae disease and is subclassified into gibberellin and fumonisin groups (G and F groups). Thiophanate-methyl (TM), a benzimidazole fungicide, has been used extensively to control F. fujikuroi. Previous investigation showed that F-group strains are TM sensitive (TMS), whereas most G-group strains are TM resistant (TMR) in Japan. The minimum inhibitory concentration in TMS strains was 1 to 10 μg ml-1, whereas that in TMR strains was >100 μg ml-1. E198K and F200Y mutations in β2-tubulin were detected in TMR strains. A loop-mediated isothermal amplification-fluorescent loop primer method was developed for diagnosis of these mutations and applied to 37 TMR strains and 56 TMS strains. The results indicated that 100% of TMR strains were identified as having either the E198K mutation (41%) or the F200Y mutation (59%), whereas none of the TMS strains tested showed either mutation. We found one remarkable TMR strain in the F group that had an F200Y mutation. These results suggest that E198K and F200Y mutations in β2-tubulin contribute to TM resistance in F. fujikuroi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Jing Li
- United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1193, Japan
| | - Ryoji Komura
- Graduate School of Bioresources, Mie University, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
| | - Chiharu Nakashima
- Graduate School of Bioresources, Mie University, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
| | - Masafumi Shimizu
- Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1193, Japan
| | - Koji Kageyama
- River Basin Research Center, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1193, Japan
| | - Haruhisa Suga
- Institute for Glyco-core Research (iGCORE), Gifu University, Gifu, 501-1193, Japan
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van Wyk S, Wingfield BD, De Vos L, van der Merwe NA, Santana QC, Steenkamp ET. Repeat-Induced Point Mutations Drive Divergence between Fusarium circinatum and Its Close Relatives. Pathogens 2019; 8:pathogens8040298. [PMID: 31847413 PMCID: PMC6963459 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens8040298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The Repeat-Induced Point (RIP) mutation pathway is a fungal-specific genome defense mechanism that counteracts the deleterious effects of transposable elements. This pathway permanently mutates its target sequences by introducing cytosine to thymine transitions. We investigated the genome-wide occurrence of RIP in the pitch canker pathogen, Fusarium circinatum, and its close relatives in the Fusarium fujikuroi species complex (FFSC). Our results showed that the examined fungi all exhibited hallmarks of RIP, but that they differed in terms of the extent to which their genomes were affected by this pathway. RIP mutations constituted a large proportion of all the FFSC genomes, including both core and dispensable chromosomes, although the latter were generally more extensively affected by RIP. Large RIP-affected genomic regions were also much more gene sparse than the rest of the genome. Our data further showed that RIP-directed sequence diversification increased the variability between homologous regions of related species, and that RIP-affected regions can interfere with homologous recombination during meiosis, thereby contributing to post-mating segregation distortion. Taken together, these findings suggest that RIP can drive the independent divergence of chromosomes, alter chromosome architecture, and contribute to the divergence among F. circinatum and other members of this economically important group of fungi.
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Yan K, Dickman MB, Xu JR, Leslie JF. Sensitivity of Field Strains ofGibberella Fujikuroi (FusariumSectionLiseola) to Benomyl and Hygromycin B. Mycologia 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/00275514.1992.12026269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Keying Yan
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska 68583-0722
| | - Martin B. Dickman
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska 68583-0722
| | - Jin-Rong Xu
- Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506-5502
| | - John F. Leslie
- Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506-5502
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Bashyal BM, Rawat K, Sharma S, Kulshreshtha D, Gopala Krishnan S, Singh AK, Dubey H, Solanke AU, Sharma TR, Aggarwal R. Whole Genome Sequencing of Fusarium fujikuroi Provides Insight into the Role of Secretory Proteins and Cell Wall Degrading Enzymes in Causing Bakanae Disease of Rice. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2017; 8:2013. [PMID: 29230233 PMCID: PMC5711826 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2017.02013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Fusarium fujikuroi causing bakanae disease has emerged as one of the major pathogen of rice across the world. The study aims to comparative genomic analysis of Fusarium fujikuroi isolates and identification of the secretary proteins of the fungus involved in rice pathogenesis. In the present study, F. fujikuroi isolate "F250" was sequenced with an assembly size of 42.47 Mb providing coverage of 96.89% on reference IMI58289 genome. A total of 13,603 protein-coding genes were predicted from genome assembly. The average gene density in the F. fujikuroi genome was 315.10 genes per Mb with an average gene length of 1.67 kb. Additionally, 134,374 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are identified against IMI58289 isolate, with an average SNP density of 3.11 per kb of genome. Repetitive elements represent approximately 270,550 bp, which is 0.63% of the total genome. In total, 3,109 simple sequence repeats (SSRs), including 302 compound SSRs are identified in the 8,656 scaffolds. Comparative analysis of the isolates of F. fujikuroi revealed that they shared a total of 12,240 common clusters with F250 showing higher similarity with IMI58289. A total of 1,194 secretory proteins were identified in its genome among which there were 356 genes encoding carbohydrate active enzymes (CAZymes) capable for degradation of complex polysaccharides. Out of them glycoside hydrolase (GH) families were most prevalent (41%) followed by carbohydrate esterase (CE). Out of them CE8 (4 genes), PL1 (10 genes), PL3 (5 genes), and GH28 (8 genes) were prominent plant cell wall degrading enzymes families in F250 secretome. Besides this, 585 genes essential for the pathogen-host interactions were also identified. Selected genes were validated through quantitative real-time PCR analyses in resistant and susceptible genotypes of rice at different days of inoculation. The data offers a better understanding of F. fujikuroi genome and will help us enhance our knowledge on Fusarium fujikuroi-rice interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bishnu M. Bashyal
- Division of Plant Pathology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
- *Correspondence: Bishnu M. Bashyal,
| | - Kirti Rawat
- Division of Plant Pathology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - Sapna Sharma
- Division of Plant Pathology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - Deepika Kulshreshtha
- Division of Plant Pathology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - S. Gopala Krishnan
- Division of Genetics, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - Ashok K. Singh
- Division of Genetics, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - Himanshu Dubey
- ICAR-National Research Centre on Plant Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
| | | | - T. R. Sharma
- ICAR-National Research Centre on Plant Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
| | - Rashmi Aggarwal
- Division of Plant Pathology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
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Chiara M, Fanelli F, Mulè G, Logrieco AF, Pesole G, Leslie JF, Horner DS, Toomajian C. Genome Sequencing of Multiple Isolates Highlights Subtelomeric Genomic Diversity within Fusarium fujikuroi. Genome Biol Evol 2015; 7:3062-9. [PMID: 26475319 PMCID: PMC5635591 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evv198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Comparisons of draft genome sequences of three geographically distinct isolates of Fusarium fujikuroi with two recently published genome sequences from the same species suggest diverse profiles of secondary metabolite production within F. fujikuroi. Species- and lineage-specific genes, many of which appear to exhibit expression profiles that are consistent with roles in host–pathogen interactions and adaptation to environmental changes, are concentrated in subtelomeric regions. These genomic compartments also exhibit distinct gene densities and compositional characteristics with respect to other genomic partitions, and likely play a role in the generation of molecular diversity. Our data provide additional evidence that gene duplication, divergence, and differential loss play important roles in F. fujikuroi genome evolution and suggest that hundreds of lineage-specific genes might have been acquired through horizontal gene transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Chiara
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Italy Institute of Biomembranes and Bioenergetics, National Research Council, Bari, Italy
| | - Francesca Fanelli
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production, National Research Council, Bari, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Mulè
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production, National Research Council, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio F Logrieco
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production, National Research Council, Bari, Italy
| | - Graziano Pesole
- Institute of Biomembranes and Bioenergetics, National Research Council, Bari, Italy Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Italy National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems (INBB), Rome, Italy Center of Excellence in Comparative Genomics, University of Bari, Italy
| | - John F Leslie
- Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, Manhattan
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The perennial ryegrass endophyte Neotyphodium lolii genetically transformed with the green fluorescent protein gene (gfp) and visualization in the host plant. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2001. [DOI: 10.1017/s0953756201004075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Freeman S, Maimon M, Pinkas Y. Use of GUS Transformants of Fusarium subglutinans for Determining Etiology of Mango Malformation Disease. PHYTOPATHOLOGY 1999; 89:456-461. [PMID: 18944716 DOI: 10.1094/phyto.1999.89.6.456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Fusarium subglutinans has been associated with mango floral and vegetative malformation, although confusion exists regarding the etiology of the disease. A wild-type isolate of F. subglutinans causing mango malformation disease was transformed with the GUS (beta-glucuronidase) reporter and hygromycin resistance genes. Five stable transformants were isolated containing varying copy numbers at different integration sites. Specific GUS activity was quantified for the transformants, whereas no activity was recorded for the wild-type isolate. The transformants and the wild-type isolate were inoculated into healthy mango floral and vegetative buds. Typical symptoms of misshapen shoots with short internodes, stubby leaves, and bunchy, malformed inflorescences were observed 6 to 8 weeks following inoculation. The presence of GUS-stained mycelium of the pathogen viewed microscopically within infected plant organs provided unequivocal evidence that F. subglutinans is indeed a causal agent of mango malformation disease.
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10
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Abstract
ABSTRACT We developed a method for inducing sexual outcrosses in the homothallic Ascomycete fungus Gibberella zeae (anamorph: Fusarium graminearum). Strains were marked with different nitrate nonutilizing (nit) mutations, and vegetative compatibility groups served as additional markers in some crosses. Strains with complementary nit mutations were cocultured on carrot agar plates. Ascospores from individual perithecia were plated on a minimal medium (MM) containing nitrate as the sole nitrogen source. Crosses between different nit mutants segregated in expected ratios (3:1 nit(-):nit(+)) from heterozygous perithecia. Analysis of vegetative compatibility groups of progeny of two crosses indicated two and three vegetative incompatibility (vic) genes segregating, respectively. For rapid testing of sexual recombination between nit mutants, perithecia were inverted over MM to deposit actively discharged ascospores. Development of proto-trophic wild-type colonies was taken as evidence of sexual recombination. Strains of G. zeae group 2 from Japan, Nepal, and South Africa, and from Indiana, Kansas, and Ohio in the United States were sexually interfertile. Four group 1 strains were not interfertile among themselves or with seven group 2 strains. Attempts to cross G. zeae with representatives of F. acuminatum, F. avenaceum, F. culmorum, F. crookwellense, F. oxysporum, and three mating populations of G. fujikuroi were not successful.
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11
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Avalos J, Fernández-Martín R, Prado MM, Cerdá-Olmedo E. Gibberellin biosynthesis inGibberella. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1999. [DOI: 10.1080/12538078.1999.10515801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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12
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Enkerli J, Bhatt G, Covert SF. Nht1, a transposable element cloned from a dispensable chromosome in Nectria haematococca. MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS : MPMI 1997; 10:742-9. [PMID: 9245836 DOI: 10.1094/mpmi.1997.10.6.742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Certain isolates of the plant-pathogenic fungus Nectria haematococca mating population VI (MPVI) contain dispensable chromosomes that are unstable during sexual reproduction. Several of these chromosomes carry genes for phytoalexin detoxification and thus contribute to the pathogenic potential of this organism. A repeated DNA sequence, Nht1, was cloned from one of these dispensable chromosomes in N. haematococca MPVI. One copy of the repeated element (Nht1A) was completely sequenced. It is 2,198 bp long and it possesses incomplete inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) at each end. Nht1B, a partially sequenced copy of Nht1, has complete ITRs. Nht1A appears to contain 2 introns and encodes a protein of 550 amino acids that is highly similar to the protein encoded by the Fusarium oxysporum transposon, Fot1. Due to the presence of ITRs, its repeated nature, and its similarity to Fot1, we conclude that Nht1 is a transposable element. Within North American N. Haematococca MPVI populations, Nht1 is distributed discontinuously. Its copy number in different field isolates varies from zero to approximately 100 copies per genome. The Nht1A source isolate is estimated to contain nine to 11 copies of Nht1; at least six are on the chromosome from which Nht1A was cloned.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Enkerli
- Department of Botany, University of Georgia, Athens 30602, USA
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MIGHELI Q, FRIARD O, TEDESCO DDEL, MUSSO MR, GULLINO ML. Stability of transformed antagonistic Fusarium oxysporum strains in vitro and in soil microcosms. Mol Ecol 1996. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-294x.1996.tb00359.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Cerdá-Olmedo E, Fernández-Martín R, Avalos J. Genetics and gibberellin production in Gibberella fujikuroi. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek 1994; 65:217-25. [PMID: 7847889 DOI: 10.1007/bf00871950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Gibberella fujikuroi (Fusarium moniliforme) is a complex group of plant pathogens. Some strains produce gibberellic acid and other gibberellins that promote growth and regulate various stages in plant development. The paper describes the research effort directed to development of genetic tools for this species. Furthermore the main features of the gibberellin biosynthetic pathway as established in Gibberella are described.
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Abstract
The plethora of natural organic chemicals contrasts with the relative scarcity of genes and the apparent difficulty to evolve new ones. The genetical analysis of metabolism may be reviewed with this paradox in mind. The terpenoids constitute a particularly varied group of natural compounds; many of them are dispensable to the cell and their biosynthesis is amenable to mutational analysis and other genetical and chemical methods. The production of carotene and gibberellins by the fungi Phycomyces blakesleeanus and Gibberella fujikuroi, respectively, seems to require an unexpectedly small number of genes. A number of gene-saving devices are detected that may have general validity for other cases of secondary metabolism. The most important one is versatile genes whose products are specific for a chemical reaction but not for the substrate. This versatility allows a combinatorial use that increases chemical and behavioral diversity. Physical separation of cellular functions in compartments or enzyme aggregates not only makes processes more efficient but helps avoid some deleterious consequences of enzyme versatility.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Cerdá-Olmedo
- Departamento de Genética, Universidad de Sevilla, España
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16
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Pilgeram AL, Goins T, Henson JM. The fate of integrated DNA inGaeumannomyces graministransformants. FEMS Microbiol Lett 1993. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1993.tb06532.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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Brückner B, Unkles SE, Weltring K, Kinghorn JR. Transformation of Gibberella fujikuroi: effect of the Aspergillus nidulans AMA1 sequence on frequency and integration. Curr Genet 1992; 22:313-6. [PMID: 1327547 DOI: 10.1007/bf00317927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
A stable and reproducible transformation selection system for Gibberella fujikuroi protoplasts based on the Aspergillus nidulans arg B gene, encoding ornithine transcarbamylase, has been developed. Inclusion into the vector of the A. nidulans DNA fragment (AMA1), which permits plasmid autonomous replication in A. nidulans, A. niger and A. oryzae, appeared to permit autonomous replication of G. fujikuroi although the transformation frequency was increased by only two-fold. Transformation was also achieved using the bacterial hygromycin B resistance gene under the control of G. pulicaris and A. nidulans promoters.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Brückner
- Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, Federal Republic of Germany
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Desjardins AE, Plattner RD, Shackelford DD, Leslie JF, Nelson PE. Heritability of fumonisin B1 production in Gibberella fujikuroi mating population A. Appl Environ Microbiol 1992; 58:2799-805. [PMID: 1444389 PMCID: PMC183010 DOI: 10.1128/aem.58.9.2799-2805.1992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Fumonisins are mycotoxins produced by strains belonging to several different mating populations of Gibberella fujikuroi (anamorphs, Fusarium section Liseola), a major pathogen of maize and sorghum worldwide. We studied the heritability of fumonisin production in mating population A by crossing fumonisin-producing strains collected from maize and sorghum in the United States with fumonisin-nonproducing strains collected from maize in Nepal. Random ascospore and tetrad progeny from three of these crosses were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography for their ability to produce fumonisins on autoclaved cracked maize. In all three crosses, the ability to produce fumonisins, predominately fumonisin B1, segregated as a single gene or group of closely linked genes. Intercrosses between appropriate progeny and parents were poorly fertile, so we could not determine if the apparent single genes that were segregating in each of these crosses were allelic with one another. Mating type and spore-killer traits were scored in some crosses, and each segregated, as expected, as a single gene that was unlinked to the ability to produce fumonisins. We conclude that G. fujikuroi mating population A provides a powerful genetic system for the study of this important fungal toxin.
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Affiliation(s)
- A E Desjardins
- National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Peoria, Illinois 61604
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