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Zaccaron AZ, Stergiopoulos I. The dynamics of fungal genome organization and its impact on host adaptation and antifungal resistance. J Genet Genomics 2025; 52:628-640. [PMID: 39522682 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2024.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2024] [Revised: 10/15/2024] [Accepted: 10/21/2024] [Indexed: 11/16/2024]
Abstract
Fungi are a diverse kingdom characterized by remarkable genomic plasticity that facilitates pathogenicity and adaptation to adverse environmental conditions. In this review, we delve into the dynamic organization of fungal genomes and its implications for host adaptation and antifungal resistance. We examine key features and the heterogeneity of genomes across different fungal species, including but not limited to their chromosome content, DNA composition, distribution and arrangement of their content across chromosomes, and other major traits. We further highlight how this variability in genomic traits influences their virulence and adaptation to adverse conditions. Fungal genomes exhibit large variations in size, gene content, and structural features, such as the abundance of transposable elements (TEs), compartmentalization into gene-rich and TE-rich regions, and the presence or absence of dispensable chromosomes. Genomic structural variations are equally diverse in fungi, ranging from whole-chromosome duplications that may enhance tolerance to antifungal compounds, to targeted deletion of effector encoding genes that may promote virulence. Finally, the often-overlooked fungal mitochondrial genomes can also affect virulence and resistance to fungicides. Such and other features of fungal genome organization are reviewed and discussed in the context of host-microbe interactions and antifungal resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Z Zaccaron
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California Davis (UCD), Davis, CA, USA; Integrative Genetics and Genomics Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Ioannis Stergiopoulos
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California Davis (UCD), Davis, CA, USA.
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2
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Luo J, Bian J, Murillo M, Hau PT, Feng Y, Chau ECT, Yan Y, Ng LC, Parsha ASK, Siu GKH, Chow FWN, Xiong Q. High-quality genome assembly and comparative analysis reveal extensive genomic variation in Talaromyces marneffei. Microb Genom 2025; 11:001400. [PMID: 40294122 PMCID: PMC12037069 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.001400] [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: 10/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2025] [Indexed: 04/30/2025] Open
Abstract
Talaromyces marneffei is a dimorphic fungus that transitions from a filamentous form at 25 °C to a pathogenic yeast form at 37 °C, demonstrating pathogenicity mostly in immunocompromised individuals, such as those with human immunodeficiency virus/AIDS. Though it is one of the most severe infectious fungi in Southeast Asia, the lack of comprehensive genomic analysis has hindered advancement in strain differentiation, diagnosis and treatment. In this study, we assembled a high-quality genome of T. marneffei ATCC 18224, resulting in a 28.9 Mb genome distributed across 11 contigs, using third-generation Oxford Nanopore Technologies sequencing reads. Notably, we identified a strain-specific 740-kb segmental duplication in strain ATCC 18224, potentially mediated by inserting a Ty1/Copia long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposon. This segmental duplication includes various functional genes, with 75 differentially expressed during its dimorphic transition. Comparative genomic analysis revealed large-scale rearrangements in strains PM1 and 11CN-20-091, which were inconsistent with the phylogenomic trees of six T. marneffei strains and required further investigation. Additionally, we observed substantial genetic structural variations in LTR retrotransposons, particularly within the Ty1/Copia family, including two significant recent expansions in strain ATCC 18224. In summary, the identification and characterization of these extensive genomic structural variations in T. marneffei contribute to a deep understanding of its genetic diversity and will facilitate improvements in genotyping, classification and genomic surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinxia Luo
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, Faculty of Health and Social Science, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, PR China
| | - Jingyuan Bian
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, Faculty of Health and Social Science, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, PR China
| | - Michaela Murillo
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, Faculty of Health and Social Science, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, PR China
| | - Pak-Ting Hau
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, Faculty of Health and Social Science, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, PR China
| | - Yi Feng
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, Faculty of Health and Social Science, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, PR China
| | - Eddie Chung-Ting Chau
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, Faculty of Health and Social Science, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, PR China
| | - Yuyao Yan
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, Faculty of Health and Social Science, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, PR China
| | - Laam-Ching Ng
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, Faculty of Health and Social Science, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, PR China
| | - Ayesha S. K. Parsha
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, Faculty of Health and Social Science, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, PR China
| | - Gilman Kit-Hang Siu
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, Faculty of Health and Social Science, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, PR China
| | - Franklin Wang-Ngai Chow
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, Faculty of Health and Social Science, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, PR China
| | - Qing Xiong
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, Faculty of Health and Social Science, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, PR China
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Fagundes WC, Huang YS, Häußler S, Langner T. From Lesions to Lessons: Two Decades of Filamentous Plant Pathogen Genomics. MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS : MPMI 2025; 38:187-205. [PMID: 39813026 DOI: 10.1094/mpmi-09-24-0115-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: 01/16/2025]
Abstract
Many filamentous microorganisms, such as fungi and oomycetes, have evolved the ability to colonize plants and cause devastating crop diseases. Coevolutionary conflicts with their hosts have shaped the genomes of these plant pathogens. Over the past 20 years, genomics and genomics-enabled technologies have revealed remarkable diversity in genome size, architecture, and gene regulatory mechanisms. Technical and conceptual advances continue to provide novel insights into evolutionary dynamics, diversification of distinct genomic compartments, and facilitated molecular disease diagnostics. In this review, we discuss how genomics has advanced our understanding of genome organization and plant-pathogen coevolution and provide a perspective on future developments in the field. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2025 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY 4.0 International license.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yu-Seng Huang
- Max-Planck-Institute for Biology, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sophia Häußler
- Max-Planck-Institute for Biology, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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Dvorak E, Mazet ID, Couture C, Delmotte F, Foulongne-Oriol M. Recombination landscape and karyotypic variations revealed by linkage mapping in the grapevine downy mildew pathogen Plasmopara viticola. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2025; 15:jkae259. [PMID: 39613312 PMCID: PMC11979753 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkae259] [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: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 10/11/2024] [Indexed: 12/01/2024]
Abstract
Plasmopara viticola, the causal agent of grapevine downy mildew, is a biotrophic oomycete engaged in a tight coevolutionary relationship with its host. Rapid adaptation of the pathogen is favored by annual sexual reproduction that generates genotypic diversity. With the aim of studying the recombination landscape across the P. viticola genome, we generated 2 half-sibling F1 progenies (N = 189 and 162). Using targeted SNP sequencing, between 1,405 and 1,894 markers were included in parental linkage maps, and a consensus map was obtained by integrating 4,509 markers. The reference genome could be assembled into 17 pseudochromosomes, anchoring 88% of its physical length. We observed a strong collinearity between parental genomes and extensive synteny with the downy mildew Peronospora effusa. In the consensus map, the median recombination rate was 13.8 cM/Mb. The local recombination rate was highly variable along chromosomes, and recombination was suppressed in putative centromeric regions. Recombination rate was found negatively correlated with repeats' coverage and positively correlated with gene coverage. However, genes encoding secreted proteins and putative effectors were underrepresented in highly recombining regions. In both progenies, about 5% of the individuals presented karyotypic anomalies. Aneuploidies and triploidies almost exclusively originated from the male-transmitted chromosomes. Triploids resulted from fertilization by diploid gametes, but also from dispermy. Obligatory sexual reproduction each year may explain the lower level of karyotypic variation in P. viticola compared to other oomycetes. The linkage maps will be useful to guide future de novo chromosome-scale assemblies of P. viticola genomes and to perform forward genetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Etienne Dvorak
- SAVE, INRAE, Bordeaux Sciences Agro, ISVV, Villenave d’Ornon F-33140, France
| | - Isabelle D Mazet
- SAVE, INRAE, Bordeaux Sciences Agro, ISVV, Villenave d’Ornon F-33140, France
| | - Carole Couture
- SAVE, INRAE, Bordeaux Sciences Agro, ISVV, Villenave d’Ornon F-33140, France
| | - François Delmotte
- SAVE, INRAE, Bordeaux Sciences Agro, ISVV, Villenave d’Ornon F-33140, France
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Sigova EA, Dvorianinova EM, Rozhmina TA, Kudryavtseva LP, Zhernova DA, Kaplun AM, Pavlova VA, Bodrov YV, Arkhipov AA, Borkhert EV, Pushkova EN, Melnikova NV, Dmitriev AA. Complete Annotated Genome Assembly of Flax Pathogen Colletotrichum lini. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:605. [PMID: 39330365 PMCID: PMC11432806 DOI: 10.3390/jof10090605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2024] [Revised: 08/23/2024] [Accepted: 08/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Colletotrichum lini is a fungal pathogen of flax that can cause significant yield and quality losses. In this work, we obtained the first complete annotated genome assembly of the highly virulent C. lini strain #394-2. The nuclear genome consisted of ten core and two accessory chromosomes and had a length of 53.7 Mb. The mitochondrial genome was 39.1 kb. The assembly was obtained by the Canu-Racon ×2-Medaka-Polca algorithm using Oxford Nanopore Technologies and Illumina data. As a result of the annotation with the Illumina RNA-Seq data, 12,449 genes were identified. Potential signaling proteins were tested for effector functions and 550 effector proteins were predicted using EffectorP. The visualization of the effector protein localization revealed that the presence of effector proteins was associated with repeat-rich regions. A comparison of the genomic structure of C. lini with chromosome-level and complete assemblies of the genus Colletotrichum representatives revealed that the genomes of Colletotrichum species differed by the presence of chromosomal rearrangements. The obtained assembly expands the knowledge of the genomic structure of Colletotrichum species and provides the basis for further studies of C. lini, which will help to understand the virulence mechanisms and protect flax from anthracnose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizaveta A. Sigova
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119991, Russia; (E.M.D.); (D.A.Z.); (A.M.K.); (V.A.P.); (Y.V.B.); (A.A.A.); (E.V.B.); (E.N.P.); (N.V.M.)
| | - Ekaterina M. Dvorianinova
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119991, Russia; (E.M.D.); (D.A.Z.); (A.M.K.); (V.A.P.); (Y.V.B.); (A.A.A.); (E.V.B.); (E.N.P.); (N.V.M.)
| | - Tatiana A. Rozhmina
- Federal Research Center for Bast Fiber Crops, Torzhok 172002, Russia; (T.A.R.); (L.P.K.)
| | | | - Daiana A. Zhernova
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119991, Russia; (E.M.D.); (D.A.Z.); (A.M.K.); (V.A.P.); (Y.V.B.); (A.A.A.); (E.V.B.); (E.N.P.); (N.V.M.)
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119234, Russia
| | - Antoniy M. Kaplun
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119991, Russia; (E.M.D.); (D.A.Z.); (A.M.K.); (V.A.P.); (Y.V.B.); (A.A.A.); (E.V.B.); (E.N.P.); (N.V.M.)
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Moscow 141701, Russia
| | - Valeria A. Pavlova
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119991, Russia; (E.M.D.); (D.A.Z.); (A.M.K.); (V.A.P.); (Y.V.B.); (A.A.A.); (E.V.B.); (E.N.P.); (N.V.M.)
- Lomonosov Institute of Fine Chemical Technologies, MIREA—Russian Technological University, Moscow 119571, Russia
| | - Yakov V. Bodrov
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119991, Russia; (E.M.D.); (D.A.Z.); (A.M.K.); (V.A.P.); (Y.V.B.); (A.A.A.); (E.V.B.); (E.N.P.); (N.V.M.)
- Lomonosov Institute of Fine Chemical Technologies, MIREA—Russian Technological University, Moscow 119571, Russia
| | - Alexander A. Arkhipov
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119991, Russia; (E.M.D.); (D.A.Z.); (A.M.K.); (V.A.P.); (Y.V.B.); (A.A.A.); (E.V.B.); (E.N.P.); (N.V.M.)
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Elena V. Borkhert
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119991, Russia; (E.M.D.); (D.A.Z.); (A.M.K.); (V.A.P.); (Y.V.B.); (A.A.A.); (E.V.B.); (E.N.P.); (N.V.M.)
| | - Elena N. Pushkova
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119991, Russia; (E.M.D.); (D.A.Z.); (A.M.K.); (V.A.P.); (Y.V.B.); (A.A.A.); (E.V.B.); (E.N.P.); (N.V.M.)
| | - Nataliya V. Melnikova
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119991, Russia; (E.M.D.); (D.A.Z.); (A.M.K.); (V.A.P.); (Y.V.B.); (A.A.A.); (E.V.B.); (E.N.P.); (N.V.M.)
| | - Alexey A. Dmitriev
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119991, Russia; (E.M.D.); (D.A.Z.); (A.M.K.); (V.A.P.); (Y.V.B.); (A.A.A.); (E.V.B.); (E.N.P.); (N.V.M.)
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6
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Dhakal U, Kim HS, Toomajian C. The landscape and predicted roles of structural variants in Fusarium graminearum genomes. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2024; 14:jkae065. [PMID: 38546739 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkae065] [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: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Structural rearrangements, such as inversions, translocations, duplications, and large insertions and deletions, are large-scale genomic variants that can play an important role in shaping phenotypic variation and in genome adaptation and evolution. We used chromosomal-level assemblies from eight Fusarium graminearum isolates to study structural variants and their role in fungal evolution. We generated the assemblies of four of these genomes after Oxford Nanopore sequencing. A total of 87 inversions, 159 translocations, 245 duplications, 58,489 insertions, and 34,102 deletions were detected. Regions of high recombination rate are associated with structural rearrangements, and a significant proportion of inversions, translocations, and duplications overlap with the repeat content of the genome, suggesting recombination and repeat elements are major factors in the origin of structural rearrangements in F. graminearum. Large insertions and deletions introduce presence-absence polymorphisms for many genes, including secondary metabolite biosynthesis cluster genes and predicted effectors genes. Translocation events were found to be shuffling predicted effector-rich regions of the genomes and are likely contributing to the gain and loss of effectors facilitated by recombination. Breakpoints of some structural rearrangements fall within coding sequences and are likely altering the protein products. Structural rearrangements in F. graminearum thus have an important role to play in shaping pathogen-host interactions and broader evolution through genome reorganization, the introduction of presence-absence polymorphisms, and changing protein products and gene regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Upasana Dhakal
- Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Hye-Seon Kim
- USDA, Agricultural Research Service, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Mycotoxin Prevention and Applied Microbiology Research Unit, 1815 N University St., Peoria, IL 61604, USA
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7
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Coelho MA, David-Palma M, Shea T, Bowers K, McGinley-Smith S, Mohammad AW, Gnirke A, Yurkov AM, Nowrousian M, Sun S, Cuomo CA, Heitman J. Comparative genomics of the closely related fungal genera Cryptococcus and Kwoniella reveals karyotype dynamics and suggests evolutionary mechanisms of pathogenesis. PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002682. [PMID: 38843310 PMCID: PMC11185503 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/19/2024] Open
Abstract
In exploring the evolutionary trajectories of both pathogenesis and karyotype dynamics in fungi, we conducted a large-scale comparative genomic analysis spanning the Cryptococcus genus, encompassing both global human fungal pathogens and nonpathogenic species, and related species from the sister genus Kwoniella. Chromosome-level genome assemblies were generated for multiple species, covering virtually all known diversity within these genera. Although Cryptococcus and Kwoniella have comparable genome sizes (about 19.2 and 22.9 Mb) and similar gene content, hinting at preadaptive pathogenic potential, our analysis found evidence of gene gain (via horizontal gene transfer) and gene loss in pathogenic Cryptococcus species, which might represent evolutionary signatures of pathogenic development. Genome analysis also revealed a significant variation in chromosome number and structure between the 2 genera. By combining synteny analysis and experimental centromere validation, we found that most Cryptococcus species have 14 chromosomes, whereas most Kwoniella species have fewer (11, 8, 5, or even as few as 3). Reduced chromosome number in Kwoniella is associated with formation of giant chromosomes (up to 18 Mb) through repeated chromosome fusion events, each marked by a pericentric inversion and centromere loss. While similar chromosome inversion-fusion patterns were observed in all Kwoniella species with fewer than 14 chromosomes, no such pattern was detected in Cryptococcus. Instead, Cryptococcus species with less than 14 chromosomes showed reductions primarily through rearrangements associated with the loss of repeat-rich centromeres. Additionally, Cryptococcus genomes exhibited frequent interchromosomal translocations, including intercentromeric recombination facilitated by transposons shared between centromeres. Overall, our findings advance our understanding of genetic changes possibly associated with pathogenicity in Cryptococcus and provide a foundation to elucidate mechanisms of centromere loss and chromosome fusion driving distinct karyotypes in closely related fungal species, including prominent global human pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco A. Coelho
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Márcia David-Palma
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Terrance Shea
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Katharine Bowers
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Sage McGinley-Smith
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Arman W. Mohammad
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Andreas Gnirke
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Andrey M. Yurkov
- Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Minou Nowrousian
- Lehrstuhl für Molekulare und Zelluläre Botanik, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Sheng Sun
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Christina A. Cuomo
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Joseph Heitman
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
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Habig M, Grasse AV, Müller J, Stukenbrock EH, Leitner H, Cremer S. Frequent horizontal chromosome transfer between asexual fungal insect pathogens. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2316284121. [PMID: 38442176 PMCID: PMC10945790 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2316284121] [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: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Entire chromosomes are typically only transmitted vertically from one generation to the next. The horizontal transfer of such chromosomes has long been considered improbable, yet gained recent support in several pathogenic fungi where it may affect the fitness or host specificity. To date, it is unknown how these transfers occur, how common they are, and whether they can occur between different species. In this study, we show multiple independent instances of horizontal transfers of the same accessory chromosome between two distinct strains of the asexual entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium robertsii during experimental co-infection of its insect host, the Argentine ant. Notably, only the one chromosome-but no other-was transferred from the donor to the recipient strain. The recipient strain, now harboring the accessory chromosome, exhibited a competitive advantage under certain host conditions. By phylogenetic analysis, we further demonstrate that the same accessory chromosome was horizontally transferred in a natural environment between M. robertsii and another congeneric insect pathogen, Metarhizium guizhouense. Hence, horizontal chromosome transfer is not limited to the observed frequent events within species during experimental infections but also occurs naturally across species. The accessory chromosome that was transferred contains genes that may be involved in its preferential horizontal transfer or support its establishment. These genes encode putative histones and histone-modifying enzymes, as well as putative virulence factors. Our study reveals that both intra- and interspecies horizontal transfer of entire chromosomes is more frequent than previously assumed, likely representing a not uncommon mechanism for gene exchange.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Habig
- Environmental Genomics, Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel, Kiel24118, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Plön24306, Germany
| | - Anna V. Grasse
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), Klosterneuburg3400, Austria
| | - Judith Müller
- Environmental Genomics, Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel, Kiel24118, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Plön24306, Germany
| | - Eva H. Stukenbrock
- Environmental Genomics, Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel, Kiel24118, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Plön24306, Germany
| | - Hanna Leitner
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), Klosterneuburg3400, Austria
| | - Sylvia Cremer
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), Klosterneuburg3400, Austria
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9
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Narayanan A, Reza MH, Sanyal K. Behind the scenes: Centromere-driven genomic innovations in fungal pathogens. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1012080. [PMID: 38547101 PMCID: PMC10977804 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1012080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Aswathy Narayanan
- Molecular Mycology Laboratory, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bengaluru, India
| | - Md. Hashim Reza
- Molecular Mycology Laboratory, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bengaluru, India
| | - Kaustuv Sanyal
- Molecular Mycology Laboratory, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bengaluru, India
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10
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Coelho MA, David-Palma M, Shea T, Bowers K, McGinley-Smith S, Mohammad AW, Gnirke A, Yurkov AM, Nowrousian M, Sun S, Cuomo CA, Heitman J. Comparative genomics of Cryptococcus and Kwoniella reveals pathogenesis evolution and contrasting karyotype dynamics via intercentromeric recombination or chromosome fusion. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.12.27.573464. [PMID: 38234769 PMCID: PMC10793447 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.27.573464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
A large-scale comparative genomic analysis was conducted for the global human fungal pathogens within the Cryptococcus genus, compared to non-pathogenic Cryptococcus species, and related species from the sister genus Kwoniella. Chromosome-level genome assemblies were generated for multiple species of both genera, resulting in a dataset encompassing virtually all of their known diversity. Although Cryptococcus and Kwoniella have comparable genome sizes (about 19.2 and 22.9 Mb) and similar gene content, hinting at pre-adaptive pathogenic potential, our analysis found evidence in pathogenic Cryptococcus species of specific examples of gene gain (via horizontal gene transfer) and gene loss, which might represent evolutionary signatures of pathogenic development. Genome analysis also revealed a significant variation in chromosome number and structure between the two genera. By combining synteny analysis and experimental centromere validation, we found that most Cryptococcus species have 14 chromosomes, whereas most Kwoniella species have fewer (11, 8, 5 or even as few as 3). Reduced chromosome number in Kwoniella is associated with formation of giant chromosomes (up to 18 Mb) through repeated chromosome fusion events, each marked by a pericentric inversion and centromere loss. While similar chromosome inversion-fusion patterns were observed in all Kwoniella species with fewer than 14 chromosomes, no such pattern was detected in Cryptococcus. Instead, Cryptococcus species with less than 14 chromosomes, underwent chromosome reductions primarily through rearrangements associated with the loss of repeat-rich centromeres. Additionally, Cryptococcus genomes exhibited frequent interchromosomal translocations, including intercentromeric recombination facilitated by transposons shared between centromeres. Taken together, our findings advance our understanding of genomic changes possibly associated with pathogenicity in Cryptococcus and provide a foundation to elucidate mechanisms of centromere loss and chromosome fusion driving distinct karyotypes in closely related fungal species, including prominent global human pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco A. Coelho
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Márcia David-Palma
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Terrance Shea
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Katharine Bowers
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | - Andreas Gnirke
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Andrey M. Yurkov
- Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Minou Nowrousian
- Lehrstuhl für Molekulare und Zelluläre Botanik, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Sheng Sun
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Joseph Heitman
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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11
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Li C, Qiao L, Lu Y, Xing G, Wang X, Zhang G, Qian H, Shen Y, Zhang Y, Yao W, Cheng K, Ma Z, Liu N, Wang D, Zheng W. Gapless Genome Assembly of Puccinia triticina Provides Insights into Chromosome Evolution in Pucciniales. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0282822. [PMID: 36688678 PMCID: PMC9927501 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02828-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Chromosome evolution drives species evolution, speciation, and adaptive radiation. Accurate genome assembly is crucial to understanding chromosome evolution of species, such as dikaryotic fungi. Rust fungi (Pucciniales) in dikaryons represent the largest group of plant pathogens, but the evolutionary process of adaptive radiation in Pucciniales remains poorly understood. Here, we report a gapless genome for the wheat leaf rust fungus Puccinia triticina determined using PacBio high-fidelity (HiFi) sequencing. This gapless assembly contains two sets of chromosomes, showing that one contig represents one chromosome. Comparisons of homologous chromosomes between the phased haplotypes revealed that highly frequent small-scale sequence divergence shapes haplotypic variation. Genome analyses of Puccinia triticina along with other rusts revealed that recent transposable element bursts and extensive segmental gene duplications synergistically highlight the evolution of chromosome structures. Comparative analysis of chromosomes indicated that frequent chromosomal rearrangements may act as a major contributor to rapid radiation of Pucciniales. This study presents the first gapless, phased assembly for a dikaryotic rust fungus and provides insights into adaptive evolution and species radiation in Pucciniales. IMPORTANCE Rust fungi (Pucciniales) are the largest group of plant pathogens. Adaptive radiation is a predominant feature in Pucciniales evolution. Chromosome evolution plays an important role in adaptive evolution. Accurate chromosome-scale assembly is required to understand the role of chromosome evolution in Pucciniales. We took advantage of HiFi sequencing to construct a gapless, phased genome for Puccinia triticina. Further analyses revealed that the evolution of chromosome structures in rust lineage is shaped by the combination of transposable element bursts and segmental gene duplications. Chromosome comparisons of Puccinia triticina and other rusts suggested that frequent chromosomal arrangements may make remarkable contributions to high species diversity of rust fungi. Our results present the first gapless genome for Pucciniales and shed light on the feature of chromosome evolution in Pucciniales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Life Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Agronomy and Center for Crop Genome Engineering, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Liuhui Qiao
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Life Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Agronomy and Center for Crop Genome Engineering, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yanan Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Life Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Guozhen Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Life Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation, College of Plant Protection, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | | | - Huimin Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Life Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yilin Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Life Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yibo Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Life Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wen Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Life Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Kun Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Life Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhenling Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Life Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Na Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Life Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Daowen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Agronomy and Center for Crop Genome Engineering, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wenming Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Life Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
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12
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Rajpal VR, Sharma S, Sehgal D, Sharma P, Wadhwa N, Dhakate P, Chandra A, Thakur RK, Deb S, Rama Rao S, Mir BA, Raina SN. Comprehending the dynamism of B chromosomes in their journey towards becoming unselfish. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 10:1072716. [PMID: 36684438 PMCID: PMC9846793 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1072716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Investigated for more than a century now, B chromosomes (Bs) research has come a long way from Bs being considered parasitic or neutral to becoming unselfish and bringing benefits to their hosts. B chromosomes exist as accessory chromosomes along with the standard A chromosomes (As) across eukaryotic taxa. Represented singly or in multiple copies, B chromosomes are largely heterochromatic but also contain euchromatic and organellar segments. Although B chromosomes are derived entities, they follow their species-specific evolutionary pattern. B chromosomes fail to pair with the standard chromosomes during meiosis and vary in their number, size, composition and structure across taxa and ensure their successful transmission through non-mendelian mechanisms like mitotic, pre-meiotic, meiotic or post-meiotic drives, unique non-disjunction, self-pairing or even imparting benefits to the host when they lack drive. B chromosomes have been associated with cellular processes like sex determination, pathogenicity, resistance to pathogens, phenotypic effects, and differential gene expression. With the advancements in B-omics research, novel insights have been gleaned on their functions, some of which have been associated with the regulation of gene expression of A chromosomes through increased expression of miRNAs or differential expression of transposable elements located on them. The next-generation sequencing and emerging technologies will further likely unravel the cellular, molecular and functional behaviour of these enigmatic entities. Amidst the extensive fluidity shown by B chromosomes in their structural and functional attributes, we perceive that the existence and survival of B chromosomes in the populations most likely seem to be a trade-off between the drive efficiency and adaptive significance versus their adverse effects on reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay Rani Rajpal
- Department of Botany, Hansraj College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India,*Correspondence: Vijay Rani Rajpal, , ; Soom Nath Raina,
| | - Suman Sharma
- Department of Botany, Ramjas College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Deepmala Sehgal
- Syngenta, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Texcoco, Mexico
| | - Prashansa Sharma
- Department of Botany, Hansraj College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Nikita Wadhwa
- University School of Biotechnology, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Atika Chandra
- Department of Botany, Maitreyi College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Rakesh Kr. Thakur
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Sohini Deb
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Meghalaya, India
| | - Satyawada Rama Rao
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Meghalaya, India
| | - Bilal Ahmad Mir
- Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, India
| | - Soom Nath Raina
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India,*Correspondence: Vijay Rani Rajpal, , ; Soom Nath Raina,
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13
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Naranjo-Ortiz MA, Molina M, Fuentes D, Mixão V, Gabaldón T. Karyon: a computational framework for the diagnosis of hybrids, aneuploids, and other nonstandard architectures in genome assemblies. Gigascience 2022; 11:giac088. [PMID: 36205401 PMCID: PMC9540331 DOI: 10.1093/gigascience/giac088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent technological developments have made genome sequencing and assembly highly accessible and widely used. However, the presence in sequenced organisms of certain genomic features such as high heterozygosity, polyploidy, aneuploidy, heterokaryosis, or extreme compositional biases can challenge current standard assembly procedures and result in highly fragmented assemblies. Hence, we hypothesized that genome databases must contain a nonnegligible fraction of low-quality assemblies that result from such type of intrinsic genomic factors. FINDINGS Here we present Karyon, a Python-based toolkit that uses raw sequencing data and de novo genome assembly to assess several parameters and generate informative plots to assist in the identification of nonchanonical genomic traits. Karyon includes automated de novo genome assembly and variant calling pipelines. We tested Karyon by diagnosing 35 highly fragmented publicly available assemblies from 19 different Mucorales (Fungi) species. CONCLUSIONS Our results show that 10 (28.57%) of the assemblies presented signs of unusual genomic configurations, suggesting that these are common, at least for some lineages within the Fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A Naranjo-Ortiz
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona 08003, Spain
- Health and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona 08003, Spain
- Biology Department, Clark University, Worcester, MA 01610, USA
- Naturhistoriskmuseum, University of Oslo, Oslo 0562, Norway
| | - Manu Molina
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona 08003, Spain
- Health and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona 08003, Spain
- Life Sciences Department, Barcelona Supercomputing Centre (BSC-CNS), Barcelona 08034, Spain
| | - Diego Fuentes
- Life Sciences Department, Barcelona Supercomputing Centre (BSC-CNS), Barcelona 08034, Spain
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona 08028, Spain
| | - Verónica Mixão
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona 08003, Spain
- Health and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona 08003, Spain
- Life Sciences Department, Barcelona Supercomputing Centre (BSC-CNS), Barcelona 08034, Spain
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona 08028, Spain
| | - Toni Gabaldón
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona 08003, Spain
- Health and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona 08003, Spain
- Life Sciences Department, Barcelona Supercomputing Centre (BSC-CNS), Barcelona 08034, Spain
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona 08028, Spain
- ICREA, Pg. Lluís Companys 23, Barcelona 08010, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Barcelona 28029, Spain
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Montezano Fernandes F, Vieira de Queiroz M, Lopes da Silva L, Maria Queiroz Azevedo D, Luis Badel J, Couto Alfenas A. Chromosomal polymorphism of the Ceratocystis fimbriata species complex in Brazil. Fungal Genet Biol 2022; 162:103728. [PMID: 35932991 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2022.103728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Ceratocystis fimbriata is an important pathogen that causes wilt in several plant species. Despite the importance of this pathogen, knowledge about its karyotypic polymorphism and genomic architecture is limited. The main objective of this study was to investigate the karyotype of isolates of the C. fimbriata species complex from different host plants and geographical origins in Brazil. First, the identity of the isolates was confirmed conducting multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) phylogeny using β-tubulin (TUBB), translation elongation factor 1α (TEF-1α) and mating-type (MAT1 and MAT2) gene sequences. To investigate the chromosomal polymorphism, two conditions of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) were used and the karyotypes of the isolates obtained. The retrotransposon-microsatellite amplified polymorphism (REMAP) molecular marker was utilized to assess the genetic variability among isolates. In the MLSA utilizing the concatenated gene sequences, Ceratocystis cacaofunesta and C. fimbriata formed separate clades, but considerable variation among C. fimbriata isolates was observed. Polymorphism in chromosome number and size was found, indicating the existence of genomic differences among isolates and occurrence of chromosomal rearrangements in the species complex. The number of chromosomes varied from seven to nine and the estimated minimum chromosome sizes were estimated to be between 2.7 to 6.0 Mbp. Small polymorphic chromosomes ranging from 1.2 to 1.8 Mbp were observed in all isolates, raising the hypothesis that they could be supernumerary chromosomes. REMAP analysis revealed a high genetic variability and that isolates from the same host tend to group together in a same cluster. Our results bring new insights into the chromosomal diversity and genome organization of the C. fimbriata complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Montezano Fernandes
- Laboratory of Forest Pathology, Department of Plant Pathology, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, 36570-900, Brazil
| | - Marisa Vieira de Queiroz
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics of Microorganisms, Department of Microbiology, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, 36570-900, Brazil
| | - Leandro Lopes da Silva
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics of Microorganisms, Department of Microbiology, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, 36570-900, Brazil
| | - Daiana Maria Queiroz Azevedo
- Laboratory of Forest Pathology, Department of Plant Pathology, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, 36570-900, Brazil
| | - Jorge Luis Badel
- Laboratory of Molecular Phytobacteriology, Department of Plant Pathology, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, 36570-900, Brazil
| | - Acelino Couto Alfenas
- Laboratory of Forest Pathology, Department of Plant Pathology, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, 36570-900, Brazil.
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15
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Komluski J, Stukenbrock EH, Habig M. Non-Mendelian transmission of accessory chromosomes in fungi. Chromosome Res 2022; 30:241-253. [PMID: 35881207 PMCID: PMC9508043 DOI: 10.1007/s10577-022-09691-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Non-Mendelian transmission has been reported for various genetic elements, ranging from small transposons to entire chromosomes. One prime example of such a transmission pattern are B chromosomes in plants and animals. Accessory chromosomes in fungi are similar to B chromosomes in showing presence/absence polymorphism and being non-essential. How these chromosomes are transmitted during meiosis is however poorly understood—despite their often high impact on the fitness of the host. For several fungal organisms, a non-Mendelian transmission or a mechanistically unique meiotic drive of accessory chromosomes have been reported. In this review, we provide an overview of the possible mechanisms that can cause the non-Mendelian transmission or meiotic drives of fungal accessory chromosomes. We compare processes responsible for the non-Mendelian transmission of accessory chromosomes for different fungal eukaryotes and discuss the structural traits of fungal accessory chromosomes affecting their meiotic transmission. We conclude that research on fungal accessory chromosomes, due to their small size, ease of sequencing, and epigenetic profiling, can complement the study of B chromosomes in deciphering factors that influence and regulate the non-Mendelian transmission of entire chromosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jovan Komluski
- 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.
| | - Michael Habig
- Environmental Genomics, Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany.
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Plön, Germany.
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16
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Noar RD, Thomas E, Daub ME. Genetic Characteristics and Metabolic Interactions between Pseudocercospora fijiensis and Banana: Progress toward Controlling Black Sigatoka. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:948. [PMID: 35406928 PMCID: PMC9002641 DOI: 10.3390/plants11070948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The international importance of banana and severity of black Sigatoka disease have led to extensive investigations into the genetic characteristics and metabolic interactions between the Dothideomycete Pseudocercospora fijiensis and its banana host. P. fijiensis was shown to have a greatly expanded genome compared to other Dothideomycetes, due to the proliferation of retrotransposons. Genome analysis suggests the presence of dispensable chromosomes that may aid in fungal adaptation as well as pathogenicity. Genomic research has led to the characterization of genes and metabolic pathways involved in pathogenicity, including: secondary metabolism genes such as PKS10-2, genes for mitogen-activated protein kinases such as Fus3 and Slt2, and genes for cell wall proteins such as glucosyl phosphatidylinositol (GPI) and glycophospholipid surface (Gas) proteins. Studies conducted on resistance mechanisms in banana have documented the role of jasmonic acid and ethylene pathways. With the development of banana transformation protocols, strategies for engineering resistance include transgenes expressing antimicrobial peptides or hydrolytic enzymes as well as host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) targeting pathogenicity genes. Pseudocercospora fijiensis has been identified as having high evolutionary potential, given its large genome size, ability to reproduce both sexually and asexually, and long-distance spore dispersal. Thus, multiple control measures are needed for the sustainable control of black Sigatoka disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roslyn D. Noar
- NSF Center for Integrated Pest Management, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
| | - Elizabeth Thomas
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; (E.T.); (M.E.D.)
| | - Margaret E. Daub
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; (E.T.); (M.E.D.)
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17
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Kema GHJ, Drenth A, Dita M, Jansen K, Vellema S, Stoorvogel JJ. Editorial: Fusarium Wilt of Banana, a Recurring Threat to Global Banana Production. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 11:628888. [PMID: 33505419 PMCID: PMC7829247 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.628888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Gert H. J. Kema
- Laboratory of Phytopathology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - André Drenth
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Centre for Horticultural Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Miguel Dita
- Alliance Bioversity International and CIAT, Cali, Colombia
| | - Kees Jansen
- Rural Sociology Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Sietze Vellema
- Knowledge, Technology and Innovation Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Jetse J. Stoorvogel
- Soil Geography and Landscape Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands
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18
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Engel T, Verweij PE, van den Heuvel J, Wangmo D, Zhang J, Debets AJM, Snelders E. Parasexual recombination enables Aspergillus fumigatus to persist in cystic fibrosis. ERJ Open Res 2020; 6:00020-2020. [PMID: 33313304 PMCID: PMC7720686 DOI: 10.1183/23120541.00020-2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is a saprobic fungus that causes a range of pulmonary diseases, some of which are characterised by fungal persistence such as is observed in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Creation of genetic variation is critical for A. fumigatus to adapt to the lung environment, but biofilm formation, especially in CF patients, may preclude mutational supply in A. fumigatus due to its confinement to the hyphal morphotype. We tested our hypothesis that genetic variation is created through parasexual recombination in chronic biofilms by phenotypic and genetic analysis of A. fumigatus isolates cultured from different origins. As diploids are the hallmark of parasex, we screened 799 A. fumigatus isolates obtained from patients with CF, chronic pulmonary lung disease and acute invasive aspergillosis, and from the environment for spore size. Benomyl sensitivity, nuclear content measurements through fluorescence-activated cell sorting and scanning electron microscopy were used to confirm the diploid state of large size spores. Whole genome sequencing was used to characterise diploid-associated genetic variation. We identified 11 diploids in isolates recovered from six of 11 (55%) CF patients and from one of 24 (4%) chronic aspergillosis patients, but not in 368 isolates from patients with acute Aspergillus infection and the environment. Diploid formation was associated with accumulation of mutations and variable haploid offspring including a voriconazole-resistant isolate. Parasexual recombination allows A. fumigatus to adapt and persist in CF patients, and plays a role in azole resistance development. Our findings are highly significant for understanding the genetics and biology of A. fumigatus in the human lung. Aspergillus fumigatus can undergo parasexual recombination in the lungs of chronically colonised individuals. This is highly relevant, as the parasexual cycle can facilitate genetic variation and, consequently, in-host adaptation.https://bit.ly/3kAtrXd
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Engel
- Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.,Center of Expertise in Mycology Radboudumc/CWZ, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Paul E Verweij
- Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.,Center of Expertise in Mycology Radboudumc/CWZ, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Joost van den Heuvel
- Laboratory of Genetics, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Dechen Wangmo
- Laboratory of Genetics, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Jianhua Zhang
- Laboratory of Genetics, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Alfons J M Debets
- Laboratory of Genetics, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Eveline Snelders
- Laboratory of Genetics, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
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19
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Dobbs JT, Kim MS, Dudley NS, Klopfenstein NB, Yeh A, Hauff RD, Jones TC, Dumroese RK, Cannon PG, Stewart JE. Whole genome analysis of the koa wilt pathogen (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. koae) and the development of molecular tools for early detection and monitoring. BMC Genomics 2020; 21:764. [PMID: 33148175 PMCID: PMC7640661 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-020-07156-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Development and application of DNA-based methods to distinguish highly virulent isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. koae [Fo koae; cause of koa wilt disease on Acacia koa (koa)] will help disease management through early detection, enhanced monitoring, and improved disease resistance-breeding programs. RESULTS This study presents whole genome analyses of one highly virulent Fo koae isolate and one non-pathogenic F. oxysporum (Fo) isolate. These analyses allowed for the identification of putative lineage-specific DNA and predicted genes necessary for disease development on koa. Using putative chromosomes and predicted gene comparisons, Fo koae-exclusive, virulence genes were identified. The putative lineage-specific DNA included identified genes encoding products secreted in xylem (e. g., SIX1 and SIX6) that may be necessary for disease development on koa. Unique genes from Fo koae were used to develop pathogen-specific PCR primers. These diagnostic primers allowed target amplification in the characterized highly virulent Fo koae isolates but did not allow product amplification in low-virulence or non-pathogenic isolates of Fo. Thus, primers developed in this study will be useful for early detection and monitoring of highly virulent strains of Fo koae. Isolate verification is also important for disease resistance-breeding programs that require a diverse set of highly virulent Fo koae isolates for their disease-screening assays to develop disease-resistant koa. CONCLUSIONS These results provide the framework for understanding the pathogen genes necessary for koa wilt disease and the genetic variation of Fo koae populations across the Hawaiian Islands.
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Affiliation(s)
- John T. Dobbs
- Colorado State University, Department of Agricultural Biology, 1177 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523 USA
| | - Mee-Sook Kim
- USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, 3200 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, OR 97331 USA
| | - Nicklos S. Dudley
- Hawai‘i Agriculture Research Center, Maunawili Research Station, Oahu, HI USA
| | - Ned B. Klopfenstein
- USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, 1221 South Main Street, Moscow, ID 83843 USA
| | - Aileen Yeh
- Hawai‘i Agriculture Research Center, Maunawili Research Station, Oahu, HI USA
| | - Robert D. Hauff
- Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Department of Land and Natural Resources, 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 325, Honolulu, HI 96813 USA
| | - Tyler C. Jones
- Hawai‘i Agriculture Research Center, Maunawili Research Station, Oahu, HI USA
| | - R. Kasten Dumroese
- USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, 1221 South Main Street, Moscow, ID 83843 USA
| | - Philip G. Cannon
- USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Protection, 1323 Club Drive, Vallejo, CA 94592 USA
| | - Jane E. Stewart
- Colorado State University, Department of Agricultural Biology, 1177 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523 USA
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20
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Naranjo‐Ortiz MA, Gabaldón T. Fungal evolution: cellular, genomic and metabolic complexity. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2020; 95:1198-1232. [PMID: 32301582 PMCID: PMC7539958 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The question of how phenotypic and genomic complexity are inter-related and how they are shaped through evolution is a central question in biology that historically has been approached from the perspective of animals and plants. In recent years, however, fungi have emerged as a promising alternative system to address such questions. Key to their ecological success, fungi present a broad and diverse range of phenotypic traits. Fungal cells can adopt many different shapes, often within a single species, providing them with great adaptive potential. Fungal cellular organizations span from unicellular forms to complex, macroscopic multicellularity, with multiple transitions to higher or lower levels of cellular complexity occurring throughout the evolutionary history of fungi. Similarly, fungal genomes are very diverse in their architecture. Deep changes in genome organization can occur very quickly, and these phenomena are known to mediate rapid adaptations to environmental changes. Finally, the biochemical complexity of fungi is huge, particularly with regard to their secondary metabolites, chemical products that mediate many aspects of fungal biology, including ecological interactions. Herein, we explore how the interplay of these cellular, genomic and metabolic traits mediates the emergence of complex phenotypes, and how this complexity is shaped throughout the evolutionary history of Fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A. Naranjo‐Ortiz
- Bioinformatics and Genomics Programme, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG)The Barcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyDr. Aiguader 88, Barcelona08003Spain
| | - Toni Gabaldón
- Bioinformatics and Genomics Programme, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG)The Barcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyDr. Aiguader 88, Barcelona08003Spain
- Department of Experimental Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF)Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003BarcelonaSpain
- ICREAPg. Lluís Companys 23, 08010BarcelonaSpain
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21
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Mahmoudjanlou Y, Dahlmann TA, Kück U. Molecular analysis of mating type loci from the mycophenolic acid producer Penicillium brevicompactum: Phylogeny and MAT protein characterization suggest a cryptic sexual life cycle. Fungal Biol 2020; 124:821-833. [PMID: 32883432 DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2020.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The mycophenolic acid producing ascomycete Penicillium brevicompactum is considered to be an anamorphic (asexual) species, for which a sexual cycle was never observed. However, since recent reports of otherwise asexually propagating filamentous fungi have demonstrated a sexual cycle controlled by mating type loci, we carried out a molecular analysis of mating type loci from P. brevicompactum. Using data from extensive DNA sequencing analysis, we determined the mating type loci from 22 strains derived from various type culture collections. We found 8 strains carrying a MAT1-1 locus encoding a 362 amino acid alpha domain transcription factor. The other 14 possessed a MAT1-2 locus encoding a 298 amino acid HMG domain transcription factor. cDNA analysis confirmed that both mating type loci are transcriptionally expressed. The karyotype of six selected strains, determined using contour-clamped homogeneous electric field (CHEF) electrophoresis, demonstrated distinct differences in size and numbers of chromosomes between the strains investigated. Interestingly, our phylogenetic survey of 72 strains from 11 different Penicillium species revealed that MAT genes serve as excellent molecular markers to determine phylogenetic relationships among species closely related to P. brevicompactum. Based on our sequencing results, we constructed transformation vectors for site-specific deletion of mating type loci from two selected strains of opposite mating type. Complementation strains were constructed containing both the mating type locus deletion cassette and a MAT-egfp fusion gene. These strains were used for comparative phenotypic analyses between strains containing or lacking the mating type gene. Whereas all MAT1-2 strains were indistinguishable, the MAT1-1 and MAT1-1-1 deletion strains differed distinctly. The MAT1-1-1 deletion strain produced more conidiospores on solid media, but smaller pellets in liquid media. This is probably the consequence of fewer conidial germ tubes than with the wild type mating type strain. Finally, we showed that the MAT-EGPF fusion protein is localized to the nuclei and detectable in protein samples by Western analysis. Together, our results suggest that the asexually propagating fungus P. brevicompactum might be a heterothallic species with a cryptic sexual life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tim A Dahlmann
- Allgemeine und Molekulare Botanik, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany.
| | - Ulrich Kück
- Allgemeine und Molekulare Botanik, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany.
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22
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Feurtey A, Lorrain C, Croll D, Eschenbrenner C, Freitag M, Habig M, Haueisen J, Möller M, Schotanus K, Stukenbrock EH. Genome compartmentalization predates species divergence in the plant pathogen genus Zymoseptoria. BMC Genomics 2020; 21:588. [PMID: 32842972 PMCID: PMC7448473 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-020-06871-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Antagonistic co-evolution can drive rapid adaptation in pathogens and shape genome architecture. Comparative genome analyses of several fungal pathogens revealed highly variable genomes, for many species characterized by specific repeat-rich genome compartments with exceptionally high sequence variability. Dynamic genome structure may enable fast adaptation to host genetics. The wheat pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici with its highly variable genome, has emerged as a model organism to study genome evolution of plant pathogens. Here, we compared genomes of Z. tritici isolates and of sister species infecting wild grasses to address the evolution of genome composition and structure. Results Using long-read technology, we sequenced and assembled genomes of Z. ardabiliae, Z. brevis, Z. pseudotritici and Z. passerinii, together with two isolates of Z. tritici. We report a high extent of genome collinearity among Zymoseptoria species and high conservation of genomic, transcriptomic and epigenomic signatures of compartmentalization. We identify high gene content variability both within and between species. In addition, such variability is mainly limited to the accessory chromosomes and accessory compartments. Despite strong host specificity and non-overlapping host-range between species, predicted effectors are mainly shared among Zymoseptoria species, yet exhibiting a high level of presence-absence polymorphism within Z. tritici. Using in planta transcriptomic data from Z. tritici, we suggest different roles for the shared orthologs and for the accessory genes during infection of their hosts. Conclusion Despite previous reports of high genomic plasticity in Z. tritici, we describe here a high level of conservation in genomic, epigenomic and transcriptomic composition and structure across the genus Zymoseptoria. The compartmentalized genome allows the maintenance of a functional core genome co-occurring with a highly variable accessory genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Feurtey
- Environmental Genomics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, 24306, Plön, Germany.,Environmental Genomics, Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel, 24118, Kiel, Germany
| | - Cécile Lorrain
- Environmental Genomics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, 24306, Plön, Germany. .,Environmental Genomics, Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel, 24118, Kiel, Germany. .,INRA Centre Grand Est - Nancy, UMR 1136 INRA/Universite de Lorraine Interactions Arbres/Microorganismes, 54280, Champenoux, France.
| | - Daniel Croll
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, 2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Eschenbrenner
- Environmental Genomics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, 24306, Plön, Germany.,Environmental Genomics, Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel, 24118, Kiel, Germany
| | - Michael Freitag
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Michael Habig
- Environmental Genomics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, 24306, Plön, Germany.,Environmental Genomics, Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel, 24118, Kiel, Germany
| | - Janine Haueisen
- Environmental Genomics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, 24306, Plön, Germany.,Environmental Genomics, Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel, 24118, Kiel, Germany
| | - Mareike Möller
- Environmental Genomics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, 24306, Plön, Germany.,Environmental Genomics, Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel, 24118, Kiel, Germany.,Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Klaas Schotanus
- Environmental Genomics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, 24306, Plön, Germany.,Environmental Genomics, Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel, 24118, Kiel, Germany.,Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Eva H Stukenbrock
- Environmental Genomics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, 24306, Plön, Germany.,Environmental Genomics, Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel, 24118, Kiel, Germany
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23
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Abstract
Diversity within the fungal kingdom is evident from the wide range of morphologies fungi display as well as the various ecological roles and industrial purposes they serve. Technological advances, particularly in long-read sequencing, coupled with the increasing efficiency and decreasing costs across sequencing platforms have enabled robust characterization of fungal genomes. These sequencing efforts continue to reveal the rampant diversity in fungi at the genome level. Here, we discuss studies that have furthered our understanding of fungal genetic diversity and genomic evolution. These studies revealed the presence of both small-scale and large-scale genomic changes. In fungi, research has recently focused on many small-scale changes, such as how hypermutation and allelic transmission impact genome evolution as well as how and why a few specific genomic regions are more susceptible to rapid evolution than others. High-throughput sequencing of a diverse set of fungal genomes has also illuminated the frequency, mechanisms, and impacts of large-scale changes, which include chromosome structural variation and changes in chromosome number, such as aneuploidy, polyploidy, and the presence of supernumerary chromosomes. The studies discussed herein have provided great insight into how the architecture of the fungal genome varies within species and across the kingdom and how modern fungi may have evolved from the last common fungal ancestor and might also pave the way for understanding how genomic diversity has evolved in all domains of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelby J. Priest
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Centre, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Vikas Yadav
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Centre, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Joseph Heitman
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Centre, Durham, NC, USA
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24
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Covo S. Genomic Instability in Fungal Plant Pathogens. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:E421. [PMID: 32295266 PMCID: PMC7230313 DOI: 10.3390/genes11040421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 03/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungi and fungal-like organisms (oomycetes) that cause diseases in plants have impacted human communities for centuries and probably from the dawn of agriculture. In modern agriculture, there is a constant race between new strategies to manage fungal plant pathogens and their ability to adapt. An important component in this race is fungal genetic diversity. Mechanisms such as sexual and parasexual recombination that contribute to the creation of novel allele combinations in fungal plant pathogens are briefly discussed in the first part of this review. Advances in genomics have enabled the investigation of chromosomal aberrations of agriculturally important fungal isolates at the nucleotide level. Some of these cases are summarized in the second part of this review; it is claimed that the effect of chromosomal aberrations on pathogenicity should be studied mechanistically. More data on the effect of gene copy number variations on phenotypes that are relevant to agriculture are especially needed. Genome rearrangements through translocations have shaped the genome of fungal plant pathogens by creating lineage-specific chromosome territories encoding for genes participating in plant diseases. Pathogenicity chromosomes are unique cases of such lineage-specific genetic elements, interestingly these chromosomes can be transferred horizontally and thus transforming a non-pathogenic strain to a pathogenic one. The third part of this review describes our attempts to reveal mutators in fungal plant pathogens by identifying fungi that lack important DNA repair genes or respond to DNA damage in an unconventional way. We found that a group of fungal plant pathogens lack conserved genes that are needed for an important Holliday junction resolution pathway. In addition, in Fusarium oxysporum, the rate-limiting step in dNTP production is not induced under DNA replication stress. This is very different from organisms from bacteria to humans. It remains to be seen if these mechanisms promote genetic instability in fungal plant pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shay Covo
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Hebrew University, Rehovot 76100001, Israel
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25
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Demin SY, Berdieva MA, Podlipaeva YI, Goodkov AV. Karyotypic instability of endoprophase and mitotic cells of Amoeba sp. strain Cont from the "proteus-type" group (Amoebozoa, Euamoebida, Amoebidae). Eur J Protistol 2020; 74:125691. [PMID: 32200034 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejop.2020.125691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
We performed karyotyping of Amoeba sp. strain Cont. Based on the results of a cytological analysis, we concluded that the chromosome number of Amoeba sp. strain Cont in mitosis was unstable. In all cases they appeared to be hypergaploid (the basic chromosome number is 30), with monosomy of all chromosomes except four shortest ones. The presence of "extrachromosomes" in the nucleus could prolong until the beginning of the anaphase. It was only then that they were ejected from the nucleus and the euploidy (haploidy) was restored. The stage of endoprophase nucleus was revealed in the cell cycle of Amoeba sp. strain Cont. This stage has not yet been found in other amoebae from the "proteus-type" group that had been previously studied (A. proteus strain B and A. borokensis). The maximum number of endoreplication rounds in the strain Cont amoebae nuclear cycle was 4 or 5. The regular extrusion of chromosomes from the nucleus into the cytoplasm occurred in each of the endoreplication rounds. Comparative cytological analysis of A. proteus strain B, A. borokensis and Amoeba sp. strain Cont karyotypes indicated that strain Cont, though rather close to the former two amoebae, is actually a distinct species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergei Yu Demin
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 4 Tikhoretsky Avenue, 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Mariia A Berdieva
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 4 Tikhoretsky Avenue, 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Yuliya I Podlipaeva
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 4 Tikhoretsky Avenue, 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Andrew V Goodkov
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 4 Tikhoretsky Avenue, 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia.
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26
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The architecture of the Plasmodiophora brassicae nuclear and mitochondrial genomes. Sci Rep 2019; 9:15753. [PMID: 31673019 PMCID: PMC6823432 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52274-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodiophora brassicae is a soil-borne pathogen that attacks roots of cruciferous plants causing clubroot disease. The pathogen belongs to the Plasmodiophorida order in Phytomyxea. Here we used long-read SMRT technology to clarify the P. brassicae e3 genomic constituents along with comparative and phylogenetic analyses. Twenty contigs representing the nuclear genome and one mitochondrial (mt) contig were generated, together comprising 25.1 Mbp. Thirteen of the 20 nuclear contigs represented chromosomes from telomere to telomere characterized by [TTTTAGGG] sequences. Seven active gene candidates encoding synaptonemal complex-associated and meiotic-related protein homologs were identified, a finding that argues for possible genetic recombination events. The circular mt genome is large (114,663 bp), gene dense and intron rich. It shares high synteny with the mt genome of Spongospora subterranea, except in a unique 12 kb region delimited by shifts in GC content and containing tandem minisatellite- and microsatellite repeats with partially palindromic sequences. De novo annotation identified 32 protein-coding genes, 28 structural RNA genes and 19 ORFs. ORFs predicted in the repeat-rich region showed similarities to diverse organisms suggesting possible evolutionary connections. The data generated here form a refined platform for the next step involving functional analysis, all to clarify the complex biology of P. brassicae.
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27
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Drenth A, McTaggart AR, Wingfield BD. Fungal clones win the battle, but recombination wins the war. IMA Fungus 2019; 10:18. [PMID: 32647622 PMCID: PMC7325676 DOI: 10.1186/s43008-019-0020-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Clonal reproduction is common in fungi and fungal-like organisms during epidemics and invasion events. The success of clonal fungi shaped systems for their classification and some pathogens are tacitly treated as asexual. We argue that genetic recombination driven by sexual reproduction must be a starting hypothesis when dealing with fungi for two reasons: (1) Clones eventually crash because they lack adaptability; and (2) fungi find a way to exchange genetic material through recombination, whether sexual, parasexual, or hybridisation. Successful clones may prevail over space and time, but they are the product of recombination and the next successful clone will inevitably appear. Fungal pathogen populations are dynamic rather than static, and they need genetic recombination to adapt to a changing environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Drenth
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102 Australia
| | - Alistair R McTaggart
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102 Australia.,Department of Genetics, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Pretoria, Gauteng South Africa
| | - Brenda D Wingfield
- Department of Genetics, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Pretoria, Gauteng South Africa
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28
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Peng Z, Oliveira-Garcia E, Lin G, Hu Y, Dalby M, Migeon P, Tang H, Farman M, Cook D, White FF, Valent B, Liu S. Effector gene reshuffling involves dispensable mini-chromosomes in the wheat blast fungus. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1008272. [PMID: 31513573 PMCID: PMC6741851 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Newly emerged wheat blast disease is a serious threat to global wheat production. Wheat blast is caused by a distinct, exceptionally diverse lineage of the fungus causing rice blast disease. Through sequencing a recent field isolate, we report a reference genome that includes seven core chromosomes and mini-chromosome sequences that harbor effector genes normally found on ends of core chromosomes in other strains. No mini-chromosomes were observed in an early field strain, and at least two from another isolate each contain different effector genes and core chromosome end sequences. The mini-chromosome is enriched in transposons occurring most frequently at core chromosome ends. Additionally, transposons in mini-chromosomes lack the characteristic signature for inactivation by repeat-induced point (RIP) mutation genome defenses. Our results, collectively, indicate that dispensable mini-chromosomes and core chromosomes undergo divergent evolutionary trajectories, and mini-chromosomes and core chromosome ends are coupled as a mobile, fast-evolving effector compartment in the wheat pathogen genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Peng
- Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States of America
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America
| | - Ely Oliveira-Garcia
- Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States of America
| | - Guifang Lin
- Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States of America
| | - Ying Hu
- Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States of America
| | - Melinda Dalby
- Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States of America
| | - Pierre Migeon
- Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States of America
| | - Haibao Tang
- Center for Genomics and Biotechnology and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Haixia Applied Plant Systems Biology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fujian, China
| | - Mark Farman
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States of America
| | - David Cook
- Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States of America
| | - Frank F. White
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America
| | - Barbara Valent
- Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States of America
| | - Sanzhen Liu
- Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States of America
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29
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Peng Z, Oliveira-Garcia E, Lin G, Hu Y, Dalby M, Migeon P, Tang H, Farman M, Cook D, White FF, Valent B, Liu S. Effector gene reshuffling involves dispensable mini-chromosomes in the wheat blast fungus. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1008272. [PMID: 31513573 DOI: 10.1101/359455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Newly emerged wheat blast disease is a serious threat to global wheat production. Wheat blast is caused by a distinct, exceptionally diverse lineage of the fungus causing rice blast disease. Through sequencing a recent field isolate, we report a reference genome that includes seven core chromosomes and mini-chromosome sequences that harbor effector genes normally found on ends of core chromosomes in other strains. No mini-chromosomes were observed in an early field strain, and at least two from another isolate each contain different effector genes and core chromosome end sequences. The mini-chromosome is enriched in transposons occurring most frequently at core chromosome ends. Additionally, transposons in mini-chromosomes lack the characteristic signature for inactivation by repeat-induced point (RIP) mutation genome defenses. Our results, collectively, indicate that dispensable mini-chromosomes and core chromosomes undergo divergent evolutionary trajectories, and mini-chromosomes and core chromosome ends are coupled as a mobile, fast-evolving effector compartment in the wheat pathogen genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Peng
- Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States of America
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America
| | - Ely Oliveira-Garcia
- Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States of America
| | - Guifang Lin
- Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States of America
| | - Ying Hu
- Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States of America
| | - Melinda Dalby
- Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States of America
| | - Pierre Migeon
- Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States of America
| | - Haibao Tang
- Center for Genomics and Biotechnology and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Haixia Applied Plant Systems Biology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fujian, China
| | - Mark Farman
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States of America
| | - David Cook
- Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States of America
| | - Frank F White
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America
| | - Barbara Valent
- Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States of America
| | - Sanzhen Liu
- Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States of America
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30
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Naranjo‐Ortiz MA, Gabaldón T. Fungal evolution: major ecological adaptations and evolutionary transitions. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2019; 94:1443-1476. [PMID: 31021528 PMCID: PMC6850671 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Revised: 03/10/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Fungi are a highly diverse group of heterotrophic eukaryotes characterized by the absence of phagotrophy and the presence of a chitinous cell wall. While unicellular fungi are far from rare, part of the evolutionary success of the group resides in their ability to grow indefinitely as a cylindrical multinucleated cell (hypha). Armed with these morphological traits and with an extremely high metabolical diversity, fungi have conquered numerous ecological niches and have shaped a whole world of interactions with other living organisms. Herein we survey the main evolutionary and ecological processes that have guided fungal diversity. We will first review the ecology and evolution of the zoosporic lineages and the process of terrestrialization, as one of the major evolutionary transitions in this kingdom. Several plausible scenarios have been proposed for fungal terrestralization and we here propose a new scenario, which considers icy environments as a transitory niche between water and emerged land. We then focus on exploring the main ecological relationships of Fungi with other organisms (other fungi, protozoans, animals and plants), as well as the origin of adaptations to certain specialized ecological niches within the group (lichens, black fungi and yeasts). Throughout this review we use an evolutionary and comparative-genomics perspective to understand fungal ecological diversity. Finally, we highlight the importance of genome-enabled inferences to envision plausible narratives and scenarios for important transitions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A. Naranjo‐Ortiz
- Department of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG)The Barcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyDr. Aiguader 88, Barcelona08003Spain
| | - Toni Gabaldón
- Department of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG)The Barcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyDr. Aiguader 88, Barcelona08003Spain
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF)08003BarcelonaSpain
- ICREA, Pg. Lluís Companys 2308010BarcelonaSpain
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31
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Zheng H, Zhong Z, Shi M, Zhang L, Lin L, Hong Y, Fang T, Zhu Y, Guo J, Zhang L, Fang J, Lin H, Norvienyeku J, Chen X, Lu G, Hu H, Wang Z. Comparative genomic analysis revealed rapid differentiation in the pathogenicity-related gene repertoires between Pyricularia oryzae and Pyricularia penniseti isolated from a Pennisetum grass. BMC Genomics 2018; 19:927. [PMID: 30545292 PMCID: PMC6293661 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-018-5222-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A number of Pyricularia species are known to infect different grass species. In the case of Pyricularia oryzae (syn. Magnaporthe oryzae), distinct populations are known to be adapted to a wide variety of grass hosts, including rice, wheat and many other grasses. The genome sizes of Pyricularia species are typical for filamentous ascomycete fungi [~ 40 Mbp for P. oryzae, and ~ 45 Mbp for P. grisea]. Genome plasticity, mediated in part by deletions promoted by recombination between repetitive elements [Genome Res 26:1091-1100, 2016, Nat Rev Microbiol 10:417-430,2012] and transposable elements [Annu Rev Phytopathol 55:483-503,2017] contributes to host adaptation. Therefore, comparisons of genome structure of individual species will provide insight into the evolution of host specificity. However, except for the P. oryzae subgroup, little is known about the gene content or genome organization of other Pyricularia species, such as those infecting Pennisetum grasses. RESULTS Here, we report the genome sequence of P. penniseti strain P1609 isolated from a Pennisetum grass (JUJUNCAO) using PacBio SMRT sequencing technology. Phylogenomic analysis of 28 Magnaporthales species and 5 non-Magnaporthales species indicated that P1609 belongs to a Pyricularia subclade, which is genetically distant from P. oryzae. Comparative genomic analysis revealed that the pathogenicity-related gene repertoires had diverged between P1609 and the P. oryzae strain 70-15, including the known avirulence genes, other putative secreted proteins, as well as some other predicted Pathogen-Host Interaction (PHI) genes. Genomic sequence comparison also identified many genomic rearrangements relative to P. oryzae. CONCLUSION Our results suggested that the genomic sequence of the P. penniseti P1609 could be a useful resource for the genetic study of the Pennisetum-infecting Pyricularia species and provide new insight into evolution of pathogen genomes during host adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huakun Zheng
- National Engineering Research Center of JUNCAO Technology, College of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002 China
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002 China
| | - Zhenhui Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002 China
- College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002 China
| | - Mingyue Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002 China
- College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002 China
| | - Limei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002 China
- College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002 China
| | - Lianyu Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002 China
- College of life science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002 China
| | - Yonghe Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002 China
- College of life science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002 China
| | - Tian Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002 China
- College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002 China
| | - Yangyan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002 China
- College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002 China
| | - Jiayuan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002 China
- College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002 China
| | - Limin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002 China
- College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002 China
| | - Jie Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002 China
- College of life science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002 China
| | - Hui Lin
- National Engineering Research Center of JUNCAO Technology, College of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002 China
| | - Justice Norvienyeku
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002 China
- College of life science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002 China
| | - Xiaofeng Chen
- Institute of Oceanography, Minjiang University, Fuzhou, 350108 China
| | - Guodong Lu
- National Engineering Research Center of JUNCAO Technology, College of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002 China
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002 China
| | - Hongli Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002 China
- College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002 China
| | - Zonghua Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002 China
- College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002 China
- College of life science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002 China
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Waalwijk C, Taga M, Zheng SL, Proctor RH, Vaughan MM, O'Donnell K. Karyotype evolution in Fusarium. IMA Fungus 2018; 9:13-26. [PMID: 30018869 PMCID: PMC6048573 DOI: 10.5598/imafungus.2018.09.01.02] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The germ tube burst method (GTBM) was employed to examine karyotypes of 33 Fusarium species representative of 11 species complexes that span the phylogenetic breadth of the genus. The karyotypes revealed that the nucleolar organizing region (NOR), which includes the ribosomal rDNA region, was telomeric in the species where it was discernible. Variable karyotypes were detected in eight species due to variation in numbers of putative core and/or supernumerary chromosomes. The putative core chromosome number (CN) was most variable in the F. solani (CN = 9‒12) and F. buharicum (CN = 9+1 and 18-20) species complexes. Quantitative real-time PCR and genome sequence analysis rejected the hypothesis that the latter variation in CN was due to diploidization. The core CN in six other species complexes where two or more karyotypes were obtained was less variable or fixed. Karyotypes of 10 species in the sambucinum species complex, which is the most derived lineage of Fusarium, revealed that members of this complex possess the lowest CN in the genus. When viewed in context of the species phylogeny, karyotype evolution in Fusarium appears to have been dominated by a reduction in core CN in five closely related complexes that share a most recent common ancestor (tricinctum and incarnatum-equiseti CN = 8-9, chlamydosporum CN = 8, heterosporum CN = 7, sambucinum CN = 4-5) but not in the sister to these complexes (nisikadoi CN = 11, oxysporum CN = 11 and fujikuroi CN = 10-12). CN stability is best illustrated by the F. sambucinum subclade, where the only changes observed since it diverged from other fusaria appear to have involved two independent putative telomere to telomere fusions that reduced the core CN from five to four, once each in the sambucinum and graminearum subclades. Results of the present study indicate a core CN of 4 may be fixed in the latter subclade, which is further distinguished by the absence of putative supernumerary chromosomes. Karyotyping of fusaria in the not too distant future will be done by whole-genome sequencing such that each scaffold represents a complete chromosome from telomere to telomere. The CN data presented here should be of value to assist such full genome assembling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cees Waalwijk
- Businessunit Biointeractions & Plant Health, Wageningen Plant Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Masatoki Taga
- Division of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, 3-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
| | - Song-Lin Zheng
- Division of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, 3-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
| | - Robert H Proctor
- Mycotoxin Prevention and Applied Microbiology Research Unit, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Peoria, Illinois 61604-3999, USA
| | - Martha M Vaughan
- Mycotoxin Prevention and Applied Microbiology Research Unit, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Peoria, Illinois 61604-3999, USA
| | - Kerry O'Donnell
- Mycotoxin Prevention and Applied Microbiology Research Unit, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Peoria, Illinois 61604-3999, USA
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