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Sun T, Li Y, Li J, Gao J, Zhang J, Fischer R, Shen Q, Yu Z. Red and far-red light improve the antagonistic ability of Trichoderma guizhouense against phytopathogenic fungi by promoting phytochrome-dependent aerial hyphal growth. PLoS Genet 2024; 20:e1011282. [PMID: 38768261 PMCID: PMC11142658 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011282] [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: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Light as a source of information regulates morphological and physiological processes of fungi, including development, primary and secondary metabolism, or the circadian rhythm. Light signaling in fungi depends on photoreceptors and downstream components that amplify the signal to govern the expression of an array of genes. Here, we investigated the effects of red and far-red light in the mycoparasite Trichoderma guizhouense on its mycoparasitic potential. We show that the invasion strategy of T. guizhouense depends on the attacked species and that red and far-red light increased aerial hyphal growth and led to faster overgrowth or invasion of the colonies. Molecular experiments and transcriptome analyses revealed that red and far-red light are sensed by phytochrome FPH1 and further transmitted by the downstream MAPK HOG pathway and the bZIP transcription factor ATF1. Overexpression of the red- and far-red light-induced fluffy gene fluG in the dark resulted in abundant aerial hyphae formation and thereby improvement of its antagonistic ability against phytopathogenic fungi. Hence, light-induced fluG expression is important for the mycoparasitic interaction. The increased aggressiveness of fluG-overexpressing strains was phenocopied by four random mutants obtained after UV mutagenesis. Therefore, aerial hyphae formation appears to be a trait for the antagonistic potential of T. guizhouense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Sun
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, Key Lab of Organic-based Fertilizers of China, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Educational Ministry Engineering Center of Resource-saving fertilizers, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yifan Li
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, Key Lab of Organic-based Fertilizers of China, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Educational Ministry Engineering Center of Resource-saving fertilizers, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jie Li
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, Key Lab of Organic-based Fertilizers of China, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Educational Ministry Engineering Center of Resource-saving fertilizers, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jia Gao
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Applied Biosciences, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) - South Campus, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Jian Zhang
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, Key Lab of Organic-based Fertilizers of China, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Educational Ministry Engineering Center of Resource-saving fertilizers, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Reinhard Fischer
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Applied Biosciences, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) - South Campus, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Qirong Shen
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, Key Lab of Organic-based Fertilizers of China, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Educational Ministry Engineering Center of Resource-saving fertilizers, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhenzhong Yu
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, Key Lab of Organic-based Fertilizers of China, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Educational Ministry Engineering Center of Resource-saving fertilizers, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
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Razo-Belmán R, Ángeles-López YI, García-Ortega LF, León-Ramírez CG, Ortiz-Castellanos L, Yu H, Martínez-Soto D. Fungal volatile organic compounds: mechanisms involved in their sensing and dynamic communication with plants. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1257098. [PMID: 37810383 PMCID: PMC10559904 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1257098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) are mixtures of gas-phase hydrophobic carbon-based molecules produced by microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. They can act as airborne signals sensed by plants being crucial players in triggering signaling cascades influencing their secondary metabolism, development, and growth. The role of fungal volatile organic compounds (FVOCs) from beneficial or detrimental species to influence the physiology and priming effect of plants has been well studied. However, the plants mechanisms to discern between FVOCs from friend or foe remains significantly understudied. Under this outlook, we present an overview of the VOCs produced by plant-associate fungal species, with a particular focus on the challenges faced in VOCs research: i) understanding how plants could perceive FVOCs, ii) investigating the differential responses of plants to VOCs from beneficial or detrimental fungal strains, and finally, iii) exploring practical aspects related to the collection of VOCs and their eco-friendly application in agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosario Razo-Belmán
- Departamento de Alimentos, División de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad de Guanajuato, Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | | | - Luis Fernando García-Ortega
- Departamento de Ingeniería Genética, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Unidad Irapuato, Irapuato, Mexico
| | - Claudia Geraldine León-Ramírez
- Departamento de Ingeniería Genética, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Unidad Irapuato, Irapuato, Mexico
| | - Lucila Ortiz-Castellanos
- Departamento de Ingeniería Genética, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Unidad Irapuato, Irapuato, Mexico
| | - Houlin Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Domingo Martínez-Soto
- Departamento de Microbiología, Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
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Giehl A, dos Santos AA, Cadamuro RD, Tadioto V, Guterres IZ, Prá Zuchi ID, Minussi GDA, Fongaro G, Silva IT, Alves SL. Biochemical and Biotechnological Insights into Fungus-Plant Interactions for Enhanced Sustainable Agricultural and Industrial Processes. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:2688. [PMID: 37514302 PMCID: PMC10385130 DOI: 10.3390/plants12142688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
The literature is full of studies reporting environmental and health issues related to using traditional pesticides in food production and storage. Fortunately, alternatives have arisen in the last few decades, showing that organic agriculture is possible and economically feasible. And in this scenario, fungi may be helpful. In the natural environment, when associated with plants, these microorganisms offer plant-growth-promoting molecules, facilitate plant nutrient uptake, and antagonize phytopathogens. It is true that fungi can also be phytopathogenic, but even they can benefit agriculture in some way-since pathogenicity is species-specific, these fungi are shown to be useful against weeds (as bioherbicides). Finally, plant-associated yeasts and molds are natural biofactories, and the metabolites they produce while dwelling in leaves, flowers, roots, or the rhizosphere have the potential to be employed in different industrial activities. By addressing all these subjects, this manuscript comprehensively reviews the biotechnological uses of plant-associated fungi and, in addition, aims to sensitize academics, researchers, and investors to new alternatives for healthier and more environmentally friendly production processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anderson Giehl
- Laboratory of Yeast Biochemistry, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Chapecó 89815-899, SC, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Biotechnology and Biosciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil
| | - Angela Alves dos Santos
- Laboratory of Yeast Biochemistry, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Chapecó 89815-899, SC, Brazil
| | - Rafael Dorighello Cadamuro
- Graduate Program in Biotechnology and Biosciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil
- Laboratory of Applied Virology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil
| | - Viviani Tadioto
- Laboratory of Yeast Biochemistry, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Chapecó 89815-899, SC, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Biotechnology and Biosciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil
- Laboratory of Applied Virology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil
| | - Iara Zanella Guterres
- Laboratory of Applied Virology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Pharmacy, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil
| | - Isabella Dai Prá Zuchi
- Laboratory of Applied Virology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Pharmacy, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil
| | - Gabriel do Amaral Minussi
- Laboratory of Yeast Biochemistry, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Chapecó 89815-899, SC, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Environment and Sustainable Technologies, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Cerro Largo 97900-000, RS, Brazil
| | - Gislaine Fongaro
- Graduate Program in Biotechnology and Biosciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil
- Laboratory of Applied Virology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil
| | - Izabella Thais Silva
- Graduate Program in Biotechnology and Biosciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil
- Laboratory of Applied Virology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Pharmacy, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil
| | - Sergio Luiz Alves
- Laboratory of Yeast Biochemistry, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Chapecó 89815-899, SC, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Biotechnology and Biosciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Environment and Sustainable Technologies, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Cerro Largo 97900-000, RS, Brazil
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van Zijll de Jong E, Kandula J, Rostás M, Kandula D, Hampton J, Mendoza-Mendoza A. Fungistatic Activity Mediated by Volatile Organic Compounds Is Isolate-Dependent in Trichoderma sp. " atroviride B". J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:jof9020238. [PMID: 36836354 PMCID: PMC9965825 DOI: 10.3390/jof9020238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Trichoderma spp. produce multiple bioactive volatile organic compounds (VOCs). While the bioactivity of VOCs from different Trichoderma species is well documented, information on intraspecific variation is limited. The fungistatic activity of VOCs emitted by 59 Trichoderma sp. "atroviride B" isolates against the pathogen Rhizoctonia solani was investigated. Eight isolates representing the two extremes of bioactivity against R. solani were also assessed against Alternaria radicina, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. VOCs profiles of these eight isolates were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to identify a correlation between specific VOCs and bioactivity, and 11 VOCs were evaluated for bioactivity against the pathogens. Bioactivity against R. solani varied among the fifty-nine isolates, with five being strongly antagonistic. All eight selected isolates inhibited the growth of all four pathogens, with bioactivity being lowest against F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici. In total, 32 VOCs were detected, with individual isolates producing between 19 and 28 VOCs. There was a significant direct correlation between VOC number/quantity and bioactivity against R. solani. 6-pentyl-α-pyrone was the most abundant VOC produced, but 15 other VOCs were also correlated with bioactivity. All 11 VOCs tested inhibited R. solani growth, some by >50%. Some of the VOCs also inhibited the growth of the other pathogens by >50%. This study demonstrates significant intraspecific differences in VOC profiles and fungistatic activity supporting the existence of biological diversity within Trichoderma isolates from the same species, a factor in many cases ignored during the development of biological control agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eline van Zijll de Jong
- Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, New Zealand
- Linnaeus Laboratory Ltd., Gisborne 4010, New Zealand
| | - Janaki Kandula
- Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, New Zealand
| | - Michael Rostás
- Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, New Zealand
- Agricultural Entomology, Department of Crop Sciences, University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Diwakar Kandula
- Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, New Zealand
- Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, New Zealand
| | - John Hampton
- Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, New Zealand
- Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, New Zealand
- Correspondence: (J.H.); (A.M.-M.)
| | - Artemio Mendoza-Mendoza
- Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, New Zealand
- Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, New Zealand
- Correspondence: (J.H.); (A.M.-M.)
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Guzmán-Guzmán P, Kumar A, de los Santos-Villalobos S, Parra-Cota FI, Orozco-Mosqueda MDC, Fadiji AE, Hyder S, Babalola OO, Santoyo G. Trichoderma Species: Our Best Fungal Allies in the Biocontrol of Plant Diseases-A Review. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:plants12030432. [PMID: 36771517 PMCID: PMC9921048 DOI: 10.3390/plants12030432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Biocontrol agents (BCA) have been an important tool in agriculture to prevent crop losses due to plant pathogens infections and to increase plant food production globally, diminishing the necessity for chemical pesticides and fertilizers and offering a more sustainable and environmentally friendly option. Fungi from the genus Trichoderma are among the most used and studied microorganisms as BCA due to the variety of biocontrol traits, such as parasitism, antibiosis, secondary metabolites (SM) production, and plant defense system induction. Several Trichoderma species are well-known mycoparasites. However, some of those species can antagonize other organisms such as nematodes and plant pests, making this fungus a very versatile BCA. Trichoderma has been used in agriculture as part of innovative bioformulations, either just Trichoderma species or in combination with other plant-beneficial microbes, such as plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB). Here, we review the most recent literature regarding the biocontrol studies about six of the most used Trichoderma species, T. atroviride, T. harzianum, T. asperellum, T. virens, T. longibrachiatum, and T. viride, highlighting their biocontrol traits and the use of these fungal genera in Trichoderma-based formulations to control or prevent plant diseases, and their importance as a substitute for chemical pesticides and fertilizers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Guzmán-Guzmán
- Instituto de Investigaciones Químico-Biológicas, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Morelia 58030, Mexico
| | - Ajay Kumar
- Department of Postharvest Science, ARO, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
| | | | - Fannie I. Parra-Cota
- Campo Experimental Norman E. Borlaug, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias (INIFAP), Ciudad Obregón 85000, Mexico
| | | | - Ayomide Emmanuel Fadiji
- Food Security and Safety Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2735, South Africa
| | - Sajjad Hyder
- Department of Botany, Government College Women University Sialkot, Sialkot 51310, Pakistan
| | - Olubukola Oluranti Babalola
- Food Security and Safety Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2735, South Africa
| | - Gustavo Santoyo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Químico-Biológicas, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Morelia 58030, Mexico
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Torres-Ortega R, Guillén-Alonso H, Alcalde-Vázquez R, Ramírez-Chávez E, Molina-Torres J, Winkler R. In Vivo Low-Temperature Plasma Ionization Mass Spectrometry (LTP-MS) Reveals Regulation of 6-Pentyl-2H-Pyran-2-One (6-PP) as a Physiological Variable during Plant-Fungal Interaction. Metabolites 2022; 12:metabo12121231. [PMID: 36557269 PMCID: PMC9783819 DOI: 10.3390/metabo12121231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) comprises a broad class of small molecules (up to ~300 g/mol) produced by biological and non-biological sources. VOCs play a vital role in an organism's metabolism during its growth, defense, and reproduction. The well-known 6-pentyl-α-pyrone (6-PP) molecule is an example of a major volatile biosynthesized by Trichoderma atroviride that modulates the expression of PIN auxin-transport proteins in primary roots of Arabidopsis thaliana during their relationship. Their beneficial relation includes lateral root formation, defense induction, and increased plant biomass production. The role of 6-PP has been widely studied due to its relevance in this cross-kingdom relationship. Conventional VOCs measurements are often destructive; samples require further preparation, and the time resolution is low (around hours). Some techniques enable at-line or real-time analyses but are highly selective to defined compounds. Due to these technical constraints, it is difficult to acquire relevant information about the dynamics of VOCs in biological systems. Low-temperature plasma (LTP) ionization allows the analysis of a wide range of VOCs by mass spectrometry (MS). In addition, LTP-MS requires no sample preparation, is solvent-free, and enables the detection of 6-PP faster than conventional analytical methods. Applying static statistical methods such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Discriminant Factorial Analysis (DFA) leads to a loss of information since the biological systems are dynamic. Thus, we applied a time series analysis to find patterns in the signal changes. Our results indicate that the 6-PP signal is constitutively emitted by T. atroviride only; the signal shows high skewness and kurtosis. In A. thaliana grown alone, no signal corresponding to 6-PP is detected above the white noise level. However, during T. atroviride-A. thaliana interaction, the signal performance showed reduced skewness and kurtosis with high autocorrelation. These results suggest that 6-PP is a physiological variable that promotes homeostasis during the plant-fungal relationship. Although the molecular mechanism of this cross-kingdom control is still unknown, our study indicates that 6-PP has to be regulated by A. thaliana during their interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosina Torres-Ortega
- Department of Biotechnology and Biochemistry, Center for Research and Advanced Studies (CINVESTAV), Irapuato 36824, Mexico
- UGA-Langebio, Center for Research and Advanced Studies (CINVESTAV) Irapuato, Km. 9.6 Libramiento Norte Carr. Irapuato-León, Irapuato 36824, Mexico
| | - Héctor Guillén-Alonso
- Department of Biotechnology and Biochemistry, Center for Research and Advanced Studies (CINVESTAV), Irapuato 36824, Mexico
- UGA-Langebio, Center for Research and Advanced Studies (CINVESTAV) Irapuato, Km. 9.6 Libramiento Norte Carr. Irapuato-León, Irapuato 36824, Mexico
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, Nacional Technological Institute, Celaya 38010, Mexico
| | - Raúl Alcalde-Vázquez
- Department of Biotechnology and Biochemistry, Center for Research and Advanced Studies (CINVESTAV), Irapuato 36824, Mexico
- UGA-Langebio, Center for Research and Advanced Studies (CINVESTAV) Irapuato, Km. 9.6 Libramiento Norte Carr. Irapuato-León, Irapuato 36824, Mexico
| | - Enrique Ramírez-Chávez
- Department of Biotechnology and Biochemistry, Center for Research and Advanced Studies (CINVESTAV), Irapuato 36824, Mexico
| | - Jorge Molina-Torres
- Department of Biotechnology and Biochemistry, Center for Research and Advanced Studies (CINVESTAV), Irapuato 36824, Mexico
| | - Robert Winkler
- Department of Biotechnology and Biochemistry, Center for Research and Advanced Studies (CINVESTAV), Irapuato 36824, Mexico
- UGA-Langebio, Center for Research and Advanced Studies (CINVESTAV) Irapuato, Km. 9.6 Libramiento Norte Carr. Irapuato-León, Irapuato 36824, Mexico
- Correspondence:
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Segreto R, Bazafkan H, Millinger J, Schenk M, Atanasova L, Doppler M, Büschl C, Boeckstaens M, Soto Diaz S, Schreiner U, Sillo F, Balestrini R, Schuhmacher R, Zeilinger S. The TOR kinase pathway is relevant for nitrogen signaling and antagonism of the mycoparasite Trichoderma atroviride. PLoS One 2022; 16:e0262180. [PMID: 34972198 PMCID: PMC8719763 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Trichoderma atroviride (Ascomycota, Sordariomycetes) is a well-known mycoparasite applied for protecting plants against fungal pathogens. Its mycoparasitic activity involves processes shared with plant and human pathogenic fungi such as the production of cell wall degrading enzymes and secondary metabolites and is tightly regulated by environmental cues. In eukaryotes, the conserved Target of Rapamycin (TOR) kinase serves as a central regulator of cellular growth in response to nutrient availability. Here we describe how alteration of the activity of TOR1, the single and essential TOR kinase of T. atroviride, by treatment with chemical TOR inhibitors or by genetic manipulation of selected TOR pathway components affected various cellular functions. Loss of TSC1 and TSC2, that are negative regulators of TOR complex 1 (TORC1) in mammalian cells, resulted in altered nitrogen source-dependent growth of T. atroviride, reduced mycoparasitic overgrowth and, in the case of Δtsc1, a diminished production of numerous secondary metabolites. Deletion of the gene encoding the GTPase RHE2, whose mammalian orthologue activates mTORC1, led to rapamycin hypersensitivity and altered secondary metabolism, but had an only minor effect on vegetative growth and mycoparasitic overgrowth. The latter also applied to mutants missing the npr1-1 gene that encodes a fungus-specific kinase known as TOR target in yeast. Genome-wide transcriptome analysis confirmed TOR1 as a regulatory hub that governs T. atroviride metabolism and processes associated to ribosome biogenesis, gene expression and translation. In addition, mycoparasitism-relevant genes encoding terpenoid and polyketide synthases, peptidases, glycoside hydrolases, small secreted cysteine-rich proteins, and G protein coupled receptors emerged as TOR1 targets. Our results provide the first in-depth insights into TOR signaling in a fungal mycoparasite and emphasize its importance in the regulation of processes that critically contribute to the antagonistic activity of T. atroviride.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossana Segreto
- Department of Microbiology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Hoda Bazafkan
- Department of Microbiology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Julia Millinger
- Department of Microbiology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Martina Schenk
- Department of Microbiology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Lea Atanasova
- Institute of Food Technology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, Austria
| | - Maria Doppler
- Department of Agrobiotechnology IFA-Tulln, Center for Analytical Chemistry, University of Natural, Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Tulln, Austria
| | - Christoph Büschl
- Department of Agrobiotechnology IFA-Tulln, Center for Analytical Chemistry, University of Natural, Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Tulln, Austria
| | - Mélanie Boeckstaens
- Département de Biologie Moléculaire, Laboratory of Biology of Membrane Transport, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Silvia Soto Diaz
- Département de Biologie Moléculaire, Laboratory of Biology of Membrane Transport, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Ulrike Schreiner
- Department of Microbiology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | | | - Rainer Schuhmacher
- Department of Agrobiotechnology IFA-Tulln, Center for Analytical Chemistry, University of Natural, Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Tulln, Austria
| | - Susanne Zeilinger
- Department of Microbiology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- * E-mail:
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8
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Dias LP, Souza RKF, Pupin B, Rangel DEN. Conidiation under illumination enhances conidial tolerance of insect-pathogenic fungi to environmental stresses. Fungal Biol 2021; 125:891-904. [PMID: 34649676 DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2021.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Light is an important signal for fungi in the environment and induces many genes with roles in stress and virulence responses. Conidia of the entomopathogenic fungi Aschersonia aleyrodis, Beauveria bassiana, Cordyceps fumosorosea, Lecanicillium aphanocladii, Metarhizium anisopliae, Metarhizium brunneum, Metarhizium robertsii, Simplicillium lanosoniveum, Tolypocladium cylindrosporum, and Tolypocladium inflatum were produced on potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium under continuous white light, on PDA medium in the dark, or under nutritional stress (= Czapek medium without sucrose = MM) in the dark. The conidial tolerance of these species produced under these different conditions were evaluated in relation to heat stress, oxidative stress (menadione), osmotic stress (KCl), UV radiation, and genotoxic stress caused by 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4-NQO). Several fungal species demonstrated greater stress tolerance when conidia were produced under white light than in the dark; for instance white light induced higher tolerance of A. aleyrodis to KCl and 4-NQO; B. bassiana to KCl and 4-NQO; C. fumosorosea to UV radiation; M. anisopliae to heat and menadione; M. brunneum to menadione, KCl, UV radiation, and 4-NQO; M. robertsii to heat, menadione, KCl, and UV radiation; and T. cylindrosporum to menadione and KCl. However, conidia of L. aphanocladii, S. lanosoniveum, and T. inflatum produced under white light exhibited similar tolerance as conidia produced in the dark. When conidia were produced on MM, a much stronger stress tolerance was found for B. bassiana to menadione, KCl, UV radiation, and 4-NQO; C. fumosorosea to KCl and 4-NQO; Metarhizium species to heat, menadione, KCl, and UV radiation; T. cylindrosporum to menadione and UV radiation; and T. inflatum to heat and UV radiation. Again, conidia of L. aphanocladii and S. lanosoniveum produced on MM had similar tolerance to conidia produced on PDA medium in the dark. Therefore, white light is an important factor that induces higher stress tolerance in some insect-pathogenic fungi, but growth in nutritional stress always provides in conidia with stronger stress tolerance than conidia produced under white light.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana P Dias
- Escola de Engenharia de Lorena da Universidade de São Paulo (EEL/USP), Lorena, SP, 12602-810, Brazil
| | | | - Breno Pupin
- Centro de Ciência do Sistema Terrestre, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais - INPE, São José dos Campos, SP, 12227-010, Brazil
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Moreno-Ruiz D, Salzmann L, Fricker MD, Zeilinger S, Lichius A. Stress-Activated Protein Kinase Signalling Regulates Mycoparasitic Hyphal-Hyphal Interactions in Trichoderma atroviride. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7050365. [PMID: 34066643 PMCID: PMC8148604 DOI: 10.3390/jof7050365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Trichoderma atroviride is a mycoparasitic fungus used as biological control agent against fungal plant pathogens. The recognition and appropriate morphogenetic responses to prey-derived signals are essential for successful mycoparasitism. We established microcolony confrontation assays using T. atroviride strains expressing cell division cycle 42 (Cdc42) and Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1) interactive binding (CRIB) reporters to analyse morphogenetic changes and the dynamic displacement of localized GTPase activity during polarized tip growth. Microscopic analyses showed that Trichoderma experiences significant polarity stress when approaching its fungal preys. The perception of prey-derived signals is integrated via the guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling network, and deletion of the MAP kinases Trichoderma MAPK 1 (Tmk1) and Tmk3 affected T. atroviride tip polarization, chemotropic growth, and contact-induced morphogenesis so severely that the establishment of mycoparasitism was highly inefficient to impossible. The responses varied depending on the prey species and the interaction stage, reflecting the high selectivity of the signalling process. Our data suggest that Tmk3 affects the polarity-stress adaptation process especially during the pre-contact phase, whereas Tmk1 regulates contact-induced morphogenesis at the early-contact phase. Neither Tmk1 nor Tmk3 loss-of-function could be fully compensated within the GTPase/MAPK signalling network underscoring the crucial importance of a sensitive polarized tip growth apparatus for successful mycoparasitism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dubraska Moreno-Ruiz
- Department of Microbiology, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (D.M.-R.); (L.S.); (S.Z.)
| | - Linda Salzmann
- Department of Microbiology, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (D.M.-R.); (L.S.); (S.Z.)
| | - Mark D. Fricker
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RB, UK;
| | - Susanne Zeilinger
- Department of Microbiology, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (D.M.-R.); (L.S.); (S.Z.)
| | - Alexander Lichius
- Department of Microbiology, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (D.M.-R.); (L.S.); (S.Z.)
- Correspondence:
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