Fungal Genetics and Biology最新文献

{"title":"The genus Acrophialophora: History, phylogeny, morphology, beneficial effects and pathogenicity","authors":"Zoha Daroodi,&nbsp;Parissa Taheri","doi":"10.1016/j.fgb.2024.103875","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fgb.2024.103875","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The genus <em>Acrophialophora</em> is a thermotolerant fungus, which is widely distributed in temperate and tropical zones. This fungus is classified in Ascomycota and belongs to the Chaetomiaceae family and the genera of <em>Parathielavia</em>, <em>Pseudothielavia</em> and <em>Hyalosphaerella</em> are closely related to <em>Acrophialophora.</em> For this genus have been reported 28 species so far, which two species of <em>Acrophialophora jodhpurensis</em> and <em>Acrophialophora teleoafricana</em> produce only sexual phase and other species produce asexual form. Therefore, producing both sexual and asexual forms were not reported by any species. Many applications were reported by some species in agriculture, pharmacy and industry. Production of enzymes, antimicrobial metabolites and plant growth-promoting factors were reported by some species. The species of <em>A. nainiana</em> is used in the industries of textile, fruit juice, pulp and paper due to extracellular enzyme production. Also, other species produce extracellular enzymes that can be used in various industries. The species <em>Acrophialophora</em> are used in the composting industry due to the production of various enzymes and to be thermotolerant. In addition, some species were isolated from hostile environmental conditions. Therefore has been suggested that it can be used for mycoremediation. Also, antimicrobial metabolites of <em>Acrophialophora</em> have been reported to be effective against human and plant pathogens. In contrast to the beneficial effects described, the <em>Acrophialophora</em> pathogenicity has been rarely reported. Two species <em>A. fusispora</em> and <em>A. levis</em> are opportunistic fungi and have been reported as pathogens in humans, animals and plants. Currently, the development and applications of <em>Acrophialophora</em> species have increased more than past. To our knowledge, there is no report with comprehensive information on the species of <em>Acrophialophora</em>, which include their disadvantage and beneficial effects, particularly in agriculture. Therefore, it seems necessary to pay more in-depth attention to the application of this genus as a beneficial fungus in agriculture, pharmaceutical and industry. This review is focused on the history, phylogeny, morphology, valuable roles of <em>Acrophialophora</em> and pathogenicity.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":55135,"journal":{"name":"Fungal Genetics and Biology","volume":"171 ","pages":"Article 103875"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139881880","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The serine-threonine protein kinase Snf1 orchestrates the expression of plant cell wall-degrading enzymes and is required for full virulence of the maize pathogen Colletotrichum graminicola","authors":"Alan de Oliveira Silva ,&nbsp;Bennet Rohan Fernando Devasahayam ,&nbsp;Lala Aliyeva-Schnorr ,&nbsp;Chirlei Glienke ,&nbsp;Holger B. Deising","doi":"10.1016/j.fgb.2024.103876","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fgb.2024.103876","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Colletotrichum graminicola, the causal agent of maize leaf anthracnose and stalk rot, differentiates a pressurized infection cell called an appressorium in order to invade the epidermal cell, and subsequently forms biotrophic and necrotrophic hyphae to colonize the host tissue. While the role of force in appressorial penetration is established (<span>Bechinger et al., 1999</span>), the involvement of cell wall-degrading enzymes (CWDEs) in this process and in tissue colonization is poorly understood, due to the enormous number and functional redundancy of these enzymes. The serine/threonine protein kinase gene <em>SNF1</em> identified in Sucrose Non-Fermenting yeast mutants mediates de-repression of catabolite-repressed genes, including many genes encoding CWDEs. In this study, we identified and functionally characterized the <em>SNF1</em> homolog of <em>C. graminicola</em>. Δ<em>snf1</em> mutants showed reduced vegetative growth and asexual sporulation rates on media containing polymeric carbon sources. Microscopy revealed reduced efficacies in appressorial penetration of cuticle and epidermal cell wall, and formation of unusual medusa-like biotrophic hyphae by Δ<em>snf1</em> mutants. Severe and moderate virulence reductions were observed on intact and wounded leaves, respectively. Employing RNA-sequencing we show for the first time that more than 2,500 genes are directly or indirectly controlled by Snf1 in necrotrophic hyphae of a plant pathogenic fungus, many of which encode xylan- and cellulose-degrading enzymes. The data presented show that Snf1 is a global regulator of gene expression and is required for full virulence.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":55135,"journal":{"name":"Fungal Genetics and Biology","volume":"171 ","pages":"Article 103876"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139821072","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Role of Pmk1, Mpk1, or Hog1 in the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway of Aspergillus cristatus","authors":"Lulu Liu ,&nbsp;Longyue Li ,&nbsp;Fengyi Li ,&nbsp;Wei Ma ,&nbsp;Wei Guo ,&nbsp;Xu Fang","doi":"10.1016/j.fgb.2024.103874","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fgb.2024.103874","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p><em>Aspergillus cristatus</em> is a probiotic fungus known for its safety and abundant secondary metabolites, making it a promising candidate for various applications. However, limited progress has been made in researching <em>A. cristatus</em> due to challenges in genetic manipulation. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway is involved in numerous physiological processes, but its specific role in <em>A. cristatus</em> remains unclear. In this study, we successfully developed an efficient polyethylene glycol (PEG)–mediated protoplast transformation method for <em>A. cristatus</em>, enabling us to investigate the function of Pmk1, Mpk1, and Hog1 in the MAPK signaling pathway. Our findings revealed that Pmk1, Mpk1, and Hog1 are crucial for sexual reproduction, melanin synthesis, and response to external stress in <em>A. cristatus</em>. Notably, the deletion of Pmk1, Mpk1, or Hog1 resulted in the loss of sexual reproduction capability in <em>A. cristatus</em>. Overall, this research on MAPK will contribute to the continued understanding of the reproductive strategy and melanin synthesis mechanism of <em>A. cristatus.</em></p></div>","PeriodicalId":55135,"journal":{"name":"Fungal Genetics and Biology","volume":"171 ","pages":"Article 103874"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139657492","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"RHO-3 plays a significant role in hyphal extension rate, conidiation, and the integrity of the Spitzenkörper in Neurospora crassa","authors":"Martha M. Ornelas-Llamas ,&nbsp;Luis L. Pérez-Mozqueda ,&nbsp;Olga A. Callejas-Negrete ,&nbsp;Ernestina Castro-Longoria","doi":"10.1016/j.fgb.2024.103873","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fgb.2024.103873","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The Rho family of monomeric GTPases act as signaling proteins to establish and maintain cell polarity and other essential cellular processes. Rho3 is a GTPase of the Rho family that is exclusive of fungi that regulate cell polarity in yeast. However, studies have yet to explore its function in filamentous fungi. In this work, we investigated the role of RHO-3 in the model organism <em>Neurospora crassa</em>. Confocal microscopy analysis revealed that RHO-3 localizes in the outer region of the Spitzenkörper (Spk), in the plasma membrane from region II to the beginning of region III, and in the septa of mature hyphae. The phenotypic effect of the <em>rho-3</em> deletion was analyzed. The results revealed that the <em>rho-3</em> null strain showed severe defects in growth rate, aerial hyphae length, and conidia production. The organization of the Spk is also affected in the absence of RHO-3. Co-expression analysis of GFP-RHO-3 with glucan synthase 1 (GS-1-mChFP) and chitin synthase 1 (CHS-1-mChFP) revealed that RHO-3 localizes in the external region of the Spk in the macrovesicles zone. In summary, our results suggest that RHO-3 is not essential for the polarized growth of hyphae but plays a significant role in hyphal extension rate, conidiation, sexual reproduction and the integrity of the Spk, possibly regulating the delivery of macrovesicles to the apical dome.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":55135,"journal":{"name":"Fungal Genetics and Biology","volume":"171 ","pages":"Article 103873"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139517715","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"AwSclB regulates a network for Aspergillus westerdijkiae asexual sporulation and secondary metabolism independent of the fungal light control","authors":"Gang Wang ,&nbsp;Yibing Liu ,&nbsp;Yafan Hu ,&nbsp;Jiaqi Pan ,&nbsp;Zifan Wei ,&nbsp;Bowen Tai ,&nbsp;Bolei Yang ,&nbsp;Erfeng Li ,&nbsp;Fuguo Xing","doi":"10.1016/j.fgb.2024.103865","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fgb.2024.103865","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>As a prevalent pathogenic fungus, <em>Aspergillus westerdijkiae</em> poses a threat to both food safety and human health. The fungal growth, conidia production and ochratoxin A (OTA) in <em>A. weterdijkiae</em> are regulated by many factors especially transcription factors. In this study, a transcription factor <em>AwSclB</em> in <em>A. westerdijkiae</em> was identified and its function in asexual sporulation and OTA biosynthesis was investigated. In addition, the effect of light control on <em>AwSclB</em> regulation was also tested. The deletion of <em>AwSclB</em> gene could reduce conidia production by down-regulation of conidia genes and increase OTA biosynthesis by up-regulation of cluster genes, regardless under light or dark conditions. It is worth to note that the inhibitory effect of light on OTA biosynthesis was reversed by the knockout of <em>AwSclB</em> gene. The yeast one-hybrid assay indicated that <em>AwSclB</em> could interact with the promoters of <em>BrlA</em>, <em>ConJ</em> and <em>OtaR1</em> genes. This result suggests that <em>AwSclB</em> in <em>A. westerdijkiae</em> can directly regulate asexual conidia formation by activating the central developmental pathway <em>BrlA-AbaA-WetA</em> through up-regulating the expression of <em>AwBrlA</em>, and promote the light response of the strain by activating <em>ConJ</em>. However, <em>AwSclB</em> itself is unable to respond to light regulation. This finding will deepen our understanding of the molecular regulation of <em>A. westerdijkiae</em> development and secondary metabolism, and provide potential targets for the development of new fungicides.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":55135,"journal":{"name":"Fungal Genetics and Biology","volume":"171 ","pages":"Article 103865"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139509204","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genomic, transcriptomic, and ecological diversity of Penicillium species in cheese rind microbiomes","authors":"Ruby Ye ,&nbsp;Megan Biango-Daniels ,&nbsp;Jacob L. Steenwyk ,&nbsp;Antonis Rokas ,&nbsp;Nicolas L. Louw ,&nbsp;Robert Nardella ,&nbsp;Benjamin E. Wolfe","doi":"10.1016/j.fgb.2023.103862","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fgb.2023.103862","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Although <em>Penicillium</em> molds can have significant impacts on agricultural, industrial, and biomedical systems, the ecological roles of <em>Penicillium</em> species in many microbiomes are not well characterized. Here we utilized a collection of 35 <em>Penicillium</em> strains isolated from cheese rinds to broadly investigate the genomic potential for secondary metabolism in cheese-associated <em>Penicillium</em> species, the impact of <em>Penicillium</em> on bacterial community assembly, and mechanisms of <em>Penicillium</em>-bacteria interactions. Using antiSMASH, we identified 1558 biosynthetic gene clusters, 406 of which were mapped to known pathways, including several mycotoxins and antimicrobial compounds. By measuring bacterial abundance and fungal mRNA expression when culturing representative <em>Penicillium</em> strains with a cheese rind bacterial community, we observed divergent impacts of different <em>Penicillium</em> strains, from strong inhibitors of bacterial growth to those with no impact on bacterial growth or community composition. Through differential mRNA expression analyses, <em>Penicillium</em> strains demonstrated limited differential gene expression in response to the bacterial community. We identified a few shared responses between the eight tested <em>Penicillium</em> strains, primarily upregulation of nutrient metabolic pathways, but we did not identify a conserved fungal response to growth in a multispecies community. These results in tandem suggest high variation among cheese-associated <em>Penicillium</em> species in their ability to shape bacterial community development and highlight important ecological diversity within this iconic genus.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":55135,"journal":{"name":"Fungal Genetics and Biology","volume":"171 ","pages":"Article 103862"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139423948","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Methyl jasmonate differentially and tissue-specifically regulated the expression of arginine catabolism–related genes and proteins in Agaricus bisporus mushrooms during storage","authors":"Hanyue Jiang ,&nbsp;Huadong Wang ,&nbsp;Xiuhong Wang ,&nbsp;Yating Wang ,&nbsp;Rui Song ,&nbsp;Shuai Yuan ,&nbsp;Zhenchuan Fan ,&nbsp;Demei Meng","doi":"10.1016/j.fgb.2024.103864","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fgb.2024.103864","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Methyl jasmonate (MeJA)-regulated postharvest quality retention of <em>Agaricus bisporus</em> fruiting bodies is associated with arginine catabolism. However, the mechanism of MeJA-regulated arginine catabolism in edible mushrooms is still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the regulatory modes of MeJA on the expression of arginine catabolism–related genes and proteins in intact and different tissues of <em>A. bisporus</em> mushrooms during storage. Results showed that exogenous MeJA treatment activated endogenous JA biosynthesis in <em>A. bisporus</em> mushrooms, and differentially and tissue-specifically regulated the expression of arginine catabolism–related genes (<em>AbARG</em>, <em>AbODC</em>, <em>AbSPE-SDH</em>, <em>AbSPDS</em>, <em>AbSAMDC,</em> and <em>AbASL</em>) and proteins (AbARG, AbSPE-SDH, AbASL, and AbASS). MeJA caused no significant change in <em>AbASS</em> expression but resulted in a dramatic increase in AbASS protein level. Neither the expression of the <em>AbSAMS</em> gene nor the AbSAMS protein was conspicuously altered upon MeJA treatment. Additionally, MeJA reduced the contents of arginine and ornithine and induced the accumulation of free putrescine and spermidine, which was closely correlated with MeJA-regulated arginine catabolism–related genes and proteins. Hence, the results suggested that the differential and tissue-specific regulation of arginine catabolism–related genes and proteins by MeJA contributed to their selective involvement in the postharvest continuing development and quality retention of button mushrooms.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":55135,"journal":{"name":"Fungal Genetics and Biology","volume":"170 ","pages":"Article 103864"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139409895","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Creating large chromosomal segment deletions in Aspergillus flavus by a dual CRISPR/Cas9 system: Deletion of gene clusters for production of aflatoxin, cyclopiazonic acid, and ustiloxin B","authors":"Perng-Kuang Chang","doi":"10.1016/j.fgb.2023.103863","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fgb.2023.103863","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p><em>Aspergillus flavus</em> produces hepatocarcinogenic aflatoxin that adversely impacts human and animal health and international trade. A promising means to manage preharvest aflatoxin contamination of crops is biological control, which employs non-aflatoxigenic <em>A. flavus</em> isolates possessing defective aflatoxin gene clusters to outcompete field toxigenic populations. However, these isolates often produce other toxic metabolites. The CRISPR/Cas9 technology has greatly advanced genome editing and gene functional studies. Its use in deleting large chromosomal segments of filamentous fungi is rarely reported. A system of dual CRISPR/Cas9 combined with a 60-nucleotide donor DNA that allowed removal of <em>A. flavus</em> gene clusters involved in production of harmful specialized metabolites was established. It efficiently deleted a 102-kb segment containing both aflatoxin and cyclopiazonic acid gene clusters from toxigenic <em>A. flavus</em> morphotypes, L-type and S-type. It further deleted the 27-kb ustiloxin B gene cluster of a resulting L-type mutant. Overall efficiencies of deletion ranged from 66.6 % to 85.6 % and efficiencies of deletions repaired by a single copy of donor DNA ranged from 50.5 % to 72.7 %. To determine the capacity of this technique, a pigment-screening setup based on absence of aspergillic acid gene cluster was devised. Chromosomal segments of 201 kb and 301 kb were deleted with efficiencies of 57.7 % to 69.2 %, respectively. This system used natural <em>A. flavus</em> isolates as recipients, eliminated a forced-recycling step to produce recipients for next round deletion, and generated maker-free deletants with sequences predefined by donor DNA. The research provides a method for creating genuine atoxigenic biocontrol strains friendly for field trial release.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":55135,"journal":{"name":"Fungal Genetics and Biology","volume":"170 ","pages":"Article 103863"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1087184523000944/pdfft?md5=07e0850522dfb1bfca59fceadd36aa1f&pid=1-s2.0-S1087184523000944-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139057421","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Multi-locus sequence typing and phylogenetics of Cryptococcus neoformans AD hybrids","authors":"M. Cogliati ,&nbsp;P.E. Chidebelu ,&nbsp;M. Hitchcock ,&nbsp;M. Chen ,&nbsp;V. Rickerts ,&nbsp;S. Ackermann ,&nbsp;M. Desnos Ollivier ,&nbsp;J. Inácio ,&nbsp;U. Nawrot ,&nbsp;M. Florek ,&nbsp;K.J. Kwon-Chung ,&nbsp;D.-H. Yang ,&nbsp;C. Firacative ,&nbsp;C.A. Puime ,&nbsp;P. Escandon ,&nbsp;S. Bertout ,&nbsp;F. Roger ,&nbsp;J. Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.fgb.2023.103861","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fgb.2023.103861","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Hybrid AD strains of the human pathogenic <em>Cryptococcus neoformans</em> species complex have been reported from many parts of the world. However, their origin, diversity, and evolution are incompletely understood. In this study, we analyzed 102 AD hybrid strains representing 21 countries on five continents. For each strain, we obtained its mating type and its allelic sequences at each of the seven loci that have been used for genotyping haploid serotypes A and D strains of the species complex by the <em>Cryptococcus</em> research community. Our results showed that most AD hybrids exhibited loss of heterozygosity at one or more of the seven analyzed loci. Phylogenetic and population genetic analyses of the allelic sequences revealed multiple origins of the hybrids within each continent, dating back to one million years ago in Africa and up to the present in other continents. We found evidence for clonal reproduction and long-distance dispersal of these hybrids in nature. Comparisons with the global haploid serotypes A and D strains identified new alleles and new haploid multi-locus genotypes in AD hybrids, consistent with the presence of yet-to-be discovered genetic diversity in haploid populations of this species complex in nature. Together, our results indicate that AD hybrids can be effectively genotyped using the same multi-locus sequencing type approach as that established for serotypes A and D strains. Our comparisons of the AD hybrids among each other as well as with the global haploid serotypes A and D strains revealed novel genetic diversity as well as evidence for multiple origins and dynamic evolution of these hybrids in nature.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":55135,"journal":{"name":"Fungal Genetics and Biology","volume":"170 ","pages":"Article 103861"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1087184523000920/pdfft?md5=95f92c11deffa51bb10ea69034028776&pid=1-s2.0-S1087184523000920-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138833112","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Unidirectional mating-type switching is underpinned by a conserved MAT1 locus architecture","authors":"P. Markus Wilken,&nbsp;Frances A. Lane,&nbsp;Emma T. Steenkamp,&nbsp;Michael J. Wingfield,&nbsp;Brenda D. Wingfield","doi":"10.1016/j.fgb.2023.103859","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fgb.2023.103859","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Unidirectional mating-type switching is a form of homothallic reproduction known only in a small number of filamentous ascomycetes. Their ascospores can give rise to either self-sterile isolates that require compatible partners for subsequent sexual reproduction, or self-fertile individuals capable of completing this process in isolation. The limited studies previously conducted in these fungi suggest that the differences in mating specificity are determined by the architecture of the <em>MAT1</em> locus. In self-fertile isolates that have not undergone unidirectional mating-type switching, the locus contains both <em>MAT1-1</em> and <em>MAT1-2</em> mating-type genes, typical of primary homothallism. In the self-sterile isolates produced after a switching event, the <em>MAT1-2</em> genes are lacking from the locus, likely due to a recombination-mediated deletion of the <em>MAT1-2</em> gene information. To determine whether these arrangements of the <em>MAT1</em> locus support unidirectional mating-type switching in the <em>Ceratocystidaceae</em>, the largest known fungal assemblage capable of this reproduction strategy, a combination of genetic and genomic approaches were used. The <em>MAT1</em> locus was annotated in representative species of <em>Ceratocystis, Endoconidiophora,</em> and <em>Davidsoniella</em>. In all cases, <em>MAT1-2</em> genes interrupted the <em>MAT1-1</em>–<em>1</em> gene in self-fertile isolates. The <em>MAT1-2</em> genes were flanked by two copies of a direct repeat that accurately predicted the boundaries of the deletion event that would yield the <em>MAT1</em> locus of self-sterile isolates. Although the relative position of the <em>MAT1-2</em> gene region differed among species, it always disrupted the <em>MAT1-1</em>–<em>1</em> gene and/or its expression in the self-fertile <em>MAT1</em> locus. Following switching, this gene and/or its expression was restored in the self-sterile arrangement of the locus. This mirrors what has been reported in other species capable of unidirectional mating-type switching, providing the strongest support for a conserved <em>MAT1</em> locus structure that is associated with this process. This study contributes to our understanding of the evolution of unidirectional mating-type switching.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":55135,"journal":{"name":"Fungal Genetics and Biology","volume":"170 ","pages":"Article 103859"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1087184523000907/pdfft?md5=82f0f3ed686f38efa920b3fdc06cc897&pid=1-s2.0-S1087184523000907-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138744426","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}