scholarly journals Identification and Regulation offusA, the Polyketide Synthase Gene Responsible for Fusarin Production in Fusarium fujikuroi

2012 ◽  
Vol 78 (20) ◽  
pp. 7258-7266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Violeta Díaz-Sánchez ◽  
Javier Avalos ◽  
M. Carmen Limón
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Availability ◽  
Polyketide Synthase ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Targeted Mutagenesis ◽  
Fusarium Fujikuroi ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Sequence Comparisons ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Polyketide Synthase Gene

ABSTRACTFusarins are a class of mycotoxins of the polyketide family produced by differentFusariumspecies, including the gibberellin-producing fungusFusarium fujikuroi. Based on sequence comparisons between polyketide synthase (PKS) enzymes for fusarin production in otherFusariumstrains, we have identified theF. fujikuroiorthologue, calledfusA. The participation offusAin fusarin biosynthesis was demonstrated by targeted mutagenesis. Fusarin production is transiently stimulated by nitrogen availability in this fungus, a regulation paralleled by thefusAmRNA levels in the cell. Illumination of the cultures results in a reduction of the fusarin content, an effect partially explained by a high sensitivity of these compounds to light. Mutants of thefusAgene exhibit no external phenotypic alterations, including morphology and conidiation, except for a lack of the characteristic yellow and/or orange pigmentation of fusarins. Moreover, thefusAmutants are less efficient than the wild type at degrading cellophane on agar cultures, a trait associated with pathogenesis functions inFusarium oxysporum. ThefusAmutants, however, are not affected in their capacities to grow on plant tissues.

scholarly journals Regulation of Carotenogenesis and Secondary Metabolism by Nitrogen in Wild-Type Fusarium fujikuroi and Carotenoid-Overproducing Mutants

2008 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 405-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Rodríguez-Ortiz ◽  
M. Carmen Limón ◽  
Javier Avalos
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Availability ◽  
Polyketide Synthase ◽  
Nitrogen Starvation ◽  
Carotenoid Biosynthesis ◽  
Gibberella Fujikuroi ◽  
Fusarium Fujikuroi ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Carotenoid Accumulation ◽  
Gibberellin Production ◽  
In The Wild

ABSTRACT The fungus Fusarium fujikuroi (Gibberella fujikuroi MP-C) produces metabolites of biotechnological interest, such as gibberellins, bikaverins, and carotenoids. Gibberellin and bikaverin productions are induced upon nitrogen exhaustion, while carotenoid accumulation is stimulated by light. We evaluated the effect of nitrogen availability on carotenogenesis in comparison with bikaverin and gibberellin production in the wild type and in carotenoid-overproducing mutants (carS). Nitrogen starvation increased carotenoid accumulation in all strains tested. In carS strains, gibberellin and bikaverin biosynthesis patterns differed from those of the wild type and paralleled the expression of key genes for both pathways, coding for geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) and kaurene synthases for the former and a polyketide synthase for the latter. These results suggest regulatory connections between carotenoid biosynthesis and nitrogen-controlled biosynthetic pathways in this fungus. Expression of gene ggs1, which encodes a second GGPP synthase, was also derepressed in the carS mutants, suggesting the participation of Ggs1 in carotenoid biosynthesis. The carS mutations did not affect genes for earlier steps of the terpenoid pathway, such as fppS or hmgR. Light induced carotenoid biosynthesis in the wild type and carRA and carB levels in the wild-type and carS strains irrespective of nitrogen availability.

scholarly journals Transcriptomics-Aided Dissection of the Intracellular and Extracellular Roles of Microcystin in Microcystis aeruginosa PCC 7806

2014 ◽  
Vol 81 (2) ◽  
pp. 544-554 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Katharina Makower ◽  
J. Merijn Schuurmans ◽  
Detlef Groth ◽  
Yvonne Zilliges ◽  
Hans C. P. Matthijs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polyketide Synthase ◽  
Wild Type Strain ◽  
Carbon Limitation ◽  
Light Conditions ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Low Light ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Polyketide Synthase Gene

ABSTRACTRecent studies have provided evidence for both intracellular and extracellular roles of the potent hepatotoxin microcystin (MC) in the bloom-forming cyanobacteriumMicrocystis. Here, we surveyed transcriptomes of the wild-type strainM. aeruginosaPCC 7806 and the microcystin-deficient ΔmcyBmutant under low light conditions with and without the addition of external MC of the LR variant (MC-LR). Transcriptomic data acquired by microarray and quantitative PCR revealed substantial differences in the relative expression of genes of the central intermediary metabolism, photosynthesis, and energy metabolism. In particular, the data provide evidence for a lower photosystem I (PSI)-to-photosystem II (PSII) ratio and a more pronounced carbon limitation in the microcystin-deficient mutant. Interestingly, only 6% of the transcriptional differences could be complemented by external microcystin-LR addition. This MC signaling effect was seen exclusively for genes of the secondary metabolism category. The orphan polyketide synthase gene cluster IPF38-51 was specifically downregulated in response to external MC-LR under low light. Our data suggest a hierarchical and light-dependent cross talk of secondary metabolites and support both an intracellular and an extracellular role of MC inMicrocystis.

scholarly journals Light-Dependent Functions of the Fusarium fujikuroi CryD DASH Cryptochrome in Development and Secondary Metabolism

2013 ◽  
Vol 79 (8) ◽  
pp. 2777-2788 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Castrillo ◽  
Jorge García-Martínez ◽  
Javier Avalos
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Metabolism ◽  
Nitrogen Starvation ◽  
Phytopathogenic Fungus ◽  
Fusarium Fujikuroi ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Gibberellin Production ◽  
In The Wild

ABSTRACTDASH (Drosophila,Arabidopsis,Synechocystis, human) cryptochromes (cry-DASHs) constitute a subgroup of the photolyase cryptochrome family with diverse light-sensing roles, found in most taxonomical groups. The genome ofFusarium fujikuroi, a phytopathogenic fungus with a rich secondary metabolism, contains a gene encoding a putative cry-DASH, named CryD. The expression of thecryDgene is induced by light in the wild type, but not in mutants of the “white collar” genewcoA. Targeted ΔcryDmutants show light-dependent phenotypic alterations, including changes in morphology and pigmentation, which disappear upon reintroduction of a wild-typecryDallele. In addition to microconidia, the colonies of the ΔcryDmutants produced under illumination and nitrogen starvation large septated spores called macroconidia, absent in wild-type colonies. The ΔcryDmutants accumulated similar amounts of carotenoids to the control strain under constant illumination, but produced much larger amounts of bikaverin under nitrogen starvation, indicating a repressing role for CryD in this biosynthetic pathway. Additionally, a moderate photoinduction of gibberellin production was exhibited by the wild type but not by the ΔcryDmutants. The phenotypic alterations of the ΔcryDmutants were only noticeable in the light, as expected from the low expression ofcryDin the dark, but did not correlate with mRNA levels for structural genes of the bikaverin or gibberellin biosynthetic pathways, suggesting the participation of CryD in posttranscriptional regulatory mechanisms. This is the first report on the participation of a cry-DASH protein in the regulation of fungal secondary metabolism.

scholarly journals The Fusarium verticillioides FUM Gene Cluster Encodes a Zn(II)2Cys6 Protein That Affects FUM Gene Expression and Fumonisin Production

2007 ◽  
Vol 6 (7) ◽  
pp. 1210-1218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daren W. Brown ◽  
Robert A. E. Butchko ◽  
Mark Busman ◽  
Robert H. Proctor
Keyword(s):  
Gene Cluster ◽  
Polyketide Synthase ◽  
Fusarium Verticillioides ◽  
Gene Clusters ◽  
Biosynthetic Gene Cluster ◽  
Regulatory Proteins ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Polyketide Synthase Gene ◽  
Splice Forms ◽  
Self Protection

ABSTRACT Fumonisins are mycotoxins produced by some Fusarium species and can contaminate maize or maize products. Ingestion of fumonisins is associated with diseases, including cancer and neural tube defects, in humans and animals. In fungi, genes involved in the synthesis of mycotoxins and other secondary metabolites are often located adjacent to each other in gene clusters. Such genes can encode structural enzymes, regulatory proteins, and/or proteins that provide self-protection. The fumonisin biosynthetic gene cluster includes 16 genes, none of which appear to play a role in regulation. In this study, we identified a previously undescribed gene (FUM21) located adjacent to the fumonisin polyketide synthase gene, FUM1. The presence of a Zn(II)2Cys6 DNA-binding domain in the predicted protein suggested that FUM21 was involved in transcriptional regulation. FUM21 deletion (Δfum21) mutants produce little to no fumonisin in cracked maize cultures but some FUM1 and FUM8 transcripts in a liquid GYAM medium. Complementation of a Δfum21 mutant with a wild-type copy of the gene restored fumonisin production. Analysis of FUM21 cDNAs identified four alternative splice forms (ASFs), and microarray analysis indicated the ASFs were differentially expressed. Based on these data, we present a model for how FUM21 ASFs may regulate fumonisin biosynthesis.

scholarly journals Biosynthesis of Fusarubins Accounts for Pigmentation of Fusarium fujikuroi Perithecia

2012 ◽  
Vol 78 (12) ◽  
pp. 4468-4480 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lena Studt ◽  
Philipp Wiemann ◽  
Karin Kleigrewe ◽  
Hans-Ulrich Humpf ◽  
Bettina Tudzynski
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Metabolites ◽  
Gene Cluster ◽  
Biosynthetic Pathway ◽  
Polyketide Synthase ◽  
Biological Function ◽  
Fusarium Fujikuroi ◽  
Diverse Group ◽  
Fruiting Bodies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Encoding Gene

ABSTRACTFusarium fujikuroiproduces a variety of secondary metabolites, of which polyketides form the most diverse group. Among these are the highly pigmented naphthoquinones, which have been shown to possess different functional properties for the fungus. A group of naphthoquinones, polyketides related to fusarubin, were identified inFusariumspp. more than 60 years ago, but neither the genes responsible for their formation nor their biological function has been discovered to date. In addition, although it is known that the sexual fruiting bodies in which the progeny of the fungus develops are darkly colored by a polyketide synthase (PKS)-derived pigment, the structure of this pigment has never been elucidated. Here we present data that link the fusarubin-type polyketides to a defined gene cluster, which we designatefsr, and demonstrate that the fusarubins are the pigments responsible for the coloration of the perithecia. We studied their regulation and the function of the single genes within the cluster by a combination of gene replacements and overexpression of the PKS-encoding gene, and we present a model for the biosynthetic pathway of the fusarubins based on these data.

scholarly journals Bronchial Epithelial Tet2 Maintains Epithelial Integrity during Acute Pseudomonas aeruginosa Pneumonia

2020 ◽  
Vol 89 (1) ◽  
pp. e00603-20
Author(s):  
Wanhai Qin ◽  
Xanthe Brands ◽  
Cornelis van't Veer ◽  
Alex F. de Vos ◽  
Brendon P. Scicluna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Epithelial Cell ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Bronchial Epithelial Cell ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Bronchial Epithelial ◽  
Epithelial Integrity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Protein Levels

ABSTRACTRespiratory epithelial cells are important for pulmonary innate immune responses during Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Tet methylcytosine dioxygenase 2 (Tet2) has been implicated in the regulation of host defense by myeloid and lymphoid cells, but whether Tet2 also contributes to epithelial responses during pneumonia is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of bronchial epithelial Tet2 in acute pneumonia caused by P. aeruginosa. To this end, we crossed mice with Tet2 flanked by two Lox-P sites (Tet2fl/fl mice) with mice expressing Cre recombinase under the bronchial epithelial cell-specific Cc10 promoter (Cc10Cre mice) to generate bronchial epithelial cell-specific Tet2-deficient (Tet2fl/fl Cc10Cre) mice. Six hours after infection with P. aeruginosa,Tet2fl/fl Cc10Cre and wild-type mice had similar bacterial loads in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). At this time point, Tet2fl/fl Cc10Cre mice displayed reduced mRNA levels of the chemokines Cxcl1, Cxcl2, and Ccl20 in bronchial brushes. However, Cxcl1, Cxcl2, and Ccl20 protein levels and leukocyte recruitment in BALF were not different between groups. Tet2fl/fl Cc10Cre mice had increased protein levels in BALF after infection, indicating a disturbed epithelial barrier function, which was corroborated by reduced mRNA expression of tight junction protein 1 and occludin in bronchial brushes. Differences detected between Tet2fl/fl Cc10Cre and wild-type mice were no longer present at 24 h after infection. These results suggest that bronchial epithelial Tet2 contributes to maintaining epithelial integrity by enhancing intracellular connections between epithelial cells during the early phase of P. aeruginosa pneumonia.

scholarly journals Development of the CRISPR/Cas9 System for Targeted Gene Disruption in Aspergillus fumigatus

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. 1073-1080 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin K. Fuller ◽  
Shan Chen ◽  
Jennifer J. Loros ◽  
Jay C. Dunlap
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Fumigatus ◽  
Gene Disruption ◽  
Polyketide Synthase ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Constitutive Expression ◽  
Targeted Mutagenesis ◽  
Genomic Alteration ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Targeted Gene Disruption

ABSTRACTLow rates of homologous recombination have broadly encumbered genetic studies in the fungal pathogenAspergillus fumigatus. The CRISPR/Cas9 system of bacteria has recently been developed for targeted mutagenesis of eukaryotic genomes with high efficiency and, importantly, through a mechanism independent of homologous repair machinery. As this new technology has not been developed for use inA. fumigatus, we sought to test its feasibility for targeted gene disruption in this organism. As a proof of principle, we first demonstrated that CRISPR/Cas9 can indeed be used for high-efficiency (25 to 53%) targeting of theA. fumigatuspolyketide synthase gene (pksP), as evidenced by the generation of colorless (albino) mutants harboring the expected genomic alteration. We further demonstrated that the constitutive expression of the Cas9 nuclease by itself is not deleterious toA. fumigatusgrowth or virulence, thus making the CRISPR system compatible with studies involved in pathogenesis. Taken together, these data demonstrate that CRISPR can be utilized for loss-of-function studies inA. fumigatusand has the potential to bolster the genetic toolbox for this important pathogen.

scholarly journals Breaking the Silence: Protein Stabilization Uncovers Silenced Biosynthetic Gene Clusters in the Fungus Aspergillus nidulans

2012 ◽  
Vol 78 (23) ◽  
pp. 8234-8244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Gerke ◽  
Özgür Bayram ◽  
Kirstin Feussner ◽  
Manuel Landesfeind ◽  
Ekaterina Shelest ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Degradation ◽  
Aspergillus Nidulans ◽  
Polyketide Synthase ◽  
Gene Clusters ◽  
Cellular Protein ◽  
Protein Stabilization ◽  
Putative Gene ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Alternative Approach ◽  
Polyketide Synthase Gene

ABSTRACTThe genomes of filamentous fungi comprise numerous putative gene clusters coding for the biosynthesis of chemically and structurally diverse secondary metabolites (SMs), which are rarely expressed under laboratory conditions. Previous approaches to activate these genes were based primarily on artificially targeting the cellular protein synthesis apparatus. Here, we applied an alternative approach of genetically impairing the protein degradation apparatus of the model fungusAspergillus nidulansby deleting the conserved eukaryoticcsnE/CSN5deneddylase subunit of the COP9 signalosome. This defect in protein degradation results in the activation of a previously silenced gene cluster comprising a polyketide synthase gene producing the antibiotic 2,4-dihydroxy-3-methyl-6-(2-oxopropyl)benzaldehyde (DHMBA). ThecsnE/CSN5gene is highly conserved in fungi, and therefore, the deletion is a feasible approach for the identification of new SMs.

scholarly journals Inhibition of Grape Crown Gall by Agrobacterium vitis F2/5 Requires Two Nonribosomal Peptide Synthetases and One Polyketide Synthase

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Desen Zheng ◽  
Thomas J. Burr
Keyword(s):  
Crown Gall ◽  
Polyketide Synthase ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Tissue Necrosis ◽  
Agrobacterium Vitis ◽  
Nonribosomal Peptide ◽  
Crown Gall Disease ◽  
Peptide Synthetases ◽  
Peptide Synthetase ◽  
Polyketide Synthase Gene

Agrobacterium vitis nontumorigenic strain F2/5 is able to inhibit crown gall disease on grapevines. The mechanism of grape tumor inhibition (GTI) by F2/5 has not been fully determined. In this study, we demonstrate that two nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) genes (F-avi3342 and F-avi5730) and one polyketide synthase gene (F-avi4330) are required for GTI. Knockout of any one of them resulted in F/25 losing GTI capacity. We previously reported that F-avi3342 and F-avi4330 but not F-avi5730 are required for induction of grape tissue necrosis and tobacco hypersensitive response. F-avi5730 is predicted to encode a single modular NRPS. It is located in a cluster that is homologous to the siderophore vicibactin biosynthesis locus in Rhizobium species. Individual disruption of F-avi5730 and two immediate downstream genes, F-avi5731 and F-avi5732, all resulted in reduced siderophore production; however, only F-avi5730 was found to be required for GTI. Complemented F-avi5730 mutant (ΔF-avi5730+) restored a wild-type level of GTI activity. It was determined that, over time, populations of ΔF-avi4330, ΔF-avi3342, and ΔF-avi5730 at inoculated wound sites on grapevine did not differ from those of ΔF-avi5730+ indicating that loss of GTI was not due to reduced colonization of wound sites by mutants.

scholarly journals Upregulation of the Phthiocerol Dimycocerosate Biosynthetic Pathway by Rifampin-Resistant,rpoBMutant Mycobacterium tuberculosis

2012 ◽  
Vol 194 (23) ◽  
pp. 6441-6452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory P. Bisson ◽  
Carolina Mehaffy ◽  
Corey Broeckling ◽  
Jessica Prenni ◽  
Dalin Rifat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽  
Secondary Metabolites ◽  
Gene Networks ◽  
Polyketide Synthase ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Transcriptional Responses ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Resistant Tuberculosis ◽  
Phthiocerol Dimycocerosate

ABSTRACTMultidrug-resistant tuberculosis has emerged as a major threat to tuberculosis control. Phylogenetically related rifampin-resistant actinomycetes with mutations mapping to clinically dominantMycobacterium tuberculosismutations in therpoBgene show upregulation of gene networks encoding secondary metabolites. We compared the expressed proteomes and metabolomes of two fully drug-susceptible clinical strains ofM. tuberculosis(wild type) to those of their respective rifampin-resistant,rpoBmutant progeny strains with confirmed rifampin monoresistance following antitubercular therapy. Each of these strains was also used to infect gamma interferon- and lipopolysaccharide-activated murine J774A.1 macrophages to analyze transcriptional responses in a physiologically relevant model. BothrpoBmutants showed significant upregulation of the polyketide synthase genesppsA-ppsEanddrrA, which constitute an operon encoding multifunctional enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of phthiocerol dimycocerosate and other lipids inM. tuberculosis, but also of various secondary metabolites in related organisms, including antibiotics, such as erythromycin and rifamycins.ppsA(Rv2931),ppsB(Rv2932), andppsC(Rv2933) were also found to be upregulated more than 10-fold in the BeijingrpoBmutant strain relative to its wild-type parent strain during infection of activated murine macrophages. In addition, metabolomics identified precursors of phthiocerol dimycocerosate, but not the intact molecule itself, in greater abundance in bothrpoBmutant isolates. These data suggest thatrpoBmutation inM. tuberculosismay trigger compensatory transcriptional changes in secondary metabolism genes analogous to those observed in related actinobacteria. These findings may assist in developing novel methods to diagnose and treat drug-resistantM. tuberculosisinfections.

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