Genome-wide identification of MST, SUT and SWEET family sugar transporters in root parasitic angiosperms and analysis of their expression during host parasitism

In the light of the increasing occurrence of antifungal resistance, there is an urgent need to search for new therapeutic strategies to overcome this phenomenon. One of the applied approaches is the synthesis of small-molecule compounds showing antifungal properties. Here we present a continuation of the research on the recently discovered anti-Candida albicans agent 4-AN. Using next generation sequencing and transcriptional analysis, we revealed that the treatment of C. albicans with 4-AN can change the expression profile of a large number of genes. The highest upregulation was observed in the case of genes involved in cell stress, while the highest downregulation was shown for genes coding sugar transporters. Real-time PCR analysis revealed 4-AN mediated reduction of the relative expression of genes engaged in fungal virulence (ALS1, ALS3, BCR1, CPH1, ECE1, EFG1, HWP1, HYR1 and SAP1). The determination of the fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) showed that the combination of 4-AN with amphotericin B is synergistic. Finally, flow cytometry analysis revealed that the compound induces mainly necrosis in C. albicans cells.

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Transcription Factor CitERF16 Is Involved in Citrus Fruit Sucrose Accumulation by Activating CitSWEET11d

Frontiers in Plant Science ◽

10.3389/fpls.2021.809619 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Xiaobo Hu ◽

Shaojia Li ◽

Xiahui Lin ◽

Heting Fang ◽

Yanna Shi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Transcription Factor ◽

Developmental Stages ◽

Expression Profiles ◽

Tomato Fruit ◽

Citrus Fruit ◽

Sucrose Accumulation ◽

Screening Assay ◽

Sugar Transporters ◽

Genome Wide

Sugars are the primary products of photosynthesis and play an important role in plant growth and development. They contribute to sweetness and flavor of fleshy fruits and are pivotal to fruit quality, and their translocation and allocation are mainly dependent on sugar transporters. Genome-wide characterization of Satsuma mandarin identified eighteen SWEET family members that encode transporters which facilitate diffusion of sugar across cell membranes. Analysis of the expression profiles in tissues of mandarin fruit at different developmental stages showed that CitSWEET11d transcripts were significantly correlated with sucrose accumulation. Further studies indicated that overexpression of CitSWEET11d in citrus callus and tomato fruit showed a higher sucrose level compared to wild-type, suggesting that CitSWEET11d could enhance sucrose accumulation. In addition, we identified an ERF transcription factor CitERF16 by yeast one-hybrid screening assay which could directly bind to the DRE cis-element on the promoter of CitSWEET11d. Overexpression of CitERF16 in citrus callus significantly induced CitSWEET11d expression and elevated sucrose content, suggesting that CitERF16 acts as a positive regulator to promote sucrose accumulation via trans-activation of CitSWEET11d expression.

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