scholarly journals The Cysteine-Rich Repeat Protein TaCRR1 Participates in Defense against Both Rhizoctonia cerealis and Bipolaris sorokiniana in Wheat

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (16) ◽  
pp. 5698
Author(s):  
Feilong Guo ◽  
Zilong Shan ◽  
Jinfeng Yu ◽  
Gangbiao Xu ◽  
Zengyan Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Bipolaris Sorokiniana ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
Wheat Diseases ◽  
Mycelia Growth ◽  
Pathogenesis Related ◽  
Domain Of Unknown Function ◽  
Staple Crop ◽  
Rhizoctonia Cerealis

The domain of unknown function 26 (DUF26), harboring a conserved cysteine-rich motif (C-X8-C-X2-C), is unique to land plants. Several cysteine-rich repeat proteins (CRRs), belonging to DUF26-containing proteins, have been implicated in the defense against fungal pathogens in ginkgo, cotton, and maize. However, little is known about the functional roles of CRRs in the important staple crop wheat (Triticum aestivum). In this study, we identified a wheat CRR-encoding gene TaCRR1 through transcriptomic analysis, and dissected the defense role of TaCRR1 against the soil-borne fungi Rhizoctonia cerealis and Bipolaris sorokiniana, causal pathogens of destructive wheat diseases. TaCRR1 transcription was up-regulated in wheat towards B. Sorokiniana or R. cerealis infection. The deduced TaCRR1 protein contained a signal peptide and two DUF26 domains. Heterologously-expressed TaCRR1 protein markedly inhibited the mycelia growth of B. sorokiniana and R. cerealis. Furthermore, the silencing of TaCRR1 both impaired host resistance to B. sorokiniana and R. cerealis and repressed the expression of several pathogenesis-related genes in wheat. These results suggest that the TaCRR1 positively participated in wheat defense against both B. sorokiniana and R. cerealis through its antifungal activity and modulating expression of pathogenesis-related genes. Thus, TaCRR1 is a candidate gene for improving wheat resistance to B. sorokiniana and R. cerealis.

scholarly journals Global Characterization of GH10 Family Xylanase Genes in Rhizoctonia cerealis and Functional Analysis of Xylanase RcXYN1 During Fungus Infection in Wheat

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 1812 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin Lu ◽  
Yongwei Liu ◽  
Zengyan Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Triticum Aestivum L ◽  
Infection Process ◽  
Fungus Infection ◽  
Wheat Leaves ◽  
Staple Crop ◽  
Encoding Genes ◽  
Rhizoctonia Cerealis

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is an important staple crop. Rhizoctonia cerealis is the causal agent of diseases that are devastating to cereal crops, including wheat. Xylanases play an important role in pathogenic infection, but little is known about xylanases in R. cerealis. Herein, we identified nine xylanase-encoding genes from the R. cerealis genome, named RcXYN1–RcXYN9, examined their expression patterns, and investigated the pathogenicity role of RcXYN1. RcXYN1–RcXYN9 proteins contain two conserved glutamate residues within the active motif in the glycoside hydrolase 10 (GH10) domain. Of them, RcXYN1–RcXYN4 are predicted to be secreted proteins. RcXYN1–RcXYN9 displayed different expression patterns during the infection process of wheat, and RcXYN1, RcXYN2, RcXYN5, and RcXYN9 were expressed highly across all the tested inoculation points. Functional dissection indicated that the RcXYN1 protein was able to induce necrosis/cell-death and H2O2 generation when infiltrated into wheat and Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. Furthermore, application of RcXYN1 protein followed by R. cerealis led to significantly higher levels of the disease in wheat leaves than application of the fungus alone. These results demonstrate that RcXYN1 acts as a pathogenicity factor during R. cerealis infection in wheat. This is the first investigation of xylanase genes in R. cerealis, providing novel insights into the pathogenesis mechanisms of R. cerealis.

Development and Characterization of SN1 Transgenic Wheat Plants with Enhanced Resistance to Rhizoctonia cerealis and Bipolaris sorokiniana

2013 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 773-779 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin-Feng WANG ◽  
Li-Pu DU ◽  
Zhao LI ◽  
Su-Ping HUANG ◽  
Xing-Guo YE ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bipolaris Sorokiniana ◽  
Transgenic Wheat ◽  
Enhanced Resistance ◽  
Rhizoctonia Cerealis

scholarly journals Production of Phytotoxic Metabolites by Botryosphaeriaceae in Naturally Infected and Artificially Inoculated Grapevines

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 802
Author(s):  
Pierluigi Reveglia ◽  
Regina Billones-Baaijens ◽  
Jennifer Millera Millera Niem ◽  
Marco Masi ◽  
Alessio Cimmino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Protocatechuic Acid ◽  
Physiological Factors ◽  
Diplodia Seriata ◽  
Grapevine Trunk Diseases ◽  
Botryosphaeria Dieback ◽  
Trunk Diseases ◽  
One Year ◽  
Pathogen Dna

Grapevine trunk diseases (GTDs) are considered a serious problem to viticulture worldwide. Several GTD fungal pathogens produce phytotoxic metabolites (PMs) that were hypothesized to migrate to the foliage where they cause distinct symptoms. The role of PMs in the expression of Botryosphaeria dieback (BD) symptoms in naturally infected and artificially inoculated wood using molecular and analytical chemistry techniques was investigated. Wood samples from field vines naturally infected with BD and one-year-old vines inoculated with Diplodia seriata, Spencermartinsia viticola and Dothiorella vidmadera were analysed by cultural isolations, quantitative PCR (qPCR) and targeted LC-MS/MS to detect three PMs: (R)-mellein, protocatechuic acid and spencertoxin. (R)-mellein was detected in symptomatic naturally infected wood and vines artificially inoculated with D. seriata but was absent in all non-symptomatic wood. The amount of (R)-mellein detected was correlated with the amount of pathogen DNA detected by qPCR. Protocatechuic acid and spencertoxin were absent in all inoculated wood samples. (R)-mellein may be produced by the pathogen during infection to break down the wood, however it was not translocated into other parts of the vine. The foliar symptoms previously reported in vineyards may be due to a combination of PMs produced and climatic and physiological factors that require further investigation.

scholarly journals The Pleiotropic Function of Human Sirtuins as Modulators of Metabolic Pathways and Viral Infections

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 460
Author(s):  
Mohammed Hamed Alqarni ◽  
Ahmed Ibrahim Foudah ◽  
Magdy Mohamed Muharram ◽  
Nikolaos E. Labrou
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Pathways ◽  
Histone Deacetylases ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Cell Physiology ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
Regulatory Processes ◽  
Complex Functions ◽  
Natural Polyphenol ◽  
Antiviral Targets

Sirtuins (SIRTs) are nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent histone deacetylases that incorporate complex functions in the mechanisms of cell physiology. Mammals have seven distinct members of the SIRT family (SIRT1-7), which play an important role in a well-maintained network of metabolic pathways that control and adapt the cell to the environment, energy availability and cellular stress. Until recently, very few studies investigated the role of SIRTs in modulating viral infection and progeny. Recent studies have demonstrated that SIRT1 and SIRT2 are promising antiviral targets because of their specific connection to numerous metabolic and regulatory processes affected during infection. In the present review, we summarize some of the recent progress in SIRTs biochemistry and their emerging function as antiviral targets. We also discuss the potential of natural polyphenol-based SIRT modulators to control their functional roles in several diseases including viral infections.

scholarly journals A Genome-Wide Analysis of Pathogenesis-Related Protein-1 (PR-1) Genes from Piper nigrum Reveals Its Critical Role during Phytophthora capsici Infection

Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 1007
Author(s):  
Divya Kattupalli ◽  
Asha Sreenivasan ◽  
Eppurathu Vasudevan Soniya
Keyword(s):  
Phytophthora Capsici ◽  
Regulatory Elements ◽  
Piper Nigrum ◽  
Binding Motif ◽  
Altered Expression ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
A Genome ◽  
Pathogenesis Related Protein ◽  
Pathogenesis Related

Black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) is a prominent spice that is an indispensable ingredient in cuisine and traditional medicine. Phytophthora capsici, the causative agent of footrot disease, causes a drastic constraint in P. nigrum cultivation and productivity. To counterattack various biotic and abiotic stresses, plants employ a broad array of mechanisms that includes the accumulation of pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins. Through a genome-wide survey, eleven PR-1 genes that belong to a CAP superfamily protein with a caveolin-binding motif (CBM) and a CAP-derived peptide (CAPE) were identified from P. nigrum. Despite the critical functional domains, PnPR-1 homologs differ in their signal peptide motifs and core amino acid composition in the functional protein domains. The conserved motifs of PnPR-1 proteins were identified using MEME. Most of the PnPR-1 proteins were basic in nature. Secondary and 3D structure analyses of the PnPR-1 proteins were also predicted, which may be linked to a functional role in P. nigrum. The GO and KEGG functional annotations predicted their function in the defense responses of plant-pathogen interactions. Furthermore, a transcriptome-assisted FPKM analysis revealed PnPR-1 genes mapped to the P. nigrum-P. capsici interaction pathway. An altered expression pattern was detected for PnPR-1 transcripts among which a significant upregulation was noted for basic PnPR-1 genes such as CL10113.C1 and Unigene17664. The drastic variation in the transcript levels of CL10113.C1 was further validated through qRT-PCR and it showed a significant upregulation in infected leaf samples compared with the control. A subsequent analysis revealed the structural details, phylogenetic relationships, conserved sequence motifs and critical cis-regulatory elements of PnPR-1 genes. This is the first genome-wide study that identified the role of PR-1 genes during P. nigrum-P. capsici interactions. The detailed in silico experimental analysis revealed the vital role of PnPR-1 genes in regulating the first layer of defense towards a P. capsici infection in Panniyur-1 plants.

scholarly journals Telomeric and Sub-Telomeric Structure and Implications in Fungal Opportunistic Pathogens

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 1405
Author(s):  
Raffaella Diotti ◽  
Michelle Esposito ◽  
Chang Hui Shen
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Functional Abilities ◽  
Opportunistic Pathogens ◽  
Telomeric Sequences ◽  
Coding Regions ◽  
Telomeric Structure ◽  
Linear Chromosomes ◽  
Dna Ends ◽  
Telomere Structure

Telomeres are long non-coding regions found at the ends of eukaryotic linear chromosomes. Although they have traditionally been associated with the protection of linear DNA ends to avoid gene losses during each round of DNA replication, recent studies have demonstrated that the role of these sequences and their adjacent regions go beyond just protecting chromosomal ends. Regions nearby to telomeric sequences have now been identified as having increased variability in the form of duplications and rearrangements that result in new functional abilities and biodiversity. Furthermore, unique fungal telomeric and chromatin structures have now extended clinical capabilities and understanding of pathogenicity levels. In this review, telomere structure, as well as functional implications, will be examined in opportunistic fungal pathogens, including Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, and Pneumocystis jirovecii.

scholarly journals SOS2 Comes to the Fore: Differential Functionalities in Physiology and Pathology

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (12) ◽  
pp. 6613
Author(s):  
Fernando C. Baltanás ◽  
Rósula García-Navas ◽  
Eugenio Santos
Keyword(s):  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Ras Signaling ◽  
Epidermal Stem Cell ◽  
Functional Specificity ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
Signaling Axis ◽  
Therapy Target ◽  
External Stimuli

The SOS family of Ras-GEFs encompasses two highly homologous and widely expressed members, SOS1 and SOS2. Despite their similar structures and expression patterns, early studies of constitutive KO mice showing that SOS1-KO mutants were embryonic lethal while SOS2-KO mice were viable led to initially viewing SOS1 as the main Ras-GEF linking external stimuli to downstream RAS signaling, while obviating the functional significance of SOS2. Subsequently, different genetic and/or pharmacological ablation tools defined more precisely the functional specificity/redundancy of the SOS1/2 GEFs. Interestingly, the defective phenotypes observed in concomitantly ablated SOS1/2-DKO contexts are frequently much stronger than in single SOS1-KO scenarios and undetectable in single SOS2-KO cells, demonstrating functional redundancy between them and suggesting an ancillary role of SOS2 in the absence of SOS1. Preferential SOS1 role was also demonstrated in different RASopathies and tumors. Conversely, specific SOS2 functions, including a critical role in regulation of the RAS–PI3K/AKT signaling axis in keratinocytes and KRAS-driven tumor lines or in control of epidermal stem cell homeostasis, were also reported. Specific SOS2 mutations were also identified in some RASopathies and cancer forms. The relevance/specificity of the newly uncovered functional roles suggests that SOS2 should join SOS1 for consideration as a relevant biomarker/therapy target.

scholarly journals Post-Translational Modifications Drive Success and Failure of Fungal–Host Interactions

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 124
Author(s):  
Charmaine Retanal ◽  
Brianna Ball ◽  
Jennifer Geddes-McAlister
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Candida Spp ◽  
Post Translational Modifications ◽  
Fungal Host ◽  
Resistant Species

Post-translational modifications (PTMs) change the structure and function of proteins and regulate a diverse array of biological processes. Fungal pathogens rely on PTMs to modulate protein production and activity during infection, manipulate the host response, and ultimately, promote fungal survival. Given the high mortality rates of fungal infections on a global scale, along with the emergence of antifungal-resistant species, identifying new treatment options is critical. In this review, we focus on the role of PTMs (e.g., phosphorylation, acetylation, ubiquitination, glycosylation, and methylation) among the highly prevalent and medically relevant fungal pathogens, Candida spp., Aspergillus spp., and Cryptococcus spp. We explore the role of PTMs in fungal stress response and host adaptation, the use of PTMs to manipulate host cells and the immune system upon fungal invasion, and the importance of PTMs in conferring antifungal resistance. We also provide a critical view on the current knowledgebase, pose questions key to our understanding of the intricate roles of PTMs within fungal pathogens, and provide research opportunities to uncover new therapeutic strategies.

scholarly journals Species functional traits and abundance as drivers of multiplex ecological networks: first empirical quantification of inter-layer edge weights

2020 ◽  
Vol 287 (1939) ◽  
pp. 20202127
Author(s):  
S. Hervías-Parejo ◽  
C. Tur ◽  
R. Heleno ◽  
M. Nogales ◽  
S. Timóteo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Traits ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Modular Organization ◽  
Vertebrate Species ◽  
Multilayer Network ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Seed Dispersers ◽  
Natural Communities

Many vertebrate species act as both plant pollinators and seed-dispersers, thus interconnecting these processes, particularly on islands. Ecological multilayer networks are a powerful tool to explore interdependencies between processes; however, quantifying the links between species engaging in different types of interactions (i.e. inter-layer edges) remains a great challenge. Here, we empirically measured inter-layer edge weights by quantifying the role of individually marked birds as both pollinators and seed-dispersers of Galápagos plant species over an entire year. Although most species (80%) engaged in both functions, we show that only a small proportion of individuals actually linked the two processes, highlighting the need to further consider intra-specific variability in individuals' functional roles. Furthermore, we found a high variation among species in linking both processes, i.e. some species contribute more than others to the modular organization of the multilayer network. Small and abundant species are particularly important for the cohesion of pollinator seed-dispersal networks, demonstrating the interplay between species traits and neutral processes structuring natural communities.

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