Functional diversification of the MADS-box gene family in fine-tuning the dimorphic transition of <i>Talaromyces marneffei</i>.

ABSTRACT: The dynamic transition between yeast and hypha is a crucial adaptive mechanism for many human pathogenic fungi, including Talaromyces marneffei, a thermodimorphic fungus responsible for causing fatal talaromycosis. In the current study, we elucidated the roles of the MADS-box family in fine-tuning the dimorphic transition in T. marneffei through functional diversification of members. Utilizing adaptive laboratory evolution, we identified an enrichment of MADS-box genes in mutants deficient in yeast-to-mycelium transition. Further phylogenetic analyses revealed a significant expansion of the MADS-box gene family within T. marneffei. Functional genetic manipulations revealed that overexpression of mads9, as opposed to its paralog mads10, effectively delayed

SUBMITTER: Hu X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12282165 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature