Project description:Dikaryotic rust fungi maintain two distinct haploid nuclei for most of their life cycle, making their large, repeat-rich genomes difficult to assemble and phase. Here we present haplotype-phased, near chromosome-scale genome assemblies for the poplar rust pathogens Melampsora larici-populina 98AG31 and Melampsora allii-populina 12AY07, generated using PacBio HiFi sequencing and Hi-C-guided scaffolding. For each species, we resolve 18 chromosomes per haplotype, providing the first chromosome-level representations of poplar rust fungal species. M. larici-populina diploid assembly spans ~203 Mb, while M. allii-populina reaches ~416 Mb, with high completeness and strong collinearity between haplotypes.
Project description:B. bassiana regulates transcriptional adaptation to host hemocoel, which is a determinant to the biocontrol potential of fungal entomopathogens. The global transcriptome related to fungal development in host was analyzed by using high throughput sequencing (RNA-Seq). Our transcriptional profiles revealed that majority of fungal genes are involved in fungal growth in host environmental, and are associated with various cellular processes.
Project description:Candida albicans metamorphoses from benign yeast to a rigid hyphae , becoming an opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised patients. The process by which immune cells discern fungal transformations remains elusive. Here we report that the mechanosensitive ion channel Piezo1 is indispensable for recognizing fungal hyphae and triggering anti-fungal innate immune responses. Hyphae-triggered Piezo1 activation increased CLRs expression in innate immune cells by inducing the expression of C/EBPb via the Piezo1/CaMKs/CREB axis. In addition, Piezo1/CaMKs signaling activated kinases NDR1/2, which augmented NLRP3 inflammasome assembly and promoted hyphae-induced inflammation. Abolishing the yeast-to-hyphae transition dampens CLR and NLRP3 activation. Piezo1-deficient mice exhibit compromised clearance of C. albicans infection, whereas Piezo1 agonist amplifies C. albicans clearance. In addition, CaMKs, CREB or NDR1/2 inhibition exacerbates hyphae infections, like Piezo1 deficiency. Therefore, we ascertain Piezo1-mediated mechanotransduction as vital for immune surveillance and control of hyphal C. albicans, heralding Piezo1 agonist as a potential remedy for fungal infections.
Project description:Candida albicans metamorphoses from benign yeast to a rigid hyphae , becoming an opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised patients. The process by which immune cells discern fungal transformations remains elusive. Here we report that the mechanosensitive ion channel Piezo1 is indispensable for recognizing fungal hyphae and triggering anti-fungal innate immune responses. Hyphae-triggered Piezo1 activation increased CLRs expression in innate immune cells by inducing the expression of C/EBPb via the Piezo1/CaMKs/CREB axis. In addition, Piezo1/CaMKs signaling activated kinases NDR1/2, which augmented NLRP3 inflammasome assembly and promoted hyphae-induced inflammation. Abolishing the yeast-to-hyphae transition dampens CLR and NLRP3 activation. Piezo1-deficient mice exhibit compromised clearance of C. albicans infection, whereas Piezo1 agonist amplifies C. albicans clearance. In addition, CaMKs, CREB or NDR1/2 inhibition exacerbates hyphae infections, like Piezo1 deficiency. Therefore, we ascertain Piezo1-mediated mechanotransduction as vital for immune surveillance and control of hyphal C. albicans, heralding Piezo1 agonist as a potential remedy for fungal infections.