Project description:Whole genome sequencing of SYBARIS Aspergillus spp. known to be multi-drug resistant and difficult to treat. Aim of this experiment is to investigate the genetic basis of susceptibility to disease and elucidate molecular mechanisms of drug resistance in these strains.
Project description:Rhizoctonia solani Kühn is a soilborne basidiomycetous fungus that causes significant damage to many economically important crops. R. solani isolates are classified into 13 Anastomosis Groups (AGs) with interspecific subgroups having distinctive morphology, pathogenicity and wide host range. However, the genetic factors that drive the unique fungal pathology are still not well characterized due to the limited number of available annotated genomes. Therefore, we performed genome sequencing, assembly, annotation and functional analysis of 13 R. solani isolates covering 7 AGs and selected subgroups (AG1-IA, AG1-IB, AG1-IC, AG2-2IIIB, AG3-PT, AG3-TB, AG4-HG-I, AG5, AG6, and AG8). Here, we report a pangenome comparative analysis of 13 R. solani isolates covering important groups to elucidate unique and common attributes associated with each isolate, including molecular factors potentially involved in determining AG-specific host preference. Finally, we present the largest repertoire of annotated R. solani genomes, compiled as a comprehensive and user-friendly database, viz. RsolaniDB. Since 7 genomes are reported for the first time, the database stands as a valuable platform for formulating new hypotheses by hosting annotated genomes, with tools for functional enrichment, orthologs and sequence analysis, currently not available with other accessible state-of-the-art platforms hosting Rhizoctonia genome sequences.
Project description:Epidemiological data indicate that Aspergillus nidulans shows a unique association with patients with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), accounting for the prevalence of fungal infections in this population. The mechanisms underlying this association remain poorly understood. We characterized 24 clinical A. nidulans isolates through genomic sequencing, phenotypic profiling, and host-pathogen interaction studies using wild-type and gp91phox⁻/⁻ (CGD) murine macrophages, complemented by in vivo apocynin-treated murine models. Pangenome analysis revealed a predominantly closed genome (82.2% core) with geographic population structure and strain-specific biosynthetic gene clusters. Phenotypic characterization showed substantial strain-to-strain variability in stress responses, antifungal susceptibility, and cell wall architecture. While CGD macrophages exhibited reduced ROS and increased conidial survival, only a subset of A. nidulans isolates demonstrated virulence comparable to A. fumigatus. Transcriptional profiling identified strain-specific immune modulation, with one isolate exhibiting distinct immune-evasion signatures. Apocynin treatment paradoxically protected against A. fumigatus (70% to 40% lethality) but not A. nidulans, reflecting differential inflammatory responses. Our findings challenge the notion that A. nidulans possesses unique virulence attributes predisposing it to CGD. The epidemiological association likely reflects strain-specific determinants, species misidentification within the A. nidulans complex, and host immune context. Virulence appears to be a distributed property rather than a species-level trait, emphasizing the need for individualized isolate characterization.
Project description:MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, stable non-coding RNA molecules with regulatory function and marked tissue specificity that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression, however their role in fungal keratitis remain unknown. Our purpose was to identify the miRNAs in human cornea from fungal keratitis patients and understand their key role in regulation of pathogenesis. Corneal samples from normal cadaver (n=3) and fungal keratitis (n=5) patients were pooled separately and total RNA was extracted. Deep sequencing was done using Illumina HiSeq1000 platform to identify miRNA profile. We identified seventy five differentially expressed miRNAs in fungal keratitis corneas. Select miRNAs were validated by real-time RT-PCR (Q-PCR). We predicted their role in regulating target genes in several pathways by combining miRNA target genes and pathway analysis, and mRNA expression of select target genes were further analysed by Q-PCR. MiR-21-5p, miR-223-3p, miR-146b-5p, miR-155-5p, miR-511-5p were found to be involved in inflammatory and immune responses, regulating Toll like receptor signaling pathways, which is of particular interest. MiR-451a with an increased expression in keratitis may have a role in wound healing by targeting Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF). Further, we highlighted that Neurotrophin signaling pathway may play a role in wound healing process. One novel miRNA was also detected in cornea. In conclusion, several miRNAs with high expression in fungal keratitis corneas point towards their role in regulation of pathogenesis. Further insights in understanding miRNAs role in wound healing and inflammation may help design new therapeutic strategies.