Project description:Mycorrhizal fungi colonize orchid seed and induce the germination. This so-called symbiotic germination is a critical developmental process in the lifecycle of all orchids. However, the molecular changes taking place during the orchid seed symbiotic germination still remains largely unknown. To better understand the molecular mechanism of orchid seed germination, we performed comparative transcriptomic and proteomic analysis on Chinese traditional medicinal orchid plants, Dendrobium officinale to explore protein expression change at the different developmental stages between asymbiotic and symbiotic germination and identify the key proteins regulated symbiotic germination of orchid seeds. iTRAQ analysis from 8 samples identified 2256 plant proteins, of which, 308 proteins were differentially expressed across three developmental stages within asymbiotic or symbiotic accession and 229 proteins are differentially expressed in the symbiotic germination compared to asymbiotic germination. 32 proteins are co-upregulated in both proteomic and transcriptomic level for symbiotic germination compared to asymbiotic germination. Our results revealed that symbiotic germination of D. officinale seeds probably shares the common signal pathway with asymbiotic germination during the early germination stage.
Project description:The recent release of a large number of genomes from ectomycorrhizal, orchid mycorrhizal and root endophytic fungi have provided deep insight into fungal lifestyle-associated genomic adaptation. Comparative analyses of symbiotic fungal taxa showed that similar outcomes of interactions in distant related root symbioses are examples of convergent evolution. The order Sebacinales represents a sister group to the Agaricomycetes (Basidiomycota) that is comprised of ectomycorrhizal, ericoid-, orchid- mycorrhizal, root endophytic fungi and saprotrophs (Oberwinkler et al., 2013). Sebacinoid taxa are widely distributed from arctic to temperate to tropical ecosystems and are among the most common and species-rich groups of ECM, OM and endophytic fungi (Tedersoo et al., 2012, Tedersoo et al., 2010, Oberwinkler et al., 2013). The root endophyte Piriformospora indica and the orchid mycorrhizal fungus S. vermifera (MAFF 305830) are non-obligate root symbionts which were shown to be able to interact with many different experimental hosts, including the non-mycorrhizal plant Arabidopsis thaliana. These two fungi display similar colonization strategies in barley and in Arabidopsis and the ability to establish beneficial interactions with different hosts (Deshmukh et al., 2006). Colonization of the roots by P. indica and S. vermifera results in enhanced seed germination and biomass production as well as increased resistance against biotic and abiotic stresses in its experimental hosts, including various members of the Brassicaceae family, barley, Nicotiana attenuata and switchgrass (Ghimire, 2011, Ghimire et al., 2009, Ghimire et al., 2011, Waller et al., 2008, Barazani et al., 2007, Deshmukh et al., 2006). Microarray experiments were performed to identify and characterize conserved sebacinoid genes as key determinants in the Sebacinales symbioses.
Project description:Background Sporothrix brasiliensis and Sporothrix schenckii are the main etiological agents of sporotrichosis. These pathogens release extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are key transport structures involved in virulence and host–pathogen interactions. EVs from S. brasiliensis and S. schenckii have been exclusively under liquid culture conditions, with analyses focused on their protein composition and functional roles. However, noinformation is currently available regarding the small molecule composition of Sporothrix EVs, and the extent to wich S. schenckii and S. brasiliensis share or differ in their EVs cargo remain unknown. Methods We isolated EVs from S. brasiliensis (strain 5110) and S. schenckii (strain 1099-18) following cultivation on solid medium, and characterized the samples using a combination of nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), proteomics, and small molecule identification. Based on the EV composition, subsequent analyses included biochemical assay to assess cell-assocaited enzyme activity and a functional model of Sporothrix adhesion to type I collagen in the presence of isoleucine-proline-isoleucine (IPI), a peptide component found in EVs produced by both S. schenckii and S. brasiliensis. Results EVs from both S. brasiliensis and S. schenckii exhibited a high protein diversity, encompassing components related to essential cellular processes and virulence mechanisms. Only a small fraction of the identified proteins was shared between the two species, and a similar pattern was observed for the small molecules. Among the common molecules was IPI, previously described in Cryptococcus EVs. IPI is an inhibitor of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP4), which was detected on the surface of S. brasiliensis and S. schenckii. Both IPI and an antibody against DPP4 effectively reduced Sporothrix adhesion to type I collagen, a major component of the host extracellular matrix. Conclusion Our study reveals an unprecedented level of proteomic and metabolomic complexity in Sporothrix EVs, uncovering novel molecular features and identifying IPI as an inhibitor of fungal adhesion to collagen.
Project description:Sporotrichosis, an implantation mycosis caused by the dimorphic fungus Sporothrix schenckii, gained attention over the two last decades due to its broad geographic range and prevalence in tropical and subtropical areas. The dimorphic switching from hyphal form to the yeast form is essential for the pathogenesis of S. schenckii. During the mycelium-to-yeast transition, there are many changes in asexual development, yeast-phase cell formation, cell wall integrity, and melanin synthesis. However, the mechanisms of the signaling pathways associated with these process remain unclear. In this study, transcriptome sequencing of both the yeast stage and mycelium of S. schenckii was carried out. The results showed that 12217 genes, including genes involved in signal transduction and chitin synthesis, were expressed differentially between the two stages. According to these results, a map of the signaling pathways, related to the dimorphic switch, was drawn. Overall, the transcriptome data and analysis presented here lay the foundation for further research into the molecular mechanisms controlling the dimorphic switch of S. schenckii and support the development of anti-S. schenckii strategies targeting genes related to signaling pathways.