• Title/Summary/Keyword: Host-plant adaptation

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Functional Implication of the tRNA Genes Encoded in the Chlorella Virus PBCV-l Genome

  • Lee, Da-Young;Graves, Michael V.;Van Etten, James L.;Choi, Tae-Jin
    • The Plant Pathology Journal
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    • v.21 no.4
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    • pp.334-342
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    • 2005
  • The prototype Chlorella virus PBCV-l encodes 11 tRNA genes and over 350 protein-encoding genes in its 330 kbp genome. Initial attempts to overexpress the recombinant A189/192R protein, a putative virus attachment protein, in E. coli strain BL21(DE3) SI were unsuccessful, and multiple protein bands were detected on Western blots. However, the full-length A189/192R recombinant protein or fragments derived from it were detected when they were expressed in E. coli BL21 CodonPlus (DE3) RIL, which contains extra tRNAs. Codon usage analysis of the a189/192r gene showed highly biased usage of the AGA and AVA codons compared to genes encoded by E. coli and Chlorella. In addition, there were biases of XXA/U($56\%$) and XXG/ C($44\%$) in the codons recognized by the viral tRNAs, which correspond to the codon usage bias in the PBCV-1 genome of XXA/U ($63\%$) over those ending in XXC/G ($37\%$). Analysis of the codon usage in the major capsid protein and DNA polymerase showed preferential usage of codons that can be recognized by the viral tRNAs. The Asn (AAC) and Lys (AAG) codons whose corresponding tRNA genes are duplicated in the tRNA gene cluster were the most abundant (i.e., preferred) codons in these two proteins. The tRNA genes encoded in the PBCV-l genome seem to play a very important role during the synthesis of viral proteins through supplementing the tRNAs that are frequently used in viral proteins, but are rare in the host cells. In addition, these tRNAs would help the virus to adapt to a wide range of hosts by providing tRNAs that are rare in the host cells.

Epigenetic regulation of fungal development and pathogenesis in the rice blast fungus

  • Jeon, Junhyun
    • 한국균학회소식:학술대회논문집
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    • 2018.05a
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    • pp.19-19
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    • 2018
  • Fungal pathogens have huge impact on health and economic wellbeing of human by causing life-threatening mycoses in immune-compromised patients or by destroying crop plants. A key determinant of fungal pathogenesis is their ability to undergo developmental change in response to host or environmental factors. Genetic pathways that regulate such morphological transitions and adaptation are therefore extensively studied during the last few decades. Given that epigenetic as well as genetic components play pivotal roles in development of plants and mammals, contribution of microbial epigenetic counterparts to this morphogenetic process is intriguing yet nearly unappreciated question to date. To bridge this gap in our knowledge, we set out to investigate histone modifications among epigenetic mechanisms that possibly regulate fungal adaptation and processes involved in pathogenesis of a model plant pathogenic fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae. For functional and comparative analysis of histone modifications, a web-based database (dbHiMo) was constructed first to archive and analyze histone modifying enzymes from eukaryotic species whose genome sequences are available. Based on the database entries, we carried out functional analysis of genes encoding histone modifying enzymes. Here I provide examples of such analyses that show how histone acetylation and methylation is implicated in regulating important aspects of fungal pathogenesis. Current analysis of histone modifying enzymes is followed by ChIP-seq and RNA-seq experiments to pinpoint the genes that are controlled by particular histone modifications. We anticipate that our work will provide not only the significant advances in our understanding of epigenetic mechanisms operating in microbial eukaryotes but also basis to expand our perspective on regulation of development in fungal pathogens.

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Characterization of Heterodera sojae Virulence Phenotypes in Korea

  • Kang, Heonil;Ko, Hyoungrai;Park, Byeongyong;Choi, Insoo
    • The Plant Pathology Journal
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    • v.38 no.4
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    • pp.366-371
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    • 2022
  • The white soybean cyst nematode Heterodera sojae, isolated from the roots of soybean in Korea, is widespread in most provinces of the country and has the potential to be as harmful to soybean as H. glycines. Determining the virulence phenotypes of H. sojae is essential to devising management strategies that use resistant cultivars. Consequently, virulence phenotypes of 15 H. sojae populations from Korea were determined on seven soybean lines and one susceptible check variety. Two different HS types were found to be present in Korea; the more common HS type 2.5.7, comprising 73.3% of the H. sojae populations and the less common HS type 0, constituting only 26.7% of the tested populations. Considering the high frequency of H. sojae adaptation to soybean indicator lines, the PI 88788 group may not be a possible source of resistance while PI 548402, PI 90763, PI 437654, and PI 89772 can be used as resistance sources for soybean breeding programs aimed at developing H. sojae-resistant soybean cultivars in Korea.

Complete Genomic Characterization of Two Beet Soil-Borne Virus Isolates from Turkey: Implications of Comparative Analysis of Genome Sequences

  • Moradi, Zohreh;Maghdoori, Hossein;Nazifi, Ehsan;Mehrvar, Mohsen
    • The Plant Pathology Journal
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    • v.37 no.2
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    • pp.152-161
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    • 2021
  • Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) is known as a key product for agriculture in several countries across the world. Beet soil-borne virus (BSBV) triggers substantial economic damages to sugar beet by reducing the quantity of the yield and quality of the beet sugars. We conducted the present study to report the complete genome sequences of two BSBV isolates in Turkey for the first time. The genome organization was identical to those previously established BSBV isolates. The tripartite genome of BSBV-TR1 and -TR3 comprised a 5,835-nucleotide (nt) RNA1, a 3,454-nt RNA2, and a 3,005-nt RNA3 segment. According to sequence identity analyses, Turkish isolates were most closely related to the BSBV isolate reported from Iran (97.83-98.77% nt identity). The BSBV isolates worldwide (n = 9) were phylogenetically classified into five (RNA-coat protein read through gene [CPRT], TGB1, and TGB2 segments), four (RNA-rep), or three (TGB3) lineages. In genetic analysis, the TGB3 revealed more genetic variability (Pi = 0.034) compared with other regions. Population selection analysis revealed that most of the codons were generally under negative selection or neutral evolution in the BSBV isolates studied. However, positive selection was detected at codon 135 in the TGB1, which could be an adaptation in order to facilitate the movement and overcome the host plant resistance genes. We expect that the information on genome properties and genetic variability of BSBV, particularly in TGB3, TGB1, and CPRT genes, assist in developing effective control measures in order to prevent severe losses and make amendments in management strategies.

Rice genotype, parental lineage and physiological tolerance to soil salinity shapes the community structure of rice seed bacterial endophytes

  • Walitang, Denver I.;Kim, Kiyoon;Chatterjee, Poulami;Kang, Yeongyeong;Sa, Tongmin
    • Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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    • 2017.06a
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    • pp.342-342
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    • 2017
  • Rice seeds are a home to endophytic bacterial communities which serve as a source of the plant's endophytes. As rice undergo physiological and adaptive modifications through cross breeding in the process of attaining salinity tolerance, this may also lead to changes in the endophytic bacterial community especially those residing in the seeds. This study explores the community structure of seed bacterial endophytes as influenced by rice parental lineage, genotype and physiological adaptation to salinity stress. Endophytic bacterial diversity was studied through culture dependent technique, cloning and Terminal-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis. Results revealed considerably diverse communities of bacterial endophytes in the interior of rice seeds. The richness of ribotypes ranges from 5-14 T-RFs corresponding to major groups of bacterial endophytes in the seeds. Endophytic bacterial diversity of the salt-sensitive IR29 is significantly more diverse compared to those of salt-tolerant cultivars. Proteobacteria followed by Actinobacteria and Firmicutes dominated the overall endophytic bacterial communities of the indica rice seeds based on 16S rDNA analysis of clones and isolates. Community profiles show common ribotypes found in all cultivars of the indica subspecies representing potential core microbiota belonging to Curtobacterium, Flavobacterium, Enterobacter, Xanthomonas, Herbaspirillum, Microbacterium and Stenotrophomonas. Multivariate analysis showed that the bacterial endophytic community and diversity of rice seeds are mainly influenced by their host's genotype, physiological adaptation to salt stress and parental lineage.

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Development of Real-time PCR Assay Based on Hydrolysis Probe for Detection of Epichloë spp. and Toxic Alkaloid Synthesis Genes

  • Lee, Ki-Won;Woo, Jae Hoon;Song, Yowook;Rahman, Md Atikur;Lee, Sang-Hoon
    • Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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    • v.42 no.3
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    • pp.201-207
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    • 2022
  • Fescues, which are widely cultivated as grasses and forages around the world, are often naturally infected with the endophyte, Epichloë. This fungus, transmitted through seeds, imparts resistance to drying and herbivorous insects in its host without causing any external damage, thereby contributing to the adaptation of the host to the environment and maintaining a symbiosis. However, some endophytes, such as E. coenophialum synthesize ergovaline or lolitrem B, which accumulate in the plant and impart anti-mammalian properties. For example, when livestock consume excessive amounts of grass containing toxic endophytes, problems associated with neuromuscular abnormalities, such as convulsions, paralysis, high fever, decreased milk production, reproductive disorders, and even death, can occur. Therefore, pre-inoculation with non-toxic endogenous fungi or management with endophyte-free grass is important in preventing damage to livestock and producing high-quality forage. To date, the diagnosis of endophytes has been mainly performed by observation under a microscope following staining, or by performing an immune blot assay using a monoclonal antibody. Recently, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based molecular diagnostic method is gaining importance in the fields of agriculture, livestock, and healthcare given the method's advantages. These include faster results, with greater accuracy and sensitivity than those obtained using conventional diagnostic methods. For the diagnosis of endophytes, the nested PCR method is the only available option developed; however, it is limited by the fact that the level of toxic alkaloid synthesis cannot be estimated. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to develop a triplex real-time PCR diagnostic method that can determine the presence or absence of endophyte infection using DNA extracted from seeds within 1 h, while simultaneously detecting easD and LtmC genes, which are related to toxic alkaloid synthesis. This new method was then also applied to real field samples.

Diversity and Functions of Endophytic Fungi Associated with Roots and Leaves of Stipa purpurea in an Alpine Steppe at Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

  • Yang, Xiaoyan;Jin, Hui;Xu, Lihong;Cui, Haiyan;Xin, Aiyi;Liu, Haoyue;Qin, Bo
    • Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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    • v.30 no.7
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    • pp.1027-1036
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    • 2020
  • Stipa purpurea is a unique and dominant herbaceous plant species in the alpine steppe and meadows on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP). In this work, we analyzed the composition and diversity of the culturable endophytic fungi in S. purpurea according to morphological and molecular identification. Then, we investigated the bioactivities of these fungi against plant pathogenic fungi and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase (ACCD) deaminase activities. A total of 323 fungal isolates were first isolated from S. purpurea, and 33 fungal taxa were identified by internal transcribed spacer primers and grouped into Ascomycota. The diversity of endophytic fungi in S. purpurea was significantly higher in roots as compared to leaves. In addition, more than 40% of the endophytic fungi carried the gene encoding for the ACCD gene. The antibiosis assay demonstrated that 29, 35, 28, 37 and 34 isolates (43.9, 53.1, 42.4, 56.1, and 51.5%) were antagonistic to five plant pathogenic fungi, respectively. Our study provided the first assessment of the diversity of culture-depending endophytic fungi of S. purpurea, demonstrated the potential application of ACCD activity and antifungal activities with potential benefits to the host plant, and contributed to high biomass production and adaptation of S. purpurea to an adverse environment.

Characterization of Nivalenol-Producing Fusarium asiaticum That Causes Cereal Head Blight in Korea

  • Jang, Ja Yeong;Baek, Seul Gi;Choi, Jung-Hye;Kim, Sosoo;Kim, Jeomsoon;Kim, Da-Woon;Yun, Sung-Hwan;Lee, Theresa
    • The Plant Pathology Journal
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    • v.35 no.6
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    • pp.543-552
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    • 2019
  • Fusarium asiaticum of the F. graminearum species complex causes head blight in small-grain cereals. The nivalenol (NIV) chemotypes of F. asiaticum is more common than the deoxynivalenol (DON) chemotypes of F. asiaticum or F. graminearum in Korea. To understand the prevalence of F. asiaticum-NIV in Korean cereals, we characterized the biological traits of 80 cereal isolates of F. asiaticum producing NIV or 3-acetyl-deoxynivalenol (3-ADON), and 54 F. graminearum with 3-ADON or 15-acetyl-deoxynivalenol (15-ADON). There was no significant difference in mycelial growth between the chemotypes, but F. asiaticum isolates grew approximately 30% faster than F. graminearum isolates on potato dextrose agar. Sexual and asexual reproduction capacities differed markedly between the two species. Both chemotypes of F. graminearum (3-ADON and 15-ADON) produced significantly higher numbers of perithecia and conidia than F. asiaticum-NIV. The highest level of mycotoxins (sum of trichothecenes and zearalenone) was produced by F. graminearum-3-ADON on rice medium, followed by F. graminearum-15-ADON, F. asiaticum-3-ADON, and F. asiaticum-NIV. Zearalenone levels were correlated with DON levels in some chemotypes, but not with NIV levels. Disease assessment on barley, maize, rice, and wheat revealed that both F. asiaticum and F. graminearum isolates were virulent toward all crops tested. However, there is a tendency that virulence levels of F. asiaticum-NIV isolates on rice were higher than those of F. graminearum isolates. Taken together, the phenotypic traits found among the Korean F. asiaticum-NIV isolates suggest an association with their host adaptation to certain environments in Korea.

Molecular Cloning of Cytochrome P450 Family Gene Fragment from Midgut of the Beet Armyworm, Spodoptera exigua

  • Moon, Jae-Yu;Lee, Pyeongjae;Cho, Il-Je;Kim, Iksoo;Lee, Heui-Sam
    • International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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    • v.4 no.2
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    • pp.155-162
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    • 2002
  • Cytochrome P45O (CYP) gene has been known to play one of the most important roles in metabolizing the exogenous materials. In insect, CYP is particularly known to detoxify toxic materials by adding oxygen molecule to the hydrophobic region of the materials. Thus, CYP-dependent metabolism is associated with the adaptation of insect to host plant chemicals. This in turn is known to be one of the driving forces for CYP diversification. In the present study, we cloned seven gene fragments of CYP 4 (CYP4) family from the midgut of the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua, through RT.PCT, Sequence analysis of the product showed the gene fragment to contain an open reading frame of ~150 amino acids, consisted of ~450 bp. The cloned gene fragments contained typical, conserved regions found in CYP4 family. Pairwise comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences among seven clones ranged in divergence from 0% to 52.86% and resulted in five distinct clones. The other two clones were identical or differ by one amino acid respectively to the corresponding clone, although each differed by ten nucleotides. Analysis of correlation between GenBank-registered, full length CYP4 and the cloned fragments resulted in statistically significant relationship ($r^{2}$ = 0.96085; p < 0.001), suggesting utility of the partial sequences as such full-length sequences. Phylogenetic analysis of the clones with GenBank-registered insect and mammal CYP4 family sequences by parsimony and several distance methods subdivided the clones into two groups: tones belonging to CYP4S and the others to CYP4M families.

Epigenetic Regulation of Fungal Development and Pathogenesis in the Rice Blast Fungus

  • Jeon, Junhyun
    • 한국균학회소식:학술대회논문집
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    • 2014.10a
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    • pp.11-11
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    • 2014
  • Fungal pathogens have huge impact on health and economic wellbeing of human by causing life-threatening mycoses in immune-compromised patients or by destroying crop plants. A key determinant of fungal pathogenesis is their ability to undergo developmental change in response to host or environmental factors. Genetic pathways that regulate such morphological transitions and adaptation are therefore extensively studied during the last few decades. Given that epigenetic as well as genetic components play pivotal roles in development of plants and mammals, contribution of microbial epigenetic counterparts to this morphogenetic process is intriguing yet nearly unappreciated question to date. To bridge this gap in our knowledge, we set out to investigate histone modifications among epigenetic mechanisms that possibly regulate fungal adaptation and processes involved in pathogenesis of a model plant pathogenic fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae. M. oryzae is a causal agent of rice blast disease, which destroys 10 to 30% of the rice crop annually. Since the rice is the staple food for more than half of human population, the disease is a major threat to global food security. In addition to the socioeconomic impact of the disease it causes, the fungus is genetically tractable and can undergo well-defined morphological transitions including asexual spore production and appressorium (a specialized infection structure) formation in vitro, making it a model to study fungal development and pathogenicity. For functional and comparative analysis of histone modifications, a web-based database (dbHiMo) was constructed to archive and analyze histone modifying enzymes from eukaryotic species whose genome sequences are available. Histone modifying enzymes were identified applying a search pipeline built upon profile hidden Markov model (HMM) to proteomes. The database incorporates 22,169 histone-modifying enzymes identified from 342 species including 214 fungal, 33 plants, and 77 metazoan species. The dbHiMo provides users with web-based personalized data browsing and analysis tools, supporting comparative and evolutionary genomics. Based on the database entries, functional analysis of genes encoding histone acetyltransferases and histone demethylases is under way. Here I provide examples of such analyses that show how histone acetylation and methylation is implicated in regulating important aspects of fungal pathogenesis. Current analysis of histone modifying enzymes will be followed by ChIP-Seq and RNA-seq experiments to pinpoint the genes that are controlled by particular histone modifications. We anticipate that our work will provide not only the significant advances in our understanding of epigenetic mechanisms operating in microbial eukaryotes but also basis to expand our perspective on regulation of development in fungal pathogens.

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