1. |
- Ahrén, Dag, et al.
(author)
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Comparison of gene expression in trap cells and vegetative hyphae of the nematophagous fungus Monacrosporium haptotylum
- 2005
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In: Microbiology. - : Microbiology Society. - 1465-2080 .- 1350-0872. ; 151:3, s. 789-803
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Nematode-trapping fungi enter the parasitic stage by developing specific morphological structures called traps. The global patterns of gene expression in traps and mycelium of the fungus Monacrosporium haptotylum were compared. The trap of this fungus is a unicellular spherical structure called the knob, which develops on the apex of a hyphal branch. RNA was isolated from knobs and mycelium and hybridized to a cDNA array containing probes of 2822 EST clones of M. haptotylum. Despite the fact that the knobs and mycelium were grown in the same medium, there were substantial differences in the patterns of genes expressed in the two cell types. In total, 23(.)3% (657 of 2822) of the putative genes were differentially expressed in knobs versus mycelium. Several of these genes displayed sequence similarities to genes known to be involved in regulating morphogenesis and cell polarity in fungi. Among them were several putative homologues for small GTPases, such as rho1, rac1 and ras1, and a rho GDP dissociation inhibitor (rdi1). Several homologues to genes involved in stress response, protein synthesis and protein degradation, transcription, and carbon metabolism were also differentially expressed. In the last category, a glycogen phosphorylase (gph1) gene homologue, one of the most upregulated genes in the knobs as compared to mycelium, was characterized. A number of the genes that were clifferentially expressed in trap cells are also known to be regulated during the development of infection structures in plant-pathogenic fungi. Among them, a gas1 (mas3) gene homologue (designated gks1), which is specifically expressed in appressoria of the rice blast fungus, was characterized.
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2. |
- Fekete, Csaba, et al.
(author)
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Paralysis of nematodes: shifts in the transcriptome of the nematode-trapping fungus Monacrosporium haptotylum during infection of Caenorhabditis elegans
- 2008
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In: Environmental Microbiology. - : Wiley. - 1462-2920 .- 1462-2912. ; 10:2, s. 364-375
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The transcriptional response in the parasitic fungus Monacrosporium haptotylum and its nematode host Caenorhabditis elegans were analyzed during infection using cDNA microarrays. The array contained 2,684 fungal and 372 worm gene reporters. Dramatic shifts occurred in the transcriptome of M. haptotylum during the different stages of the infection. An initial transcriptional response was recorded after 1h of infection when the traps adhered to the cuticle, but before immobilization of the captured nematodes. Among the differentially expressed genes were two serine proteases (spr1 and spr2), and several homologues to genes known to be regulated in other pathogenic fungi. After 4 hours, when approximately 40 % of the nematodes were paralyzed, we identified an up-regulated cluster of 372 fungal genes which were not regulated during the other phases of the infection. This cohort contained a large proportion (79%) of genes that appear to be specific for M. haptotylum and closely related species. These genes were of two different classes; those translating into presumably functional peptides and those with no apparent protein coding potential (noncoding RNAs). Among the infection-induced C. elegans genes were those encoding antimicrobial peptides, protease inhibitors and lectins.
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3. |
- Petersen, Julian, et al.
(author)
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A previously uncharacterized Factor Associated with Metabolism and Energy (FAME/C14orf105/CCDC198/1700011H14Rik) is related to evolutionary adaptation, energy balance, and kidney physiology
- 2023
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In: Nature Communications. - : Springer Nature. - 2041-1723. ; 14:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In this study we use comparative genomics to uncover a gene with uncharacterized function (1700011H14Rik/C14orf105/CCDC198), which we hereby name FAME (Factor Associated with Metabolism and Energy). We observe that FAME shows an unusually high evolutionary divergence in birds and mammals. Through the comparison of single nucleotide polymorphisms, we identify gene flow of FAME from Neandertals into modern humans. We conduct knockout experiments on animals and observe altered body weight and decreased energy expenditure in Fame knockout animals, corresponding to genome-wide association studies linking FAME with higher body mass index in humans. Gene expression and subcellular localization analyses reveal that FAME is a membrane-bound protein enriched in the kidneys. Although the gene knockout results in structurally normal kidneys, we detect higher albumin in urine and lowered ferritin in the blood. Through experimental validation, we confirm interactions between FAME and ferritin and show co-localization in vesicular and plasma membranes.
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