Conservation of the Polyamines Pathway in Ustilaginomycetes A Genomic and Experimental Approach

Abstract

Polyamines are organic and aliphatic molecules essential for the growth, development, and survival of both eukaryotes and prokaryotes. In fungi, polyamines play a crucial role in cellular differentiation and pathogenesis. Since fungi and animals are closely related evolutionarily, and fungi can be easily genetically manipulated in the lab, they serve as excellent models for studying polyamine metabolism and the molecular mechanisms controlled by these biomolecules. Although the metabolism of polyamines has been extensively studied in model fungi such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Ustilago maydis, the conservation of the polyamine biosynthesis pathway in other Ustilaginomycetes, a class of fungi that includes phytopathogens, saprophytes, mutualists, and mycorrhizae, has not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, using a genomic and bioinformatics approach, we analyzed the conservation of the polyamine biosynthesis pathway in Ustilaginomycetes. Additionally, we confirmed the functional conservation of ornithine decarboxylase (Odc), which is involved in the synthesis of putrescine, one of the most important polyamines in fungi and complex multicellular eukaryotic organisms, using genetics and molecular biology tools. Moreover, we identified the differentially regulated genes by this polyamine in U. maydis. This research provides insights into the similarities and differences in the conservation of the polyamine biosynthesis pathway in fungi, and it expands our understanding of the role of polyamines and the mechanisms regulated by these molecules in eukaryotes.