Evolutionary history of the chitin synthases of eukaryotes

Aa, Morozov; Likhoshway, Yelena V.

doi:10.1093/glycob/cww018

Cited by 35 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…8a). These Division 2 chitin synthases have been found only within Thalassiosirales diatoms, of which C. cryptica is a member, and were distinct from the Division 1 enzymes found in the pennate diatoms [70, 71]. Since Thalassiosirales all secrete chitin fibrils, whereas pennate species do not; these chitin synthases could be involved with fibril formation.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genome and methylome of the oleaginous diatom Cyclotella cryptica reveal genetic flexibility toward a high lipid phenotype

Traller

Cokus

López

et al. 2016

Biotechnol Biofuels

100

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BackgroundImprovement in the performance of eukaryotic microalgae for biofuel and bioproduct production is largely dependent on characterization of metabolic mechanisms within the cell. The marine diatom Cyclotella cryptica, which was originally identified in the Aquatic Species Program, is a promising strain of microalgae for large-scale production of biofuel and bioproducts, such as omega-3 fatty acids.ResultsWe sequenced the nuclear genome and methylome of this oleaginous diatom to identify the genetic traits that enable substantial accumulation of triacylglycerol. The genome is comprised of highly methylated repetitive sequence, which does not significantly change under silicon starved lipid induction, and data further suggests the primary role of DNA methylation is to suppress DNA transposition. Annotation of pivotal glycolytic, lipid metabolism, and carbohydrate degradation processes reveal an expanded enzyme repertoire in C. cryptica that would allow for an increased metabolic capacity toward triacylglycerol production. Identification of previously unidentified genes, including those involved in carbon transport and chitin metabolism, provide potential targets for genetic manipulation of carbon flux to further increase its lipid phenotype. New genetic tools were developed, bringing this organism on a par with other microalgae in terms of genetic manipulation and characterization approaches.ConclusionsFunctional annotation and detailed cross-species comparison of key carbon rich processes in C. cryptica highlights the importance of enzymatic subcellular compartmentation for regulation of carbon flux, which is often overlooked in photosynthetic microeukaryotes. The availability of the genome sequence, as well as advanced genetic manipulation tools enable further development of this organism for deployment in large-scale production systems.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13068-016-0670-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genome and methylome of the oleaginous diatom Cyclotella cryptica reveal genetic flexibility toward a high lipid phenotype

Traller

Cokus

López

et al. 2016

Biotechnol Biofuels

100

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“…On the other hand, CDA from centric diatoms displays a closer genetic relationship with fungi and amoeba, suggesting the probable existence of HGT from Opisthokonta. This was in accordance with the CHS sequences from T. pseudonana , which derived from a single sequence horizontally transferred to the diatom ancestor from a fungus (Gonçalves et al ., ; Morozov & Likhoshway, ). The nesting of Opisthokonta lineage and centric diatom lineage might be further evidence of the eukaryote to eukaryote lateral gene transfer (i.e.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative characterization of putative chitin deacetylases from Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Thalassiosira pseudonana highlights the potential for distinct chitin‐based metabolic processes in diatoms

Shao

Thomas

Hembach³

et al. 2018

New Phytologist

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Summary Chitin is generally considered to be present in centric diatoms but not in pennate species. Many aspects of chitin biosynthetic pathways have not been explored in diatoms. We retrieved chitin metabolic genes from pennate (Phaeodactylum tricornutum) and centric (Thalassiosira pseudonana) diatom genomes. Chitin deacetylase (CDA) genes from each genome (PtCDA and TpCDA) were overexpressed in P. tricornutum. We performed comparative analysis of their sequence structure, phylogeny, transcriptional profiles, localization and enzymatic activities. The chitin relevant proteins show complex subcellular compartmentation. PtCDA was likely acquired by horizontal gene transfer from prokaryotes, whereas TpCDA has closer relationships with sequences in Opisthokonta. Using transgenic P. tricornutum lines expressing CDA‐green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion proteins, PtCDA predominantly localizes to Golgi apparatus whereas TpCDA localizes to endoplasmic reticulum/chloroplast endoplasmic reticulum membrane. CDA‐GFP overexpression upregulated the transcription of chitin synthases and potentially enhanced the ability of chitin synthesis. Although both CDAs are active on GlcNAc5, TpCDA is more active on the highly acetylated chitin polymer DA60. We have addressed the ambiguous characters of CDAs from P. tricornutum and T. pseudonana. Differences in localization, evolution, expression and activities provide explanations underlying the greater potential of centric diatoms for chitin biosynthesis. This study paves the way for in vitro applications of novel CDAs.

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“…Although the enzymological product of all chitin synthase enzymes is a homopolymer with only one linkage, individual chitin synthase enzymes can synthesize chitin fibrils of differing architecture, perhaps due to differences in the folding and intrachitin hydrogen bonding of the primary chain (37). Two families of fungal chitin synthases with three classes in the first family (I, II, III) and four classes in the second family (IV, V, VI, VII) have been identified based on amino acid sequence (38). Four classes (III, V, VI, VII) are specific to filamentous fungi (36, 39).…”

Section: Core Polysaccharides: Chitin and β-(13) Glucanmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Fungal Cell Wall: Structure, Biosynthesis, and Function

2017

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The molecular composition of the cell wall is critical for the biology and ecology of each fungal species. Fungal walls are composed of matrix components that are embedded and linked to scaffolds of fibrous load-bearing polysaccharides. Most of the major cell wall components of fungal pathogens are not represented in humans, other mammals, or plants, and therefore the immune systems of animals and plants have evolved to recognize many of the conserved elements of fungal walls. For similar reasons the enzymes that assemble fungal cell wall components are excellent targets for antifungal chemotherapies and fungicides. However, for fungal pathogens, the cell wall is often disguised since key signature molecules for immune recognition are sometimes masked by immunologically inert molecules. Cell wall damage leads to the activation of sophisticated fail-safe mechanisms that shore up and repair walls to avoid catastrophic breaching of the integrity of the surface. The frontiers of research on fungal cell walls are moving from a descriptive phase defining the underlying genes and component parts of fungal walls to more dynamic analyses of how the various components are assembled, cross-linked, and modified in response to environmental signals. This review therefore discusses recent advances in research investigating the composition, synthesis, and regulation of cell walls and how the cell wall is targeted by immune recognition systems and the design of antifungal diagnostics and therapeutics.

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Evolutionary history of the chitin synthases of eukaryotes

Cited by 35 publications

References 15 publications

Genome and methylome of the oleaginous diatom Cyclotella cryptica reveal genetic flexibility toward a high lipid phenotype

Genome and methylome of the oleaginous diatom Cyclotella cryptica reveal genetic flexibility toward a high lipid phenotype

Comparative characterization of putative chitin deacetylases from Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Thalassiosira pseudonana highlights the potential for distinct chitin‐based metabolic processes in diatoms

The Fungal Cell Wall: Structure, Biosynthesis, and Function

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