Molecular evolution and regulation of DHN melanin-related gene clusters are closely related to adaptation of different melanin-producing fungi

Jia, Shu-Lei; Chi, Zhe; Chen, Lu; Liu, Guanglei; Huang, Zhong; Chi, Zhen‐Ming

doi:10.1016/j.ygeno.2021.04.034

Cited by 22 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…As can be seen in Table 4 , P. chrysogenum has the greatest genetic similarity to A. fumigatus [ 83 ]. Interestingly, a recent evolutionary study of melanin-related gene clusters suggested horizontal gene transfer between the Aspergillus and Penicillium genera [ 84 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Raman Characterization of Fungal DHN and DOPA Melanin Biosynthesis Pathways

Strycker

Han

Bahari

et al. 2021

JoF

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Fungal melanins represent a resource for important breakthroughs in industry and medicine, but the characterization of their composition, synthesis, and structure is not well understood. Raman spectroscopy is a powerful tool for the elucidation of molecular composition and structure. In this work, we characterize the Raman spectra of wild-type Aspergillus fumigatus and Cryptococcus neoformans and their melanin biosynthetic mutants and provide a rough “map” of the DHN (A. fumigatus) and DOPA (C. neoformans) melanin biosynthetic pathways. We compare this map to the Raman spectral data of Aspergillus nidulans wild-type and melanin biosynthetic mutants obtained from a previous study. We find that the fully polymerized A. nidulans melanin cannot be classified according to the DOPA pathway; nor can it be solely classified according to the DHN pathway, consistent with mutational analysis and chemical inhibition studies. Our approach points the way forward for an increased understanding of, and methodology for, investigating fungal melanins.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Raman Characterization of Fungal DHN and DOPA Melanin Biosynthesis Pathways

Strycker

Han

Bahari

et al. 2021

JoF

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“…Despite the importance of colour in P. roqueforti, the genetic basis of spore pigmentation in this species has not previously been elucidated. In the present study we drew on knowledge of pigment development in other ascomycete fungi [17][18][19][20] to identify a DHN-melanin biosynthetic pathway in P. roqueforti and used experimental approaches to con rm the functional activity of the pathway. Results also demonstrated the possibility to generate novel coloured strains via pathway disruption, of potential public and commercial appeal, which was further con rmed by the use of UV mutagenesis to induce a range of colour mutants.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

New colours for old in the blue-cheese fungus Penicillium roqueforti

Dyer

Cleere

Novodvorska

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Penicillium roqueforti is used worldwide in the production of blue-veined cheese. The blue-green colour derives from pigmented spores formed by fungal growth. Using a combination of bioinformatics, targeted gene deletions, and heterologous gene expression we discovered that pigment formation was due to a DHN-melanin biosynthesis pathway. Systematic deletion of pathway genes altered the arising spore colour, yielding white to yellow-green to red-pink-brown phenotypes, demonstrating the potential to generate novel coloured strains. There was no consistent impact on mycophenolic acid production as a result of pathway interruption although levels of roquefortine C were altered in some deletants. Importantly, levels of methyl-ketones associated with blue-cheese flavour were not impacted. UV-induced colour mutants, allowed in food production, were then generated. A range of colours were obtained and certain phenotypes were successfully mapped to pathway gene mutations. Selected colour mutants were subsequently used in cheese production and generated expected novel colourations with no elevated mycotoxins, offering the exciting prospect of use in future cheese manufacture.

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“…We also noted that ferrooxidoreductase is underrepresented in E. lecanii-corni relative to E. dermatitidis, which harbor three homologs. Lastly, similar to E. dermatitidis, the genes involved in melanin biosynthesis in E. lecanii-corni are not clustered together in the genome as they are in many other fungal species [78].…”

Section: Melanin Biosynthesis and Regulation Pathway Comparisonmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phenotypic Characterization and Comparative Genomics of the Melanin-Producing Yeast Exophiala lecanii-corni Reveals a Distinct Stress Tolerance Profile and Reduced Ribosomal Genetic Content

Romsdahl

Schultzhaus

Cuomo

et al. 2021

JoF

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The black yeast Exophiala lecanii-corni of the order Chaetothyriales is notable for its ability to produce abundant quantities of DHN-melanin. While many other Exophiala species are frequent causal agents of human infection, E. lecanii-corni CBS 102400 lacks the thermotolerance requirements that enable pathogenicity, making it appealing for use in targeted functional studies and biotechnological applications. Here, we report the stress tolerance characteristics of E. lecanii-corni, with an emphasis on the influence of melanin on its resistance to various forms of stress. We find that E. lecanii-corni has a distinct stress tolerance profile that includes variation in resistance to temperature, osmotic, and oxidative stress relative to the extremophilic and pathogenic black yeast Exophiala dermatitidis. Notably, the presence of melanin substantially impacts stress resistance in E. lecanii-corni, while this was not found to be the case in E. dermatitidis. The cellular context, therefore, influences the role of melanin in stress protection. In addition, we present a detailed analysis of the E. lecanii-corni genome, revealing key differences in functional genetic content relative to other ascomycetous species, including a significant decrease in abundance of genes encoding ribosomal proteins. In all, this study provides insight into how genetics and physiology may underlie stress tolerance and enhances understanding of the genetic diversity of black yeasts.

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Molecular evolution and regulation of DHN melanin-related gene clusters are closely related to adaptation of different melanin-producing fungi

Cited by 22 publications

References 58 publications

Raman Characterization of Fungal DHN and DOPA Melanin Biosynthesis Pathways

Raman Characterization of Fungal DHN and DOPA Melanin Biosynthesis Pathways

New colours for old in the blue-cheese fungus Penicillium roqueforti

Phenotypic Characterization and Comparative Genomics of the Melanin-Producing Yeast Exophiala lecanii-corni Reveals a Distinct Stress Tolerance Profile and Reduced Ribosomal Genetic Content

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