Pheromone Action in the Fungal Groups Chytridiomycota, and Zygomycota, and in the Oomycota

Schimek, Christine; Wöstemeyer, Johannes

doi:10.1007/3-540-28135-5_12

Cited by 12 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 127 publications

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“…Neither Ste2 or Ste3 orthologues could be detected in the zygomycete R. oryzae. While this may be due to low sequence homology, an alternative explanation is that this type of receptors is not present in the zygomycetes, which employ a structurally distinct type of pheromones, trisporic acid derivatives, for sexual reproduction (Schimek and Wöstemeyer, 2006).…”

Section: The Fus3 and Kss1 Mapk Pathwaysmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative genomics of MAP kinase and calcium–calcineurin signalling components in plant and human pathogenic fungi

Rispail

Soanes

Ant

et al. 2009

Fungal Genetics and Biology

285

281

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a b s t r a c tMitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades and the calcium-calcineurin pathway control fundamental aspects of fungal growth, development and reproduction. Core elements of these signalling pathways are required for virulence in a wide array of fungal pathogens of plants and mammals. In this review, we have used the available genome databases to explore the structural conservation of three MAPK cascades and the calcium-calcineurin pathway in ten different fungal species, including model organisms, plant pathogens and human pathogens. While most known pathway components from the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae appear to be widely conserved among taxonomically and biologically diverse fungi, some of them were found to be restricted to the Saccharomycotina. The presence of multiple paralogues in certain species such as the zygomycete Rhizopus oryzae and the incorporation of new functional domains that are lacking in S. cerevisiae signalling proteins, most likely reflect functional diversification or adaptation as filamentous fungi have evolved to occupy distinct ecological niches.

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Section: The Fus3 and Kss1 Mapk Pathwaysmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative genomics of MAP kinase and calcium–calcineurin signalling components in plant and human pathogenic fungi

Rispail

Soanes

Ant

et al. 2009

Fungal Genetics and Biology

285

281

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…They typically grow as hyphae, which normally do not have septae. Mucorales grow very fast and live saprobiotically on dead plants and animals, on seeds or on fruits [2]. Some species can parasitise animals, plants and other fungi.…”

Section: Biological Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Generally, Mucorales produce high amounts of TA exclusively in the presence of both mating types. The traditional opinion is that each mating type alone is not able to complete the pathway; instead, intermediates are exchanged between the mating partners [2,9,11]. Both pathways can be divided into two parts.…”

Section: Biological Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

Model of the synthesis of trisporic acid in Mucorales showing bistability

et al. 2012

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An important substance in the signalling between individuals of Mucor-like fungi is trisporic acid (TA). This compound, together with some of its precursors, serves as a pheromone in mating between (+)- and (-)-mating types. Moreover, intermediates of the TA pathway are exchanged between the two mating partners. Based on differential equations, mathematical models of the synthesis pathways of TA in the two mating types of an idealised Mucor-fungus are here presented. These models include the positive feedback of TA on its own synthesis. The authors compare three sub-models in view of bistability, robustness and the reversibility of transitions. The proposed modelling study showed that, in a system where intermediates are exchanged, a reversible transition between the two stable steady states occurs, whereas an exchange of the end product leads to an irreversible transition. The reversible transition is physiologically favoured, because the high-production state of TA must come to an end eventually. Moreover, the exchange of intermediates and TA is compared with the 3-way handshake widely used by computers linked in a network.

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“…Especially in Mucor mucedo, they also induce the first discernible sexual differentiation structures, the zygophores. Physiological aspects of the trisporic acid system for sexual communication have recently been reviewed (27,38).Although the synthesis of trisporic acid from ␤-carotene (2) is still hypothetical in some parts of the pathway, the best and most consistent model assumes a shared and cooperative synthesis by both complementary mating types, accomplished by exchanging mating-type-specific precursors between complementary sexual partners (5,6,23,35,36). Although this general scheme applies to all mucoralean zygomycetes, and trisporoids are even recognized by Mortierellales (29), the spectrum of trisporoid derivatives and isomers differs in detail (38).…”

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confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

4-Dihydrotrisporin-Dehydrogenase, an Enzyme of the Sex Hormone Pathway of Mucor mucedo : Purification, Cloning of the Corresponding Gene, and Developmental Expression

et al. 2009

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The NADP-dependent 4-dihydrotrisporin-dehydrogenase is a (؊) mating-type-specific enzyme in the pathway from ␤-carotene to trisporic acid. This substance and its isomers and derivatives represent the general system of sexual communication in zygomycetes. The (؊) mating type of Mucor mucedo was stimulated by trisporic acid and the enzyme was purified by ion exchange and affinity chromatography. Several peptides of the 26-kDa protein, digested with trypsin, were sequenced by mass spectrometry. Oligonucleotides based on protein sequence data were used for PCR amplification of genomic DNA. The primary PCR fragment was sequenced and the complete gene, TSP2, was isolated. A labeled TSP2 hybridization probe detects a single-copy gene in the genome of M. mucedo. Northern blot analysis with RNAs from different growth stages reveals that the expression of the gene depends on the developmental stage of the mycelium in both mating types of M. mucedo. At the enzyme level, activity is found exclusively in the (؊) mating type. However, renaturation of proteins in sodium dodecyl sulfate-containing gels revealed the TSP2 gene product in both mating types. Analyzing the protein sequence places the enzyme in the short chain dehydrogenase superfamily. Thus, it has an evolutionary origin distinct from that of the previously isolated 4-dihydromethyltrisporate dehydrogenase, which belongs to the aldo/keto reductase superfamily. Apart from the TSP2 genes in the three sequenced zygomycetous genomes (Phycomyces blakesleeanus, Rhizopus oryzae, and Mucor circinelloides), the closest relative is the Myxococcus xanthus CsgA gene product, which is also a short chain dehydrogenase, involved in C signaling and fruiting body formation.The existence of a conserved system for sexual communication in zygomycetes had been assumed very early based on observations of the ability of mucoralean fungi belonging to different species to differentiate into early sexual morphological stages in cocultures on petri dishes, although without leading to zygospores (4, 7). These observations allowed consistent assignment of zygomycetes across species, genus, and family borders to (ϩ) or (Ϫ) mating types.In contrast to the modified peptide pheromones in asco-and basidiomycetes, the sexual reaction of zygomycetes is mediated by trisporic acid and its numerous derivatives and isomers. Trisporoids are involved in partner recognition, sexual morphogenesis, and feedback regulation of trisporoid synthesis. Especially in Mucor mucedo, they also induce the first discernible sexual differentiation structures, the zygophores. Physiological aspects of the trisporic acid system for sexual communication have recently been reviewed (27,38).Although the synthesis of trisporic acid from ␤-carotene (2) is still hypothetical in some parts of the pathway, the best and most consistent model assumes a shared and cooperative synthesis by both complementary mating types, accomplished by exchanging mating-type-specific precursors between complementary sexual partners (5,6,23,35,36). Altho...

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Pheromone Action in the Fungal Groups Chytridiomycota, and Zygomycota, and in the Oomycota

Cited by 12 publications

References 127 publications

Comparative genomics of MAP kinase and calcium–calcineurin signalling components in plant and human pathogenic fungi

Comparative genomics of MAP kinase and calcium–calcineurin signalling components in plant and human pathogenic fungi

Model of the synthesis of trisporic acid in Mucorales showing bistability

4-Dihydrotrisporin-Dehydrogenase, an Enzyme of the Sex Hormone Pathway of Mucor mucedo : Purification, Cloning of the Corresponding Gene, and Developmental Expression

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