Article
Microbiology
Donovan Garcia-Ceron, Thy T. Truong, Julian Ratcliffe, James A. McKenna, Mark R. Bleackley, Marilyn A. Anderson
Summary: Fusarium graminearum is a filamentous fungus that infects cereals, causing a significant impact on yield and quality when contaminated with mycotoxins. The mechanisms used by F. graminearum to export virulence factors are not fully understood, and extracellular vesicles (EVs) produced by fungal pathogens could play a role in infection.
Article
Plant Sciences
B. Liu, R. Stevens-Green, D. Johal, R. Buchanan, J. Geddes-McAlister
Summary: Fungal infections of cereal crops present a significant threat to global food security by reducing grain production and contaminating products for consumption. Understanding the interactions between fungal pathogens and hosts through proteomics is crucial for disease control, with mass spectrometry offering an advanced platform for this research.
JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Silvio Tundo, Maria Chiara Paccanaro, Valentina Bigini, Daniel Savatin, Franco Faoro, Francesco Favaron, Luca Sella
Summary: The study demonstrated the ability of the Fusarium graminearum FGSG_03624 xylanase to enhance plant immunity and reduce disease severity. Expression of the enzyme in tobacco and Arabidopsis resulted in symptom reduction when challenged with different pathogens.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Ahai Chen, Yifan Zhou, Yiyi Ren, Chao Liu, Xingmin Han, Jing Wang, Zhonghua Ma, Yun Chen
Summary: In this study, it was found that E3 ligase Tom1 and deubiquitinating enzyme Ubp14 regulated the ubiquitination and deubiquitination of Gcn5, respectively, in the important plant pathogenic fungus Fusarium graminearum. This finding highlights the important role of the Tom1-Gcn5-Ubp14 circuit in fungal virulence.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Samina Ashiq, Simon Edwards, Andrew Watson, Emma Blundell, Matthew Back
Summary: This study investigated the biofumigation potential of Brassicaceae plants against Fusarium graminearum, a globally important cereal pathogen. The results showed that these plants could effectively reduce the inoculum of the pathogen prior to cereal production.
Article
Microbiology
Ning Liu, Yue Chen, Jing Liu, Qianfu Su, Bin Zhao, Manli Sun, Hui Jia, Zhiyan Cao, Jingao Dong
Summary: This study investigated the effects of temperature on the growth and pathogenicity of F. verticillioides and F. graminearum. The results showed that these two fungal pathogens have different adaptability to different temperatures. RNA-seq analysis revealed distinct gene expression patterns in growth and metabolic pathways under different temperatures for both species.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Amir Hameed, Pawel Poznanski, Muhammad Noman, Temoor Ahmed, Adnan Iqbal, Anna Nadolska-Orczyk, Waclaw Orczyk
Summary: This article focuses on studying the molecular interactions between barley and Fusarium graminearum and developing resistance against Fusarium infections for fast breeding of barley. The potential gene targets and the applications of nanobio hybrid and CRISPR technology for barley protection are also discussed. The article fills in the critical information gaps and has significant implications for the sustainable improvement of barley in terms of food and environmental safety concerns.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Donovan Garcia-Ceron, Rohan G. T. Lowe, James A. McKenna, Linda M. Brain, Charlotte S. Dawson, Bethany Clark, Oliver Berkowitz, Pierre Faou, James Whelan, Mark R. Bleackley, Marilyn A. Anderson
Summary: This study revealed that EVs from Fgr contain protein effectors crucial for fungal virulence, some of which lack predicted secretion signals. Transcriptomic analysis of corn plants infected by Fgr showed high expression of effector genes, indicating that Fgr EVs may serve as a mechanism for unconventional effector and virulence factor secretion. These findings expand our knowledge on fungal EVs in plant pathogenesis and may contribute to the discovery of new antifungals.
Article
Cell Biology
Francesco Tini, Giovanni Beccari, Gianpiero Marconi, Andrea Porceddu, Micheal Sulyok, Donald M. Gardiner, Emidio Albertini, Lorenzo Covarelli
Summary: The study investigated how Fusarium graminearum regulates virulence towards its natural hosts through DNA methylation. It was found that sub-culturing led to a decline in virulence, which could be restored through repeated inoculation. DNA methylation analysis revealed changes in methylation levels of genes related to virulence after subculturing, suggesting the potential of ddRAD-MCSeEd approach in detecting genes associated with fungal virulence.
Article
Microbiology
Zhigang Hao, Yuanyuan Li, Yunyun Jiang, Jiaqing Xu, Jianqiang Li, Laixin Luo
Summary: This study sequenced and analyzed the genome of a Fusarium graminearum isolate from China, revealing its characteristics and potential for further research on gene function and comparative analyses. The findings provide valuable data and resources for advancing our understanding of this important plant pathogen.
Review
Plant Sciences
Prajjwal Rai, Laxman Prasad, Pramod Kumar Rai
Summary: Oilseed brassica plays a critical role in global food and nutritional security. Indian mustard, known as B. juncea, is cultivated in various regions, including the Indian subcontinent, but it faces challenges from fungal pathogens. While chemicals are commonly used for pest control, their sustainability is questionable, thus calling for alternative approaches. This review explores the diverse B. juncea-fungal pathosystem and highlights the two-step resistance mechanism, as well as the role of hormonal signaling in defense. It further discusses studies on fungal pathogens, effectoromics, and the development of resistant transgenics.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Shi Dong-ya, Ren Wei-chao, Wang Jin, Zhang Jie, Jane Ifunanya Mbadianya, Mao Xue-wei, Chen Chang-jun
Summary: The study investigated the function of the Nsf1 orthologue FgNsf1 in Fusarium graminearum. Results showed that FgNsf1 plays a crucial role in vegetative growth, reproduction, stress responses, fungicide sensitivity, and virulence in F. graminearum.
JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE AGRICULTURE
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
A. Mare, W. H. P. Boshoff, L. Herselman
Summary: This study successfully transferred and produced wheat lines with different combinations of three major FHB resistance genes/QTL. Phenotypic and genotypic characterization showed that wheat lines with resistance genes/QTL had lower FHB infection levels compared to those without. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis confirmed the usefulness of these methods. Wheat lines with high levels of FHB resistance were identified, which can be used in future breeding programs and field trials.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maxine A. Hoft, Lucian Duvenage, J. Claire Hoving
Summary: This article summarizes the major endemic dimorphic fungal pathogens associated with epidemics, describes their route of infection and clinical presentation, and focuses on the host's pattern recognition receptors and innate immune response to these pathogens.
Article
Microbiology
Fernando Navarrete, Nenad Grujic, Alexandra Stirnberg, Indira Saado, David Aleksza, Michelle Gallei, Hazem Adi, Andre Alcantara, Mamoona Khan, Janos Bindics, Marco Trujillo, Armin Djamei
Summary: Biotrophic plant pathogens secrete effector proteins to manipulate host physiology, with pleiades as a cluster of ten genes that suppress ROS production in infected tissue. This study highlights the functional relevance of effector gene organization and the redundancy and mechanistic diversity in effector functions.
Article
Agronomy
Mohammed Khudhair, F. Obanor, K. Kazan, D. M. Gardiner, E. Aitken, A. McKay, D. Giblot-Ducray, S. Simpfendorfer, L. F. Thatcher
Summary: This study investigated the genetic diversity of Fusarium pseudograminearum populations in different regions of Australia, revealing differences in mating type composition between Eastern states and Western Australia, while all isolates across regions shared the same chemotype. Genetic markers showed high genotypic variation within and between populations, indicating possible sexual reproduction in the pathogen in certain locations. These findings enhance understanding of Fp population dynamics in Australia and emphasize the importance of monitoring for potential shifts in the pathogen population for effective disease management.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PLANT PATHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Stefania Bertazzoni, Darcy A. B. Jones, Huyen T. Phan, Kar-Chun Tan, James K. Hane
Summary: This study presents a chromosome-scale genome assembly of the P. nodorum Australian reference isolate Sn15 using a combination of long read sequencing, optical mapping, and manual curation. Effector prediction identified 257 candidates, with 98 higher-ranked candidates revealing a wealth of functions related to pathogenicity. Analysis of the pan-genome indicated the presence of an accessory chromosome (AC23) with unique characteristics and pathogenicity-related genes.
Article
Agronomy
Candy M. Taylor, Gagan Garg, Jens D. Berger, Federico M. Ribalta, Janine S. Croser, Karam B. Singh, Wallace A. Cowling, Lars G. Kamphuis, Matthew N. Nelson
Summary: A mutation in a TGS1-like homologue was identified as a candidate gene for the efl mutation in narrow-leafed lupin, leading to changes in flowering phenology and vernalisation requirement. This study sheds light on the molecular mechanism of vernalisation control in narrow-leafed lupin and provides important insights into flowering time control in legume plants.
THEORETICAL AND APPLIED GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Darcy A. B. Jones, Paula M. Moolhuijzen, James K. Hane
Summary: Fungal plant diseases are typically initiated by molecular interactions between effector molecules released by pathogens and receptor molecules on or within the plant host cell, with these interactions directly determining host resistance or susceptibility. A novel comparison method called RemEff is capable of identifying protein families with greater sensitivity than traditional homology-inference methods, enabling the prediction of novel fungal effector candidates through protein family association.
MICROBIAL GENOMICS
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Tobias Bruun Pedersen, Mikkel Rank Nielsen, Sebastian Birkedal Kristensen, Eva Mie Lang Spedtsberg, Trine Sorensen, Celine Petersen, Jens Muff, Teis Esben Sondergaard, Kare Lehmann Nielsen, Reinhard Wimmer, Donald Max Gardiner, Jens Laurids Sorensen
Summary: The biosynthetic pathways for fungal polyketides have been reconstructed and expressed heterologously in yeast. The study found that FvPPT1 from Fusarium verticillioides showed the highest efficiency in producing the target polyketides. The results indicate that selecting an optimal PPTase partner can enhance the production of target polyketides.
MICROBIAL CELL FACTORIES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jana Sperschneider, Peter N. Dodds
Summary: Many fungi and oomycete pathogens secrete effector proteins to facilitate plant infection. A classifier (EffectorP 3.0) has been developed to accurately predict effector proteins in fungal and oomycete secretomes with low false-positive rates.
MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Gokalp Yildirir, Jana Sperschneider, Mathu C. Malar, Eric C. H. Chen, Wataru Iwasaki, Calvin Cornell, Nicolas Corradi
Summary: The study reveals substantial chromosome and epigenetic diversity in different strains of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, highlighting differences in gene transcription, regulation of candidate effectors, and chromosomal rearrangement rates between dominant euchromatin and heterochromatin compartments.
Article
Microbiology
Yi Ding, Donald M. Gardiner, Kemal Kazan
Summary: This study analyzed the transcriptome of the fungal pathogen Fusarium graminearum (Fg) during root infection of model cereal Brachypodium distachyon (Bd). The study revealed both shared and unique infection strategies employed by Fg during colonization of different host tissues. The role of deoxynivalenol (DON), a well-known virulence factor, during root infection was also explored.
MICROBIOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Bernadette M. Henares, Johannes W. Debler, Lina M. Farfan-Caceres, Christina R. Grime, Robert A. Syme, Sara N. Blake, Herdina, Jennifer A. Davidson, Richard P. Oliver, Karam B. Singh, Lars G. Kamphuis, Robert C. Lee
Summary: This study identified the pathogenic gene AlAvr1-1 in Ascochyta lentis, a fungal pathogen, and found that it triggers a hypersensitive resistance response in the legume species Hurricane. This is the first avirulence gene characterized in a legume pathogen and may contribute to further research on other damaging Ascochyta pathogens.
MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Eva C. Henningsen, Tim Hewitt, Sheshanka Dugyala, Eric S. Nazareno, Erin Gilbert, Feng Li, Shahryar F. Kianian, Brian J. Steffenson, Peter N. Dodds, Jana Sperschneider, Melania Figueroa
Summary: Advances in sequencing technologies have allowed the generation of fully phased genome references for organisms with nonhaploid genomes. This study successfully generated a chromosome-scale assembly for the oat crown rust pathogen, which provides valuable resources for studying pathogen effectors and virulence evolution.
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jonatan Nino-Sanchez, Prabhakaran T. Sambasivam, Anne Sawyer, Rachael Hamby, Angela Chen, Elizabeth Czislowski, Peng Li, Narelle Manzie, Donald M. Gardiner, Rebecca Ford, Zhi Ping Xu, Neena Mitter, Hailing Jin
Summary: Spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS) is a promising tool for controlling fungal plant diseases. Delivering dsRNA as BioClay can enhance RNA durability on plants and prolong its protection against fungal pathogens. This research represents a major step forward for the adoption of SIGS as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional fungicides.
JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Rebecca M. Degnan, Alistair R. McTaggart, Louise S. Shuey, Leny Jane S. Pame, Grant R. Smith, Donald M. Gardiner, Volker Nock, Rebecca Soffe, Sarah Sale, Ashley Garrill, Bernard J. Carroll, Neena Mitter, Anne Sawyer
Summary: Rust fungi are a diverse group of plant pathogens that pose threats to the diversity of native flora and cause crop yield losses. RNA interference induced by exogenous dsRNA has potential for managing rust fungi. Targeting key genes with exogenous dsRNA significantly reduces germination and development of infection structures in rust fungi, and has broad applicability.
MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Andrew S. Urquhart, Donald M. Gardiner
Summary: Fungal spore killers are genetic elements that promote their own inheritance by killing non-inheriting gametes. However, little is known about how they kill other spores within the fungal ascus. In this study, we investigate the spore killer protein SPOK1 in Podospora anserina and demonstrate that it kills by targeting DNA. This finding provides insights into the mechanisms of spore killers and their potential applications.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andrew S. Urquhart, Aaron A. Vogan, Donald M. Gardiner, Alexander Idnurm
Summary: Transposable elements in eukaryotes, known as Starships in fungal genomes, have been found to confer beneficial traits to their hosts and can jump between species. They are vulnerable to defense mechanisms against mobile elements, affecting their evolutionary stability.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Christopher W. G. Mann, Anne Sawyer, Donald M. Gardiner, Neena Mitter, Bernard J. Carroll, Andrew L. Eamens
Summary: The conflict between the need to conserve natural ecosystems and to feed an expanding population is driving the demand for more ecologically sustainable pathogen control measures. RNA-based biopesticides offer an eco-friendly alternative to conventional fungicides for crop protection. The development of pathogen-specific RNAi-inducing sprays and the understanding of gene silencing pathways in plants and fungi are crucial for the success of this technology.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)