The Experts below are selected from a list of 321 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Jiang-chun Wei - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Modification and functional adaptation of the MBF1 gene family in the lichenized fungus Endocarpon pusillum under environmental stress.
Scientific reports, 2017Co-Authors: Yanyan Wang, Xin-li Wei, Jenpan Huang, Jiang-chun WeiAbstract:The multiprotein-bridging factor 1 (MBF1) gene family is well known in archaea, non-lichenized fungi, plants, and animals, and contains stress tolerance-related genes. Here, we identified four unique mbf1 genes in the lichenized fungi Endocarpon spp. A phylogenetic analysis based on protein sequences showed the translated MBF1 proteins of the newly isolated mbf1 genes formed a monophyletic clade different from other lichen-forming fungi and Ascomycota groups in general, which may reflect the evolution of the biological functions of MBF1s. In contrast to the lack of function reported in yeast, we determined that lysine114 in the deduced Endocarpon pusillum MBF1 protein (EpMBF1) had a specific function that was triggered by environmental stress. Further, the Endocarpon-specific C-terminus of EpMBF1 was found to participate in stress tolerance. Epmbf1 was induced by a number of abiotic stresses in E. pusillum and transgenic yeast, and its stress-resistant ability was stronger than that of the yeast mbf1. These findings highlight the evolution and function of EpMBF1 and provide new insights into the co-evolution hypothesis of MBF1 and TATA-box-binding proteins.
-
The calcium-binding protein EpANN from the lichenized fungus Endocarpon pusillum enhances stress tolerance in yeast and plants.
Fungal genetics and biology : FG & B, 2017Co-Authors: Yongli Zhang, Yanyan Wang, Jiang-chun WeiAbstract:Annexins are calcium-phospholipid binding proteins that play a significant role in the Ca2+signaling pathway. These proteins are essential for plants to effectively respond to abiotic stresses. However, their functions and mechanisms remain largely unknown in fungi. In this study, an annexin gene, Epann, was cloned from the lichenized fungus Endocarpon pusillum, a drought resistant organism. Our results showed that Epann was induced by several abiotic stresses in E. pusillum. Heterologous expression of the Epann gene enhanced the stress tolerance of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Under heat-shock conditions, the EpANN proteins were significantly aggregated and the aggregation sites were located on peroxisomes. In heat-shocked cells, Epann reduced the reactive oxygen species level mainly through its intracellular peroxidase activity and regulation of stress-related genes. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing Epann exhibited a higher germination rate under oxidative stress and stronger drought tolerance. Our results provide a mechanistic understanding of the role of annexins in abiotic stress responses and suggest that this lichenized fungal gene could be a promising resource to generate stress-tolerant transgenic organisms.
-
Two new species of Endocarpon (Verrucariaceae, Ascomycota) from China.
Scientific reports, 2017Co-Authors: Tao Zhang, Meng Liu, Yanyan Wang, Zhijun Wang, Xin-li Wei, Jiang-chun WeiAbstract:Endocarpon species are key components of biological soil crusts. Phenotypic and systematic molecular analyses were carried out to identify samples of Endocarpon collected from the southeast edge of the Tengger Desert in China. These morphological and molecular analyses revealed two previously undescribed species that form highly supported independent monophyletic clades within Endocarpon. The new taxa were named Endocarpon deserticola sp. nov. and E. unifoliatum sp. nov. Furthermore, our results indicated that the newly developed protein coding markers adenylate kinase (ADK) and ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme h (UCEH) are useful for assessing species boundaries in phylogenic analyses.
-
Functional analysis of thioredoxin from the desert lichen-forming fungus, Endocarpon pusillum Hedwig, reveals its role in stress tolerance
Scientific reports, 2016Co-Authors: Jiang-chun WeiAbstract:Endocarpon pusillum is a lichen-forming fungus with an outstanding stress resistance property closely related to its antioxidant system. In this study, thioredoxin (Trx), one of the main components of antioxidant defense systems in E. pusillum (EpTrx), was characterized and analyzed both in transgenic yeasts and in vitro. Our analyses identified that the heterologous expression of EpTrx in the yeast Pichia pastoris significantly enhanced its resistance to osmotic and oxidative stresses. Assays in vitro showed EpTrx acted as a disulfide reductase as well as a molecular chaperone by assembling into various polymeric structures. Upon exposure to heat-shock stress, EpTrx exhibited weaker disulfide reductase activity but stronger chaperone activity, which coincided with the switching of the protein complexes from low molecular weight forms to high molecular weight complexes. Specifically, we found that Cys31 near but not at the active site was crucial in promoting the structural and functional transitions, most likely by accelerating the formation of intermolecular disulfide bond. Transgenic Saccharomyces cerevisiae harboring the native EpTrx exhibited stronger tolerance to oxidative, osmotic and high temperature stresses than the corresponding yeast strain containing the mutant EpTrx (C31S). Our results provide the first molecular evidence on how Trx influences stress response in lichen-forming fungi.
-
Comparative transcriptome analysis of the lichen-forming fungus Endocarpon pusillum elucidates its drought adaptation mechanisms.
Science China. Life sciences, 2014Co-Authors: Yanyan Wang, Xinyu Zhang, Qi-ming Zhou, Xiaoling Zhang, Jiang-chun WeiAbstract:The lichen-forming fungus was isolated from the desert lichen Endocarpon pusillum that is extremely drought resistant. To understand the molecular mechanisms of drought resistance in the fungus, we employed RNA-seq and quantitative real-time PCR to compare and characterize the differentially expressed genes in pure culture at two different water levels and with that in desiccated lichen. The comparative transcriptome analysis indicated that a total of 1781 genes were differentially expressed between samples cultured under normal and PEG-induced drought stress conditions. Similar to those in drought resistance plants and non-lichenized fungi, the common drought-resistant mechanisms were differentially expressed in E. pusillum. However, the expression change of genes involved in osmotic regulation in E. pusillum is different, which might be the evidence for the feature of drought adaptation. Interestingly, different from other organisms, some genes involved in drought adaption mechanisms showed significantly different expression patterns between the presence and absence of drought stress in E. pusillum. The expression of 23 candidate stress responsive genes was further confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR using dehydrated E. pusillum lichen thalli. This study provides a valuable resource for future research on lichen-forming fungi and shall facilitate future functional studies of the specific genes related to drought resistance.
Yanyan Wang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Modification and functional adaptation of the MBF1 gene family in the lichenized fungus Endocarpon pusillum under environmental stress.
Scientific reports, 2017Co-Authors: Yanyan Wang, Xin-li Wei, Jenpan Huang, Jiang-chun WeiAbstract:The multiprotein-bridging factor 1 (MBF1) gene family is well known in archaea, non-lichenized fungi, plants, and animals, and contains stress tolerance-related genes. Here, we identified four unique mbf1 genes in the lichenized fungi Endocarpon spp. A phylogenetic analysis based on protein sequences showed the translated MBF1 proteins of the newly isolated mbf1 genes formed a monophyletic clade different from other lichen-forming fungi and Ascomycota groups in general, which may reflect the evolution of the biological functions of MBF1s. In contrast to the lack of function reported in yeast, we determined that lysine114 in the deduced Endocarpon pusillum MBF1 protein (EpMBF1) had a specific function that was triggered by environmental stress. Further, the Endocarpon-specific C-terminus of EpMBF1 was found to participate in stress tolerance. Epmbf1 was induced by a number of abiotic stresses in E. pusillum and transgenic yeast, and its stress-resistant ability was stronger than that of the yeast mbf1. These findings highlight the evolution and function of EpMBF1 and provide new insights into the co-evolution hypothesis of MBF1 and TATA-box-binding proteins.
-
The calcium-binding protein EpANN from the lichenized fungus Endocarpon pusillum enhances stress tolerance in yeast and plants.
Fungal genetics and biology : FG & B, 2017Co-Authors: Yongli Zhang, Yanyan Wang, Jiang-chun WeiAbstract:Annexins are calcium-phospholipid binding proteins that play a significant role in the Ca2+signaling pathway. These proteins are essential for plants to effectively respond to abiotic stresses. However, their functions and mechanisms remain largely unknown in fungi. In this study, an annexin gene, Epann, was cloned from the lichenized fungus Endocarpon pusillum, a drought resistant organism. Our results showed that Epann was induced by several abiotic stresses in E. pusillum. Heterologous expression of the Epann gene enhanced the stress tolerance of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Under heat-shock conditions, the EpANN proteins were significantly aggregated and the aggregation sites were located on peroxisomes. In heat-shocked cells, Epann reduced the reactive oxygen species level mainly through its intracellular peroxidase activity and regulation of stress-related genes. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing Epann exhibited a higher germination rate under oxidative stress and stronger drought tolerance. Our results provide a mechanistic understanding of the role of annexins in abiotic stress responses and suggest that this lichenized fungal gene could be a promising resource to generate stress-tolerant transgenic organisms.
-
Two new species of Endocarpon (Verrucariaceae, Ascomycota) from China.
Scientific reports, 2017Co-Authors: Tao Zhang, Meng Liu, Yanyan Wang, Zhijun Wang, Xin-li Wei, Jiang-chun WeiAbstract:Endocarpon species are key components of biological soil crusts. Phenotypic and systematic molecular analyses were carried out to identify samples of Endocarpon collected from the southeast edge of the Tengger Desert in China. These morphological and molecular analyses revealed two previously undescribed species that form highly supported independent monophyletic clades within Endocarpon. The new taxa were named Endocarpon deserticola sp. nov. and E. unifoliatum sp. nov. Furthermore, our results indicated that the newly developed protein coding markers adenylate kinase (ADK) and ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme h (UCEH) are useful for assessing species boundaries in phylogenic analyses.
-
Comparative transcriptome analysis of the lichen-forming fungus Endocarpon pusillum elucidates its drought adaptation mechanisms.
Science China. Life sciences, 2014Co-Authors: Yanyan Wang, Xinyu Zhang, Qi-ming Zhou, Xiaoling Zhang, Jiang-chun WeiAbstract:The lichen-forming fungus was isolated from the desert lichen Endocarpon pusillum that is extremely drought resistant. To understand the molecular mechanisms of drought resistance in the fungus, we employed RNA-seq and quantitative real-time PCR to compare and characterize the differentially expressed genes in pure culture at two different water levels and with that in desiccated lichen. The comparative transcriptome analysis indicated that a total of 1781 genes were differentially expressed between samples cultured under normal and PEG-induced drought stress conditions. Similar to those in drought resistance plants and non-lichenized fungi, the common drought-resistant mechanisms were differentially expressed in E. pusillum. However, the expression change of genes involved in osmotic regulation in E. pusillum is different, which might be the evidence for the feature of drought adaptation. Interestingly, different from other organisms, some genes involved in drought adaption mechanisms showed significantly different expression patterns between the presence and absence of drought stress in E. pusillum. The expression of 23 candidate stress responsive genes was further confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR using dehydrated E. pusillum lichen thalli. This study provides a valuable resource for future research on lichen-forming fungi and shall facilitate future functional studies of the specific genes related to drought resistance.
-
Genome characteristics reveal the impact of lichenization on lichen-forming fungus Endocarpon pusillum Hedwig (Verrucariales, Ascomycota)
BMC genomics, 2014Co-Authors: Yanyan Wang, Tao Zhang, Bin Liu, Xinyu Zhang, Qi-ming Zhou, Xiaoling Zhang, Xiyan Hao, Meng WangAbstract:Background Lichen is a classic mutualistic organism and the lichenization is one of the fungal symbioses. The lichen-forming fungus Endocarpon pusillum is living in symbiosis with the green alga Diplosphaera chodatii Bialsuknia as a lichen in the arid regions.
Tao Zhang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Two new species of Endocarpon (Verrucariaceae, Ascomycota) from China.
Scientific reports, 2017Co-Authors: Tao Zhang, Meng Liu, Yanyan Wang, Zhijun Wang, Xin-li Wei, Jiang-chun WeiAbstract:Endocarpon species are key components of biological soil crusts. Phenotypic and systematic molecular analyses were carried out to identify samples of Endocarpon collected from the southeast edge of the Tengger Desert in China. These morphological and molecular analyses revealed two previously undescribed species that form highly supported independent monophyletic clades within Endocarpon. The new taxa were named Endocarpon deserticola sp. nov. and E. unifoliatum sp. nov. Furthermore, our results indicated that the newly developed protein coding markers adenylate kinase (ADK) and ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme h (UCEH) are useful for assessing species boundaries in phylogenic analyses.
-
Genome characteristics reveal the impact of lichenization on lichen-forming fungus Endocarpon pusillum Hedwig (Verrucariales, Ascomycota)
BMC genomics, 2014Co-Authors: Yanyan Wang, Tao Zhang, Bin Liu, Xinyu Zhang, Qi-ming Zhou, Xiaoling Zhang, Xiyan Hao, Meng WangAbstract:Background Lichen is a classic mutualistic organism and the lichenization is one of the fungal symbioses. The lichen-forming fungus Endocarpon pusillum is living in symbiosis with the green alga Diplosphaera chodatii Bialsuknia as a lichen in the arid regions.
-
Survival analyses of symbionts isolated from Endocarpon pusillum Hedwig to desiccation and starvation stress.
Science China. Life sciences, 2011Co-Authors: Tao Zhang, Jiang-chun WeiAbstract:This work deals with the survival analyses of the symbionts isolated from the lichen E. pusillum under desiccation and starvation stress. The mycobiont of the symbionts was under the desiccation in combination with starvation stress, and under starvation stress alone as well. The phycobiont of the symbionts was under desiccation stress alone. The experiments were detected by means of the biomass size, weight and cell density, deformity of the hyphae and cells, and metabolic activity through SEM (scanning electron microscopy), TEM (transmission electron microscopy), FM (fluorescence microscopy), spectrophotometry, and FCM (flow cytometry). The results show that the mycobiont can survive for seven months under desiccation stress in combination with starvation stress, and for eight months under starvation stress alone. The phycobiont can survive for two months under desiccation stress. It can provide a scientific basis for further research of the reproduction biology of lichens and arid desert biocarpet engineering to fix sand and carbon.
-
Construction and characterization of a full-length cDNA library from mycobiont of Endocarpon pusillum (lichen-forming Ascomycota)
World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 2011Co-Authors: Yanyan Wang, Tao Zhang, Qi-ming Zhou, Jiang-chun WeiAbstract:The first full-length cDNA library for lichenized fungi was constructed from cultured mycobiont of the arid desert lichen Endocarpon pusillum. Based on small-scale sequencing results, 111 genes of the lichenized fungi were identified for the first time, among which 11 genes shared no homology with any known fungal genes. Real-time PCR showed that the size of the mycobiont genome is 39.13 Mb and the copy number of ribosomal RNA gene repeat units is 43. The results of this study will be valuable for the ongoing lichen genome-sequencing project and the large-scale identification of functional genes from lichenized fungi.
Xin-li Wei - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Modification and functional adaptation of the MBF1 gene family in the lichenized fungus Endocarpon pusillum under environmental stress.
Scientific reports, 2017Co-Authors: Yanyan Wang, Xin-li Wei, Jenpan Huang, Jiang-chun WeiAbstract:The multiprotein-bridging factor 1 (MBF1) gene family is well known in archaea, non-lichenized fungi, plants, and animals, and contains stress tolerance-related genes. Here, we identified four unique mbf1 genes in the lichenized fungi Endocarpon spp. A phylogenetic analysis based on protein sequences showed the translated MBF1 proteins of the newly isolated mbf1 genes formed a monophyletic clade different from other lichen-forming fungi and Ascomycota groups in general, which may reflect the evolution of the biological functions of MBF1s. In contrast to the lack of function reported in yeast, we determined that lysine114 in the deduced Endocarpon pusillum MBF1 protein (EpMBF1) had a specific function that was triggered by environmental stress. Further, the Endocarpon-specific C-terminus of EpMBF1 was found to participate in stress tolerance. Epmbf1 was induced by a number of abiotic stresses in E. pusillum and transgenic yeast, and its stress-resistant ability was stronger than that of the yeast mbf1. These findings highlight the evolution and function of EpMBF1 and provide new insights into the co-evolution hypothesis of MBF1 and TATA-box-binding proteins.
-
Two new species of Endocarpon (Verrucariaceae, Ascomycota) from China.
Scientific reports, 2017Co-Authors: Tao Zhang, Meng Liu, Yanyan Wang, Zhijun Wang, Xin-li Wei, Jiang-chun WeiAbstract:Endocarpon species are key components of biological soil crusts. Phenotypic and systematic molecular analyses were carried out to identify samples of Endocarpon collected from the southeast edge of the Tengger Desert in China. These morphological and molecular analyses revealed two previously undescribed species that form highly supported independent monophyletic clades within Endocarpon. The new taxa were named Endocarpon deserticola sp. nov. and E. unifoliatum sp. nov. Furthermore, our results indicated that the newly developed protein coding markers adenylate kinase (ADK) and ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme h (UCEH) are useful for assessing species boundaries in phylogenic analyses.
Francois Lutzoni - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Multi-locus phylogeny supports the placement of Endocarpon pulvinatum within Staurothele s. str. (lichenised ascomycetes, Eurotiomycetes, Verrucariaceae)
Phytotaxa, 2017Co-Authors: Starri Heiðmarsson, Jolanta Miadlikowska, Cecile Gueidan, Francois LutzoniAbstract:Within the lichen family Verrucariaceae, the genera Endocarpon , Willeya and Staurothele are characterised by muriform ascospores and the presence of algal cells in the hymenium. Endocarpon thalli are squamulose to subfruticose, whereas Willeya and Staurothele include only crustose species. Endocarpon pulvinatum , an arctic-alpine species newly reported for Iceland, is one of the few Endocarpon with a subfruticose thallus formed by long and narrow erected squamules. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of four loci (ITS, nrLSU, mtSSU, and mcm 7) newly obtained from E. pulvinatum specimens from Iceland, Finland and North America does not confirm its current classification within the mostly squamulose genus Endocarpon , but instead supports its placement within the crustose genus Staurothele . The new combination Staurothele pulvinata is therefore proposed here. It includes also E. tortuosum , which was confirmed as a synonym of E. pulvinatum based on a single sequence.
-
Molecular phylogeny of Heteroplacidium, Placidium, and related catapyrenioid genera (Verrucariaceae, lichen-forming Ascomycota)
American journal of botany, 2011Co-Authors: María Prieto, Cecile Gueidan, Isabel Martínez, Gregorio Aragón, Francois LutzoniAbstract:PREMISE OF THE STUDY Verrucariaceae is a fascinating lineage of lichenized fungi for which generic and species delimitation is problematic due to the scarcity of discriminating morphological characters. Members of this family inhabit rocks, but they further colonize soils, barks, mosses, and other lichens. Our aim is to contribute to the DNA-based inference of the Verrucariaceae tree of life and to investigate characters that could be useful for proposing a more natural classification. We focused on catapyrenioid genera, which are often part of biological soil crusts, a cryptogam-dominated ecosystem contributing to soil formation and stabilization in arid environments. Understanding their evolution and taxonomy is essential to assess their roles in these fragile and important ecosystems. METHODS A multigene phylogeny of Verrucariaceae including catapyrenioid genera is presented. We further examined the phylogenetic relationships among members of Heteroplacidium and Placidium. The evolution of selected characters was inferred using the latter phylogeny. KEY RESULTS Anthracocarpon and Involucropyrenium were closely related to Endocarpon. Placidium comprised two monophyletic clades sister to Heteroplacidium. Inferred ancestral states of diagnostic characters revealed that the type of medulla and the pycnidia location were homoplasious within the Placidium clade. In contrast, the presence of rhizines was a synapomorphy for Clavascidium. CONCLUSIONS Our results provide new information on the usefulness of characters for delineating groups in Verrucariaceae. Taxonomic changes are proposed to reflect more natural groupings: Heteroplacidium podolepis is transferred to Placidium, and Clavascidium is recognized as a different genus. Eight new combinations are proposed for Clavascidium.
-
Using a multigene phylogenetic analysis to assess generic delineation and character evolution in Verrucariaceae (Verrucariales, Ascomycota).
Mycological Research, 2007Co-Authors: Cecile Gueidan, Claude Roux, Francois LutzoniAbstract:Verrucariaceae are a family of mostly crustose lichenized ascomycetes colonizing various habitats ranging from marine and fresh water to arid environments. Phylogenetic relationships among members of the Verrucariaceae are mostly unknown and the current morphology-based classification has never been confronted to molecular data. A multilocus phylogeny (nuLSU, nuSSU and RPB1) was reconstructed for 83 taxa representing all main genera of this family to provide a molecular phylogenetic framework necessary to assess the current morphology-based classification. Four main well-supported monophyletic groups were recovered, one of which contains seven robust monophyletic subgroups. Most genera, as traditionally delimited, were not monophyletic. A few taxonomic changes are proposed here to reconcile the morphology-based classification with the molecular phylogeny (Endocarpon diffractellum comb. nov., Heteroplacidium fusculum comb. nov., and Bagliettoa marmorea comb. nov.). Ancestral state reconstructions show that the most recent common ancestor of the Verrucariaceae was most likely crustose with a weakly differentiated upper cortex, simple ascospores, and hymenium free of algae. As shown in this study, the use of symplesiomorphic traits to define Verrucaria, the largest and type genus for the Verrucariaceae, as well as the non monophyly of the genera Polyblastia, Staurothele and Thelidium, explain most of the discrepancies between the current classification based on morphological similarity and a classification using monophyly as a grouping criterion.