Pucciniomycotina

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Teun Boekhout - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Phylogeny of yeasts and related filamentous fungi within Pucciniomycotina determined from multigene sequence analyses.
    Studies in mycology, 2015
    Co-Authors: Q.-m. Wang, Teun Boekhout, Marizeth Groenewald, Bart Theelen, Xin-zhan Liu, P.-j. Han, Masako Takashima, Feng-yan Bai
    Abstract:

    In addition to rusts, the subphylum Pucciniomycotina (Basidiomycota) includes a large number of unicellular or dimorphic fungi which are usually studied as yeasts. Ribosomal DNA sequence analyses have shown that the current taxonomic system of the pucciniomycetous yeasts which is based on phenotypic criteria is not concordant with the molecular phylogeny and many genera are polyphyletic. Here we inferred the molecular phylogeny of 184 pucciniomycetous yeast species and related filamentous fungi using maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference analyses based on the sequences of seven genes, including the small subunit ribosomal DNA (rDNA), the large subunit rDNA D1/D2 domains, the internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS 1 and 2) of rDNA including the 5.8S rDNA gene; the nuclear protein-coding genes of the two subunits of DNA polymerase II (RPB1 and RPB2) and the translation elongation factor 1-α (TEF1); and the mitochondrial gene cytochrome b (CYTB). A total of 33 monophyletic clades and 18 single species lineages were recognised among the pucciniomycetous yeasts employed, which belonged to four major lineages corresponding to Agaricostilbomycetes, Cystobasidiomycetes, Microbotryomycetes and Mixiomycetes. These lineages remained independent from the classes Atractiellomycetes, Classiculomycetes, Pucciniomycetes and Tritirachiomycetes formed by filamentous taxa in Pucciniomycotina. An updated taxonomic system of pucciniomycetous yeasts implementing the ‘One fungus = One name’ principle will be proposed based on the phylogenetic framework presented here.

  • Phylogenetic classification of yeasts and related taxa within Pucciniomycotina.
    Studies in Mycology, 2015
    Co-Authors: Qi-ming Wang, Andrey Yurkov, Teun Boekhout, Markus Göker, H.t. Lumbsch, Steven D. Leavitt, Marizeth Groenewald, Bart Theelen, Xin-zhan Liu, Feng-yan Bai
    Abstract:

    Most small genera containing yeast species in the Pucciniomycotina (Basidiomycota, Fungi) are monophyletic, whereas larger genera including Bensingtonia, Rhodosporidium, Rhodotorula, Sporidiobolus and Sporobolomyces are polyphyletic. With the implementation of the “One Fungus = One Name” nomenclatural principle these polyphyletic genera were revised. Nine genera, namely Bannoa, Cystobasidiopsis, Colacogloea, Kondoa, Erythrobasidium, Rhodotorula, Sporobolomyces, Sakaguchia and Sterigmatomyces, were emended to include anamorphic and teleomorphic species based on the results obtained by a multi-gene phylogenetic analysis, phylogenetic network analyses, branch length-based methods, as well as morphological, physiological and biochemical comparisons. A new class Spiculogloeomycetes is proposed to accommodate the order Spiculogloeales. The new families Buckleyzymaceae with Buckleyzyma gen. nov., Chrysozymaceae with Chrysozyma gen. nov., Microsporomycetaceae with Microsporomyces gen. nov., Ruineniaceae with Ruinenia gen. nov., Symmetrosporaceae with Symmetrospora gen. nov., Colacogloeaceae and Sakaguchiaceae are proposed. The new genera Bannozyma, Buckleyzyma, Fellozyma, Hamamotoa, Hasegawazyma, Jianyunia, Rhodosporidiobolus, Oberwinklerozyma, Phenoliferia, Pseudobensingtonia, Pseudohyphozyma, Sampaiozyma, Slooffia, Spencerozyma, Trigonosporomyces, Udeniozyma, Vonarxula, Yamadamyces and Yunzhangia are proposed to accommodate species segregated from the genera Bensingtonia, Rhodosporidium, Rhodotorula, Sporidiobolus and Sporobolomyces. Ballistosporomyces is emended and reintroduced to include three Sporobolomyces species of the sasicola clade. A total of 111 new combinations are proposed in this study.

  • two yeast species cystobasidium psychroaquaticum f a sp nov and cystobasidium rietchieii f a sp nov isolated from natural environments and the transfer of rhodotorula minuta clade members to the genus cystobasidium
    Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek International Journal of General and Molecular Microbiology, 2015
    Co-Authors: A V Kachalkin, Andrey Yurkov, Teun Boekhout, Marizeth Groenewald, Heide Marie Daniel, Diego Libkind, V De Garcia, Polona Zalar, D E Gouliamova
    Abstract:

    Many species of dimorphic basidiomycetes are known only in their asexual phase and typically those pigmented in different hues of red have been classified in the large polyphyletic genus Rhodotorula. These yeasts are ubiquitous and include a few species of some clinical relevance. The phylogenetic distribution of Rhodotorula spans three classes: Microbotryomycetes, Cystobasidiomycetes and Exobasidiomycetes. Here, the presented multi-gene analyses resolved phylogenetic relationships between the second largest group of Rhodotorula and the mycoparasite Cystobasidium fimetarium (Cystobasidiales, Cystobasidiomycetes, Pucciniomycotina). Based on the results, we propose the transfer of nine species belonging to the Rhodotorula minuta clade into the genus Cystobasidium. As a result, the clinically relevant species R. minuta will be renamed Cystobasidium minutum. This proposal follows ongoing reassessments of the anamorphic genus Rhodotorula reducing the polyphyly of this genus. The delimitation of the R. minuta clade from Rhodotorula species comprised in Sporidiobolales including the type species Rhodotorula glutinis is an important step to overcome obsolete generic placements of asexual basidiomycetous yeasts. Our proposal will also help to distinguish most common red yeasts from clinical samples such as members of Sporidiobolales and Cystobasidiales. The diagnosis of the genus Cystobasidium is amended by including additional characteristics known for the related group of species. The taxonomic change enables us to classify two novel species with the phylogenetically related members of the R. minuta clade in Cystobasidium. The recently from natural environments isolated species are described here as Cystobasidium psychroaquaticum f.a. sp. nov. (K-833T = KBP 3881T = VKPM Y-3653T = CBS 11769T = MUCL 52875T = DSM 27713T) and Cystobasidium rietchiei f.a. sp. nov. (K-780T = KBP 4220T = VKPM Y-3658T = CBS 12324T = MUCL 53589T = DSM 27155T). The new species were registered in MycoBank under MB 809336 and MB 809337, respectively.

  • Tritirachium candoliense sp. nov., a novel basidiomycetous fungus isolated from the anoxic zone of the Arabian Sea
    Fungal biology, 2013
    Co-Authors: Cathrine Sumathi Manohar, Teun Boekhout, Wally H. Müller, Thorsten Stoeck
    Abstract:

    A fungal culture (FCAS11) was isolated from coastal sediments of the Arabian Sea during the anoxic season. Multigene phylogenetic analyses confidentially place the organism as a novel species within the recently defined class Tritirachiomycetes, subphylum Pucciniomycotina, phylum Basidiomycota. We named the new species Tritirachium candoliense and provide the first description of a member of this class from a marine environment. DNA sequences and morphological characters distinguish T. candoliense from previously described Tritirachium species. Its growth characteristics, morphology, and ultrastructural features showed that under anoxic conditions the species grows slowly and produces mainly hyphae with only few blastoconidia. Electron microscopy revealed differences when the culture was exposed to anoxic stress. Notable ultrastructural changes occur for example in mitochondrial cristae, irregularly shaped fat globules and the presence of intracellular membrane invaginations. We assume that the growth characteristics and substrate utilization patterns are an adaptation to its source location, the seasonally anoxic environment of the Arabian Sea.

Giuseppe Ianiri - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Transcriptomic responses of the basidiomycete yeast Sporobolomyces sp. to the mycotoxin patulin
    BMC Genomics, 2016
    Co-Authors: Giuseppe Ianiri, Raffaello Castoria
    Abstract:

    Patulin is a mycotoxin produced by Penicillium expansum, the causal agent of blue mold of stored pome fruits, and several other species of filamentous fungi. This mycotoxin has genotoxic, teratogenic and immunotoxic effects in mammals, and its presence in pome fruits and derived products represents a serious health hazard. Biocontrol agents in the Pucciniomycotina, such as the yeasts Sporobolomyces sp. strain IAM 13481 and Rhodosporidium kratochvilovae strain LS11, are able to resist patulin and degrade it into the less toxic compounds desoxypatulinic acid and ascladiol. In this investigation we applied a transcriptomic approach based on RNAseq to annotate the genome of Sporobolomyces sp. IAM 13481 and then study the changes of gene expression in Sporobolomyces sp. exposed to patulin. Patulin treatment leads to ROS production and oxidative stress that result in the activation of stress response mechanisms controlled by transcription factors. Upregulated Sporobolomyces genes were those involved in oxidation-reduction and transport processes, suggesting the activation of defense mechanisms to resist patulin toxicity and expel the mycotoxin out of the cells. Other upregulated genes encoded proteins involved in metabolic processes such as those of the glutathione and thioredoxin systems, which are essential to restore the cellular redox homeostasis. Conversely, patulin treatment decreased the expression of genes involved in the processes of protein synthesis and modification, such as transcription, RNA processing, translation, protein phosphorylation and biosynthesis of amino acids. Also, genes encoding proteins involved in transport of ions, cell division and cell cycle were downregulated. This indicates a reduction of metabolic activity, probably due to the high energy requirement by the cells or metabolic arrest while recovering from the insult caused by patulin toxicity. Complex mechanisms are activated in a biocontrol yeast in response to patulin. The genes identified in this study can pave the way to develop i) a biodetoxification process of patulin in juices and ii) a biosensor for the rapid and cost-effective detection of this mycotoxin.

  • Transcriptomic responses of the basidiomycete yeast Sporobolomyces sp. to the mycotoxin patulin
    BMC Genomics, 2016
    Co-Authors: Giuseppe Ianiri, Raffaello Castoria
    Abstract:

    Background Patulin is a mycotoxin produced by Penicillium expansum, the causal agent of blue mold of stored pome fruits, and several other species of filamentous fungi. This mycotoxin has genotoxic, teratogenic and immunotoxic effects in mammals, and its presence in pome fruits and derived products represents a serious health hazard. Biocontrol agents in the Pucciniomycotina, such as the yeasts Sporobolomyces sp. strain IAM 13481 and Rhodosporidium kratochvilovae strain LS11, are able to resist patulin and degrade it into the less toxic compounds desoxypatulinic acid and ascladiol. Results In this investigation we applied a transcriptomic approach based on RNAseq to annotate the genome of Sporobolomyces sp. IAM 13481 and then study the changes of gene expression in Sporobolomyces sp. exposed to patulin. Patulin treatment leads to ROS production and oxidative stress that result in the activation of stress response mechanisms controlled by transcription factors. Upregulated Sporobolomyces genes were those involved in oxidation-reduction and transport processes, suggesting the activation of defense mechanisms to resist patulin toxicity and expel the mycotoxin out of the cells. Other upregulated genes encoded proteins involved in metabolic processes such as those of the glutathione and thioredoxin systems, which are essential to restore the cellular redox homeostasis. Conversely, patulin treatment decreased the expression of genes involved in the processes of protein synthesis and modification, such as transcription, RNA processing, translation, protein phosphorylation and biosynthesis of amino acids. Also, genes encoding proteins involved in transport of ions, cell division and cell cycle were downregulated. This indicates a reduction of metabolic activity, probably due to the high energy requirement by the cells or metabolic arrest while recovering from the insult caused by patulin toxicity. Conclusions Complex mechanisms are activated in a biocontrol yeast in response to patulin. The genes identified in this study can pave the way to develop i) a biodetoxification process of patulin in juices and ii) a biosensor for the rapid and cost-effective detection of this mycotoxin.

  • Agrobacterium tumefaciens- Mediated Transformation of Pucciniomycotina Red Yeasts
    Fungal Biology, 2014
    Co-Authors: Giuseppe Ianiri
    Abstract:

    Red yeasts belong to the subphylum Pucciniomycotina, one of the three major lineages in the Basidiomycete fungi. These yeasts, commonly found as saprophytes in the environment, have unique features that make them important for academia, industry, agriculture, and occasionally human health. To understand the genetic basis behind biological processes of interest, the availability of molecular tools for gene mutation plays a crucial role. Here we outline how to perform recently developed protocols of Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation to Pucciniomycotina red yeasts. This method can be applied to generate libraries of T-DNA insertional mutants that can be screened for phenotypes of interest, or for targeted gene replacement.

  • Searching for Genes Responsible for Patulin Degradation in a Biocontrol Yeast Provides Insight into the Basis for Resistance to This Mycotoxin
    Applied and environmental microbiology, 2013
    Co-Authors: Giuseppe Ianiri, Sandra A. I. Wright, Rosa Durán-patrón, Luisa Mannina, Rosalia Ferracane, A. Ritieni, Raffaello Castoria
    Abstract:

    Patulin is a mycotoxin that contaminates pome fruits and derived products worldwide. Basidiomycete yeasts belonging to the subphylum Pucciniomycotina have been identified to have the ability to degrade this molecule efficiently and have been explored through different approaches to understand this degradation process. In this study, Sporobolomyces sp. strain IAM 13481 was found to be able to degrade patulin to form two different breakdown products, desoxypatulinic acid and (Z)-ascladiol. To gain insight into the genetic basis of tolerance and degradation of patulin, more than 3,000 transfer DNA (T-DNA) insertional mutants were generated in strain IAM 13481 and screened for the inability to degrade patulin using a bioassay based on the sensitivity of Escherichia coli to patulin. Thirteen mutants showing reduced growth in the presence of patulin were isolated and further characterized. Genes disrupted in patulin-sensitive mutants included homologs of Saccharomyces cerevisiae YCK2, PAC2, DAL5, and VPS8. The patulin-sensitive mutants also exhibited hypersensitivity to reactive oxygen species as well as genotoxic and cell wall-destabilizing agents, suggesting that the inactivated genes are essential for tolerating and overcoming the initial toxicity of patulin. These results support a model whereby patulin degradation occurs through a multistep process that includes an initial tolerance to patulin that utilizes processes common to other external stresses, followed by two separate pathways for degradation.

  • Overcoming recalcitrant transformation and gene manipulation in Pucciniomycotina yeasts
    Applied microbiology and biotechnology, 2012
    Co-Authors: Erika P. Abbott, Raffaello Castoria, Giuseppe Ianiri, Alexander Idnurm
    Abstract:

    The red yeasts of the Pucciniomycotina have rarely been transformed with DNA molecules. Transformation methods were recently developed for a species of Sporobolomyces, based on selection using uracil auxotrophs and plasmids carrying the wild-type copies of the URA3 and URA5 genes. However, these plasmids were ineffective in the transformation of closely related species. Using the genome-sequenced strain of Rhodotorula graminis as a starting point, the URA3 and URA5 genes were cloned and tested for the transformation ability into different Pucciniomycotina species by biolistic and Agrobacterium-mediated transformations. Transformation success depended on the red yeast species and the origin of the URA3 or URA5 genes, which may be related to the high G + C DNA content found in several species. A new vector was generated to confer resistance to nourseothricin, using a native promoter from R. graminis and the naturally high G + C nourseothricin acetyltransferease gene. This provides a second selectable marker in these species. Targeted gene disruption was tested in Sporobolomyces sp. IAM 13481 using different lengths of homologous DNA with biolistic and Agrobacterium transformation methods. Both DNA delivery methods were effective for targeted replacement of a gene required for carotenoid pigment biosynthesis. The constructs also triggered transgene silencing. These developments open the way to identify and manipulate gene functions in a large group of basidiomycete fungi.

Paula Gonçalves - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree of pheromone receptors (Ste3) from Tremellomycetes.
    2016
    Co-Authors: Márcia David-palma, Paula Gonçalves
    Abstract:

    Phylogeny includes Ste3 protein sequences from the species within Tremellomycetes closest to Phaffia and is rooted with the sequences of both Pucciniomycotina species (L. scottii and S. salmonicolor) and S. cerevisiae Ste3 pheromone receptors.

  • evolution of mating systems in basidiomycetes and the genetic architecture underlying mating type determination in the yeast leucosporidium scottii
    Genetics, 2015
    Co-Authors: Teresa Maia, Luiz H. Rosa, Paula Gonçalves, Susana T Lopes, Joao Almeida, Marco A. Coelho
    Abstract:

    In most fungi, sexual reproduction is bipolar; that is, two alternate sets of genes at a single mating-type (MAT) locus determine two mating types. However, in the Basidiomycota, a unique (tetrapolar) reproductive system emerged in which sexual identity is governed by two unlinked MAT loci, each of which controls independent mechanisms of self/nonself recognition. Tetrapolar-to-bipolar transitions have occurred on multiple occasions in the Basidiomycota, resulting, for example, from linkage of the two MAT loci into a single inheritable unit. Nevertheless, owing to the scarcity of molecular data regarding tetrapolar systems in the earliest-branching lineage of the Basidiomycota (subphylum Pucciniomycotina), it is presently unclear if the last common ancestor was tetrapolar or bipolar. Here, we address this question, by investigating the mating system of the Pucciniomycotina yeast Leucosporidium scottii. Using whole-genome sequencing and chromoblot analysis, we discovered that sexual reproduction is governed by two physically unlinked gene clusters: a multiallelic homeodomain (HD) locus and a pheromone/receptor (P/R) locus that is biallelic, thereby dismissing the existence of a third P/R allele as proposed earlier. Allele distribution of both MAT genes in natural populations showed that the two loci were in strong linkage disequilibrium, but independent assortment of MAT alleles was observed in the meiotic progeny of a test cross. The sexual cycle produces fertile progeny with similar proportions of the four mating types, but approximately 2/3 of the progeny was found to be nonhaploid. Our study adds to others in reinforcing tetrapolarity as the ancestral state of all basidiomycetes.

  • A deviation from the bipolar-tetrapolar mating paradigm in an early diverged basidiomycete.
    PLoS genetics, 2010
    Co-Authors: José Paulo Sampaio, Marco A. Coelho, Paula Gonçalves
    Abstract:

    In fungi, sexual identity is determined by specialized genomic regions called MAT loci which are the equivalent to sex chromosomes in some animals and plants. Usually, only two sexes or mating types exist, which are determined by two alternate sets of genes (or alleles) at the MAT locus (bipolar system). However, in the phylum Basidiomycota, a unique tetrapolar system emerged in which four different mating types are generated per meiosis. This occurs because two functionally distinct molecular recognition systems, each encoded by one MAT region, constrain the selection of sexual partners. Heterozygosity at both MAT regions is a pre-requisite for mating in both bipolar and tetrapolar basidiomycetes. Tetrapolar mating behaviour results from the absence of genetic linkage between the two regions bringing forth up to thousands of mating types. The subphylum Pucciniomycotina, an early diverged lineage of basidiomycetes encompassing important plant pathogens such as the rusts and saprobes like Rhodosporidium and Sporidiobolus, has been so far poorly explored concerning the content and organization of MAT loci. Here we show that the red yeast Sporidiobolus salmonicolor has a mating system unlike any previously described because occasional disruptions of the genetic cohesion of the bipolar MAT locus originate new mating types. We confirmed that mating is normally bipolar and that heterozygosity at both MAT regions is required for mating. However, a laboratory cross showed that meiotic recombination may occur within the bipolar MAT locus, explaining tetrapolar features like increased allele number and evolution rates of some MAT genes. This pseudo-bipolar system deviates from the classical bipolar–tetrapolar paradigm and, to our knowledge, has never been observed before. We propose a model for MAT evolution in the Basidiomycota in which the pseudo-bipolar system may represent a hitherto unforeseen gradual form of transition from an ancestral tetrapolar system to bipolarity.

  • identification of mating type genes in the bipolar basidiomycetous yeast rhodosporidium toruloides first insight into the mat locus structure of the sporidiobolales
    Eukaryotic Cell, 2008
    Co-Authors: Andre Rosa, Marco A. Coelho, Nadia Rodrigues, Alvaro Fonseca, Paula Gonçalves
    Abstract:

    Rhodosporidium toruloides is a heterothallic, bipolar, red yeast that belongs to the Sporidiobolales, an order within a major lineage of basidiomycetes, the Pucciniomycotina. In contrast to other basidiomycetes, considerably less is known about the nature of the mating type (MAT) loci that control sexual reproduction in this lineage. Three genes (RHA1, RHA2, and RHA3) encoding precursors of the MAT A1 pheromone (rhodotorucine A) were previously identified and formed the basis for a genome walking approach that led to the identification of additional MAT genes in complementary mating strains of R. toruloides. Two mating type-specific alleles encoding a p21-activated kinase (PAK; Ste20 homolog) were found between the RHA2 and RHA3 genes, and identification in MAT A2 strains of a gene encoding a presumptive pheromone precursor enabled prediction of the structure of rhodotorucine a. In addition, a putative pheromone receptor gene (STE3 homolog) was identified upstream of RHA1. Analyses of genomic data from two closely related species, Sporobolomyces roseus and Sporidiobolus salmonicolor, identified syntenic regions that contain homologs of all the above-mentioned genes. Notably, six novel pheromone precursor genes were uncovered, which encoded, similarly to the RHA genes, multiple tandem copies of the peptide moiety. This suggests that this structure, which is unique among fungal lipopeptide pheromones, seems to be prevalent in red yeasts. Species comparisons provided evidence for a large, multigenic MAT locus structure in the Sporidiobolales, but no putative homeodomain transcription factor genes (which are present in all basidiomycetous MAT loci characterized thus far) could be found in any of the three species in the vicinity of the MAT genes identified.

Raffaello Castoria - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Transcriptomic responses of the basidiomycete yeast Sporobolomyces sp. to the mycotoxin patulin
    BMC Genomics, 2016
    Co-Authors: Giuseppe Ianiri, Raffaello Castoria
    Abstract:

    Patulin is a mycotoxin produced by Penicillium expansum, the causal agent of blue mold of stored pome fruits, and several other species of filamentous fungi. This mycotoxin has genotoxic, teratogenic and immunotoxic effects in mammals, and its presence in pome fruits and derived products represents a serious health hazard. Biocontrol agents in the Pucciniomycotina, such as the yeasts Sporobolomyces sp. strain IAM 13481 and Rhodosporidium kratochvilovae strain LS11, are able to resist patulin and degrade it into the less toxic compounds desoxypatulinic acid and ascladiol. In this investigation we applied a transcriptomic approach based on RNAseq to annotate the genome of Sporobolomyces sp. IAM 13481 and then study the changes of gene expression in Sporobolomyces sp. exposed to patulin. Patulin treatment leads to ROS production and oxidative stress that result in the activation of stress response mechanisms controlled by transcription factors. Upregulated Sporobolomyces genes were those involved in oxidation-reduction and transport processes, suggesting the activation of defense mechanisms to resist patulin toxicity and expel the mycotoxin out of the cells. Other upregulated genes encoded proteins involved in metabolic processes such as those of the glutathione and thioredoxin systems, which are essential to restore the cellular redox homeostasis. Conversely, patulin treatment decreased the expression of genes involved in the processes of protein synthesis and modification, such as transcription, RNA processing, translation, protein phosphorylation and biosynthesis of amino acids. Also, genes encoding proteins involved in transport of ions, cell division and cell cycle were downregulated. This indicates a reduction of metabolic activity, probably due to the high energy requirement by the cells or metabolic arrest while recovering from the insult caused by patulin toxicity. Complex mechanisms are activated in a biocontrol yeast in response to patulin. The genes identified in this study can pave the way to develop i) a biodetoxification process of patulin in juices and ii) a biosensor for the rapid and cost-effective detection of this mycotoxin.

  • Transcriptomic responses of the basidiomycete yeast Sporobolomyces sp. to the mycotoxin patulin
    BMC Genomics, 2016
    Co-Authors: Giuseppe Ianiri, Raffaello Castoria
    Abstract:

    Background Patulin is a mycotoxin produced by Penicillium expansum, the causal agent of blue mold of stored pome fruits, and several other species of filamentous fungi. This mycotoxin has genotoxic, teratogenic and immunotoxic effects in mammals, and its presence in pome fruits and derived products represents a serious health hazard. Biocontrol agents in the Pucciniomycotina, such as the yeasts Sporobolomyces sp. strain IAM 13481 and Rhodosporidium kratochvilovae strain LS11, are able to resist patulin and degrade it into the less toxic compounds desoxypatulinic acid and ascladiol. Results In this investigation we applied a transcriptomic approach based on RNAseq to annotate the genome of Sporobolomyces sp. IAM 13481 and then study the changes of gene expression in Sporobolomyces sp. exposed to patulin. Patulin treatment leads to ROS production and oxidative stress that result in the activation of stress response mechanisms controlled by transcription factors. Upregulated Sporobolomyces genes were those involved in oxidation-reduction and transport processes, suggesting the activation of defense mechanisms to resist patulin toxicity and expel the mycotoxin out of the cells. Other upregulated genes encoded proteins involved in metabolic processes such as those of the glutathione and thioredoxin systems, which are essential to restore the cellular redox homeostasis. Conversely, patulin treatment decreased the expression of genes involved in the processes of protein synthesis and modification, such as transcription, RNA processing, translation, protein phosphorylation and biosynthesis of amino acids. Also, genes encoding proteins involved in transport of ions, cell division and cell cycle were downregulated. This indicates a reduction of metabolic activity, probably due to the high energy requirement by the cells or metabolic arrest while recovering from the insult caused by patulin toxicity. Conclusions Complex mechanisms are activated in a biocontrol yeast in response to patulin. The genes identified in this study can pave the way to develop i) a biodetoxification process of patulin in juices and ii) a biosensor for the rapid and cost-effective detection of this mycotoxin.

  • Searching for Genes Responsible for Patulin Degradation in a Biocontrol Yeast Provides Insight into the Basis for Resistance to This Mycotoxin
    Applied and environmental microbiology, 2013
    Co-Authors: Giuseppe Ianiri, Sandra A. I. Wright, Rosa Durán-patrón, Luisa Mannina, Rosalia Ferracane, A. Ritieni, Raffaello Castoria
    Abstract:

    Patulin is a mycotoxin that contaminates pome fruits and derived products worldwide. Basidiomycete yeasts belonging to the subphylum Pucciniomycotina have been identified to have the ability to degrade this molecule efficiently and have been explored through different approaches to understand this degradation process. In this study, Sporobolomyces sp. strain IAM 13481 was found to be able to degrade patulin to form two different breakdown products, desoxypatulinic acid and (Z)-ascladiol. To gain insight into the genetic basis of tolerance and degradation of patulin, more than 3,000 transfer DNA (T-DNA) insertional mutants were generated in strain IAM 13481 and screened for the inability to degrade patulin using a bioassay based on the sensitivity of Escherichia coli to patulin. Thirteen mutants showing reduced growth in the presence of patulin were isolated and further characterized. Genes disrupted in patulin-sensitive mutants included homologs of Saccharomyces cerevisiae YCK2, PAC2, DAL5, and VPS8. The patulin-sensitive mutants also exhibited hypersensitivity to reactive oxygen species as well as genotoxic and cell wall-destabilizing agents, suggesting that the inactivated genes are essential for tolerating and overcoming the initial toxicity of patulin. These results support a model whereby patulin degradation occurs through a multistep process that includes an initial tolerance to patulin that utilizes processes common to other external stresses, followed by two separate pathways for degradation.

  • Overcoming recalcitrant transformation and gene manipulation in Pucciniomycotina yeasts
    Applied microbiology and biotechnology, 2012
    Co-Authors: Erika P. Abbott, Raffaello Castoria, Giuseppe Ianiri, Alexander Idnurm
    Abstract:

    The red yeasts of the Pucciniomycotina have rarely been transformed with DNA molecules. Transformation methods were recently developed for a species of Sporobolomyces, based on selection using uracil auxotrophs and plasmids carrying the wild-type copies of the URA3 and URA5 genes. However, these plasmids were ineffective in the transformation of closely related species. Using the genome-sequenced strain of Rhodotorula graminis as a starting point, the URA3 and URA5 genes were cloned and tested for the transformation ability into different Pucciniomycotina species by biolistic and Agrobacterium-mediated transformations. Transformation success depended on the red yeast species and the origin of the URA3 or URA5 genes, which may be related to the high G + C DNA content found in several species. A new vector was generated to confer resistance to nourseothricin, using a native promoter from R. graminis and the naturally high G + C nourseothricin acetyltransferease gene. This provides a second selectable marker in these species. Targeted gene disruption was tested in Sporobolomyces sp. IAM 13481 using different lengths of homologous DNA with biolistic and Agrobacterium transformation methods. Both DNA delivery methods were effective for targeted replacement of a gene required for carotenoid pigment biosynthesis. The constructs also triggered transgene silencing. These developments open the way to identify and manipulate gene functions in a large group of basidiomycete fungi.

  • Development of resources for the analysis of gene function in Pucciniomycotina red yeasts.
    Fungal Genetics and Biology, 2011
    Co-Authors: Giuseppe Ianiri, Sandra A. I. Wright, Raffaello Castoria
    Abstract:

    The Pucciniomycotina is an important subphylum of basidiomycete fungi but with limited tools to analyze gene functions. Transformation protocols were established for a Sporobolomyces species (strain IAM 13481), the first Pucciniomycotina species with a completed draft genome sequence, to enable assessment of gene function through phenotypic characterization of mutant strains. Transformation markers were the URA3 and URA5 genes that enable selection and counter-selection based on uracil auxotrophy and resistance to 5-fluoroorotic acid. The wild type copies of these genes were cloned into plasmids that were used for transformation of Sporobolomyces sp. by both biolistic and Agrobacterium-mediated approaches. These resources have been deposited to be available from the Fungal Genetics Stock Center. To show that these techniques could be used to elucidate gene functions, the LEU1 gene was targeted for specific homologous replacement, and also demonstrating that this gene is required for the biosynthesis of leucine in basidiomycete fungi. T-DNA insertional mutants were isolated and further characterized, revealing insertions in genes that encode the homologs of Chs7, Erg3, Kre6, Kex1, Pik1, Sad1, Ssu1 and Tlg1. Phenotypic analysis of these mutants reveals both conserved and divergent functions compared with other fungi. Some of these strains exhibit reduced resistance to detergents, the antifungal agent fluconazole or sodium sulfite, or lower recovery from heat stress. While there are current experimental limitations for Sporobolomyces sp. such as the lack of Mendelian genetics for conventional mating, these findings demonstrate the facile nature of at least one Pucciniomycotina species for genetic manipulation and the potential to develop these organisms into new models for understanding gene function and evolution in the fungi.

Andrey Yurkov - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • notes outline and divergence times of basidiomycota
    Fungal Diversity, 2019
    Co-Authors: Mao Qiang He, Martin Kemler, Andrey Yurkov, Olivier Raspé, Eric H. C. Mckenzie, Ruilin Zhao, Dominik Begerow, Makoto Kakishima
    Abstract:

    The Basidiomycota constitutes a major phylum of the kingdom Fungi and is second in species numbers to the Ascomycota. The present work provides an overview of all validly published, currently used basidiomycete genera to date in a single document. An outline of all genera of Basidiomycota is provided, which includes 1928 currently used genera names, with 1263 synonyms, which are distributed in 241 families, 68 orders, 18 classes and four subphyla. We provide brief notes for each accepted genus including information on classification, number of accepted species, type species, life mode, habitat, distribution, and sequence information. Furthermore, three phylogenetic analyses with combined LSU, SSU, 5.8s, rpb1, rpb2, and ef1 datasets for the subphyla Agaricomycotina, Pucciniomycotina and Ustilaginomycotina are conducted, respectively. Divergence time estimates are provided to the family level with 632 species from 62 orders, 168 families and 605 genera. Our study indicates that the divergence times of the subphyla in Basidiomycota are 406–430 Mya, classes are 211–383 Mya, and orders are 99–323 Mya, which are largely consistent with previous studies. In this study, all phylogenetically supported families were dated, with the families of Agaricomycotina diverging from 27–178 Mya, Pucciniomycotina from 85–222 Mya, and Ustilaginomycotina from 79–177 Mya. Divergence times as additional criterion in ranking provide additional evidence to resolve taxonomic problems in the Basidiomycota taxonomic system, and also provide a better understanding of their phylogeny and evolution.

  • Phylogenetic classification of yeasts and related taxa within Pucciniomycotina.
    Studies in Mycology, 2015
    Co-Authors: Qi-ming Wang, Andrey Yurkov, Teun Boekhout, Markus Göker, H.t. Lumbsch, Steven D. Leavitt, Marizeth Groenewald, Bart Theelen, Xin-zhan Liu, Feng-yan Bai
    Abstract:

    Most small genera containing yeast species in the Pucciniomycotina (Basidiomycota, Fungi) are monophyletic, whereas larger genera including Bensingtonia, Rhodosporidium, Rhodotorula, Sporidiobolus and Sporobolomyces are polyphyletic. With the implementation of the “One Fungus = One Name” nomenclatural principle these polyphyletic genera were revised. Nine genera, namely Bannoa, Cystobasidiopsis, Colacogloea, Kondoa, Erythrobasidium, Rhodotorula, Sporobolomyces, Sakaguchia and Sterigmatomyces, were emended to include anamorphic and teleomorphic species based on the results obtained by a multi-gene phylogenetic analysis, phylogenetic network analyses, branch length-based methods, as well as morphological, physiological and biochemical comparisons. A new class Spiculogloeomycetes is proposed to accommodate the order Spiculogloeales. The new families Buckleyzymaceae with Buckleyzyma gen. nov., Chrysozymaceae with Chrysozyma gen. nov., Microsporomycetaceae with Microsporomyces gen. nov., Ruineniaceae with Ruinenia gen. nov., Symmetrosporaceae with Symmetrospora gen. nov., Colacogloeaceae and Sakaguchiaceae are proposed. The new genera Bannozyma, Buckleyzyma, Fellozyma, Hamamotoa, Hasegawazyma, Jianyunia, Rhodosporidiobolus, Oberwinklerozyma, Phenoliferia, Pseudobensingtonia, Pseudohyphozyma, Sampaiozyma, Slooffia, Spencerozyma, Trigonosporomyces, Udeniozyma, Vonarxula, Yamadamyces and Yunzhangia are proposed to accommodate species segregated from the genera Bensingtonia, Rhodosporidium, Rhodotorula, Sporidiobolus and Sporobolomyces. Ballistosporomyces is emended and reintroduced to include three Sporobolomyces species of the sasicola clade. A total of 111 new combinations are proposed in this study.

  • two yeast species cystobasidium psychroaquaticum f a sp nov and cystobasidium rietchieii f a sp nov isolated from natural environments and the transfer of rhodotorula minuta clade members to the genus cystobasidium
    Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek International Journal of General and Molecular Microbiology, 2015
    Co-Authors: A V Kachalkin, Andrey Yurkov, Teun Boekhout, Marizeth Groenewald, Heide Marie Daniel, Diego Libkind, V De Garcia, Polona Zalar, D E Gouliamova
    Abstract:

    Many species of dimorphic basidiomycetes are known only in their asexual phase and typically those pigmented in different hues of red have been classified in the large polyphyletic genus Rhodotorula. These yeasts are ubiquitous and include a few species of some clinical relevance. The phylogenetic distribution of Rhodotorula spans three classes: Microbotryomycetes, Cystobasidiomycetes and Exobasidiomycetes. Here, the presented multi-gene analyses resolved phylogenetic relationships between the second largest group of Rhodotorula and the mycoparasite Cystobasidium fimetarium (Cystobasidiales, Cystobasidiomycetes, Pucciniomycotina). Based on the results, we propose the transfer of nine species belonging to the Rhodotorula minuta clade into the genus Cystobasidium. As a result, the clinically relevant species R. minuta will be renamed Cystobasidium minutum. This proposal follows ongoing reassessments of the anamorphic genus Rhodotorula reducing the polyphyly of this genus. The delimitation of the R. minuta clade from Rhodotorula species comprised in Sporidiobolales including the type species Rhodotorula glutinis is an important step to overcome obsolete generic placements of asexual basidiomycetous yeasts. Our proposal will also help to distinguish most common red yeasts from clinical samples such as members of Sporidiobolales and Cystobasidiales. The diagnosis of the genus Cystobasidium is amended by including additional characteristics known for the related group of species. The taxonomic change enables us to classify two novel species with the phylogenetically related members of the R. minuta clade in Cystobasidium. The recently from natural environments isolated species are described here as Cystobasidium psychroaquaticum f.a. sp. nov. (K-833T = KBP 3881T = VKPM Y-3653T = CBS 11769T = MUCL 52875T = DSM 27713T) and Cystobasidium rietchiei f.a. sp. nov. (K-780T = KBP 4220T = VKPM Y-3658T = CBS 12324T = MUCL 53589T = DSM 27155T). The new species were registered in MycoBank under MB 809336 and MB 809337, respectively.

  • Contrasting phylogenetic patterns of anther smuts (Pucciniomycotina: Microbotryum) reflect phylogenetic patterns of their caryophyllaceous hosts
    Organisms Diversity & Evolution, 2013
    Co-Authors: María P. Martín, Martin Kemler, Andrey Yurkov, M. Teresa Telleria, Angela M. Schäfer, Dominik Begerow
    Abstract:

    Anther smuts in the genus Microbotryum often show very high host specificity toward their caryophyllaceous hosts, but some of the larger host groups such as Dianthus are crucially undersampled for these parasites so that the question of host specificity cannot be answered conclusively. In this study we sequenced the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of members of the Microbotryum dianthorum species complex as well as their Dianthus hosts. We compared phylogenetic trees of these parasites including sequences of anther smuts from other Caryophyllaceae, mainly Silene , with phylogenies of Caryophyllaceae that are known to harbor anther smuts. Additionally we tested whether observed patterns in parasites are due to shared ancestry or if geographic separation is a factor that should be taken into consideration in delimitating species. Parasites on Dianthus showed mainly an arbitrary distribution on Dianthus hosts, whereas parasites on other Caryophyllaceae formed well-supported monophyletic clades that corresponded to restricted host groups. The same pattern was observed in the Caryophyllaceae studied: morphologically described Dianthus species did not correspond well with monophyletic clades based on molecular data, whereas other Caryophyllaceae mainly did. We suggest that these different patterns primarily result from different breeding systems and speciation times between different host groups as well as difficulties in species delimitations in the genus Dianthus .

  • Basidiomycetous Yeasts from Boletales Fruiting Bodies and Their Interactions with the Mycoparasite Sepedonium chrysospermum and the Host Fungus Paxillus
    Microbial Ecology, 2012
    Co-Authors: Dirk Krüger, Andrey Yurkov, Marja-terttu Tarkka, Norbert Arnold, Dominik Begerow
    Abstract:

    Interactions between mushrooms, yeasts, and parasitic fungi are probably common in nature, but are rarely described. Bolete fruiting bodies are associated with a broad spectrum of microorganisms including yeasts, and they are commonly infected with filamentous mycoparasites of the genus Sepedonium (teleomorph Hypomyces ). We report the isolation of 17 yeast strains from Paxillus and Xerocomus , 16 of which were obtained from the surface tissue, the primary site of Sepedonium infection. Phylogenetic analyses with the D1/D2 region of the 28S ribosomal gene and the internal transcribed spacers placed the yeasts as Rhodotorula , Rhodosporidium , and Mastigobasidium from the Pucciniomycotina, Cryptococcus , Cystofilobasidium , Holtermanniella , and Trichosporon from the Agaricomycotina, and Kluyveromyces from the Saccharomycotina including the first isolation of Rhodotorula graminis from Europe. To investigate the influence of the yeast strains on the mycoparasite and the host fungus, in vitro assays were conducted with Sepedonium chrysospermum and Paxillus involutus . Both S. chrysospermum growth inhibitory and stimulating yeast strains were detected among the isolates. The number of S. chrysospermum inhibitory yeast strains increased and the number of S. chrysospermum stimulatory yeast strains decreased in the presence of P. involutus in co-cultures. Low nutrient levels in the culture medium also led to an increased number of S. chrysospermum inhibitory yeast strains and ten yeasts inhibited the mycoparasite in spatial separation by a crosswall. Six yeast strains inhibited P. involutus in dual culture, and the inhibitory P. involutus yeast interactions increased to nine in the presence of S. chrysospermum . Our results suggest that the bolete-associated yeasts influence the growth of the mycoparasitic fungus, which may affect the health of the fruiting bodies.