Fungal Molecular Genetics Research Articles

Large‐scale molecular genetic analysis in plant‐pathogenic fungi: a decade of genome‐wide functional analysis

Plant-pathogenic fungi cause diseases to all major crop plants world-wide and threaten global food security. Underpinning fungal diseases are virulence genes facilitating plant host colonization that often marks pathogenesis and crop failures, as well as an increase in staple food prices. Fungal molecular genetics is therefore the cornerstone to the sustainable prevention of disease outbreaks. Pathogenicity studies using mutant collections provide immense function-based information regarding virulence genes of economically relevant fungi. These collections are rich in potential targets for existing and new biological control agents. They contribute to host resistance breeding against fungal pathogens and are instrumental in searching for novel resistance genes through the identification of fungal effectors. Therefore, functional analyses of mutant collections propel gene discovery and characterization, and may be incorporated into disease management strategies. In the light of these attributes, mutant collections enhance the development of practical solutions to confront modern agricultural constraints. Here, a critical review of mutant collections constructed by various laboratories during the past decade is provided. We used Magnaporthe oryzae and Fusarium graminearum studies to show how mutant screens contribute to bridge existing knowledge gaps in pathogenicity and fungal-host interactions.

ウリ類炭疽病菌の感染器官分化と病原性発現のダイナミックス

Colletotrichum orbiculare (syn. C. lagenarium) is the causal agent of anthracnose disease on cucurbit plants. This fungus forms dome-shaped, melanized appressoria as a host invasion structure. Strain 104-T (MAFF240422) of C. orbiculare, which was originally isolated from a cucumber plant in 1951 by Dr. Yasumori, Kyoto University, has proven to be an excellent experimental model for the study of fungal pathogenesis and morphogenesis because of its stable pathogenicity and synchronous infection-related morphogenesis. This review considers the discoveries made during 60 years of study on C. orbiculare. In particular, we focus on advances made in the last two decades, which have provided a basis for the molecular analysis not only of fungal morphogenesis, but also of plant–microbe interactions, including plant immunity to adapted and nonadapted Colletotrichum fungi. This substantial body of innovative research was originated by the Phytopathological Society of Japan and represents a major contribution to the international research communities working on plant pathology, plant–microbe interactions, and fungal molecular genetics. This review deals with the past achievements and future prospects in the study of Colletotrichum biology, focusing on the molecular genetics of C. orbiculare with regard to four aspects: (1) metabolic and functional development of infection structures, (2) signaling pathways required for fungal pathogenesis, (3) pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and host basal resistance, and (4) establishment of host specificity.

Dynamics of infection-related morphogenesis and pathogenesis in Colletotrichum orbiculare

Colletotrichum orbiculare (syn. C. lagenarium) is the causal agent of anthracnose disease on cucurbit plants. This fungus forms dome-shaped, melanized appressoria as a host invasion structure. Strain 104-T (MAFF240422) of C. orbiculare, which was originally isolated from a cucumber plant in 1951 by Dr. Yasumori, Kyoto University, has proven to be an excellent experimental model for the study of fungal pathogenesis and morphogenesis because of its stable pathogenicity and synchronous infection-related morphogenesis. This review considers the discoveries made during 60 years of study on C. orbiculare. In particular, we focus on advances made in the last two decades, which have provided a basis for the molecular analysis not only of fungal morphogenesis, but also of plant–microbe interactions, including plant immunity to adapted and nonadapted Colletotrichum fungi. This substantial body of innovative research was originated by the Phytopathological Society of Japan and represents a major contribution to the international research communities working on plant pathology, plant–microbe interactions, and fungal molecular genetics. This review deals with the past achievements and future prospects in the study of Colletotrichum biology, focusing on the molecular genetics of C. orbiculare with regard to four aspects: (1) metabolic and functional development of infection structures, (2) signaling pathways required for fungal pathogenesis, (3) pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and host basal resistance, and (4) establishment of host specificity.

The Fungal Molecular Genetics Laboratory

The Fungal Molecular Genetics Laboratory

Membrane transporters and antifungal drug resistance.

Over the last 30 years or so, the incidence of invasive fungal infections in man has risen dramatically. Patients that become severely immunocompromised because of underlying diseases such as leukemia or recently, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or patients who undergo cancer chemotherapy or organ transplantation, are particularly susceptible to opportunistic fungal infections. Although Candida species continue to be the major pathogenic fungi in these patients, cryptococcosis, aspergillosis, and coccidioidomycosis, among others, have become increasingly important mycoses. Antifungal drugs currently being used in clinic include polyene antibiotics, azole derivatives and 5-fluorocytosine. With the exception of the latter, all other drugs possess mechanisms of action aimed at disrupting the integrity of the fungal cell membrane by either interfering with the biosynthesis of membrane sterols or by inhibiting sterol functions. However, one significant obstacle preventing successful antifungal therapy is the dramatic increase in drug resistance, especially against azole antimycotics. Among the major mechanisms by which fungi invoke drug resistance is the overexpession of extrusion pumps able to facilitate the efflux of cytotoxic drugs from the cell thus leading to decreased drug accumulation and diminished concentrations. Since the initial observations that azole resistance by fungi may be caused by overexpression of multidrug efflux transporter genes, significant advances have been achieved primarily with Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida albicans. The purpose of this review is to discuss various aspects of multidrug resistance in fungi such as antifungal drug mechanisms of action and fungal molecular genetics in the context of targeted drug discovery. The role that membrane transporter proteins play in drug resistance in various species of Candida, Aspergillus and Cryptococcus will be address in more detail, as will be their importance as selective drug targets in the design of novel antifungal agents.

From what we know to what we need: A new age for fungal molecular genetics

From what we know to what we need: A new age for fungal molecular genetics

Impact of fungal molecular genetics on biotechnology.

The application of biotechnology has a very long history and life has benefited a lot from the application of fungal products. The industrial successful application of the use of fungi has been due to pioneering activities in both universities and industry. The most recent example of the application of a new technique was demonstrated with recombinant DNA techniques. Until now these techniques were mainly applied to rather simple processes. But we might also expect in the near future the application of these techniques to more complex systems. A very interesting area in this respect might be the production of plant secondary metabolites by fungi. As far as the economic benefits are concerned, a good balance has to be found between the economics of the processes and constrains posed on these processes by governmental regulations.