Dataset Information

Regulatory basis for reproductive flexibility in a meningitis-causing fungal pathogen.

ABSTRACT: Pathogenic fungi of the genus Cryptococcus can undergo two sexual cycles, involving either bisexual diploidization (after fusion of haploid cells of different mating type) or unisexual diploidization (by autodiploidization of a single cell). Here, we construct a gene-deletion library for 111 transcription factor genes in Cryptococcus deneoformans, and explore the roles of these regulatory networks in the two reproductive modes. We show that transcription factors crucial for bisexual syngamy induce the expression of known mating determinants as well as other conserved genes of unknown function. Deletion of one of these genes, which we term FMP1, leads to defects in bisexual reproduction in C. deneoformans, its sister species Cryptococcus neoformans, and the ascomycete Neurospora crassa. Furthermore, we show that a recently evolved regulatory cascade mediates pre-meiotic unisexual autodiploidization, supporting that this reproductive process is a recent evolutionary innovation. Our findings indicate that genetic circuits with different evolutionary ages govern hallmark events distinguishing unisexual and bisexual reproduction in Cryptococcus.

SUBMITTER: Hu P

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9790007 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Regulatory basis for reproductive flexibility in a meningitis-causing fungal pathogen.

Hu Pengjie P Ding Hao H Liu Huimin H Yang Yulin Y Chen Lei L He Guang-Jun GJ Ke Weixin W Zhu Ping P Tian Xiuyun X Peng Yan Y Shen Zhenghao Z Yao Xiaoxia X Tao Changyu C Yang Ence E Liao Guojian G Liu Xiao X Wang Linqi L

Nature communications 20221224 1

Pathogenic fungi of the genus Cryptococcus can undergo two sexual cycles, involving either bisexual diploidization (after fusion of haploid cells of different mating type) or unisexual diploidization (by autodiploidization of a single cell). Here, we construct a gene-deletion library for 111 transcription factor genes in Cryptococcus deneoformans, and explore the roles of these regulatory networks in the two reproductive modes. We show that transcription factors crucial for bisexual syngamy indu ...[more]

PMID: 36566249

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Project description:Meningitis is a complex disease which can be caused by infection with either viral or bacterial pathogens. Viral meningitis is usually a sterile self-limiting disease with a good clinical prognosis, while bacterial meningitis is a potentially more serious disease with a higher mortality rate. Early diagnosis of bacterial meningitis is of paramount importance, as intervention with antimicrobial therapy increases the likelihood of a favourable clinical outcome. Routine diagnosis in many laboratories is still dependent to some degree on traditional methods e.g. culture, though molecular methods have been developed which can give a shorter time to diagnosis. However, there is not as yet a single test format that can detect all bacterial pathogens capable of causing meningitis. In addition, many tests e.g. real-time PCR have a finite limit for multiplexing and do not provide additional information such as strain or serogroup which is useful during outbreaks and for retrospective epidemiological surveillance. To this end we have developed a microarray probe set for detection of meningitis-associated bacterial pathogens including those in the N. meningitidis serogroups. Here we demonstrate utility of this array in specific detection of represented bacterial species and strains and in detection of pathogen signals in cerebrospinal fluid samples from patients with suspected bacterial meningitis. This method shows promise for development as a diagnostic tool; however, we discuss the technical issues encountered and suggest mechanisms to improve resolution of pathogen-specific signals in complex clinical samples. We designed as part of a larger pan-pathogen microarray a sub-set of probes to meningitis-associated bacterial pathogens. We present here data confirming the pathogen-specificity of many of these probes and their potential use in clinical diagnosis through testing on a small number of patient clinical samples using human DNA and no added nucleic acid controls. These data are from single channel Cy3-labelled nucleic acids. Four technical replicates for each feature are included on the array.

Dataset Information

Regulatory basis for reproductive flexibility in a meningitis-causing fungal pathogen.

Publications

Regulatory basis for reproductive flexibility in a meningitis-causing fungal pathogen.

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