Project description:During mycoparasitism, a fungus—the host—is parasitized by another fungus—the mycoparasite. The genetic underpinnings of these relationships have been best characterized in Ascomycete fungi. However, within Basidiomycete fungi, there are rare instances of mushroom-forming species parasitizing the reproductive structures, or sporocarps, of other mushroom-forming species. One of the most enigmatic of these occurs between Entoloma abortivum and species of Armillaria, where hyphae of E. abortivum are hypothesized to disrupt the development of Armillaria sporocarps, resulting in the formation of carpophoroids. However, it remains unknown whether carpophoroids are the direct result of a mycoparasitic relationship. To address the nature of this unique interaction, we analyzed gene expression of field-collected Armillaria and E. abortivum sporocarps and carpophoroids. Transcripts in the carpophoroids are primarily from E. abortivum, supporting the hypothesis that this species is parasitizing Armillaria. Most notably, we identified differentially expressed E. abortivum β-trefoil-type lectins in the carpophoroid, which we hypothesize bind to Armillaria cell wall galactomannoproteins, thereby mediating recognition between the mycoparasite and the host. The most significantly upregulated E. abortivum transcripts in the carpophoroid code for oxalate decarboxylases—enzymes that degrade oxalic acid. Oxalic acid is a virulence factor in many plant pathogens, including Armillaria species, however, E. abortivum has evolved a sophisticated strategy to overcome this defense mechanism. The number of gene models and genes that code for carbohydrate-active enzymes in the E. abortivum transcriptome were reduced compared to other closely related species, perhaps as a result of the specialized nature of this interaction.
Project description:The coordination of chloroplast and nuclear genome status are critical for plant cell function, but the mechanism remain largely unclear. In this study, we report that Arabidopsis thaliana CHLOROPLAST AND NUCLEUS DUAL-LOCALIZED PROTEIN 1 (CND1) maintains genome stability in both the chloroplast and the nucleus.
Project description:The coordination of chloroplast and nuclear genome status are critical for plant cell function, but the mechanism remain largely unclear. In this study, we report that Arabidopsis thaliana CHLOROPLAST AND NUCLEUS DUAL-LOCALIZED PROTEIN 1 (CND1) maintains genome stability in both the chloroplast and the nucleus.
Project description:The regulator for chloroplast biogenesis (rcb) mutant was identified as a mutant defective in phytochrome-mediated chloroplast biogenesis. The rcb mutant has long hypocotyl and albino phenotypes. RCB initiates chloroplast biogenesis in the nucleus by promoting the degradation of the master repressors for chloroplast biogenesis, the PIFs (Phytochrome Interacting Factors). To understand how RCB regulates the expression of PIF-regulated genes, we performed genome-wide expression analysis of RCB-dependent genes using a rcb-10 null allele.
Project description:Deep sequencing provided evidence that a novel subset of small RNAs were derived from the chloroplast genome of Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa) and Arabidopsis (Ler). The chloroplast small RNAs (csRNAs) include those derived from mRNA, rRNA, tRNA and intergenic RNA. The rRNA-derived csRNA were preferentially located at the 3â-ends of the rRNAs, while the tRNA-derived csRNAs were mainly located at 5â-termini of the tRNAs. After heat treatment, the abundance of csRNAs decreased in chinese cabbage seedlings, except those of 24 nt in length. The novel heat-responsive csRNAs and their locations in the chloroplast were verified by Northern blotting. The regulation of some csRNAs to the putative target genes were identified by real-time PCR. Our results indicated that high temperature regulated the production of some csRNAs, which may have potential roles in transcriptional or post-transcriptional regulation, and affected putative target genes expression in chloroplast.
Project description:Identification of target transcripts for the putative chloroplast RNA binding protein CFM2 in Zea mays. CFM2 was immunoprecipitated from a chloroplast extract. Chloroplast extracts were prepared from WT tissue. RNA from the pellet and from the supernatant for each pulldown was labelled with different fluoro-dyes and hybridized onto an array covering the complete maize chloroplast genome. Messages enriched in the immunoprecipitate from WT tissue are likely targets for CFM2.
Project description:Identification of target transcripts for the putative chloroplast RNA binding protein CRP1 in Zea mays. CRP1 was immunoprecipitated from a chloroplast extract. Chloroplast extracts were prepared from WT and CRP1-deficient tissue. RNA from the pellet and from the supernatant for each pulldown was labelled with different fluoro-dyes and hybridized onto an array covering the complete maize chloroplast genome. Messages enriched in the immunoprecipitate from WT tissue, but not enriched in mutant tissue are likely targets for CRP1.