The Bcl-2 associated athanogene (Bag) family is a multifunctional group of proteins distinguished by a conserved region known as the Bag domain (BD). Herein, we discuss the discovery and characterization of a Bag protein in the model genetic fungus Aspergillus nidulans, we designated BagA. BagA shares striking similarities in 3D structure, domain organization, amino acid properties, and Hsp70 binding surfaces to animal and plant Bags. While Hsp70 binding is a common feature of Bag proteins, our experimental evidence shows that BagA does not cooperate with A. nidulans Hsp70s, suggesting this association may not be a universal feature of Bag proteins. Gene expression of bagA was strongly induced during sexual development suggesting a role in developmental processes. Accordingly, the deletion of bagA (ΔbagA) negatively impacted sexual development, while its overexpression resulted in constitutive induction of sexual fruiting bodies and spores. Asexual and sexual development was linked to secondary metabolism in A. nidulans. Our data show that the deletion of bagA also provoked an altered secondary metabolite (SM) profile in both sexual and vegetative growth phases. Indeed, LC-MS analysis showed a significant enrichment of SMs in ΔbagA, including novel metabolites not produced by wild type strain. Enrichment of SMs in ΔbagA strain is particularly intriguing and suggest that altering cellular homeostasis can be used as a provocative strategy to activate cryptic metabolites and uncover novel bioactive compounds. Overall, our results indicate that Bag proteins in filamentous fungi share developmental regulatory roles with their animal and plant counterparts. We also show a potentially unique role for BagA in modulating secondary metabolism in A. nidulans. To our knowledge, this study provides a first insight into Bag function in filamentous fungi.
Plant‐based antifungal agents offer an alternative to synthetic fungicides in amenity turfgrass disease management. Poacic acid is a by‐product of the biofuel production process that has exhibited antifungal activity, and the objective of this research was to determine its ability to serve as an effective management tool for economically important turfgrass diseases such as dollar spot and snow moulds. In vitro and field tests were conducted in Wisconsin and Michigan, USA from 2015 to 2017 to determine the efficacy of poacic acid in suppressing the economically important turfgrass pathogens Clarireedia jacksonii and Microdochium nivale. Poacic acid demonstrated strong antifungal activity against both pathogens in vitro, inhibiting growth of C. jacksonii and M. nivale by 93% and 74% relative to nonamended media, respectively. Poacic acid reduced dollar spot in the field in one of two years, but failed to suppress snow mould when applied alone. Poacic acid was an effective mix partner for snow mould control when combined with a synthetic fungicide, an important attribute because no single fungicide currently on the market provides acceptable snow mould control under heavy disease pressure. Future research should focus on improving poacic acid field efficacy so that it can be incorporated into plant‐based disease management strategies for amenity turfgrass.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.