DNA Sequence Characterization and Molecular Evolution of
 MAT1
 and
 MAT2
 Mating-Type Loci of the Self-Compatible Ascomycete Mold
 Neosartorya fischeri

Rydholm, Carla; Dyer, Paul S.; Lutzoni, François

doi:10.1128/ec.00319-06

Cited by 105 publications

(87 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…A comparison of the MAT loci in the genomes of multiple aspergilli, including A. nidulans, Neosartorya fischeri, A. fumigatus, A. oryzae, and A. terreus ( Fig. 5B) (259), provides evidence to support this model. A. fumigatus has either a MAT1-1 (alpha box) or a MAT1-2 (HMG) idiomorph located adjacent to a single genomic copy of the APN1 (or, in some cases, indicated as APN2; both genes are paralogs of a S. cerevisiae gene encoding a DNA lyase) or SLA2 (cytoskeleton assembly control) gene (71).…”

Section: Vol 74 2010 the Evolution Of Sex 307mentioning

confidence: 85%

“…N. fischeri, a homothallic fungus, contains two MAT locus regions, MAT1 and MAT2, in unlinked regions of the genome. Intact and functional alleles of the APN1 and SLA2 genes flank the MAT1 locus, whereas partial copies of the APN1 and SLA2 alleles flank the MAT2 locus that was generated by gene duplication (259). It is hypothesized that the transposition of MAT to an unlinked genome location and a loss or decay of the functional syntenic flanking genes ( Fig.…”

Section: Vol 74 2010 the Evolution Of Sex 307mentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Evolution of Sex: a Perspective from the Fungal Kingdom

Lee

et al. 2010

Microbiol Mol Biol Rev

323

344

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SUMMARY Sex is shrouded in mystery. Not only does it preferentially occur in the dark for both fungi and many animals, but evolutionary biologists continue to debate its benefits given costs in light of its pervasive nature. Experimental studies of the benefits and costs of sexual reproduction with fungi as model systems have begun to provide evidence that the balance between sexual and asexual reproduction shifts in response to selective pressures. Given their unique evolutionary history as opisthokonts, along with metazoans, fungi serve as exceptional models for the evolution of sex and sex-determining regions of the genome (the mating type locus) and for transitions that commonly occur between outcrossing/self-sterile and inbreeding/self-fertile modes of reproduction. We review here the state of the understanding of sex and its evolution in the fungal kingdom and also areas where the field has contributed and will continue to contribute to illuminating general principles and paradigms of sexual reproduction.

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Section: Vol 74 2010 the Evolution Of Sex 307mentioning

confidence: 85%

Section: Vol 74 2010 the Evolution Of Sex 307mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Evolution of Sex: a Perspective from the Fungal Kingdom

Lee

et al. 2010

Microbiol Mol Biol Rev

323

344

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“…Conversely, homothallic species usually have both HMG box and a box mat genes present in a haploid genome. Mechanisms of sexual identity and self-/nonself-recognition during mating are not understood in these species (Yun et al 2000;Rydholm et al 2007;Debuchy et al 2010). However, the existence of self-/nonself-recognition mechanisms in homothallic species has been well documented in A. nidulans and has been termed relative heterothallism (Pontecorvo et al 1953;Hoffmann et al 2001).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Complex Mechanisms Regulate Developmental Expression of thematA(HMG) Mating Type Gene in HomothallicAspergillus nidulans

Czaja

Miller

2011

Genetics

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Sexual reproduction is a fundamental developmental process that allows for genetic diversity through the control of zygote formation, recombination, and gametogenesis. The correct regulation of these events is paramount. Sexual reproduction in filamentous fungi, including mating strategy (self-fertilization/homothallism or outcrossing/heterothallism), is determined by the expression of mating type genes at mat loci. Aspergillus nidulans matA encodes a critical regulator that is a fungal ortholog of the hSRY/SOX9 HMG box proteins. In contrast to well-studied outcrossing systems, the molecular basis of homothallism and role of mating type genes during a self-fertile sexual cycle remain largely unknown. In this study the genetic model organism, A. nidulans, has been used to investigate the regulation and molecular functions of the matA mating type gene in a homothallic system. Our data demonstrate that complex regulatory mechanisms underlie functional matA expression during self-fertilization and sexual reproduction in A. nidulans. matA expression is suppressed in vegetative hyphae and is progressively derepressed during the sexual cycle. Elevated levels of matA transcript are required for differentiation of fruiting bodies, karyogamy, meiosis, and efficient formation of meiotic progeny. matA expression is driven from both initiator (Inr) and novel promoter elements that are tightly developmentally regulated by position-dependent and position-independent mechanisms. Deletion of an upstream silencing element, matA SE, results in derepressed expression from wildtype (wt) promoter elements and activation of an additional promoter. These studies provide novel insights into the molecular basis of homothallism in fungi and genetic regulation of sexual reproduction in eukaryotes.S EXUAL reproduction is a central part of the life cycle in most eukaryotic organisms and has a profound impact on the evolution and biology of species. Successful exchange of genetic material requires establishment of sexual identity (male and female function). Sexual identity in animals is governed by genes located on sex chromosomes, whereas in fungi mating type genes residing at mat loci (sexual-identity loci) control cell-type identity and sexual development. The correct regulation and spatiotemporal expression of sex determining genes is crucial during reproduction. Mechanisms underlying gene regulation in eukaryotic sexual development are not well understood (Harley et al. 2003;Fraser and Heitman 2005;Kashimada and Koopman 2010). Mating type genes have been described in numerous heterothallic (cross-fertile) and homothallic (self-fertile) filamentous fungi, where they function as master regulators of sexual reproduction (Kronstad and Staben 1997;Debuchy et al. 2010). The mat loci typically encode transcription factors, either Mat-HMG (high-mobility group box) or Mat-a (alpha box), proteins that coordinate expression of sex-specific genes. Several lines of study indicate that mating type genes in fungi share structural and functiona...

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“…Heterothallic MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 strains undergo sexual reproduction when cocultured under appropriate conditions. MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 fusions, or unlinked integrations on different chromosomes, enable homothallic, self-fertile sexual reproduction (13,36,46,61).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, both homothallic and heterothallic mating systems coexist and are closely aligned throughout the Ascomycota, but heterothallism is more prevalent in some lineages. By comparative analyses, some studies have hypothesized that the ancestral mating system in the Ascomycota was heterothallic (16,25,46,61), but other studies have derived the opposite conclusion, namely, that the ancestral mating system was homothallic (17,59). This controversy may in part result from a limited number of fungal species with identified MAT loci and defined sexual cycles.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Organization and Evolutionary Trajectory of the Mating Type (MAT) Locus in Dermatophyte and Dimorphic Fungal Pathogens

Metin

White

et al. 2010

Eukaryot Cell

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Sexual reproduction in fungi is governed by a specialized genomic region, the mating type (MAT) locus, whose gene identity, organization, and complexity are diverse. We identified the MAT locus of five dermatophyte fungal pathogens (Microsporum gypseum, Microsporum canis, Trichophyton equinum, Trichophyton rubrum, and Trichophyton tonsurans) and a dimorphic fungus, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, and performed phylogenetic analyses. The identified MAT locus idiomorphs of M. gypseum control cell type identity in mating assays, and recombinant progeny were produced. Virulence tests in Galleria mellonella larvae suggest the two mating types of M. gypseum may have equivalent virulence. Synteny analysis revealed common features of the MAT locus shared among these five dermatophytes: namely, a small size (ϳ3 kb) and a novel gene arrangement. The SLA2, COX13, and APN2 genes, which flank the MAT locus in other Ascomycota are instead linked on one side of the dermatophyte MAT locus. In addition, the transcriptional orientations of the APN2 and COX13 genes are reversed compared to the dimorphic fungi Histoplasma capsulatum, Coccidioides immitis, and Coccidioides posadasii. A putative transposable element, pogo, was found to have inserted in the MAT1-2 idiomorph of one P. brasiliensis strain but not others. In conclusion, the evolution of the MAT locus of the dermatophytes and dimorphic fungi from the last common ancestor has been punctuated by both gene acquisition and expansion, and asymmetric gene loss. These studies further support a foundation to develop molecular and genetic tools for dermatophyte and dimorphic human fungal pathogens.

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DNA Sequence Characterization and Molecular Evolution of MAT1 and MAT2 Mating-Type Loci of the Self-Compatible Ascomycete Mold Neosartorya fischeri

Cited by 105 publications

References 44 publications

The Evolution of Sex: a Perspective from the Fungal Kingdom

The Evolution of Sex: a Perspective from the Fungal Kingdom

Complex Mechanisms Regulate Developmental Expression of thematA(HMG) Mating Type Gene in HomothallicAspergillus nidulans

Organization and Evolutionary Trajectory of the Mating Type (MAT) Locus in Dermatophyte and Dimorphic Fungal Pathogens

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