Fungal lifestyle reflected in serine protease repertoire

Abstract

Fungi are able to switch between different lifestyles in order to adapt to environmental changes. Their ecological strategy is connected to their secretome as fungi obtain nutrients by secreting hydrolytic enzymes to their surrounding and acquiring the digested molecules. We focus on fungal serine proteases (SPs), the phylogenetic distribution of which is barely described so far. In order to collect a complete set of fungal proteases, we searched over 600 fungal proteomes. Obtained results suggest that serine proteases are more ubiquitous than expected. From 54 SP families described in MEROPS Peptidase Database, 21 are present in fungi. Interestingly, 14 of them are also present in Metazoa and Viridiplantae – this suggests that, except one (S64), all fungal SP families evolved before plants and fungi diverged. Most representatives of sequenced eukaryotic lineages encode a set of 13–16 SP families. The number of SPs from each family varies among the analysed taxa. The most abundant are S8 proteases. In order to verify hypotheses linking lifestyle and expansions of particular SP, we performed statistical analyses and revealed previously undescribed associations. Here, we present a comprehensive evolutionary history of fungal SP families in the context of fungal ecology and fungal tree of life.

Towards a rapid identification and a novel proteomic analysis for dermatophytes from human and animal dermatophytosis

“…Moreover, the analysed exoproteases are aminopeptidases dipeptidyl peptidases and carboxypeptidases . Recently, Muszewska et al suggested that SPs are more pervasive in fungi than anticipated as 21/54 SPs depicted in MEROPS peptidase database are found in fungi. SUB6 was detected in T. verrucosum .…”

A novel phyllosphere residentProtomycesspecies that interacts with theArabidopsisimmune system

“…In Candida albicans the SPS system has also been implicated in immune evasion and nutrient acquisition, by sensing extracellular amino acids (68). Other expanded gene families include: pectinase gene families that may be involved in utilization of pectin as a nutrient in the plant phylloplane and a family of secreted subtilisin-like serine proteases previously linked with nutrient acquisition during soil-residency (69). Finally, carbohydrate-active enzyme (CAZyme) gene content was defined; all Protomyces species had similar and low number of CAZymes relative to other fungal pathogens, consistent with their small genomes and facultative-biotrophic pathogen lifestyles (70).…”

Comparative genome analysis indicates rapid evolution of pathogenicity genes inColletotrichum tanaceti

“…Homologs to known effectors, and effectors with conserved domains of virulence factors may have similar functions in C. tanaceti, for example, in penetration peg formation (cyclophllin) [130], phytotoxity induction (ceratoplatanin) [131] and adherence of the fungal structures to other organisms (hydrophobin) [132]. Most secreted proteases of C. tanaceti were serine proteases predicted to evade plant immune responses by degrading plant chitinases [22]. Subtilisins (S08) were the most abundant of these in C. tanaceti, similar to reports in other fungi [22].…”

“…Most secreted proteases of C. tanaceti were serine proteases predicted to evade plant immune responses by degrading plant chitinases [22]. Subtilisins (S08) were the most abundant of these in C. tanaceti, similar to reports in other fungi [22]. Subtilisins, with their alkaline optima, and the proteases in other subfamilies with acidic optima, such as A01, C13, G01, M20 and S10 [133], might enable C. tanaceti to degrade plant proteins across a wide pH range.…”

“…The genome sequence of an emerging plant pathogen such as C. tanaceti can provide a foundation for identifying genes associated with the pathogen life cycle, pathogenicity and virulence. Effectors [21], proteases [22], and carbohydrate active enzymes (CAZymes) that [23] are important gene categories in fungal pathogenesis. Furthermore secondary metabolites and transporters, P450s and transcription factors [24] associated with biosynthesis of secondary metabolites are also important pathogenicity factors.…”