The genome of newly classified Ochroconis mirabilis: Insights into fungal adaptation to different living conditions

Abstract

BackgroundOchroconis mirabilis, a recently introduced water-borne dematiaceous fungus, is occasionally isolated from human skin lesions and nails. We identified an isolate of O. mirabilis from a skin scraping with morphological and molecular studies. Its genome was then sequenced and analysed for genetic features related to classification and biological characteristics.ResultsUM 578 was identified as O. mirabilis based on morphology and internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-based phylogeny. The 34.61 Mb assembled genome with 13,435 predicted genes showed less efficiency of this isolate in plant cell wall degradation. Results from the peptidase comparison analysis with reported keratin-degrading peptidases from dermatophytes suggest that UM 578 is very unlikely to be utilising these peptidases to survive in the host. Nevertheless, we have identified peptidases from M10A, M12A and S33 families that may allow UM 578 to invade its host via extracellular matrix and collagen degradation. Furthermore, the lipases in UM 578 may have a role in supporting the fungus in host invasion. This fungus has the potential ability to synthesise melanin via the 1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN)-melanin pathway and to produce mycotoxins. The mating ability of this fungus was also inspected in this study and a mating type gene containing alpha domain was identified. This fungus is likely to produce taurine that is required in osmoregulation. The expanded gene family encoding the taurine catabolism dioxygenase TauD/TdfA domain suggests the utilisation of taurine under sulfate starvation. The expanded glutathione-S-transferase domains and RTA1-like protein families indicate the selection of genes in UM 578 towards adaptation in hostile environments.ConclusionsThe genomic analysis of O. mirabilis UM 578 provides a better understanding of fungal survival tactics in different habitats.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-016-2409-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Structure of melanins from the fungi Ochroconis lascauxensis and Ochroconis anomala contaminating rock art in the Lascaux Cave

“…here studied. However, the in silico genome analysis of an Ochroconis mirabilis 68 strain revealed the presence of potential genes that enable the fungus to synthesise melanin via the 1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN) pathway and to produce trichothecenes and the sulfur-containing amino acid taurine 69 . If these genes are included in the genome of our Ochroconis spp.…”

De novo assembly and comparative transcriptome analysis of Monilinia fructicola, Monilinia laxa and Monilinia fructigena, the causal agents of brown rot on stone fruits

“…T10344 encodes a conserved hypothetical protein containing a phenylacetate-coenzyme A (CoA) ligase domain, with homologs in B. cinerea , S. borealis and several Penicillium and Aspergillus species (E-value = 0; id up to 85%). Two taurine catabolism dioxygenases TauD/TdfA (T10360 and T10358), unique in MFRG and having homologs in B. cinerea , produce sulphite and aminoacetyldehyde from the sulphur-containing amino acid taurine that is used by several bacteria and fungi for growth under sulphate starvation [ 25 ]. T10360 exhibits also significant homology (best E-value = 0; id up to 90%) with proteins of Penicillium , Aspergillus and other fungi containing a clavaminic acid synthetase (CAS)-like domain.…”

Indoor wet cells as a habitat for melanized fungi, opportunistic pathogens on humans and other vertebrates

“…Yew et al . 35 found that melanin production, osmoregulation, expanded gene family encoding taurine catabolism dioxygenase ( TauD / TdfA domain), glutathione-S-transferase domains and RTA1-like protein families enabled the fungus to thrive under hostile oligotrophic conditions, such as low-nutrient and moist environments.…”