Comparative gene expression and genomics reflect geographical divergence in the plant symbiotic and entomopathogenic fungal genus Metarhizium
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Comparative gene expression and genomics reflect geographical divergence in the plant symbiotic and entomopathogenic fungal genus Metarhizium. / Couceiro, Joel da Cruz; De Fine Licht, Henrik H.; Delalibera, Italo; Meyling, Nicolai V.
In: Fungal Ecology, Vol. 60, 101190, 2022.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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T1 - Comparative gene expression and genomics reflect geographical divergence in the plant symbiotic and entomopathogenic fungal genus Metarhizium
AU - Couceiro, Joel da Cruz
AU - De Fine Licht, Henrik H.
AU - Delalibera, Italo
AU - Meyling, Nicolai V.
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2022 The Authors
PY - 2022
Y1 - 2022
N2 - Several species within the fungal genus Metarhizium can both infect insects and colonize plant roots. In Brazil, a specific subgroup within Metarhizium anisopliae s.str. named “subclade Mani 2” is frequently observed infecting above-ground insects, whereas sympatric M. robertsii and M. brunneum predominantly occur in the soil environment. Genotypic variability within the genus may be linked to adaptations to these different habitats. We present a comparative analysis of the complete genomes and the adhesin genes Mad1 and Mad2 of 14 Metarhizium isolates representing M. anisopliae Mani 2 (n = 6), M. robertsii (n = 5) and M. brunneum (n = 3). In addition, the relative gene expression of six selected target genes was compared in root exudate solution and insect cuticle suspension. We hypothesized that M. anisopliae Mani 2 is adapted to insect-pathogenicity in the above-ground environment, reflected by higher relative expression of pathogenicity-related genes. In contrast, M. robertsii and M. brunneum are adapted to the soil environment, hence hypothesized to have a higher expression of genes related to plant associations. Phylogenomic and adhesin phylogenetic trees revealed species differences but also intraspecific variability associated with the geographic origin of isolates. Differences in relative gene expression were observed, with one pathogenicity-related gene (Pr1) being higher expressed in M. anisopliae. The insect adhesion Mad1 gene was more conserved than the plant adhesion Mad2 and similarly expressed in exudate solution, while Mad2 was highly expressed by all Brazilian isolates in both exudate and cuticle conditions. The variabilities observed correlated with different habitats and lifestyles, demonstrating the importance of selecting a diverse collection of isolates in genomic and gene expression studies.
AB - Several species within the fungal genus Metarhizium can both infect insects and colonize plant roots. In Brazil, a specific subgroup within Metarhizium anisopliae s.str. named “subclade Mani 2” is frequently observed infecting above-ground insects, whereas sympatric M. robertsii and M. brunneum predominantly occur in the soil environment. Genotypic variability within the genus may be linked to adaptations to these different habitats. We present a comparative analysis of the complete genomes and the adhesin genes Mad1 and Mad2 of 14 Metarhizium isolates representing M. anisopliae Mani 2 (n = 6), M. robertsii (n = 5) and M. brunneum (n = 3). In addition, the relative gene expression of six selected target genes was compared in root exudate solution and insect cuticle suspension. We hypothesized that M. anisopliae Mani 2 is adapted to insect-pathogenicity in the above-ground environment, reflected by higher relative expression of pathogenicity-related genes. In contrast, M. robertsii and M. brunneum are adapted to the soil environment, hence hypothesized to have a higher expression of genes related to plant associations. Phylogenomic and adhesin phylogenetic trees revealed species differences but also intraspecific variability associated with the geographic origin of isolates. Differences in relative gene expression were observed, with one pathogenicity-related gene (Pr1) being higher expressed in M. anisopliae. The insect adhesion Mad1 gene was more conserved than the plant adhesion Mad2 and similarly expressed in exudate solution, while Mad2 was highly expressed by all Brazilian isolates in both exudate and cuticle conditions. The variabilities observed correlated with different habitats and lifestyles, demonstrating the importance of selecting a diverse collection of isolates in genomic and gene expression studies.
KW - Adhesin
KW - Gene expression
KW - Mad1
KW - Mad2
KW - Metarhizium
KW - Phylogenomic
U2 - 10.1016/j.funeco.2022.101190
DO - 10.1016/j.funeco.2022.101190
M3 - Journal article
AN - SCOPUS:85136104274
VL - 60
JO - Fungal Ecology
JF - Fungal Ecology
SN - 1754-5048
M1 - 101190
ER -
ID: 318027853