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Evolution of asexual and sexual reproduction in the aspergilli

Ojeda-L�pez, M.; Chen, W.; Eagle, C.E.; Guti�rrez, G.; Jia, W.L.; Swilaiman, S.S.; Huang, Z.; Park, H.-S.; Yu, J.-H.; C�novas, D.; Dyer, P.S.

Evolution of asexual and sexual reproduction in the aspergilli Thumbnail


Authors

M. Ojeda-L�pez

W. Chen

C.E. Eagle

G. Guti�rrez

W.L. Jia

S.S. Swilaiman

Z. Huang

H.-S. Park

J.-H. Yu

D. C�novas

PAUL DYER PAUL.DYER@NOTTINGHAM.AC.UK
Professor of Fungal Biology



Contributors

PAUL DYER PAUL.DYER@NOTTINGHAM.AC.UK
Project Leader

Abstract

© 2018 Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute Aspergillus nidulans has long-been used as a model organism to gain insights into the genetic basis of asexual and sexual developmental processes both in other members of the genus Aspergillus, and filamentous fungi in general. Paradigms have been established concerning the regulatory mechanisms of conidial development. However, recent studies have shown considerable genome divergence in the fungal kingdom, questioning the general applicability of findings from Aspergillus, and certain longstanding evolutionary theories have been questioned. The phylogenetic distribution of key regulatory elements of asexual reproduction in A. nidulans was investigated in a broad taxonomic range of fungi. This revealed that some proteins were well conserved in the Pezizomycotina (e.g. AbaA, FlbA, FluG, NsdD, MedA, and some velvet proteins), suggesting similar developmental roles. However, other elements (e.g. BrlA) had a more restricted distribution solely in the Eurotiomycetes, and it appears that the genetic control of sporulation seems to be more complex in the aspergilli than in some other taxonomic groups of the Pezizomycotina. The evolution of the velvet protein family is discussed based on the history of expansion and contraction events in the early divergent fungi. Heterologous expression of the A. nidulans abaA gene in Monascus ruber failed to induce development of complete conidiophores as seen in the aspergilli, but did result in increased conidial production. The absence of many components of the asexual developmental pathway from members of the Saccharomycotina supports the hypothesis that differences in the complexity of their spore formation is due in part to the increased diversity of the sporulation machinery evident in the Pezizomycotina. Investigations were also made into the evolution of sex and sexuality in the aspergilli. MAT loci were identified from the heterothallic Aspergillus (Emericella) heterothallicus and Aspergillus (Neosartorya) fennelliae and the homothallic Aspergillus pseudoglaucus (=Eurotium repens). A consistent architecture of the MAT locus was seen in these and other heterothallic aspergilli whereas much variation was seen in the arrangement of MAT loci in homothallic aspergilli. This suggested that it is most likely that the common ancestor of the aspergilli exhibited a heterothallic breeding system. Finally, the supposed prevalence of asexuality in the aspergilli was examined. Investigations were made using A. clavatus as a representative ‘asexual’ species. It was possible to induce a sexual cycle in A. clavatus given the correct MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 partners and environmental conditions, with recombination confirmed utilising molecular markers. This indicated that sexual reproduction might be possible in many supposedly asexual aspergilli and beyond, providing general insights into the nature of asexuality in fungi.

Citation

Ojeda-López, M., Chen, W., Eagle, C., Gutiérrez, G., Jia, W., Swilaiman, S., …Dyer, P. (2018). Evolution of asexual and sexual reproduction in the aspergilli. Studies in Mycology, 91, 37-59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.simyco.2018.10.002

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Sep 22, 2018
Online Publication Date Oct 11, 2018
Publication Date 2018-09
Deposit Date Jan 13, 2020
Publicly Available Date Jan 15, 2020
Journal Studies in Mycology
Electronic ISSN 0166-0616
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 91
Pages 37-59
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.simyco.2018.10.002
Keywords Agricultural and Biological Sciences (miscellaneous)
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1621176
Publisher URL https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0166061618300344

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