Whole-genome sequence data uncover widespread heterothallism in the largest group of lichen-forming fungi

Pizarro, David; Dal Grande, Francesco; Don Leavitt, Steven; Stanley Dyer, Paul; Schmitt, Imke; Crespo, Ana; Thorsten Lumbsch, Helge; Kumar Divakar, Pradeep

Abstract

Fungal reproduction is regulated by the mating-type (MAT1) locus, which typically comprises two idiomorphic genes. The presence of one or both allelic variants at the locus determines the reproductive strategy in Fungi – homothallism vs. heterothallism. It has been hypothesized that self-fertility via homothallism is widespread in lichen-forming fungi. To test this hypothesis, we characterized the MAT1 locus of 41 genomes of lichen-forming fungi representing a wide range of growth forms and reproductive strategies in the class Lecanoromycetes, the largest group of lichen-forming fungi. Our results show the complete lack of genetic homothallism suggesting that lichens evolved from a heterothallic ancestor. We argue that this may be related to the symbiotic lifestyle of these fungi, and may be a key innovation that has contributed to the accelerated diversification rates in this fungal group.

Citation

Pizarro, D., Dal Grande, F., Don Leavitt, S., Stanley Dyer, P., Schmitt, I., Crespo, A., …Kumar Divakar, P. (2019). Whole-genome sequence data uncover widespread heterothallism in the largest group of lichen-forming fungi. Genome Biology and Evolution, 11(3), 721-730. https://doi.org/10.1093/gbe/evz027

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 31, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Feb 4, 2019
• Publication Date: Feb 4, 2019
• Deposit Date: Apr 30, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: May 1, 2019
• Journal: Genome Biology and Evolution
• Electronic ISSN: 1759-6653
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 11
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 721-730
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/gbe/evz027
• Keywords: Lichen-forming fungi; Mating system; Heterothallism; MAT; Sexual reproduction
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1704915
• Publisher URL: https://academic.oup.com/gbe/article/11/3/721/5306179
• Contract Date: May 1, 2019