scholarly journals The aphelid-like phagotrophic origins of fungi

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guifre Torruella ◽  
Xavier Grau-Bove ◽  
David Moreira ◽  
Sergey A Karpov ◽  
John Burns ◽  
...  

Aphelids are poorly known phagotrophic parasites of algae whose life cycle and morphology resemble those of the widely diverse parasitic rozellids (Cryptomycota, Rozellomycota). In previous phylogenetic analyses of RNA polymerase and rRNA genes, aphelids and rozellids formed a monophyletic group together with the extremely reduced parasitic Microsporidia, named Opisthosporidia, which was sister to Fungi. However, the statistical support for that group was always moderate. We generated the first transcriptome data for one aphelid species, Paraphelidium tribonemae. In-depth multi-gene phylogenomic analyses using various protein datasets place aphelids as the closest relatives of Fungi to the exclusion of rozellids and Microsporidia. In contrast with the comparatively reduced Rozella allomycis genome, we infer a rich, free-living-like aphelid proteome, including cellulases likely involved in algal cell-wall penetration, enzymes involved in chitin biosynthesis and several metabolic pathways. Our results suggest that Fungi evolved from a complex aphelid-like ancestor that lost phagotrophy and became osmotrophic.

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felipe Zapata ◽  
Freya E Goetz ◽  
Stephen A Smith ◽  
Mark Howison ◽  
Stefan Siebert ◽  
...  

Cnidaria, the sister group to Bilateria, is a highly diverse group of animals in terms of morphology, lifecycles, ecology, and development. How this diversity originated and evolved is not well understood because phylogenetic relationships among major cnidarian lineages are unclear, and recent studies present contrasting phylogenetic hypotheses. Here, we use transcriptome data from 15 newly-sequenced species in combination with 26 publicly available genomes and transcriptomes to assess phylogenetic relationships among major cnidarian lineages. Phylogenetic analyses using different partition schemes and models of molecular evolution, as well as topology tests for alternative phylogenetic relationships, support the monophyly of Medusozoa, Anthozoa, Octocorallia, Hydrozoa, and a clade consisting of Staurozoa, Cubozoa, and Scyphozoa. Support for the monophyly of Hexacorallia is weak due to the equivocal position of Ceriantharia. Taken together, these results further resolve deep cnidarian relationships, largely support traditional phylogenetic views on relationships, and provide a historical framework for studying the evolutionary processes involved in one of the most ancient animal radiations.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 651-659 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naoji Yubuki ◽  
Luis Javier Galindo ◽  
Guillaume Reboul ◽  
Purificación López-García ◽  
Matthew W Brown ◽  
...  

Abstract Lateral gene transfer is a very common process in bacterial and archaeal evolution, playing an important role in the adaptation to new environments. In eukaryotes, its role and frequency remain highly debated, although recent research supports that gene transfer from bacteria to diverse eukaryotes may be much more common than previously appreciated. However, most of this research focused on animals and the true phylogenetic and functional impact of bacterial genes in less-studied microbial eukaryotic groups remains largely unknown. Here, we have analyzed transcriptome data from the deep-branching stramenopile Opalinidae, common members of frog gut microbiomes, and distantly related to the well-known genus Blastocystis. Phylogenetic analyses suggest the early acquisition of several bacterial genes in a common ancestor of both lineages. Those lateral gene transfers most likely facilitated the adaptation of the free-living ancestor of the Opalinidae–Blastocystis symbiotic group to new niches in the oxygen-depleted animal gut environment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyu Tae Park ◽  
SeonJoo Park

Hepatica is a small genus of Ranunculaceae with medicinal and horticultural value. We characterized nine complete chloroplast (cp) genomes of Hepatica, which ranged from 159,549 to 161,081 bp in length and had a typical quadripartite structure with a large single-copy region (LSC; 80,270–81,249 bp), a small single-copy region (SSC; 17,029–17,838 bp), and two copies of inverted repeat (IR; 31,008–31,100 bp). The cp genomes of Hepatica possess 76 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 29 tRNAs, and four rRNA genes. Comparative analyses revealed a conserved ca. 5-kb IR expansion in Hepatica and other Anemoneae; moreover, multiple inversion events occurred in Hepatica and its relatives. Analyses of selection pressure (dN/dS) showed that most of the PCGs are highly conserved except for rpl20 and rpl22 in Hepatica falconeri, Hepatica americana, and Hepatica acutiloba. Two genes (rps16 and infA) were identified as pseudogenes in Hepatica. In contrast, rpl32 gene was completely lost. The phylogenetic analyses based on 76 PCGs resolved the phylogeny of Hepatica and its related genera. Non-monophyly of Anemone s.l. indicates that Hepatica should be reclassified as an independent genus. In addition, Hepatica nobilis var. japonica is not closely related to H. nobilis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis Javier Galindo ◽  
Purificación López-García ◽  
Guifré Torruella ◽  
Sergey Karpov ◽  
David Moreira

AbstractCompared to multicellular fungi and unicellular yeasts, unicellular fungi with free-living flagellated stages (zoospores) remain poorly known and their phylogenetic position is often unresolved. Recently, rRNA gene phylogenetic analyses of two atypical parasitic fungi with amoeboid zoospores and long kinetosomes, the sanchytrids Amoeboradix gromovi and Sanchytrium tribonematis, showed that they formed a monophyletic group without close affinity with known fungal clades. Here, we sequence single-cell genomes for both species to assess their phylogenetic position and evolution. Phylogenomic analyses using different protein datasets and a comprehensive taxon sampling result in an almost fully-resolved fungal tree, with Chytridiomycota as sister to all other fungi, and sanchytrids forming a well-supported, fast-evolving clade sister to Blastocladiomycota. Comparative genomic analyses across fungi and their allies (Holomycota) reveal an atypically reduced metabolic repertoire for sanchytrids. We infer three main independent flagellum losses from the distribution of over 60 flagellum-specific proteins across Holomycota. Based on sanchytrids’ phylogenetic position and unique traits, we propose the designation of a novel phylum, Sanchytriomycota. In addition, our results indicate that most of the hyphal morphogenesis gene repertoire of multicellular fungi had already evolved in early holomycotan lineages.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul-Adrian Bulzu ◽  
Adrian-Ştefan Andrei ◽  
Michaela M. Salcher ◽  
Maliheh Mehrshad ◽  
Keiichi Inoue ◽  
...  

SummaryRecent advances in phylogenomic analyses and increased genomic sampling of uncultured prokaryotic lineages brought compelling evidence in support of the emergence of eukaryotes from within the Archaea domain of life. The discovery of Asgardaeota archaea and their recognition as the closest extant relative of eukaryotes fuelled the revival of a decades-old debate regarding the topology of the tree of life. While it is apparent that Asgardaeota encode a plethora of eukaryotic-specific proteins (the highest number identified to date in prokaryotes), the lack of genomic information and metabolic characterization has precluded inferences about their lifestyles and the metabolic landscape that may have favoured the emergence of the hallmark eukaryotic subcellular architecture. Here, we use advanced phylogenetic analyses to infer the deep ancestry of eukaryotes and genome-scale metabolic reconstructions to shed light on the metabolic milieu of the closest archaeal eukaryotic ancestors discovered till date. In doing so, we: i) generate the largest Asgardaeota genomic dataset available so far, ii) describe a new clade of rhodopsins encoded within the recovered genomes, iii) provide unprecedented evidence for mixotrophy within Asgardaeota, iv) present first-ever proofs that the closest extant archaeal relatives to all eukaryotes (Heimdallarchaeia) have microoxic lifestyles with aerobic metabolic pathways unique among Archaea (i.e. kynurenine pathway) and v) generate the first images of Asgardaeota.


Horticulturae ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. 301
Author(s):  
Guanglong Hu ◽  
Yiheng Wang ◽  
Yan Wang ◽  
Shuqi Zheng ◽  
Wenxuan Dong ◽  
...  

Hawthorns (Crataegus L.) are one of the most important processing and table fruits in China, due to their medicinal properties and health benefits. However, the interspecific relationships and evolution history of cultivated Crataegus in China remain unclear. Our previously published data showed C. bretschneideri may be derived from the hybridization of C. pinnatifida with C. maximowiczii, and that introgression occurs between C. hupehensis, C. pinnatifida, and C. pinnatifida var. major. In the present study, chloroplast sequences were used to further elucidate the phylogenetic relationships of cultivated Crataegus native to China. The chloroplast genomes of three cultivated species and one related species of Crataegus were sequenced for comparative and phylogenetic analyses. The four chloroplast genomes of Crataegus exhibited typical quadripartite structures and ranged from 159,607 bp (C. bretschneideri) to 159,875 bp (C. maximowiczii) in length. The plastomes of the four species contained 113 genes consisting of 79 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and 4 rRNA genes. Six hypervariable regions (ndhC-trnV(UAC)-trnM(CAU), ndhA, atpH-atpI, ndhF, trnR(UCU)-atpA, and ndhF-rpl32), 196 repeats, and a total of 386 simple sequence repeats were detected as potential variability makers for species identification and population genetic studies. In the phylogenomic analyses, we also compared the entire chloroplast genomes of three published Crataegus species: C. hupehensis (MW201730.1), C. pinnatifida (MN102356.1), and C. marshallii (MK920293.1). Our phylogenetic analyses grouped the seven Crataegus taxa into two main clusters. One cluster included C. bretschneideri, C. maximowiczii, and C. marshallii, whereas the other included C. hupehensis, C. pinnatifida, and C. pinnatifida var. major. Taken together, our findings indicate that C. maximowiczii is the maternal origin of C. bretschneideri. This work provides further evidence of introgression between C. hupehensis, C. pinnatifida, and C. pinnatifida var. major, and suggests that C. pinnatifida var. major might have been artificially selected and domesticated from hybrid populations, rather than evolved from C. pinnatifida.


2021 ◽  
Vol 95 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Neov ◽  
G.P. Vasileva ◽  
G. Radoslavov ◽  
P. Hristov ◽  
D.T.J. Littlewood ◽  
...  

Abstract The aim of the study is to test a hypothesis for the phylogenetic relationships among mammalian hymenolepidid tapeworms, based on partial (D1–D3) nuclear 28S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, by estimating new molecular phylogenies for the group based on partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) and nuclear 18S rRNA genes, as well as a combined analysis using all three genes. New sequences of COI and 18S rRNA genes were obtained for Coronacanthus integrus, C. magnihamatus, C. omissus, C. vassilevi, Ditestolepis diaphana, Lineolepis scutigera, Spasskylepis ovaluteri, Staphylocystis tiara, S. furcata, S. uncinata, Vaucherilepis trichophorus and Neoskrjabinolepis sp. The phylogenetic analyses confirmed the major clades identified by Haukisalmi et al. (Zoologica Scripta 39: 631–641, 2010): Ditestolepis clade, Hymenolepis clade, Rodentolepis clade and Arostrilepis clade. While the Ditestolepis clade is associated with soricids, the structure of the other three clades suggests multiple evolutionary events of host switching between shrews and rodents. Two of the present analyses (18S rRNA and COI genes) show that the basal relationships of the four mammalian clades are branching at the same polytomy with several hymenolepidids from birds (both terrestrial and aquatic). This may indicate a rapid radiation of the group, with multiple events of colonizations of mammalian hosts by avian parasites.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui Zhao ◽  
Jennifer F. Biddle

AbstractDeep sediments host many archaeal lineages, including the Asgard superphylum which contains lineages predicted to require syntrophic partnerships. Our knowledge about sedimentary archaeal diversity and their metabolic pathways and syntrophic partners is still very limited. We present here new genomes of Helarchaeota and the co-occurring sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) recovered from organic-rich sediments off Costa Rica Margin. Phylogenetic analyses revealed three new metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) affiliating with Helarchaeota, each of which has three variants of the methyl-CoM reductase-like (MCR-like) complex that may enable them to oxidize short-chain alkanes anaerobically. These Helarchaeota have no multi-heme cytochromes but have Group 3b and Group 3c [NiFe] hydrogenases, and formate dehydrogenase, and therefore have the capacity to transfer the reducing equivalents (in the forms of hydrogen and formate) generated from alkane oxidation to external partners. We also recovered five MAGs of SRB affiliated with the class of Desulfobacteria, two of which showed relative abundances (represented by genome coverages) positively correlated with those of the three Helarchaeota. Genome analysis suggested that these SRB bacteria have the capacity of H2 and formate utilization and could facilitate electron transfers from other organisms by means of these reduced substances. Their co-occurrence and metabolic features suggest that Helarchaeota may metabolize synergistically with some SRB, and together exert an important influence on the carbon cycle by mitigating the hydrocarbon emission from sediments to the overlying ocean.


Planta ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 253 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peilei Chen ◽  
Valentino Giarola ◽  
Dorothea Bartels

Abstract Main conclusion The cell wall protein CpWAK1 interacts with pectin, participates in decoding cell wall signals, and induces different downstream responses. Abstract Cell wall-associated protein kinases (WAKs) are transmembrane receptor kinases. In the desiccation-tolerant resurrection plant Craterostigma plantagineum, CpWAK1 has been shown to be involved in stress responses and cell expansion by forming a complex with the C. plantagineum glycine-rich protein1 (CpGRP1). This prompted us to extend the studies of WAK genes in C. plantagineum. The phylogenetic analyses of WAKs from C. plantagineum and from other species suggest that these genes have been duplicated after species divergence. Expression profiles indicate that CpWAKs are involved in various biological processes, including dehydration-induced responses and SA- and JA-related reactions to pathogens and wounding. CpWAK1 shows a high affinity for “egg-box” pectin structures. ELISA assays revealed that the binding of CpWAKs to pectins is modulated by CpGRP1 and it depends on the apoplastic pH. The formation of CpWAK multimers is the prerequisite for the CpWAK–pectin binding. Different pectin extracts lead to opposite trends of CpWAK–pectin binding in the presence of Ca2+ at pH 8. These observations demonstrate that CpWAKs can potentially discriminate and integrate cell wall signals generated by diverse stimuli, in concert with other elements, such as CpGRP1, pHapo, Ca2+[apo], and via the formation of CpWAK multimers.


Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 1185
Author(s):  
Wenqian Wang ◽  
Huan Zhang ◽  
Jérôme Constant ◽  
Charles R. Bartlett ◽  
Daozheng Qin

The complete mitogenomes of nine fulgorid species were sequenced and annotated to explore their mitogenome diversity and the phylogenetics of Fulgoridae. All species are from China and belong to five genera: Dichoptera Spinola, 1839 (Dichoptera sp.); Neoalcathous Wang and Huang, 1989 (Neoalcathous huangshanana Wang and Huang, 1989); Limois Stål, 1863 (Limois sp.); Penthicodes Blanchard, 1840 (Penthicodes atomaria (Weber, 1801), Penthicodes caja (Walker, 1851), Penthicodes variegata (Guérin-Méneville, 1829)); Pyrops Spinola, 1839 (Pyrops clavatus (Westwood, 1839), Pyrops lathburii (Kirby, 1818), Pyrops spinolae (Westwood, 1842)). The nine mitogenomes were 15,803 to 16,510 bp in length with 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), 2 ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs) and a control region (A + T-rich region). Combined with previously reported fulgorid mitogenomes, all PCGs initiate with either the standard start codon of ATN or the nonstandard GTG. The TAA codon was used for termination more often than the TAG codon and the incomplete T codon. The nad1 and nad4 genes varied in length within the same genus. A high percentage of F residues were found in the nad4 and nad5 genes of all fulgorid mitogenomes. The DHU stem of trnV was absent in the mitogenomes of all fulgorids sequenced except Dichoptera sp. Moreover, in most fulgorid mitogenomes, the trnL2, trnR, and trnT genes had an unpaired base in the aminoacyl stem and trnS1 had an unpaired base in the anticodon stem. The similar tandem repeat regions of the control region were found in the same genus. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted based on 13 PCGs and two rRNA genes from 53 species of Fulgoroidea and seven outgroups. The Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood trees had a similar topological structure. The major results show that Fulgoroidea was divided into two groups: Delphacidae and ((Achilidae + (Lophopidae + (Issidae + (Flatidae + Ricaniidae)))) + Fulgoridae). Furthermore, the monophyly of Fulgoridae was robustly supported, and Aphaeninae was divided into Aphaenini and Pyropsini, which includes Neoalcathous, Pyrops, Datua Schmidt, 1911, and Saiva Distant, 1906. The genus Limois is recovered in the Aphaeninae, and the Limoisini needs further confirmation; Dichoptera sp. was the earliest branch in the Fulgoridae.


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