scholarly journals In planta chromatin immunoprecipitation in Zymoseptoria tritici reveals chromatin-based regulation of putative effector gene expression

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica L. Soyer ◽  
Jonathan Grandaubert ◽  
Janine Haueisen ◽  
Klaas Schotanus ◽  
Eva H. Stukenbrock

SummaryDuring infection, pathogens secrete effectors, key elements of pathogenesis. In several phytopathogenic fungi, synchronous waves of effector genes are expressed during plant infection to manipulate and silence plant defenses. In Zymoseptoria tritici, causing septoria leaf blotch of wheat, at least two waves of effector genes are expressed, during the asymptomatic phase and at the switch to necrotrophy. The underlying factors responsible for the fine-tuned regulation of effector gene expression in this pathogen are unknown. Previously, a detailed map of the chromatin structure in vitro of Z. tritici was generated by chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by high-throughput sequencing (ChIP-seq) targeting histone modifications typical for euchromatin (di-methylation of the lysine 4 of the histone H3, H3K4me2) or heterochromatin (tri-methylation of the lysine 9 and 27 of the histone H3, H3K9me3 and H3K27me3). Based on the hypothesis that changes in the histone modifications contribute to the transcriptional control of pathogenicity-related genes, we tested whether different sets of genes are associated with different histone modifications in vitro. We correlated the in vitro histone maps with in planta transcriptome data and show that genes located in heterochromatic domains in vitro are highly up-regulated at the switch toward necrotrophy. We combined our integrated analyses of genomic, transcriptomic and epigenomic data with ChIP-qPCR in planta and thereby provide further evidence for the involvement of histone modifications in the transcriptional dynamic of putative pathogenicity-related genes of Z. tritici.

2013 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 249-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parthasarathy Santhanam ◽  
Bart P. H. J. Thomma

The ascomycete fungus Verticillium dahliae causes vascular wilt diseases in hundreds of dicotyledonous plant species. However, thus far, only few V. dahliae effectors have been identified, and regulators of pathogenicity remain unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of the V. dahliae homolog of Sge1, a transcriptional regulator that was previously implicated in pathogenicity and effector gene expression in Fusarium oxysporum. We show that V. dahliae Sge1 (VdSge1) is required for radial growth and production of asexual conidiospores, because VdSge1 deletion strains display reduced radial growth and reduced conidia production. Furthermore, we show that VdSge1 deletion strains have lost pathogenicity on tomato. Remarkably, VdSge1 is not required for induction of Ave1, the recently identified V. dahliae effector that activates resistance mediated by the Ve1 immune receptor in tomato. Further assessment of the role of VdSge1 in the induction of the nine most highly in-planta-induced genes that encode putative effectors revealed differential activity. Although the expression of one putative effector gene in addition to Ave1 was not affected by VdSge1 deletion, VdSge1 appeared to be required for the expression of six putative effector genes, whereas two of the putative effectors genes were found to be negatively regulated by VdSge1. In conclusion, our data suggest that VdSge1 differentially regulates V. dahliae effector gene expression.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Canton ◽  
Silvia Farinati ◽  
Cristian Forestan ◽  
Justin Joseph ◽  
Claudio Bonghi ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundPerennial fruit trees display a perennial growth behaviour characterized by an annual cycling between growth and dormancy, with complex physiological features. Rosaceae fruit trees represent excellent models for studying not only the fruit growth/patterning, but also the progression of the reproductive cycle depending upon the impact of climate conditions. In addition, the current development of high‐throughput technologies is starting to have an important impact on Rosaceae tree research for investigating genome structure and function as well as (epi)genetic mechanisms involved in important developmental and environmental response processes during fruit tree growth. Among the epigenetic mechanisms, chromatin remodelling mediated by both histone modifications and other chromatin-related processes play a crucial role in gene modulation, controlling gene expression process. A very useful technique to investigate the chromatin states in plants and their dynamics is chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), generally applied for studies on chromatin states and enrichment in post transcriptional modifications (PTMs) of histone proteins. Results Because peach is a model in Rosaceae family for studies in bud formation, dormancy and organ differentiation for climacteric fruits, in our work, we primarily established specific protocols for chromatin extraction and immunoprecipitation in reproductive tissues of peach Prunus persica. Subsequently focused our investigations on the role of two chromatin marks, namely trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine in position 4 (H3K4me3) and trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 27 (H3K27me3) on modulating specific gene expression. Bud dormancy and fruit growth were investigated in a nectarine genotype called Fantasia as a model system. ConclusionsHere we presented general strategies to systematically optimize ChIP protocols for buds and mesocarp tissues and analyzed the correlation between gene expression and chromatin mark enrichment/depletion. Confirming like histone modifications are implicated in regulating bud dormancy progression and the core ripening genes.


Genetics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 212 (3) ◽  
pp. 729-742 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lena Annika Street ◽  
Ana Karina Morao ◽  
Lara Heermans Winterkorn ◽  
Chen-Yu Jiao ◽  
Sarah Elizabeth Albritton ◽  
...  

Condensins are evolutionarily conserved protein complexes that are required for chromosome segregation during cell division and genome organization during interphase. In Caenorhabditis elegans, a specialized condensin, which forms the core of the dosage compensation complex (DCC), binds to and represses X chromosome transcription. Here, we analyzed DCC localization and the effect of DCC depletion on histone modifications, transcription factor binding, and gene expression using chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing and mRNA sequencing. Across the X, the DCC accumulates at accessible gene regulatory sites in active chromatin and not heterochromatin. The DCC is required for reducing the levels of activating histone modifications, including H3K4me3 and H3K27ac, but not repressive modification H3K9me3. In X-to-autosome fusion chromosomes, DCC spreading into the autosomal sequences locally reduces gene expression, thus establishing a direct link between DCC binding and repression. Together, our results indicate that DCC-mediated transcription repression is associated with a reduction in the activity of X chromosomal gene regulatory elements.


2012 ◽  
Vol 442 (3) ◽  
pp. 495-505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gráinne Barkess ◽  
Yuri Postnikov ◽  
Chrisanne D. Campos ◽  
Shivam Mishra ◽  
Gokula Mohan ◽  
...  

HMGNs are nucleosome-binding proteins that alter the pattern of histone modifications and modulate the binding of linker histones to chromatin. The HMGN3 family member exists as two splice forms, HMGN3a which is full-length and HMGN3b which lacks the C-terminal RD (regulatory domain). In the present study, we have used the Glyt1 (glycine transporter 1) gene as a model system to investigate where HMGN proteins are bound across the locus in vivo, and to study how the two HMGN3 splice variants affect histone modifications and gene expression. We demonstrate that HMGN1, HMGN2, HMGN3a and HMGN3b are bound across the Glyt1 gene locus and surrounding regions, and are not enriched more highly at the promoter or putative enhancer. We conclude that the peaks of H3K4me3 (trimethylated Lys4 of histone H3) and H3K9ac (acetylated Lys9 of histone H3) at the active Glyt1a promoter do not play a major role in recruiting HMGN proteins. HMGN3a/b binding leads to increased H3K14 (Lys14 of histone H3) acetylation and stimulates Glyt1a expression, but does not alter the levels of H3K4me3 or H3K9ac enrichment. Acetylation assays show that HMGN3a stimulates the ability of PCAF [p300/CREB (cAMP-response-element-binding protein)-binding protein-associated factor] to acetylate nucleosomal H3 in vitro, whereas HMGN3b does not. We propose a model where HMGN3a/b-stimulated H3K14 acetylation across the bodies of large genes such as Glyt1 can lead to more efficient transcription elongation and increased mRNA production.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina V. Mironenko ◽  
Alexandra S. Orina ◽  
Nadezhda M. Kovalenko

This study shows that the necrotrophic effector gene ToxA is differentially expressed in isolates of P. tritici-repentis fungus at different time periods after inoculation of the wheat variety Glenlea which has the gene Tsn1 controlling sensitivity to the necrosis inducing toxin Ptr ToxA. Two P. tritici-repentis isolates with different ability to cause necrosis on the leaves of Glenlea variety (nec + and nec-) and with different expression level of ToxA and gene of factor transcription PtrPf2 in vitro were used for analysis. Isolates of P. tritici-repentis are characterized by the differential expression of ToxA in planta. The expression of the ToxA gene in P. tritici-repentis ToxA+ isolates significantly increased when infected the wheat leaves compared to ToxA expression results obtained in vitro. The levels of ToxA expression in both isolates differed significantly after 24, 48 and 96 hours after inoculation, however, the dynamics of the trait change over time were similar. However, the highest ToxA expression in the virulent (nec+) isolate in contrast with the avirulent (nec-) isolate was observed at a point of 48 hours. Whereas the expression of regulating transcription factor PtrPf2 in planta differed imperceptibly from expression in vitro throughout the observation period. Obviously, the role of the fungal transcription factor in regulating the effector gene expression weakens in planta, and other mechanisms regulating the expression of pathogen genes at the biotrophic stage of the disease develop.


Author(s):  
Tony Twamley ◽  
Mark Gaffney ◽  
Angela Feechan

AbstractFusarium graminearum and Zymoseptoria tritici cause economically important diseases of wheat. F. graminearum is one of the primary causal agents of Fusarium head blight (FHB) and Z. tritici is the causal agent of Septoria tritici blotch (STB). Alternative control methods are required in the face of fungicide resistance and EU legislation which seek to cut pesticide use by 2030. Both fungal pathogens have been described as either hemibiotrophs or necrotrophs. A microbial fermentation-based product (MFP) was previously demonstrated to control the biotrophic pathogen powdery mildew, on wheat. Here we investigated if MFP would be effective against the non-biotrophic fungal pathogens of wheat, F. graminearum and Z. tritici. We assessed the impact of MFP on fungal growth, disease control and also evaluated the individual constituent parts of MFP. Antifungal activity towards both pathogens was found in vitro but MFP only significantly decreased disease symptoms of FHB in planta. In addition, MFP was found to improve the grain number and weight, of uninfected and F. graminearum infected wheat heads.


mBio ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Jordan Price ◽  
Esther Weindling ◽  
Judith Berman ◽  
Alessia Buscaino

ABSTRACT Eukaryotic genomes are packaged into chromatin structures that play pivotal roles in regulating all DNA-associated processes. Histone posttranslational modifications modulate chromatin structure and function, leading to rapid regulation of gene expression and genome stability, key steps in environmental adaptation. Candida albicans, a prevalent fungal pathogen in humans, can rapidly adapt and thrive in diverse host niches. The contribution of chromatin to C. albicans biology is largely unexplored. Here, we generated the first comprehensive chromatin profile of histone modifications (histone H3 trimethylated on lysine 4 [H3K4me3], histone H3 acetylated on lysine 9 [H3K9Ac], acetylated lysine 16 on histone H4 [H4K16Ac], and γH2A) across the C. albicans genome and investigated its relationship to gene expression by harnessing genome-wide sequencing approaches. We demonstrated that gene-rich nonrepetitive regions are packaged into canonical euchromatin in association with histone modifications that mirror their transcriptional activity. In contrast, repetitive regions are assembled into distinct chromatin states; subtelomeric regions and the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) locus are assembled into heterochromatin, while major repeat sequences and transposons are packaged in chromatin that bears features of euchromatin and heterochromatin. Genome-wide mapping of γH2A, a marker of genome instability, identified potential recombination-prone genomic loci. Finally, we present the first quantitative chromatin profiling in C. albicans to delineate the role of the chromatin modifiers Sir2 and Set1 in controlling chromatin structure and gene expression. This report presents the first genome-wide chromatin profiling of histone modifications associated with the C. albicans genome. These epigenomic maps provide an invaluable resource to understand the contribution of chromatin to C. albicans biology and identify aspects of C. albicans chromatin organization that differ from that of other yeasts. IMPORTANCE The fungus Candida albicans is an opportunistic pathogen that normally lives on the human body without causing any harm. However, C. albicans is also a dangerous pathogen responsible for millions of infections annually. C. albicans is such a successful pathogen because it can adapt to and thrive in different environments. Chemical modifications of chromatin, the structure that packages DNA into cells, can allow environmental adaptation by regulating gene expression and genome organization. Surprisingly, the contribution of chromatin modification to C. albicans biology is still largely unknown. For the first time, we analyzed C. albicans chromatin modifications on a genome-wide basis. We demonstrate that specific chromatin states are associated with distinct regions of the C. albicans genome and identify the roles of the chromatin modifiers Sir2 and Set1 in shaping C. albicans chromatin and gene expression.


2006 ◽  
Vol 188 (11) ◽  
pp. 4158-4162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seiji Tsuge ◽  
Takeshi Nakayama ◽  
Shinsaku Terashima ◽  
Hirokazu Ochiai ◽  
Ayako Furutani ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT A novel regulatory gene, trh, which is involved in hrp gene expression, is identified in the plant pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae. In the trh mutant, expression of HrpG, which is a key regulator for hrp gene expression, is reduced both under the in vitro hrp-inducing condition and in planta.


BMC Ecology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sigrid Hoyer-Fender

Abstract Background The Drosophila melanogaster mutant white-mottled is a well-established model for position-effect variegation (PEV). Transposition of the euchromatic white gene into the vicinity of the pericentric heterochromatin caused variegated expression of white due to heterochromatin spreading. The establishment of the euchromatin-heterochromatin boundary and spreading of silencing is regulated by mutually exclusive histone modifications, i.e. the methylations of histone H3 at lysine 9 and lysine 4. Demethylation of H3K4, catalysed by lysine-specific demethylase LSD1, is required for subsequent methylation of H3K9 to establish heterochromatin. LSD1 is therefore essential for heterochromatin formation and spreading. We asked whether drug-mediated inhibition of LSD affects the expression of white and if this induced change can be transmitted to those generations that have never been exposed to the triggering signal, i.e. transgenerational epigenetic inheritance. Results We used the lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1)-inhibitor Tranylcypromine to investigate its effect on eye colour expression in consecutive generations by feeding the parental and F1 generations of the Drosophila melanogaster mutant white-mottled. Quantitative Western blotting revealed that Tranylcypromine inhibits H3K4-demethylation both in vitro in S2 cells as well as in embryos when used as feeding additive. Eye colour expression in male flies was determined by optical measurement of pigment extracts and qRT-PCR of white gene expression. Flies raised in the presence of Tranylcypromine and its solvent DMSO showed increased eye pigment expression. Beyond that, eye pigment expression was also affected in consecutive generations including F3, which is the first generation without contact with the inhibitor. Conclusions Our results show that feeding of Tranylcypromine and DMSO caused desilencing of white in treated flies of generation F1. Consecutive generations, raised on standard food without further supplements, are also affected by the drug-induced alteration of histone modifications. Although eye pigment expression eventually returned to the basal state, the observed long-lasting effect points to a memory capacity of previous epigenomes. Furthermore, our results indicate that food compounds potentially affect chromatin modification and hence gene expression and that the alteration is putatively inherited not only parentally but transgenerationally.


2004 ◽  
Vol 24 (18) ◽  
pp. 8080-8089 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dai Qi ◽  
Jan Larsson ◽  
Mattias Mannervik

ABSTRACT Regulation of chromatin through histone acetylation is an important step in gene expression. The Gcn5 histone acetyltransferase is part of protein complexes, e.g., the SAGA complex, that interact with transcriptional activators, targeting the enzyme to specific promoters and assisting in recruitment of the basal RNA polymerase transcription machinery. The Ada2 protein directly binds to Gcn5 and stimulates its catalytic activity. Drosophila contains two Ada2 proteins, Drosophila Ada2a (dAda2a) and dAda2b. We have generated flies that lack dAda2b, which is part of a Drosophila SAGA-like complex. dAda2b is required for viability in Drosophila, and its deletion causes a reduction in histone H3 acetylation. A global hypoacetylation of chromatin was detected on polytene chromosomes in dAda2b mutants. This indicates that the dGcn5-dAda2b complex could have functions in addition to assisting in transcriptional activation through gene-specific acetylation. Although the Drosophila p53 protein was previously shown to interact with the SAGA-like complex in vitro, we find that p53 induction of reaper gene expression occurs normally in dAda2b mutants. Moreover, dAda2b mutant animals show excessive p53-dependent apoptosis in response to gamma radiation. Based on this result, we speculate that dAda2b may be necessary for efficient DNA repair or generation of a DNA damage signal. This could be an evolutionarily conserved function, since a yeast ada2 mutant is also sensitive to a genotoxic agent.


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