羊肚菌菌核的交配型

交配型是调控真菌子实体发育和生活史的重要因子.作为羊肚菌生活史中一个有争议的阶段,菌核与交配型的关系研究甚少.以六妹羊肚菌Morchella sextelata和梯棱羊肚菌M.importuna为研究对象,以栽培菌包内的菌核和实验室单孢交配产生的菌核为研究材料,以Morchella sp.Mes-20单孢交配产生的菌核为参考,进行交配型分析.结果 发现:1)菌核的交配型呈明显的偏分离现象,六妹羊肚菌和梯棱羊肚菌中交配型为MAT1-1的菌核远多于交配型为MAT1-2的菌核,而Morchella sp.Mes-20中MAT1-2菌核较多于MAT1-1的菌核;2)部分菌核含有2种交配型,但无法确定菌核是由异核体可育菌丝还是由2个交配型的单倍体不育菌丝缠绕组织化形成;3)部分菌核既不具有MAT1-1,也没有MAT1-2,出现交配型全部缺失现象.交配型缺失在羊肚菌菌种退化检测中的应用值得探寻,而羊肚菌菌核的偏分离和交配型缺失的机制及其与菌种选育和子实体产量之间的关系也有待深入研究.     

担子菌类食用菌交配型位点结构的研究进展

大多数可栽培的食用菌是属于担子菌的大型真菌,具有复杂的交配型系统,通常涉及到两类交配型基因,即编码同源域转录因子的A交配型基因以及编码脂肽信息素和信息素受体的B交配型基因。对担子菌交配型系统的研究已经有上百年的历史,近年来随着高通量测序技术的发展,很多常见食用菌的基因组获得测序,使得我们对不同类型交配型位点的分子遗传学结构能够进行更加细致的解析。本文在概述了担子菌有性生殖系统和交配型基因分子特点的基础上,对常见食用菌中的香菇、金针菇、灵芝、糙皮侧耳、刺芹侧耳、白灵侧耳、裂褶菌、双孢蘑菇、草菇和虎皮香菇以及模式生物灰盖鬼伞等物种的交配型位点的结构进行了总结和分析。从已有的研究结果来看,常见食用菌的交配型位点的分子遗传学结构存在多样性,不同物种的交配型位点具有不同的结构特点。从物种内不同菌株之间的交配型结构比较来看,交配型基因的位置和数量也具有丰富的多样性。在分子遗传学层面对常见食用菌交配型位点结构的认识将有助于深入阐明交配型基因对子实体发育的调控以及解决食用菌生产实际中的科学问题,但是目前对食用菌交配型位点和基因的研究仍旧存在很多空白,有待于进一步深入和拓展。     

子囊菌交配型基因MAT1-1的系统发育

子囊菌具有无性态与有性态的复杂性,以及人们对其系统发育和亲缘关系了解的局限性,进而导致菌物学家对子囊菌分类尚持不同意见。子囊菌的交配型基因（MAT）进化保守,且编码的蛋白质调控子囊菌的有性生殖过程。核盘菌Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary隶属于子囊菌门Ascomycota、盘菌纲Discomycete,是一种典型丝状同宗配合真菌,控制该菌有性生殖的交配型基因MAT1-1和MAT1-2紧密连锁,且该菌并无有性态与无性态的复杂性。故此,本文根据所克隆的核盘菌交配型基因MAT1-1,利用PAUP*软件将82种含有Alpha-box交配型基因的子囊菌进行了系统进化分析,通过核苷酸及氨基酸水平的系统发育分析,并结合Ainsworth（1973）分类系统及最新的Deep Hyphae（2006）分类系统的对比研究,发现所构建的系统进化树与传统分类所表现的进化关系基本一致,且核盘菌交配型基因MAT1-1在进化过程中功能相对保守,该分析结果有助于对其他子囊菌交配型基因的克隆、系统分类与进化研究,同时对核盘菌的亲缘关系、病害预测及防治等具有重要意义。     

华山松印度块菌菌根中的块菌交配型基因的初步研究

印度块菌属于子囊菌门异宗配合真菌,其交配型基因(mating type gene)的表达调控与块菌子囊果的形成和发育直接相关。已有研究表明在种植园内,两种交配型基因竞争性地感染宿主植物且不同交配型菌株的时空分布吻合概率可能是决定子实体产出及产量的关键因素之一。为增加印度块菌子囊果形成的几率,本研究以交配型基因MAT1-1-1及MAT1-2-1作为分子标记,检测了接种印度块菌菌剂后6个月、24个月和36个月的华山松菌根中块菌的两种交配型基因的动态变化,结果表明接种后24个月的单株苗存在两种交配型基因的菌根苗占总菌根苗的比例最高,暗示在此时间点进行块菌菌根苗室外移栽,有望在后期提高两种交配型菌株的时空分布吻合概率,从而提高子实体产生的几率。     

新生隐球菌交配型的研究进展

新生隐球菌是担子菌类的真菌病原体,有明确的有性周期,有性生殖过程由两条等位基因MATα和MATa控制。MAT编码的产物包括信息素和信息素受体,丝裂原活化蛋白激酶信号级联放大系统的组成部分,还有一些在有性周期中没有明确功能的蛋白,这些蛋白都是其他真菌相应蛋白的同系物。     

灰葡萄孢交配型基因的分析与检测

通过生物信息对灰葡萄孢的MAT1‐1‐1与MAT1‐2‐1氨基酸序列进行了系统进化与结构域保守氨基酸分析,表明灰葡萄孢的交配型蛋白与核盘菌的亲源关系最近,结构域氨基酸比对结果表明该基因具有保守氨基酸的一致性与部分氨基酸的相似性。应用PCR技术检测灰葡萄孢交配型基因MAT1‐1‐1与MAT1‐2‐1,结果表明各种植区交配型菌株所占比例有较大的差异,多数种植区灰葡萄孢同时存在MAT1‐1与MAT1‐2两种交配类型,快速检测灰葡萄孢的交配型等位基因对于灰葡萄孢种群结构分析非常有意义。     

真菌有性生殖调控与进化

以真菌为对象的有性生殖机制研究揭示了普遍存在于真核生物中的生物学现象及规律,包括染色体倍性变化、减数分裂形成配子、交配对象识别及细胞一细胞融合形成合子等．真菌的有性生殖由交配型位点控制,除了类似其他真核生物两性生殖的异宗配合外,还包括同宗配合和次级同宗配合,部分物种的单倍体还具有交配型互换的能力．互补交配型的单倍体通过荷尔蒙及其受体进行相互识别,再经过G蛋白偶联受体介导的信号途径调控有性生殖过程及子实体发育,这一过程受多种胞内调控因子及外界环境条件的影响．不同真菌类群生殖方式的演化与物种进化仍缺少统一的规律．进一步研究揭示,真菌有性生殖的调控机制及环境诱导因子,不仅具有重要的理论意义,也有利于促进不同经济真菌子实体的人工培养及高效利用．     

担子菌交配型基因的克隆及功能研究进展

担子菌中已有２０多个交配型基因被克隆,Ａ、Ｂ位点的交配型基因具有明显不同的结构特征。Ａ位点的交配型基因编码两类含相似同源结构域的蛋白质,两种蛋白质形成异源二聚体,调节依赖Ａ因子的发育过程;而Ｂ位点的交配型基因编码信息素及其受体,交配型基因编码的同源结构域蛋白质在植物、动物和菌类中都具有广泛的保守性。     

格特隐球菌交配型的多重PCR鉴定

【目的】建立一种基于格特隐球菌α交配型位点内SXI1α基因和a交配型位点内SXI2a基因的多重PCR分析,用于快速鉴定格特隐球菌的交配型。【方法】设计针对格特隐球菌α交配型位点内SXI1α基因部分片段和格特隐球菌a交配型位点内SXI2a基因部分片段的特异性引物,用于多重PCR鉴定格特隐球菌的交配型;并与交配试验以及已报道的扩增α交配型位点的引物MFα、STE12α,及扩增a交配型位点的引物STE20a、STE3a进行扩增效果的比较。【结果】基于SXI1α基因和SXI2a基因的多重PCR分析,准确鉴定所有受试格特隐球菌(包括VGI、VGII、VGIII和VGIV基因型)的交配型,引物STE12α、STE20a和STE3a在常规PCR鉴定中不能鉴定部分菌株的交配型;66.7%的受试菌株不能发生交配,交配试验无法鉴定其交配型。【结论】建立的多重PCR方法明显优于常规PCR或交配试验鉴定。     

担子菌交配型基因的克隆及功能研究进展

担子菌中已有２０多个交配型基因被克隆,Ａ、Ｂ位点的交配型基因具有明显不同的结构特征。Ａ位点的交配型基因编码两类含相似同源结构域的蛋白质,两种蛋白质形成异源二聚体,调节依赖Ａ因子的发育过程;而Ｂ位点的交配型基因编码信息素及其受体。交配型基因编码的同源结构域蛋白质在植物、动物和菌类中都具有广泛的保守性。     

Structure and evolution of the Fusarium mating type locus: new insights from the Gibberellafujikuroi complex

Mating type genes are central to sexual reproduction and compatibility in Ascomycete fungi. However the "MAT" loci experience unique evolutionary pressures that can result in rapid divergence and enhanced inter-specific gene-flow (lateral gene transfer). In this study, molecular evolution of MAT loci was considered using the genus Fusarium (Teleomorph: Gibberella) as a model. Both MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 "idiomorphs" from eleven species of the Gibberellafujikuroi species complex were sequenced. Molecular evolution of the MAT loci from these heterothallic (self-sterile) species was compared with that of the MAT loci from nine homothallic (self-fertile) species in the Fusariumgraminearum species complex. Although Fusarium has previously been thought to have the same complement of four MAT genes that are found in Neurospora, we found evidence of a novel gene, MAT1-2-3, that may be specific to the Hypocreales. All MAT genes share a similar set of cis-regulatory motifs, although homothallic species might have recruited novel regulatory elements, which could potentially facilitate alternate expression of MAT1-1-1 and MAT1-2-1. FusariumMAT loci displayed evidence consistent with historical lateral gene-flow. Most notably, the MAT1-1 idiomorph of Fusariumsacchari appears to be unrelated to those of other species in the G.fujikuroi complex. In general, FusariumMAT genes are highly divergent. Both positive selection and relaxed selective constraint could account for this phenomenon. However, the extent of both recombination and inter-specific gene-flow in the MAT locus also appears to affect the rate of divergence.     

Discovery of a modified tetrapolar sexual cycle in Cryptococcus amylolentus and the evolution of MAT in the Cryptococcus species complex

Sexual reproduction in fungi is governed by a specialized genomic region called the mating-type locus (MAT). The human fungal pathogenic and basidiomycetous yeast Cryptococcus neoformans has evolved a bipolar mating system (a, α) in which the MAT locus is unusually large (>100 kb) and encodes >20 genes including homeodomain (HD) and pheromone/receptor (P/R) genes. To understand how this unique bipolar mating system evolved, we investigated MAT in the closely related species Tsuchiyaea wingfieldii and Cryptococcus amylolentus and discovered two physically unlinked loci encoding the HD and P/R genes. Interestingly, the HD (B) locus sex-specific region is restricted (～2 kb) and encodes two linked and divergently oriented homeodomain genes in contrast to the solo HD genes (SXI1α, SXI2a) of C. neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii. The P/R (A) locus contains the pheromone and pheromone receptor genes but has expanded considerably compared to other outgroup species (Cryptococcus heveanensis) and is linked to many of the genes also found in the MAT locus of the pathogenic Cryptococcus species. Our discovery of a heterothallic sexual cycle for C. amylolentus allowed us to establish the biological roles of the sex-determining regions. Matings between two strains of opposite mating-types (A1B1×A2B2) produced dikaryotic hyphae with fused clamp connections, basidia, and basidiospores. Genotyping progeny using markers linked and unlinked to MAT revealed that meiosis and uniparental mitochondrial inheritance occur during the sexual cycle of C. amylolentus. The sexual cycle is tetrapolar and produces fertile progeny of four mating-types (A1B1, A1B2, A2B1, and A2B2), but a high proportion of progeny are infertile, and fertility is biased towards one parental mating-type (A1B1). Our studies reveal insights into the plasticity and transitions in both mechanisms of sex determination (bipolar versus tetrapolar) and sexual reproduction (outcrossing versus inbreeding) with implications for similar evolutionary transitions and processes in fungi, plants, and animals.     

Genomic and population analyses of the mating type loci in Coccidioides species reveal evidence for sexual reproduction and gene acquisition

Coccidioides species, the fungi responsible for the valley fever disease, are known to reproduce asexually through the production of arthroconidia that are the infectious propagules. The possible role of sexual reproduction in the survival and dispersal of these pathogens is unexplored. To determine the potential for mating of Coccidioides, we analyzed genome sequences and identified mating type loci characteristic of heterothallic ascomycetes. Coccidioides strains contain either a MAT1-1 or a MAT1-2 idiomorph, which is 8.1 or 9 kb in length, respectively, the longest reported for any ascomycete species. These idiomorphs contain four or five genes, respectively, more than are present in the MAT loci of most ascomycetes. Along with their cDNA structures, we determined that all genes in the MAT loci are transcribed. Two genes frequently found in common sequences flanking MAT idiomorphs, APN2 and COX13, are within the MAT loci in Coccidioides, but the MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 copies have diverged dramatically from each other. Data indicate that the acquisition of these genes in the MAT loci occurred prior to the separation of Coccidioides from Uncinocarpus reesii. An analysis of 436 Coccidioides isolates from patients and the environment indicates that in both Coccidioides immitis and C. posadasii, there is a 1:1 distribution of MAT loci, as would be expected for sexually reproducing species. In addition, an analysis of isolates obtained from 11 soil samples demonstrated that at three sampling sites, strains of both mating types were present, indicating that compatible strains were in close proximity in the environment.     

Sexual reproduction and recombination in the aflatoxin-producing fungus Aspergillus parasiticus

The fungal phylum Ascomycota comprises a large proportion of species with no known sexual stage, despite high genetic variability in field populations. One such asexual species, Aspergillus parasiticus, is a potent producer of carcinogenic and hepatotoxic aflatoxins, polyketide-derived secondary metabolites that contaminate a wide variety of agricultural crops. In this study, individuals of A. parasiticus from a population showing an evolutionary history of recombination were examined for sexual reproduction. Crosses between strains with opposite mating-type genes MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 resulted in the development of ascospore-bearing ascocarps embedded within stromata. Sexually compatible strains belonged to different vegetative compatibility groups. Recombination through the independent assortment of chromosomes 3 and 6 was detected using loci for mating type, aflatoxin gene cluster, and a protein-encoding gene. Our discovery of the sexual stage in A. parasiticus has important implications for current biological control strategies using nontoxigenic strains to reduce aflatoxin contamination in crops.     

Convergent evolution of chromosomal sex-determining regions in the animal and fungal kingdoms

Sexual identity is governed by sex chromosomes in plants and animals, and by mating type (MAT) loci in fungi. Comparative analysis of the MAT locus from a species cluster of the human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus revealed sequential evolutionary events that fashioned this large, highly unusual region. We hypothesize that MAT evolved via four main steps, beginning with acquisition of genes into two unlinked sex-determining regions, forming independent gene clusters that then fused via chromosomal translocation. A transitional tripolar intermediate state then converted to a bipolar system via gene conversion or recombination between the linked and unlinked sex-determining regions. MAT was subsequently subjected to intra- and interallelic gene conversion and inversions that suppress recombination. These events resemble those that shaped mammalian sex chromosomes, illustrating convergent evolution in sex-determining structures in the animal and fungal kingdoms.     

Evidence for sexuality in the opportunistic fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus

Aspergillus fumigatus is a medically important opportunistic pathogen and a major cause of respiratory allergy. The species has long been considered an asexual organism. However, genome analysis has revealed the presence of genes associated with sexual reproduction, including a MAT-2 high-mobility group mating-type gene and genes for pheromone production and detection (Galagan et al., personal communication; Nierman et al., personal communication). We now demonstrate that A. fumigatus has other key characteristics of a sexual species. We reveal the existence of isolates containing a complementary MAT-1 alpha box mating-type gene and show that the MAT locus has an idiomorph structure characteristic of heterothallic (obligate sexual outbreeding) fungi. Analysis of 290 worldwide clinical and environmental isolates with a multiplex-PCR assay revealed the presence of MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 genotypes in similar proportions (43% and 57%, respectively). Further population genetic analyses provided evidence of recombination across a global sampling and within North American and European subpopulations. We also show that mating-type, pheromone-precursor, and pheromone-receptor genes are expressed during mycelial growth. These results indicate that A. fumigatus has a recent evolutionary history of sexual recombination and might have the potential for sexual reproduction. The possible presence of a sexual cycle is highly significant for the population biology and disease management of the species.