Genomic and Transcriptomic Analyses Revealed DdSTE2 Play a Role in Constricting Ring Formation in the Nematode-Trapping Fungi <i>Drechslerella dactyloides</i>

The carnivorous fungus <i>Drechslerella dactyloides</i> can form constricting rings through hyphal specialization to capture nematodes. The formation of constricting rings is a prerequisite for capturing nematodes and a characteristic of entering the carnivorous stage. Currently, there i...

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Main Authors: Cheng-Lin Wu, Ren-Qiao Wang, Jin-Ting Yang, Jia-Mei Sun, Yan-Rui Xu, Jianping Xu, Ke-Qin Zhang, Lian-Ming Liang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Microorganisms
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/12/11/2190
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Summary:The carnivorous fungus <i>Drechslerella dactyloides</i> can form constricting rings through hyphal specialization to capture nematodes. The formation of constricting rings is a prerequisite for capturing nematodes and a characteristic of entering the carnivorous stage. Currently, there is limited research on the molecular mechanism of constricting ring formation. In this study, two <i>D. dactyloides</i> mutants unable to form constricting rings were obtained through UV irradiation mutagenesis, and their growth and development phenotypes were compared with the wild-type strain. Transcriptome comparisons revealed differences between the mutants and the wild-type strain in metabolic pathways related to cell wall structure, peroxisomes, lipid metabolism, and MAPK signal transduction, which we validated through qPCR. We further deleted one differentially expressed gene, <i>DdSTE2,</i> of the MAPK pathway and confirmed its role in conidiogenesis and trap formation in <i>D. dactyloides</i>. Together, our results indicate that the remodeling of cell wall structure, peroxisomes, lipid metabolism, and MAPK signal transduction pathways are involved in the formation and maturation of <i>D. dactyloides</i> constricting rings. We discuss the implications of these results for utilizing these fungi to control animal and plant parasitic nematodes.
ISSN:2076-2607