In the study of transposable elements (TEs), generation a high confidence set consensus sequences that represent diversity TEs found in given genome is key step path to investigate these fascinating genomic elements. Many algorithms and pipelines are available automatically identify putative TE families present genome. Despite availability valuable resources, producing library high-quality full-length largely remains process manual curation. This know-how often passed on from...

Horizontal Gene Transfer (HGT) is beneficial to a cell if the acquired gene confers useful function, but detrimental has no it incompatible with existing genes, or selfishly replicating mobile element. If balance of these effects on average, we would expect cells evolve high rates acceptance horizontally transferred whereas detrimental, should reduce rate HGT as far possible. It been proposed that was very in early stages prokaryotic evolution, and hence there were separate lineages...

Article4 August 2014Open Access The Janus transcription factor HapX controls fungal adaptation to both iron starvation and excess Fabio Gsaller Division of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria Search for more papers by this author Peter Hortschansky Department Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute Natural Product Research Infection Biology (HKI), Jena, Germany Sarah R Beattie Microbiology Immunology, Geisel School Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover,...

Accessory genes are variably present among members of a species and reservoir adaptive functions. In bacteria, differences in gene distributions individuals largely result from mobile elements that acquire disperse accessory as cargo. contrast, the impact cargo-carrying on eukaryotic evolution remains unknown. Here, we show variation genome content within multiple fungal is facilitated by Starships, newly discovered group massive 110 kb long average, share conserved components, carry diverse...

The genomes of eukaryotes are full parasitic sequences known as transposable elements (TEs). Here, we report the discovery a putative giant tyrosine-recombinase-mobilized DNA transposon,

Transposable elements in eukaryotic organisms have historically been considered "selfish," at best conferring indirect benefits to their host organisms. The Starships are a recently discovered feature fungal genomes that are, some cases, predicted confer beneficial traits hosts and also hallmarks of being transposable elements. Here, we provide experimental evidence indeed autonomous transposons, using the model Paecilomyces variotii, identify HhpA "Captain" tyrosine recombinase as essential...

Abstract Cargo-mobilizing mobile elements (CMEs) are genetic entities that faithfully transpose diverse protein coding sequences. Although common in bacteria, we know little about eukaryotic CMEs because no appropriate tools exist for their annotation. For example, Starships giant fungal whose functions largely unknown they require time-intensive manual curation. To address this knowledge gap, developed starfish, a computational workflow high-throughput CME We applied starfish to 2 899...

Meiotic drive is the preferential transmission of a particular allele during sexual reproduction. The phenomenon observed as spore killing in multiple fungi. In natural populations Podospora anserina , seven killer types ( Psk s) have been identified through classical genetic analyses. Here we show that Spok gene family underlies s. combination genes at different chromosomal locations defines and creates hierarchy within population. We identify two novel homologs located large (74–167 kbp)...

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is an important and potentially frequent process impacting the evolutionary trajectory of eukaryotic species. Yet to date, mechanism HGT among eukaryotes has remained a mystery. Here, we demonstrate that Starships, newly discovered group cargo-mobilizing transposable elements, are active vectors horizontally transferred DNA We find multiple Starships simultaneously themselves their cargo within between fungal genera separated by upwards 100 million years...

Meiotic drive is widespread in nature. The conflict it generates expected to be an important motor for evolutionary change and innovation. In this study, we investigated the genomic consequences of two large multi-gene meiotic elements, Sk-2 Sk-3, found filamentous ascomycete Neurospora intermedia. Using long-read sequencing, generated first complete well-annotated genome assemblies large, highly diverged, non-recombining regions associated with elements. Phylogenetic analysis shows that,...

Significance In order to survive, most organisms must deal with parasites. Such parasites can be other or, sometimes, selfish genes found within the host genome itself. While much is known about parasitic organisms, interaction their hosts, and ability spread between species, less genes. We here identify a “spore killer” gene in fungus Neurospora sitophila . The appears have evolved genus but has entered species through hybridization introgression. also show that counteract RNA interference....

Abstract Allorecognition, the capacity to discriminate self from conspecific non-self, is a ubiquitous organismal feature typically governed by genes evolving under balancing selection. Here, we show that in fungus Podospora anserina , allorecognition loci controlling vegetative incompatibility ( het genes), define two reproductively isolated groups through pleiotropic effects on sexual compatibility. These emerge antagonistic interactions of unlinked het-r (encoding NOD-like receptor) and...

Abstract The filamentous fungus Podospora anserina is a model organism used extensively in the study of molecular biology, senescence, prion meiotic drive, mating-type chromosome evolution, and plant biomass degradation. It has recently been established that P. member complex 7 closely related species. In addition to anserina, high-quality genomic resources are available for 2 these taxa. Here, we provide chromosome-level annotated assemblies 4 remaining species complex, as well...

Fungal infections are difficult to prevent and treat in large part due strain heterogeneity. However, the genetic mechanisms driving pathogen variation remain poorly understood. Here, we determined extent which

Abstract Sex chromosomes often carry large nonrecombining regions that can extend progressively over time, generating evolutionary strata of sequence divergence. However, some sex display an incomplete suppression recombination. Large genomic without recombination and have also been documented around fungal mating-type loci, but studied in only a few systems. In the model fungus Podospora anserina (Ascomycota, Sordariomycetes), reference S strain lacks across 0.8-Mb region locus. The lack...

Abstract The genomic diversity of many fungal species is augmented by accessory chromosomes, which are variably present in individual strains. These regions evolve rapidly, accumulating genes important pathogenicity but also harboring significant amounts transposable elements (TEs). This duality suggests a trade-off: chromosomes provide infection-related benefits while otherwise being deleterious due to their highly repetitive nature and contributions instability. Despite this, often appear...

ABSTRACT Fungal infections are difficult to prevent and treat in large part due strain heterogeneity, which confounds diagnostic predictability. Yet, the genetic mechanisms driving strain-to-strain variation remain poorly understood. Here, we determined extent Starships —giant transposons capable of mobilizing numerous fungal genes—generate phenotypic variability opportunistic human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus . We analyzed 519 diverse strains, including 11 newly sequenced with long-read...

In the majority of diploid eukaryotes, each meiotic process generates four haploid gametes with containing a single recombinant nucleus. some species and/or processes, aneuploid or can also be generated due to chromosomal non-disjunction co-packaging two nuclei into same gamete. Here we show that another is involved in generating genotypes sexual progeny from hybrid cross between divergent lineages human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans. Through micro-dissection 1358 basidiospores 194...

Cryptococcus neoformans is a basidiomycete fungus capable of causing deadly meningoenchephilitis, primarily in immunocompromised individuals. Formerly, C. was composed two divergent lineages, but these have recently been elevated to species status, now (formerly var. grubii) and deneoformans neoformans). While both can cause infections humans, much more prevalent clinical settings than However, the genetic factors contributing their significant differences virulence remain largely unknown....

Abstract Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) disseminates genetic information between species. The significance of HGT in eukaryotes is not well established, with evidence currently limited to isolated examples, typically absent a mechanism. It has been proposed that mobile elements might be active agents eukaryotes, as they are prokaryotes. To test this hypothesis, we examined cluster, which putatively contributes formaldehyde resistance and found within some members the Starship superfamily...

Meiotic drivers (MDs) are selfish genetic elements that able to become overrepresented among the products of meiosis. This transmission advantage makes it possible for them spread in a population even when they impose fitness costs on their host organisms. Whether an MD can invade population, and subsequently reach fixation or coexist stable polymorphism, depends one hand biology organism, including its life cycle, mating system, structure, other specific effects driving allele host. Here,...

Hybridization is a potent mechanism for generating unique strains with broad host ranges and increased virulence in fungal pathogens. In the opportunistic basidiomycete pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans, intervarietal hybrids are commonly found infecting patients. The two parental varieties C. neoformans var. grubii mate readily under laboratory conditions, but hybrid basidiospores have germination rates about four times lower than those from intravarietal crosses. Here, we used...

Abstract In basidiomycetous fungi, the viability of basidiospores is an important component sexual fitness. However, relatively little known about genetic and environmental factors influencing basidiospore germination. this study, we used human opportunistic yeast pathogens, Cryptococcus neoformans deneoformans , as models to investigate potential effects selected on A total five strains with genome structure were construct six crosses, three which between within same species, while...