DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Evolutionary genomics of inter-kingdom host jumping in the fungal genus Elaphocordyceps

论文研究：Elaphocordyceps 真菌属跨界宿主跳跃的进化基因组学

• 批准号: 1311572
• 负责人: Joseph Spatafora
• 金额: $ 1.9万
• 依托单位: Oregon State University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2013
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2013-06-01 至 2015-05-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1311572&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: DISSERTATION; RESEARCH; Evolutionary; genomics; inter

This study seeks to use genetic data to elucidate mechanisms underlying host specificity in a group of fungi that are either pathogens of insects or other fungi. Through previous research, whole genome data was generated for two very closely related species, one beetle pathogen and one truffle pathogen. In this study, an experiment will be performed where the truffle pathogen will be grown in conditions containing the truffle and without, and the comparison of how the fungus responds to these conditions (measured using messenger RNA) will gives clues as to which genes and pathways are necessary for truffle pathogenesis. In addition, whole genome data will be produced for more species within this genus, including a cicada pathogen and another truffle pathogen. These additional genomes will allow larger generalizations to be made about species within this genus parasitizing different hosts, and to identify host-specific gene sets. Little is known about the infection of new hosts by fungal pathogens and is of increasing importance as the climate continues to change and communities become more global. Knowledge of the genomic differences of species parasitizing different hosts can inform how fungi are able to switch hosts.The broader impacts of this study include, but are not limited to, the following. First, a major impact of this proposal will be the production of an electronically available high school biology module on fungal pathogens of insects and other fungi. This will be created as a resource for both teachers and students, and include classroom, field, and laboratory exercises. An integral part of this module will be 5 lessons plans, complete with presentation slides, to comprise an entire insect pathogenic fungi unit. This will be made publically available at the Cordyceps Electronic Monograph at http://cordyceps.us. Second, it is of little doubt, based on all previously sequenced genomes of related species, that the study organisms will each have a significant repertoire of secondary metabolites, and a major impact of this project will be the identification of these gene clusters which could lead to the identification and development of novel natural products, with potential applications in medicine and biocontrol.

本研究旨在利用遗传数据来阐明一组真菌的宿主特异性机制，这些真菌是昆虫或其他真菌的病原体。 通过以前的研究，产生了两个非常密切相关的物种的全基因组数据，一个甲虫病原体和一个松露病原体。 在这项研究中，将进行一项实验，其中块菌病原体将在含有块菌和不含块菌的条件下生长，并比较真菌如何对这些条件作出反应（使用信使RNA测量）将提供线索，以了解哪些基因和途径是块菌发病所必需的。 此外，还将为该属内的更多物种提供全基因组数据，包括一种黑松露病原体和另一种松露病原体。 这些额外的基因组将允许更大的概括，使该属内的物种寄生在不同的主机，并确定主机特定的基因集。 真菌病原体对新宿主的感染知之甚少，随着气候的持续变化和社区变得更加全球化，这一点越来越重要。 了解寄生于不同宿主的物种的基因组差异可以告知真菌如何能够转换宿主。本研究的更广泛影响包括但不限于以下内容。 首先，这一建议的一个主要影响将是制作一个关于昆虫和其他真菌的真菌病原体的电子高中生物模块。 这将被创建为教师和学生的资源，包括课堂，现场和实验室练习。 本单元的一个组成部分是5个课程计划，包括演示幻灯片，组成一个完整的昆虫病原真菌单元。 这将在http://cordyceps.us的冬虫夏草电子专著中提供。 第二，毫无疑问，根据所有先前测序的相关物种的基因组，研究生物体将各自具有重要的次级代谢产物库，该项目的主要影响将是鉴定这些基因簇，这可能导致鉴定和开发新的天然产物，在医学和生物控制方面具有潜在的应用。