Developing a genetic toolbox for Knufia petricola A95: a model for stress-tolerant and symbiose-competent rock-inhabiting fungi
- Black microcolonial fungi (MCF) are persistent inhabitants of rock surfaces in hostile desert environments. In these niches, MCF have evolved mineral-weathering and symbiotic capabilities as well as mechanisms to cope with multiple stresses such as solar irradiation, temperature extremes and low water activity. Due to their stress tolerance these ascomycetes are prominent in modern terrestrial ecosystems – like man-made material surfaces from roof to solar panels. MCF interactive capabilities support their facultative symbiotic relationships with cyanobacteria and ensure their rock-weathering geochemical activity.
Using the rock-inhabiting fungus K. petricola A95 (Chaetothyriales), we developed transformation protocols and deleted genes responsible for production of the protective pigments melanins and carotenoids. To confirm that the mutant phenotypes were not due to hidden mutations, melanin synthesis was restored by complementing the mutants with the respective wild type genes.Black microcolonial fungi (MCF) are persistent inhabitants of rock surfaces in hostile desert environments. In these niches, MCF have evolved mineral-weathering and symbiotic capabilities as well as mechanisms to cope with multiple stresses such as solar irradiation, temperature extremes and low water activity. Due to their stress tolerance these ascomycetes are prominent in modern terrestrial ecosystems – like man-made material surfaces from roof to solar panels. MCF interactive capabilities support their facultative symbiotic relationships with cyanobacteria and ensure their rock-weathering geochemical activity.
Using the rock-inhabiting fungus K. petricola A95 (Chaetothyriales), we developed transformation protocols and deleted genes responsible for production of the protective pigments melanins and carotenoids. To confirm that the mutant phenotypes were not due to hidden mutations, melanin synthesis was restored by complementing the mutants with the respective wild type genes. Strains of K. petricola carrying gene variants for fluorescent proteins EGFP and DsRed are available. We successfully labelled the cytoplasm, nuclei, peroxisomes and mitochondria. Targeted and ectopic integrations result in stable transformants suitable for further phenotypical characterization. As K. petricola is a non-pathogenic fungus with all characteristic features of MCF, including meristematic growth, melanized cell-walls, extracellular polymeric substances and extensive pigment production, our results will shed light on protective role of pigments during cell wall maturation and oxidative stress defence in rock-inhabiting MCF. Genes involved in environmental sensing or substrate and phototroph interactions are currently targeted. With the help of a mutant collection and fluorescently labelled K. petricola we will be able to investigate interactions of MCF with environmental stressors, mineral substrates, soil matrices and phototrophic symbionts.…
Autor*innen: | Khaled AbdallahORCiD |
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Weitere Person: | Nicole Knabe, Romy Breitenbach, Polina DementyevaORCiD, Oliver Voigt, Ruben GerritsORCiD, Julia SchumacherORCiD, Anna GorbushinaORCiD |
Dokumenttyp: | Posterpräsentation |
Veröffentlichungsform: | Präsentation |
Sprache: | Englisch |
Jahr der Erstveröffentlichung: | 2019 |
Organisationseinheit der BAM: | 4 Material und Umwelt |
4 Material und Umwelt / 4.0 Abteilungsleitung und andere | |
DDC-Klassifikation: | Technik, Medizin, angewandte Wissenschaften / Ingenieurwissenschaften / Sanitär- und Kommunaltechnik; Umwelttechnik |
Freie Schlagwörter: | Genetics; Knufia petricola; Melanin |
Themenfelder/Aktivitätsfelder der BAM: | Umwelt |
Umwelt / Umwelt-Material-Interaktionen | |
Veranstaltung: | Fungal Genetics Conference 2019 |
Veranstaltungsort: | Asilomar, CA, USA |
Beginndatum der Veranstaltung: | 12.03.2019 |
Enddatum der Veranstaltung: | 16.03.2019 |
Verfügbarkeit des Dokuments: | Datei im Netzwerk der BAM verfügbar ("Closed Access") |
Datum der Freischaltung: | 21.11.2019 |
Referierte Publikation: | Nein |