Chromatin Dynamics Contribute to the Spatiotemporal Expression Pattern of Virulence Genes in a Fungal Plant Pathogen
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Autor(in)
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Datum
2020Typ
- Journal Article
ETH Bibliographie
yes
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Abstract
Dynamic changes in transcription profiles are key for the success of pathogens in colonizing their hosts. In many pathogens, genes associated with virulence, such as effector genes, are located in regions of the genome that are rich in transposable elements and heterochromatin. The contribution of chromatin modifications to gene expression in pathogens remains largely unknown. Using a combination of a reporter gene-based approach and chromatin immunoprecipitation, we show that the heterochromatic environment of effector genes in the fungal plant pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici is a key regulator of their specific spatiotemporal expression patterns. Enrichment in trimethylated lysine 27 of histone H3 dictates the repression of effector genes in the absence of the host. Chromatin decondensation during host colonization, featuring a reduction in this repressive modification, indicates a major role for epigenetics in effector gene induction. Our results illustrate that chromatin modifications triggered during host colonization determine the specific expression profile of effector genes at the cellular level and, hence, provide new insights into the regulation of virulence in fungal plant pathogens. Mehr anzeigen
Persistenter Link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000462066Publikationsstatus
publishedExterne Links
Zeitschrift / Serie
mBioBand
Seiten / Artikelnummer
Verlag
American Society for MicrobiologyThema
Chromatin; Effector gene; Filamentous fungi; Histone methylation; Plant pathogens; Reporter gene; Virulence; WheatOrganisationseinheit
03516 - McDonald, Bruce / McDonald, Bruce
Förderung
155955 - Genomics of quantitative traits and chromosome instability in Zymoseptoria tritici (SNF)
ETH Bibliographie
yes
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