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Cited by 25Microbial Natural Products and BiosynthesisFungal and yeast genetics researchMycotoxins in Agriculture and Food

Secondary metabolites of Hülle cells mediate protection of fungal reproductive and overwintering structures against fungivorous animals

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Liu, Li, Sasse, Christoph, Dirnberger, Benedict, Valerius, Oliver, Fekete-Szücs, Enikő, Harting, Rebekka, Nordzieke, Daniela E, Pöggeler, Stefanie, Karlovsky, Petr, Gerke, Jennifer, Braus, Gerhard H·2021·eLife
DOI 10.7554/elife.68058PMC PMC8510581

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Abstract

Fungal Hülle cells with nuclear storage and developmental backup functions are reminiscent of multipotent stem cells. In the soil, Hülle cells nurse the overwintering fruiting bodies of Aspergillus nidulans . The genome of A. nidulans harbors genes for the biosynthesis of xanthones. We show that enzymes and metabolites of this biosynthetic pathway accumulate in Hülle cells under the control of the regulatory velvet complex, which coordinates development and secondary metabolism. Deletion strains blocked in the conversion of anthraquinones to xanthones accumulate emodins and are delayed in maturation and growth of fruiting bodies. Emodin represses fruiting body and resting structure formation in other fungi. Xanthones are not required for sexual development but exert antifeedant effects on fungivorous animals such as springtails and woodlice. Our findings reveal a novel role of Hülle cells in establishing secure niches for A. nidulans by accumulating metabolites with antifeedant activity that protect reproductive structures from animal predators.

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Authors
Liu, L., Sasse, C., Dirnberger, B., Valerius, O., Fekete-Szücs, E., Harting, R., Nordzieke, D. E., Pöggeler, S., Karlovsky, P., Gerke, J., & Braus, G. H.
Affiliations
  • University of Göttingen (DE)
  • University of Göttingen, Molecular Microbiology and Genetics and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB)
  • University of Göttingen, Molecular Phytopathology and Mycotoxin Research
Corresponding author
  • Gerke, Jennifer
  • Braus, Gerhard H
ORCID
Venue
eLife
Publisher
eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd
Published
2021-10-12
Volume
10
ISSN
2050-084X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.7554/elife.68058
PMC
PMC8510581
OpenAlex
W3205800770
Cited by
25
References
2
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 1
FWCI
1.28
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • eLife (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) (acceptedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • GoeScholar The Publication Server of the Georg-August-Universität Göttingen (Georg-August-Universität Göttingen) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • GoeScholar The Publication Server of the Georg-August-Universität Göttingen (Georg-August-Universität Göttingen) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
  • Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (BR 1502/19-1)
  • Seventh Framework Programme (607332)
  • Göttingen Graduate School for Neurosciences, Biophysics, and Molecular Biosciences
  • China Scholarship Council
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology › Microbial Natural Products and Biosynthesis
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Fungal and yeast genetics research
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Mycotoxins in Agriculture and Food
Keywords
Aspergillus nidulans, xanthones, emodin, secondary metabolites, velvet complex, antifeedant activity, Collembola, terrestrial isopods, anthraquinone biosynthesis
MeSH terms
Animals, Anthraquinones, Arthropods, Aspergillus nidulans, Crustacea, Feeding Behavior, Fungal Proteins, Mutation, Predatory Behavior, Soil Microbiology, Spores, Fungal, Tenebrio, Time Factors, Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal, Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental, Xanthones, Secondary Metabolism

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