Phenotypic Characterization and Comparative Genomics of the Melanin-Producing Yeast <i>Exophiala lecanii-corni</i> Reveals a Distinct Stress Tolerance Profile and Reduced Ribosomal Genetic Content
The black yeast <i>Exophiala lecanii-corni</i> of the order Chaetothyriales is notable for its ability to produce abundant quantities of DHN-melanin. While many other <i>Exophiala</i> species are frequent causal agents of human infection, <i>E. lecanii-corni</i> C...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2021-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of Fungi |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/7/12/1078 |
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| author | Jillian Romsdahl Zachary Schultzhaus Christina A. Cuomo Hong Dong Hashanthi Abeyratne-Perera W. Judson Hervey Zheng Wang |
| author_facet | Jillian Romsdahl Zachary Schultzhaus Christina A. Cuomo Hong Dong Hashanthi Abeyratne-Perera W. Judson Hervey Zheng Wang |
| author_sort | Jillian Romsdahl |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The black yeast <i>Exophiala lecanii-corni</i> of the order Chaetothyriales is notable for its ability to produce abundant quantities of DHN-melanin. While many other <i>Exophiala</i> species are frequent causal agents of human infection, <i>E. lecanii-corni</i> CBS 102400 lacks the thermotolerance requirements that enable pathogenicity, making it appealing for use in targeted functional studies and biotechnological applications. Here, we report the stress tolerance characteristics of <i>E. lecanii-corni</i>, with an emphasis on the influence of melanin on its resistance to various forms of stress. We find that <i>E. lecanii-corni</i> has a distinct stress tolerance profile that includes variation in resistance to temperature, osmotic, and oxidative stress relative to the extremophilic and pathogenic black yeast <i>Exophiala dermatitidis</i>. Notably, the presence of melanin substantially impacts stress resistance in <i>E. lecanii-corni</i>, while this was not found to be the case in <i>E. dermatitidis</i>. The cellular context, therefore, influences the role of melanin in stress protection. In addition, we present a detailed analysis of the <i>E. lecanii-corni</i> genome, revealing key differences in functional genetic content relative to other ascomycetous species, including a significant decrease in abundance of genes encoding ribosomal proteins. In all, this study provides insight into how genetics and physiology may underlie stress tolerance and enhances understanding of the genetic diversity of black yeasts. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:47:20Z |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
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| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:47:20Z |
| publishDate | 2021-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Journal of Fungi |
| spelling | doaj.art-e5419a65a9554243ba46c15165bc2d282023-11-23T09:05:31ZengMDPI AGJournal of Fungi2309-608X2021-12-01712107810.3390/jof7121078Phenotypic Characterization and Comparative Genomics of the Melanin-Producing Yeast <i>Exophiala lecanii-corni</i> Reveals a Distinct Stress Tolerance Profile and Reduced Ribosomal Genetic ContentJillian Romsdahl0Zachary Schultzhaus1Christina A. Cuomo2Hong Dong3Hashanthi Abeyratne-Perera4W. Judson Hervey5Zheng Wang6National Research Council Postdoctoral Research Associate, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USACenter for Biomolecular Sciences and Engineering, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USAInfectious Disease and Microbiome Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USABiotechnology Branch, CCDC Army Research Laboratory, Adelphi, MD 20783, USAAmerican Society for Engineering Education Postdoctoral Research Associate, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USACenter for Biomolecular Sciences and Engineering, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USACenter for Biomolecular Sciences and Engineering, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USAThe black yeast <i>Exophiala lecanii-corni</i> of the order Chaetothyriales is notable for its ability to produce abundant quantities of DHN-melanin. While many other <i>Exophiala</i> species are frequent causal agents of human infection, <i>E. lecanii-corni</i> CBS 102400 lacks the thermotolerance requirements that enable pathogenicity, making it appealing for use in targeted functional studies and biotechnological applications. Here, we report the stress tolerance characteristics of <i>E. lecanii-corni</i>, with an emphasis on the influence of melanin on its resistance to various forms of stress. We find that <i>E. lecanii-corni</i> has a distinct stress tolerance profile that includes variation in resistance to temperature, osmotic, and oxidative stress relative to the extremophilic and pathogenic black yeast <i>Exophiala dermatitidis</i>. Notably, the presence of melanin substantially impacts stress resistance in <i>E. lecanii-corni</i>, while this was not found to be the case in <i>E. dermatitidis</i>. The cellular context, therefore, influences the role of melanin in stress protection. In addition, we present a detailed analysis of the <i>E. lecanii-corni</i> genome, revealing key differences in functional genetic content relative to other ascomycetous species, including a significant decrease in abundance of genes encoding ribosomal proteins. In all, this study provides insight into how genetics and physiology may underlie stress tolerance and enhances understanding of the genetic diversity of black yeasts.https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/7/12/1078<i>Exophiala lecanii-corni</i>black yeastmelanin biosynthesisextremophiletoluene degradationcomparative genomics |
| spellingShingle | Jillian Romsdahl Zachary Schultzhaus Christina A. Cuomo Hong Dong Hashanthi Abeyratne-Perera W. Judson Hervey Zheng Wang Phenotypic Characterization and Comparative Genomics of the Melanin-Producing Yeast <i>Exophiala lecanii-corni</i> Reveals a Distinct Stress Tolerance Profile and Reduced Ribosomal Genetic Content Journal of Fungi <i>Exophiala lecanii-corni</i> black yeast melanin biosynthesis extremophile toluene degradation comparative genomics |
| title | Phenotypic Characterization and Comparative Genomics of the Melanin-Producing Yeast <i>Exophiala lecanii-corni</i> Reveals a Distinct Stress Tolerance Profile and Reduced Ribosomal Genetic Content |
| title_full | Phenotypic Characterization and Comparative Genomics of the Melanin-Producing Yeast <i>Exophiala lecanii-corni</i> Reveals a Distinct Stress Tolerance Profile and Reduced Ribosomal Genetic Content |
| title_fullStr | Phenotypic Characterization and Comparative Genomics of the Melanin-Producing Yeast <i>Exophiala lecanii-corni</i> Reveals a Distinct Stress Tolerance Profile and Reduced Ribosomal Genetic Content |
| title_full_unstemmed | Phenotypic Characterization and Comparative Genomics of the Melanin-Producing Yeast <i>Exophiala lecanii-corni</i> Reveals a Distinct Stress Tolerance Profile and Reduced Ribosomal Genetic Content |
| title_short | Phenotypic Characterization and Comparative Genomics of the Melanin-Producing Yeast <i>Exophiala lecanii-corni</i> Reveals a Distinct Stress Tolerance Profile and Reduced Ribosomal Genetic Content |
| title_sort | phenotypic characterization and comparative genomics of the melanin producing yeast i exophiala lecanii corni i reveals a distinct stress tolerance profile and reduced ribosomal genetic content |
| topic | <i>Exophiala lecanii-corni</i> black yeast melanin biosynthesis extremophile toluene degradation comparative genomics |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/7/12/1078 |
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