Phylogenetic analysis of fungal heterotrimeric G protein-encoding genes and their expression during dimorphism in...

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Molecular Biology
• Genomics

Background:

• Heterotrimeric G proteins regulate crucial fungal processes like mating, virulence, and morphology.
• Mucor circinelloides is a valuable model organism for studying fungal biology.
• The M. circinelloides genome harbors an extensive collection of genes encoding G protein subunits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the repertoire of heterotrimeric G protein subunit genes in Mucor circinelloides.
• To perform phylogenetic analysis of fungal G protein subunits.
• To investigate the expression patterns of these genes during dimorphic growth.

Main Methods:

• Bioinformatic analysis and phylogenetic classification of Gα, Gβ, and Gγ subunits.
• Quantitative analysis of gene expression during different developmental stages (dimorphic growth).
• Identification of co-expressed gene clusters.

Main Results:

• M. circinelloides genome encodes twelve Gα, three Gβ, and three Gγ subunits, the largest known fungal repertoire.
• Phylogenetic analysis classified fungal Gα, Gβ, and Gγ subunits into four distinct groups.
• Most G protein subunit genes are differentially expressed during dimorphic growth, with specific subunits co-expressed during mycelial and yeast development.

Conclusions:

• The extensive G protein gene family in M. circinelloides provides a rich resource for studying fungal signaling.
• Differential and co-expression patterns suggest specialized roles for specific G protein complexes in morphogenesis.
• This study establishes a framework for future functional studies of G protein signaling in M. circinelloides development.