Pseudogymnoascus destructans transcriptome changes during white-nose syndrome infections.

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Bat biology
• Pathogen genomics

Background:

• White nose syndrome (WNS) is a devastating fungal disease affecting hibernating bats in North America.
• The causative agent, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, exhibits both saprotrophic and parasitic growth modes.
• WNS leads to significant bat mortality, disrupting hibernation and impacting ecosystems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate fungal gene expression patterns of Pseudogymnoascus destructans during bat infection.
• To identify specific fungal pathways involved in host-pathogen interactions and WNS pathology.
• To explore potential targets for therapeutic interventions against WNS.

Main Methods:

• Comparative RNA-Sequencing (RNA-Seq) of P. destructans.
• Gene expression analysis of the fungus cultured in vitro versus during in vivo infection of Myotis lucifugus.
• Analysis of differential gene expression under varying temperature conditions (in vitro: 10–14°C; in vivo: 4–37°C).

Main Results:

• Significant differential gene expression in P. destructans during WNS infection.
• Upregulated pathways include heat shock responses, cell wall remodeling, and micronutrient acquisition.
• Fungal adaptations suggest mechanisms for evading host immune responses.

Conclusions:

• Pseudogymnoascus destructans actively regulates gene expression in response to host-pathogen interactions during WNS.
• Fungal cell wall alterations may facilitate immune evasion.
• Identified upregulated pathways offer potential targets for WNS mitigation strategies and understanding host-pathogen co-evolution.