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A-to-I mRNA editing in fungi: occurrence, function, and evolution
Zhuyun Bian1, Yajia Ni2, Jin-Rong Xu1
1Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.
Abstract:
A-to-I RNA editing is an important post-transcriptional modification that converts adenosine (A) to inosine (I) in RNA molecules via hydrolytic deamination. Although editing of mRNAs catalyzed by adenosine deaminases acting on RNA (ADARs) is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism in metazoans, organisms outside the animal kingdom lacking ADAR orthologs were thought to lack A-to-I mRNA editing. However, recent discoveries of genome-wide A-to-I mRNA editing during the sexual stage of the wheat scab fungus Fusarium graminearum, model filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa, Sordaria macrospora, and an early diverging filamentous ascomycete Pyronema confluens indicated that A-to-I mRNA editing is likely an evolutionarily conserved feature in filamentous ascomycetes. More importantly, A-to-I mRNA editing has been demonstrated to play crucial roles in different sexual developmental processes and display distinct tissue- or development-specific regulation. Contrary to that in animals, the majority of fungal RNA editing events are non-synonymous editing, which were shown to be generally advantageous and favored by positive selection. Many non-synonymous editing sites are conserved among different fungi and have potential functional and evolutionary importance. Here, we review the recent findings about the occurrence, regulation, function, and evolution of A-to-I mRNA editing in fungi.
Insights
Adenosine to inosine (A-to-I) RNA editing, previously thought animal-specific, is conserved in filamentous fungi. This crucial RNA modification impacts fungal development and evolution, with many non-synonymous editing sites showing conservation.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- A-to-I RNA editing is a post-transcriptional modification converting adenosine to inosine.
- While conserved in animals via ADARs, its presence in non-animals was questioned.
- Recent findings reveal widespread A-to-I mRNA editing in filamentous fungi.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent discoveries on A-to-I mRNA editing in fungi.
- To discuss its occurrence, regulation, function, and evolutionary significance.
- To highlight differences between fungal and animal RNA editing.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature on fungal RNA editing.
- Analysis of genome-wide editing data in species like Fusarium graminearum and Neurospora crassa.
- Comparative analysis of editing patterns across different fungal lineages.
Main Results:
- A-to-I mRNA editing is conserved in filamentous ascomycetes, occurring during sexual development.
- Editing plays vital roles in fungal sexual development and is regulated in a tissue/development-specific manner.
- Unlike animals, most fungal editing is non-synonymous, often advantageous, and conserved among species.
Conclusions:
- A-to-I RNA editing is an evolutionarily conserved and functionally important process in filamentous fungi.
- Fungal RNA editing exhibits unique characteristics, particularly non-synonymous and positively selected editing events.
- Further research into fungal RNA editing can illuminate its evolutionary trajectory and biological roles.
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