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Dual role for fungal-specific outer kinetochore proteins during cell cycle and development in Magnaporthe oryzae

Hiral Shah1, Kanika Rawat1, Harsh Ashar1

  • 1Bharat Chattoo Genome Research Centre, Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology Centre, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara 390002, Gujarat, India.

Journal of Cell Science
|May 16, 2019
PubMed

Insights

The Dam1 complex in Magnaporthe oryzae is crucial for mitosis and development. Its disruption impairs fungal growth and infection, suggesting it as a potential antifungal target.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Mycology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • The outer kinetochore DASH complex (Dam1 complex) is vital for chromosome segregation in eukaryotes.
  • Its role in filamentous fungi, like the pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae, remains unexplored.
  • Magnaporthe oryzae exhibits complex cell cycle-linked developmental transitions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate the dynamics and function of kinetochore proteins (Mis12, Dam1, Ask1) in Magnaporthe oryzae.
  • Determine the role of the DASH complex in mitosis and development.
  • Explore potential applications as an antifungal target.

Main Methods:

  • Live-cell imaging to observe protein localization and dynamics.
  • Genetic analysis of mutants (dam1Δ) to assess functional roles.
  • Phenotypic analysis of growth, development, and pathogenicity.

Main Results:

  • Mis12 is constitutively nuclear, while Dam1 and Ask1 localize to kinetochores during mitosis.
  • Loss of Dam1 function (dam1Δ) delays mitosis and impairs conidial and hyphal development.
  • Dam1 and Ask1 also localize to hyphal tips, suggesting a role in polarized growth.
  • The dam1Δ mutant shows defects in appressoria formation and host penetration.

Conclusions:

  • The Magnaporthe oryzae DASH complex is essential for proper mitosis and development.
  • Fungus-specific roles in polarized growth may exist alongside nuclear segregation functions.
  • The Dam1 complex represents a promising target for novel antifungal strategies.
Keywords:
DASH complexDam1 complexFilamentous fungusKinetochoreMagnaportheRice blast fungus

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