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Global Transcriptomic Changes Elicited by sodB Deletion and Menadione Exposure in Aspergillus nidulans
Klaudia Pákozdi1,2,3, Tamás Emri1,2, Károly Antal4
1Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary.
Abstract:
Manganese superoxide dismutases (MnSODs) play a pivotal role in the preservation of mitochondrial integrity and function in fungi under various endogenous and exogenous stresses. Deletion of Aspergillus nidulans mnSOD/SodB increased oxidative stress sensitivity and apoptotic cell death rates as well as affected antioxidant enzyme and sterigmatocystin productions, respiration, conidiation and the stress tolerance of conidiospores. The physiological consequences of the lack of sodB were more pronounced during carbon starvation than in the presence of glucose. Lack of SodB also affected the changes in the transcriptome, recorded by high-throughput RNA sequencing, in menadione sodium bisulfite (MSB)-exposed, submerged cultures supplemented with glucose. Surprisingly, the difference between the global transcriptional changes of the ΔsodB mutant and the control strain were relatively small, indicating that the SodB-dependent maintenance of mitochondrial integrity was not essential under these experimental conditions. Owing to the outstanding physiological flexibility of the Aspergilli, certain antioxidant enzymes and endogenous antioxidants together with the reduction in mitochondrial functions compensated well for the lack of SodB. The lack of sodB reduced the growth of surface cultures more than of the submerged culture, which should be considered in future development of fungal disinfection methods.
Insights
Manganese superoxide dismutases (MnSODs) are crucial for fungal stress response. Deleting the SodB gene in Aspergillus nidulans increased sensitivity to oxidative stress, but the fungus compensated through physiological flexibility.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Manganese superoxide dismutases (MnSODs) are vital for maintaining mitochondrial integrity in fungi facing stress.
- The SodB enzyme in Aspergillus nidulans is a key component of the fungal antioxidant defense system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the physiological and transcriptomic consequences of deleting the mnSOD/SodB gene in Aspergillus nidulans.
- To understand the role of SodB in fungal stress tolerance, particularly under carbon starvation and oxidative stress.
Main Methods:
- Gene deletion (ΔsodB mutant creation) in Aspergillus nidulans.
- Assessment of oxidative stress sensitivity, apoptotic cell death, and physiological parameters (respiration, conidiation).
- High-throughput RNA sequencing to analyze global transcriptomic changes in response to menadione sodium bisulfite (MSB) exposure.
Main Results:
- Deletion of sodB heightened sensitivity to oxidative stress and increased apoptosis.
- The absence of SodB had a more significant impact during carbon starvation compared to glucose-rich conditions.
- Transcriptomic analysis revealed surprisingly small differences between the ΔsodB mutant and control strains under MSB exposure, indicating compensatory mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- Aspergillus nidulans exhibits significant physiological flexibility, compensating for SodB deficiency through other antioxidant enzymes and reduced mitochondrial function.
- The lack of SodB impacts fungal growth differently in surface versus submerged cultures, with implications for antifungal strategies.
- While SodB is important, its absence does not render mitochondrial integrity essential under specific experimental conditions due to robust compensatory pathways.
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