Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 19, 2026

Genome-wide Analysis of Histone Modifications Distribution using the Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Sequencing Method in Magnaporthe oryzae
09:25

Genome-wide Analysis of Histone Modifications Distribution using the Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Sequencing Method in Magnaporthe oryzae

Published on: June 2, 2021

3.4K

The Rpd3 histone deacetylase is a critical regulator of temperature-mediated morphogenesis and virulence in the human

Nebat Ali1, Mark Voorhies1, Rosa A Rodriguez1

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America.

Plos Biology
|March 17, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Histoplasma fungal pathogens use temperature sensing for survival. The histone deacetylase RPD3 enzyme is essential for Histoplasma yeast form, regulating virulence and thermal dimorphism.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Mycology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Microbial pathogens adapt to environmental cues for survival and virulence.
  • The thermally dimorphic fungus Histoplasma transitions between mold and yeast forms based on temperature.
  • Chromatin-modifying enzymes' roles in Histoplasma's temperature response were previously unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of chromatin-modifying enzymes, specifically histone deacetylases (HDACs), in Histoplasma's thermal dimorphism.
  • To determine if HDACs influence Histoplasma's morphology, gene expression, and virulence in response to temperature.

Main Methods:

  • Chemical inhibition of class I histone deacetylase (HDAC) RPD3.
  • Genetic manipulation of RPD3 in Histoplasma.
  • Analysis of gene expression, transcription factor DNA-binding activity, and histone acetylation.
  • Assessment of virulence in a macrophage model of infection.

Main Results:

  • Class I HDAC RPD3 is essential for normal Histoplasma yeast morphology at 37 °C.
  • RPD3 regulates key morphology-specific genes, including virulence factors and transcription factors.
  • RPD3 influences transcription factor DNA-binding activity and histone acetylation patterns.
  • RPD3 is required for Histoplasma virulence in a macrophage infection model.

Conclusions:

  • RPD3 is a critical regulator of thermal dimorphism in Histoplasma.
  • RPD3 activates the pathogenic yeast program and represses the mold (filamentation) program.
  • Chromatin regulation by RPD3 is crucial for Histoplasma's temperature response and pathogenesis.

More Related Videos

Single-Step Enrichment of a TAP-Tagged Histone Deacetylase of the Filamentous Fungus Aspergillus nidulans for Enzymatic Activity Assay09:07

Single-Step Enrichment of a TAP-Tagged Histone Deacetylase of the Filamentous Fungus Aspergillus nidulans for Enzymatic Activity Assay

Published on: May 1, 2019

7.3K
Using a Bacterial Pathogen to Probe for Cellular and Organismic-level Host Responses08:38

Using a Bacterial Pathogen to Probe for Cellular and Organismic-level Host Responses

Published on: February 22, 2019

6.4K

Related Concept Videos

Regulation of Bacterial Virulence01:28

Regulation of Bacterial Virulence

Pathogenic bacteria employ a range of regulatory mechanisms to modulate the expression of virulence genes in response to environmental and host-derived signals. These mechanisms ensure that virulence factors are expressed only under favorable conditions, thereby optimizing infection and survival strategies.Mechanisms of Virulence RegulationKey regulatory strategies include:Two-Component Systems: These consist of a membrane-bound sensor kinase and a cytoplasmic response regulator. Environmental...
3
Diversity of Archaea IV01:29

Diversity of Archaea IV

Hyperthermophilic archaea are a group of extremophiles thriving at temperatures above 80°C, often in hydrothermal vents and volcanic soils where conditions surpass the boiling point of water. At such temperatures, proteins, membranes, and DNA in most organisms degrade, but hyperthermophiles have evolved remarkable adaptations to maintain stability and function.Unique Cellular FeaturesHyperthermophilic membranes are composed of a monolayer of biphytanyl tetraether lipids, which resist...
586
Diversity of Archaea III01:27

Diversity of Archaea III

Crenarchaeota, a prominent phylum of Archaea, is remarkable for its ability to thrive in extreme environments characterized by high temperatures and acidity. These microorganisms inhabit sulfuric hot springs, volcanic systems, and submarine hydrothermal vents, where temperatures often exceed 100°C. The unique adaptations of Crenarchaeota not only allow survival under such extreme conditions but also provide insights into the mechanisms of life in primordial Earth-like...
421
Spreading of Chromatin Modifications02:25

Spreading of Chromatin Modifications

The histone proteins in the nucleosomes are post-translationally modified (PTM) to increase or decrease access to DNA. The commonly observed PTMs are methylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination of lysine amino acids in the histone H3 tail region. These histone modifications have specific meaning for the cell. Hence, they are called "histone code". The protein complex involved in histone modification is termed as "reader-writer" complex.
Writers
The writer...
9.9K
Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells01:32

Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells

Chromatin modification alters gene expression; therefore, scientists can add histone-modifying enzymes, histone variants, and chromatin remodeling complexes to somatic cells to aid reprogramming into pluripotent stem (iPS) cells.
Compact chromatin makes reprogramming difficult. Enzymes, such as histone demethylases and acetyltransferases, are often added during reprogramming to loosen the chromatin, making the DNA more accessible to transcription factors. Molecules that inhibit histone...
2.3K
Position-effect Variegation02:32

Position-effect Variegation

In 1928, a German botanist Emil Heitz observed the moss nuclei with a DNA binding dye. He observed that while some chromatin regions decondense and spread out in the interphase nucleus, others do not. He termed them euchromatin and heterochromatin, respectively. He proposed that the heterochromatin regions reflect a functionally inactive state of the genome. It was later confirmed that heterochromatin is transcriptionally repressed, and euchromatin is transcriptionally active chromatin.
7.2K