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Natural plasmids of filamentous fungi

A J Griffiths1

  • 1Botany Department, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.

Microbiological Reviews
|December 1, 1995
PubMed

Insights

Fungal plasmids, often mitochondrial, are widespread and can cross species boundaries. Some linear plasmids integrate into mitochondrial DNA, causing host death, while others show evolutionary links between RNA and DNA replication.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Plasmids are extrachromosomal DNA elements found in various eukaryotes, notably fungi and plants, but absent in animals.
  • Mitochondrial plasmids are prevalent in filamentous fungi, with some exhibiting global distribution and interspecies transmission.
  • Fungal strains can harbor multiple, independently distributed plasmid types, typically inherited maternally via cell contact.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the characteristics and evolutionary significance of fungal plasmids.
  • To understand the genetic makeup and replication mechanisms of circular and linear plasmids in fungi.
  • To explore the phylogenetic relationships and potential impact of plasmids on their fungal hosts.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of plasmid distribution in natural fungal populations.
  • Characterization of plasmid genetic content, including open reading frames (ORFs).
  • In silico analysis of inferred amino acid sequences for phylogenetic reconstruction.

Main Results:

  • Circular plasmids (Neurospora spp.) possess one ORF (DNA polymerase/reverse transcriptase); linear plasmids have two ORFs (viral polymerase homologs).
  • Plasmids can reach high copy numbers, exceeding mitochondrial DNA.
  • Some linear plasmids integrate into mitochondrial DNA, leading to host lethality; phylogenetic analyses show concordance with conventional fungal trees.

Conclusions:

  • Fungal plasmids exhibit diverse genetic structures and replication strategies, with linear plasmids potentially derived from viral ancestors.
  • Circular plasmids in Neurospora may represent evolutionary intermediates in the transition from RNA to DNA replication.
  • Plasmids can act as neutral elements or pathogenic agents, influencing fungal evolution and population dynamics.

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