Mating-type loci of heterothallic Diaporthe spp.: homologous genes are present in opposite mating-types.
Sexual reproduction of fungi is governed by genes located on the mating-type (MAT) locus. To analyze the MAT locus of the genus Diaporthe (anamorph: Phomopsis), a large genera within the ascomycetous class Sordariomycetes, we cloned and sequenced loci MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 from two heterothallic Diaporthe species, designated as Diaporthe W- and G-types (four isolates in total). The mating-type loci structures of Diaporthe W- and G-types were similar; MAT1-1 isolates had a MAT locus containing three genes, MAT1-1-1, MAT1-1-2 and MAT1-1-3, as was the case with other Sordariomycetes, and in contrast to other Sordariomycetes, MAT1-2 isolates had genes homologous to MAT1-1-2 and MAT1-1-3, in addition to MAT1-2-1. Expression analysis by RT-PCR revealed that all the mating-type genes of Diaporthe W-type were transcriptionally active during vegetative growth. The structure of MAT loci of Diaporthe W- and G-types is distinct from that in other heterothallic filamentous ascomycetes, which have dissimilar gene structure in opposite mating-type loci. This unique structure is informative to discussing the evolutionary history and function of mating-type genes of Sordariomycete fungi.
Kanematsu
Satoko
S
Apple Research Station, National Institute of Fruit Tree Science, NARO, Shimokuriyagawa, Morioka 020-0123, Japan. satokok@affrc.go.jp
Adachi
Yoshihiko
Y
Ito
Tsutae
T
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001203:Ascomycota / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D017931:DNA Primers; D049770:Genes, Mating Type, Fungal; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016415:Sequence Alignment
D017931:DNA Primers