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Unisexual reproduction in filamentous Ascomycete Fungi, with particular reference to Huntiella moniliformis
Thesis (PhD (Genetics))--University of Pretoria, 2019.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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University of Pretoria
2024
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| _version_ | 1867613688719998977 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | Wingfield, Brenda D. |
| author_browse | Wingfield, Brenda D. |
| author_facet | Wingfield, Brenda D. |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | © 2021 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. |
| description | Thesis (PhD (Genetics))--University of Pretoria, 2019. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/98311 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:40:07.894Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2024 |
| publishDateRange | 2024 |
| publishDateSort | 2024 |
| publisher | University of Pretoria |
| publisherStr | University of Pretoria |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/98311 Unisexual reproduction in filamentous Ascomycete Fungi, with particular reference to Huntiella moniliformis Wingfield, Brenda D. Wingfield, Michael J. Van der Nest, Magrieta Aletta Wilken, Markus Wilson, Andrea Melissa UCTD Ascomycete Fungi Unisexual reproduction Thesis (PhD (Genetics))--University of Pretoria, 2019. English: Many filamentous ascomycete fungi are capable of sexual reproduction, though the exact mechanisms they use can differ from species to species. Those that require a compatible partner are termed heterothallic, while those that can sexually reproduce in isolation are termed homothallic. The major aim of this thesis was to further our understanding of a unique type of sexual reproduction known as unisexuality. While unisexual species harbour genes typically associated with heterothallic species, they are capable of independent sexual reproduction. Utilizing a variety of bioinformatic and molecular tools, I was able to show that unisexual reproduction is likely derived from heterothallism. I also propose that this transition is possible with a few small changes to the MAT genes and pheromone response pathway. In all three of the unisexual filamentous ascomycete fungi I investigated, mutations in the secondary MAT genes resulted in significant gene truncations or the deletion of functional domains- leading to non-functional proteins. Furthermore, these species also exhibited atypical pheromone response pathways. Given that similar changes are seen in three unisexual species from unrelated genera, I suggest that the mechanism that enables unisexual reproduction is highly conserved. Using a CRISPR-Cas9-based genome editing system, I was able to take the first steps towards experimentally mimicking unisexual behaviour in a heterothallic species, by the truncation of a secondary MAT gene in H. omanensis. Future research will thus focus on disruption of the pheromone response pathway in this species. Afrikaans: Filamentagtige fungus spesies is in staat om seksueel voort te plant, maar die presiese meganisme wat hulle gebruik verskil tussen spesies. Dié spesies wat ‘n teenoorgestelde en versoenbare vennoot benodig word na as heterotallies verwys, terwyl dié wat in isolasie seksueel kan voortplant, homotallies genoem word. Die hoofdoel van hierdie tesis was om eenslagtigheid, ‘n unieke wyse van seksuele voortplanting, beter te verstaan. Alhoewel eenslagtige fungus spesies tipies die gene het wat geassosieër word met die heterotalliese voortplantingswyse, kan hulle onafhanklik van ‘n teenoorgestelde vennoot voort plant. Deur van ‘n verskeidenheid bioinformatiese en molekulêre metodes gebruik te maak, het ek gewys dat eenslagtigheid waarskynlik ‘n afgeleide vorm van heterotalliese voortplanting is. Ek stel ook voor dat hierdie oorgang moontlik is met ‘n paar klein veranderinge aan die MAT gene en die feromoon-reaksieweg. In al drie eenslagtige, filamentagtige spesies wat ek bestudeer het, het mutasies in die sekondêre MAT gene gelei na beduidende geenverkortings of die verwydering van funksionele dele vanuit die gene, wat nie-funksionele proteïene tot gevolg gehad het. Hierdie spesies het ook atipiese feromoon-reaksieweë vertoon. Gegewe dat die drie eenslagtige spesies van onverwante genusse soortgelyke geenveranderinge gehad het, stel ek voor dat die meganisme wat eenslagtige voortplanting moontlik maak hoogs gekonserveerd moet wees. Deur van ‘n CRISPR-Cas9-gebaseerde genoomredigeringsintrument gebruik te maak, het ek die eerste stappe geneem om eenslagtige voortplanting eksperimenteel na te boots in ‘n heterotalliese spesie, deur ‘n sekondêre MAT geen in H. omanensis te verkort. Toekomstige navorsing sal daarop fokus om die feromoonreaksieweg in hierdie spesie te ontwrig. Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology (BGM) PhD (Genetics) Unrestricted Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences 2024-09-19T07:41:26Z 2024-09-19T07:41:26Z 2020-04 2019 Thesis * A2020 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/98311 en © 2021 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria |
| spellingShingle | UCTD Ascomycete Fungi Unisexual reproduction Unisexual reproduction in filamentous Ascomycete Fungi, with particular reference to Huntiella moniliformis |
| title | Unisexual reproduction in filamentous Ascomycete Fungi, with particular reference to Huntiella moniliformis |
| title_full | Unisexual reproduction in filamentous Ascomycete Fungi, with particular reference to Huntiella moniliformis |
| title_fullStr | Unisexual reproduction in filamentous Ascomycete Fungi, with particular reference to Huntiella moniliformis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Unisexual reproduction in filamentous Ascomycete Fungi, with particular reference to Huntiella moniliformis |
| title_short | Unisexual reproduction in filamentous Ascomycete Fungi, with particular reference to Huntiella moniliformis |
| title_sort | unisexual reproduction in filamentous ascomycete fungi with particular reference to huntiella moniliformis |
| topic | UCTD Ascomycete Fungi Unisexual reproduction |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/98311 |