Mating type genes are central to sexual reproduction and compatibility in Ascomycete fungi. However the "MAT" loci experience unique evolutionary pressures that can result in rapid divergence and enhanced inter-specific gene-flow (lateral gene transfer). In this study, molecular evolution of MAT loci was considered using the genus Fusarium (Teleomorph: Gibberella) as a model. Both MAT1-1 and MA...

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a fungal plant pathogen and the causal agent of lettuce drop, an economically important disease of California lettuce. The structure of the S. sclerotiorum mating type locus MAT has previously been reported and consists of two idiomorphs that are fused end-to-end as in other homothallics. We investigated the diversity of S. sclerotiorum MAT using a total of 283 isola...

Sexual reproduction in fungi is regulated by the mating-type (MAT) locus where recombination is suppressed. We investigated the evolution of MAT loci in eight fungal species belonging to Grosmannia and Ophiostoma (Sordariomycetes, Ascomycota) that include conifer pathogens and beetle symbionts. The MAT1-2 idiomorph/allele was identified from the assembled and annotated Grosmannia clavigera geno...

In this study, we investigated the genealogies of genes important for sexual identity, i.e. mating-type (mat) and pheromone-receptor (pre) genes, among heterothallic and peudohomothallic taxa of Neurospora. The resulting genealogies were compared with the species phylogeny derived from non-coding sequences. We found conflicting topologies between the reproductive genealogies and the species phy...

Assessment of eighty Fusarium proliferatum isolates obtained from maize, rice, sugarcane and onion using AFLP molecular marker separated the isolates into four distinct clusters according to their host’s. Isolates recovered from rice clustered in a distinct group. Isolates from sugarcane grouped in two distinct groups and isolates recovered from maize and onion clustered in a unit group. As wel...

Leptographium procerum and the closely related species Leptographium profanum, are ascomycetes associated with root-infesting beetles on pines and hardwood trees, respectively. Both species occur in North America where they are apparently native. L. procerum has also been found in Europe, China New Zealand, and South Africa where it has most probably been introduced. As is true for many other L...

Portions of the mating type genes from Ophiosphaerella korrae (J. Walker & A.M. Smith) R.A. Shoemaker (= Leptosphaeria korrae J. Walker & A.M. Smith), a pathogenic fungus of grasses, were examined by PCR (polymerase chain reaction). For nine isolates of O. korrae from North America, both mating type genes were amplified, demonstrating that both MAT idiomorphs are detectable in this homothallic ...

Sexual reproduction and breeding systems are driving forces for genetic diversity. The matingtype (MAT) locus represents a mutation and chromosome rearrangement hotspot in yeasts. Zygosaccharomyces rouxii complex yeasts are naturally faced with hostile low water activity (aw) environments and are characterized by gene copy number variation, genome instability, and aneuploidy/allodiploidy. Here,...

Sexual reproduction and breeding systems are driving forces for genetic diversity. The mating-type (MAT) locus represents a mutation and chromosome rearrangement hotspot in yeasts. Zygosaccharomyces rouxii complex yeasts are naturally faced with hostile low water activity (aw) environments and are characterized by gene copy number variation, genome instability, and aneuploidy/allodiploidy. Here...

DNAs that encode the mating-type functions (mat+ and mat-) of the filamentous fungus Podospora anserina were cloned with the use of the mating-type A probe from Neurospora crassa. Cloning the full mat information was ascertained through gene replacement experiments. Molecular and functional analyses of haploid transformants carrying both mating types lead to several striking conclusions. Mat+ m...