Predicting the identity of su(met-2) in Neurospora crassa by genome resequencing

Authors: MCCLUSKEY, KEVIN - Bolt Threads; Brown, Daren; BREDEWEG, ERIN - Pacific Northwest National Laboratory; BAKER, S - Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Submitted to: Fungal Genetics Reports
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/17/2023
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Some fungi damage our health and our food supply costing billions of dollars each year while other fungi make high value antibiotics and other chemicals. Early biochemical studies of mutants of the fungus Neurospora crassa helped scientists understand how fungi grow. Because genome sequence was not available, the responsible genetic defect in the mutant were often unknown for decades. Here we used next generation sequence technology to quickly and economically sequence the genomes of mutants unable to use the essential amino acid methionine. A comparison of the mutant genomes with normal genomes allowed us to determine the genes responsible for the growth defects. Evolutionary studies of one gene showed a link between primary and secondary metabolism. Understanding how fungi create essential amino acids for normal growth and how primary and secondary metabolism are linked could help the design of new technologies to control fungal growth. This information will be of use to scientists working to reduce the harmful impact of fungi on corn and other crops as well as improve the fungal production of useful chemicals.

Technical Abstract: A significant number of classical genetic Neurospora crassa biochemical mutants remain anonymous, unassociated with a physical genome locus. By utilizing short read next-generation sequencing methods, it is possible to sequence the genomes of mutant strains rapidly and economically for the purpose of identifying genes associated with mutant phenotypes. We have taken this approach to connect genes and mutations to “methionineless” phenotypes in N. crassa.