Genome-Wide Identification of Zn2Cys6 Class Fungal-Specific Transcription Factors (ZnFTFs) and Functional Analysis of UvZnFTF1 in Ustilaginoidea virens
Song Tianqiao,
Zhang Xiong,
Zhang You,
Liang Dong,
Yan Jiaoling,
Yu Junjie,
Yu Mina,
Cao Huijuan,
Yong Mingli,
Pan Xiayan,
Qi Zhongqiang,
Du Yan,
Zhang Rongsheng,
Liu Yongfeng
Affiliations
Song Tianqiao
Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China; School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Zhang Xiong
Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China/Oil Crops Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430062, China
Zhang You
Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China
Liang Dong
Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China
Yan Jiaoling
Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China
Yu Junjie
Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China
Yu Mina
Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China
Cao Huijuan
Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China
Yong Mingli
Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China
Pan Xiayan
Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China
Qi Zhongqiang
Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China
Du Yan
Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China
Zhang Rongsheng
Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China
Liu Yongfeng
Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China; School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; Corresponding author.
Transcription factors (TFs) orchestrate the regulation of cellular gene expression and thereby determine cell functionality. In this study, we analyzed the distribution of TFs containing domains, which named as ZnFTFs, both in ascomycete and basidiomycete fungi. We found that ZnFTFs were widely distributed in these fungal species, but there was more expansion of the ZnFTF class in Ascomycota than Basidiomycota. We identified 40 ZnFTFs in Ustilaginoidea virens, and demonstrated the involvement of UvZnFTF1 in vegetative growth, conidiation, pigment biosynthesis and pathogenicity. RNA-Seq analysis suggested that UvZnFTF1 may regulate different nutrient metabolism pathways, the production of secondary metabolites, and the expression of pathogen-host interaction genes and secreted protein- encoding genes. Analysis of the distribution of different fungal TFs in U. virens further demonstrated that UvZnFTFs make up a large TF family and may play essential biological roles in U. virens.
