Press release: Protective role of cells in overwintering fungi

No. 159 - 12.10.2021

Göttingen University researchers find cells involved in sexual development produce chemicals that deter hungry predators

Scientists have discovered a new role for cells that are known to nurture the reproductive structures in the fungus Aspergillus nidulans through the winter. The findings suggest that Hülle cells in this fungus also play a key part in its chemical defence strategies to ward off hungry predators. The results were published in the journal eLife.

The team studied the proteins behind the production of ‘secondary metabolites’, which are organic compounds produced by an organism that are not essential for growth, development and reproduction, but may confer other advantages to the organism. The researchers found that these secondary metabolites were concentrated heavily within the fungus’ Hülle cells. The production of these defensive chemicals ramps up as the fungus' fruiting structures develop, aided by the Hülle cells. The researchers then showed that a regulator called the ‘velvet complex’ controls the pathway for the production of these defence chemicals. Without this regulator, the fungi are unable to make these chemicals. When the production of the chemicals is interrupted, intermediate compounds build up within the Hülle cells that impair the growth of the fungus’ fruiting structures.

The next step in the study was to expose the fungus to tiny predators, including woodlice and mealworm larvae. “As immobile organisms, fungi can’t run away from attacking predators or organisms such as bacteria that compete with them for resources, so they turn instead to chemical defence strategies by producing protective compounds called secondary metabolites,” explains first author Li Liu, a PhD student at the University of Göttingen. “In our study, we wanted to investigate where the proteins that assist the production of these compounds are located.”

They found that the predators avoid eating the reproductive parts of the fungus that produce defensive chemicals, but they will gobble up the reproductive parts that lack them. “The chemicals are not toxic to the predators – they simply make the fungus and their reproductive parts unappealing to them,” says co-senior author Jennifer Gerke, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Göttingen.

“Together, our experiments highlight a previously unknown role for Hülle cells in protecting Aspergillus nidulans from predators,” concludes senior author Gerhard Braus, Professor of Microbiology and Genetics at the University of Göttingen. “We’ve shown how the cells accumulate deterrent chemicals that protect the fungus’ reproductive structures from predators, ensuring its long-term survival. The work provides new insights on the ecology of Aspergillus nidulans fungi, as well as the ecological functions and impact of the secondary metabolites they produce to defend themselves.”

Original publication:,Li Liu et al, “Secondary metabolites of Hülle cells mediate protection of fungal reproductive and overwintering structures against fungivorous animals“, e-Life 2021. DoI: https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.68058

Contact:

Professor Gerhard Braus

University of Göttingen

Institute for Microbiology and Genetics

Grisebachstrasse 8, 37077 Göttingen, Germany

Email: gbraus@gwdg.de

Tel: +49-(0)551-39 33771