Clarifying Regulation of Fungal Sex: Identifying B-locus Associated Transcription Factor in S. commune
Roberts-Speaker, Kai
Roberts-Speaker, Kai
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Abstract
This poster describes an imagined project developed as an assignment in PBIO 3990-E, Advanced Mycology Lab (Terry Delaney, instructor). Schizophyllum commune is a white rot fungus particularly notable for its mating, leading to its prominence as a model system. Splitgills utilize a tetrapolar mating system, where two independent loci, A and B, control sexual reproduction and compatibility of two individuals. These loci must both encode differing alleles for successful mating. There are an estimated 288 alleles at the A locus, and 81 at the B locus, resulting in over 23,000 mating types. The A locus encodes homeodomain transcription factors, which dimerize upon fusion of compatible mates to act as transcription factors to activate clamp connection formation and nuclear pairing. The B locus encodes pheromones and G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), leading to downstream effects of hook cell fusion and nuclear migration. The G??? complex resulting from GPCR activation enacts a MAPK cascade, including an unknown transcription factor-which we propose should be characterized in 3 steps.1:Transcription factor(s) of interest will be extracted via co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), utilizing a MYC-tagged bait MAP kinase (MAPKKK) and isolated by western blot. Characterization of the target protein will be performed using mass-spectrometry of trypsin-degraded fragments against the S. commune proteome. 2: Use the identified transcription factors to annotate the genome of S. commune. 3: Functional characterization of TF will be accomplished using ChIp-seq to determine DNA binding site and Co-IP will be used to reveal other potential protein-protein-interactions. Through this study we seek to clarify the mechanisms behind fungal reproduction. This will expand upon mating-type research done on Schizophyllum commune. This project would reveal a full-picture of the signaling cascade of the B-locus pheromone receptors, as well as discover specific genes triggered by this pathway that confer compatibility.
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Date
1/1/2026
Student Status
Junior (Graduating in 2027)
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Plant Biology
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College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
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Life Science