Microbes Hidden Genome in Fungi

What is hidden genome? (7)

Includes elements not part of classical protein-coding genes.

sORFs, microproteins.

Alternative splice isoforms.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs).

microRNAs and milRNAs.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs).

Transposons and repetitive DNA.

What does the hidden genome regulate?

Stress responses.

What does the hidden genome influence?

Virulence and host adaptation.

What does the hidden genome drive?

Antifungal drug resistance.

What does the hidden genome expand?

Regulatory complexity.

What does the hidden genome offer?

Novel therapeutic targets.

Microproteins

Produced and encoded by short open reading frames (sORF).

<100 AA.

Key regulators.

Microproteins Functions (SNC)

Stress adaptation, nutrient sensing, cell cycle regulation.

Alternative Splicing in Fungi

Increases protein diversity.

Influences metabolic pathways, stress tolerance, and virulence.

Isoform 1

Might not make it.

Virulent and pathogenic.

Isoform 2

More likely to make it.

Virulent and pathogenic.

Candida albicans

Alternative splicing example.

SOD3 isoforms regulate oxidative stress resistance.

Magnaporthe oryzae

Alternative splicing example.

MoGrp1 controls virulece.

Neurospora crassa

Alternative splicing example.

Splicing changes under antifungal exposure.

Introns

Alternative splicing example.

Removed during translation. Act as regulatory RNAs.

Inteins

Alternative splicing example.

Removed after translation. Protein level introns.

Antifungal drug targets in Cryptococcus.

Fungal genomes encode ________

lncRNAs.

miRNAs/milRNAs.

circRNAs

Candida auris

lncRNAs example.

Drug resistance and filamentation.

Cryptococcus enoformans

lncRNAs example.

Hyphae transition and virulence.

S. pombe

lncRNAs example.

Drug tolerance via chromatin blocking.

What do miRNAs and milRNAs regulate? (HDDT)

Host-pathogen interactions.

Developmental processes.

Defense against viral elements.

Transposons activity.

What do circRNAs remove, formed, act?

Remove miRNAs.

Formed by back-splicing of exons.

Act as miRNA sponges.