Genome Wide Association Identifies Novel Loci Involved in Fungal Communication

摘要: Understanding how genomes encode complex cellular and organismal behaviors has become the outstanding challenge of modern genetics. Unlike classical screening methods, analysis genetic variation that occurs naturally in wild populations can enable rapid, genome-scale mapping genotype to phenotype with a medium-throughput experimental design. Here we describe results first genome-wide association study (GWAS) used identify novel loci underlying trait microbial eukaryote, harnessing isolates filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa. We genotyped each population Louisiana strains at 1 million genome-wide, these genotypes map determinants communication. In N. crassa, germinated asexual spores (germlings) sense presence other germlings, grow toward them coordinated fashion, fuse. evaluated germlings strain for their ability chemically sense, chemotropically seek, undergo cell fusion, subjected measurements GWAS. This identified one gene, NCU04379 (cse-1, encoding homolog neuronal calcium sensor), which inheritance was strongly associated efficiency germling Deletion cse-1 significantly impaired communication two genes predicted interaction partners CSE1 were also required trait. Additionally, mining our signaling secretion potential role communication, validated six more previously unknown molecular players, including secreted protease whose deletion conferred increased multi-germling fusion. Our establish protein as linchpin crassa shed light on regulation molecules this fungus. demonstrates power population-genetic analyses rapid identification contributing traits species.