This paper by the James lab at the University of Michigan provides a comprehensive analysis of 50+ newly sequenced chytrid genomes. We played a small role within a large team by analyzing the G1/S cell cycle regulators across the chytrid phylogeny. First, we established that viral SBF likely arrived before Whi5 during the evolution of the fungal G1/S pathway. Second, we found diverse chytrids (in addition to the entire order of Spizellomycetales) that possess both the ancestral E2F and Rb regulators, and the evolved fungal SBF and Whi5 regulators. This includes a chytrid (Quaeritorhiza haematococcia), a Blastoclad (Paraphysoderma sedebokerense), and a Monobleph (Hyaloraphidium curvatum). Last, these data established that our laboratory chytrid, Spizellomyces punctatus, has a haploid genome.
- Amses KR, Simmons DR, Longcore JE, Mondo SJ, Seto K, Jeronimo-Alves GH, Bonds AE, Quandt CA, Davis WJ, Chang Y, Letcher PM, Powell MJ, Kuo A, LaButti K, Pangilinan J, Andreopoulos W, Tritt A, Riley R, Hundley H, Johnson J, Lipzen A, Barry K, Lang BF, Cuomo CA, Berbee ML, Buchler NE, Grigoriev IV, Spatafora JW, Stajich JE, James TY. Diploid-dominant life cycles characterize the early evolution of Fungi. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 19: e2116841119 (2022)