Comparative genomics provides insights into the cold adaptation of endophytic fungi associated with Deschampsia antarctica
Endophytic fungi from Deschampsia antarctica, the southernmost flowering plant, provide insights into the cold adaptation mechanisms of plant-associated fungi in extreme environments. This study presents the genome sequences and comparative analysis of eight fungal isolates from D. antarctica leaves. These Antarctic fungal isolates were analyzed alongside 121 plant-associated fungal genomes to uncover signatures of adaptation and endophytic specialization. Antarctic endophytes show striking patterns, including reduced genome size (∼26.3 Mb on average), streamlined gene content (∼8844 genes), and notably small secretomes (∼288 proteins). Despite this reduced gene repertoire, they maintain a robust set of genes encoding carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) but lack those for lignin and bacterial cell wall degradation, indicating a symbiotic lifestyle that avoids host damage and predation. One isolate, Alternaria sp. UNIPAMPA017 stood out, with 26% of its genome occupied by transposable elements. Lifestyle, rather than phylogeny, was the main driver of CAZyme and secretome profiles, underscoring ecological convergence. Compared to endophytes from Arabidopsis and Populus, D. antarctica endophytes harbor fewer pectin-degrading enzymes, reflecting their adaptation to the cell wall structure of their monocot host. Together, these fungi reveal a pattern of genomic reduction and functional fine-tuning, hallmarks of life adapted to persist in cold, nutrient-scarce niches.
Authors
- Rytas Vilgalys (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8299-3605)
- Stephen J. Mondo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5797-0647)
- Fabíola Lucini (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6658-4043)
- Kerrie Barry (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8999-6785)
- Annie Lebreton (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8301-9983)
- Willian Andreopoulos
- Sajeet Haridas (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0229-0975)
- Anna Lipzen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2293-9329)
- Richard D. Hayes (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5236-7918)
- Alan Kuo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3514-3530)
- Shingo Miyauchi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0620-5547)
- Steven Ahrendt (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8492-4830)
- Thiago Mafra Batista (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0755-1206)
- Jasmyn Pangilinan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7966-3496)
- Kurt LaButti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5838-1972)
- Élodie Drula (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9168-5214)
- Margeli Pereira de Albuquerque
- Joanne Eichenberger
- Robert Riley
- Guifen He
- Elaheh Seifollahi
- Gregori Bonito
- Jie Wang
- Francis M. Martin
- Filipe C. Victoria
- Igor V. Grigoriev
Institutions
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR)
- Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (JP)
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (US)
- Duke University (US)
- Joint Genome Institute (US)
- Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (FR)
- Interactions Arbres-Microorganismes (FR)
- Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques (FR)
- Instituto Nacional da Mata Atlântica
- Universidade Federal do Pampa (BR)
- Michigan State University (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Fungal Genetics and Biology
- Published
- 2026-03-31
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fgb.2026.104077
- Primary Topic
- Marine and coastal plant biology
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Joint Genome Institute
- Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
- Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
- European Regional Development Fund