MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

Polycomb repressive complex 2 regulates sexual development in Neurospora crassa

Summary

This research reveals how fungi control the timing of sexual reproduction using a molecular switch called PRC2. Like a safety lock on a complex machine, PRC2 keeps genes needed for fruiting body formation turned off until the right conditions occur (fertilization). When PRC2 stops working, fungi prematurely attempt to form reproductive structures even without a mating partner. This study shows how epigenetic control prevents wasteful development and ensures organisms reproduce only when conditions are favorable.

Background

Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) is a highly conserved regulator of development in multicellular organisms that catalyzes tri-methylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27me3) to repress gene expression. While PRC2’s role is well-established in plants and animals, its biological significance in fungi remains poorly understood. This study investigates the functions of PRC2-repressed genes in the model fungus Neurospora crassa.

Objective

To determine the biological functions of PRC2 and H3K27me3-marked genes in Neurospora crassa by analyzing conditions under which these genes are expressed and characterizing the phenotype of PRC2-deficient mutants.

Results

PRC2-methylated genes are specifically activated during sexual (perithecial) development, representing a distinct subset of developmentally induced genes with high cell-type specificity. Loss of PRC2 activity results in precocious formation of false perithecia even without fertilization, displaying aberrant peridium development. False perithecia show widespread transcriptional reprogramming with upregulation of both PRC2-methylated and unmethylated DIGs.

Conclusion

PRC2 functions as a critical developmental checkpoint that represses sexual development genes until appropriate conditions (fertilization) are received, preventing unnecessary energy investment in fruiting body formation.
  • Published in:mBio,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: 10.1128/mbio.01505-25; PMID: 41025791
Scroll to Top