Comparative proteomic analysis reveals the regulatory network of the veA gene during asexual and sexual spore development of Aspergillus cristatus
Authors: Zuoyi Liu
Shilei Sang
Wei Chen
Xiyi Ren
Yumei Tan
Hui Wang
Hui Liu
Yongxiang Liu
Journal: Bioscience Reports (2018)
Discipline: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY & GENETICS
Keywords: Aspergillus cristatus; ascospore; conidia; proteomics; veA gene.
Affiliations: Guizhou Biotechnology Institute, Guizhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guiyang, Guizhou 550006, China., Guizhou Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biotechnology, Guiyang, Guizhou 550006, China., Institute of Groundwater and Earth Sciences, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China., School of Life Science, Shanxi Normal University, Linfen 041000, Shanxi, China., Guizhou Biotechnology Institute, Guizhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guiyang, Guizhou 550006, China  .

Abstract:  Aspergillus cristatus is the predominant fungal population during fermentation of Chinese Fuzhuan brick tea, and belongs to the homothallic fungal group that undergoes a sexual stage without asexual conidiation under hypotonic conditions, while hypertonic medium induces initiation of the asexual stage and completely blocks sexual development. However, the veA deletion mutant only produces conidia in hypotonic medium after a 24-h culture, but both asexual and sexual spores are observed after 72 h. The veA gene is one of the key genes that positively regulates sexual and negatively regulates asexual development in A. cristatus To elucidate the molecular mechanism of how VeA regulates asexual and sexual spore development in A. cristatus, 2D electrophoresis (2-DE) combined with MALDI-tandem ToF MS analysis were applied to identify 173 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) by comparing the agamotype (24 h) and teleomorph (72 h) with wild-type (WT) A. cristatus strains. Further analysis revealed that the changed expression pattern of Pmk1-MAPK and Ser/Thr phosphatase signaling, heat shock protein (Hsp) 90 (HSP90), protein degradation associated, sulphur-containing amino acid biosynthesis associated, valine, leucine, isoleucine, and arginine biosynthesis involved, CYP450 and cytoskeletal formation associated proteins were involved in the production of conidia in agamotype of A. cristatus Furthermore, the deletion of veA in A. cristatus resulted in disturbed process of transcription, translation, protein folding, amino acid metabolism, and secondary metabolism. The carbohydrate and energy metabolism were also greatly changed, which lied in the suppression of anabolism through pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) but promotion of catabolism through glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. The energy compounds produced in the agamotype were mainly ATP and NADH, whereas they were NADPH and FAD in the teleomorph. These results will contribute to the existing knowledge on the complex role of VeA in the regulation of spore development in Aspergillus and provide a framework for functional investigations on the identified proteins. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 Figure 5(A) may show an undisclosed splice (red arrow). Could the authors review and comment? ***  , 
 #1 Dear Actinopolyspora Biskrensis, Iu2019m the corresponding author of the published paper u201cComparative proteomic analysis reveals the regulatory network of the veA gene during asexual and sexual spore development of Aspergillus cristatusu201d. Iu2019m writing to you in response to inquire you posted with regard to the above mentioned paper. Firstly, I need to apologize to you for replying you 10 days later. Secondly, I will work with my colleagues to re-examine our manuscript and raw data. We will redo the experiments, and work with the journal editorial office immediately if our investigation indicates any risk to the accuracy of the published records. With my best regards to you. Yours sincerely Zuoyi Liu , 
 #1 Dear Actinopolyspora Biskrensis, thanks very much for your inquires on my published paper Comparative proteomic analysis reveals the regulatory network of the veA gene during asexual and sexual spore development of Aspergillus cristatus . To ensure the accuracy of the published records, we will re-conduct the RT-qPCR analysis of the spot 10. We will keep in contact with you and the editorial office. Thank you very much again for improving quantlity of our paper . Best wishes to you! Sincerely yours Hui Liu , 
 #3 Thank you for your reply. Are you able to post here the original uncropped scan? , 
 #4 Dear Actinopolyspora Biskrensis, I m very sorry for my late replying. During these days, we are re-conducting the RT-qPCR analysis of the expression of spot 10. The results indicate that the expression pattern of spot 10 is changed in accordance with the level of protein, but are slightly different from the previous figure. we will contact with the Editorial Board of Bioscience Reports to make corrections. It is our mistake, we need to apologize to you and all of the readers. , 
 #5 I still have concerns about the original figure. It seems that you agree that the original figure appears to show a splice, which many would consider inappropriate data manipulation, if true. Is the original data available to confirm? , 
 March 31, 2021 The Editorial Office has been made aware of potential issues surrounding the scientific validity of this paper, hence has issued an expression of concern to notify readers whilst the Editorial Office investigates. , 
 Retracted [27 April 2021](10.1042 BSR-20180067_RET). --------------------------------------- This Retraction follows an Expression of Concern relating to this article previously published by Portland Press. This article is being retracted from Bioscience Reports at the request of the authors following receipt of a notification from a reader, alerting the authors to the possibility of spliced blots in Figure 5A. The authors have been unable to replicate the results and wish to retract the article. The Editor-in-Chief and Editorial Board agree with the retraction. , 
 In the spirit of dead horses: some images in Figure 4 appear to have previously been published in Ge et al. BMC Genomics (2016) 17:428, DOI 10.1186 s12864-016-2637-y. I did not annotate the images, leaving readers to do the needful.  ***  ,