Genome-wide exploration of the transcriptional regulatory landscape in the early-diverging fungus R. microsporus reveals pervasive DNA methyl adenine regulatory network

Abstract

Genetic regulation mechanisms rely on complex transcriptional networks that are often difficult to decipher. The study of transcription factor (TF) binding sites and their targets has traditionally faced scalability challenges, hindering comprehensive cistrome analyses. However, the development of the DNA affinity purification and sequencing (DAP-seq) technique has allowed unprecedented large-scale studies at genome-wide level of TF binding with high reproducibility. In this study, we apply this technique to the human opportunistic pathogen R. microsporus, a mucoralean fungus belonging to the understudied group of early-diverging fungi (EDF). We characterize genome-wide binding sites of 58 TFs encoded by genes regulated through adenine methylation and representing major TF families, representing the most extensive DAP-seq study in filamentous fungi. This analysis reveals their binding profiles and recognized sequences, expanding and diversifying the catalog of known fungal motifs. By integrating this data with DNA 6-methyladenine profiling, we uncover the extensive direct and indirect impact of this epigenetic modification on the regulation of gene expression. Furthermore, the generated data facilitates the identification and functional characterization of TFs involved in biologically relevant processes, such as zinc metabolism and light response, serving as a proof of concept for the utility of the DAP-seq data. These findings not only enhance our understanding of regulatory mechanisms in R. microsporus but also provide broader insights into gene regulation across the fungal kingdom.