Trichoderma species are currently used as biocontrol agents for crop diseases caused by a number of fungal plant pathogens. However, their biocontrol performance in the field can be unreliable and it is likely that mo...Trichoderma species are currently used as biocontrol agents for crop diseases caused by a number of fungal plant pathogens. However, their biocontrol performance in the field can be unreliable and it is likely that more consistent performance could be achieved through knowledge and manipulation of the genes involved. For example, induction of the genes could be optimised for variable environmental and physiological conditions, superior strains could be selected more effectively and novel strains could be created. One method by which Trichoderma species accomplish biocontrol is mycoparasitism. Several genes involved in the mycoparasitic interaction have previously been characterised, however these consist predominantly of those that encode enzymes that degrade fungal cell walls. In the current study subtractive hybridisation was used to target genes expressed when Trichoderma hamatum and the plant pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum were cultured together, subtracting genes expressed when each are grown individually. This experimental design has the potential to yield T. hamatum genes involved in mycoparasitism of S. sclerotiorum, and S. sclerotiorum genes up-regulated in host defence. The cDNA fragments yielded by the subtraction were characterised with respect to expression, sequence and species of origin. A number of novel T. hamatum genes which were up-regulated during mycoparasitism were identified.展开更多
Achieving a balance between vegetative growth and spore production is essential for successful biocontrol by fungi. Low sporulation rates in the field can result in poor establishment and survival, whereas failure of ...Achieving a balance between vegetative growth and spore production is essential for successful biocontrol by fungi. Low sporulation rates in the field can result in poor establishment and survival, whereas failure of conidia to recognise hosts can lead to persistence without efficacy. Commercial biocontrol products involve bulk preparations of conidia, however considerable variability in conidiation rates exists between biocontrol agents, which can restrict choice of strain for production. The majority of studies on Trichoderma conidiation have focused on the species T. viride and T. atroviride. These species form conidia in response to blue and near-UV light and/or nutrient deprivation and conidiation proceeds in a highly co-ordinated fashion, however relatively little is known on the genetic basis of Trichoderma conidiation. In addition, whilst photoconidiation appears to be a general response detailed studies in other Trichoderma species are absent. In this study, conidiation in the lesser known biocontrol species T. hamatum is being investigated using a combined morphological and molecular approach. In contrast to T. atroviride, conidiation in response to blue-light was weaker and variable and suggested that additional triggers may be required for the T. hamatum photoresponse. A series of comparative photoconidiation assays are currently being undertaken investigating the effect of inoculum type and abiotic factors on timing and intensity of the response. Results will be discussed in relation to the current knowledge on conidial morphogenesis in Trichoderma. In addition to these morphological assays, a selection of genes implicated in sporulation and the blue-light responses are currently being isolated and characterised from T. hamatum. Two genes, phr1 and cmp1, which were isolated previously from T. atroviride will be used as early and late markers of gene expression during the photoresponse in T. hamatum in order to define time points for harvesting comparable stage-specific RNA from T. hamatum and T. atroviride. Using degenerate PCR putative sporulation gene orthologues have also been identified in T. hamatum. Work is currently underway to isolate genomic clones of these genes from T. hamatum and T. atroviride. Sequence and expression analysis of orthologues, including expression in response to abiotic factors will be presented and discussed in relation to the current knowledge of the molecular basis of conidiation in Trichoderma and other filamentous fungi.展开更多
文摘Trichoderma species are currently used as biocontrol agents for crop diseases caused by a number of fungal plant pathogens. However, their biocontrol performance in the field can be unreliable and it is likely that more consistent performance could be achieved through knowledge and manipulation of the genes involved. For example, induction of the genes could be optimised for variable environmental and physiological conditions, superior strains could be selected more effectively and novel strains could be created. One method by which Trichoderma species accomplish biocontrol is mycoparasitism. Several genes involved in the mycoparasitic interaction have previously been characterised, however these consist predominantly of those that encode enzymes that degrade fungal cell walls. In the current study subtractive hybridisation was used to target genes expressed when Trichoderma hamatum and the plant pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum were cultured together, subtracting genes expressed when each are grown individually. This experimental design has the potential to yield T. hamatum genes involved in mycoparasitism of S. sclerotiorum, and S. sclerotiorum genes up-regulated in host defence. The cDNA fragments yielded by the subtraction were characterised with respect to expression, sequence and species of origin. A number of novel T. hamatum genes which were up-regulated during mycoparasitism were identified.
文摘Achieving a balance between vegetative growth and spore production is essential for successful biocontrol by fungi. Low sporulation rates in the field can result in poor establishment and survival, whereas failure of conidia to recognise hosts can lead to persistence without efficacy. Commercial biocontrol products involve bulk preparations of conidia, however considerable variability in conidiation rates exists between biocontrol agents, which can restrict choice of strain for production. The majority of studies on Trichoderma conidiation have focused on the species T. viride and T. atroviride. These species form conidia in response to blue and near-UV light and/or nutrient deprivation and conidiation proceeds in a highly co-ordinated fashion, however relatively little is known on the genetic basis of Trichoderma conidiation. In addition, whilst photoconidiation appears to be a general response detailed studies in other Trichoderma species are absent. In this study, conidiation in the lesser known biocontrol species T. hamatum is being investigated using a combined morphological and molecular approach. In contrast to T. atroviride, conidiation in response to blue-light was weaker and variable and suggested that additional triggers may be required for the T. hamatum photoresponse. A series of comparative photoconidiation assays are currently being undertaken investigating the effect of inoculum type and abiotic factors on timing and intensity of the response. Results will be discussed in relation to the current knowledge on conidial morphogenesis in Trichoderma. In addition to these morphological assays, a selection of genes implicated in sporulation and the blue-light responses are currently being isolated and characterised from T. hamatum. Two genes, phr1 and cmp1, which were isolated previously from T. atroviride will be used as early and late markers of gene expression during the photoresponse in T. hamatum in order to define time points for harvesting comparable stage-specific RNA from T. hamatum and T. atroviride. Using degenerate PCR putative sporulation gene orthologues have also been identified in T. hamatum. Work is currently underway to isolate genomic clones of these genes from T. hamatum and T. atroviride. Sequence and expression analysis of orthologues, including expression in response to abiotic factors will be presented and discussed in relation to the current knowledge of the molecular basis of conidiation in Trichoderma and other filamentous fungi.
