From Genes to Molecules, Secondary Metabolism in Botrytis cinerea: New Insights into Anamorphic and Teleomorphic Stages

Abstract

The ascomycete Botrytis cinerea Pers. Fr., classified within the family Sclerotiniaceae, is the agent that causes grey mould disease which infects at least 1400 plant species, including crops of economic importance such as grapes and strawberries. The life cycle of B. cinerea consists of two phases: asexual (anamorph, Botrytis cinerea Pers. Fr.) and sexual (teleomorph, Botryotinia fuckeliana (de Bary) Wetzel). During the XVI International Symposium dedicated to the Botrytis fungus, which was held in Bari in June 2013, the scientific community unanimously decided to assign the most widely used name of the asexual form, Botrytis, to this genus of fungi. However, in the literature, we continue to find articles referring to both morphic stages. In this review, we take stock of the genes and metabolites reported for both morphic forms of B. cinerea between January 2015 and October 2022.

Revealing Hidden Genes in Botrytis cinerea: New Insights into Genes Involved in the Biosynthesis of Secondary Metabolites

“…Of the five DTCs referenced for B. cinerea so far, it is known that the Bcphs1 gene is related to the production of the diterpene retinal [32] and based on orthologous genes to the Penicillium paxilli PaxC gene, it is possible that the functionality of the Bcpax1 gene is implicated in the production of indole diterpenes [33]. Although the production of diterpenes has not been detected in B. cinerea, approximately 90 diterpenes and eight diterpenes named botryotins A-H have been isolated in a strain of Botrytinia fuckeliana from the western Pacific Ocean and from some endophytic strains [21]. It's important to note, however, that while Bcdtc2 and Bcdtc3 have traditionally been recognized as part of the secondary metabolism gene set in B. cinerea, current investigations reveal that Bcdtc2 no longer has available information and Bcdtc3 does not align with any domain typically associated with this family [21].…”

“…Although the production of diterpenes has not been detected in B. cinerea, approximately 90 diterpenes and eight diterpenes named botryotins A-H have been isolated in a strain of Botrytinia fuckeliana from the western Pacific Ocean and from some endophytic strains [21]. It's important to note, however, that while Bcdtc2 and Bcdtc3 have traditionally been recognized as part of the secondary metabolism gene set in B. cinerea, current investigations reveal that Bcdtc2 no longer has available information and Bcdtc3 does not align with any domain typically associated with this family [21]. Despite this, the domain IPR008930 encompasses five genes, inclusive of Bcdtc1, underscoring a specialized contribution towards diterpene synthesis in B. cinerea.…”

Genetic and molecular landscapes of the generalist phytopathogen Botrytis cinerea

“…In addition to cell wall‐degrading enzymes, secretory proteins, and ROS, B. cinerea also secretes toxic metabolites to attack hosts. These phytotoxins are of two main categories: botryane‐type sesquiterpenes and polyketides (da Silva Ripardo‐Filho et al., 2023 ). Botrydianes induce a hypersensitive response through the salicylic acid and jasmonic acid pathways (Rossi et al., 2011 ).…”

Unravelling the Function of the Sesquiterpene Cyclase STC3 in the Life Cycle of <em>Botrytis cinerea</em>

“…Over the last several years, our group has been studying the sesquiterpene synthesis by B. cinerea [27]. We found six Bcstc genes in the B. cinerea B05.10 strain (Bcstc1 or Bcbot2, Bcstc2, Bcstc3, Bcstc4, Bcstc5 or Bcaba5, and Bcstc7) that encode proteins with the two conserved magnesium binding sites required for FDP cyclization.…”

“…On the other hand, BcSct5 is essential for the synthesis of the sesquiterpenoid abscisic acid [31][32][33][34], and BcStc7 is involved in (+)-4-epi-eremophilenol biosynthesis, a member of the family of eremophilene sesquiterpenes [35][36][37]. However, the biosynthesis of these two compounds is not fully understood yet [27]. The role of the three other sesquiterpene cyclases of B. cinerea is still unknown.…”