Functional characterization of the AGL1 aegerolysin in the mycoparasitic fungus Trichoderma atroviride reveals a role in conidiation and antagonism

Abstract

Aegerolysins are small secreted pore-forming proteins that are found in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The role of aegerolysins in sporulation, fruit body formation, and in lysis of cellular membrane is suggested in fungi. The aim of the present study was to characterize the biological function of the aegerolysin gene agl1 in the mycoparasitic fungus Trichoderma atroviride, used for biological control of plant diseases. Gene expression analysis showed higher expression of agl1 during conidiation and during growth in medium supplemented with cell wall material from the plant pathogenic fungus Rhizoctonia solani as the sole carbon source. Expression of agl1 was supressed under iron-limiting condition, while agl1 transcript was not detected during T. atroviride interactions with the prey fungi Botrytis cinerea or R. solani. Phenotypic analysis of agl1 deletion strains (Δagl1) showed reduced conidiation compared to T. atroviride wild type, thus suggesting the involvement of AGL1 in conidiation. Furthermore, the Δagl1 strains display reduced antagonism towards B. cinerea and R. solani based on a secretion assay, although no difference was detected during direct interactions. These data demonstrate the role of AGL1 in conidiation and antagonism in the mycoparasitic fungus T. atroviride.

Trichoderma spp. Genes Involved in the Biocontrol Activity Against Rhizoctonia solani

“…Many studies showed that Trichoderma spp. exhibited mycoparasitic capacity against R. solani ( Geremia et al, 1993 ; De La Cruz et al, 1995 ; Lorito et al, 1998 ; Kubicek et al, 2011 ; Dubey et al, 2021 ). Trichoderma spp.…”

Towards a Fungal Science That Is Independent of Researchers’ Gender

“…The following supporting information can be downloaded at: , Table S1 : The mycological journals; Table S2: Proportion of women authors publishing by research discipline; Table S3: Proportion of women researchers publishing by author position in microbiology; Table S4: Proportion of women researchers publishing by author position in mycology; Table S5: Research of fungal aegerolysins as published in scientific journals and disciplines; Table S6: Status of women researchers; Table S7: Region of women researchers; Table S8: Descriptors of fungal research area by women researchers; Table S9: Keywords women researchers use at least twice to describe their fungal research area; Table S10: Gender breakdown of plenary and selected speakers, session chairs, and meeting organizers for two alternating meetings FGC and ECFG; References [ 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 , 89 , 90 ] are cited in the supplementary materials.…”

Transcriptome Analysis Deciphers Trichoderma koningiopsis C5-9 Strategies against Plant Pathogen Botrytis cinerea

“…B. cinerea causes grey mold in over 200 plant species, including a large number of crops, and is difficult to control because of its survival ability under unfavorable conditions, such as low temperature. However, low-temperature resistance biocontrol Trichoderma strains against B. cinerea are few in number at present [36][37][38][39][40]. In this study, Trichoderma C5-9 was demonstrated to directly suppress the pathogen B. cinerea growth under lowtemperature conditions in a dual-culture assay.…”