Abstract
BackgroundSclerotinia sclerotiorum, the cause of Sclerotinia stem rot (SSR), is a host generalist necrotrophic fungus that can cause major yield losses in chickpea (Cicer arietinum) production. This study used RNA sequencing to conduct a time course transcriptional analysis of S. sclerotiorum gene expression during chickpea infection. It explores pathogenicity and developmental factors employed by S. sclerotiorum during interaction with chickpea.ResultsDuring infection of moderately resistant (PBA HatTrick) and highly susceptible chickpea (Kyabra) lines, 9491 and 10,487 S. sclerotiorum genes, respectively, were significantly differentially expressed relative to in vitro. Analysis of the upregulated genes revealed enrichment of Gene Ontology biological processes, such as oxidation-reduction process, metabolic process, carbohydrate metabolic process, response to stimulus, and signal transduction. Several gene functional categories were upregulated in planta, including carbohydrate-active enzymes, secondary metabolite biosynthesis clusters, transcription factors and candidate secreted effectors. Differences in expression of four S. sclerotiorum genes on varieties with different levels of susceptibility were also observed.ConclusionThese findings provide a framework for a better understanding of S. sclerotiorum interactions with hosts of varying susceptibility levels. Here, we report for the first time on the S. sclerotiorum transcriptome during chickpea infection, which could be important for further studies on this pathogen’s molecular biology.
Highlights
Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, the cause of Sclerotinia stem rot (SSR), is a host generalist necrotrophic fungus that can cause major yield losses in chickpea (Cicer arietinum) production
This study reveals the activation of primary S. sclerotiorum pathogenesis factors, including carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) and affiliated proteins, putative secreted effector proteins, secondary metabolites and genes involved in regulating production of and tolerance to reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as catalases and peroxidases
Our study demonstrates a continuum of activities that occurs during infection and colonisation of C. arietinum by S. sclerotiorum
Summary
Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, the cause of Sclerotinia stem rot (SSR), is a host generalist necrotrophic fungus that can cause major yield losses in chickpea (Cicer arietinum) production. This study used RNA sequencing to conduct a time course transcriptional analysis of S. sclerotiorum gene expression during chickpea infection. It explores pathogenicity and developmental factors employed by S. sclerotiorum during interaction with chickpea. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a necrotrophic fungal pathogen with a remarkably broad host range of over 600 plant species [1, 2]. S. sclerotiorum is generally described as a necrotroph As such, it derives its energy from dead plants to complete its lifecycle; this contrasts with biotrophs, which feed on living plant cells. The pathogenesis journey through the two phases requires regulation of metabolic, virulence and defence enzymes in response to challenges associated with the type of host tissue, nature of energy source, acidity, and oxidative stress [9, 10]
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