Abstract
Blue mold of apple is caused by several different Penicillium species, among which P. expansum and P. solitum are the most frequently isolated. P. expansum is the most aggressive species, and P. solitum is very weak when infecting apple fruit during storage. In this study, we report complete genomic analyses of three different Penicillium species: P. expansum R21 and P. crustosum NJ1, isolated from stored apple fruit; and P. maximae 113, isolated in 2013 from a flooded home in New Jersey, USA, in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Patulin and citrinin gene cluster analyses explained the lack of patulin production in NJ1 compared to R21 and lack of citrinin production in all three strains. A Drosophila bioassay demonstrated that volatiles emitted by P. solitum SA and P. polonicum RS1 were more toxic than those from P. expansum and P. crustosum strains (R27, R11, R21, G10, and R19). The toxicity was hypothesized to be related to production of eight-carbon oxylipins. Putative lipoxygenase genes were identified in P. expansum and P. maximae strains, but not in P. crustosum. Our data will provide a better understanding of Penicillium spp. complex secondary metabolic capabilities, especially concerning the genetic bases of mycotoxins and toxic VOCs.
Highlights
Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.As one of the largest and most ubiquitous fungal genera, Penicillium currently contains483 accepted species with varying lifestyles that include saprobes, pathogens, and endophytes capable of growing in a wide range of habitats [1,2,3]
Using the P. expansum ATCC 24692 as a reference genome, we identified the patulin gene clusters of P. polonicum RS1, P. crustosum NJ1, and P. expansum strains R21 and R19
For all the three P. expansum strains (R19, R21, and ATCC24692), mrr2, mrr6, and mrr3 had lower than 60% identities; for the A. terreus NIH2624 strain, six genes in citrinin gene cluster had lower than 50% identities (Figure 4B)
Summary
483 accepted species with varying lifestyles that include saprobes, pathogens, and endophytes capable of growing in a wide range of habitats [1,2,3]. The best-known species in the genus have positive economic impacts and include Penicillium chrysogenum (formerly P. notatum), which produces the famous antibiotic penicillin [5];. In addition to causing allergies in humans [8], these psychrophilic fungal pathogens are the most common causes of spoilage of stored fruits and vegetables and capable of growing at very cold temperatures. P. italicum and P. digitatum are economically impactful pathogens of citrus fruit, while P. expansum decays apples and produces patulin, a toxic secondary metabolite [10,11,12,13]. Other Penicillium species are exceptional causes of biodeterioration, especially on water-logged building materials, walls and wallpaper, floors, carpets, mattresses, and upholstered furniture such as those found after hurricane events, and can be used as indicator organisms for indoor dampness [14,15]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
