Identification of differentially expressed genes involved in spore germination of Penicillium expansum by comparative transcriptome and proteome approaches.

Ting Zhou,Yingying Zhou,Bishun Ye,Jin Luo,Xiaohong Wang,Tongfei Lai,Liwan Zhou

doi:10.1002/mbo3.562

Abstract

In this study, Penicillium expansum, a common destructive phytopathogen and patulin producer was isolated from naturally infected apple fruits and identified by morphological observation and rDNA‐internal transcribed spacer analysis. Subsequently, a global view of the transcriptome and proteome alteration of P. expansum spores during germination was evaluated by RNA‐seq (RNA sequencing) and iTRAQ (isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation) approaches. A total of 3,026 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), 77 differentially expressed predicted transcription factors and 489 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified. The next step involved screening out 130 overlapped candidates through correlation analysis between the RNA‐seq and iTRAQ datasets. Part of them showed a different expression trend in the mRNA and protein levels, and most of them were involved in metabolism and genetic information processing. These results not only highlighted a set of genes and proteins that were important in deciphering the molecular processes of P. expansum germination but also laid the foundation to develop effective control methods and adequate environmental conditions.

Highlights

Penicillium expansum, one of major causal agents of blue mold rot, is a commonly distributed and destructive phytopathogen
P. expansum is an important producer of the mycotoxin patulin (Puel, Galtier, & Oswald, 2010)
The assessment of the health risks due to patulin consumption by humans resulted in the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Commission for the European Community (EC) setting

Summary

| INTRODUCTION

Penicillium expansum, one of major causal agents of blue mold rot, is a commonly distributed and destructive phytopathogen. The assessment of the health risks due to patulin consumption by humans resulted in the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Commission for the European Community (EC) setting Germination of the fungal conidia refers to the emergence of cells from resting asexual spores and that form sporeling hyphae or thalli under optimal growth conditions (Van Leeuwen et al, 2013) During this process, the hydrophobicity of the conidia results a progressive reduction that leads to the swelling of the conidia knows as isotropic growth and subsequent polarized growth characterized by germ tube formation (Dague, Alsteen, Latgé, & Dufrêne, 2008). The results should provide useful information to better understand the molecular basis of development and pathogenicity of P. expansum and help to develop efficient control strategies

| MATERIALS AND METHODS

Findings

| DISCUSSION