Isolation and Characterisation of Pitef1 Encoding the Translation Elongation Factor EF‐1α of the Root Endophyte Piriformospora indica

Abstract

Abstract: Piriformospora indica (Hymenomycetes, Basidiomycota) is a newly described endophyte which interacts with the roots of a great variety of plants, showing a positive effect on biomass production. In order to obtain a tool for molecular studies on P. indica, Pitef1 encoding the translation elongation factor EF‐1α in P. indica has been cloned and analysed. Comparison of the genomic and cDNA sequence revealed the presence of seven introns in the coding part of the gene and at least one in the 5′untranslated region. Pitef1 is only present as one copy in the genome, as determined by Southern blot analysis. Interaction with roots of Zea mays in a time course experiment was analysed in relation to hyphal development and RNA accumulation, showing high expression of this gene. The Pitef1 promoter should therefore be a good tool to construct vectors for the development of a transformation system for P. indica. The gene Pitef1 might, in addition, be useful for estimating the amount of active mycelium during in planta development and for the calibration of RNA accumulation analyses of differentially expressed fungal genes.