Wide transcriptional outlook to uncover Penicillium expansum genes underlying fungal incompatible infection

Abstract

Pathogenesis of P. expansum involved different processes and one of them is the recognition between pathogen-host, which in the case of P. expansum is preferably pome fruit. In this work, the possible mechanisms connected to host recognition are addressed through the generation of a subtractive library carried out during the incompatible P. expansum-orange interaction in the initial stages of infection. The generated library was analyzed by massive sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. Of the identified genes, a total of 24 were selected for subsequent expression analysis by RT-qPCR in two incompatible interaction situations. The characterization of the overexpressed genes revealed the presence of CWDEs, ATPases, aldolases, detoxifying enzymes and virulent determinants that could act as effectors related to fungal virulence independently of the host. However, several identified genes, which could not be associated with the virulence of P. expansum under compatible conditions, were related to enzymes to obtain the nutrients necessary for the growth and development of the pathogen under stress conditions through basal metabolism that contributes to expand the range of adaptation of the pathogen to the environment and different hosts.