Identification of effector-like proteins in Trichoderma spp. and role of a hydrophobin in the plant-fungus interaction and mycoparasitism. Issue 1 (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guzmán-Guzmán, Paulina; Alemán-Duarte, Mario; Delaye, Luis; Herrera-Estrella, Alfredo; Olmedo-Monfil, Vianey
• Is Part Of: BMC genetics. Volume 18:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 20
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: Trichoderma -- Effector -- Plant-fungus interaction -- Mycoparasitism -- Hydrophobin; Genetics -- Periodicals; 576.505
• DOI: 10.1186/s12863-017-0481-y
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-2156

Abstract

Abstract Background Trichoderma spp. can establish beneficial interactions with plants by promoting plant growth and defense systems, as well as, antagonizing fungal phytopathogens in mycoparasitic interactions. Such interactions depend on signal exchange between both participants and can be mediated by effector proteins that alter the host cell structure and function, allowing the establishment of the relationship. The main purpose of this work was to identify, using computational methods, candidates of effector proteins fromT. virens, T. atroviride andT. reesei, validate the expression of some of the genes during a beneficial interaction and mycoparasitism and to define the biological function for one of them. Results We defined a catalogue of putative effector proteins fromT. virens, T. atroviride andT. reesei . We further validated the expression of 16 genes encoding putative effector proteins fromT. virens andT. atroviride during the interaction with the plantArabidopsis thaliana, and with two anastomosis groups of the phytopathogenic fungusRhizoctonia solani . We found genes which transcript levels are modified in response to the presence of both plant fungi, as well as genes that respond only to either a plant or a fungal host. Further, we show that overexpression of the genetvhydii1, a Class II hydrophobin family member, enhances the antagonistic activity ofT. virens againstR. solani AG2. Further, deletion oftvhydii1 results in reduced colonization of plant roots, while its overexpression increases it. Conclusions Our results show thatTrichoderma is able to respond in different ways to the presence of a plant or a fungal host, and it can even distinguish between different strains of fungi of a given species. The putative effector proteins identified here may play roles in preventing perception of the fungus by its hosts, favoring host colonization or protecting it from the host's defense response. Finally, the novel effector proteinTVHYDII1 plays a role in plant root colonization byT, virens, and participates in its antagonistic activity againstR. solani .