Genome analysis of the necrotrophic fungal pathogens Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Botrytis cinerea

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Botrytis cinerea are closely related necrotrophic plant pathogenic fungi notable for their wide host ranges and environmental persistence. These attributes have made these species models for understanding the complexity of necrotrophic, broad host-range pathogenicity. Despite their similarities, the two species differ in mating behaviour and the ability to produce asexual spores. We have sequenced the genomes of one strain of S. sclerotiorum and two strains of B. cinerea. The comparative analysis of these genomes relative to one another and to other sequenced fungal genomes is provided here. Their 38–39 Mb genomes include 11,860–14,270 predicted genes, which share 83% amino acid identity on average between the two species. We have mapped the S. sclerotiorum assembly to 16 chromosomes and found large-scale co-linearity with the B. cinerea genomes. Seven percent of the S. sclerotiorum genome comprises transposable elements compared t

Genomic Analysis of the Necrotrophic Fungal Pathogens Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Botrytis cinerea

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Botrytis cinerea are closely related necrotrophic plant pathogenic fungi notable for their wide host ranges and environmental persistence. These attributes have made these species models for understanding the complexity of necrotrophic, broad host-range pathogenicity. Despite their similarities, the two species differ in mating behaviour and the ability to produce asexual spores. We have sequenced the genomes of one strain of S. sclerotiorum and two strains of B. cinerea. The comparative analysis of these genomes relative to one another and to other sequenced fungal genomes is provided here. Their 38–39 Mb genomes include 11,860–14,270 predicted genes, which share 83% amino acid identity on average between the two species. We have mapped the S. sclerotiorum assembly to 16 chromosomes and found large-scale co-linearity with the B. cinerea genomes. Seven percent of the S. sclerotiorum genome comprises transposable elements compared to <1% of B. cinerea. The arsenal of genes associated with necrotrophic processes is similar between the species, including genes involved in plant cell wall degradation and oxalic acid production. Analysis of secondary metabolism gene clusters revealed an expansion in number and diversity of B. cinerea–specific secondary metabolites relative to S. sclerotiorum. The potential diversity in secondary metabolism might be involved in adaptation to specific ecological niches. Comparative genome analysis revealed the basis of differing sexual mating compatibility systems between S. sclerotiorum and B. cinerea. The organization of the mating-type loci differs, and their structures provide evidence for the evolution of heterothallism from homothallism. These data shed light on the evolutionary and mechanistic bases of the genetically complex traits of necrotrophic pathogenicity and sexual mating. This resource should facilitate the functional studies designed to better understand what makes these fungi such successful and persistent pathogens of agronomic crops

Review of \u3ci\u3eBacterial Disease Resistance in Plants: Molecular Biology and Biotechnological Applications\u3c/i\u3e by P. Vidhyasekaran

The molecular biology of plant-bacterial interactions is a field that continues to provide a wealth of information in the context of infectious diseases of plants. Thus, it is curious that few textbooks on this topic are available. Admittedly, active areas of research change rapidly, and book content can be rendered obsolete prior to publication. Even given this scenario, a textbook that summarizes the development (both conceptually and experimentally) of research strategies, the status of model systems, and future issues is needed. Thus, the timing and need for this broad-based volume, which covers the molecular phytobacteriology, is long overdue. An important question is whether such a book is sufficiently comprehensive, even though it will not be completely up to date. Importantly, the author does a very good job in covering the major areas and issues in question

Review of \u3ci\u3eMolecular Biology of Fungal Development, Mycology Series\u3c/i\u3e, Volume 15

Numerous publications, books, and textbooks are available that treat the subject of developmental biology. Far less is available detailing the fungi, an important group of organisms that have implications in a broad variety of contexts from medical to agricultural to food, and of course as model systems for “higher” eukaryotes. This nicely edited book by Osiewacz is an attempt to fill that gap. He has compiled an impressive list of authors, who represent leaders in their respective fields. This gives readers a detailed and current view of a broad array of fungal processes and lifestyles, ranging from saprophytes to pathogens of both plants and animals to symbionts. This volume contains 20 articles that review research from a broad base of fields relating to fungal developmental biology. They are grouped in two major sections: Basic Developmental Processes (11 chapters) and Interactions of Fungi with Different Hosts (nine chapters)