58 research outputs found
Identification of potential marker genes for <i>Trichoderma harzianum</i> strains with high antagonistic potential against <i>Rhizoctonia solani</i> by a rapid subtraction hybridization approach
A rapid subtraction hybridization approach was used to isolate genes differentially expressed during mycelial contact between
Trichoderma harzianum (Hypocrea lixii) and Rhizoctonia solani, and could serve as marker genes for selection of superior biocontrol strains. Putatively positive clones were evaluated
by transcription analysis during mycelial contact with R. solani versus growth on glucose, and for their differential transcription between two strains with either strong or poor biocontrol
capability before, at, and after contact with R. solani. Besides four clones, which had similarity to putative but as yet uncharacterized proteins, they comprised ribosomal proteins,
proteins involved in transcriptional switch and regulation, amino acid and energy catabolism, multidrug resistance, and degradation
of proteins and glucans. Transcription of three clones was evaluated in five T. harzianum strains under confrontation conditions with R. solani. Two clones—acetyl-xylane esterase AXE1 and endoglucanase Cel61b—showed significant upregulation during in vivo confrontation
of a T. harzianum strain that successively demonstrated a very high antagonistic capability towards R. solani, while expression was progressively lower in a series of T. harzianum strains with intermediate to poor antagonistic activity. These clones are promising candidates for use as markers in the
screening of improved T. harzianum biocontrol strains
Biodiversity of the genus Trichoderma and identification of marker genes involved in the antagonism between Trichoderma spp. and plant pathogenic fungi
As Mediterranean islands are known for their high diversity of vascular plants and a high
level of endemism, they can provide basic insights into the relationship between
geographical patterns and ecological processes. Studying the soil fungus
Trichoderma/Hypocrea is of special interest to our working group due to its world-wide
distribution, the continuos ongoing identification of new isolates, and its high percentage of
strains being effective as biocontrol agents.
We isolated 482 strains of Hypocrea/Trichoderma from 15 soils comprising undisturbed
and disturbed soil environments. Isolates were identified at the species level by the
oligonucleotide BarCode for Hypocrea/Trichoderma, sequence similarity analysis and
phylogenetic inferences. The majority of the isolates were positively identified as pan-
European and/or pan-global Hypocrea/Trichoderma species from Sections Trichoderma
and Pachybasium.
T. harzianum (H. lixii) is well known as a biocontrol agent against a range of
economically important plant pathogens. In the present study we used a Rapid Subtraction
Hybridisation approach to isolate genes which are differentially expressed during mycelial
contact between T. harzianum and R. solani, and could serve as marker genes for
selection of superior biocontrol strains. The 50 characterised clones comprised proteins
involved (i) in protein synthesis and turn-over, (ii) in metabolism, and (iii) in the hydrolysis
of macromolecules. An acetyl xylane esterase and an endoglucanase showed significant
upregulation during in vivo confrontation of a T. harzianum strain with high antagonistic
capability towards R. solani, while the expression was low or absent in a T. harzianum
strain with poor antagonistic activity
Genetic Diversity of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. dianthi in Southern Spain
The diversity of races and prevalence of pathogenic populations of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. dianthi (Fod) were surveyed in an area in southern Spain. From 54 farms, 132 isolates were collected from wilted carnation plants. Isolates were characterized by RAPD-PCR, DNA sequence analysis of the TEF1-α gene, and race-specific molecular markers. Selected isolates from RAPD groups were phenotypically evaluated by pathogenicity tests. Data analysis showed that Fod race 2 was the most frequent and prevalent race in the study area, followed by race 1/8. Moreover, phylogenetic analyses showed similar results, which were different to those of the race-specific PCR assays. It was concluded that (i) seven isolates were not classified in groups where Fod testers were clustered; even they showed different results when race-specific markers were used, (ii) ten isolates with retarded race 1 or race 8 specific band were characterized as F. proliferatum by TEF1-α gene sequencing and clustered into an outgroup, and (iii) six isolates failed to generate an amplification signal using race-specific markers. Furthermore, three of them were grouped close to race 2 tester according to the phylogenetic analyses, showing the same differential pathogenicity as race 2. This may indicate a Fod race 2 subgroup in this region.Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia AGL2005-08137-C03-02Junta de AndalucÃa P06-AGR-02313Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación AGL2008-05414-C03-0
Identification of potential marker genes for Trichoderma harzianum strains with high antagonistic potential against Rhizoctonia solani by a rapid subtraction hybridization approach.
A rapid subtraction hybridization approach was used to isolate genes differentially expressed during mycelial contact between Trichoderma harzianum (Hypocrea lixii) and Rhizoctonia solani, and could serve as marker genes for selection of superior biocontrol strains. Putatively positive clones were evaluated by transcription analysis during mycelial contact with R. solani versus growth on glucose, and for their differential transcription between two strains with either strong or poor biocontrol capability before, at, and after contact with R. solani. Besides four clones, which had similarity to putative but as yet uncharacterized proteins, they comprised ribosomal proteins, proteins involved in transcriptional switch and regulation, amino acid and energy catabolism, multidrug resistance, and degradation of proteins and glucans. Transcription of three clones was evaluated in five T. harzianum strains under confrontation conditions with R. solani. Two clones—acetyl-xylane esterase AXE1 and endoglucanase Cel61b—showed significant upregulation during in vivo confrontation of a T. harzianum strain that successively demonstrated a very high antagonistic capability towards R. solani, while expression was progressively lower in a series of T. harzianum strains with intermediate to poor antagonistic activity. These clones are promising candidates for use as markers in the screening of improved T. harzianum biocontrol strains
Natural phenolic inhibitors of trichothecene biosynthesis by the wheat fungal pathogen <i>Fusarium culmorum</i>: a computational insight into the structure-activity relationship
A model of the trichodiene synthase (TRI5) of the wheat fungal pathogen and type-B trichothecene producer Fusarium culmorum was developed based on homology modelling with the crystallized protein of F. sporotrichioides. Eight phenolic molecules, namely ferulic acid 1, apocynin 2, propyl gallate 3, eugenol 4, Me-dehydrozingerone 5, eugenol dimer 6, magnolol 7, and ellagic acid 8, were selected for their ability to inhibit trichothecene production and/or fungal vegetative growth in F. culmorum. The chemical structures of phenols were constructed and partially optimised based on Molecular Mechanics (MM) studies and energy minimisation by Density Functional Theory (DFT). Docking analysis of the phenolic molecules was run on the 3D model of F. culmorum TRI5. Experimental biological activity, molecular descriptors and interacting-structures obtained from computational analysis were compared. Besides the catalytic domain, three privileged sites in the interaction with the inhibitory molecules were identified on the protein surface. The TRI5-ligand interactions highlighted in this study represent a powerful tool to the identification of new Fusarium-targeted molecules with potential as trichothecene inhibitors
Straightforward preparation of biologically active dimers of ferulic acid
Ferulic acid (4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid) is an ubiquitous phenolic compound in plant tissues, and it constitutes a naturally occurring antioxidant
compound found in many foods. Here we present different convenient ways to obtain five naturally occurring DiFAs via
peroxidase-mediated oxidative coupling reactions or classic cross-coupling oxidations through a sustainable, safe and inexpensive chemistry. Such compounds arise from 5-5’,
8-8’, 8-5’ and 8-O-4’ coupling and some of them have been tested as potential inhibitors of micotoxin production in vitro
Soils of a Mediterranean hot spot of biodiversity and endemism (Sardinia, Tyrrhenian Islands) are inhabited by pan-European, invasive species of <i>Hypocrea/Trichoderma</i>
We have used a Mediterranean hot spot of biodiversity
(the Island of Sardinia) to investigate the impact
of abiotic factors on the distribution of species of the
common soil fungus Trichoderma. To this end, we
isolated 482 strains of Hypocrea/Trichoderma from 15
soils comprising undisturbed and disturbed environments
(forest, shrub lands and undisturbed or extensively
grazed grass steppes respectively). Isolates
were identified at the species level by the oligonucleotide
BarCode for Hypocrea/Trichoderma (Trich
OKEY), sequence similarity analysis (TrichoBLAST)
and phylogenetic inferences. The majority of the
isolates were positively identified as pan-European
and/or pan-global Hypocrea/Trichoderma species
from sections Trichoderma and Pachybasium, comprising
H. lixii/T. harzianum, T. gamsii, T. spirale, T.
velutinum, T. hamatum, H. koningii/T. koningii, H.
virens/T. virens, T. tomentosum, H. semiorbis, H.
viridescens/T. viridescens, H. atroviridis/T. atroviride,
T. asperellum, H. koningiopsis/T. koningiopsis and
Trichoderma sp. Vd2. Only one isolate represented
a new, undescribed species belonging to the
Harzianum–Catoptron Clade. Internal transcribed spacer sequence analysis revealed only one potentially
endemic internal transcribed spacer 1 allele of
T. hamatum. All other species exhibited genotypes
that were already found in Eurasia or in other
continents. Only few cases of correlation of species
occurrence with abiotic factors were recorded. The
data suggest a strong reduction of native Hypocrea/
Trichoderma diversity, which was replaced by extensive
invasion of species from Eurasia, Africa and the
Pacific Basin
Valutazione della efficacia di un vettore di silenziamento genico per modulare l'espressione dei geni <i>TRI6</i> e <i>TRI5</i> coinvolti nella biosintesi del deossinivalenolo nel fungo fitopatogeno fusarium culmorum
Lo scopo di questo studio è stato
quello di analizzare l’espressione differenziale di geni preposti alla biosintesi dei tricoteceni
(TRI5 e TRI6) e valutare la produzione di micotossina (DON e il suo derivato acetilato 3Acetil
DON) in un ceppo selvaggio di Fusarium culmorum e in ceppi mutanti generati per inserzione di
un vettore di silenziamento genico
Honokiol, magnolol and its monoacetyl derivative show strong anti-fungal effect on Fusarium isolates of clinical relevance
The antifungal activity of magnolol and honokiol, two naturally occurring hydroxylated biphenyls, and of their synthetic derivatives was evaluated on a collection of representative isolates of Fusarium oxysporum, F. solani and F. verticillioides of clinical and ecological concern. The tested compounds were proposed as a ‘natural’ alternative to conventional fungicides, even though a larger range of concentrations (5–400 μg/ml) was applied. The activity of magnolol and honokiol was compared with that of terbinafine (0.1–10 μg/ml), and fluconazole (1–50 μg/ml), two fungicides widely used in treating fungal infections on humans. Magnolol showed similar fungicidal activity compared to fluconazole, whereas honokiol was more effective in inhibiting mycelium growth compared to this fungicide on all tested clinical Fusarium spp. isolates. Compared to terbinafine, honokiol showed similar antifungal activity when tested on clinical F. solani isolates, whereas magnolol was less effective at all selected concentrations (5–400 μg/ml). The different position of the phenol-OH group, as well as its protection, explain different in vitro activities between magnolol, honokiol, and their derivatives. Furthermore, magnolol showed mycelium dry weight reduction at a concentration of 0.5 mM when tested on a set of agricultural isolates of Fusaria, leading to complete inhibition of some of them. Magnolol and honokiol are proposed as efficient and safe candidates for treating clinically relevant Fusaria.Fil: Oufensou, Safa. Università Degli Studi Di Sassari; ItaliaFil: Scherm, Barbara. Università Degli Studi Di Sassari; ItaliaFil: Pani, Giovanna. Università Degli Studi Di Sassari; ItaliaFil: Balmas, Virgilio. Università Degli Studi Di Sassari; ItaliaFil: Fabbri, Davide. Istituto Di Chimica Biomolecolare; ItaliaFil: Dettori, Maria Antonietta. Istituto Di Chimica Biomolecolare; ItaliaFil: Carta, Paola. Istituto Di Chimica Biomolecolare; ItaliaFil: Malbrán, Ismael. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales. Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas. Centro de Investigaciones de FitopatologÃa. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones CientÃficas. Centro de Investigaciones de FitopatologÃa; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientÃficas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Migheli, Quirico. Università Degli Studi Di Sassari; ItaliaFil: Delogu, Giovanna. Istituto Di Chimica Biomolecolare; Itali
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