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Massive Lateral Transfer of Genes Encoding Plant Cell Wall-Degrading Enzymes to the Mycoparasitic Fungus Trichoderma from its Plant-Associated Hosts

Summary

This research reveals how certain fungi called Trichoderma developed their remarkable ability to feed on both plant matter and other fungi. The study found that Trichoderma acquired genes from other fungi through a process called lateral gene transfer, which gave them new capabilities to break down plant material. This discovery has important implications for everyday life: • Better understanding of how to use Trichoderma fungi in agriculture as natural pesticides against harmful fungi • Improved production of industrial enzymes used in biofuel production and other applications • Development of more effective biological methods for decomposing plant waste • Insights into evolution that could help develop new biotechnology applications • Better ways to harness these fungi for sustainable agriculture and industry

Background

Fungi are heterotrophs that feed by secreting digestive enzymes to break down biopolymers and absorb the resulting soluble products. While most fungi specialize in particular hosts or substrates, molds of the genus Trichoderma display unique nutritional versatility – they can parasitize other fungi, attack animals, and efficiently degrade plant biomass. The mechanisms enabling this broad substrate range were previously unknown.

Objective

To understand the evolutionary mechanisms that allowed Trichoderma to expand its nutritional capabilities from mycoparasitism (feeding on fungi) to also efficiently degrading plant biomass by investigating the evolution of its plant cell wall-degrading enzymes through phylogenomic analysis.

Results

Nearly half (41%) of Trichoderma’s genes for plant cell wall degradation were obtained via lateral gene transfer from plant-associated filamentous fungi belonging to different classes of Ascomycota. No lateral gene transfer was observed from other potential donors like Basidiomycota fungi. The researchers demonstrated that Trichoderma can parasitize a broad range of Ascomycota fungi, including the identified gene donors – a capability not seen in related mycoparasitic fungi.

Conclusion

The study suggests that Trichoderma’s unique ability to parasitize taxonomically related fungi (adelphoparasitism) enabled lateral gene transfer of plant cell wall-degrading enzymes from its ascomycete hosts. This allowed primarily mycotrophic Trichoderma fungi to evolve into efficient decomposers of plant biomass, explaining their exceptional nutritional versatility.
  • Published in:PLOS Genetics,
  • Study Type:Genomic Analysis,
  • Source: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007322
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