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Genome Sequence of Lecanicillium fungicola 150-1, the Causal Agent of Dry Bubble Disease

Summary

Scientists have sequenced the genome of a fungus that causes a serious disease in commercially grown mushrooms. This disease, called dry bubble disease, can cause significant losses in mushroom farms worldwide. Understanding the genetic makeup of this pathogen is crucial for developing better control methods. Impacts on everyday life: • Could lead to better protection of mushroom crops, potentially reducing food waste and costs • May help develop more effective treatments against fungal diseases in food production • Contributes to understanding how fungi interact with each other, which is important for agriculture • Could help mushroom farmers improve their crop protection strategies • May lead to reduced use of fungicides in mushroom cultivation

Background

Lecanicillium fungicola is an ascomycete fungus that causes dry bubble disease in white button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) and other commercially cultivated basidiomycetes. The disease causes necrotic lesions on mushroom caps, stipe blowout, and undifferentiated tissue masses, leading to significant economic losses in the mushroom industry. Current control methods rely on hygiene procedures and fungicides, but increased resistance to these treatments has been reported.

Objective

To sequence and analyze the genome of Lecanicillium fungicola strain 150-1 to better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying its pathogenicity in the L. fungicola-A. bisporus interaction.

Results

The genome assembly comprised 781 contigs spanning 44,574,141 bp with an N50 value of 154,124 bp and GC content of 49.8%. The complete circular mitogenome spans 24,277 bp and shows synteny with L. saksenae. Analysis revealed 38 biosynthetic gene clusters for secondary metabolites, including 8 PKSs, 21 NRPS or NRPS-like clusters, 3 PKS-NRPS hybrids, 5 terpene synthases, and 1 indole cluster.

Conclusion

The genome sequence provides a valuable resource for understanding the pathogenicity mechanisms in the L. fungicola-A. bisporus interaction. Previous studies on β-1,6 glucanase and pmk1-like MAP kinase suggest that traditional fungal plant pathogen models may not apply to this fungus-fungus interaction.
  • Published in:Microbiology Resource Announcements,
  • Study Type:Genome Sequence Analysis,
  • Source: 10.1128/MRA.00340-19
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