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Genome Sequencing of Cladobotryum protrusum Provides Insights into the Evolution and Pathogenic Mechanisms of the Cobweb Disease Pathogen on Cultivated Mushroom

Summary

Researchers sequenced the complete genome of Cladobotryum protrusum, a fungus that causes cobweb disease on cultivated mushrooms. This genome contains genes for producing toxins and enzymes that help the fungus attack and digest mushroom cells. Understanding this genetic blueprint could help farmers develop better strategies to control this disease and protect their mushroom crops from significant economic losses.

Background

Cladobotryum protrusum is a mycoparasite causing cobweb disease on cultivated edible mushrooms, resulting in significant economic losses. The molecular mechanisms of evolution and pathogenesis of C. protrusum are largely unknown. This study reports the first complete genome sequence for the genus Cladobotryum to elucidate its pathogenic mechanisms.

Objective

To sequence and analyze the genome of C. protrusum using PacBio SMRT sequencing technology and perform comparative genomic analysis with closely related fungi in the family Hypocreaceae. The study aims to identify genes related to pathogenicity, mycoparasitism, and the evolution of this fungal pathogen.

Results

The C. protrusum genome is 39.09 Mb with 11,003 protein-coding genes and an N50 of 4.97 Mb. The genome encodes 807 secretory proteins, 412 carbohydrate-active enzymes, 143 secondary metabolite gene clusters, and 1038 pathogen-host interaction genes. Phylogenomic analysis confirmed its placement in Hypocreaceae with divergence from Trichoderma approximately 170.1 million years ago.

Conclusion

The C. protrusum genome reveals a diverse arsenal of genes involved in mycoparasitism, including cell wall-degrading enzymes, secondary metabolites, and stress response proteins. This genomic resource provides insights into the biology of C. protrusum and mycoparasitism in general, facilitating the development of effective disease control strategies for cobweb disease in cultivated mushrooms.
  • Published in:Genes (Basel),
  • Study Type:Genomic Analysis,
  • Source: PMID: 30744046
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