Genomic and Pathogenicity Mechanisms of the Main Theobroma cacao L. Eukaryotic Pathogens: A Systematic Review

Author: mycolabadmin
2023-06-13
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Summary

This research provides a comprehensive overview of the molecular characteristics of organisms that cause diseases in cacao trees, which are essential for chocolate production. The study analyzed nearly two decades of research to understand how these harmful organisms attack cacao plants and potentially how to stop them. Impacts on everyday life: • Helps protect chocolate production by better understanding diseases that threaten cacao trees • Contributes to developing more effective methods to protect cacao crops and maintain chocolate supply • Supports development of disease-resistant cacao varieties that could lead to more sustainable farming • Could help reduce the need for chemical pesticides in cacao farming • May lead to lower chocolate prices by helping prevent crop losses from diseases

Background

Theobroma cacao L. is an important crop used to produce cocoa powder and cocoa butter for foods and cosmetics. Despite being cultivated in multiple regions globally, cocoa production faces significant challenges from diseases caused by microorganisms. Three diseases have received particular attention: witches’ broom disease (WBD) and frosty pod rot (FPR) caused by Moniliophthora fungi, and black pod rot (BPR) caused by Phytophthora oomycetes. Understanding the molecular characteristics and pathogenicity mechanisms of these pathogens is crucial for developing effective disease management strategies.

Objective

To systematically review and summarize the current state of molecular studies on eukaryotic cocoa pathogenic microorganisms and their mechanisms of pathogenicity. The review aimed to organize findings from omics studies of T. cacao pathogens, focusing on plant-pathogen interactions and production dynamics.

Results

The review identified studies on 44 species across 18 genera, with most research concentrated on Moniliophthora (105 studies), Phytophthora (59 studies), and Ceratocystis (13 studies). Whole genome sequences were available for six major pathogens. Necrosis-inducing proteins were found to be common across multiple pathogen species. Brazilian and US institutions dominated the research output, accounting for 77% of publications. The analysis revealed significant variations in genome sizes and gene numbers among pathogens, with Phytophthora species having the largest genomes.

Conclusion

The systematic review provides comprehensive insights into T. cacao pathogen molecular characteristics and pathogenicity mechanisms. While some pathogens like M. perniciosa are well-studied, others lack detailed proteomic analysis. NEP-like protein coding genes are present in most T. cacao pathogen genomes, though their functional expression needs further confirmation. The review highlights the need for additional research in genome sequencing, transcriptomics, and proteomics under plant-pathogen conditions to better understand species diversity and pathogenicity mechanisms.

Published in:Microorganisms,
Study Type:Systematic Review,
Source: 10.3390/microorganisms11061567