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Use of the Secreted Proteome of Trametes versicolor for Controlling the Cereal Pathogen Fusarium langsethiae

Summary

This research explores using proteins from the medicinal mushroom Trametes versicolor to naturally control a harmful fungus that contaminates cereal crops with dangerous toxins. The study found that specific protein mixtures could effectively stop both the growth of the harmful fungus and its ability to produce toxins. Impacts on everyday life: • Safer cereal products with lower toxin contamination • Reduced need for harmful chemical fungicides in agriculture • More sustainable farming practices • Potential development of natural crop protection products • Enhanced food security through better crop protection methods

Background

Fusarium langsethiae is a recently discovered pathogen of small grain cereals that produces dangerous T2 and HT2 toxins, despite often being asymptomatic. Traditional control methods are challenging, and the EU is pushing for biocontrol alternatives to reduce fungicide use. Trametes versicolor, a medicinal mushroom, produces bioactive compounds that could potentially control this pathogen.

Objective

To investigate the ability of protein fractions purified from the culture filtrate of Trametes versicolor to inhibit the growth and toxin production of Fusarium langsethiae as a potential biocontrol agent.

Results

The crude culture filtrate inhibited F. langsethiae growth by up to 61.4%. Further fractionation identified specific protein fractions (F90AS and sub-fractions F90_2, F90_4, F90_5) that inhibited fungal growth by up to 90% and T2 toxin production by up to 98%. The most promising fraction, F90_2, contained proteins with molecular weights between 40-75 kDa and pI 4-5.5.

Conclusion

The exo-proteome of T. versicolor, particularly fraction F90_2, shows significant potential as a biocontrol agent against F. langsethiae, effectively inhibiting both fungal growth and T2 toxin production. This represents a promising sustainable alternative to conventional fungicides for controlling this cereal pathogen.
  • Published in:International Journal of Molecular Sciences,
  • Study Type:Laboratory Research,
  • Source: 10.3390/ijms20174167
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