Molecular cloning of three genes encoding G protein alpha subunits in the white root rot fungus, Rosellinia necatrix

Three genes encoding G protein alpha subunits were cloned from the white root rot fungus, Rosellinia necatrix, and characterized. Only one copy of each gene was present in the genome. The protein sequences of Rga1, Rga2, and Rga3 are very similar to those of MagA, MagB and MagC of Magnaporthe grisea, respectively. Moreover, Rga1 is similar to Mod-D which is closely related to vegetative incompatibility in Podospora anserina, which suggests that Rga1 is important in the vegetative incompatibility reaction in R. necatrix. Reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) analysis of Rga1, Rga2, and Rga3 mRNA expression showed that the three genes were all transcribed in R. necatrix cells.