Expression regulation of the endochitinase-encoding gene sechi44 from the mycoparasite Stachybotrys elegans

The regulation of the gene encoding the extracellular chitinase sechi44 produced by the mycoparasite Stachybotrys elegans was studied using real-time quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Alteration of sechi44 expression was observed when S. elegans was in interaction with its host, Rhizoctonia solani, and also when the mycoparasite was grown on minimal media amended with different carbon and nitrogen sources. Direct contact with R. solani leading to mycoparasitism significantly up-regulated the expression of sechi44, although the analysis showed that sechi44 was constitutively expressed but at substantially lower levels. In addition, the study of sechi44 over 12 days showed that its expression followed a cyclical pattern with peaks every 2 days, which suggests that this gene has a role not only in mycoparasitism but also in growth. The addition of external carbon sources, such as N-acetylglucosamine, chitin, and R. solani cell wall (simulated mycoparasitism), triggered an increase in the expression of sechi44, which varied with time and carbon source. Among the carbon sources examined, N-acetylglucosamine induced the highest increase in sechi44 transcript levels. The addition of high concentrations of glucose and ammonium triggered a decrease of sechi44 expression, suggesting that sechi44 is subject to glucose and ammonium repression.