Analysis of expressed sequence tags from Chaetomium cupreum grown under conditions associated with mycoparasitism

To elucidate the molecular mechanisms associated with mycoparasitism from Chaetomium cupreum, an effective biocontrol agent with ability against plant pathogenic fungi.

One cDNA library was constructed from conditions predicted to resemble mycoparasitic process. A total of 1876 ESTs were generated and assembled into 1035 unigenes. BlastX search revealed that 585 unigenes had similarities with sequences available from public databases. Based on the ESTs abundance, MFS monosaccharide transporter was found as the gene expressed at the highest level. A KEGG analysis allowed mapping of 60 metabolic pathways well represented by the glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, D-arginine and ornithine metabolism, and tryptophan metabolism. The genes related to mycoparasitism were detected.

The results revealed that the cell walls of the fungal pathogen can simulate some aspects of the mycoparasitic interaction between C. cupreum and its targets.

This is the first report to study genes expression under conditions associated with the mycoparasitic process. The findings contribute to elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in mycoparasitism and will help to advance our efforts in developing novel strategies for biocontrol of plant fungal diseases.