Multimodal Molecular Imaging and Identification of Bacterial Toxins Causing Mushroom Soft Rot and Cavity Disease
Benjamin Dose1, Tawatchai Thongkongkaew1, David Zopf2,3
1Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, HKI, Beutenbergstr. 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany.
Abstract:
Soft rot disease of edible mushrooms leads to rapid degeneration of fungal tissue and thus severely affects farming productivity worldwide. The bacterial mushroom pathogen Burkholderia gladioli pv. agaricicola has been identified as the cause. Yet, little is known about the molecular basis of the infection, the spatial distribution and the biological role of antifungal agents and toxins involved in this infectious disease. We combine genome mining, metabolic profiling, MALDI-Imaging and UV Raman spectroscopy, to detect, identify and visualize a complex of chemical mediators and toxins produced by the pathogen during the infection process, including toxoflavin, caryoynencin, and sinapigladioside. Furthermore, targeted gene knockouts and in vitro assays link antifungal agents to prevalent symptoms of soft rot, mushroom browning, and impaired mycelium growth. Comparisons of related pathogenic, mutualistic and environmental Burkholderia spp. indicate that the arsenal of antifungal agents may have paved the way for ancestral bacteria to colonize niches where frequent, antagonistic interactions with fungi occur. Our findings not only demonstrate the power of label-free, in vivo detection of polyyne virulence factors by Raman imaging, but may also inspire new approaches to disease control.
Insights
Burkholderia gladioli pv. agaricicola causes mushroom soft rot by producing toxins like toxoflavin. These antifungal agents impair mushroom growth and browning, offering new disease control strategies.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Plant Pathology
- Chemical Ecology
Background:
- Soft rot disease caused by Burkholderia gladioli pv. agaricicola severely impacts edible mushroom production globally.
- The molecular mechanisms, spatial toxin distribution, and biological roles of antifungal agents in this disease remain poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the molecular basis of Burkholderia gladioli pv. agaricicola infection in edible mushrooms.
- To identify and visualize the chemical mediators and toxins involved in soft rot disease.
- To investigate the role of these agents in disease symptoms and their evolutionary significance.
Main Methods:
- Genome mining and metabolic profiling to identify potential toxins.
- MALDI-Imaging and UV Raman spectroscopy for spatial visualization of chemical mediators.
- Targeted gene knockouts and in vitro assays to determine the function of identified agents.
Main Results:
- Detection and visualization of toxoflavin, caryoynencin, and sinapigladioside produced by the pathogen.
- Antifungal agents were linked to key symptoms: soft rot, mushroom browning, and impaired mycelium growth.
- Comparative analysis suggests antifungal arsenals facilitated ancestral Burkholderia colonization of fungal-interacting niches.
Conclusions:
- The study reveals key toxins and their roles in mushroom soft rot disease.
- Raman imaging effectively detects polyyne virulence factors in vivo.
- Findings may inform novel strategies for managing mushroom diseases and understanding bacterial-fungal interactions.
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