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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Mycotoxin Prevention and Applied Microbiology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #301469
Title: Heterologous expression of tri5 gene in Trichoderma harzianum: Effect of trichodiene production on Trichoderma environmental interactions

Author
item MALMIERCA, M - University Of Leon
item McCormick, Susan
item CARDOZA, R - University Of Leon
item Alexander, Nancy
item HERMOSA, R - University Of Salamanca
item MONTE, E - University Of Salamanca
item GUTIERREZ, S - University Of Leon

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/27/2014
Publication Date: 3/27/2014
Citation: Malmierca, M.G., McCormick, S.P., Cardoza, R.E., Alexander, N.J., Hermosa, R., Monte, E., Gutierrez, S. 2014. Heterologous expression of tri5 gene in Trichoderma harzianum: Effect of trichodiene production on Trichoderma environmental interactions [abstract]. European Conference on Fungal Genetics.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Terpenes form a large class of compounds that have a variety of roles in mediating antagonistic and beneficial interactions among organisms. The trichothecenes are phytotoxic sesquiterpenoid compounds that have been extensively studied, mainly in the genus Fusarium, that can act as virulence factors in plant diseases caused by these fungi. One interesting exception is harzianum A (HA), a non-phytotoxic trichothecene produced by T. arundinaceum strains. The first step in the biosynthesis of HA is the conversion of farnesyl diphosphate to trichodiene, catalyzed by a terpene synthase encoded by the tri5 gene. Heterologous expression of tri5 gene in the well-characterized biocontrol strain T. harzianum CECT 2413 resulted in production of trichodiene and a reduction in the level of ergosterol produced. In addition, trichodiene from this strain affected the expression of tomato defense related genes and Botrytis cinerea 05.10 virulence genes. Together, these results suggest that trichodiene has a signaling role in interactions between Trichoderma and plants and microorganisms in its environment.