The relationship between atmospheric particulate matter, leaf surface microstructure, and the phyllosphere microbial diversity of Ulmus L.

BACKGROUND: Plants can retain atmospheric particulate matter (PM) through their unique foliar microstructures, which has a profound impact on the phyllosphere microbial communities. Yet, the underlying mechanisms linking atmospheric particulate matter (PM) retention by foliar microstructures to variations in the phyllosphere microbial communities remain a mystery. In this study, we conducted a field experiment with ten Ulmus lines. A series of analytical techniques, including scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and high-throughput amplicon sequencing, were applied to examine the relationship between foliar surface microstructures, PM retention, and phyllosphere microbial diversity of Ulmus L. RESULTS: We characterized the leaf microstructures across the ten Ulmus lines. Chun exhibited a highly undulated abaxial surface and dense stomatal distribution. Langya and Xingshan possessed dense abaxial trichomes, while Lieye, Zuiweng, and Daguo had sparsely distributed, short abaxial trichomes. Duomai, Qingyun, and Lang were characterized by sparse stomata and flat abaxial surfaces, whereas Jinye had sparsely distributed but extensive stomata. The mean leaf retention values for total suspended particulate (TSP), PM2.5, PM2.5-10, PM10-100, and PM> 100 were 135.76, 6.60, 20.10, 90.98, and 13.08 µg·cm- 2, respectively. Trichomes substantially contributed to PM2.5 retention, while larger undulations enhanced PM2.5-10 retention, as evidenced by positive correlations between PM2.5 and abaxial trichome density and between PM2.5-10 and the adaxial raw microroughness values. Phyllosphere microbial diversity patterns varied among lines, with bacteria dominated by Sediminibacterium and fungi by Mycosphaerella, Alternaria, and Cladosporium. Redundancy analysis confirmed that dense leaf trichomes facilitated the capture of PM2.5-associated fungi, while bacteria were less impacted by PM and struggled to adhere to leaf microstructures. Long and dense trichomes provided ideal microhabitats for retaining PM-borne microbes, as evidenced by positive feedback loops between PM2.5, trichome characteristics, and the relative abundances of microorganisms like Trichoderma and Aspergillus. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our findings, a three-factor network profile was constructed, which provides a foundation for further exploration into how different plants retain PM through foliar microstructures, thereby impacting phyllosphere microbial communities.

Unraveling the transcriptional features and gene expression networks of pathogenic and saprotrophic Ophiostoma species during the infection of Ulmus americana.

American elm (Ulmus americana), highly prized for its ornamental value, has suffered two successive outbreaks of Dutch elm disease (DED) caused by ascomycete fungi belonging to the genus Ophiostoma. To identify the genes linked to the pathogenicity of different species and lineages of Ophiostoma, we inoculated 2-year-old U. americana saplings with six strains representing three species of DED fungi, and one strain of the saprotroph Ophiostoma quercus. Differential expression analyses were performed following RNA sequencing of fungal transcripts recovered at 3- and 10-days post-infection. Based on a total of 8,640 Ophiostoma genes, we observed a difference in fungal gene expression depending on the strain inoculated and the time of incubation in host tissue. Some genes overexpressed in the more virulent strains of Ophiostoma encode hydrolases that possibly act synergistically. A mutant of Ophiostoma novo-ulmi in which the gene encoding the ogf1 transcription factor had been deleted did not produce transcripts for the gene encoding the hydrophobin cerato-ulmin and was less virulent. Weighted gene correlation network analyses identified several candidate pathogenicity genes distributed among 13 modules of interconnected genes.IMPORTANCEOphiostoma is a genus of cosmopolitan fungi that belongs to the family Ophiostomataceae and includes the pathogens responsible for two devastating pandemics of Dutch elm disease (DED). As the mechanisms of action of DED agents remain unclear, we carried out the first comparative transcriptomic study including representative strains of the three Ophiostoma species causing DED, along with the phylogenetically close saprotrophic species Ophiostoma quercus. Statistical analyses of the fungal transcriptomes recovered at 3 and 10 days following infection of Ulmus americana saplings highlighted several candidate genes associated with virulence and host-pathogen interactions wherein each strain showed a distinct transcriptome. The results of this research underscore the importance of investigating the transcriptional behavior of different fungal taxa to understand their pathogenicity and virulence in relation to the timeline of infection.

Stem endophytes increase root development, photosynthesis, and survival of elm plantlets (Ulmus minor Mill.).

Long-lived trees benefit from fungal symbiotic interactions in the adaptation to constantly changing environments. Previous studies revealed a core fungal endobiome in Ulmus minor which has been suggested to play a critical role in plant functioning. Here, we hypothesized that these core endophytes are involved in abiotic stress tolerance. To test this hypothesis, two core endophytes (Cystobasidiales and Chaetothyriales) were inoculated into in vitro U. minor plantlets, which were further subjected to drought. Given that elm genotypes resistant to Dutch elm disease (DED) tend to show higher abiotic stress tolerance than susceptible ones, we tested the endophyte effect on two DED-resistant and two DED-susceptible genotypes. Drought stress was moderate; endophyte presence attenuated stomata closure in response to drought in one genotype but this stress did not affect plant survival. In comparison, long-term in-vitro culture proved stressful to mock-inoculated plants, especially in DED-susceptible genotypes. Interestingly, no endophyte-inoculated plant died during the experiment, as compared to high mortality in mock-inoculated plants. In surviving plants, endophyte presence stimulated root and shoot growth, photosynthetic rates, antioxidant activity and molecular changes involving auxin-signaling. These changes and the observed endophyte stability in elm tissues throughout the experiment suggest endophytes are potential tools to improve survival and stress tolerance of DED-resistant elms in elm restoration programs.

Widespread occurrence of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma ulmi' in elm species in Germany.

BACKGROUND: 'Candidatus Phytoplasma ulmi' is the agent associated with elm yellows and has been categorised in the European Union as a quarantine pathogen. For central and northern European countries, information on the occurrence and distribution of the pathogen and its impact on elms is scarce, so a survey of native elm trees has been conducted in Germany. RESULTS: About 6500 samples from Ulmus minor, Ulmus laevis and Ulmus glabra, were collected nationwide. Phytoplasma detection was performed by applying a universal 16Sr DNA-based quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay and a novel 'Ca. P. ulmi' specific qPCR assay targeting the 16S-23S spacer region. Both assays revealed that 28% of the samples were infected by 'Ca. P. ulmi', but infection rates of the elm species and regional incidences differed. The phytoplasma presence in the trees was not correlated to disease-specific symptoms. The survey identified a regional disparity of infection which was high in east, south and central Germany, whereas only a few infected sites were found in the western and northern parts of the country. Monitoring the seasonal titre of 'Ca. P. ulmi' in an infected tree by qPCR revealed a high colonisation in all parts of the tree throughout the year. CONCLUSIONS: 'Ca. P. ulmi' is widely present in elms in Germany. The rare occurrence of symptoms indicates either a high degree of tolerance in elm populations or a low virulence of pathogen strains enabling high infection rates in a long-living host.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Dutch elm disease fungus Ophiostoma novo-ulmi subsp. novo-ulmi.

Ophiostoma novo-ulmi, a member of the Ophiostomatales (Ascomycota), is the causal agent of the current Dutch elm disease pandemic in Europe and North America. The complete mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) of Ophiostoma novo-ulmi subsp. novo-ulmi, the European component of O. novo-ulmi, has been sequenced and annotated. Gene order (synteny) among the currently available members of the Ophiostomatales was examined and appears to be conserved, and mtDNA size variability among the Ophiostomatales is due in part to the presence of introns and their encoded open reading frames. Phylogenetic analysis of concatenated mitochondrial protein-coding genes yielded phylogenetic estimates for various members of the Ophiostomatales, with strong statistical support showing that mtDNA analysis may provide valuable insights into the evolution of the Ophiostomatales.

Geosmithia-Ophiostoma: a New Fungus-Fungus Association.

In Europe as in North America, elms are devastated by Dutch elm disease (DED), caused by the alien ascomycete Ophiostoma novo-ulmi. Pathogen dispersal and transmission are ensured by local species of bark beetles, which established a novel association with the fungus. Elm bark beetles also transport the Geosmithia fungi genus that is found in scolytids' galleries colonized by O. novo-ulmi. Widespread horizontal gene transfer between O. novo-ulmi and Geosmithia was recently observed. In order to define the relation between these two fungi in the DED pathosystem, O. novo-ulmi and Geosmithia species from elm, including a GFP-tagged strain, were grown in dual culture and mycelial interactions were observed by light and fluorescence microscopy. Growth and sporulation of O. novo-ulmi in the absence or presence of Geosmithia were compared. The impact of Geosmithia on DED severity was tested in vivo by co-inoculating Geosmithia and O. novo-ulmi in elms. A close and stable relation was observed between the two fungi, which may be classified as mycoparasitism by Geosmithia on O. novo-ulmi. These results prove the existence of a new component in the complex of organisms involved in DED, which might be capable of reducing the disease impact.

Further insights into the components of resistance to Ophiostoma novo-ulmi in Ulmus minor: hydraulic conductance, stomatal sensitivity and bark dehydration.

Dutch elm disease (DED) is a vascular disease that has killed over 1 billion elm trees. The pathogen spreads throughout the xylem network triggering vessel blockage, which results in water stress, tissue dehydration and extensive leaf wilting in susceptible genotypes. We investigated the differences between four Ulmus minor Mill. clones of contrasting susceptibility to Ophiostoma novo-ulmi Brasier regarding morphological, anatomical and physiological traits affecting water transport, in order to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying DED susceptibility. We analyzed the differential response to water shortage and increased air vapor pressure deficit (VPD) to investigate whether resistance to water stress might be related to DED tolerance. Sixteen plants per clone, aged 2 years, were grown inside a greenhouse under differential watering. Stomatal conductance was measured under ambient and increased VPD. Growth, bark water content and stem hydraulic and anatomical parameters were measured 22 days after starting differential watering. Vessel lumen area, lumen fraction and hydraulic conductance were highest in susceptible clones. Stomatal conductance was lowest under low VPD and decreased faster under increased VPD in resistant clones. We found a negative relationship between the decrease in stomatal conductance at increased VPD and specific hydraulic conductance, revealing a narrower hydraulic margin for sustaining transpiration in resistant clones. The effect of water shortage was greater on radial stem growth than on leaf area, which could be explained through an extensive use of capacitance water to buffer xylem water potential. Water shortage reduced stomatal conductance and vessel lumen area. Bark water content under conditions of water shortage only decreased in susceptible clones. Higher hydraulic constraints to sap flow in resistant clones may determine higher stomatal sensitivity to VPD and so contribute to DED resistance by limiting pathogen expansion and reducing water loss and metabolic impairment in cells involved in fighting against infection.

Gene expression trade-offs between defence and growth in English elm induced by Ophiostoma novo-ulmi.

Wilt diseases caused by vascular pathogens include some of the most damaging stresses affecting trees. Dutch elm disease (DED), caused by the fungus Ophiostoma novo-ulmi, destroyed most of North American and European elm populations in the 20th century. The highly susceptible English elm, also known as Atinian clone, suffered the highest mortality rates during the last pandemic event, probably due to its lack of genetic diversity. To study the DED pathosystem, we inoculated English elm ramets with O. novo-ulmi and evaluated xylem anatomy, molecular response, and disease symptoms. The high DED susceptibility of the clone was linked to xylem structure. The transcript levels changed significantly for 1,696 genes during O. novo-ulmi invasion. Genes covering different steps of the plant immune system were identified, many of which showed homology with Arabidopsis thaliana genes involved in systemic acquired resistance. Induction of several pathogenesis-related proteins and repression of fasciclin-like arabinogalactan proteins and other cell wall biosynthesis pathways evidence unbalanced costs between growth and defence mechanisms far from the inoculation point. This study sheds light on elm molecular defence mechanisms against DED.

Bark and wood tissues of American elm exhibit distinct responses to Dutch elm disease.

Tolerance to Dutch elm disease (DED) has been linked to the rapid and/or high induction of disease-responsive genes after infection with the fungus Ophiostoma novo-ulmi. Although the fungal infection by O. novo-ulmi primarily takes places in xylem vessels, it is still unclear how xylem contributes to the defense against DED. Taking advantage of the easy separation of wood and bark tissues in young American elm saplings, here we show that most disease-responsive genes exhibited higher expression in wood compared to bark tissues after fungal infection. On the other hand, the stress-related phytohormones were generally more abundant in the bark compared to wood tissues. However, only endogenous levels of jasmonates (JAs), but not salicylic acid (SA) and abscisic acid (ABA) increased in the inoculated tissues. This, along with the upregulation of JA-biosynthesis genes in inoculated bark and core tissues further suggest that phloem and xylem might contribute to the de novo biosynthesis of JA after fungal infection. The comparison between two tolerant elm varieties, 'Valley Forge' and 'Princeton,' also indicated that tolerance against DED might be mediated by different mechanisms in the xylem. The present study sheds some light on the amplitude and kinetics of defense responses produced in the xylem and phloem in response to DED.

Protoilludane, Illudane, Illudalane, and Norilludane Sesquiterpenoids from Granulobasidium vellereum.

Two new and seven known sesquiterpene compounds were isolated from an agar plate culture of Granulobasidium vellereum, isolated from a log of Ulmus sp. The two new structures were elucidated with spectroscopic methods as an illudalane derivative, granulolactone (1), and a 15-norilludane, granulodione (9). The acaricidal and insecticidal activities of the isolated compounds were examined in vitro against two major horticultural pests, the two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae and the glasshouse thrips Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis, respectively.

Diversity in yeast-mycelium dimorphism response of the Dutch elm disease pathogens: the inoculum size effect.

Dutch elm disease (DED) is caused by the dimorphic fungi Ophiostoma ulmi, Ophiostoma novo-ulmi, and Ophiostoma himal-ulmi. A cell population density-dependent phenomenon related to quorum sensing was previously shown to affect the reversible transition from yeast-like to mycelial growth in liquid shake cultures of O. novo-ulmi NRRL 6404. Since the response to external stimuli often varies among DED fungal strains, we evaluated the effect of inoculum size on 8 strains of the 3 species of DED agents by determining the proportion of yeast and mycelium produced at different spore inoculum concentrations in defined liquid shake medium. The results show that not all DED fungi strains respond similarly to inoculum size effect, since variations were observed among strains. It is thus possible that the different strains belonging to phylogenetically close species use different signalling molecules or molecular signalling pathways to regulate their growth mode via quorum-sensing mechanisms.

Long-term impact of Ophiostoma novo-ulmi on leaf traits and transpiration of branches in the Dutch elm hybrid 'Dodoens'.

To better understand the long-term impact of Ophiostoma novo-ulmi Brasier on leaf physiology in 'Dodoens', a Dutch elm disease-tolerant hybrid, measurements of leaf area, leaf dry mass, petiole anatomy, petiole hydraulic conductivity, leaf and branch water potential, and branch sap flow were performed 3 years following an initial artificial inoculation. Although fungal hyphae were detected in fully expanded leaves, neither anatomical nor morphological traits were affected, indicating that there was no impact from the fungal hyphae on the leaves during leaf expansion. In contrast, however, infected trees showed both a lower transpiration rate of branches and a lower sap flow density. The long-term persistence of fungal hyphae inside vessels decreased the xylem hydraulic conductivity, but stomatal regulation of transpiration appeared to be unaffected as the leaf water potential in both infected and non-infected trees was similarly driven by the transpirational demands. Regardless of the fungal infection, leaves with a higher leaf mass per area ratio tended to have a higher leaf area-specific conductivity. Smaller leaves had an increased number of conduits with smaller diameters and thicker cell walls. Such a pattern could increase tolerance towards hydraulic dysfunction. Measurements of water potential and theoretical xylem conductivity revealed that petiole anatomy could predict the maximal transpiration rate. Three years following fungal inoculation, phenotypic expressions for the majority of the examined traits revealed a constitutive nature for their possible role in Dutch elm disease tolerance of 'Dodoens' trees.

Simultaneous induction of jasmonic acid and disease-responsive genes signifies tolerance of American elm to Dutch elm disease.

Dutch elm disease (DED), caused by three fungal species in the genus Ophiostoma, is the most devastating disease of both native European and North American elm trees. Although many tolerant cultivars have been identified and released, the tolerance mechanisms are not well understood and true resistance has not yet been achieved. Here we show that the expression of disease-responsive genes in reactions leading to tolerance or susceptibility is significantly differentiated within the first 144 hours post-inoculation (hpi). Analysis of the levels of endogenous plant defense molecules such as jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA) in tolerant and susceptible American elm saplings suggested SA and methyl-jasmonate as potential defense response elicitors, which was further confirmed by field observations. However, the tolerant phenotype can be best characterized by a concurrent induction of JA and disease-responsive genes at 96 hpi. Molecular investigations indicated that the expression of fungal genes (i.e. cerato ulmin) was also modulated by endogenous SA and JA and this response was unique among aggressive and non-aggressive fungal strains. The present study not only provides better understanding of tolerance mechanisms to DED, but also represents a first, verified template for examining simultaneous transcriptomic changes during American elm-fungus interactions.

Elm Tree (Ulmus parvifolia) Bark Bioprocessed with Mycelia of Shiitake (Lentinus edodes) Mushrooms in Liquid Culture: Composition and Mechanism of Protection against Allergic Asthma in Mice.

Mushrooms can break down complex plant materials into smaller, more digestible and bioactive compounds. The present study investigated the antiasthma effect of an Ulmus parvifolia bark extract bioprocessed in Lentinus edodes liquid mycelium culture (BPUBE) against allergic asthma in chicken egg ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized/challenged mice. BPUBE suppressed total IgE release from U266B1 cells in a dose-dependent manner without cytotoxicity. Inhibitory activity of BPUBE against OVA-specific IgE secretion in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was observed in OVA-sensitized/challenged asthmatic mice. BPUBE also inhibited OVA-specific IgG and IgG1 secretion into serum from the allergic mice, suggesting the restoration of a Th2-biased immune reaction to a Th1/Th2-balanced status, as indicated by the Th1/Th2 as well as regulatory T cell (Treg) cytokine profile changes caused by BPUBE in serum or BALF. Inflammatory cell counts in BALF and lung histology showed that leukocytosis and eosinophilia induced by OVA-sensitization/challenge were inhibited by the oral administration of BPUBE. Amelioration of eosinophil infiltration near the trachea was associated with reduced eotaxin and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) levels. Changes in proinflammatory mediator levels in BALF suggest that BPUBE decreased OVA-sensitization-induced elevation of leukotriene C4 (LTC4) and prostaglandin D2 (PGD2). The finding that asthma-associated biomarker levels of OVA-sensitized/challenged mice were much more inhibited with BPUBE treatment than NPUBE (not-bioprocessed Ulmus parvifolia extract) treatment suggested the production of new bioactive compounds by the mushroom mycelia that may be involved in enhancing the observed antiasthmatic properties. The possible relation of the composition determined by proximate analysis and GC/MS to observed bioactivity is discussed. The results suggest that the elm tree (Ulmus parvifolia) bark bioprocessed with mycelia of shiitake (Lentinus edodes) mushrooms has the potential to prevent and/or treat allergic asthma.

Morphological and molecular characterisation of Geosmithia species on European elms.

Species of the genus Geosmithia are associated with insect species, mainly bark beetles. On Ulmus spp., the same beetles are also vectors of Ophiostoma ulmi s.l., the agent of Dutch elm disease (DED), a worldwide elm disease. Aim of this paper is to characterise Geosmithia species associated with elms and/or elm beetles in Europe. Seventy-two strains representative of all morphological taxonomic units were used to build a phylogenetic tree based on ITS, ß-tubulin and elongation factor 1-α gene regions. On the basis of molecular and morpho-physiological traits, seven taxonomic entities were identified. In addition to the species previously known our results assigned strains previously identified as Geosmithia pallida to two separate taxa: Geosmithia sp. 2 and Geosmithia sp. 5. Two new species, Geosmithia omnicola and Geosmithia ulmacea, are described. Two strains were assigned to the partially described species Geosmithia sp. 20. Geosmithia species living on Ulmus do not discriminate between elm species, but between different environments. The association between Ulmus and Geosmithia is common, stable, and seems to be related to specific vectors. The relationship between Geosmithia and Ophiostoma would deserve further investigation, as these fungi share the same vectors and habitat for a significant part of their life cycles.

A highly diverse spectrum of naphthoquinone derivatives produced by the endophytic fungus Biatriospora sp. CCF 4378.

A strain of Biatriospora sp. CCF 4378 was tested for the production of secondary metabolites under submerged fermentation conditions. Eleven compounds were isolated from the culture broth, and the structures of these compounds were determined using HRMS, NMR and X-ray analysis. In addition to six known naphthoquinone derivatives, i.e. ascomycone A, ascomycone B, 6-deoxyfusarubine, 6-deoxyanhydrofusarubine, herbarine and balticol A, one derivative of 2-azaanthraquinone, 6-deoxybostrycoidine, was also identified. Four new natural pyranonaphthoquinones were found, and these natural products were pleorubrin A, pleorubrin B, pleorubrin C and pleorubrin D. The toxicity on human cell lines of the crude naphthoquinone fraction and pure 6-deoxybostrycoidin, ascomycone B, pleorubrin B and 6-deoxyfusarubin was tested. Ascomycone B and 6-deoxyfusarubin elicited rapid cytotoxicity at micromolar concentrations.

FIRST REPORT OF 'CANDIDATUS PHYTOPLASMA ULMI' IN ULMUS LAEVIS IN GERMANY.

The wall-less bacteria of the provisory taxon 'Candidatus Phytoplasma' are obligate parasites and associated to diseases in many important crops and trees worldwide. 'Ca. Phytoplasma ulmi', assigned to 16SrV-A subgroup, is a quarantine pest and described to be associated to elm phloem necrosis, leaf yellowing, stunting, witches broom and decline in various elm species. Elm yellows phytoplasmas (EY) have been reported in several European countries but not in Ulmus laevis in Germany so far. Leaf samples from European white elms (Ulmus leavis PALL.) with and without chlorotic symptoms were investigated for EYs infection in Berlin and Brandenburg, Germany, through performing diagnostic nested PCR targeting partial rRNA operon of phytoplasmas. Specific PCR-products were obtained from 30 out of 59 samples. Partial 16S-rDNA sequences were assigned to 'Ca. P. ulmi' through sequence analysis, while sequence variation was observed. This is the first report of U. laevis infected with 'Ca. P. ulmi' in Germany.

Functional annotation of the Ophiostoma novo-ulmi genome: insights into the phytopathogenicity of the fungal agent of Dutch elm disease.

The ascomycete fungus Ophiostoma novo-ulmi is responsible for the pandemic of Dutch elm disease that has been ravaging Europe and North America for 50 years. We proceeded to annotate the genome of the O. novo-ulmi strain H327 that was sequenced in 2012. The 31.784-Mb nuclear genome (50.1% GC) is organized into 8 chromosomes containing a total of 8,640 protein-coding genes that we validated with RNA sequencing analysis. Approximately 53% of these genes have their closest match to Grosmannia clavigera kw1407, followed by 36% in other close Sordariomycetes, 5% in other Pezizomycotina, and surprisingly few (5%) orphans. A relatively small portion (∼3.4%) of the genome is occupied by repeat sequences; however, the mechanism of repeat-induced point mutation appears active in this genome. Approximately 76% of the proteins could be assigned functions using Gene Ontology analysis; we identified 311 carbohydrate-active enzymes, 48 cytochrome P450s, and 1,731 proteins potentially involved in pathogen-host interaction, along with 7 clusters of fungal secondary metabolites. Complementary mating-type locus sequencing, mating tests, and culturing in the presence of elm terpenes were conducted. Our analysis identified a specific genetic arsenal impacting the sexual and vegetative growth, phytopathogenicity, and signaling/plant-defense-degradation relationship between O. novo-ulmi and its elm host and insect vectors.

Widespread horizontal transfer of the cerato-ulmin gene between Ophiostoma novo-ulmi and Geosmithia species.

Previous work had shown that a sequence homologous to the gene encoding class II hydrophobin cerato-ulmin from the fungus Ophiostoma novo-ulmi, the causal agent of Dutch Elm Disease (DED), was present in a strain of the unrelated species Geosmithia species 5 (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) isolated from Ulmus minor affected by DED. As both fungi occupy the same habitat, even if different ecological niches, the occurrence of horizontal gene transfer was proposed. In the present work we have analysed for the presence of the cerato-ulmin gene 70 Geosmithia strains representing 29 species, isolated from different host plants and geographic locations. The gene was found in 52.1 % of the strains derived from elm trees, while none of those isolated from nonelms possessed it. The expression of the gene in Geosmithia was also assessed by real time PCR in different growth conditions (liquid culture, solid culture, elm sawdust, dual culture with O. novo-ulmi), and was found to be extremely low in all conditions tested. On the basis of these results we propose that the cerato-ulmin gene is not functional in Geosmithia, but can be considered instead a marker of more extensive transfers of genetic material as shown in other fungi.