A fungal sesquiterpene biosynthesis gene cluster critical for mutualist-pathogen transition in Colletotrichum tofieldiae.

Plant-associated fungi show diverse lifestyles from pathogenic to mutualistic to the host; however, the principles and mechanisms through which they shift the lifestyles require elucidation. The root fungus Colletotrichum tofieldiae (Ct) promotes Arabidopsis thaliana growth under phosphate limiting conditions. Here we describe a Ct strain, designated Ct3, that severely inhibits plant growth. Ct3 pathogenesis occurs through activation of host abscisic acid pathways via a fungal secondary metabolism gene cluster related to the biosynthesis of sesquiterpene metabolites, including botrydial. Cluster activation during root infection suppresses host nutrient uptake-related genes and changes mineral contents, suggesting a role in manipulating host nutrition state. Conversely, disruption or environmental suppression of the cluster renders Ct3 beneficial for plant growth, in a manner dependent on host phosphate starvation response regulators. Our findings indicate that a fungal metabolism cluster provides a means by which infectious fungi modulate lifestyles along the parasitic-mutualistic continuum in fluctuating environments.

Brevicollum, a new genus in Neohendersoniaceae, Pleosporales.

A new genus, Brevicollum, is established for two new species, B. hyalosporum on Syzygium samarangense and B. versicolor on Volkameria inermis, in Japan. This genus is characterized by the presence of immersed ascomata with an excentric to central, short cylindrical ostiolar neck, thin ascomatal wall, clavate asci with a shallow ocular chamber, and broadly fusiform, hyaline to pale brown ascospores with a sheath. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on a combined data set of sequences of 18S and 28S nuc rDNA genes and the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB2) revealed that Brevicollum is a member of Neohendersoniaceae (Pleosporales, Dothideomycetes). The genera Brevicollum, Crassiparies, Medicopsis, and Neohendersonia are accepted in Neohendersoniaceae. Revised descriptions of Crassiparies and its type species, C. quadrisporus, are provided based on the holotype and a newly obtained specimen and isolate. An asexual morph of C. quadrisporus is reported for the first time. The nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 = ITS) phylogenetic tree of the newly collected species (B. hyalosporum, B. versicolor, and C. quadrisporus), and the unnamed or provisionally identified endophytic species, suggests a broader distribution of Brevicollum and Crassiparies species.

Biodegradable Plastic-degrading Activity of Various Species of Paraphoma.

The fungal strain B47-9, isolated from barley, was previously selected as an effective degrader of various biodegradable plastic (BP) films such as poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA) and poly(butylene succinate) (PBS). The strain has not been identified based on mycological methods because it does not form fruiting bodies, which are the key to morphological identification. Here, we performed molecular phylogenetic analyses of the nuclear ribosomal RNA gene regions and their internal transcribed spacer region of B47-9 and related fungi. The results suggest that B47-9 is closely related to the genus Paraphoma. Investigation of the abilities of six strains belonging to the genus Paraphoma to degrade BPs indicated that all strains could degrade PBSA and PBS films to varying degrees. Based on our approach, we conclude that strain B47-9 is a species belonging to the genus Paraphoma.

Phylogenetic Analysis of the Synnema-Producing Genus Synnemapestaloides.

Synnemapestaloides rhododendri, the type species of the genus Synnemapestaloides, is a pathogen of Rhododendron brachycarpum. This fungus produces six-celled conidia with appendages at both end cells, and are generated by annellidic conidiogenous cells on the synnema. These conidial structures are similar to those of the genus Pestalotia. The monotypic genus Synnemapestaloides is currently classified in the family Amphisphaeriaceae solely based on conidial morphology. Here we demonstrate that Synnemapestaloides represents a distinct genus in the family Sporocadaceae (Amphisphaeriales) based on differences in the nucleotide sequences of the partial large subunit rDNA gene, the rDNA internal transcribed spacer, and the partial ß-tubulin. The genus most closely related to Synnemapestaloides is Seimatosporium and the species most similar to Synnemapestaloides rhododendri is Seim. foliicola which produces short synnema-like conidiomata (sporodochia). These results demonstrate that Seim. foliicola should be transferred to Synnemapestaloides, and also demonstrate that Sporocadaceae can have synnematal in addition to pycnidial and acervular conidiomata.

Experimental infection of Fusarium proliferatum in Oryza sativa plants; fumonisin B1 production and survival rate in grains.

Fusarium proliferatum is a plant pathogenic fungus associated with crops such as asparagus and corn, and it possesses the ability to produce a range of mycotoxins, including fumonisins. In Asia, rice (Oryza sativa) is a staple cereal and is occasionally colonized by this fungus without obvious physiological changes. F. proliferatum is closely related to Gibberella fujikuroi (anamorph F. fujikuroi) responsible for Bakanae disease in rice; however there are few reports of F. proliferatum as a rice pathogen. In this study, we examined the pathogenic potential of F. proliferatum in rice plants with respect to browning, fumonisin production, and survival rates in rice grains. Fungal inoculation was conducted by spraying a conidial suspension of F. proliferatum onto rice plants during the flowering period. Browning was found on the stalk, leaf, and ear of rice. Fumonisin B(1) was detected at levels from trace to 21 ng/g grains, using tandem mass spectrometry. Fungal recovery after 6 months indicated that F. proliferatum had high affinity to rice plants being still viable in grains. From this study, it can be concluded that F. proliferatum is a possible pathogen of rice and possesses a potential to produce fumonisin B(1) in rice grains in the field.

NIASGBdb: NIAS Genebank databases for genetic resources and plant disease information.

The National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences (NIAS) is implementing the NIAS Genebank Project for conservation and promotion of agrobiological genetic resources to contribute to the development and utilization of agriculture and agricultural products. The project's databases (NIASGBdb; http://www.gene.affrc.go.jp/databases_en.php) consist of a genetic resource database and a plant diseases database, linked by a web retrieval database. The genetic resources database has plant and microorganism search systems to provide information on research materials, including passport and evaluation data for genetic resources with the desired properties. To facilitate genetic diversity research, several NIAS Core Collections have been developed. The NIAS Rice (Oryza sativa) Core Collection of Japanese Landraces contains information on simple sequence repeat (SSR) polymorphisms. SSR marker information for azuki bean (Vigna angularis) and black gram (V. mungo) and DNA sequence data from some selected Japanese strains of the genus Fusarium are also available. A database of plant diseases in Japan has been developed based on the listing of common names of plant diseases compiled by the Phytopathological Society of Japan. Relevant plant and microorganism genetic resources are associated with the plant disease names by the web retrieval database and can be obtained from the NIAS Genebank for research or educational purposes.