title: Genome sequence, comparative analysis, and evolutionary insights into chitinases of entomopathogenic fungus Hirsutella thompsonii.
abstract: Hirsutella thompsonii (Ht) is a fungal pathogen of acarines and the primary cause of epizootics among mites. The draft genomes of two isolates of Ht (MTCC 3556: Ht3, 34.6 Mb and MTCC 6686: Ht6, 34.7 Mb) are presented and compared with the genomes of Beauveria bassiana (Bb) ARSEF 2860 and Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Os) CO18. Comparative analysis of carbohydrate active enzymes, pathogen-host interaction genes, metabolism-associated genes, and genes involved in biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in the four genomes was carried out. Reduction in gene family sizes in Ht3 and Os as compared with Ht6 and Bb is observed. Analysis of the mating type genes in Ht reveals the presence of MAT idiomorphs which is suggestive of cryptic sexual traits in Ht. We further identify and classify putative chitinases that may function as virulence factors in fungal entomopathogens due to their role in degradation of arthropod cuticle.
authors.affiliation: CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Yamini
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Agrawal
authors.affiliation: CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Indu
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Khatri
authors.affiliation: CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India krishna@imtech.res.in shenoynio@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Srikrishna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Subramanian
authors.affiliation: CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India Present address: CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa, India krishna@imtech.res.in shenoynio@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Belle Damodara
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Shenoy
mesh_terms: D052982:Beauveria / Q000235:genetics; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism / Q000235:genetics; D002688:Chitinases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D016681:Genome, Fungal; D023281:Genomics; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions / Q000235:genetics; D006999:Hypocreales / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D005810:Multigene Family; D010802:Phylogeny; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D064210:Secondary Metabolism / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D002688:Chitinases
keywords: glycoside hydrolase family 18; mycoinsecticide; pathogen–host interactions; phylogenetic classification; subgroups A, B, and C