Identification of a gene involved in the regulation of hyphal growth of Epichloë festucae during symbiosis.
Secreted proteins, those involved in cell wall biogenesis, are likely to play a role in communication in the symbiotic interaction between the fungal endophyte Epichloë festucae with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), particularly given the close association between fungal hyphae and the plant cell wall. Our hypothesis was that secreted proteins are likely to be responsible for establishing and maintaining a normal symbiotic relationship. We analyzed an endophyte EST database for genes with predicted signal peptide sequences. Here, we report the identification and characterization of rhgA; a gene involved in the regulation of hyphal growth in planta In planta analysis of ΔrhgA mutants showed that disruption of rhgA resulted in extensive unregulated hyphal growth. This phenotype was fully complemented by insertion of the rhgA gene and suggests that rhgA is important for maintaining normal hyphal growth during symbiosis.
Food & Bio-based Products Group, AgResearch Ltd., Grasslands Research Centre, Tennent Drive, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand shalome.bassett@agresearch.co.nz.
Shalome A
SA
Bassett
Forage Science Group, AgResearch Ltd, Grasslands Research Centre, Tennent Drive, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand.
Richard D
RD
Johnson
Forage Science Group, AgResearch Ltd, Grasslands Research Centre, Tennent Drive, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand.
Wayne R
WR
Simpson
Bioinformatics and Statistics Team, Lincoln Research Centre, Private Bag 4749, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand.
Aurelie
A
Laugraud
Centre for Biodiscovery, School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Kelburn Campus, Wellington 6140, New Zealand.
T William
TW
Jordan
Forage Science Group, AgResearch Ltd, Grasslands Research Centre, Tennent Drive, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand.
Gregory T
GT
Bryan
D060026:Endophytes / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D055329:Epichloe / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D020224:Expressed Sequence Tags; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D015966:Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal; D025301:Hyphae / Q000254:growth & development*; D008129:Lolium / Q000382:microbiology; D010641:Phenotype; D021382:Protein Sorting Signals; D013559:Symbiosis
D005656:Fungal Proteins; D021382:Protein Sorting Signals
Epichloë festucae; Epichloë festucae var. lolii; endophyte; hyphal growth; rhgA; symbiosis