Genomic insight into pathogenicity of dematiaceous fungusCorynespora cassiicola.
Corynespora cassiicolais a common plant pathogen that causes leaf spot disease in a broad range of crop, and it heavily affect rubber trees in Malaysia (Hsueh, 2011; Nghia et al., 2008). The isolation of UM 591 from a patient's contact lens indicates the pathogenic potential of this dematiaceous fungus in human. However, the underlying factors that contribute to the opportunistic cross-infection have not been fully studied. We employed genome sequencing and gene homology annotations in attempt to identify these factors in UM 591 using data obtained from publicly available bioinformatics databases. The assembly size of UM 591 genome is 41.8 Mbp, and a total of 13,531 (≥99 bp) genes have been predicted. UM 591 is enriched with genes that encode for glycoside hydrolases, carbohydrate esterases, auxiliary activity enzymes and cell wall degrading enzymes. Virulent genes comprising of CAZymes, peptidases, and hypervirulence-associated cutinases were found to be present in the fungal genome. Comparative analysis result shows that UM 591 possesses higher number of carbohydrate esterases family 10 (CE10) CAZymes compared to other species of fungi in this study, and these enzymes hydrolyses wide range of carbohydrate and non-carbohydrate substrates. Putative melanin, siderophore,ent-kaurene, and lycopene biosynthesis gene clusters are predicted, and these gene clusters denote that UM 591 are capable of protecting itself from the UV and chemical stresses, allowing it to adapt to different environment. Putative sterigmatocystin, HC-toxin, cercosporin, and gliotoxin biosynthesis gene cluster are predicted. This finding have highlighted the necrotrophic and invasive nature of UM 591.
Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia.
Hong Keat
HK
Looi
Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia.
Yue Fen
YF
Toh
Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia.
Su Mei
SM
Yew
Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia.
Shiang Ling
SL
Na
Department of Science and Technology, Codon Genomics SB , Seri Kembangan , Selangor , Malaysia.
Yung-Chie
YC
Tan
Department of Science and Technology, Codon Genomics SB , Seri Kembangan , Selangor , Malaysia.
Pei-Sin
PS
Chong
Department of Science and Technology, Codon Genomics SB , Seri Kembangan , Selangor , Malaysia.
Jia-Shiun
JS
Khoo
Department of Science and Technology, Codon Genomics SB , Seri Kembangan , Selangor , Malaysia.
Wai-Yan
WY
Yee
Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia.
Kee Peng
KP
Ng
Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia.
Chee Sian
CS
Kuan
Appressoria; CAZyme; Corynespora cassiicola; Melanin; Pathogenicity; Toxin; Virulence factor