Differential expression analysis of Trichoderma virens RNA reveals a dynamic transcriptome during colonization of Zea mays roots

Abstract

Background Trichoderma spp. are majorly composed of plant-beneficial symbionts widely used in agriculture as bio-control agents. Studying the mechanisms behind Trichoderma -derived plant benefits has yielded tangible bio-industrial products. To better take advantage of this fungal-plant symbiosis it is necessary to obtain detailed knowledge of which genes Trichoderma utilizes during interaction with its plant host. In this study, we explored the transcriptional activity undergone by T. virens during two phases of symbiosis with maize; recognition of roots and after ingress into the root cortex. Results We present a model of T. virens – maize interaction wherein T. virens experiences global repression of transcription upon recognition of maize roots and then induces expression of a broad spectrum of genes during colonization of maize roots. The genes expressed indicate that, during colonization of maize roots, T. virens modulates biosynthesis of phytohormone-like compounds, secretes a plant-environment specific array of cell wall degrading enzymes and secondary metabolites, remodels both actin-based and cell membrane structures, and shifts metabolic activity. We also highlight transcription factors and signal transduction genes important in future research seeking to unravel the molecular mechanisms of T. virens activity in maize roots. Conclusions T. virens displays distinctly different transcriptional profiles between recognizing the presence of maize roots and active colonization of these roots. A though understanding of these processes will allow development of T. virens as a bio-control agent. Further, the publication of these datasets will target future research endeavors specifically to genes of interest when considering T. virens – maize symbiosis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-019-5651-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Transcriptome Profiling of Haloxylon persicum (Bunge ex Boiss and Buhse) an Endangered Plant Species under PEG-Induced Drought Stress

“…Overall, the percentage of downregulated genes was higher in both treatment conditions ( Figure 9 ). These results were in alignment with the findings of Liu et al (2014), and Ma et al (2015), who reported that the abundance of downregulated DGEs was significantly higher compared to upregulated genes under PEG stress [ 16 , 17 ].…”

“…Deep ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequencing studies are achievable for all plant species by exploring transcriptome profiles of model and non-model organisms, under various conditions. These high-throughput sequencing techniques are widely used to create transcriptome data, which enables researchers to identify the differential expression profile of genes in plants under different treatment conditions [17][18][19]. In recent times, transcriptomic approaches have gained much attention for identifying the gene regulatory network associated with drought-stress tolerance in plants [20,21].…”

The fungal NADPH oxidase is an essential element for the molecular dialog between Trichoderma and Arabidopsis

“…Before root contact, in the WT strain, genes encoding peroxidases, cellulases, sugar transporters and in general carbohydrate‐related genes are repressed. In full agreement with our results, it was recently described that during the interaction of Trichoderma virens with maize, there is global repression of genes encoding cell‐wall‐degrading enzymes (Malinich et al ., 2019). In our view, these observations suggest that suppression of metabolic processes related to the degradation of complex carbohydrates in the fungus is necessary to establish a beneficial interaction with the plant, likely as a result of the adaptation of the fungus to the availability of simple carbohydrates such as sucrose provided by the roots (Macías‐Rodríguez et al ., 2018).…”

Sustainable Approaches of Trichoderma under Changing Environments for Vegetable Production

“…Trichoderma could also alleviate the abiotic and/or biotic stress as plant symbionts through the colonization of plant roots and establishing a communication with the host plant via chemical signals. These signals may induce the plant resistance against stresses by secreting phytohormones (e.g., salsylic acid and jasmonate) and other secondary metabolites (Malinich et al 2019). Then, Trichoderma may support the bio-protection against the phytopathogens by release antibiotic compounds, competing for nutrition and space, improve the plant uptake of water and nutrients, and acidify ambient environment.…”