Abstract
The interaction between Agaricus bisporus and Verticillium fungicola may be the most
economically significant interaction between two fungi. Work described in this chapter covers
diverse aspects of the biology and molecular interaction of the host and pathogen and has
established a robust baseline for future study of a pathogenic system involving two members
of the same kingdom.
Pathogen variability has been assessed and major genotypes important to major mushroom
producing countries have been characterised. This has enabled a representative isolates to be
identified for this study.
A wide range of cell wall degrading enzymes from V. fungicola has been identified and
principal component analysis showed a complex correlation between enzyme production and
symptom expression. It is likely that some, or indeed many of these enzymes play a critical
role in the pathogenicity of Verticillium.
Although it is generally accepted that Agaricus bisporus has a relatively narrow genetic base,
our work, and that of other groups, has shown that variability in host tolerance to infection
with V. fungicola exists to a sufficient extent to justify a detailed study to exploit it. We have
developed transformation technologies for the mushroom A. bisporus (Burns et al., 2006;
Burns et al., 2005; Leach et al., 2004; Foster et al., 2004a; Challen et al., 2000) its pathogen
V. fungicola (Amey et al., 2002; Amey et al., 2003) and other pathogenic fungi (Rogers et al.,
2004; Gewiss-Mogensen et al., 2006). Recent advances in gene suppression technologies for
the host include deployment of anti-sense and RNAi hairpin constructs to down-regulate
endogenous A. bisporus genes (Burns, 2004; Heneghan et al, in press). Similarly gene
knockout methodology has been established for the pathogen V. fungicola (Amey et al., 2003;
Foster et al., 2004b).
An extensive range of genetic resources have been established which include: V. fungicola
pathogenicity simulated cDNA library (Mushroom Cell Wall agar), numerous A. bisporus
fruiting cDNA libraries (macro-arrayed), host (A. bisporus) - pathogen (V. fungicola) lesions
infection SSH libraries (forward and reverse subtractions for up- and down-regulated
mushroom genes) and macro-arrayed cDNA infection library, genomic DNA libraries for A.
bisporus and other homobasidiomycete mushrooms, EST fungal-fungal interaction database;
transformation and expression vectors designed specifically for Agaricus and Verticillium,
and vectors to expedite cloning of fragments for gene silencing experiments.
The resources now in place will enable us to determine, in a systematic manner, the impact of
gene expression on the disease phenotype.
This work provides platform technologies for alternative methods of disease control, reduced
pesticide use and sustainable crop production. Investigations into this model fungal-fungal
interaction will also inform research and development of fungal biological control agents of
fungal plant pathogens
Translated title of the contribution | Interactions between Agaricus bisporus and the pathogen Verticillium fungicola |
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Original language | English |
Title of host publication | Stress in yeasts and filamentous fungi |
Editors | Avery S., Stratford M., P Van West |
Publisher | Academic Press |
Pages | 1 - 18 |
Volume | BMS symposium series 27 |
ISBN (Print) | 9780123741844 |
Publication status | Published - 2007 |