Characterization of genes encoding novel peptidases in the biocontrol fungus Trichoderma harzianum CECT 2413 using the TrichoEST functional genomics approach.

Proteolytic enzymes (EC 3.4) secreted by Trichoderma strains are receiving increasing attention because of their potential implication in the Trichoderma biocontrol abilities. We have used an expressed sequence tag (EST) approach to identify genes encoding extracellular peptidases in T.

Microscopic and transcriptome analyses of early colonization of tomato roots by Trichoderma harzianum.

The capacity of the fungus Trichoderma harzianum CECT 2413 to colonize roots and stimulate plant growth was analyzed. Tobacco seedlings (Nicotiana benthamiana) transferred to Petri dishes inoculated with T. harzianum conidia showed increased plant fresh weight (140%) and foliar area (300%), as well as the proliferation of secondary roots (300%) and true leaves (140%).

Partial silencing of a hydroxy-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase-encoding gene in Trichoderma harzianum CECT 2413 results in a lower level of resistance to lovastatin and lower antifungal activity.

In the present article, we describe the cloning and characterization of the Trichoderma harzianum hmgR gene encoding a hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA reductase (HMGR), a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of terpene compounds. In T. harzianum, partial silencing of the hmgR gene gave rise to transformants with a higher level of sensitivity to lovastatin, a competitive inhibitor of the HMGR enzyme.

Generation, annotation and analysis of ESTs from Trichoderma harzianum CECT 2413.

Background: The filamentous fungus Trichoderma harzianum is used as biological control agent of several plant-pathogenic fungi. In order to study the genome of this fungus, a functional genomics project called "TrichoEST" was developed to give insights into genes involved in biological control activities using an approach based on the generation of expressed sequence tags (ESTs).

Results: Eight different cDNA libraries from T.

ThHog1 controls the hyperosmotic stress response in Trichoderma harzianum.

Trichoderma harzianum is a widespread mycoparasitic fungus, able to successfully colonize a wide range of substrates under different environmental conditions. Transcript profiling revealed a subset of genes induced in T. harzianum under hyperosmotic shock.

Proteomic analysis of secreted proteins from Trichoderma harzianum. Identification of a fungal cell wall-induced aspartic protease.

Trichoderma mycoparasitic activity depends on the secretion of complex mixtures of hydrolytic enzymes able to degrade the host cell wall. We have analysed the extracellular proteome secreted by T. harzianum CECT 2413 in the presence of different fungal cell walls.

BGN16.3, a novel acidic beta-1,6-glucanase from mycoparasitic fungus Trichoderma harzianum CECT 2413.

A new component of the beta-1,6-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.

Expression of an alpha-1,3-glucanase during mycoparasitic interaction of Trichoderma asperellum.

Trichoderma species have been investigated as biological control agents for over 70 years owing to their ability to antagonize plant pathogenic fungi. Mycoparasitism, one of the main mechanisms involved in the antagonistic activity of Trichoderma strains, depends on the secretion of complex mixtures of hydrolytic enzymes able to degrade the host cell wall. The antifungal activity of an alpha-1,3-glucanase (EC 3.

Cell wall-degrading isoenzyme profiles of Trichoderma biocontrol strains show correlation with rDNA taxonomic species.

Trichoderma is known for being the most frequently used biocontrol agent in agriculture. A fundamental part of the Trichoderma antifungal system relies on a series of genes coding for a variety of extracellular lytic enzymes. Characterization of the polymorphism between five putative isoenzymatic activities [beta-1,3-glucanase (EC 3.

Isolation and characterization of PRA1, a trypsin-like protease from the biocontrol agent Trichoderma harzianum CECT 2413 displaying nematicidal activity.

Mycoparasitic Trichoderma strains secrete a complex set of hydrolytic enzymes under conditions related to antagonism. Several proteins with proteolytic activity were detected in culture filtrates from T. harzianum CECT 2413 grown in fungal cell walls or chitin and the protein responsible for the main activity (PRA1) was purified to homogeneity.

Expression regulation of the endochitinase chit36 from Trichoderma asperellum (T. harzianum T-203).

The presence of the endochitinase CHIT36 from Trichoderma harzianum TM was assessed in several antagonistic Trichoderma strains belonging to different molecular taxonomic groups. CHIT37 from T. harzianum CECT 2413 was sequenced and found to display 89% homology with CHIT36 at the amino acid level.