Sub-repeat sequences in the ribosomal RNA intergenic regions of Verticillium alboatrum and V. dahliae

Pathogenicity, Virulence, and Vegetative Compatibility Grouping of Verticillium Isolates from Spinach Seed

In 2005, Verticillium dahliae was first reported to be pathogenic to spinach seed crops in the Pacific Northwest, with symptoms only developing after initiation of the reproductive stage of plant growth, and to be prevalent on commercial spinach seed lots produced in Denmark, The Netherlands, and the United States. In this study, the genetic diversity, pathogenicity, and virulence were examined for a collection of isolates of Verticillium spp. from spinach as well as other hosts (alfalfa, cotton, lettuce, mint, peppermint, potato, radish, and tomato) from various countries and from different vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs). Of a total of 210 isolates of V. dahliae obtained from spinach seed produced in Denmark, the Netherlands, New Zealand, or the United States, 128 were assigned to VCG 4B (89% of 91 U.S. isolates, 86% of 42 isolates from the Netherlands, 19% of 43 Denmark isolates, and 8% of 13 New Zealand isolates), 65 to VCG 2B (92% of the New Zealand isolates, 79% of the Denmark isolates, 14% of the Netherlands isolates, and 9% of the U.S. isolates), and 3 to VCG 2A (2% of each of the Denmark and U.S. isolates, and 0% of the Netherlands and New Zealand isolates); 14 isolates could not be assigned to a VCG. Although little variation in the sequence of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal DNA was observed among isolates within each Verticillium sp., the ITS region readily differentiated isolates of the species V. dahliae, V. tricorpus, and Gibellulopsis nigrescens (formerly V. nigrescens) obtained from spinach seed. Greenhouse pathogenicity assays on spinach, cotton, lettuce, and tomato plants using isolates of V. dahliae (n = 29 to 34 isolates), V. tricorpus (n = 3), G. nigrescens (n = 2), and V. albo-atrum (n = 1) originally obtained from these hosts as well as from alfalfa, mint, peppermint, potato, and radish, revealed a wide range in virulence among the isolates. Isolates of V. tricorpus and G. nigrescens recovered from spinach seed and an isolate of V. albo-atrum from alfalfa were not pathogenic on spinach. In addition, isolates of V. dahliae from mint and peppermint were not pathogenic or only weakly virulent on the hosts evaluated. Although there was a wide range in virulence among the isolates of V. dahliae tested, all of the V. dahliae isolates caused Verticillium wilt symptoms on spinach, lettuce, tomato, and cotton. None of the isolates of V. dahliae showed host specificity. These results indicate that Verticillium and related species associated with spinach seed display substantial variability in virulence and pathogenicity to spinach and other plants but the V. dahliae isolates were restricted to three VCGs.

Structural and phylogenetic analysis of the rDNA intergenic spacer region of Verticillium dahliae

The nuclear ribosomal intergenic spacer (IGS) region was structurally analyzed and exploited for molecular discrimination and phylogenetic analysis of vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs) of Verticillium dahliae. A structural study of 201 available IGS sequences of the fungus was performed, and four classes of ubiquitous repetitive elements, organized in higher-order repetitive structures or composite blocks, were detected in a variable IGS subregion. This subregion was amplified from an international collection of 59 V. dahliae isolates covering all VCGs, together with nine representative V. albo-atrum and V. longisporum isolates, and sequenced. Structural and phylogenetic analyses of the sequences of this polymorphic IGS subregion were consistently informative and allowed the identification of two main lineages in V. dahliae, that is, clade I including VCGs 1A, 1B, 2A, 4B, and 3 and clade II containing VCGs 2B, 4A, and 6. Analysis of IGS sequences proved a highly suitable molecular tool for (a) rapid interspecific differentiation, (b) intraspecific discrimination among VCGs of V. dahliae, facilitating high-throughput VCG confirmation and prediction/profiling, and (c) phylogenetic analysis within and among V. dahliae VCGs.

Mitochondrial haplotype analysis as a tool for differentiating isolates of Verticillium dahliae

The ability to monitor mitochondrial background in Verticillium dahliae may provide an additional tool for population studies and monitoring clonal populations. Published mitochondrial genome sequences of V. dahliae (DQ351941) were used to design primers for amplification of spacer regions for assessment of mitochondrial haplotype differences among isolates. Five regions were examined (5,229 bp, or 19% of the total genome size) for 30 isolates representing a range in vegetative compatibility group (VCG), host, and geographic origin. Observed differences among isolates were due to single nucleotide polymorphisms, different numbers of bases in specific homopolymeric regions, and copies of subrepeated sequences. When the differences observed for each locus were totaled there were 28 total groupings; when the results of each locus for individual isolates were combined there were 15 mitochondrial haplotypes. Some of the observed groupings correlated with VCG. For example, five VCG-1A and VCG-1B isolates from California, Spain, and Greece had identical haplotypes; however, this was not observed for VCG-2 or VCG-4 isolates. While some VCG-2 isolates also were identical and fell into a single haplotype, five haplotypes were found for this group (five other haplotypes were observed for other isolates that had not been characterized to VCG but grouped with VCG-2 isolates in the phylogenetic analysis). Likewise, five VCG-4 isolates fell into four mitochondrial haplotypes, one of which was identical to the largest VCG-2 grouping. A heterokaryon self-incompatible isolate that was reported in the literature to cluster with VCG-2 isolates by amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis was identical with VCG-1 isolates for four of the five loci, but was intermediate between VCG-1 and VCG-2 in the haplotype analysis. Phylogenetic analysis with these regions revealed the mitochondrial background of VCG-1 and VCG2-B to be monophyletic but VCG-2A and VCG-4 could not be separated. The results obtained indicate that there is variation in mitochondrial haplotypes and this type of analysis may be a useful for characterization of isolates. While data from all five regions was used for the haplotype separation in this study, depending on the VCG or the level of variability observed within a population it is possible to use fewer loci.

Genome-wide prediction of G protein-coupled receptors in Verticillium spp

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are critical factors in regulating morphogenesis, mating, infection and virulence in fungi. In this study, various computational strategies were applied to identify GPCR-like proteins from the genomes of both Verticillium dahliae and Verticillium albo-atrum. The putative GPCRs were distributed over 13 classes, and significantly, three of those represented novel classes of GPCR-like proteins in fungi. The three novel GPCRs had high levels of identity to their counterparts in higher eukaryotes, including Homo sapiens. The numbers of GPCR-like proteins in the two Verticillium spp. were similar to those seen in other filamentous fungi, such as Magnaporthe grisea, Neurospora crassa and Fusarium graminearum. Additionally, the carbon/amino acid receptors were divided into three different subclasses, indicating that differences among the GPCRs existed not only among different classes but also within classes. In conclusion, the identification and classification of GPCRs and their homology to some well-studied fungi will be an important starting point for future research in Verticillium spp.

Molecular and immunochemical phylogeny of Verticillium species

21 strains with all typical morphological characteristics of eight Verticillium species (Phyllachorales) were studied in this work, together with representatives from four Hypocreales species (11 strains), that were previously classified as members of the genus. The PCR products from two nuclear genes, i.e. the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region and RNA polymerase II largest subunit gene (rpb1), together with four mitochondrial genes, i.e. the small ribosomal rRNA subunit (rns), the two NADH dehydrogenase subunit genes (nad1 and nad3), and the cytochrome oxidase subunit III gene (cox3) were sequenced and analyzed. Similarly, antibodies raised against one strain of each of the species examined (V. nubilum and V. theobromae excluded) were used against the proteins of all other strains. The number and relative area of precipitates formed after crossed electrophoreses served to estimate the degree of immunochemical relatedness. Combined molecular and immunochemical data clarified the phylogenetic relationships of all true Verticillium species and provided a convincing insight into the evolutionary relation of the sect. Nigrescentia with members of the sect. Verticillium and sect. Prostrata that until recently were included in Verticillium.

Plant pathogenic Verticillium species: how many of them are there?

SUMMARY Two of the currently widely accepted species in the section Nigrescentia of the genus Verticillium are major plant pathogens inducing wilt diseases in a wide range of mainly dicotyledonous hosts. Three species closely related to these two are less important wilt pathogens and soil saprophytes. A sixth species, V. theobromae, causes the cigar end of banana. Molecular and genetic studies have shown that these species represent a complex pool of discrete lineages of varying degrees of relatedness with unknown levels of gene flow between them. Most isolates are haploid, but some are thought to be amphihaploid interspecific hybrids. Until our understanding of this complex is much improved, it seems most appropriate to add only one new species, for wilt isolates primarily associated with potato and producing dark-resting-mycelium in bundles (currently known as V. albo-atrum Grp2). It is suggested that the following be retained: (i) V. dahliae to include all isolates which produce only microsclerotia, (ii) V. albo-atrum to cover the majority of isolates producing only dark-resting-mycelium (and not in bundles), and (iii) V. nigrescens, V. nubilum, V. tricorpus and V. theobromae for the minor wilt pathogens/saprophytes and the non-wilt pathogen.

Isolates of Verticillium dahliae Pathogenic to Crucifers Are of at Least Three Distinct Molecular Types

ABSTRACT Diverse isolates of the soilborne wilt fungi Verticillium dahliae and V. albo-atrum were studied to understand the nature and origins of those infecting cruciferous hosts. All isolates from cruciferous crops produced microsclerotia, and the majority produced long conidia with a high nuclear DNA content; these isolates were divided into two groups by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis. One group could be subdivided by other criteria such as rRNA sequences and mitochondrial DNA restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. Two crucifer isolates were short spored and had a low nuclear DNA content. The results are consistent with the crucifer isolates being interspecific hybrids. The long-spored isolates are best regarded as amphihaploids (or allodiploids) with the AFLP groups probably each representing separate interspecific hybridization events. The short-spored crucifer isolates appear to be derived from interspecific hybrids and are here called 'secondary haploids'. Molecular evidence suggests that one parent in the crosses was similar to V. dahliae. The other parent of the amphihaploids seems to have been more similar to V. albo-atrum than to V. dahliae, but was distinct from all isolates of either species so far studied. The implications for the taxonomy of crucifer isolates are discussed and the use of the name V. longisporum, proposed elsewhere for just some of these isolates, is discouraged.

PCR-based DNA fingerprinting indicates host-related genetic variation in the nematophagous fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia

The mitosporic fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia is a potential biocontrol agent for cyst (Heterodera spp. and Globodera spp.) and root knot (Meloidogyne spp.) nematodes, which are important agricultural plant pests. 54 isolates from diverse geographical regions and several nematode hosts were used in this study. Genetic variation was examined using enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC) primed PCR and sequences from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rRNA region. ERIC PCR yielded 35 scorable binary characters from all the fungi tested and cluster analysis of the data showed that isolates from cyst nematodes were more genetically variable than those from root knot nematodes. The ITS regions were highly conserved, the only significant difference being an extra thymidine in isolates from Meloidogyne spp. Assays with nematode eggs indicated that isolates differ in their ability to infect different nematode genera. The results indicate host related variation in P. chlamydosporia. This finding has significant implications for the application of P. chlamydosporia as a biocontrol agent.

Molecular evidence that Verticillium ablo-atrum Grp 2 isolates are distinct from V. albo-atrum Grp 1 and V. tricorpus

summary Verticillium species-specific primers were used in a polymerase chain reaction to differentiate between Verticillium albo-atrum groups and V. tricorpus. Amplification with species-specific primers identified 21 isolates from the 64 V. albo-atrum isolates tested as Grp2. Genome analysis using RAPDs and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of the intergenic (IGS) region of the rDNA showed that V. albo-atrum Grp2 isolate were genetically distinct from either V. albo-atrum Grp1 or V. tricorpus, demonstrating a significant differentiation between these species. The sizes of the amplified IGS fragment were different, with Grp1 isolates having a smaller fragment ( approximately 2.1 kb) than either Grp2 ( approximately 2.3 kb) or V. tricorpus ( approximately 2.7 kb). Based on RAPD analysis, the average similarity coefficients between Grp1 and Grp2 were 35% and 34% between Grp2 and V. tricorpus. Multiple correspondence analysis separated the isolates into three major groups corresponding to Grp1, Grp2 and V. tricorpus. Surprisingly, isolates collected from Pisum sativa were distinct from other Grp1 V. albo-atrum isolates. The observed low levels of genetic similarity, the differences in sizes of IGS fragments, IGS-RFLP profiles and the RAPD patterns point to the possibility of Grp2 isolates comprising a different species of Verticillium than those occupied by either V. albo-atrum Grp1 isolates or V. tricorpus.

A Molecular Marker Identifying Subspecific Populations of the Soybean Brown Stem Rot Pathogen, Phialophora gregata

ABSTRACT A molecular marker was developed to separate and identify subspecific populations of Phialophora gregata, the causal agent of soybean brown stem rot. A variable DNA region in the intergenic spacer of the nuclear rDNA was identified. Two specific primers flanking the variable region were developed for easy identification of the genotypes using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). These two specific primers amplified three DNA products. The three PCR products were used to separate isolates of P. gregata into distinct genotypes: A (1,020 bp), B (830 bp), and C (660 bp). Genotype C was found in isolates obtained from Adzuki beans from Japan, whereas all 292 isolates obtained from soybean and the 8 isolates from mung bean belonged to either genotype A or B. The original nondefoliating (type II) strain ATCC 11073 (type culture of P. gregata) belonged to genotype B. The difference between genotypes A and B was due only to an 188-bp insertion or deletion; genotype C, however, differs from genotypes A and B at 58 point mutations, in addition to the length difference. Isolates of both genotypes A and B were widespread in seven Midwestern states. Genotype A was found mostly in certain susceptible soybean cultivars like Sturdy and Pioneer 9305, whereas genotype B was found predominately in brown stem rot-resistant soybean cvs. Bell, IA 3003, and Seiben SS282N. The specific primers were also used to directly detect cultivar-preferential infection by the two genotypes in infected soybean stems growing in the same field. Data from direct detection in soybean stems showed that cultivar-preferential infection by the two genotypes of P. gregata was significant.

The complete DNA sequence of the nuclear ribosomal RNA gene complex of Verticillium dahliae: intraspecific heterogeneity within the intergenic spacer region

The complete DNA sequence of the nuclear ribosomal RNA gene complex of Verticillium dahliae: Intraspecific heterogeneity within the intergenic spacer region. Fungal Genetics and Biology 29, 19-27. The complete sequence of the nuclear ribosomal DNA gene complex of the phytopathogenic fungus Verticillium dahliae has been determined. The tandemly repeated unit was 7216 bp long and appears to be the shortest rDNA cluster described so far among filamentous fungi. Primer pairs were designed for amplification of the region spanning half of the 28S subunit, the intergenic spacer (IGS), and the 5' end of 18S subunit of a number of Verticillium strains, isolated from various hosts and geographic origins. Great heterogeneity was detected in the amplified products of the IGS region resulting in fragments varying from 1.6 to 2.0 kb. The majority of Verticillium isolates were classified into two groups with 1.6- and 1.7-kb amplified products, respectively. The former group included 31 V. dahliae, 7 V. longisporum, and 1 V. albo-atrum isolates, whereas the latter included 10 V. dahliae and 1 V. albo-atrum isolates. Sequence analysis of representative PCR products of the above groups identified a "hot-spot" region harboring most of larger insertions, whereas most of the small changes were due to transitions and transversions. One V. longisporum isolate with a 2.0-kb PCR product contained 13 perfectly conserved tandem repeats of 39 bp long. The presence of similar incomplete sequences in the corresponding regions of V. dahliae, V. longisporum, and V. albo-atrum isolates revealed a particular standard motif of insertions in the IGS region of the genus and is discussed.