Transcriptome analysis of Ganoderma lingzhi (Agaricomycetes) response to Trichoderma hengshanicum infection

Green mold caused by Trichoderma spp. has become one of the most serious diseases which threatening the production of Ganoderma lingzhi. To understand the possible resistance mechanism of the G. lingzhi response to T. hengshanicum infection, we examined the G. lingzhi transcript accumulation at 0, 12, and 24 h after T. hengshanicum inoculation. The gene expression analysis was conducted on the interaction between G. lingzhi and T. hengshanicum using RNA-seq and digital gene expression (DGE) profiling methods. Transcriptome sequencing indicated that there were 162 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at three infection time points, containing 15 up-regulated DEGs and 147 down-regulated DEGs. Resistance-related genes thaumatin-like proteins (TLPs) (PR-5s), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, and Beta-1,3-glucan binding protein were significantly up-regulated. At the three time points of infection, the heat shock proteins (HSPs) genes of G. lingzhi were down-regulated. The down-regulation of HSPs genes led to the inhibition of HSP function, which may compromise the HSP-mediated defense signaling transduction pathway, leading to G. lingzhi susceptibility. Pathway enrichment analyses showed that the main enriched pathways by G. lingzhi after infection were sphingolipid metabolism, ether lipid metabolism, and valine, leucine and isoleucine degradation pathway. Overall, the results described here improve fundamental knowledge of molecular responses to G. lingzhi defense and contribute to the design of strategies against Trichoderma spp.

Automated summary

Green mold caused by Trichoderma spp. is a serious disease for the production of Ganoderma lingzhi. In this study, we identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in G. lingzhi at different time points after T. hengshanicum infection using RNA-seq and DGE profiling methods. We found that resistance-related genes were up-regulated, while heat shock protein (HSP) genes were down-regulated. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed enrichment of sphingolipid metabolism, ether lipid metabolism, and valine, leucine and isoleucine degradation pathway in G. lingzhi after infection. These findings contribute to the understanding of G. lingzhi defense against Trichoderma spp. and the development of strategies for disease control.