Phylogenomic analysis of polyketide synthase-encoding genes in Trichoderma

Members of the economically important ascomycete genus Trichoderma are ubiquitously distributed around the world. The mycoparasitic lifestyle and plant defence-inducing interactions of Trichoderma spp. make them ideal biocontrol agents. Of the Trichoderma enzymes that produce secondary metabolites, some of which likely play important roles in biocontrol processes, polyketide synthase (PKSs) have garnered less attention than non-ribosomal peptide synthetases such as those that produce peptaibols. We have taken a phylogenomic approach to study the PKS repertoire encoded in the genomes of Trichoderma reesei, Trichoderma atroviride and Trichoderma virens. Our analysis lays a foundation for future research related to PKSs within the genus Trichoderma and in other filamentous fungi.