Characterisation of the transcriptome of Aphelenchoides besseyi and identification of a GHF 45 cellulase

While the majority of Aphelenchoides species are fungivorous, some species are plant parasites that have retained the ability to feed on fungi. Aphelenchoides besseyi is an important and widespread pathogen that causes 'white tip' disease on rice. This migratory endoparasitic nematode makes a significant contribution to the estimated $US 16 billion worth of damage caused by nematodes to rice crops. Here we describe a small-scale analysis of the transcriptome of A. besseyi. After sequencing, QC and assembly, approximately 5000 contigs were analysed. Bioinformatic analysis allowed 375 secreted proteins to be identified, including orthologues of proteins known to be secreted by other nematodes. One contig could encode an A. besseyi orthologue of a GHF45 cellulase, similar to those present in Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. No transcripts similar to GHF5 cellulases were present in this dataset.