A glycoside hydrolase superfamily gene plays a major role in Penicillium expansum growth and pathogenicity in apples

Penicillium expansum is an important postharvest pome fruit pathogen causing massive spoilage of stored fruits and high economic losses. The present study aimed to identify an essential gene of P. expansum and to investigate its effect in postharvest apple infection. Cytoscape and RNA-sequencing analysis identified a P. expansum PeBgl1 gene which was a hub gene and also upregulated expression at three key time points (1, 3, and 6 h) during apple infection. The PeBgl1 gene was 798 bp in length, encoded 265 amino acids and had high homology with glycoside hydrolase superfamily of P. expansum. The PeBgl1 gene affected the colony morphology especially the colony color and delayed fungal growth both of P. expansum both in vivo and in vitro. This gene also decreased the pathogenicity of P. expansum in apples. Based on these results, we conclude that PeBgl1 is responsible for growth and pathogenicity in P. expansum.

Automated summary

This study identified the essential gene PeBgl1 in Penicillium expansum, which is upregulated during apple infection and affects colony morphology and fungal growth. The PeBgl1 gene also decreases the pathogenicity of P. expansum in apples.