Identification of putative genes involved in the development of Tuber borchii fruit body by mRNA differential display in agarose gel

In order to analyse gene expression during fruit body development of the ectomychorrizal fungus Tuber borchii Vittad., a modified differential display procedure was set up. The procedure used is easier and faster than the traditional one and generates reproducible cDNA banding patterns that can be resolved on a standard ethidium bromide-agarose gel. From 16 cDNA fingerprints, 25 amplicons with apparent differential expression were identified and cloned without a previous reamplification. Fifteen clones showed significant similarity to known proteins that are involved in dikaryosis and fruiting, cell division, transport across membranes, mitochondrial division, intermediary metabolism, biosynthesis of isoprenoid compounds and putative RNA/DNA binding. Northern blot analyses confirmed that seven cDNAs were indeed differentially expressed during fruit body development. The characterisation of these cDNAs represents a starting point in understanding the molecular mechanisms of cellular differentiation leading to the development of the T. borchii fruit body.