In silico prediction and characterization of secondary metabolite clusters in the biocontrol agent Escovopsis

BICH G. A.; CASTRILLO M. L.; BARENGO M. P.; KRAMER F. L.; VILLALBA L. L.; ZAPATA P. D.

Congreso; 2nd Latin American Congress of Women in Bioinformatics and Data Science:; 2021

Latin American Congress of Women in Bioinformatics and Data Science:

Filamentous fungi are known for their ability to produce a vast array of distinctchemical compounds that are also known as secondary metabolites (SMs). Manyspecies from the specialized fungal pathogen Escovopsis (Ascomycota, Pezizomycotina:anamorphic Hypocreales) can threaten the mutualistic symbiosis between leaf-cuttingants and their garden fungus (Leucoagaricus gongylophorus). The degradation of thehyphae of L. gongylophorus before direct physical interaction with the hyphae ofEscovopsis may indicate that small secreted effectors are likely a critical component ofthe Escovopsis virulence arsenal. SMs can be crucial for virulence in biocontrol andlong-term survival in competitive fungal niches. Genes involved in the biosynthesis ofSMs typically are located in close proximity to each other in so-called gene clusters. SMrepertoire of the biocontrol agent Escovopsis remains mostly uncharted. To unravel thepotential of Escovopsis to produce SMs, we performed in silico predictions of its SMsclusters. Two available genome data from Escovopsis weberi were retrieved fromGenbank (Accession numbers LGSR01.1 and NIG01.1) and evaluated. Putative SMgene clusters were identified with antiSMASH fungal version 6. All SM gene clusterswere visualized and manually curated in Geneious program. Using distinctive traits ofgene clusters and the conserved signatures of core genes it was possible to identifiedSM gene clusters from Escovopsis LGSR1.1, but not from Escovopsis NIG01.1. FromEscovopsis LGSR1.1 a total of 22 potential SM gene clusters were identified, containinga total of 219 genes within their boundaries. The putative SM Clusters were classifiedas three indoles, eight Type I PKSs, four NRPSs, seven terpenes, and five other types.Future experiments are needed to further detect empirically detect these SMs andtheir biological function(s) to Escovopsis.