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Identification of novel genes associated with conidiation in Beauveria bassiana with suppression subtractive hybridization

     National Centre for Advanced Bio-Protection Technologies, P.O. Box 84, Lincoln University, Lincoln, New Zealand

Travis R. Glare

     AgResearch Ltd., Private Bag 4749, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand

The conidiation of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Hyphomycete) is a complex process that involves the stage- and cell-type-specific expression of hundreds of genes. The suppression subtractive hybridization method was used to target genes involved in conidiation. Seventeen genes were cloned that potentially were involved in conidia formation. Six of them demonstrated differential expression between conidial and vegetative cultures. Sequence analysis showed three cDNA fragments had similarity to known genes involved in either cellular metabolism or cell regulatory processes. The other cDNA fragments showed low or no similarity to any genes previously described. The full-length cDNA and genomic sequence of a gene designated A43 was isolated. The A43 protein is composed of 180 amino acids and has 34% identity to a RNA-binding region-containing protein. The temporal expression pattern was consistent with the gene being involved in conidiation. The colony morphology of the A43 knock-out mutant had more floccus mycelium than the wild-type and also produced fewer conidia, indicating the A43 gene is involved in B. bassiana conidiation.

Key words: Beauveria bassiana, conidiation, SSH