Comparative studies of genome and transcriptome of Phyllosticta citricarpa, causal agent of citrus black spot, and Phyllosticta capitalensis.

Abstract

Citrus black spot (CBS) is one of the most important fungus diseases of citrus in São Paulo. It is caused by the fungus Phyllosticta citricarpa (teleomorph Guignardia citricarpa), and affects almost all citrus varieties damaging the external appearance of the fruit, increasing their drop, and it is a barrier for exportation of fresh fruit. Little or few knowledge is known on the mechanisms of pathogenicity of the fungus, as well as their interactions with their hosts. On the other hand, the intense use of chemical control has been a mechanism involved in the increasing of resistant, leading to the selection of strains more resistant to fungicides . The pathogenic species of P, citricarpa is often associated with other species endophytic and non-pathogenic, Phyllosticta capitalensis (former classified as Guignardia Mangifera, and morphologically similar to P. citricarpa). The general goals of this proposal is to establish a database of genome and transcriptome of both species using next generation sequencing (RNA-seq) approaches, evaluate by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) the expression pattern of genes in both species as well as specific genes. It is further intended structuring the database transcriptome of both species. The information generated can broaden our understanding of the mechanisms of pathogenicity and may help in developing new strategies for management and control of CBS.