Production of gibberellic acids by an orchid-associated Fusarium proliferatum strain

The rice pathogen Fusarium fujikuroi is well known for its ability to produce the plant hormones gibberellins (GAs). However, the majority of closely related Fusarium species is unable to produce GAs although the GA gene cluster is present in their genomes. In this study, we analyzed five orchid-associated Fusarium isolates for their capacity to produce GAs. Four of them did not produce any GAs and were shown not to contain any GA biosynthetic genes. However, the fifth isolate, which has been identified as F. proliferatum based on five molecular markers, produced significant amounts of GAs in contrast to previously characterized F. proliferatum strains. We focused on the molecular characterization of two GA-specific genes, ggs2 and cps/ks, both inactive in F. proliferatum strain D-02945. Complementation of a F. fujikuroi Δggs2 mutant with the ET1 ggs2 gene fully restored GA biosynthesis, confirming that the orchid-associated isolate contains an active gene copy. A possible correlation between GA production and their role in plant-fungal interactions is discussed.