Expression and phylogenetic analyses of the Gel/Gas proteins of Tuber melanosporum provide insights into the function and evolution of glucan remodeling enzymes in fungi

► The GH72 family of Tuber melanosporum is composed of four genes (TmelGEL1, TmelGEL2, TmelGEL4 and TmelGAS4). ► TmelGEL1 expression is up-regulated in fruiting body (FB) compared to the free mycelium. ► Inside the FB, TmelGEL1 expression is restricted to the hyphae, which were isolated by laser microdissection. ► The phylogenetic tree in 51 Ascomycota identifies 3 subfamilies (GH72+/− and delta). ► Taxon-specific paralogous genes are identified.