Analysis of cDNA transcripts from Coniothyrium minitans reveals a diverse array of genes involved in key processes during sclerotial mycoparasitism

Coniothyrium minitans colonises and destroys the sclerotia of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in nature exhibiting ecologically obligate mycoparasitism as its spores remain dormant in soil and only grow actively in the presence of the sclerotia. Molecular mechanisms underlying sclerotial mycoparasitism are poorly defined. We identified 251 unisequences representing genes preferentially expressed by C. minitans during sclerotial mycoparasitism, substantially increasing the molecular knowledge of this commercially important biocontrol agent. Genes associated with signalling and cellular communication, degradation of host cell walls and energy reserves, nutrient utilisation, detoxification and stress response were identified suggesting that C. minitans employs a number of key processes during host colonisation. Several of these genes are novel to fungal–fungal interactions (e.g. PTH11-like GPCR and the ETP gene cluster). Secretin receptor-like GPCR and the TGF-beta signalling system have not yet been characterised in filamentous fungi. This study provides the basis for in-depth gene function analysis in sclerotial mycoparasitism.