Comparative vesicle proteomics reveals selective regulation of protein expression in chestnut blight fungus by a hypovirus

The chestnut blight fungus (Cryphonectria parasitica) and hypovirus constitute a model system to study fungal pathogenesis and mycovirus–host interaction. Knowledge in this field has been gained largely from investigations at gene transcription level so far. Here we report a systematic analysis of the vesicle proteins of the host fungus with/without hypovirus infection. Thirty-three differentially expressed protein spots were identified in the purified vesicle protein samples by two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. Down-regulated proteins were mostly cargo proteins involved in primary metabolism and energy generation and up-regulated proteins were mostly vesicle associated proteins and ABC transporter. A virus-encoded protein p48 was found to have four forms with different molecular mass in vesicles from the virus-infected strain. While a few of the randomly selected differentially expressed proteins were in accordance with their transcription profiles, majority were not in agreement with their mRNA accumulation patterns, suggesting that an extensive post-transcriptional regulation may have occurred in the host fungus upon a hypovirus infection.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (63 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights► This is the first report employing 2-DE/MS technology to study vesicle proteome of the chestnut blight fungus Cryphonectria parasitica. ► Hypovirus infection selectively regulates host protein expression in vesicles of C. parasitica. ► Isoforms derived from a viral protein p48 were discovered.