Home • Fusarium solani FSSC 5 v1.0
Fusarium solani FSSC 5 growing in the lab.
Fusarium solani FSSC 5 growing in the lab.
Image Credit: Stephane Hacquard

This genome was sequenced as part of the 1000 Fungal Genomes Project - Deep Sequencing of Ecologically-relevant Dikarya, and more specifically as part of the Endophyte Genome Sequencing project, which seeks to sequence members of diverse lineages of endophytic species found in Arabidopsis, Populus and other plants to examine the functional diversity of fungi with a shared evolutionary history.

The Fusarium solani species complex (FSSC) (Ascomycota phylum, Sordariomycetes class, Hypocreales order) is a group currently estimated to contain at least 60 phylogenetically distinct species. Members of the FSSC have collectively a broad host range and can be found as soil-inhabiting saprophytes, rhizosphere colonizers, or as pathogens, which cause disease on many plant and animal species, including humans. They have been previously grouped into formae speciales based on host specificity. However, phylogenetic studies indicate that these formae speciales correspond to phylogenetically distinct species, most of which remain unnamed. Genome sequencing of some of these fungi revealed that genes controlling the ability of the fungus to colonize specific hosts or habitats are located on supernumerary chromosomes. Notably, several Fusarium solani isolates have been isolated from healthy looking plants and numerous examples of nonpathogenic strains have been reported. The sequenced Fusarium solani FSSC 5 has been isolated from healthy Arabidopsis thaliana plants grown in natural soil after surface sterilization of plant roots. This suggest either that its corresponding gene repertoire lacks important virulence factors required for Arabidopsis invasion or that its pathogenicity is reduced in a community context. The sequencing of this fungal isolate is part of a larger project aiming at sequencing the genomes of numerous phylogenetically diverse root-associated fungi from Arabidopsis, Populus, and other plant hosts for further comparative genome analysis. Unraveling the genomic signatures reflecting the adaptation of these microbes to the host cell environment represent a promising way to better understand how the endophytic lifestyle evolved in phylogenetically unrelated fungal species. Comparative genome analysis between different plant hosts, and between saprotrophic, mycorrhizal, and pathogenic fungi will provide new insights into the specific adaptations but also the conserved signatures associated with these different lifestyles.

Researchers who wish to publish analyses using data from unpublished CSP genomes are respectfully required to contact the PI and JGI to avoid potential conflicts on data use and coordinate other publications with the CSP master paper(s).

 

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