A putative catabolite-repressed cell wall protein from the mycoparasitic fungus Trichoderma harzianum

A cDNA clone encoding a putative cell wall protein (Qid3) was isolated from a library prepared from chitin-induced mRNA in cultures of the mycoparasitic fungus Trichoderma harzianum. The predicted 14 kDa protein shows a potential signal peptide, several hydrophobic domains and certain motifs that are structurally similar to proline-rich and glycine-rich plant cell wall proteins. Expression of the qid3 gene is derepressed in the absence of glucose. When introduced in yeast, qid3 expression causes cell division arrest into cytokinesis and cell separation, probably due to its cell wall localization.     

BGN16.3, a novel acidic beta-1,6-glucanase from mycoparasitic fungus Trichoderma harzianum CECT 2413

A new component of the beta-1,6-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.75) multienzymatic complex secreted by Trichoderma harzianum has been identified and fully characterized. The protein, namely BGN16.3, is the third isozyme displaying endo-beta-1,6-glucanase activity described up to now in T. harzianum CECT 2413. BGN16.3 is an acidic beta-1,6-glucanase that is specifically induced by the presence of fungal cell walls in T. harzianum growth media. The protein was purified to electrophoretical homogenity using its affinity to beta-1,6-glucan as first purification step, followed by chomatofocusing and gel filtration. BGN16.3 has a molecular mass of 46 kDa in SDS/PAGE and a pI of 4.5. The enzyme only showed activity against substrates with beta-1,6-glycosidic linkages, and it has an endohydrolytic mode of action as shown by HPLC analysis of the products of pustulan hydrolysis. The expression profile analysis of BGN16.3 showed a carbon source control of the accumulation of the enzyme, which is fast and strongly induced by fungal cell walls, a condition often regarded as mycoparasitic simulation. The likely involvement beta-1,6-glucanases in this process is discussed.     

Cell wall synthesis is a major target of mycoparasitic antagonism by Trichoderma harzianum.

We have investigated the molecular basis for the reported synergism between peptaibols and cell wall hydrolytic enzymes in the antagonism of phytopathogenic fungi by Trichoderma harzianum. beta-Glucan synthase activity on isolated plasma membranes of Botrytis cinerea was inhibited in vitro by the peptaibols trichorzianin TA and TB, and this inhibition was reversed by the addition of phosphatidylcholine. beta-Glucan synthesis in vivo, assayed by the incorporation of [2-(3)H]glucose into cell wall material, was inhibited by the presence of peptaibols, and this inhibition was synergistic with exogenously added T. harzianum beta-1,3-glucanase. This synergism is therefore explained by an inhibition of the membrane-bound beta-1,3-glucan synthase of the host by the peptaibols, which inhibit the resynthesis of cell wall beta-glucans, sustain the disruptive action of beta-glucanases, and all together enhance the fungicidal activity. Therefore, we have identified cell wall turnover as a major target of mycoparasitic antagonism.     

Mechanism of action of the endo-(1-->3)-alpha-glucanase MutAp from the mycoparasitic fungus Trichoderma harzianum

(1-->3)-alpha-glucanases catalyze the hydrolysis of fungal cell wall (1-->3)-alpha-glucan, and function during cell division of yeasts containing this cell wall component or act in mycoparasitic processes. Here, we characterize the mechanism of action of the (1-->3)-alpha-glucanase MutAp from the mycoparasitic fungus Trichoderma harzianum. We observed that MutAp releases predominantly beta-glucose upon hydrolysis of crystalline (1-->3)-alpha-glucan, indicating inversion of the anomeric configuration. After having identified (1-->3)-alpha-glucan tetrasaccharide as the minimal substrate for MutAp, we showed that reduced (1-->3)-alpha-glucan pentasaccharide is cleaved into a trisaccharide and a reduced disaccharide, demonstrating that MutAp displays endo-hydrolytic activity. We propose a model for the catalytic mechanism of MutAp, whereby the enzyme breaks an intrachain glycosidic linkage of (1-->3)-alpha-glucan, and then continues its hydrolysis towards the non-reducing end by releasing beta-glucose residues in a processive manner.     

Transformation of a mycoparasitic Trichoderma harzianum strain with the argB gene of Aspergillus nidulans

A transformation system was developed for the mycoparasitic filamentous fungus Trichoderma harzianum, based upon complementation of auxotrophic mutants. Prototrophic transformants were obtained using plasmids pSal23 and pAN5-41B, carrying the Aspergillus nidulans argB gene, and both the Aspergillus nidulans argB and Escherichia coli lacZ genes, respectively.     

Chitinase gene expression during mycoparasitic interaction of Trichoderma harzianum with its host.

For monitoring chitinase expression during mycoparasitism of Trichoderma harzianum in situ, we constructed strains containing fusions of green fluorescent protein (GFP) to the 5'-regulatory sequences of the T. harzianum nag1 (N-acetyl-beta-d-glucosaminidase-encoding) and ech42 (42-kDa endochitinase-encoding) genes. Confronting these strains with Rhizoctonia solani led to induction of gene expression before (ech42) or after (nag1) physical contact. A 12-kDa cut-off membrane separating the two fungi abolished ech42 expression, indicating that macromolecules are involved in its precontact activation. No ech42 expression was triggered by culture filtrates of R. solani or by placing T. harzianum onto plates previously colonized by R. solani. Instead, high expression occurred upon incubation of T. harzianum with the supernatant of R. solani cell walls digested with culture filtrates or purified endochitinase 42 (CHIT42, encoded by ech42) from T. harzianum. The chitinase inhibitor allosamidin blocked ech42 expression and reduced inhibition of R. solani growth during confrontation. The results indicate that ech42 is expressed before contact of T. harzianum with R. solani and its induction is triggered by soluble chitooligosaccharides produced by constitutive activity of CHIT42 and/or other chitinolytic enzymes.     

Secretome analysis of the fungus Trichoderma harzianum grown on cellulose

Trichoderma harzianum is a mycoparasitic filamentous fungus that produces and secretes a wide range of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes used in cell wall degradation. Due to its potential in biomass conversion, T. harzianum draws great attention from biofuel and biocontrol industries and research. Here, we report an extensive secretome analysis of T. harzianum. The fungus was grown on cellulose medium, and its secretome was analyzed by a combination of enzymology, 2DE, MALDI-MS and -MS/MS (Autoflex II), and LC-MS/MS (LTQ-Orbitrap XL). A total of 56 proteins were identified using high-resolution MS. Interestingly, although cellulases were found, the major hydrolytic enzymes secreted in the cellulose medium were chitinases and endochitinases, which may reflect the biocontrol feature of T. harzianum. The glycoside hydrolase family, including chitinases (EC 3.2.1.14), endo-N-acetylglucosaminidases (EC 3.2.1.96), hexosaminidases (EC 3.2.1.52), galactosidases (EC 3.2.1.23), xylanases (EC 3.2.1.8), exo-1,3-glucanases (EC 3.2.1.58), endoglucanases (EC 3.2.1.4), xylosidases (EC 3.2.1.37), α-L-arabinofuranosidase (EC 3.2.1.55), N-acetylhexosaminidases (EC 3.2.1.52), and other enzymes represented 51.36% of the total secretome. Few representatives were classified in the protease family (8.90%). Others (17.60%) are mostly intracellular proteins. A considerable part of the secretome was composed of hypothetical proteins (22.14%), probably because of the absence of an annotated T. harzianum genome. The T. harzianum secretome composition highlights the importance of this fungus as a rich source of hydrolytic enzymes for bioconversion and biocontrol applications.     

Saprotrophic and mycoparasitic components of aggressiveness of Trichoderma harzianum groups toward the commercial mushroom Agaricus bisporus

We examined the mycoparasitic and saprotrophic behavior of isolates representing groups of Trichoderma harzianum to establish a mechanism for the aggressiveness towards Agaricus bisporus in infested commercial compost. Mycoparasitic structures were infrequently observed in interaction zones on various media, including compost, with cryoscanning electron microscopy. T. harzianum grows prolifically in compost in the absence or presence of A. bisporus, and the aggressive European (Th2) and North American (Th4) isolates produced significantly higher biomasses (6.8- and 7.5-fold, respectively) in compost than did nonaggressive, group 1 isolates. All groups secreted depolymerases that could attack the cell walls of A. bisporus and of wheat straw, and some were linked to aggressiveness. Growth on mushroom cell walls in vitro resulted in rapid production of chymoelastase and trypsin-like proteases by only the Th2 and Th4 isolates. These isolates also produced a dominant protease isoform (pI 6.22) and additional chitinase isoforms. On wheat straw, Th4 produced distinct isoforms of cellulase and laminarinase, but there was no consistent association between levels or isoforms of depolymerases and aggressiveness. Th3's distinctive profiles confirmed its reclassification as Trichoderma atroviride. Proteases and glycanases were detected for the first time in sterilized compost colonized by T. harzianum. Xylanase dominated, and some isoforms were unique to compost, as were some laminarinases. We hypothesize that aggressiveness results from competition, antagonism, or parasitism but only as a component of, or following, extensive saprotrophic growth involving degradation of wheat straw cell walls.     

QID74 Cell wall protein of Trichoderma harzianum is involved in cell protection and adherence to hydrophobic surfaces

Trichoderma is widely used as biocontrol agent against phytopathogenic fungi, and as biofertilizer because of its ability to establish mycorriza-like association with plants. The key factor to the ecological success of this genus is the combination of very active mycoparasitic mechanisms plus effective defense strategies induced in plants. This work, different from most of the studies carried out that address the attacking mechanisms, focuses on elucidating how Trichoderma is able to tolerate hostile conditions. A gene from Trichoderma harzianum CECT 2413, qid74, was strongly expressed during starvation of carbon or nitrogen sources; it encoded a cell wall protein of 74kDa that plays a significant role in mycelium protection. qid74 was originally isolated and characterized, in a previous work, by a differential hybridization approach under simulated mycoparasitism conditions. Heterologous expression of Qid74 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae indicated that the protein, located in the cell wall, interfered with mating and sporulation but not with cell integrity. The qid74 gene was disrupted by homologous recombination and it was overexpressed by isolating transformants selected for the amdS gene that carried several copies of qid74 gene under the control of the pki promoter. Disruptants and transformants showed similar growth rate and viability when they were cultivated in different media, temperatures and osmolarities, or were subjected to different abiotic stress conditions. However, disruptants produced about 70% mass yield under any condition and were substantially more sensitive than the wild type to cell wall degradation by different lytic preparations. Transformants had similar mass yield and were more resistant to lytic enzymes but more sensitive to copper sulfate than the wild type. When experiments of adherence to hydrophobic surfaces were carried out, the disruptants had a reduced capacity to adhere, whereas that capacity in the overproducer transformants was slightly higher than that of the wild type. Results point to a significant role for Qid74 both in cell wall protection and adhesion to hydrophobic surfaces.     

A new xylanase from a Trichoderma harzianum strain

A new xylanase (XYL2) was purified from solid-state cultures of Trichoderma harzianum strain C by ultrafiltration and gel filtration. SDS-PAGE of the xylanase showed an apparent homogeneity and molecular weight of 18 kDa. It had the highest activity at pH 5.0 and 45°C and was stable at 50°C and pH 5.0 up to 4 h xylanase. XYL2 had a low K _m with insoluble oat spelt xylan as substrate. Compared to the amino acid composition of xylanases from Trichoderma spp, xylanase XYL2 presented a high content of glutamate/glutamine, phenylalanine and cysteine, and a low content of serine. Xylanase XYL2 improved the delignification and selectivity of unbleached hardwood kraft pulp. Received 02 February 1999/ Accepted in revised form 17 April 1999     

Raffinose-induced mutanase production from Trichoderma harzianum

Abstract The enzyme α (1 → 3),3-glucanohydrolase (referred to as mutanase) from the filamentous fungus Trichoderma harzianum OMZ 779 is capable of degrading the water-insoluble glucan in dental plaque. Previously, it was necessary to produce the glucan (referred to as mutan) in vitro for use as the sole carbon source and inducer of mutanase synthesis in fungal cultures. We report here that raffinose also induces the production of mutanase. The metabolism of raffinose differed from that of other sugars in metabolic end products and secreted protein profile. In addition to mutanase, we observed an approximately 15 000 M _r protein that was also regulated by carbon source and by illumination conditions.     

An antifungal exo-alpha-1,3-glucanase (AGN13.1) from the biocontrol fungus Trichoderma harzianum.

Trichoderma harzianum secretes alpha-1,3-glucanases when it is grown on polysaccharides, fungal cell walls, or autoclaved mycelium as a carbon source (simulated antagonistic conditions). We have purified and characterized one of these enzymes, named AGN13.1. The enzyme was monomeric and slightly basic. AGN13.1 was an exo-type alpha-1,3-glucanase and showed lytic and antifungal activity against fungal plant pathogens. Northern and Western analyses indicated that AGN13.1 is induced by conditions that simulated antagonism. We propose that AGN13.1 contributes to the antagonistic response of T. harzianum.     

Cytostatic effect of L-lysine-alpha-oxidase from Trichoderma harzianum Rifai and Trichoderma viride

L-lysine-alpha-oxidase, a new fungal enzyme catalyzing oxidative L-lysine deamination, was shown to have an inhibitory effect on the in vitro synthesis of DNA, RNA and proteins in human carcinoma ovarian (CaOv) cells.     

Mutanase induction in Trichoderma harzianum by cell wall of Laetiporus sulphureus and its application for mutan removal from oral biofilms

The cell wall material from fruiting bodies of Laetiporus sulphureus has been suggested as a new alternative to mutan for the mutanase induction in Trichoderma harzianum. Structural analyses revealed that the alkali-soluble wall fraction from this polypore fungus contained 56.3% of (1-->3)-linked alpha-glucans. When the strain T. harzianum F-340 was grown on a cell wall preparation from L. sulphureus, the maximal enzyme productivity obtained after 3 days of cultivation was 0.71 U/ml. This yield was about 1.8-fold higher than that achieved on mutan, known so far as the best, but expensive and inaccessible, inducer of mutanase production. Cell-wall-induced mutanase showed a high hydrolytic potential in reaction with a dextranasepretreated mutan, where maximal degrees of saccharification and solubilization of this biopolymer (80% and 100%, respectively) were reached in 3 h at 45oC. The mutanase preparation was also effective in degradation of streptococcal mutan and its removal from oral biofilms, especially in a mixture with dextranase.