Comparative genomics and transcriptome analysis of two Colletotrichum scovillei strains revealed genes involved in fungal virulence on pepper (Capsicum annuum)

Abstract

Abstract Colletotrichum scovillei causes anthracnose in pepper (Capsicum annuum) and other crops worldwide, however little is known about its pathogenic molecular mechanism. In this study, the C. scovillei C1 and CD strains were found and shown different virulence against pepper, with C1 displaying a marked virulence defect compared to CD. To decipher the genetic variation between these two strains, and identify genes associated with C. scovillei virulence, comparative genomic and transcriptome analyses were conducted. The results showed that C1 has a large number of gene insertions and deletions compared with CD at the genome level. Meanwhile, analysis of DEGs (differentially expressed genes) between C. scovillei C1 and CD at the transcriptome level revealed 106 DEGs, including 3 potential upregulated effectors in CD, which may be the reasons for the high virulence of CD. In summary, our study revealed the genomic and transcriptomic background involved in Colletotrichum scovillei virulence in pepper, which contributes to the understanding of pepper anthracnose pathogenicity.