Genômica e proteômica de fungos filamentosos para aplicações biotecnológicas

Abstract

Fungi comprise a vast and diverse group of eukaryotes, and estimates point to the existence of millions of species of fungi, with high genetic diversity. However, only a small fraction of these species have already been identified and an even smaller number has been subjected to in-depth scientific studies. Given its importance in the field of biotechnology for the generation of a variety of products or bioprocesses, it is important to carry out studies to evaluate the biotechnological potential of these organisms or the metabolites produced by them. In this sense, genomic, proteomic, and transcriptomic analyzes can be important for the characterization of fungi, as well as the biological processes in which they are taking part. Initially, we reported a genome assembly and functional analysis of a new endophytic species of the genus Trichoderma. Phylogenetic analyzes indicated that this isolate was a new species, proposed in this study as Trichoderma orchidacearum sp. nov. Comparative genomics, evolutionary analysis, proteomics, and enzyme activity assays, provided important information regarding the genome evolution and nutritional strategies of this fungus, indicating genome streamlining and evolution towards an endophytic lifestyle. Subsequently, we also conducted a screening of ascomycetes and basidiomycetes for the ability to produce enzymatic activities for depolymerization of plant biomass, and the potential of these enzymes to increase the efficiency of the commercial mixture Cellic® CTec2/HTec2 for saccharification of pretreated sugarcane straw. The culture supernatant of Penicillium ochrochloron RLS11 showed a promising supplementation effect in Cellic® CTec2/HTec2, and we conducted the genome sequencing of this fungus, genomic and proteomic analyzes. Several cellulases (families GH3, GH6, GH7) and other enzymes possibly related to the supplementation effect of the commercial enzyme mixture have been identified. Finally, we obtained a genome assembly of Fusarium verticillioides AZB, an important pathogen of corn, sorghum, and rice. Orthology analyzes and gene expression data indicated many genes shared by Fusarium species that may participate in plant colonization. We detected positive selection in 1,826 F. verticillioides orthologous genes and many of them showed sufficient sequence similarity to virulence effectors (PHI database, http://www.phi-base.org/). In this way, we identified several genes encoding proteins that have the potential to participate in pathogenic processes. This can guide future studies to increase knowledge about the virulence of the fungus and develop better control strategies.