The function of Schizophyllum commune agglutinin 1 in the defense against fungivorous nematodes Ditylenchus myceliophagus

Abstract

Recent studies suggest that many mushroom lectins are up-regulated during fruiting body formation. This led to the hypothesis that these lectins could be involved by linking hyphae to each other or as effector molecules in the defense of fungi against predators and parasites. Previous research shows that Agglutinin 1 (Agl1) mRNA steady state levels increase to very high values in fruiting bodies of Schizophyllum commune. The expression of Agl1 could be induced by fungivorous organisms as nematodes, specifically Ditylenchus myceliophagus. The main issue of this report is to determine if Agl1 has a function in the fungal defense system of S.commune. A gene disruption is done to produce Agglutinin 1 knock-outs (ΔAgl1). D. myceliophagus is used to test the fungal defence system of wild type S.commune fruiting bodies(4-8Ax4-8BΔKu80) and knock-out fruiting bodies. Three knock-outs (ΔAgl1) were made. No morphologic differences were seen between wild type and the Δ Agl1. In the fungal defense system of S.commune, a significant difference between the wildtype fruiting bodies and the knock-outs is detected.