Title: De-Novo Genome Assembly of Fusarium Species (F. Proliferatum YN-41 and F. Sacchari CNO-1) and Genome Wide Analysis to Identify Novel Secondary Metabolites

Abstract:

Pokkah boeng disease (PBD) is a major constraint to sugarcane production globally and is re-emerging as predominant foliar disease in China. PBD is an airborne disease of sugarcane, caused by Fusarium fujikuroi species complex (FFSC). In this study, we present high quality genome sequences, which is the first report of full genome for F. sacchari CNO-1. We performed whole-genome sequencing of Fs. CNO-1 and Fp. YN41 by utilizing a combination of second and third generation sequencing technology. De-novo assembly processes resulted in thirteen pseudo-chromosomes including twelve chromosomes and one mitochondrial genome for Fs. CNO-1 and Fp. YN-41.

We estimated that Fs. CNO-1 diverged ~6.16 million years ago (mya), approximately ~4.17 mya earlier than its closely related Fp. YN41 species. Further, we performed combined transcriptome, proteome, and metabolome analysis to identify the potential secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters. We found that despite close association of Fs. CNO-1 and Fp. YN-41 genomic organization, both markedly differ with respect to presence and absence of secondary metabolites gene clusters in their genomes. HPLC-FTMS analysis revealed that fumonisin (FUM), fujikurins (FFUJ) and fusarinine (FSC) secondary metabolites which are encoded by Polyketide synthase gene (PKS) 11, PKS 19 and Non-ribosomal peptide synthetase gene (NRPS) 17 gene clusters, are absent in Fs. CNO-1. While PKS-8, NRPS-25 and DTC2-GA which encode gibberellins, are not found in Fp. YN41. Genome wide comparative analysis revealed higher number of genes encoding transcription factors, transporters, amino acid permeases, Carbohydrate-Active enZYmes (CAZymes), and polysaccharide lyase (PL) in Fp. YN41. Two unique PL families (PL20 and PL22) have been identified in Fp. YN41. Thus, through combined comparative genomics and genome wide analysis, we discovered novel genes and gene clusters that contribute to the host adaptability and pathogenicity of Fp. YN-41 and Fs. CNO-1, as sugarcane pathogen.

Biography:

I am Sehrish Akbar from Pakistan. Currently, I am doing my Post-Doctorate from State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Agro bioresources, Guangxi University, China with Professor Mu-Qing Zhang. Major focus of my research is on sugarcane diseases (viral and fungal) and their resistant strategies (through RNAi, CRISPR). I did my PhD from National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Pakistan. During my PhD studies, I targeted one of devastating viral pathogen of sugarcane crop (Sugarcane mosaic virus) using amiNA and RNAi pathways. I have one-year research experience in CSIRO, Australia. Due to my previous academic record and hands-on-experience on various molecular techniques, I got selected for post of Research Associate in USDA-ICARDA project. Our team focused on development of resistant against Begomovirus through the modification of beta-satellite containing cytochrome c and RNAi knockouts.