Heterobasidion annosum s.l. Biology, genomics, and pathogenicity factors

Andriy Kovalchuk, Zilan Wen, Hui Sun, Fred O. Asiegbu

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter or book articleScientificpeer-review

    3 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    In boreal and north temperate forests, about 10%-15% of conifer trees (spruce, pine) cut are rotted and commercially less valuable, largely caused by a single pathogen Heterobasidion annosum s.l. The economic effects of Heterobasidion infection approximate to 1 billion euros in losses yearly in Europe. Despite extensive efforts dedicated to unravel the genetic components involved in the pathogenicity and lifestyles of Heterobasidion pathogens, the molecular mechanisms have not been thoroughly understood. Our understanding and perception of Heterobasidion pathogenesis have recently been facilitated due to novel technological advances using “Omics” technology. The availability of the genome and transcriptome of Heterobasidion has led to the discovery of large groups of small secreted proteins (SSPs) or effector-like proteins. Elucidating the functional role of the individual effectors is, however, a very challenging task. Despite the perceived progress, there are still intractable challenges working with Heterobasidion-conifer pathosystem; the long timescale of the disease, lack of mutant lines, large genome size of the host, no avirulent isolates of the pathogen, and inefficient DNA transformation system are some of the obstacles. In spite of the challenges, there have been novel prospects for advances. Novel biotechnology methods are now available and can be deployed to answer many of the fundamental biological questions in this pathosystem.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationForest Microbiology
    Subtitle of host publicationVolume 2: Forest Tree Health
    PublisherElsevier
    Pages345-360
    Number of pages16
    Volume2
    ISBN (Electronic)978-0-323-85042-1
    ISBN (Print)978-0-323-98448-5
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2022
    MoE publication typeA3 Part of a book or another research book

    Keywords

    • Biocontrol
    • Effectors
    • Genomics
    • Heterobasidion
    • Host range
    • Pathogenicity factors
    • Pathosystem
    • QTL

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