Transcriptional analysis of Trichoderma reesei cultivated in the presence of different lignocellulose substrate

Trichoderma reesei is a soft rot Ascomycete fungus able to secrete enzymes extremely efficiently. Production strains have been traditionally improved
by classical mutagenesis as well as by specific genetic modifications. The availability of the complete genome sequence of T. reesei has made it possible to utilise genome wide analysis methods to study physiology and protein production by the fungus at different conditions and to utilise the information obtained to develop new strains with better enzyme production qualities, such as capability for enhanced protein production or production of modified enzyme mixtures for degradation of specific types of lignocellulose materials. In this study the hydrolytic system of Trichoderma reesei Rut-C30 in the presence of different substrates was studied by cultivating the fungus in the presence of e.g. sophorose, cellulose, pretreated wheat straw, pretreated spruce, xylan and bagasse. The cultures were subjected to transcriptional profiling using oligonucleotide microarrays. Differentially expressed genes were indentified from the data and expression profiles of glycoside hydrolase genes and other genes encoding lignocellulose degrading enzymes were compared in the presence of the different substrates to identify co-regulated groups of genes.