Moniliophthora roreri genome and transcriptome

Abstract

Frosty pod rot disease of cacao is one of the most destructive diseases of cacao and at this time is limited to regions in South America and Central America. Frosty pod rot is caused by a fungal pathogen Moniliophthora roreri, a basidiomycete that is closely related to another cacao pathogen that causes the witches’ broom disease, Moniliophthora perniciosa. Combined these two pathogens are the leading causes of cacao yield losses in the Americas. Both pathogens are unique in that they have long biotrophic phases after infection as the disease progresses. In this chapter, genomic and transcriptomic sequencing will be used to corroborate and hypothesize various mechanisms of the molecular interactions of the host and pathogen during the disease interaction of frosty pod rot. The systematic timing of fungal and plant gene regulation in this pathosystem appears to be a key component of this plant disease resulting in specific molecular and cellular interactions. When this coordinated gene regulation is disrupted, for example, in a resistant plant variety, the disease interaction fails.