Genetic factors driving multi-host infection in a core member of the root mycobiota

Abstract

Core members of the fungal root microbiota include pathogens capable of colonizing multiple hosts, yet the underlying genetic determinants remain unknown. We report that Plectosphaerella cucumerina is a core member of the Arabidopsis thaliana root microbiota displaying high pathogenic potential and multi-host colonization capabilities. Establishment of a Plectosphaerella reference culture collection, followed by whole-genome sequencing of 72 strains reveals subtle phenotypic and genotypic variation that associate with fungal phylogeny, but not host plant identity. Transcriptome profiling of a model P. cucumerina isolate in roots of multiple hosts identifies core and host-specific fungal processes linked to carbon catabolism and root cell wall deconstruction of the hosts. A fungal gene encoding a candidate {beta}-1,3-glucanase (GH64) was identified as a key genetic factor driving infection and disease in plants that diverged 110 million years ago. The gene is enriched in plant-colonizing fungi and consistently functions as a disease determinant in the root pathogen Colletotrichum incanum. We conclude that diverse and tunable fungal repertoires of carbohydrate-active enzymes act as disease determinants and drive multi-host compatibility belowground.