The Cloning And Functional Characterization Of Cpsr1 And Cphyma Genes In Cryphonectria Parasitica

Hypovirus/Cryphonectria parasitica system is a novel model inthe investigation of virus-host interaction. By cDNA array analysis,two hypovirus-regulated C. parasitica genes cpsr1 and cphyma wereimplied in conidial production. Here we report the cloning andfunctional identification of cpsr1 gene by RNA interference (RNAi)and cphyma by gene disruption. RNA quantification by real-timePCR of the transformants derived from the transformation of cpsr1RNAi construct revealed that they exhibited RNA interference withup to 90% reduction in RNA accumulation for cpsr1. Compared withthe parental strainâ–³cpku80 and the EP155, the selectedtransformants with cpsr1 interfered have significant fewer number ofconidial spores. Deletion of cphyma gene in C. parasitica resulted in aphenotype of lowered asexual sporulation, reduced growth rate,irregular colony edge and reduced orange pigment. This workprovides evidence that both cpsr1 and cphyma genes are involved in asexual spore development in C. parasitica.