Thermotolerance and post-fire growth in Rhizina undulata is associated with the expansion of heat stress-related protein families.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Rhizina undulata is an important tree pathogen, infecting a wide variety of conifer species, including those in the genus Pinus. The fungus relies on heat shock-mediated activation of its ascospores, which require high temperatures to initiate germination. Consequently, disease due to R. undulata often occurs after fire events in both natural and managed forests. The genetic mechanisms contributing to the pyrophilous nature of R. undulata have not been investigated. We sought to identify key genes that may be responsible for thermotolerance in the fungus. A comparative genomics approach was used, by sequencing the genome of R. undulata for the first time and comparing its predicted proteome to those from other Pezizomycetes, both with and without known associations with

SUBMITTER: Wilson AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12613711 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature