biostudies-literatureVillafana RTThe University of the West Indies, Campus Research and Publications Fund1425-1443https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC7029052biostudies-literatureUnknown10(3)<i>Colletotrichum</i> species complexes are among the top 10 economically important fungal plant pathogens worldwide because they can infect climacteric and nonclimacteric fruit at the pre and/or postharvest stages. <i>C. truncatum</i> is the major pathogen responsible for anthracnose of green and red bell pepper fruit worldwide. <i>C. brevisporum</i> was recently reported to be a minor pathogen of red bell pepper fruit in Trinidad, but has recently been reported as pathogenic to other host species in other countries. The ability of these phytopathogens to produce and secrete cutinase is required for dismantling the cuticle of the host plant and, therefore, crucial to the necrotrophic phase of their infection strategy. In vitro bioassays using different lipid substrates confirmed the abiliEcology and evolutionDiversity, structure, and synteny of the cutinase gene of <i>Colletotrichum</i> species.PMC7029052Grant #CRP.3.MAR16.12Villafana RTRampersad SNfalseDiversity, structure, and synteny of the cutinase gene of <i>Colletotrichum</i> species.<i>Colletotrichum</i> species complexes are among the top 10 economically important fungal plant pathogens worldwide because they can infect climacteric and nonclimacteric fruit at the pre and/or postharvest stages. <i>C. truncatum</i> is the major pathogen responsible for anthracnose of green and red bell pepper fruit worldwide. <i>C. brevisporum</i> was recently reported to be a minor pathogen of red bell pepper fruit in Trinidad, but has recently been reported as pathogenic to other host species in other countries. The ability of these phytopathogens to produce and secrete cutinase is required for dismantling the cuticle of the host plant and, therefore, crucial to the necrotrophic phase of their infection strategy. In vitro bioassays using different lipid substrates confirmed the abili2020-01-01T00:00:00Z2020 Feb2026-04-29T01:48:32.897Z2020-05-22T10:35:17ZS-EPMC70290523207652510.1002/ece3.5998