biostudies-literatureRahnama MRoyal Society of New ZealandRoyal Society of New Zealand Marsden Fund190https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9959145biostudies-literatureUnknown9(2)<i>Epichloë</i> species form bioprotective endophytic symbioses with many cool-season grasses, including agriculturally important forage grasses. Despite its importance, relatively little is known about the molecular details of the interaction and the regulatory genes involved. VelA is a key global regulator in fungal secondary metabolism and development. In previous studies, we showed the requirement of <i>velA</i> for <i>E. festucae</i> to form a mutualistic interaction with <i>Lolium perenne</i>. We showed that VelA regulates the expression of genes encoding proteins involved in membrane transport, fungal cell wall biosynthesis, host cell wall degradation, and secondary metabolism, along with several small-secreted proteins in <i>Epichloë festucae</i>. Here, by a comparative transcriptoJournal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)Comparative Transcriptomics Profiling of Perennial Ryegrass Infected with Wild Type or a Δ<i>velA Epichloe festucae</i> Mutant Reveals Host Processes Underlying Mutualistic versus Antagonistic Interactions.PMC9959145AGR1002Fleetwood DJJohnson RDRahnama MMaclean PfalseComparative Transcriptomics Profiling of Perennial Ryegrass Infected with Wild Type or a Δ<i>velA Epichloe festucae</i> Mutant Reveals Host Processes Underlying Mutualistic versus Antagonistic Interactions.<i>Epichloë</i> species form bioprotective endophytic symbioses with many cool-season grasses, including agriculturally important forage grasses. Despite its importance, relatively little is known about the molecular details of the interaction and the regulatory genes involved. VelA is a key global regulator in fungal secondary metabolism and development. In previous studies, we showed the requirement of <i>velA</i> for <i>E. festucae</i> to form a mutualistic interaction with <i>Lolium perenne</i>. We showed that VelA regulates the expression of genes encoding proteins involved in membrane transport, fungal cell wall biosynthesis, host cell wall degradation, and secondary metabolism, along with several small-secreted proteins in <i>Epichloë festucae</i>. Here, by a comparative transcripto2023-01-01T00:00:00Z2023 Feb2026-06-24T03:22:35.806Z2025-02-18T23:57:41.558ZS-EPMC99591453683630510.3390/jof9020190