Spore Germination of the Obligate Biotroph Spongospora subterranea: Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Germination Associated Genes

Spongospora subterranea is an obligate soilborne protozoan that infects the roots and tubers of potato causing root and powdery scab disease for which there are currently no effective controls. A better understanding of the molecular basis of resting spore germination of S. subterranea could be important for the development of novel disease interventions. However, as an obligate biotroph and soil-dwelling organism, the application of new omics techniques for the study of the pre-infection process in S. subterranea has been problematic. In the present project, RNA sequencing was used to analyze the reprogramming of S. subterranea resting spores during the transition to zoospores in an in-vitro model.