Effects of Pochonia chlamydosporia endophytism on gene expression profiles of colonized tomato roots

A transcriptome analysis was produced from tomato roots inoculated with the hyphomycete Pochonia chlamydosporia (Pc) at different times in order to shed light on endophytism process. Fungus genes expressed during progression of plant colonization, therefore related to the host colonization process or endophytism persistence, were also identified. Data provided a high-resolution insight on tomato transcriptome changes as induced by endophytism, highlighting a specific modulation of stress responsive transcripts, related to a selective activation of defense pathways, likely required by the fungus to establish a persistent endophytic life-style.