Heterobasidion occidentale transcriptome analysis

The objectives of this study were to identify genes involved in virulence traits in Heterobasidion occidendale isolates, and to provide genomic information and tools for management of forest disease and for meeting the challenges of phytosanitary trade issues caused by this fungal pathogen. Here we report on transcriptome profiling of pathogenic isolates collected from different regions. We performed RNA-seq analysis on selected isolates with contrasting virulence levels. Bioinformatics analyses identified a H. occidentale secretome, CYProme, and other candidate effectors. We determined orthologous gene groups and genes exclusive to H. occidentale and its isolates by comparative transcriptomic analysis.