Identification of growth stage specific transcript profiles in Fusarium proliferatum (Gibberella fujikuroi MP-D) by cDNA AFLP

A cDNA-AFLP approach was developed to identify differentially regulated genes in mycotoxin-producing and non-producing growth stages of Fusarium proliferatum ( Gibberella fujikuori Mating Population-D). Using 160 PCR-primer combinations, a number of fragments which showed strikingly different intensities depending on growth stage were cloned, subjected to Northern analysis and sequenced. Two fragments, amplified from genes up-regulated during spore germination gave significant sequence homology to an amino acid transporter gene from Neurospora crassa and a GAL4-like transcriptional activator, respectively. Among the cDNAs derived from late growth stage transcripts, fragments of genes involved in polyol metabolism and cell cycle regulation, respectively were identified. Additional cDNAs ( without significant homologies to known sequences) were also isolated and these clearly differentiated between mycotoxin-producing and non-producing growth stages of the fungus.