Work

Genomic Resources for Three Sarocladium zeae Isolates from Maize

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Sarocladium zeae is a protective fungal endophyte of maize with potential as a biological control agent because of its ability to suppress mycotoxin contamination through the production of secondary metabolites such as pyrrocidines. Here, we report high-quality genome assemblies for three S. zeae isolates, with assembly sizes ranging from 31.57 Mb to 31.74 Mb, N50 values from 3.73 Mb to 3.78 Mb, and BUSCO completeness scores of >98% and >95% against the fungi and Hypocreales databases, respectively. Comparative analysis revealed high genome-wide collinearity and sequence identity among the three isolates. Genome annotation predicted >9,600 protein-coding genes assigned to >7,200 protein families, along with 965 to 989 proteins with signal peptides, 2,225 to 2,259 transmembrane proteins, and 31 to 33 secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters. These genomes expand the genomic resources available for S. zeae and will support future studies of the species’ genome evolution, secondary metabolism, and its interactions with maize and other microbes. [Formula: see text] The author(s) have dedicated the work to the public domain under the Creative Commons CC0 “No Rights Reserved” license by waiving all of his or her rights to the work worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law, 2026.

Source: PhytoFrontiers™

DOI: 10.1094/phytofr-05-26-0058-a

Authors: Timothy R. Satterlee, Drew E. Olson, Niño R. Laurel, Robert C. Kemerait, Anthony E. Glenn

Institutions: Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, U.S. National Poultry Research Center, University of Georgia

Language: English

Topic: Microbial Natural Products and Biosynthesis

Subfield: Pharmacology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: Agricultural Research Service