Transcriptome analysis of different developmental stages of Tilletia controversa revealed Chitin synthases genes for growth.

Dwarf bunt of wheat, which is caused by Tilletia controversa Kühn, is an international quarantine disease can lead to 80 % or total loss of production. The diseased wheat grain was replaced by galls and emitting a fishy odor, seriously affects the yield and quality of flour. To define important genes which contribute to the growth of T. controversa, we analyzed the transcripts of T. controversa at three developmental stages (promyceliu, primary sporidia and secondary sporidia production). The results showed that there were significant differences in transcripts among the three different developmental stages. GO analysis indicating that differential expressed genes mainly promote the development of hyphae by affecting the metabolism and synthesis of a large number of proteins or other small molecular organics. KEGG analysis showed the DEGs were involved in the synthesis and metabolism of amino acids and secondary metabolism to promote the development of hyphae. The chitin synthases TcChs1 and TcChs2 were continuously upregulated in the three developmental stages of RNA-Seq data, and the deletion of TcChs1 and TcChs2 separately resulted in slowed growth and decline ability to resist congo-red, reactive oxygen and osmotic stress. This study helps to elucidate the growth and development processes of T. controversa and provide a theoretical basis for disease control.