Transient Expression of Chi42 Genes from Trichoderma asperellum in Nicotiana benthamiana by Agroinfiltration

Abstract

The present study reports the transient expression of chi42 genes encoding 42 kDa chitinase from T. asperellum SH16 in N. benthamiana via agroinfiltration. The efficacy of agroinfiltration for chi42 genes including a wild-type gene (Chi42) and two synthetic genes (syncodChi42-1 and syncodChi42-2) was determined. Accordingly, coinfiltration of two vectors pMYV719 carrying one of three genes chi42 and pMYV508 carrying gene p19 expedited the higher expression of recombinant enzymes whose genes were optimized for codon usage in plant tissues. The highest chitinolytic activity of about 290 U/mL was found in plants containing the gene syncodChi42-2 after 7 days of injection, 1.7 and 2.6 times higher than that of genes syncodChi42-1 and chi42. Recombinant chitinase has also exhibited activity against the pathogenic fungus Sclerotium rolfsii under in vitro condition. A higher expression level of syncodChi42-2 gene in N. benthamiana and its antifungal activity promise potential applications in the field of transgenic crops against phytopathogenic fungi. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers