Knowledge Bank

Endophytic fungi occupy a niche that leads to interactions with plant metabolites. In this interaction, fungi can use plant metabolites in their signaling pathways and metabolism. Fungi also must protect themselves from competing microorganisms and toxic metabolites. Coffea arabica was studied as a host plant due to its economic importance and diverse metabolite profile. This study identified secondary metabolite gene clusters, phenylpropanoid degrading gene clusters, and functionally annotated genes in an endophytic fungus, and highlighted genomic features that are expected in an endophytic lifestyle. Findings feature 44 metabolic gene clusters identified to be associated with secondary metabolite production and degradation. By understanding these interactions between endophytic fungi and the host plant, improvements can be made in the Coffea arabica cropping system in response to environmental changes and pathogens.