In Silico Characterization of the Secretome of the Fungal Pathogen Thielaviopsis punctulata, the Causal Agent of Date Palm Black Scorch Disease

The black scorch disease of date palm caused by Thielaviopsis punctulata is a serious threat to the cultivation and productivity of date palm in Arabian Peninsula. The virulence factors that contribute to pathogenicity of T. punctulata have not been identified yet. In the present study, using bioinformatics approach, secretory proteins of T. punctulata were identified and functionally characterized. A total of 197 putative secretory proteins were identified, of which 74 were identified as enzymes for carbohydrate degradation (CAZymes), 25 were proteases, and 47 were predicted as putative effectors. Within the CAZymes, 50 cell wall-degrading enzymes, potentially to degrade cell wall components such as cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and pectin, were identified. Of the 47 putative effectors, 34 possessed at least one functional domain. The secretome of T. punctulata was compared to the predicted secretome of five closely related species (T. musarum, T. ethacetica, T. euricoi, T. cerberus, and T. populi) and identified species specific CAZymes and putative effector genes in T. punctulata, providing a valuable resource for the research aimed at understanding the molecular mechanism underlying the pathogenicity of T. punctulata on Date palm.