Glucanases and Chitinases in Mangifera indica: Identification, Classification, Phylogeny, and Expression Analysis of Defense Genes against Colletotrichum spp

Plant glucanases and chitinases are defense proteins that participate in pathogenesis; however, very little is known about the glucanase (GLUC) and chitinase (CHIT) gene families in mango. Some mango cultivars are of great economic importance and can be affected by anthracnose, a postharvest disease caused by fungi of the genus Colletotrichum spp. This study identified and characterized 23 putative glucanases and 16 chitinases in the mango genome cv. Tommy Atkins. We used phylogenetic analyses to classify the glucanases into three subclasses (A, B, and C) and the chitinases into four classes (I, II, IV, and V). Information on the salicylic, jasmonic acid, and ethylene pathways was obtained by analyzing the cis-elements of the GLUC and CHIT class I and IV gene promoters. The expression profile of GLUC, CHIT class I, and CHIT class IV genes in mango cv. Ataulfo inoculated with two Colletotrichum spp. revealed different profile expression related to these fungi’s level of virulence. In general, this study provides the basis for the functional validation of these target genes with which the regulatory mechanisms used by glucanases and chitinases as defense proteins in mango can be elucidated.