Endochitinase gene-based phylogenetic analysis of Trichoderma

DNA sequences of the single-copy gene coding for the 42 kDa endochitinase e nzyme (EC 3.2.1.14) were used for phylogenetic analysis in Trichoderma. A s et of 12 primers was developed and the entire gene was sequenced for 16 str ains, and nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences were compared to data from GenBank for additional Trichoderma strains. Analysis of the sequences revealed parsimony informative variation from 2.4 to 43.6% depending on th e part of the gene (exons/introns) and the taxonomic level considered. Resu lts are discussed in comparison to previous data from ITS-1 and ITS-2 rDNA sequencing and suggest the 42 kDa endochitinase gene as a potential molecul ar marker for reconstructing phylogenetic relationships in the genus Tricho derma at species level.