Effects of Bacillus subtilis CF-3 volatile organic compounds on the transcriptome and proteome of Monilinia fructicola reveal a potential mechanism of action

Monilinia fructicola is the causal agent of brown rot disease in several species of fruit crops. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by some microorganisms have been shown to inhibit postharvest disease development in fruit crops and are being explored for use in disease management. Our previous studies have shown that Bacillus subtilis, strain CF-3 VOCs can inhibit the growth of M. fructicola [ACCC 36262]. In the present study, the effect of B. subtilis CF-3 VOCs on M. fructicola was subjected to transcriptomic and proteomic analyses to provide a theoretical basis for the mechanism of action of CF-3 VOCs. A total of 1,602 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 1,008 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified by quantitative transcriptome (RNA-sequencing) and quantitative proteomics (Tandem Mass Tag, TMT). The DEGs and DEPs were mainly associated with the GO and KEGG categories cell wall, cell membrane, extracellular enzyme, energy metabolism, and ribosome biosynthesis. Our results indicate that CF-3 VOCs influence both the growth and pathogenicity of M. fructicola and provide a theoretical basis for the potential mechanism of action of B. subtilis CF-3 in the protection of fruits against M. fructicola and perhaps other pathogens.