scholarly journals Melanin Is Not Required for Turgor Generation but Enhances Cell-Wall Rigidity in Appressoria of the Corn Pathogen Colletotrichum graminicola

2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 315-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy Ludwig ◽  
Marco Löhrer ◽  
Marcus Hempel ◽  
Sebastian Mathea ◽  
Ivo Schliebner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Plant Cell Wall ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Turgor Pressure ◽  
Colletotrichum Graminicola ◽  
Cell Wall Degrading Enzymes ◽  
Melanin Biosynthesis ◽  
Successful Infection ◽  
Intact Leaves

The ascomycete and causative agent of maize anthracnose and stem rot, Colletotrichum graminicola, differentiates melanized infection cells called appressoria that are indispensable for breaching the plant cell wall. High concentrations of osmolytes accumulate within the appressorium, and the internal turgor pressure of up to 5.4 MPa provides sufficient force to penetrate the leaf epidermis directly. In order to assess the function of melanin in C. graminicola appressoria, we identified and characterized the polyketide synthase 1 (CgPKS1) gene which displayed high similarity to fungal polyketide synthases (PKS) involved in synthesis of 1,3,6,8-tetrahydronaphthalene, the first intermediate in melanin biosynthesis. Cgpks1 albino mutants created by targeted gene disruption were unable to penetrate intact leaves and ruptured frequently but, surprisingly, were able to penetrate ultrathin polytetrafluoroethylene membranes mimicking the plant surface. Nonmelanized Cgpks1 appressoria were sensitive to externally applied cell-wall-degrading enzymes whereas melanized appressoria were not affected. Expression studies using a truncated CgPKS1 fused to green fluorescent protein revealed fluorescence in immature appressoria and in setae, which is in agreement with transcript data obtained by RNA-Seq and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Unexpectedly, surface scans of mutant and wild-type appressoria revealed considerable differences in cell-wall morphology. Melanization of appressoria is indispensable for successful infection of intact leaves. However, cell collapse experiments and analysis of the appressorial osmolyte content by Mach-Zehnder interferometry convincingly showed that melanin is not required for solute accumulation and turgor generation, thus questioning the role of melanin as a barrier for osmolytes in appressoria of C. graminicola.

scholarly journals The Role of Glycoside Hydrolases in Phytopathogenic Fungi and Oomycetes Virulence

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (17) ◽  
pp. 9359
Author(s):  
Vahideh Rafiei ◽  
Heriberto Vélëz ◽  
Georgios Tzelepis
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Plant Cell Wall ◽  
Hydrolytic Enzymes ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Phytopathogenic Fungi ◽  
Glycoside Hydrolases ◽  
Cell Wall Degrading Enzymes ◽  
Plant Host ◽  
Successful Infection ◽  
Molecular Patterns

Phytopathogenic fungi need to secrete different hydrolytic enzymes to break down complex polysaccharides in the plant cell wall in order to enter the host and develop the disease. Fungi produce various types of cell wall degrading enzymes (CWDEs) during infection. Most of the characterized CWDEs belong to glycoside hydrolases (GHs). These enzymes hydrolyze glycosidic bonds and have been identified in many fungal species sequenced to date. Many studies have shown that CWDEs belong to several GH families and play significant roles in the invasion and pathogenicity of fungi and oomycetes during infection on the plant host, but their mode of function in virulence is not yet fully understood. Moreover, some of the CWDEs that belong to different GH families act as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), which trigger plant immune responses. In this review, we summarize the most important GHs that have been described in eukaryotic phytopathogens and are involved in the establishment of a successful infection.

scholarly journals Loss of bcbrn1 and bcpks13 in Botrytis cinerea Not Only Blocks Melanization But Also Increases Vegetative Growth and Virulence

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (10) ◽  
pp. 1091-1101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chenghua Zhang ◽  
Yifan He ◽  
Pinkuan Zhu ◽  
Lu Chen ◽  
Yiwen Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Botrytis Cinerea ◽  
Plant Cell Wall ◽  
Hydrolytic Enzyme ◽  
Complete Medium ◽  
Cell Wall Degrading Enzymes ◽  
Mycelium Growth ◽  
Necrotrophic Pathogen ◽  
Melanin Biosynthesis

Botrytis cinerea is a necrotrophic pathogen that causes gray mold disease in a broad range of plants. Dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN) melanin is a major component of the extracellular matrix of B. cinerea, but knowledge of the exact role of melanin biosynthesis in this pathogen is unclear. In this study, we characterize two genes in B. cinerea, bcpks13 and bcbrn1, encoding polyketide synthase and tetrahydroxynaphthalene (THN) reductases, respectively, and both have predicted roles in DHN melanin biosynthesis. The ∆bcpks13 and ∆bcbrn1 mutants show white and orange pigmentation, respectively, and the mutants are also deficient in conidiation in vitro but show enhanced growth rates and virulence on hosts. Moreover, the mutants display elevated acidification of the complete medium (CM), probably due to oxalic acid secretion and secretion of cell wall–degrading enzymes, and preferably utilize plant cell-wall components as carbon sources for mycelium growth in vitro. In contrast, overexpression of bcbrn1 (OE::bcbrn1 strain) results in attenuated hydrolytic enzyme secretion, acidification ability, and virulence. Taken together, these results indicate that bcpks13 and bcbrn1 participate in diverse cellular and developmental processes, such as melanization and conidiation in B. cinerea in vitro, but they negatively regulate the virulence of this pathogen.

scholarly journals Synergistic Effect of Different Plant Cell Wall–Degrading Enzymes Is Important for Virulence of Fusarium graminearum

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (11) ◽  
pp. 886-895 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Chiara Paccanaro ◽  
Luca Sella ◽  
Carla Castiglioni ◽  
Francesca Giacomello ◽  
Ana Lilia Martínez-Rocha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Fusarium Graminearum ◽  
Plant Cell ◽  
Plant Cell Wall ◽  
Xylanase Activity ◽  
Cellulase Activity ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Cell Wall Degrading Enzymes ◽  
Xylanase Production ◽  
Significant Difference

Endo-polygalacturonases (PGs) and xylanases have been shown to play an important role during pathogenesis of some fungal pathogens of dicot plants, while their role in monocot pathogens is less defined. Pg1 and xyr1 genes of the wheat pathogen Fusarium graminearum encode the main PG and the major regulator of xylanase production, respectively. Single- and double-disrupted mutants for these genes were obtained to assess their contribution to fungal infection. Compared with wild-type strain, the ∆pg mutant showed a nearly abolished PG activity, slight reduced virulence on soybean seedlings, but no significant difference in disease symptoms on wheat spikes; the ∆xyr mutant was strongly reduced in xylanase activity and moderately reduced in cellulase activity but was as virulent as wild type on both soybean and wheat plants. Consequently, the ΔpgΔxyr double mutant was impaired in xylanase, PG, and cellulase activities but, differently from single mutants, was significantly reduced in virulence on both plants. These findings demonstrate that the concurrent presence of PG, xylanase, and cellulase activities is necessary for full virulence. The observation that the uronides released from wheat cell wall after a F. graminearum PG treatment were largely increased by the fungal xylanases suggests that these enzymes act synergistically in deconstructing the plant cell wall.

scholarly journals Induction of Fusarium lytic Enzymes by Extracts from Resistant and Susceptible Cultivars of Pea (Pisum sativum L.)

Pathogens ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 976
Author(s):  
Lakshmipriya Perincherry ◽  
Chaima Ajmi ◽  
Souheib Oueslati ◽  
Agnieszka Waśkiewicz ◽  
Łukasz Stępień
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Plant Extracts ◽  
Plant Cell Wall ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Cell Wall Degrading Enzymes ◽  
Lytic Enzymes ◽  
Mycelium Growth ◽  
Oat Bran

Being pathogenic fungi, Fusarium produce various extracellular cell wall-degrading enzymes (CWDEs) that degrade the polysaccharides in the plant cell wall. They also produce mycotoxins that contaminate grains, thereby posing a serious threat to animals and human beings. Exposure to mycotoxins occurs through ingestion of contaminated grains, inhalation and through skin absorption, thereby causing mycotoxicoses. The toxins weaken the host plant, allowing the pathogen to invade successfully, with the efficiency varying from strain to strain and depending on the plant infected. Fusariumoxysporum predominantly produces moniliformin and cyclodepsipeptides, whereas F. proliferatum produces fumonisins. The aim of the study was to understand the role of various substrates and pea plant extracts in inducing the production of CWDEs and mycotoxins. Additionally, to monitor the differences in their levels when susceptible and resistant pea plant extracts were supplemented. The cultures of F. proliferatum and F. oxysporum strains were supplemented with various potential inducers of CWDEs. During the initial days after the addition of substrates, the fungus cocultivated with pea extracts and other carbon substrates showed increased activities of β-glucosidase, xylanase, exo-1,4-glucanase and lipase. The highest inhibition of mycelium growth (57%) was found in the cultures of F. proliferatum strain PEA1 upon the addition of cv. Sokolik extract. The lowest fumonisin content was exhibited by the cultures with the pea extracts and oat bran added, and this can be related to the secondary metabolites and antioxidants present in these substrates.

scholarly journals The regulatory and transcriptional landscape associated with carbon utilization in a filamentous fungus

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (11) ◽  
pp. 6003-6013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent W. Wu ◽  
Nils Thieme ◽  
Lori B. Huberman ◽  
Axel Dietschmann ◽  
David J. Kowbel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Plant Cell ◽  
Plant Cell Wall ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Carbon Sources ◽  
Cell Wall Degrading Enzymes ◽  
Degrading Enzymes ◽  
Genes Encoding

Filamentous fungi, such asNeurospora crassa, are very efficient in deconstructing plant biomass by the secretion of an arsenal of plant cell wall-degrading enzymes, by remodeling metabolism to accommodate production of secreted enzymes, and by enabling transport and intracellular utilization of plant biomass components. Although a number of enzymes and transcriptional regulators involved in plant biomass utilization have been identified, how filamentous fungi sense and integrate nutritional information encoded in the plant cell wall into a regulatory hierarchy for optimal utilization of complex carbon sources is not understood. Here, we performed transcriptional profiling ofN. crassaon 40 different carbon sources, including plant biomass, to provide data on how fungi sense simple to complex carbohydrates. From these data, we identified regulatory factors inN. crassaand characterized one (PDR-2) associated with pectin utilization and one with pectin/hemicellulose utilization (ARA-1). Using in vitro DNA affinity purification sequencing (DAP-seq), we identified direct targets of transcription factors involved in regulating genes encoding plant cell wall-degrading enzymes. In particular, our data clarified the role of the transcription factor VIB-1 in the regulation of genes encoding plant cell wall-degrading enzymes and nutrient scavenging and revealed a major role of the carbon catabolite repressor CRE-1 in regulating the expression of major facilitator transporter genes. These data contribute to a more complete understanding of cross talk between transcription factors and their target genes, which are involved in regulating nutrient sensing and plant biomass utilization on a global level.

scholarly journals The Xylanase Inhibitor TAXI-I Increases Plant Resistance to Botrytis cinerea by Inhibiting the BcXyn11a Xylanase Necrotizing Activity

Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 601
Author(s):  
Silvio Tundo ◽  
Maria Chiara Paccanaro ◽  
Ibrahim Elmaghraby ◽  
Ilaria Moscetti ◽  
Renato D’Ovidio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Botrytis Cinerea ◽  
Plant Cell Wall ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Cell Wall Degrading Enzymes ◽  
Targeted Deletion ◽  
Plant Infection ◽  
Transgenic Lines ◽  
Xylanase Inhibitor ◽  
Main Component

During host plant infection, pathogens produce a wide array of cell wall degrading enzymes (CWDEs) to break the plant cell wall. Among CWDEs, xylanases are key enzymes in the degradation of xylan, the main component of hemicellulose. Targeted deletion experiments support the direct involvement of the xylanase BcXyn11a in the pathogenesis of Botrytis cinerea. Since the Triticum aestivum xylanase inhibitor-I (TAXI-I) has been shown to inhibit BcXyn11a, we verified if TAXI-I could be exploited to counteract B. cinerea infections. With this aim, we first produced Nicotiana tabacum plants transiently expressing TAXI-I, observing increased resistance to B. cinerea. Subsequently, we transformed Arabidopsis thaliana to express TAXI-I constitutively, and we obtained three transgenic lines exhibiting a variable amount of TAXI-I. The line with the higher level of TAXI-I showed increased resistance to B. cinerea and the absence of necrotic lesions when infiltrated with BcXyn11a. Finally, in a droplet application experiment on wild-type Arabidopsis leaves, TAXI-I prevented the necrotizing activity of BcXyn11a. These results would confirm that the contribution of BcXyn11a to virulence is due to its necrotizing rather than enzymatic activity. In conclusion, our experiments highlight the ability of the TAXI-I xylanase inhibitor to counteract B. cinerea infection presumably by preventing the necrotizing activity of BcXyn11a.

scholarly journals Catalysts of plant cell wall loosening

F1000Research ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J. Cosgrove
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Plant Cell Wall ◽  
Turgor Pressure ◽  
Wall Stress ◽  
Primary Cell Wall ◽  
Wall Structure ◽  
Xyloglucan Endotransglycosylase ◽  
Growing Cell ◽  
Tensile Forces ◽  
Wall Loosening

The growing cell wall in plants has conflicting requirements to be strong enough to withstand the high tensile forces generated by cell turgor pressure while selectively yielding to those forces to induce wall stress relaxation, leading to water uptake and polymer movements underlying cell wall expansion. In this article, I review emerging concepts of plant primary cell wall structure, the nature of wall extensibility and the action of expansins, family-9 and -12 endoglucanases, family-16 xyloglucan endotransglycosylase/hydrolase (XTH), and pectin methylesterases, and offer a critical assessment of their wall-loosening activity

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