scholarly journals Plant Defensin Peptides have Antifungal and Antibacterial Activity Against Human and Plant Pathogens

2019 ◽  
Vol 109 (3) ◽  
pp. 402-408 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew E. Sathoff ◽  
Siva Velivelli ◽  
Dilip M. Shah ◽  
Deborah A. Samac
Keyword(s):  
Antibacterial Activity ◽  
Plant Pathogens ◽  
Crown Rot ◽  
Plant Defensin ◽  
Core Motif ◽  
Potential Control ◽  
Fungal Plant Pathogens ◽  
Plant Defensins ◽  
Animal Pathogens

Plant defensins are small, cysteine-rich antimicrobial peptides. These peptides have previously been shown to primarily inhibit the growth of fungal plant pathogens. Plant defensins have a γ-core motif, defined as GXCX3-9C, which is required for their antifungal activity. To evaluate plant defensins as a potential control for a problematic agricultural disease (alfalfa crown rot), short, chemically synthesized peptides containing γ-core motif sequences were screened for activity against numerous crown rot pathogens. These peptides showed both antifungal and, surprisingly, antibacterial activity. Core motif peptides from Medicago truncatula defensins (MtDef4 and MtDef5) displayed high activity against both plant and human bacterial pathogens in vitro. Full-length defensins had higher antimicrobial activity compared with the peptides containing their predictive γ-core motifs. These results show the future promise for controlling a wide array of economically important fungal and bacterial plant pathogens through the transgenic expression of a plant defensin. They also suggest that plant defensins may be an untapped reservoir for development of therapeutic compounds for combating human and animal pathogens.

scholarly journals Evaluation of in-vitro methods to select effective streptomycetes against toxigenic fusaria

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e6905 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Maria Colombo ◽  
Cristina Pizzatti ◽  
Andrea Kunova ◽  
Claudio Gardana ◽  
Marco Saracchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Pathogens ◽  
Culture Media ◽  
Screening Methods ◽  
Dual Culture ◽  
In Planta ◽  
In Vitro Method ◽  
In Vitro Methods ◽  
Strain Diversity ◽  
Fungal Plant Pathogens

Biocontrol microorganisms are emerging as an effective alternative to pesticides. Ideally, biocontrol agents (BCAs) for the control of fungal plant pathogens should be selected by an in vitro method that is high-throughput and is predictive of in planta efficacy, possibly considering environmental factors, and the natural diversity of the pathogen. The purpose of our study was (1) to assess the effects ofFusariumstrain diversity (N= 5) and culture media (N= 6) on the identification of biological control activity ofStreptomycesstrains (N= 20) againstFusariumpathogens of wheat in vitro and (2) to verify the ability of our in vitro screening methods to simulate the activity in planta. Our results indicate that culture media,Fusariumstrain diversity, and their interactions affect the results of an in vitro selection by dual culture assay. The results obtained on the wheat-based culture media resulted in the highest correlation score (r= 0.5) with the in planta root rot (RR) inhibition, suggesting that this in vitro method was the best predictor of in planta performance of streptomycetes against Fusarium RR of wheat assessed as extension of the necrosis on the root. Contrarily, none of the in vitro plate assays using the media tested could appropriately predict the activity of the streptomycetes against Fusarium foot rot symptoms estimated as the necrosis at the crown level. Considering overall data of correlation, the activity in planta cannot be effectively predicted by dual culture plate studies, therefore improved in vitro methods are needed to better mimic the activity of biocontrol strains in natural conditions. This work contributes to setting up laboratory standards for preliminary screening assays ofStreptomycesBCAs against fungal pathogens.

scholarly journals Plant defensin antibacterial mode of action against Pseudomonas species

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Edward Sathoff ◽  
Shawn Lewenza ◽  
Deborah A. Samac
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Antibacterial Activity ◽  
Outer Membrane ◽  
Pseudomonas Syringae ◽  
Mode Of Action ◽  
Fluorescent Microscopy ◽  
Insertion Site ◽  
Membrane Damage ◽  
Plant Defensin ◽  
Plant Defensins

Abstract Background: Though many plant defensins exhibit antibacterial activity, little is known about their antibacterial mode of action (MOA). Antimicrobial peptides with a characterized MOA induce the expression of multiple bacterial outer membrane modifications, which are required for resistance to these membrane-targeting peptides. Mini-Tn5-lux mutant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with Tn insertions disrupting outer membrane protective modifications were assessed for sensitivity against plant defensin peptides. These transcriptional lux reporter strains were also evaluated for lux gene expression in response to sublethal plant defensin exposure. Also, a plant pathogen, Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae was modified through transposon mutagenesis to create mutants that are resistant to in vitro MtDef4 treatments.Results: Plant defensins displayed specific and potent antibacterial activity against strains of P. aeruginosa. A defensin from Medicago truncatula, MtDef4, induced dose-dependent gene expression of the aminoarabinose modification of LPS and surface polycation spermidine production operons. The ability for MtDef4 to damage bacterial outer membranes was also verified visually through fluorescent microscopy. Another defensin from M. truncatula, MtDef5, failed to induce lux gene expression and limited outer membrane damage was detected with fluorescent microscopy. The transposon insertion site on MtDef4 resistant P. syringae pv. syringae mutants was sequenced, and modifications of ribosomal genes were identified to contribute to enhanced resistance to plant defensin treatments. Conclusions: MtDef4 damages the outer membrane similar to polymyxin B, which stimulates antimicrobial peptide resistance mechanisms to plant defensins. MtDef5, appears to have a different antibacterial MOA. Additionally, the MtDef4 antibacterial mode of action may also involve inhibition of translation.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Dunaliella salina Extracts against Bacillus subtilis and Bacterial Plant Pathogens

Pathogens ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 613
Author(s):  
Alfredo Ambrico ◽  
Mario Trupo ◽  
Rosaria Magarelli ◽  
Roberto Balducchi ◽  
Angelo Ferraro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibacterial Activity ◽  
Pseudomonas Syringae ◽  
Dunaliella Salina ◽  
Plant Pathogens ◽  
Plant Diseases ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Tomato Plants ◽  
Hexane Extracts

Several bacteria pathogens are responsible for plant diseases causing significant economic losses. The antibacterial activity of Dunaliella salina microalgae extracts were investigated in vitro and in vivo. First, biomass composition was chemically characterized and subjected to extraction using polar/non-polar solvents. The highest extraction yield was obtained using chloroform:methanol (1:1 v/v) equal to 170 mg g−1 followed by ethanol (88 mg g−1) and hexane (61 mg g−1). In vitro examination of hexane extracts of Dunaliella salina demonstrated antibacterial activity against all tested bacteria. The hexane extract showed the highest amount of β-carotene with respect to the others, so it was selected for subsequent analyses. In vivo studies were also carried out using hexane extracts of D. salina against Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato and Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum on young tomato plants and fruits of tomato and zucchini, respectively. The treated young tomato plants exhibited a reduction of 65.7% incidence and 77.0% severity of bacterial speck spot disease. Similarly, a reduction of soft rot symptoms was observed in treated tomato and zucchini fruits with a disease incidence of 5.3% and 12.6% with respect to 90.6% and 100%, respectively, for the positive control.

Antifungal activity of extracts from endophytic fungi associated with Smallanthus maintained in vitro as autotrophic cultures and as pot plants in the greenhouse

2012 ◽  
Vol 58 (10) ◽  
pp. 1202-1211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luiz H. Rosa ◽  
Nurhayat Tabanca ◽  
Natascha Techen ◽  
Zhiqiang Pan ◽  
David E. Wedge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antifungal Activity ◽  
Endophytic Fungi ◽  
Plant Pathogens ◽  
Cultivation Conditions ◽  
Smallanthus Sonchifolius ◽  
Fungal Plant Pathogens ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Fungal Assemblages ◽  
Pot Plants

The endophytic fungal assemblages associated with Smallanthus sonchifolius (Poepp.) H. Rob. and Smallanthus uvedalius (L.) Mack. ex Small growing in vitro autotrophic cultures and in the greenhouse were identified and evaluated for their ability to produce bioactive compounds. A total of 25 isolates were recovered that were genetically closely related to species of the genera Bionectria , Cladosporium , Colletotrichum , Fusarium , Gibberella , Hypocrea , Lecythophora , Nigrospora , Plectosphaerella , and Trichoderma . The endophytic assemblages of S. sonchifolius presented a greater diversity than the group isolated from S. uvedalius and demonstrated the presence of dominant generalist fungi. Extracts of all fungi were screened against the fungal plant pathogens. Ten extracts (41.6%) displayed antifungal activities; some of them had a broad antifungal activity. The phylotypes Lecythophora sp. 1, Lecythophora sp. 2, and Fusarium oxysporum were isolated from in vitro autotrophic cultures and displayed antifungal activity. The presence of bioactive endophytic fungi within S. sonchifolius and S. uvedalius suggests an ecological advantage against pathogenic attacks. This study revealed reduced numbers of endophytes in association with both Smallanthus species in controlled cultivation conditions compared with the endophytic communities of hosts collected in the wild environments. Even as reduced endophytic communities, these fungi continue to provide chemical protection for the host.

scholarly journals Screening of Antifungal and Antibacterial Activity of 90 Commercial Essential Oils against 10 Pathogens of Agronomical Importance

Foods ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 1418
Author(s):  
Caroline De Clerck ◽  
Simon Dal Maso ◽  
Olivier Parisi ◽  
Frédéric Dresen ◽  
Abdesselam Zhiri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibacterial Activity ◽  
Essential Oils ◽  
Plant Pathogens ◽  
Plant Protection ◽  
Fusarium Culmorum ◽  
Plant Protection Products ◽  
Colletotrichum Lindemuthianum ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Organosulfur Compounds

Nowadays, the demand for a reduction of chemical pesticides use is growing. In parallel, the development of alternative methods to protect crops from pathogens and pests is also increasing. Essential oil (EO) properties against plant pathogens are well known, and they are recognized as having an interesting potential as alternative plant protection products. In this study, 90 commercially available essential oils have been screened in vitro for antifungal and antibacterial activity against 10 plant pathogens of agronomical importance. EOs have been tested at 500 and 1000 ppm, and measures have been made at three time points for fungi (24, 72 and 120 h of contact) and every two hours for 12 h for bacteria, using Elisa microplates. Among the EOs tested, the ones from Allium sativum, Corydothymus capitatus, Cinnamomum cassia, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Cymbopogon citratus, Cymbopogon flexuosus, Eugenia caryophyllus, and Litsea citrata were particularly efficient and showed activity on a large panel of pathogens. Among the pathogens tested, Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium culmorum, and Fusarium graminearum were the most sensitive, while Colletotrichum lindemuthianum and Phytophthora infestans were the less sensitive. Some EOs, such as the ones from A. sativum, C. capitatus, C. cassia, C. zeylanicum, C. citratus, C. flexuosus, E. caryophyllus, and L. citrata, have a generalist effect, and are active on several pathogens (7 to 10). These oils are rich in phenols, phenylpropanoids, organosulfur compounds, and/or aldehydes. Others, such as EOs from Citrus sinensis, Melaleucacajputii, and Vanilla fragrans, seem more specific, and are only active on one to three pathogens. These oils are rich in terpenes and aldehydes.

Douglas-fir root-associated microorganisms with inhibitory activity towards fungal plant pathogens and human bacterial pathogens

1996 ◽  
Vol 42 (7) ◽  
pp. 690-700 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paige E. Axelrood ◽  
Alison M. Clarke ◽  
Reed Radley ◽  
S. Janet V. Zemcov
Keyword(s):  
Antifungal Activity ◽  
Inhibitory Activity ◽  
Plant Pathogens ◽  
Bacterial Pathogens ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Microbial Culture ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
Fungal Plant Pathogens ◽  
Forest Sites

A microbial culture collection composed of 1820 bacterial strains, including 298 actinomycete strains, was established from the roots of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) seedlings harvested from conifer nurseries and forest sites. Two hundred and thirty-four strains inhibited the growth of Fusarium, Cylindrocarpon, and (or) Pythium spp. in in vitro assays. A significantly greater proportion of bacterial strains from actinomycete genera exhibited antifungal properties compared with bacterial strains from nonactinomycete genera. Eighty-nine percent of identified inhibitory strains were Streptomyces, Streptoverticillium, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, or Burkholderia species. The actinomycete species were isolated almost exclusively from forest seedlings. Recovery of inhibitory strains representing 29 microbial species was enhanced using a variety of methods to isolate microorganisms from the roots of seedlings from nursery and forest sites. Bacterial strains (including actinomycete strains) with antifungal activity were tested for in vitro growth inhibition of six clinical human bacterial pathogens (Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Forty-eight percent of the tested strains inhibited one or more human pathogens. Inhibitory activity towards fungal and bacterial pathogens was strain specific, not species specific, and many inhibitory strains exhibited broad-spectrum activity. Strains with antifungal activity against several conifer root pathogens were also more likely to inhibit multiple species of clinical bacterial pathogens.Key words: in vitro, antimicrobial, conifer rhizosphere.

scholarly journals Sensitivity of Bacterial and Fungal Plant Pathogens to the Lytic Peptides, MSI-99, Magainin II, and Cecropin B

2002 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 701-708 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali R. Alan ◽  
Elizabeth D. Earle
Keyword(s):  
Phytophthora Infestans ◽  
Plant Pathogens ◽  
Fungal Spores ◽  
Alternaria Solani ◽  
Leaf Disk ◽  
Cecropin B ◽  
Fungal Plant Pathogens ◽  
Magainin Ii ◽  
Lytic Peptides

In vitro and leaf disk assays of bacterial and fungal plant pathogens were conducted using three cationic lytic peptides, MSI-99, magainin II (MII), and cecropin B (CB). Growth of bacterial organisms was retarded or completely inhibited by low concentrations of these lytic peptides. The peptides also significantly reduced germination of fungal spores and growth of mycelia; however, higher concentrations of peptides were needed to inhibit fungal growth compared with those needed to inhibit bacteria. The relative efficacy of the peptides depended on the microorganism tested, but CB was the most inhibitory to the majority of the bacteria and fungi assayed. MSI-99, a synthetic derivative of MII with increased positive charge, showed equal or two- to fivefold higher antibacterial activity compared to MII in the in vitro assays. MSI-99 was also superior to MII against the oomycete, Phytophthora infestans but was slightly inferior to MII in assays with the true fungi, Penicillium digitatum and Alternaria solani. In the leaf disk assays, pretreating spores of Alternaria solani and Phytophthora infestans with the peptides at concentrations as low as 10 μg per ml led to significant reductions in the size of early blight lesions and prevented development of any late blight lesions on tomato leaf disks. Our results from in vitro and leaf disk assays suggest that MSI-99 can be used as a transgene to generate tomato lines with enhanced resistance to bacterial and fungal diseases of this crop.

scholarly journals Transfection of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum withIn VitroTranscripts of a Naturally Occurring Interspecific Recombinant of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Hypovirus 2 Significantly Reduces Virulence of the Fungus

2015 ◽  
Vol 89 (9) ◽  
pp. 5060-5071 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shin-Yi Lee Marzano ◽  
Houston A. Hobbs ◽  
Berlin D. Nelson ◽  
Glen L. Hartman ◽  
Darin M. Eastburn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sclerotinia Sclerotiorum ◽  
Plant Pathogens ◽  
High Throughput Sequencing ◽  
Infectious Clone ◽  
White Mold ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fungal Plant Pathogens ◽  
Rapid Amplification ◽  
Valsa Ceratosperma

ABSTRACTA recombinant strain ofSclerotinia sclerotiorumhypovirus 2 (SsHV2) was identified from a North AmericanSclerotinia sclerotiorumisolate (328) from lettuce (Lactuca sativaL.) by high-throughput sequencing of total RNA. The 5′- and 3′-terminal regions of the genome were determined by rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The assembled nucleotide sequence was up to 92% identical to two recently reported SsHV2 strains but contained a deletion near its 5′ terminus of more than 1.2 kb relative to the other SsHV2 strains and an insertion of 524 nucleotides (nt) that was distantly related toValsa ceratospermahypovirus 1. This suggests that the new isolate is a heterologous recombinant of SsHV2 with a yet-uncharacterized hypovirus. We named the new strainSclerotinia sclerotiorumhypovirus 2 Lactuca (SsHV2L) and deposited the sequence in GenBank with accession numberKF898354.Sclerotinia sclerotiorumisolate 328 was coinfected with a strain ofSclerotinia sclerotiorumendornavirus 1 and was debilitated compared to cultures of the same isolate that had been cured of virus infection by cycloheximide treatment and hyphal tipping. To determine whether SsHV2L alone could induce hypovirulence inS. sclerotiorum, a full-length cDNA of the 14,538-nt viral genome was cloned. Transcripts corresponding to the viral RNA were synthesizedin vitroand transfected into a virus-free isolate ofS. sclerotiorum, DK3. Isolate DK3 transfected with SsHV2L was hypovirulent on soybean and lettuce and exhibited delayed maturation of sclerotia relative to virus-free DK3, completing Koch's postulates for the association of hypovirulence with SsHV2L.IMPORTANCEA cosmopolitan fungus,Sclerotinia sclerotioruminfects more than 400 plant species and causes a plant disease known as white mold that produces significant yield losses in major crops annually. Mycoviruses have been used successfully to reduce losses caused by fungal plant pathogens, but definitive relationships between hypovirus infections and hypovirulence inS. sclerotiorumwere lacking. By establishing a cause-and-effect relationship betweenSclerotinia sclerotiorumhypovirus Lactuca (SsHV2L) infection and the reduction in host virulence, we showed direct evidence that hypoviruses have the potential to reduce the severity of white mold disease. In addition to intraspecific recombination, this study showed that recent interspecific recombination is an important factor shaping viral genomes. The construction of an infectious clone of SsHV2L allows future exploration of the interactions between SsHV2L andS. sclerotiorum, a widespread fungal pathogen of plants.

scholarly journals Diversity of biocontrol agents, isolated from several sources, inhibitory to several fungal plant pathogens

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Ramona ◽  
IDA BAGUS GEDE DARMAYASA ◽  
ANAK AGUNG NGURAH NARA KUSUMA ◽  
Martin Line
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Plant Pathogens ◽  
Antagonistic Activity ◽  
Significant Inhibition ◽  
Biocontrol Agents ◽  
Dual Culture ◽  
Rdna Sequences ◽  
Fungal Plant Pathogens ◽  
Mature Compost

Abstract. Ramona Y, Darmayasa IBG, Kusuma AANN, Line MA. 2021. Diversity of biocontrol agents, isolated from several sources, inhibitory to several fungal plant pathogens. Biodiversitas 22: 298-303. This study investigated the inhibitory potential of diversity of antagonist bacteria residing in the rhizosphere zone and mature compost to counter fungal plant pathogens. Soils collected from rhizosphere of lettuce farms in Bali-Indonesia and Tasmania-Australia, mature compost, commercial biocontrol (Dipel®), and laboratory contaminants with significant inhibition against tested fungal pathogens were used as sources of antagonist bacteria. These antagonists were isolated by applying dilution and spread method on trypticase soya agar (TSA) or potato dextrose agar (PDA), and their ability to inhibit Sclerotinia minor, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Fusarium spp., and Rhizoctonia solani was assessed in dual culture assays. The results showed that 67 out of more than 100 isolates had antagonistic activity in vitro against at least one of tested fungal pathogens. In the preliminary identification, Bacillus spp. or Pseudomonas spp. were found to be pre-dominant isolates. Following screening studies in a non-replicated glasshouse experiment against S. minor and S. sclerotiorum, 8 of the most promising isolates were further identified using molecular methods based on their 16s rDNA sequences aligned with those deposited at the GeneBank. These 8 isolates were identified as Pseudomonas corrugata, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus polymyxa, Bacillus mojavensis, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus thuringiensis, Exiguobacterium acetylicum, and Chryseobacterium indologenes.

scholarly journals Two independent approaches converge to the cloning of a new Leptosphaeria maculans avirulence effector gene, AvrLmS-Lep2

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ting Xiang Neik ◽  
Kaveh Ghanbarnia ◽  
Bénédicte Ollivier ◽  
Armin Scheben ◽  
Anita Severn-Ellis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Pathogens ◽  
Leptosphaeria Maculans ◽  
Lesion Size ◽  
Avirulence Gene ◽  
Avirulence Genes ◽  
Blackleg Disease ◽  
Fungal Plant Pathogens ◽  
Potential Efficiency ◽  
Secretory Signal Peptide

SummaryLeptosphaeria maculans, the causal agent of blackleg disease, interacts with Brassica napus (oilseed rape, canola) in a gene-for-gene manner. The avirulence genes AvrLmS and AvrLep2 were described to be perceived by the resistance genes RlmS and LepR2, respectively, present in the cultivar Surpass 400. Here we report cloning of AvrLmS and AvrLep2 using two independent methods. AvrLmS was cloned using combined in vitro crossing between avirulent and virulent isolates with sequencing of DNA bulks from avirulent or virulent progeny (Bulked-Segregant-Sequencing) to rapidly identify one candidate avirulence gene present in the effector repertoire of L. maculans. AvrLep2 was cloned using a bi-parental cross of avirulent and virulent L. maculans isolates and a classical map-based cloning approach. Taking these two approaches independently, we found that AvrLmS and AvrLep2 are the same gene. Complementation of virulent isolates with this gene confirmed its role in inducing resistance on Surpass 400 and Topas-LepR2. The gene renamed AvrLmS-Lep2 encodes for a small cysteine-rich protein of unknown function with an N-terminal secretory signal peptide, which are common features of the majority of effectors from extracellular fungal plant pathogens. The AvrLmS-Lep2 / LepR2 interaction phenotype was found to vary from a typical hypersensitive response to intermediate resistance sometimes at the edge of, or evolving toward, susceptibility depending on the inoculation conditions. AvrLmS-Lep2 was nevertheless sufficient to significantly reduce the stem lesion size on plant genotypes with LepR2, indicating the potential efficiency of this resistance to control the disease in the field.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document