scholarly journals Fusarium oxysporum as a Multihost Model for the Genetic Dissection of Fungal Virulence in Plants and Mammals

2004 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
pp. 1760-1766 ◽  
Author(s):  
Montserrat Ortoneda ◽  
Josep Guarro ◽  
Marta P. Madrid ◽  
Zaira Caracuel ◽  
M. Isabel G. Roncero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fusarium Oxysporum ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Genetic Dissection ◽  
Fungal Virulence ◽  
Single Strain ◽  
Tomato Plants ◽  
Ph Response ◽  
Multiple Organs ◽  
Opportunistic Human Pathogen

ABSTRACT Fungal pathogens cause disease in plant and animal hosts. The extent to which infection mechanisms are conserved between both classes of hosts is unknown. We present a dual plant-animal infection system based on a single strain of Fusarium oxysporum, the causal agent of vascular wilt disease in plants and an emerging opportunistic human pathogen. Injection of microconidia of a well-characterized tomato pathogenic isolate (isolate 4287) into the lateral tail vein of immunodepressed mice resulted in disseminated infection of multiple organs and death of the animals. Knockout mutants in genes encoding a mitogen-activated protein kinase, a pH response transcription factor, or a class V chitin synthase previously shown to be implicated in virulence on tomato plants were tested in the mouse model. The results indicate that some of these virulence factors play functionally distinct roles during the infection of tomato plants and mice. Thus, a single F. oxysporum strain can be used to study fungal virulence mechanisms in plant and mammalian pathogenesis.

scholarly journals Synergistic Action of a Metalloprotease and a Serine Protease from Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici Cleaves Chitin-Binding Tomato Chitinases, Reduces Their Antifungal Activity, and Enhances Fungal Virulence

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (9) ◽  
pp. 996-1008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mansoor Karimi Jashni ◽  
Ivo H. M. Dols ◽  
Yuichiro Iida ◽  
Sjef Boeren ◽  
Henriek G. Beenen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antifungal Activity ◽  
Fusarium Oxysporum ◽  
Serine Protease ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Effector Proteins ◽  
Fungal Cell ◽  
Fungal Virulence ◽  
Chitin Binding Domain ◽  
Double Deletion ◽  
Major Structural Component

As part of their defense strategy against fungal pathogens, plants secrete chitinases that degrade chitin, the major structural component of fungal cell walls. Some fungi are not sensitive to plant chitinases because they secrete chitin-binding effector proteins that protect their cell wall against these enzymes. However, it is not known how fungal pathogens that lack chitin-binding effectors overcome this plant defense barrier. Here, we investigated the ability of fungal tomato pathogens to cleave chitin-binding domain (CBD)-containing chitinases and its effect on fungal virulence. Four tomato CBD chitinases were produced in Pichia pastoris and were incubated with secreted proteins isolated from seven fungal tomato pathogens. Of these, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici, Verticillium dahliae, and Botrytis cinerea were able to cleave the extracellular tomato chitinases SlChi1 and SlChi13. Cleavage by F. oxysporum removed the CBD from the N-terminus, shown by mass spectrometry, and significantly reduced the chitinase and antifungal activity of both chitinases. Both secreted metalloprotease FoMep1 and serine protease FoSep1 were responsible for this cleavage. Double deletion mutants of FoMep1 and FoSep1 of F. oxysporum lacked chitinase cleavage activity on SlChi1 and SlChi13 and showed reduced virulence on tomato. These results demonstrate the importance of plant chitinase cleavage in fungal virulence.

scholarly journals Fusarium oxysporum Ste12 Controls Invasive Growth and Virulence Downstream of the Fmk1 MAPK Cascade

2009 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. 830-839 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Rispail ◽  
Antonio Di Pietro
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Fusarium Oxysporum ◽  
Plant Pathogens ◽  
Mapk Cascade ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Invasive Growth ◽  
Tomato Plants ◽  
Hyphal Fusion ◽  
Fungal Plant Pathogens ◽  
Pectinolytic Enzymes

A conserved mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade homologous to the yeast Fus3/Kss1 mating/filamentation pathway regulates virulence in fungal plant pathogens. In the soilborne fungus Fusarium oxysporum, the MAPK Fmk1 is required for infection and development of vascular wilt disease on tomato plants. Knockout mutants lacking Fmk1 are deficient in multiple virulence-related functions, including root adhesion and penetration, invasive growth, secretion of pectinolytic enzymes, and vegetative hyphal fusion. The transcription factors mediating these different outputs downstream of the MAPK cascade are currently unknown. In this study, we have analyzed the role of ste12 which encodes an orthologue of the yeast homeodomain transcription factor Ste12p. F. oxysporum mutants lacking the ste12 gene were impaired in invasive growth on tomato and apple fruit tissue and in penetration of cellophane membranes. However, ste12 was not required for adhesion to tomato roots, secretion of pectinolytic enzymes, and vegetative hyphal fusion, suggesting that these Fmk1-dependent functions are mediated by other downstream MAPK targets. The Δste12 strains displayed dramatically reduced virulence on tomato plants, similar to the Δfmk1 mutant. These results indicate that invasive growth is the major virulence function controlled by the Fmk1 MAPK cascade and depends critically on the transcription factor Ste12.

scholarly journals The Protective Effect of Trichoderma asperellum on Tomato Plants against Fusarium oxysporum and Botrytis cinerea Diseases Involves Inhibition of Reactive Oxygen Species Production

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (8) ◽  
pp. 2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Verónica I. Herrera-Téllez ◽  
Ana K. Cruz-Olmedo ◽  
Javier Plasencia ◽  
Marina Gavilanes-Ruíz ◽  
Oscar Arce-Cervantes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reactive Oxygen Species ◽  
Fusarium Oxysporum ◽  
Botrytis Cinerea ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Reactive Oxygen ◽  
Oxygen Species ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Trichoderma Asperellum ◽  
Trichoderma Species ◽  
Tomato Plants

Trichoderma species are fungi widely employed as plant-growth-promoting agents and for biological control. Several commercial and laboratory-made solid formulations for mass production of Trichoderma have been reported. In this study, we evaluated a solid kaolin-based formulation to promote the absortion/retention of Trichoderma asperellum in the substrate for growing tomato plants. The unique implementation of this solid formulation resulted in an increased growth of the tomato plants, both in roots and shoots after 40 days of its application. Plants were challenged with two fungal pathogens, Fusarium oxysporum and Botrytis cinerea, and pretreatment with T. asperellum resulted in less severe wilting and stunting symptoms than non-treated plants. Treatment with T. asperellum formulation inhibited Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production in response to the pathogens in comparison to plants that were only challenged with both pathogens. These results suggest that decrease in ROS levels contribute to the protective effects exerted by T. asperellum in tomato.

Fusarium oxysporum Adh1 has dual fermentative and oxidative functions and is involved in fungal virulence in tomato plants

2011 ◽  
Vol 48 (9) ◽  
pp. 886-895 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alma Rosa Corrales Escobosa ◽  
Rosa Angelica Rangel Porras ◽  
Victor Meza Carmen ◽  
Gloria Angélica Gonzalez Hernandez ◽  
Juan Carlos Torres Guzman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fusarium Oxysporum ◽  
Fungal Virulence ◽  
Tomato Plants

scholarly journals Camphor and Eucalyptol—Anticandidal Spectrum, Antivirulence Effect, Efflux Pumps Interference and Cytotoxicity

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 483
Author(s):  
Marija Ivanov ◽  
Abhilash Kannan ◽  
Dejan S. Stojković ◽  
Jasmina Glamočlija ◽  
Ricardo C. Calhelha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Efflux Pump ◽  
Efflux Pumps ◽  
Liver Cells ◽  
Ergosterol Biosynthesis ◽  
Antifungal Compound ◽  
Porcine Liver ◽  
Fungal Virulence ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Plant Constituents

Candidaalbicans represents one of the most common fungal pathogens. Due to its increasing incidence and the poor efficacy of available antifungals, finding novel antifungal molecules is of great importance. Camphor and eucalyptol are bioactive terpenoid plant constituents and their antifungal properties have been explored previously. In this study, we examined their ability to inhibit the growth of different Candida species in suspension and biofilm, to block hyphal transition along with their impact on genes encoding for efflux pumps (CDR1 and CDR2), ergosterol biosynthesis (ERG11), and cytotoxicity to primary liver cells. Camphor showed excellent antifungal activity with a minimal inhibitory concentration of 0.125–0.35 mg/mL while eucalyptol was active in the range of 2–23 mg/mL. The results showed camphor’s potential to reduce fungal virulence traits, that is, biofilm establishment and hyphae formation. On the other hand, camphor and eucalyptol treatments upregulated CDR1;CDR2 was positively regulated after eucalyptol application while camphor downregulated it. Neither had an impact on ERG11 expression. The beneficial antifungal activities of camphor were achieved with an amount that was non-toxic to porcine liver cells, making it a promising antifungal compound for future development. The antifungal concentration of eucalyptol caused cytotoxic effects and increased expression of efflux pump genes, which suggests that it is an unsuitable antifungal candidate.

Race identification of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici isolates obtained from tomato plants in Nova Friburgo, Brazil

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristiana Maia de Oliveira ◽  
Margarida Gorete Ferreira do Carmo ◽  
Leandro Martins Ferreira ◽  
Monica Höfte ◽  
Nelson Moura Brasil do Amaral Sobrinho
Keyword(s):  
Fusarium Oxysporum ◽  
Tomato Plants ◽  
Race Identification

scholarly journals Signaling in the Tomato Immunity against Fusarium oxysporum

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (7) ◽  
pp. 1818
Author(s):  
Francisco Hernández-Aparicio ◽  
Purificación Lisón ◽  
Ismael Rodrigo ◽  
José María Bellés ◽  
M. Pilar López-Gresa
Keyword(s):  
Fusarium Oxysporum ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Marker Gene ◽  
Crop Protection ◽  
Incompatible Interaction ◽  
Tomato Plants ◽  
Fatty Acid Derivatives ◽  
Resistance Inducers ◽  
Plant Pathogen Interactions

New strategies of control need to be developed with the aim of economic and environmental sustainability in plant and crop protection. Metabolomics is an excellent platform for both understanding the complex plant–pathogen interactions and unraveling new chemical control strategies. GC-MS-based metabolomics, along with a phytohormone analysis of a compatible and incompatible interaction between tomato plants and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici, revealed the specific volatile chemical composition and the plant signals associated with them. The susceptible tomato plants were characterized by the over-emission of methyl- and ethyl-salicylate as well as some fatty acid derivatives, along with an activation of salicylic acid and abscisic acid signaling. In contrast, terpenoids, benzenoids, and 2-ethylhexanoic acid were differentially emitted by plants undergoing an incompatible interaction, together with the activation of the jasmonic acid (JA) pathway. In accordance with this response, a higher expression of several genes participating in the biosynthesis of these volatiles, such as MTS1, TomloxC,TomloxD, and AOS, as well as JAZ7, a JA marker gene, was found to be induced by the fungus in these resistant plants. The characterized metabolome of the immune tomato plants could lead to the development of new resistance inducers against Fusarium wilt treatment.

scholarly journals Investigation of Antifungal Mechanisms of Thymol in the Human Fungal Pathogen, Cryptococcus neoformans

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (11) ◽  
pp. 3476
Author(s):  
Kwang-Woo Jung ◽  
Moon-Soo Chung ◽  
Hyoung-Woo Bai ◽  
Byung Yeoup Chung ◽  
Sungbeom Lee
Keyword(s):  
Cryptococcus Neoformans ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Reverse Genetics ◽  
Mapk Pathway ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Ergosterol Biosynthesis ◽  
Thymus Vulgaris ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Expression Levels

Due to lifespan extension and changes in global climate, the increase in mycoses caused by primary and opportunistic fungal pathogens is now a global concern. Despite increasing attention, limited options are available for the treatment of systematic and invasive mycoses, owing to the evolutionary similarity between humans and fungi. Although plants produce a diversity of chemicals to protect themselves from pathogens, the molecular targets and modes of action of these plant-derived chemicals have not been well characterized. Using a reverse genetics approach, the present study revealed that thymol, a monoterpene alcohol from Thymus vulgaris L., (Lamiaceae), exhibits antifungal activity against Cryptococcus neoformans by regulating multiple signaling pathways including calcineurin, unfolded protein response, and HOG (high-osmolarity glycerol) MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) pathways. Thymol treatment reduced the intracellular concentration of Ca2+ by controlling the expression levels of calcium transporter genes in a calcineurin-dependent manner. We demonstrated that thymol decreased N-glycosylation by regulating the expression levels of genes involved in glycan-mediated post-translational modifications. Furthermore, thymol treatment reduced endogenous ergosterol content by decreasing the expression of ergosterol biosynthesis genes in a HOG MAPK pathway-dependent manner. Collectively, this study sheds light on the antifungal mechanisms of thymol against C. neoformans.

scholarly journals The Ustilago hordei–Barley Interaction is a Versatile System for Characterization of Fungal Effectors

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 86
Author(s):  
Bilal Ökmen ◽  
Daniela Schwammbach ◽  
Guus Bakkeren ◽  
Ulla Neumann ◽  
Gunther Doehlemann
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Plant Pathogens ◽  
Expression System ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Effector Proteins ◽  
Mating Partner ◽  
Fungal Virulence ◽  
Functional Studies ◽  
Infection Structures ◽  
Ustilago Hordei

Obligate biotrophic fungal pathogens, such as Blumeria graminis and Puccinia graminis, are amongst the most devastating plant pathogens, causing dramatic yield losses in many economically important crops worldwide. However, a lack of reliable tools for the efficient genetic transformation has hampered studies into the molecular basis of their virulence or pathogenicity. In this study, we present the Ustilago hordei–barley pathosystem as a model to characterize effectors from different plant pathogenic fungi. We generate U. hordei solopathogenic strains, which form infectious filaments without the presence of a compatible mating partner. Solopathogenic strains are suitable for heterologous expression system for fungal virulence factors. A highly efficient Crispr/Cas9 gene editing system is made available for U. hordei. In addition, U. hordei infection structures during barley colonization are analyzed using transmission electron microscopy, showing that U. hordei forms intracellular infection structures sharing high similarity to haustoria formed by obligate rust and powdery mildew fungi. Thus, U. hordei has high potential as a fungal expression platform for functional studies of heterologous effector proteins in barley.

scholarly journals Rhizosphere-enriched microbes as a pool to design synthetic communities for reproducible beneficial outputs

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria-Dimitra Tsolakidou ◽  
Ioannis A Stringlis ◽  
Natalia Fanega-Sleziak ◽  
Stella Papageorgiou ◽  
Antria Tsalakou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antifungal Activity ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Tomato Plants ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Tomato Growth ◽  
In Vitro Antifungal Activity

Abstract Composts represent a sustainable way to suppress diseases and improve plant growth. Identification of compost-derived microbial communities enriched in the rhizosphere of plants and characterization of their traits, could facilitate the design of microbial synthetic communities (SynComs) that upon soil inoculation could yield consistent beneficial effects towards plants. Here, we characterized a collection of compost-derived bacteria, previously isolated from tomato rhizosphere, for in vitro antifungal activity against soil-borne fungal pathogens and for their potential to change growth parameters in Arabidopsis. We further assessed root-competitive traits in the dominant rhizospheric genus Bacillus. Certain isolated rhizobacteria displayed antifungal activity against the tested pathogens and affected growth of Arabidopsis, and Bacilli members possessed several enzymatic activities. Subsequently, we designed two SynComs with different composition and tested their effect on Arabidopsis and tomato growth and health. SynCom1, consisting of different bacterial genera, displayed negative effect on Arabidopsis in vitro, but promoted tomato growth in pots. SynCom2, consisting of Bacilli, didn't affect Arabidopsis growth, enhanced tomato growth and suppressed Fusarium wilt symptoms. Overall, we found selection of compost-derived microbes with beneficial properties in the rhizosphere of tomato plants, and observed that application of SynComs on poor substrates can yield reproducible plant phenotypes.

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