Related Experiment Videos
Fungal proteinase expression in the interaction of the plant pathogen Magnaporthe poae with its host
L Sreedhar1, D Y Kobayashi, T E Bunting
1Department of Plant Pathology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA.
Abstract:
Infection by pathogenic fungi involves breaching the outer layer of the host by either mechanical or enzymatic means. Subtilisin-like proteinases are considered to be important in the infection process of entomopathogenic, nematophagous, and mycoparasitic fungi. Little is known regarding the expression of such proteinases by plant pathogenic fungi. Magnaporthe poae, a fungal pathogen of Kentucky bluegrass, expressed a subtilisin-like proteinase, proteinase Mp1, in the infected roots. Antibody was produced against the purified enzyme. From immunoblot analysis, expression of the proteinase in infected roots correlated with increasing severity of disease symptoms. Sequence analysis of a genomic clone indicated proteinase Mp1 was homologous to other fungal subtilisin-like proteinases. DNA gel blot analysis indicated proteinase Mp1 was encoded by a small gene family.
Insights
Plant pathogenic fungi like Magnaporthe poae use subtilisin-like proteinases for host invasion. This study found proteinase Mp1 expression in infected bluegrass roots correlates with disease severity.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Plant Pathology
- Enzymology
Background:
- Pathogenic fungi employ mechanical or enzymatic strategies to breach host defenses.
- Subtilisin-like proteinases are crucial for infection by various fungi (entomopathogenic, nematophagous, mycoparasitic).
- Limited information exists on the role and expression of these proteinases in plant pathogenic fungi.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression and role of subtilisin-like proteinases in the plant pathogenic fungus Magnaporthe poae.
- To determine the relationship between proteinase expression and disease severity in Kentucky bluegrass.
Main Methods:
- Purification of subtilisin-like proteinase (proteinase Mp1) from infected Kentucky bluegrass roots.
- Production of antibodies against purified proteinase Mp1.
- Immunoblot analysis to assess proteinase expression in infected roots.
- Sequence analysis of a genomic clone for proteinase Mp1.
- DNA gel blot analysis to determine gene family size.
Main Results:
- Magnaporthe poae expressed a subtilisin-like proteinase, designated proteinase Mp1, in infected Kentucky bluegrass roots.
- Immunoblot analysis revealed a positive correlation between proteinase Mp1 expression levels and the severity of disease symptoms.
- Sequence analysis confirmed proteinase Mp1's homology to other fungal subtilisin-like proteinases.
- DNA gel blot analysis indicated that proteinase Mp1 is encoded by a small gene family.
Conclusions:
- Proteinase Mp1 is expressed by the plant pathogen Magnaporthe poae during Kentucky bluegrass infection.
- The expression of proteinase Mp1 is linked to disease progression, suggesting its involvement in the pathogenesis.
- Magnaporthe poae utilizes a small gene family to encode subtilisin-like proteinases, highlighting their importance in fungal virulence.