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Host-Pathogen Interactions: XIII. Extracellular Invertases Secreted by Three Races of a Plant Pathogen Are

E Ziegler1, P Albersheim

  • 1Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309.

Plant Physiology
|June 1, 1977
PubMed

Insights

Race-specific carbohydrate structures were identified in Phytophthora megasperma var. sojae (Pms) invertases. These differences in mannose and glucosamine composition may influence host-pathogen interactions and virulence.

Area of Science:

  • Plant Pathology
  • Biochemistry
  • Glycobiology

Background:

  • Phytophthora megasperma var. sojae (Pms) is a significant fungal pathogen affecting soybean.
  • Invertase enzymes secreted by Pms play a role in plant tissue colonization.
  • Understanding the biochemical composition of Pms invertases can provide insights into host-pathogen interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To purify and characterize the invertases from different races of Pms.
  • To determine the carbohydrate composition and structure of Pms invertases.
  • To investigate potential race-specific differences in invertase glycosylation.

Main Methods:

  • Purification of invertase using isoelectric focusing in flat bed gels.
  • Quantitative gas chromatography of alditol acetates for sugar composition analysis.
  • GC-MS analysis of partially methylated alditol acetate derivatives for glycosyl linkage composition.

Main Results:

  • Purified Pms invertases consistently showed a single band upon protein and carbohydrate staining.
  • Invertases comprise approximately 25% carbohydrate, primarily mannose and glucosamine (>97%).
  • Significant quantitative differences in mannose-to-glucosamine ratios and glycosyl linkage compositions were observed among Pms races.

Conclusions:

  • Pms invertases exhibit race-specific carbohydrate structures.
  • These distinct glycosyl compositions suggest a potential role in determining the specificity of soybean-Pms interactions.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the functional significance of these carbohydrate variations in virulence.

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