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Cutinase and hydrophobin interplay: A herald for pathogenesis?
1Department of Plant Sciences; University of Oxford; Oxford, United Kingdom.
Plant Signaling & Behavior
|August 26, 2009
Summary
Magnaporthe grisea uses cutinase enzymes for surface sensing, triggering appressorium formation and host penetration. This study speculates on the role of hydrophobins in facilitating fungal cutinase activity for improved virulence.
Area of Science:
- Plant Pathology
- Mycology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Phytopathogenic fungi utilize specialized appressoria for host invasion.
- Cutinases are crucial enzymes involved in fungal pathogenesis.
- Magnaporthe grisea, a fungal pathogen, employs cutinase for surface sensing and appressorium development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of cutinase in surface sensing and appressorium formation in Magnaporthe grisea.
- To explore the involvement of cutinase2 in activating signaling cascades (cAMP/PKA and DAG/PKC).
- To speculate on the function of rice blast hydrophobins in enhancing fungal cutinase activity.
Main Methods:
- Demonstration of cutinase involvement in surface sensing and appressorium differentiation.
- Analysis of cutinase2's role in activating cAMP/PKA and DAG/PKC signaling pathways.
- Speculative analysis of hydrophobin-cutinase interactions.
Main Results:
- A cutinase family member in Magnaporthe grisea mediates surface sensing.
- Cutinase2 acts as an upstream activator for cAMP/PKA and DAG/PKC signaling.
- Cutinase2 is essential for complete fungal virulence and host penetration.
Conclusions:
- Cutinase plays a critical role in initiating fungal infection structures.
- Signaling pathways involving cAMP/PKA and DAG/PKC are activated by cutinase2.
- Hydrophobins may facilitate cutinase activity, enhancing fungal pathogenicity.
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