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New developments in pathogenicity and virulence of necrotrophs

Richard P Oliver1, Peter S Solomon

  • 1Australian Centre for Necrotrophic Fungal Pathogens, DHS, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia.

Current Opinion in Plant Biology
|August 5, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Necrotrophic fungal pathogens employ sophisticated infection strategies, secreting effector proteins that manipulate host cells. This challenges the traditional view of their simplistic disease mechanisms.

Area of Science:

  • Plant Pathology
  • Mycology
  • Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions

Background:

  • Traditionally, necrotrophic fungi were thought to rely solely on degradative enzymes for host tissue breakdown.
  • Recent research indicates necrotrophic pathogens can subtly manipulate host cells, similar to biotrophic pathogens.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in understanding necrotrophic fungal pathogenicity.
  • To highlight the evolving perspective on necrotrophic fungal infection mechanisms.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on necrotrophic fungal pathogens.
  • Analysis of effector protein secretion and host interaction mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • Necrotrophic pathogens like Stagonospora nodorum and Pyrenophora triticirepentis secrete effector proteins.
  • These effectors are internalized by host cells, interacting in a gene-for-gene manner to initiate disease.

Conclusions:

  • The pathogenicity mechanisms of necrotrophic fungi are more complex than previously assumed.
  • Necrotrophic fungal pathogens exhibit sophisticated strategies involving effector-mediated host manipulation.

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