Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2026

Chitosan/Interfering RNA Nanoparticle Mediated Gene Silencing in Disease Vector Mosquito Larvae
Published on: March 25, 2015
Molecular Mechanism Underlying Pathogenicity Inhibition by Chitosan in Cochliobolus heterostrophus
Huilin Yu1, Longhao Su1, Wantong Jia1
1College of Plant Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China.
Abstract:
Chitosan, as a natural nontoxic biomaterial, has been demonstrated to inhibit fungal growth and enhance plant defense against pathogen infection. However, the antifungal pattern and mechanism of how chitosan application evokes plant defense are poorly elucidated. Herein, we provide evidence that chitosan exposure is fungicidal to C. heterostrophus. Chitosan application impairs conidia germination and appressorium formation of C. heterostrophus and has a pronounced effect on reactive oxygen species production, thereby preventing infection in maize. In addition, the toxicity of chitosan to C. heterostrophus requires Mkk1 and Mps1, two key components in the cell wall integrity pathway. The Δmkk1 and Δmps1 mutants were more tolerant to chitosan than the wild-type. To dissect chitosan-mediated plant defense response to C. heterostrophus, we conducted a metabolomic analysis, and several antifungal compounds were upregulated in maize upon chitosan treatment. Taken together, our findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the mechanism of chitosan-alleviated infection of C. heterostrophus, which would promote the application of chitosan in plant protection in agriculture.
More Related Videos
11:42Genetic Manipulation of the Plant Pathogen Ustilago maydis to Study Fungal Biology and Plant Microbe Interactions
Published on: September 30, 2016
05:36Author Spotlight: Advancing Gene Silencing Research in Silkworms with dsRNA Delivery Through Feeding Chitosan Nanoparticles
Published on: October 4, 2024
Related Concept Videos
Indirect-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship
Reversible inhibitors display short to medium durations of action. Short-acting agents include simple alcohols with...
Indirect-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Mechanism of Action
Reversible inhibitors like edrophonium bind to a specific part of the enzyme called the anionic catalytic site. They form noncovalent bonds, which means they are not strongly attached to the enzyme. This creates a temporary and less stable enzyme–inhibitor complex, leading to...
Gene Regulation in Microbial Communities: Quorum Sensing
Cholera
Antifungal Agents
Anthelminthic Agents