Sclerotinia sclerotiorum induces redox changes in the host cellular environment via oxalic acid

The necrotrophic fungal pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum produces the nonspecific phytotoxin and pathogenicity factor, oxalic acid (OA). Transgenic plants expressing a redox-regulated GFP reporter, provided real-time evidence that Sclerotinia initially induces reducing conditions that suppresses th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Phytopathology 2010-06, Vol.100 (6), p.S58-S58
Main Authors: Kabbage, M, Williams, B, Kim, H, Britt, R, Dickman, M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Sclerotinia
Sclerotinia sclerotiorum
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Summary:The necrotrophic fungal pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum produces the nonspecific phytotoxin and pathogenicity factor, oxalic acid (OA). Transgenic plants expressing a redox-regulated GFP reporter, provided real-time evidence that Sclerotinia initially induces reducing conditions that suppresses the host oxidative burst and callose deposition, but subsequently promotes plant ROS generation leading to programmed cell death. Our non-pathogenic OA super(-) mutant strain is unable to alter host redox status, however chemical induction of reducing conditions in host cells with DTT, remarkably restores its ability to cause disease. OA thus appears to have dual opposing functions, by creating reducing conditions, OA inhibits the plant oxidative burst defense response and cell death much like in biotrophic interactions, and then subsequently promotes cell death and disease. The reduction of the host cellular environment may be a key strategy for establishment of necrotrophic fungal infection.
ISSN:0031-949X