Open AccessNecrosis-Inducing Proteins of Rhynchosporium commune, Effectors in Quantitative Disease Resistance
Author(s) -
Susanne Kirsten,
Aura NavarroQuezada,
Daniel Penselin,
Claudia Wenzel,
A. Matern,
Alexander Leitner,
Tobias Baum,
Udo Seiffert,
Wolfgang Knogge
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
molecular plant-microbe interactions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.565
H-Index - 153
eISSN - 1943-7706
pISSN - 0894-0282
DOI - 10.1094/mpmi-03-12-0065-r
Subject(s) - effector , biology , spore , mutant , pathogen , secretion , gene , gene expression , microbiology and biotechnology , genotype , plant disease resistance , necrosis , inoculation , genetics , biochemistry , immunology
The barley pathogen Rhynchosporium commune secretes necrosis-inducing proteins NIP1, NIP2, and NIP3. Expression analysis revealed that NIP1 transcripts appear to be present in fungal spores already, whereas NIP2 and NIP3 are synthesized after inoculation of host plants. To assess the contribution of the three effector proteins to disease development, deletion mutants were generated. The development of these fungal mutants on four barley cultivars was quantified in comparison with that of the parent wild-type strain and with two fungal strains failing to secrete an "active" NIP1 avirulence protein, using quantitative polymerase chain reaction as well as microscopic imaging after fungal green fluorescent protein tagging. The impact of the three deletions varied quantitatively depending on the host genotype, suggesting that the activities of the fungal effectors add up to produce stronger growth patterns and symptom development. Alternatively, recognition events of differing intensities may be converted into defense gene expression in a quantitative manner.