Open AccessTargeted Disruption of a Melanin Biosynthesis Gene Affects Conidial Development and UV Tolerance in the Japanese Pear Pathotype of Alternaria alternata
Author(s) -
Chie Kawamura,
Takashi Tsujimoto,
Takashi Tsuge
Publication year - 1999
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.1999.12.1.59
Subject(s) - alternaria alternata , melanin , biology , conidium , mutant , gene , pear , microbiology and biotechnology , botany , genetics
Structural analysis of the BRM2 gene involved in melanin biosynthesis of the Japanese pear pathotype of Alternaria alternata suggested that this gene encodes 1,3,8-trihydroxynaphthalene reductase. Targeted disruption of the BRM2 gene did not affect pathogenicity, vegetative growth, or the number of conidia produced. Targeted disruption, however, did reduce conidial size and septal number, suggesting that melanin is associated with conidial development. The conidia of brm2 mutant transformants were more sensitive to UV light than those of the wild type, demonstrating that melanin confers UV tolerance.