Open AccessCPTF1, a CREB-Like Transcription Factor, Is Involved in the Oxidative Stress Response in the Phytopathogen Claviceps purpurea and Modulates ROS Level in Its Host Secale cereale
Author(s) -
Eva Nathues,
Suchitra Joshi,
Klaus B. Tenberge,
Marcell von den Driesch,
Birgitt Oeser,
Nicole Bäumer,
Martina Mihlan,
Paul Tudzynski
Publication year - 2004
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.2004.17.4.383
Subject(s) - biology , secale , mutant , oxidative stress , catalase , transcription factor , gene , claviceps purpurea , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , biochemistry , botany
CPTF1, a transcription factor with significant homology to ATF/CREB bZIP factors, was identified during an expressed sequence tag (EST) analysis of in planta-expressed genes of the phytopathogen Claviceps purpurea. Using a gene-replacement approach, deletion mutants of cptf1 were created. Expression studies in axenic culture showed that the H 2 O 2 -inducible gene cpcat1 (encoding a secreted catalase) had a reduced basal expression level and no longer responded to oxidative stress in the Δcptf1 mutant. Biochemical analyses indicated that CPTF1 is a general regulator of catalase activity. Δcptf1 mutants showed significantly reduced virulence on rye. Electron microscopical in situ localization revealed significant amounts of H 2 O 2 in Δcptf1-infected rye epidermal tissues, indicating that the plant tissue displayed an oxidative burst-like reaction, an event not detected in wild-type infections. These data indicate that CPTF1 is involved not only in oxidative stress response in the fungus but also in modulation of the plant's defense reactions.