Open AccessCharacterization and Expression of β-1,3-Glucanase Genes in Jujube Fruit Induced by the Microbial Biocontrol Agent Cryptococcus laurentii
Author(s) -
Shuanghong Tian,
Hong J Yao,
Xin Deng,
Xiang B Xu,
Guozheng Qin,
Zhulong Chan
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
phytopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.264
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1943-7684
pISSN - 0031-949X
DOI - 10.1094/phyto-97-3-0260
Subject(s) - glucanase , biology , botrytis cinerea , gene , gene expression , microbiology and biotechnology , yeast , enzyme , biochemistry , botany
Two β-1,3-glucanase genes were cloned from jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill) fruit and designated Glu-1 and Glu-2 (GenBank accession numbers DQ012940 and DQ093571), respectively. The expression of Glu-1 and Glu-2 in jujube fruit in response to wounding and microbial biocontrol agent was evaluated by semi-quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis. Wounding and treatment with Cryptococcus laurentii stimulated an increase in β-1,3-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.39) activity in jujube fruit. Analysis of gene expression proved that Glu-1 was highly induced both by wounding and C. laurentii, whereas Glu-2 was broadly not responsive to the yeast. The expression of Glu-1 was noticeably enhanced with increased concentrations of C. laurentii, suggesting that Glu-1 may play a role in defense responses to fungal pathogens. The results hold true at the levels of gene activation and enzyme accumulation in jujube fruit treated by both stimuli, resulting in a significant decrease in disease incidence and lesion diameter, thus providing evidence that changes in β-1,3-glucanase activity are related to expression of the genes. Taken together, these findings suggest the possible use of β-1,3-glucanase activity as a biochemical marker for screening jujube fruit against fungal pathogens, and also provide a mechanistic framework for the functions of β-1,3-glucanase in defense responses.