Investigation of the Mechanism of Action of a Chlorosis-Inducing Toxin Produced by Pseudomonas phaseolicola

A toxin that induced chlorotic haloes (typifying haloblight disease) on primary leaves of Phaseolus vulgaris L. (var. Canadian Wonder) was partially purified from culture filtrates of the causative agent Pseudomonas phaseolicola (Burkh.) Dowson. This material was used to investigate chlorosis induction. Haloes could only be induced in those bean leaves that were expanding and synthesizing chlorophyll (Chl); the toxin, therefore, does not promote Chl breakdown. Chl, carotene, and xanthophyll synthesis were inhibited in sections of greening barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) leaves, irrespective of the irradiance level. In parallel experiments, the toxin decreased the level of 5-aminolevulinic acid by amounts sufficient to account for toxin-inhibition of Chl synthesis. Electron microscopy revealed no difference between the transformation of etioplasts into chloroplasts in toxin-treated and control tissue, despite a 60% reduction in Chl in the former. The incorporation of [(14)C]acetate into lipid by greening barley leaf sections and by isolated Pisum sativum chloroplasts in the light and the dark was inhibited about 60% by the toxin. The distribution of radioactivity among the spectra of acyl residues was the same in the control and toxin-treated material. It is suggested that the toxin interferes with an early process common to the synthesis of different lipids, including Chl.