Open AccessChitin synthesis during in planta growth and asexual propagation of the cellulosic oomycete and obligate biotrophic grapevine pathogen Plasmopara viticola
Author(s) -
Werner Stefan,
Steiner Ulrike,
Becher Rayko,
Kortekamp Andreas,
Zyprian Eva,
Deising Holger B
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2002.tb11077.x
Subject(s) - oomycete , plasmopara viticola , obligate , biology , chitin , botany , obligate parasite , microbiology and biotechnology , pathogen , downy mildew , host (biology) , ecology , biochemistry , chitosan
PCR amplification of two CHS gene fragments of the obligate biotroph Plasmopara viticola , the causal agent of downy mildew of grapevine, is described. While one fragment shows homology to fungal class IV chitin synthases, the other fragment groups with other oomycete chitin synthases to form a novel class of chitin synthases most closely related to class I–III. RT‐PCR experiments indicate that PvCHS1 is constitutively expressed, whereas PvCHS2 is specifically transcribed in sporangiophores and sporangia. Analyses of wheat germ agglutinin labeling patterns by confocal laser scanning microscopy show that chitin is present on the surface of hyphal cell walls during in planta growth, and of sporangiophores and sporangia.