Open AccessCloning and characterization of a glutathione S‐transferase homologue from the plant pathogenic fungus Botrytis cinerea ‡
Author(s) -
Prins Theo W.,
Wagemakers Lia,
Schouten Alexander,
Van Kan Jan A. L.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
molecular plant pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.945
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1364-3703
pISSN - 1464-6722
DOI - 10.1046/j.1364-3703.2000.00021.x
Subject(s) - botrytis cinerea , biology , fungus , pathogenic fungus , cloning (programming) , botany , microbiology and biotechnology , botrytis , programming language , computer science
A gene was cloned from Botrytis cinerea that encodes a protein homologous to glutathione S‐transferase (GST). The gene, denominated Bcgst 1, is present in a single copy and represents the first example of such a gene from a filamentous fungus. The biochemical function of GSTs is to conjugate toxic compounds to glutathione, thereby detoxifying the compound. In many other organisms, GST plays a role in chemical stress tolerance. We anticipated that GST functions for B. cinerea as a potential virulence factor, enabling the fungus to tolerate fungitoxic plant defence compounds. The expression of Bcgst 1 mRNA under various presumably stressful conditions was investigated. Bcgst 1 mRNA is expressed at a basal level in liquid cultures and is induced upon addition of hydrogen peroxide to the medium. The level of Bcgst 1 mRNA expression during infection of tomato leaves parallels the level of actin mRNA. The role of the Bcgst 1 gene in the virulence of Botrytis cinerea was evaluated by constructing gene disruption mutants. Three independent disruption mutants were obtained. The virulence of two mutants on tomato leaves was evaluated. Neither of the mutants showed a decrease in virulence, indicating that the Bcgst 1 gene is not essential for virulence on tomato leaves under the conditions tested.