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V erticillium transcription activator of adhesion V ta2 suppresses microsclerotia formation and is required for systemic infection of plant roots
Author(s) -
Tran VanTuan,
BrausStromeyer Susanna A.,
Kusch Harald,
Reusche Michael,
Kaever Alexander,
Kühn Anika,
Valerius Oliver,
Landesfeind Manuel,
Aßhauer Kathrin,
Tech Maike,
Hoff Katharina,
PenaCenteno Tonatiuh,
Stanke Mario,
Lipka Volker,
Braus Gerhard H.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/nph.12671
Subject(s) - conidiation , biology , transcription factor , gene , microbiology and biotechnology , regulator , genetics , virulence
Summary Six transcription regulatory genes of the V erticillium plant pathogen, which reprogrammed nonadherent budding yeasts for adhesion, were isolated by a genetic screen to identify control elements for early plant infection. V erticillium transcription activator of adhesion V ta2 is highly conserved in filamentous fungi but not present in yeasts. The M agnaporthe grisea ortholog conidiation regulator C on7 controls the formation of appressoria which are absent in V erticillium species. V ta2 was analyzed by using genetics, cell biology, transcriptomics, secretome proteomics and plant pathogenicity assays. Nuclear V ta2 activates the expression of the adhesin‐encoding yeast flocculin genes FLO 1 and FLO 11 . V ta2 is required for fungal growth of V erticillium where it is a positive regulator of conidiation. V ta2 is mandatory for accurate timing and suppression of microsclerotia as resting structures. V ta2 controls expression of 270 transcripts, including 10 putative genes for adhesins and 57 for secreted proteins. V ta2 controls the level of 125 secreted proteins, including putative adhesins or effector molecules and a secreted catalase‐peroxidase. V ta2 is a major regulator of fungal pathogenesis, and controls host‐plant root infection and H 2 O 2 detoxification. V erticillium impaired in V ta2 is unable to colonize plants and induce disease symptoms. V ta2 represents an interesting target for controlling the growth and development of these vascular pathogens.