jump to searchjump to navigationjump to content

Publications - Stress and Develop Biology

Sort by: Year Type of publication

Displaying results 1 to 9 of 9.

Publications

Penselin, D.; Münsterkötter, M.; Kirsten, S.; Felder, M.; Taudien, S.; Platzer, M.; Ashelford, K.; Paskiewicz, K. H.; Harrison, R. J.; Hughes, D. J.; Wolf, T.; Shelest, E.; Graap, J.; Hoffmann, J.; Wenzel, C.; Wöltje, N.; King, K. M.; Fitt, B. D. L.; Güldener, U.; Avrova, A.; Knogge, W.; Comparative genomics to explore phylogenetic relationship, cryptic sexual potential and host specificity of Rhynchosporium species on grasses BMC Genomics 17, 953, (2016) DOI: 10.1186/s12864-016-3299-5

BackgroundThe Rhynchosporium species complex consists of hemibiotrophic fungal pathogens specialized to different sweet grass species including the cereal crops barley and rye. A sexual stage has not been described, but several lines of evidence suggest the occurrence of sexual reproduction. Therefore, a comparative genomics approach was carried out to disclose the evolutionary relationship of the species and to identify genes demonstrating the potential for a sexual cycle. Furthermore, due to the evolutionary very young age of the five species currently known, this genus appears to be well-suited to address the question at the molecular level of how pathogenic fungi adapt to their hosts.ResultsThe genomes of the different Rhynchosporium species were sequenced, assembled and annotated using ab initio gene predictors trained on several fungal genomes as well as on Rhynchosporium expressed sequence tags. Structures of the rDNA regions and genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms provided a hypothesis for intra-genus evolution. Homology screening detected core meiotic genes along with most genes crucial for sexual recombination in ascomycete fungi. In addition, a large number of cell wall-degrading enzymes that is characteristic for hemibiotrophic and necrotrophic fungi infecting monocotyledonous hosts were found. Furthermore, the Rhynchosporium genomes carry a repertoire of genes coding for polyketide synthases and non-ribosomal peptide synthetases. Several of these genes are missing from the genome of the closest sequenced relative, the poplar pathogen Marssonina brunnea, and are possibly involved in adaptation to the grass hosts. Most importantly, six species-specific genes coding for protein effectors were identified in R. commune. Their deletion yielded mutants that grew more vigorously in planta than the wild type.ConclusionBoth cryptic sexuality and secondary metabolites may have contributed to host adaptation. Most importantly, however, the growth-retarding activity of the species-specific effectors suggests that host adaptation of R. commune aims at extending the biotrophic stage at the expense of the necrotrophic stage of pathogenesis. Like other apoplastic fungi Rhynchosporium colonizes the intercellular matrix of host leaves relatively slowly without causing symptoms, reminiscent of the development of endophytic fungi. Rhynchosporium may therefore become an object for studying the mutualism-parasitism transition.
Books and chapters

Clemens, S.; Simm, C.; Maier, T.; Heavy Metal‐binding Proteins and Peptides (2005) DOI: 10.1002/3527600035.bpol8010

IntroductionHistorical OutlineChemical StructuresNomenclature and Structure of MetallothioneinsPhytochelatins and Phytochelatin–Metal ComplexesStructural Properties of MetallochaperonesChemical Analysis and DetectionMetallothioneinsPhytochelatinsOccurrenceMetallothioneinsPhytochelatinsMetallochaperonesFunctionsMetal Homeostasis and the Role of MetallochaperonesBuffering and DetoxificationPhytochelatin FunctionsMetallothionein FunctionsPhysiologyMetallothionein Localization and IsoformsLocalization and Compartmentation of Phytochelatin SynthesisBiochemistryMetal‐binding Characteristics of MetallothioneinsBiochemistry of Phytochelatin SynthesisMolecular GeneticsMetallothionein Genes and Their RegulationPhytochelatin Synthase GenesBiotechnological ApplicationsPatentsOutlook and Perspectives
Books and chapters

Scheel, D.; Nuernberger, T.; Signal Transduction in Plant Defense Responses to Fungal Infection 1-30, (2004)

0
Books and chapters

Rosahl, S.; Feussner, I.; Oxylipins 329-354, (2004)

0
Books and chapters

Lee, J.; Nürnberger, T.; Is Pore Formation Activity of HrpZ Required for Defence Activation in Plant Cells? 165-173, (2003) DOI: 10.1007/978-94-017-0133-4_18

The HrpZ gene product, harpin, is an export substrate of the type III secretion system of phytopathogenic Pseudomonas syringae. The role of this protein in pathogenesis is largely unknown. We previously determined that HrpZ binds to lipids and can form cation pores in synthetic lipid bilayers. Such pore-forming activity may allow nutrient release during bacterial colonisation of host plants. In addition. HrpZ is known to trigger plant defence responses in a variety of plants, such as tobacco. We have previously also characterised a binding site in tobacco plasma membranes that likely mediates HrpZ-induced defence responses. In order to reconcile these findings, we pose the question as to whether the activation of plant defence responses by HrpZ is mediated through a “classical” receptor perception mode or if plant membrane perturbation through the inherent pore-forming activity of HrpZ may induce defence responses. As defence in parsley cells can be induced both in a receptor-mediated manner or through ionophores these cells served as an ideal system for our analysis. We first performed ligand binding studies to characterise the presence of a binding site/receptor. We further digested HrpZ with endopeptidases and used subfragments of HrpZ to assess the elicitor-active domain of HrpZ. A C-terminal region of HrpZ appears to be sufficient to elicit plant defence responses. A novel assay involving dye-loaded liposomes was developed to validate previous electrophysiological findings on HrpZ-mediated cation pore formation. More importantly, this assay was used to establish if the elicitor-active C-terminal fragment of HrpZ could form pores. Our findings suggest that the structural requirements for ion pore formation and activation of plant defence responses by HrpZ are different. Thus, ion pore formation alone may not explain the activation of plant defence by HrpZ.
Books and chapters

Scheel, D.; Oxidative burst and the role of reactive oxygen species in plant-pathogen interactions (Inzé, D. & van Montagu, M., eds.). 137-153, (2002)

0
Books and chapters

Clemens, S.; Thomine, S.; Schroeder, J. I.; Molecular mechanisms that control plant tolerance to heavy metals and possible roles towards manipulating metal accumulation 665-691, (2002)

0
Books and chapters

Scheel, D.; Blume, B.; Brunner, F.; Fellbrich, G.; Dalbøge, H.; Hirt, H.; Kauppinen, S.; Kroj, T.; Ligterink, W.; Nürnberger, T.; Tschöpe, M.; Zinecker, H.; zur Nieden, U.; Receptor-mediated signal transduction in plant defense 131-135, (2000)

0
Books and chapters

Bruns, I.; Sutter, K.; Neumann, D.; Krauss, G.-J.; Glutathione accumulation - a specific response of mosses to heavy metal stress 389-391, (2000)

0
IPB Mainnav Search