The hydrophobin HCf-1 of Cladosporium fulvum is required for efficient water-mediated dispersal of conidia.
Six hydrophobin genes (HCf-1 to -6) have thus far been identified in the tomato pathogen Cladosporium fulvum. HCf-1 to -4 are Class I hydrophobins and HCf-5 and -6 are Class II hydrophobins. In this paper we describe the isolation of deletion mutants that lack HCf-1, HCf-2, or both these genes. Global down-regulation of the expression of Class I hydrophobins is achieved by homology-dependent gene silencing. Analysis of the mutant strains shows that HCf-1 confers hydrophilic character to the conidia and this facilitates the dissemination of conidia on the surface of water droplets. Other Class I hydrophobins, such as HCf-3 or HCf-4, may be involved in the development and germination of conidia.
Whiteford
J R
JR
Department of Biology, Imperial College of Science, Technology, and Medicine, London, United Kingdom.
Spanu
P D
PD
D002963:Cladosporium / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D017353:Gene Deletion; D015966:Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal; D020868:Gene Silencing; D018551:Solanum lycopersicum / Q000382:microbiology; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000502:physiology*; D013499:Surface Properties; D014867:Water
D005656:Fungal Proteins; D014867:Water