Chitin synthesis during in planta growth and asexual propagation of the cellulosic oomycete and obligate biotrophic grapevine pathogen Plasmopara viticola.
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.
Werner
Stefan
S
Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Institute of Plant Breeding and Plant Protection, Phytopathology and Plant Protection, Ludwig-Wucherer-Str. 2, D-06099 Halle (Saale), Germany.
Steiner
Ulrike
U
Becher
Rayko
R
Kortekamp
Andreas
A
Zyprian
Eva
E
Deising
Holger B
HB
D002686:Chitin / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002687:Chitin Synthase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005800:Genes, Fungal; D025301:Hyphae / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009868:Oomycetes / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012100:Reproduction, Asexual; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; D027843:Vitis / Q000382:microbiology
D002686:Chitin; D002687:Chitin Synthase