Proteomic analysis of the phytopathogenic soilborne fungus Verticillium dahliae reveals differential protein expression in isolates that differ in aggressiveness.
Verticillium dahliae is a soilborne fungus that causes a vascular wilt disease of plants and losses in a broad range of economically important crops worldwide. In this study, we compared the proteomes of highly (Vd1396-9) and weakly (Vs06-14) aggressive isolates of V. dahliae to identify protein factors that may contribute to pathogenicity. Twenty-five protein spots were consistently observed as differential in the proteome profiles of the two isolates. The protein sequences in the spots were identified by LC-ESI-MS/MS and MASCOT database searches. Some of the identified sequences shared homology with fungal proteins that have roles in stress response, colonization, melanin biosynthesis, microsclerotia formation, antibiotic resistance, and fungal penetration. These are important functions for infection of the host and survival of the pathogen in soil. One protein found only in the highly aggressive isolate was identified as isochorismatase hydrolase, a potential plant-defense suppressor. This enzyme may inhibit the production of salicylic acid, which is important for plant defense response signaling. Other sequences corresponding to potential pathogenicity factors were identified in the highly aggressive isolate. This work indicates that, in combination with functional genomics, proteomics-based analyses can provide additional insights into pathogenesis and potential management strategies for this disease.
El-Bebany
Ahmed F
AF
Department of Plant Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2 Canada.
Rampitsch
Christof
C
Daayf
Fouad
F
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D018533:Biomass; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D040901:Proteomics; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D011198:Solanum tuberosum / Q000382:microbiology; D020172:Verticillium / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000502:physiology; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry
D005656:Fungal Proteins; D037521:Virulence Factors