A two-component histidine kinase, MoSLN1, is required for cell wall integrity and pathogenicity of the rice blast fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae.
A two-component signal transduction system is a common mechanism for environmental sensing in bacteria. The functions of the two-component molecules have been also well characterized in the lower eukaryotic fungi in recent years. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the histidine kinase Sln1p is a major component of the two-component signaling pathways and a key regulator of the osmolarity response. To determine the function of MoSLN1, a Sln1 homolog of Magnaporthe oryzae, we cloned the MoSLN1 gene and generated specific mutants using gene knock-out strategy. Disruption of MoSLN1 resulted in hypersensitivity to various stresses, reduced sensitivity to cell wall perturbing agent Calcofluor white, and loss of pathogenicity, mainly due to a penetration defect. Additionally, we showed that MoSLN1 is involved in oxidative signaling through modulation of intra- and extracellular peroxidase activities. These results indicate that MoSLN1 functions as a pathogenicity factor that plays a role in responses to osmotic stress, the cell wall integrity, and the activity of peroxidases.
Zhang
Haifeng
H
Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China.
Liu
Kaiyue
K
Zhang
Xing
X
Song
Wenwen
W
Zhao
Qian
Q
Dong
Yanhan
Y
Guo
Min
M
Zheng
Xiaobo
X
Zhang
Zhengguang
Z
D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability / Q000235:genetics; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D000071677:Histidine Kinase; D020082:Magnaporthe / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D008954:Models, Biological; D030781:Organisms, Genetically Modified; D012275:Oryza / Q000382:microbiology; D009997:Osmotic Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D010802:Phylogeny; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000382:microbiology; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism
D005656:Fungal Proteins; D013481:Superoxides; D011494:Protein Kinases; D000071677:Histidine Kinase