title: Identification and characterization of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum NADPH oxidases.
abstract: Numerous studies have shown both the detrimental and beneficial effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in animals, plants, and fungi. These organisms utilize controlled generation of ROS for signaling, pathogenicity, and development. Here, we show that ROS are essential for the pathogenic development of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, an economically important fungal pathogen with a broad host range. Based on the organism's completed genome sequence, we identified two S. sclerotiorum NADPH oxidases (SsNox1 and SsNox2), which presumably are involved in ROS generation. RNA interference (RNAi) was used to examine the function of SsNox1 and SsNox2. Silencing of SsNox1 expression indicated a central role for this enzyme in both virulence and pathogenic (sclerotial) development, while inactivation of the SsNox2 gene resulted in limited sclerotial development, but the organism remained fully pathogenic. ΔSsnox1 strains had reduced ROS levels, were unable to develop sclerotia, and unexpectedly correlated with significantly reduced oxalate production. These results are in accordance with previous observations indicating that fungal NADPH oxidases are required for pathogenic development and are consistent with the importance of ROS regulation in the successful pathogenesis of S. sclerotiorum.
authors: Institute for Plant Genomics and Biotechnology, Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
authors: Hyo-jin
authors: HJ
authors: Kim
authors: Changbin
authors: C
authors: Chen
authors: Mehdi
authors: M
authors: Kabbage
authors: Martin B
authors: MB
authors: Dickman
mesh_terms: D001203:Ascomycota / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000472:pathogenicity; D020868:Gene Silencing; D025301:Hyphae / Q000254:growth & development; D018551:Solanum lycopersicum / Q000382:microbiology; D019255:NADPH Oxidases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D010070:Oxalates / Q000378:metabolism; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000382:microbiology; D034622:RNA Interference; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D014774:Virulence
chemical_list: D010070:Oxalates; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D019255:NADPH Oxidases