title: An LRR receptor kinase regulates growth, development and pathogenesis in Phytophthora capsici.
abstract: Leucine-rich repeats (LRRs) domain containing kinase proteins (LRR-RK) perform various functions in eukaryotic organisms. However, their functions in Oomycetes are still largely unknown. Here, we identified an LRR-RK (PcLRR-RK1) gene and characterized its functions in Phytophthora capsici, a model oomycete specie and a major plant destroyer of solanaceous and cucurbitaceous vegetable crops. We showed that PcLRR-RK1-silenced P. capsici transformants exhibited reduced growth and produced highly branched fluffy hyphae. The shape and size of sporangia were also altered along with the reduced production of number of sporangia and zoospores. Moreover, silencing of the gene affected the cyst germination and penetration of germ tube into the host tissues, and led to the reduced virulence of P. capsici. Thus, we suggest that PcLRR-RK1 was essentially required for zoospores development, and successful infection of the P. capsici.
authors.affiliation: College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; University College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, Sargodha 40100, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Asma
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Safdar
authors.affiliation: College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
authors.forename: Danyu
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.affiliation: College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
authors.forename: Linlin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
authors.forename: Rongbo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
authors.forename: Meixiang
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Egerton University, P.O. Box 536, Egerton 20115, Kenya.
authors.forename: Joseph Juma
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Mafurah
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Pathology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Sajid Aleem
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China. Electronic address: ddou@njau.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Daolong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dou
mesh_terms: D020868:Gene Silencing; D025301:Hyphae / Q000254:growth & development; D010838:Phytophthora / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D058432:Sporangia / Q000254:growth & development; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: D011494:Protein Kinases
keywords: Germination of cysts; Leucine-rich repeats; Pathogenesis; Phytophthora capsici; Receptor kinase; Vegetative growth