Surface Hydrophobicity and Surface Rigidity Induce Spore Germination in Colletotrichum graminicola

The Effect of Boxwood Leaf Volatiles on Conidial Germination of Calonectria pseudonaviculata, the Causal Agent of Boxwood Blight

The fungal pathogen Calonectria pseudonaviculata causes boxwood blight and is a significant threat to the boxwood industry, as well as historic boxwood gardens. The pathogen produces conidia in sticky masses that are splash dispersed, which germinate and infect through stomata on the leaves or stems, causing leaf spots and stem lesions. Despite its ability to cause severe infections on boxwood plants, the pathogen often has a low germination rate on artificial media under lab conditions. To identify cues that stimulate germination, we explored whether host factors could induce high germination rates. In this study, we demonstrate that C. pseudonaviculata spores achieve high germination rates when they are placed on detached leaves of boxwood and other known hosts, compared to potato dextrose agar and glass coverslips. We also demonstrate that germination is induced by volatiles from detached leaves of boxwood, as well as the nonhost Berberis thunbergii. When C. pseudonaviculata spores were exposed to volatiles from boxwood leaves in the presence of ethylene scrubber packs that contained potassium permanganate, the stimulatory effect on spore germination was reduced. However, ethylene, a regulator of leaf senescence, did not stimulate germination of C. pseudonaviculata spores. This suggests that the pathogen may have evolved to recognize one or more host volatiles, other than ethylene to induce germination, thus limiting its growth until it senses the presence of a host plant.

The G protein subunit α1, CaGα1, mediates ethylene sensing of mango anthracnose pathogen Colletotrichum asianum to regulate fungal development and virulence and mediates surface sensing for spore germination

Mango is an important tropic fruit, but its production is highly restricted by anthracnose diseases. Mango anthracnose development is related to the fruit-ripening hormone ethylene, but how the pathogen senses ethylene and affects the infection remains largely unknown. In this study, mango pathogen Colletotrichum asianum strain TYC-2 was shown to sense ethylene to enhance spore germination, appressorium formation and virulence. Upon further analysis of ethylene sensing signaling, three histidine kinase genes (CaHKs) and a G-protein gene (CaGα1) were functionally characterized. Ethylene upregulated the expression of the three CaHKs but had no influence on CaGα1 expression. No function in ethylene sensing was identified for the three CaHKs. Ethylene enhanced spore germination and multiple appressorium formation of the wild-type TYC-2 but not CaGα1 mutants. TYC-2 has extremely low germination in water, where self-inhibition may play a role in ethylene sensing via CaGα1 signaling. Self-inhibitors extracted from TYC-2 inhibited spore germination of TYC-2 and CaGα1 mutants, but ethylene could not rescue the inhibition, indicating that the self-inhibition was not mediated by CaGα1 and had no interactions with ethylene. Interestingly, spore germination of CaGα1 mutants was significantly enhanced in water on hydrophobic but not hydrophilic surfaces, suggesting that CaGα1 is involved in surface sensing. In the pathogenicity assay, CaGα1 mutants showed less virulence with delayed germination and little appressorium formation at early infection on mango leaves and fruit. Transcriptome and qRT-PCR analyses identified several pathogenicity-related genes regulated by ethylene, indicating that ethylene may regulate TYC-2 virulence partially by regulating the expression of these genes.

The conidial coin toss: A polarized conidial adhesive in Colletotrichum graminicola

Colletotrichum graminicola is an economically significant fungal pathogen of maize. The primary infective conidia of the fungus, falcate conidia, are splash-dispersed during rain events. The adhesion of the falcate conidia triggers germination and is required for the development of infection structures. Falcate conidia are capable of immediate adhesion upon encountering the substrate. We report that rapid adhesion in C. graminicola is polarized, with a single-sided strip of adhesive material running the length of a single side (or face) of the conidium between the tips. This strip of adhesive is co-localized with dynamic transverse actin cables, and both the adhesive strip and actin cables are formed after liberation of the conidium from its conidiogenous cell but prior to adhesion to the infection court. Orientation of conidia upon contact with substrate determines whether they will rapidly adhere, and those which do not initially adhere can be induced to do so by applying force to reorient or "flip" the conidia. We propose that C. graminicola possesses an adhesive mechanism resulting in an adhesion efficiency of approximately 50% upon initial contact with substrata, and that an increase in adhesion efficiency can be induced by disturbance.

Maize Anthracnose Stalk Rot in the Genomic Era

Anthracnose stalk rot (ASR) of maize results in millions of dollars in losses annually in the United States. ASR, together with anthracnose leaf blight and anthracnose top dieback, is caused by the fungus Colletotrichum graminicola. Current ASR management recommendations emphasize host resistance and reduction of plant stressors (e.g., drought, heat, low fertility, or soil acidity). Stress reduction may be more difficult to achieve in the future due to more high-intensity production protocols and climate change. Moreover, cultural and chemical management practices may conflict with other important goals, including environmental sustainability and maximization of yield potential. Thus, future ASR management may rely more heavily on host resistance, for which there are relatively few highly effective sources. The last comprehensive review of C. graminicola and maize anthracnose was written over two decades ago. The genomic age has brought important new insights into mechanisms governing the host-pathogen interaction from the application of molecular and cytological technologies. This review provides a summary of our current model of maize anthracnose etiology, including how increased knowledge of molecular and cellular events could contribute to better ASR management. Improved understanding of C. graminicola taxonomy has confirmed that the fungus is specific to Zea mays, and that it colonizes living maize tissues via a critical biotrophic phase. Successful biotrophic establishment relies on an array of secreted protein effectors and secondary metabolites produced at different stages of infection and dispersed to multiple locations. These molecules could provide therapeutic targets for the next generation of transgenic or gene-edited ASR-resistant hybrids.

Predictive Model for the Effect of Environmental Conditions on the Postharvest Development of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Strains Isolated from Papaya (Carica papaya L.)

ABSTRACT

Colletotrichum species are the most important postharvest spoilage fungi of papaya fruit. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of temperature and relative humidity on growth rate and time for growth to become visible of five strains of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides isolated from papaya fruit in a complex medium. As a primary model, the radial growth rates were estimated using the Baranyi and Roberts model in papaya agar. The Solver MS Excel function was used to obtain the time to visible mycelium (tv). Secondary models obtained with the Rosso et al. cardinal model of inflection were applied to describe the effect of temperature on the growth rate (μ). The Arrhenius-Davey model was used to model tv. The obtained models seem to be satisfactory for describing both μ and tv. The relative humidity had an effect on μ and tv for all tested C. gloeosporioides isolates, but no model accurately described the behavior of the fungus. External validation of models was performed with papaya fruit. Growth models were developed with the same models used in vitro. The bias and the accuracy factors as indices for performance evaluation of predictive models in food microbiology as a function of temperature and RH were 1.22 and 1.33, respectively, for μ and 1.18 and 1.62, respectively, for tv, indicating accurate predictions. The supply chain of papaya is complex and requires constant conditions, and poor conditions can result in damage to the fruit. Knowledge of the behavior of C. gloeosporioides on papaya fruit and application of the developed models in the supply chain will help to establish transport control strategies to combat these fungi. This research has contributed to development of the first models of growth for C. gloeosporioides in Mexico.

HIGHLIGHTS

Phospholipase C From Alternaria alternata Is Induced by Physiochemical Cues on the Pear Fruit Surface That Dictate Infection Structure Differentiation and Pathogenicity

To investigate the mechanisms of phospholipase C (PLC)-mediated calcium (Ca²⁺) signaling in Alternaria alternata, the regulatory roles of PLC were elucidated using neomycin, a specific inhibitor of PLC activity. Three isotypes of PLC designated AaPLC1, AaPLC2, and AaPLC3 were identified in A. alternata through genome sequencing. qRT-PCR analysis showed that fruit wax extracts significantly upregulated the expression of all three PLC genes in vitro. Pharmacological experiments showed that neomycin treatment led to a dose-dependent reduction in spore germination and appressorium formation in A. alternata. Appressorium formation was stimulated on hydrophobic and pear wax-coated surfaces but was significantly inhibited by neomycin treatment. The appressorium formation rates of neomycin treated A. alternata on hydrophobic and wax-coated surfaces decreased by 86.6 and 47.4%, respectively. After 4 h of treatment, exogenous CaCl₂ could partially reverse the effects of neomycin treatment. Neomycin also affected mycotoxin production in alternariol (AOH), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), altenuene (ALT), and tentoxin (TEN), with exogenous Ca²⁺ partially reversing these effects. These results suggest that PLC is required for the growth, infection structure differentiation, and secondary metabolism of A. alternata in response to physiochemical signals on the pear fruit surface.

Specialized infection strategies of falcate and oval conidia of Colletotrichum graminicola

For many filamentous fungi with pathogenic lifestyles, the presence of distinct asexual conidia has been described. However, the role of these spore types remains mostly obscure. Colletotrichum graminicola is a hemibiotrophic filamentous fungus, causing anthracnose on maize plants with a high potential of epidemic disease spreading. C. graminicola generates two types of conidia. Falcate shaped conidia formed in necrotic lesions on maize tissues are able to generate appressoria with high efficiency and are considered key disease spreading propagules. The second conidia type, the smaller oval conidia, is formed in the vascular system of the infected plant, probably causing the distribution of the disease in planta. Barely any knowledge exists about how these conidia are able to exhibit their specific functions in the life cycle and pathogenicity of C. graminicola. Here, we show that germlings derived from both falcate and oval conidia differ in the secretion of a germination inhibitor and signals for germling fusion. Germination experiments combined with HPLC and mass spectrometry analyses revealed that germination of falcate conidia is regulated by the self-inhibitor mycosporine-glutamine, whereas this compound is absent from oval conidia cultures. Additionally, germlings derived from oval conidia undergo germling fusions at high frequencies and are able to induce such a fusion when co-incubated with falcate conidia. Falcate conidia germlings alone, however, were never observed to fuse. Plant infection experiments showed a positive correlation between germling fusions and efficient leaf infection by oval conidia. However, this correlation was not observed for infection by falcate conidia. Together, our findings reveal significant differences of two types of conidia derived from the same pathogenic fungus with distinct roles in pathogenesis.

Surfactant effects on wettability of Penicillium frequentans formulations to improve brown rot biocontrol

BACKGROUND

Penicillium frequentans can be used in the management of brown rot caused by Monilinia spp. Competition is the primary mode of biocontrol activity of P. frequentans, which must therefore cover most of fruit surface to avoid pathogen infection. Our objective was to optimize the efficacy of P. frequentans by maximizing fruit surface coverage and retention with the antagonist formulation by surfactant incorporation.

RESULTS

Sixteen surfactants were assessed for the management of brown rot at 3-5 different concentrations. Nine surfactants increased the droplet surface up to 2.5 times compared with water on an inert surface, with or without the presence of P. frequentans in each drop. Eight surfactants increased P. frequentans on the fruit surface, enhancing colony forming units after run off or lateral spray application uptake by 50% compared to the control without surfactants. But only some doses of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, gelatin, Tween 20, sorbitan alkyl esters, synthetic latex, polyethylene glycol isotridecyl ether, and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose could show the same covered fruit surface after run off or lateral spray application. There were also no phytotoxic side-effects on five different species of stone fruit.

CONCLUSIONS

The efficacy of P. frequentans dry conidia can be enhanced by optimizing the composition of the formulation with surfactants. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Toxicity and biochemical action of the antibiotic fungicide tetramycin on Colletotrichum scovillei

Tetramycin, a novel polyene macrolide antibiotic, has strong activity against a broad spectrum of fungi and may have potential uses in future agricultural applications. Thus, the antifungal activity and biochemical action of tetramycin on Colletotrichum scovillei were investigated in this study. The experimental results indicated that tetramycin had strong inhibitory activity against the mycelial growth, spore germination and germ tube elongation of C. scovillei. The baseline sensitivity curves were unimodal, with mean EC₅₀ values of 1.98 ± 0.078 μg/mL and 0.003 ± 0.005 μg/mL for mycelial growth and spore germination inhibition, respectively. Tetramycin also inhibited the germination of spores and formation of appressoria. After tetramycin treatment, the edge of the mycelial diaphragm showed protuberances, with decreased offshoots at the top. Additionally, disruption of the membrane was detected through an increase in membrane permeability, leakage of sugars and a reduction in the ergosterol content. Tetramycin effectively controlled C. scovillei on detached pepper fruits. These results will contribute to our evaluation of the potential of tetramycin for successful management of pepper anthracnose and to our understanding of the possible biochemical action of tetramycin against C. scovillei.

Characterization of Colletotrichum Species Causing Bitter Rot of Apple in Kentucky Orchards

Multiple species of Colletotrichum can cause bitter rot disease of apple, but the identities and relative representation of the species causing the disease in Kentucky are unknown. In total, 475 Colletotrichum isolates were collected from diseased apple fruit in 25 counties and characterized both morphologically and by using various molecular approaches. Multigene sequence analyses revealed that sample isolates belonged to several newly erected species within the Colletotrichum acutatum and C. gloeosporioides species complexes. The isolates were identified as C. fioriniae and C. nymphaeae, which reside within the C. acutatum species complex, and C. siamense, C. theobromicola, and C. fructicola, which are placed within the C. gloeosporioides species complex. C. fioriniae was the most common species causing bitter rot in Kentucky, comprising more than 70% of the isolates. Infectivity tests on detached fruit showed that C. gloeosporioides species-complex isolates were more aggressive than isolates in the C. acutatum species complex. However, isolates within the C. acutatum species complex produced more spores on lesions compared with isolates within the C. gloeosporioides species complex. Aggressiveness varied among individual species within a species complex. C. siamense was the most aggressive species identified in this study. Within the C. acutatum species complex, C. fioriniae was more aggressive than C. nymphaeae, causing larger, deeper lesions. Apple cultivar did not have a significant effect on lesion development. However, Colletotrichum spp. produced more spores on 'Red Stayman Winesap' than on 'Golden Delicious'. Fungicide sensitivity tests revealed that the C. acutatum species complex was more tolerant to thiophanate-methyl, myclobutanil, trifloxystrobin, and captan compared with the C. gloeosporioides species complex. The study also revealed that mycelial growth of C. siamense was more sensitive to tested fungicides compared with C. fructicola and C. theobromicola. These research findings emphasize the importance of accurate identification of Colletotrichum spp. within each species complex, because they exhibit differences in pathogenicity and fungicide sensitivity.

The Role of Aquaporins in pH-Dependent Germination of Rhizopus delemar Spores

Rhizopus delemar and associated species attack a wide range of fruit and vegetables after harvest. Host nutrients and acidic pH are required for optimal germination of R. delemar, and we studied how this process is triggered. Glucose induced spore swelling in an acidic environment, expressed by an up to 3-fold increase in spore diameter, whereas spore diameter was smaller in a neutral environment. When suspended in an acidic environment, the spores started to float, indicating a change in their density. Treatment of the spores with HgCl2, an aquaporin blocker, prevented floating and inhibited spore swelling and germ-tube emergence, indicating the importance of water uptake at the early stages of germination. Two putative candidate aquaporin-encoding genes-RdAQP1 and RdAQP2-were identified in the R. delemar genome. Both presented the conserved NPA motif and six-transmembrane domain topology. Expressing RdAQP1 and RdAQP2 in Arabidopsis protoplasts increased the cells' osmotic water permeability coefficient (Pf) compared to controls, indicating their role as water channels. A decrease in R. delemar aquaporin activity with increasing external pH suggested pH regulation of these proteins. Substitution of two histidine (His) residues, positioned on two loops facing the outer side of the cell, with alanine eliminated the pH sensing resulting in similar Pf values under acidic and basic conditions. Since hydration is critical for spore switching from the resting to activate state, we suggest that pH regulation of the aquaporins can regulate the initial phase of R. delemar spore germination, followed by germ-tube elongation and host-tissue infection.

Effects of biosurfactants, mannosylerythritol lipids, on the hydrophobicity of solid surfaces and infection behaviours of plant pathogenic fungi

AIMS

To investigate the effects of mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs) on the hydrophobicity of solid surfaces, their suppressive activity against the early infection behaviours of several phytopathogenic fungal conidia, and their suppressive activity against disease occurrences on fungal host plant leaves.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The changes in the hydrophobicity of plastic film surfaces resulting from treatments with MEL solutions (MEL-A, MEL-B, MEL-C and isoMEL-B) and synthetic surfactant solutions were evaluated based on the changes in contact angles of water droplets placed on the surfaces. The droplet angles on surfaces treated with MELs were verified to decrease within 100 s after placement, with contact angles similar to those observed on Tween 20-treated surfaces, indicating decreases in surface hydrophobicity after MEL treatments. Next, conidial germination, germ tube elongation and the formation of appressorium of Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici, Colletotrichum dematium, Glomerella cingulata and Magnaporthe grisea were evaluated on plastic surfaces that were pretreated with surfactant solutions. On the surfaces of MEL-treated plastic film, inhibition of conidial germination, germ tube elongation, and suppression of appressoria formation tended to be observed, although the level of effect was dependent on the combination of fungal species and type of MEL. Inoculation tests revealed that the powdery mildew symptom caused by B. graminis f. sp. tritici was significantly suppressed on wheat leaf segments treated with MELs.

CONCLUSIONS

MELs exhibited superior abilities in reducing the hydrophobicity of solid surfaces, and have the potential to suppress powdery mildew in wheat plants, presumably due to the inhibition of conidial germination.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study provides significant evidence of the potential for MELs to be used as novel agricultural chemical pesticides.

Inhibitory effects of nisin-coated multi-walled carbon nanotube sheet on biofilm formation from Bacillus anthracis spores

Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) sheet was fabricated from a drawable MWCNT forest and then deposited on poly(methyl methacrylate) film. The film was further coated with a natural antimicrobial peptide nisin. We studied the effects of nisin coating on the attachment of Bacillus anthracis spores, the germination of attached spores, and the subsequent biofilm formation from attached spores. It was found that the strong adsorptivity and the super hydrophobicity of MWCNTs provided an ideal platform for nisin coating. Nisin coating on MWCNT sheets decreased surface hydrophobicity, reduced spore attachment, and reduced the germination of attached spores by 3.5 fold, and further inhibited the subsequent biofilm formation by 94.6% compared to that on uncoated MWCNT sheet. Nisin also changed the morphology of vegetative cells in the formed biofilm. The results of this study demonstrated that the anti-adhesion and antimicrobial effect of nisin in combination with the physical properties of carbon nanotubes had the potential in producing effective anti-biofilm formation surfaces.

Characterization of the Colletotrichum Species Causing Anthracnose in Andean Blackberry in Colombia

Since 1992, anthracnose of Andean blackberry (Rubus glaucus) has generated losses as high as 40% for farmers in Colombia. In this study, our goal was to characterize 240 Colletotrichum isolates from Andean blackberry in eight areas of Colombia. These isolates were evaluated according to morphological characteristics, sensitivity to benomyl, pathogenicity, and genetic variability. Identification of the genus Colletotrichum was achieved by using species complex-specific polymerase chain reaction primers. A multilocus phylogeny approach was used to identify isolates to the species level with sequences from the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region and partial sequences of the actin, β-tubulin 2, calmodulin, chitin synthase 1, glutamine synthetase, and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase genes. Most of the isolates were identified as Colletotrichum gloeosporioides sensu lato, were associated with the Castilla ecotype, showed high sensitivity to benomyl, and were highly aggressive. Isolates identified as C. acutatum sensu lato were found mainly on the Thornless ecotype, were highly resistant to benomyl, and showed intermediate aggressiveness. Only three isolates were identified as C. boninense sensu lato. The species identified included C. fructicola, C. kahawae subsp. ciggaro, C. godetiae, C. karstii, C. brassicicola, and undetermined Colletotrichum spp. This study is the first report of these species associated with anthracnose in Andean blackberry.

Crossover fungal pathogens: the biology and pathogenesis of fungi capable of crossing kingdoms to infect plants and humans

The outbreak of fungal meningitis associated with contaminated methylprednisolone acetate has thrust the importance of fungal infections into the public consciousness. The predominant pathogen isolated from clinical specimens, Exserohilum rostratum (teleomorph: Setosphaeria rostrata), is a dematiaceous fungus that infects grasses and rarely humans. This outbreak highlights the potential for fungal pathogens to infect both plants and humans. Most crossover or trans-kingdom pathogens are soil saprophytes and include fungi in Ascomycota and Mucormycotina phyla. To establish infection, crossover fungi must overcome disparate, host-specific barriers, including protective surfaces (e.g. cuticle, skin), elevated temperature, and immune defenses. This review illuminates the underlying mechanisms used by crossover fungi to cause infection in plants and mammals, and highlights critical events that lead to human infection by these pathogens. Several genes including veA, laeA, and hapX are important in regulating biological processes in fungi important for both invasive plant and animal infections.

Transcriptome profiling of Botrytis cinerea conidial germination reveals upregulation of infection-related genes during the prepenetration stage

Botrytis cinerea causes gray mold on a great number of host plants. Infection is initiated by airborne conidia that invade the host tissue, often by penetration of intact epidermal cells. To mimic the surface properties of natural plant surfaces, conidia were incubated on apple wax-coated surfaces, resulting in rapid germination and appressorium formation. Global changes in gene expression were analyzed by microarray hybridization between conidia incubated for 0 h (dormant), 1 h (pregermination), 2.5 h (postgermination), 4 h (appressoria), and 15 h (early mycelium). Considerable changes were observed, in particular between 0 h and 1 h. Genes induced during germination were enriched in those genes encoding secreted proteins, including lytic enzymes. Comparison of wild-type and a nonpathogenic MAP kinase mutant (bmp1) revealed marked differences in germination-related gene expression, in particular related to secretory proteins. Using promoter-GFP reporter strains, we detected a strictly germination-specific expression pattern of a putative chitin deacetylase gene (cda1). In contrast, a cutinase gene (cutB) was found to be expressed only in the presence of plant lipids, in a developmentally less stringent pattern. We also identified a coregulated gene cluster possibly involved in secondary metabolite synthesis which was found to be controlled by a transcription factor also encoded in this cluster. Our data demonstrate that early conidial development in B. cinerea is accompanied by rapid shifts in gene expression that prepare the fungus for germ tube outgrowth and host cell invasion.

Factors governing the regulation of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum cutinase A and polygalacturonase 1 during different stages of infection

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum releases hydrolytic enzymes that sequentially degrade the plant cuticle, middle lamellae, and primary and secondary cell walls. The cuticle was found to be a barrier to S. sclerotiorum infection, as leaves stripped of epicuticular wax were more rapidly colonized. Consequently, the factors affecting the regulation of genes encoding polygalacturonase 1 (SsPG1) and a newly identified cutinase (SsCUTA) were examined. In vitro, SsCutA transcripts were detected within 1 h postinoculation of leaves, and expression was primarily governed by contact of mycelia with solid surfaces. Expression of SsPg1 was moderately induced by contact with solid surfaces including the leaf, and expression was restricted to the expanding margin of the lesion as the infection progressed. SsPg1 expression was induced by carbohydrate starvation but repressed by galacturonic acid. Glucose supported a basal level of SsPg1 expression but accentuated expression when provided to mycelia used to inoculate leaves. These observations were contrary to earlier reports indicating that glucose repressed SsPg1 expression while galacturonic acid induced expression. Pharmacological studies showed that disruption of calcium signalling affected SsCutA and SsPg1 expression and decreased S. sclerotiorum virulence, whereas elevated cAMP levels reduced virulence without affecting gene expression. The mechanisms involved in coordinating the expression of S. sclerotiorum hydrolytic enzymes throughout the various stages of the infection are discussed.

Regulation of pathogenic spore germination by CgRac1 in the fungal plant pathogen Colletotrichum gloeosporioides

Colletotrichum gloeosporioides is a facultative plant pathogen: it can live as a saprophyte on dead organic matter or as a pathogen on a host plant. Different patterns of conidial germination have been recognized under saprophytic and pathogenic conditions, which also determine later development. Here we describe the role of CgRac1 in regulating pathogenic germination. The hallmark of pathogenic germination is unilateral formation of a single germ tube following the first cell division. However, transgenic strains expressing a constitutively active CgRac1 (CA-CgRac1) displayed simultaneous formation of two germ tubes, with nuclei continuing to divide in both cells after the first cell division. CA-CgRac1 also caused various other abnormalities, including difficulties in establishing and maintaining cell polarity, reduced conidial and hyphal adhesion, and formation of immature appressoria. Consequently, CA-CgRac1 isolates were completely nonpathogenic. Localization studies with cyan fluorescent protein (CFP)-CgRac1 fusion protein showed that the CgRac1 protein is abundant in conidia and in hyphal tips. Although the CFP signal was equally distributed in both cells of a germinating conidium, reactive oxygen species accumulated only in the cell that produced a germ tube, indicating that CgRac1 was active only in the germinating cell. Collectively, our results show that CgRac1 is a major regulator of asymmetric development and that it is involved in the regulation of both morphogenesis and nuclear division. Modification of CgRac1 activity disrupts the morphogenetic program and prevents fungal infection.

Lack of evidence for a role of hydrophobins in conferring surface hydrophobicity to conidia and hyphae of Botrytis cinerea

BACKGROUND

Hydrophobins are small, cysteine rich, surface active proteins secreted by filamentous fungi, forming hydrophobic layers on the walls of aerial mycelia and spores. Hydrophobin mutants in a variety of fungi have been described to show 'easily wettable' phenotypes, indicating that hydrophobins play a general role in conferring surface hydrophobicity to aerial hyphae and spores.

RESULTS

In the genome of the grey mould fungus Botrytis cinerea, genes encoding three hydrophobins and six hydrophobin-like proteins were identified. Expression analyses revealed low or no expression of these genes in conidia, while some of them showed increased or specific expression in other stages, such as sclerotia or fruiting bodies. Bhp1 belongs to the class I hydrophobins, whereas Bhp2 and Bhp3 are members of hydrophobin class II. Single, double and triple hydrophobin knock-out mutants were constructed by consecutively deleting bhp1, bhp2 and bhp3. In addition, a mutant in the hydrophobin-like gene bhl1 was generated. The mutants were tested for germination and growth under different conditions, formation of sclerotia, ability to penetrate and infect host tissue, and for spore and mycelium surface properties. Surprisingly, none of the B. cinerea hydrophobin mutants showed obvious phenotypic defects in any of these characters. Scanning electron microscopy of the hydrophobic conidial surfaces did not reveal evidence for the presence of typical hydrophobin 'rodlet' layers.

CONCLUSIONS

These data provide evidence that in B. cinerea, hydrophobins are not involved in conferring surface hydrophobicity to conidia and aerial hyphae, and challenge their universal role in filamentous fungi. The function of some of these proteins in sclerotia and fruiting bodies remains to be investigated.

Localized adhesion of nongerminated Venturia inaequalis conidia to leaves and artificial surfaces

Adhesion to the host surface is the first step for successful plant pathogen development and has been reported to be associated with both passive and active processes. For conidia of Venturia inaequalis, which depend on leaf wetness for germination, this process has not yet been described. Conidia of V. inaequalis adhered to wet hydrophobic surfaces immediately after contact to the surface, hours before initiation of germination. Attachment of nongerminated conidia was much better on hydrophobic surfaces, such as apple leaves and polystyrene, than on hydrophilic glass. Conidia released adhesive material localized in a droplet named spore tip glue (STG) at the spore apex which interacted with a contact surface only when water was present. Histochemical investigations indicated the presence of proteins and carbohydrates in STG, lectin labeling the presence of beta-galactose and N-acetylglucosaminyl residues. Transmission electron microscopy revealed two phases in the STG at the tip of dry mature conidia; as STG was present on the outer side of the intact fungal cell wall its formation should be associated with the secretion of glue through pores of the conidial wall. Surface-active substances affected the adhesion of conidia to hydrophobic surfaces stressing the importance of hydrophobic interactions. The use of protein biosynthesis inhibitors did not affect adhesion of conidia indicating that the adhesive material was preformed. It is concluded that the coincidence of STG, contact to a hydrophobic surface, and free water are essential for the adhesion of V. inaequalis conidia.

Functional characterization of CgCTR2, a putative vacuole copper transporter that is involved in germination and pathogenicity in Colletotrichum gloeosporioides

Copper is a cofactor and transition metal involved in redox reactions that are essential in all eukaryotes. Here, we report that a vacuolar copper transporter that is highly expressed in resting spores is involved in germination and pathogenicity in the plant pathogen Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. A screen of C. gloeosporioides transformants obtained by means of a promoterless green fluorescent protein (GFP) construct led to the identification of transformant N159 in which GFP signal was observed in spores. The transforming vector was inserted 70 bp upstream of a putative gene with homology to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae vacuolar copper transporter gene CTR2. The C. gloeosporioides CTR2 (CgCTR2) gene fully complemented growth defects of yeast ctr2Delta mutants, and a CgCTR2-cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) fusion protein accumulated in vacuole membranes, confirming the function of the protein as a vacuolar copper transporter. Expression analysis indicated that CgCTR2 transcript is abundant in resting conidia and during germination in rich medium and downregulated during "pathogenic" germination and the early stages of plant infection. CgCTR2 overexpression and silencing mutants were generated and characterized. The Cgctr2 mutants had markedly reduced Cu superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, suggesting that CgCTR2 is important in providing copper to copper-dependent cytosolic activities. The Cgctr2-silenced mutants had increased sensitivity to H2O2 and reduced germination rates. The mutants were also less virulent to plants, but they did not display any defects in appressorium formation and penetration efficiency. An external copper supply compensated for the hypersensitivity to H2O2 but not for the germination and pathogenicity defects of the mutants. Similarly, overexpression of CgCTR2 enhanced resistance to H2O2 but had no effect on germination or pathogenicity. Our results show that copper is necessary for optimal germination and pathogenicity and that CgCTR2 is involved in regulating cellular copper balance during these processes.

Rapid adhesion of Stagonospora nodorum spores to a hydrophobic surface requires pre-formed cell surface glycoproteins

Adhesion of fungal pathogens to leaf surfaces is an important first step in the infection process. Previous work on Stagonospora nodorum, a major necrotrophic pathogen of wheat and other cereals, has shown that conidia attach rapidly to a hydrophobic surface and this is followed by the active secretion of extracellular matrix material to consolidate adhesion. In this paper the role of pre-formed spore surface glycoproteins in the rapid adhesion of S. nodorum conidia to an artificial surface, polystyrene, has been investigated. Sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and the enzymes chitinase and lyticase have been used to release cell wall glycoproteins from spores and these have been identified using SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and Western blotting. Labelling with fluorescently tagged lectins has also been used to study the spore surface. The results show that there are a small number of glycoproteins non-covalently and covalently attached to other components in the spore wall, which is not a uniform structure. The effects of proteases, lectins, and other treatments of spores in an adhesion assay have been used to show that pre-formed glycoproteins are involved in rapid adhesion to a hydrophobic surface. There is also evidence for a rapid release of glycoproteins by spores that is also involved in adhesion and this is not an active process.

Different signalling pathways involving a Galpha protein, cAMP and a MAP kinase control germination of Botrytis cinerea conidia

Conidial germination of the grey mould fungus Botrytis cinerea was found to be induced by different chemical and physical signals, namely the amount and quality of nutrients as well as the hydrophobicity and rigidity of the surface. A B. cinerea Deltabcg3 mutant disrupted in the Galpha3 subunit of the heterotrimeric G protein was specifically defective in germination induced by carbon sources. A similar germination defect of an adenylate cyclase mutant, and the complementing effect of cAMP addition to conidia of these mutants confirmed the involvement of cAMP. In contrast, a Deltabmp1 MAP kinase mutant was delayed in carbon source-induced germination, but completely unable to germinate on hydrophobic surfaces. Based on these data, it is proposed that the germination response of B. cinerea conidia is controlled by three signalling pathways: Germination induction by rich media is weakly dependent on BMP1; induction by carbon sources requires BCG3, cAMP and BMP1; and induction by contact to hydrophobic surfaces is absolutely dependent on BMP1. Other defects of the Deltabcg3 mutant, such as low conidiation, excessive formation of sclerotia and delayed host infection, were also restored by cAMP. Microscopical studies of germling growth and differentiation on host cuticles revealed that the delayed infection of the Deltabcg3 mutant was due to a surface sensing defect leading to a reduced penetration. Thus, in addition to their role in germination, Galpha3, cAMP as well as BMP1 are required also for proper host surface recognition and penetration ability of germinated conidia.

Differentiation inside multicelled macroconidia of Fusarium culmorum during early germination

Multicelled conidia are formed by many fungal species, but germination of these spores is scarcely studied. Here, the germination and the effects of antimicrobials on multicompartment macroconidia of Fusarium culmorum were investigated. Germ-tube formation was mostly from apical compartments. The intracellular pH (pH(in)) of the different individual cells of the macroconidia was monitored during germination. The pH(in) varied among different compartments and during different stages of germination. The internal pH was lowest in ungerminated cells and rose during germ-tube formation and was highest in new germ tubes. Antifungal compounds affect the pH(in) and differentiation of the conidia. The pH(in) inside the macroconidial compartments was lowered very fast in the presence of nystatin (1 and 4 microg/ml). At sublethal doses (0.3 microg/ml), the apical compartments were preferentially targeted showing lower pH(in) values. The reduced germination capacity of apical compartments under these conditions was compensated by an increased germination capacity of middle compartments.

cAMP regulation of "pathogenic" and "saprophytic" fungal spore germination

We report on the elucidation of two separate pathways of spore germination in a plant pathogenic fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides f. sp. aeschynomene. Conidia of the fungus can germinate either from one side or from both sides, depending on external conditions. In shake culture that includes an extract made up from fresh peas, the unicellular conidium divides and one of the two cells develops a germ tube. On a solid surface this germ tube differentiates an appressorium. In rich medium without pea extract, germination is highly similar to Aspergillus spore germination: the conidium swells, forms a single germ tube and then divides and forms a second germ tube. Conidia that germinate in a rich medium do not form appressoria even on a solid surface and are non-pathogenic. In rich medium, cAMP stimulates germination in rich liquid cultures and induces appressoria formation on a hard surface. In pea extract cAMP induces swelling and formation of irregular germ tubes and appressoria. Our results suggest that plant surface signals induce pathogenic-specific spore germination in a cAMP-independent manner. cAMP is required for saprophytic germination and for appressorium formation.

Quantification of substratum contact required for initiation of Colletotrichum graminicola appressoria

Colletotrichum graminicola, like many plant pathogenic fungi develop appressoria on germling apices, to facilitate penetration of their host. Induction of these structures occurs after contact with the host surface has been established by the germling. Surface contact and subsequent development of appressoria by germlings of C. graminicola was assessed using interference-reflection microscopy (IRM) and microfabricated pillared silicon substrata. Observations with IRM revealed that under low nutrient conditions, 90% of the germlings developed appressoria once they established 4.5 microm of continuous contact with the substratum. Substrata bearing pillars < or =5 microm in width supported < or =10% appressoria; however, as pillar width was increased the percentage of appressoria formed increased in a sigmoid fashion to a maximum of 80%. The percentage of appressoria produced experimentally on these surfaces was compared to data sets generated from a model designed to calculate the probability of appressorium development on similar pillar arrays at various germ tube contact lengths. These results indicate that germ tubes of C. graminicola require more than 4microm of continuous contact with a hydrophobic substratum for induction of appressoria.

Fungal secondary metabolites as inhibitors of infection-related morphogenesis in phytopathogenic fungi

The life-cycle of many plant-pathogenic fungi, especially those infecting aerial plant organs, contains several specific developmental stages. If these are sufficiently distinct in their physiology from vegetative hyphal growth, they present potential targets for non-fungitoxic plant protectants. The present review identifies such targets especially in the pre-penetration stages of the infection cycle of Magnaporthe grisea and other fungi infecting from air-borne spores. Examples of non-toxic natural products with activity against spore germination, attachment, appressorium formation, appressorium maturation and penetration of the host surface are given. In contrast, no substances selectively active against in planta growth or sporulation appear to be known. The selective activity of numerous secondary metabolites against specific infection stages without accompanying toxicity against vegetatively growing hyphae indicates a direction for the development of future natural product-derived fungicides which are more easily degraded in the environment and possess fewer non-target effects. Such substances are produced by many saprotrophic and endophytic fungi in pure culture. The paucity of data on the production of biologically active substances in natural situations limits the interpretation of their ecophysiological significance for the producer.

Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Signaling for Prepenetration Development in Colletotrichum gloeosporioides

ABSTRACT Colletotrichum gloeosporioides forms a specialized infection structure, an appressorium, for host infection. Contacting hard surface induces appressorium formation in C. gloeosporioides, whereas hydrophobicity of the contact surface does not affect this infection-related differentiation. To determine if the calcium/calmodulin-dependent signaling system is involved in prepenetration morphogenesis in C. gloeosporioides pathogenic on red pepper, effects of calcium chelator (EGTA), phospholipase C inhibitor (neomycin), intracellular calcium modulators (TMB-8 and methoxy verampamil), and calmodulin antagonists (chloroproma-zine, phenoxy benzamine, and W-7) were tested on conidial germination and appressorium formation. Exogenous addition of Ca(2+), regardless of concentration, augmented conidial germination, while appressorial differentiation decreased at higher concentrations. Inhibition of appressorium formation by EGTA was partly restored by the addition of calcium ionophore A23187 or CaCl(2). Calcium channel blockers and calmodulin antagonists specifically reduced appressorium formation at micromolar levels. These results suggest that biochemical processes controlled by the calcium/calmodulin signaling system are involved in the induction of prepenetration morphogenesis in C. gloeosporioides pathogenic on red pepper.