Identification and analysis of seven effector protein families with different adaptive and evolutionary histories in plant-associated members of the Xanthomonadaceae.

The Xanthomonadaceae family consists of species of non-pathogenic and pathogenic γ-proteobacteria that infect different hosts, including humans and plants. In this study, we performed a comparative analysis using 69 fully sequenced genomes belonging to this family, with a focus on identifying proteins enriched in phytopathogens that could explain the lifestyle and the ability to infect plants. Using a computational approach, we identified seven phytopathogen-enriched protein families putatively secreted by type II secretory system: PheA (CM-sec), LipA/LesA, VirK, and four families involved in N-glycan degradation, NixE, NixF, NixL, and FucA1. In silico and phylogenetic analyses of these protein families revealed they all have orthologs in other phytopathogenic or symbiotic bacteria, and are involved in the modulation and evasion of the immune system. As a proof of concept, we performed a biochemical characterization of LipA from Xac306 and verified that the mutant strain lost most of its lipase and esterase activities and displayed reduced virulence in citrus. Since this study includes closely related organisms with distinct lifestyles and highlights proteins directly related to adaptation inside plant tissues, novel approaches might use these proteins as biotechnological targets for disease control, and contribute to our understanding of the coevolution of plant-associated bacteria.

Sensitivity of two isolates of Phakopsora pachyrhizi to dithiocarmamate, chloronitril, triazoles, strobilurins, and carboxamides fungicides / Sensibilidade de Phakopsora pachyrhizi aos fungicidas ditiocarbamatos, cloronitrilas, triazóis, estrobilurinas e carboxamidas

Asian soybean rust (ASR), caused by the phytopathogen Phakopsora pachyrhizi Sydow & Sydow, is a worldwide distributed fungal disease responsible for causing damages in soybean crops [Glycine max (L.) Merril] of up to 90% of its productive potential. So far, due to limited availability of resistant varieties, fungicide application is the most widely used strategy for ASR control, although some populations of the pathogen have shown reduced sensitivity to certain active ingredients. Several methods have been described to measure the sensitivity of a fungus to a given fungicide, or even the fungitoxicity of a chemical. The most used tests are spore germination in wateragar medium and evaluation of disease severity in detached soybean leaves. Experiments were carried out with Brazilian populations of the pathogen: one from Uberlândia - MG and the other from Chapadão do Sul - MS, following the mentioned methodologies. The results showed the reduction of benzovindiflupyr efficiency in relation to spore germination and disease severity for the MS population, as also did fluxapyroxad, cyproconazole, and tebuconazole. Multisite fungicides (chlorothalonil, copper oxychloride, and mancozeb) may be used in the management of ASR resistance in the fields of Brazil associated with strobilurins, triazoles, and carboxamides. The efficiency of the main active ingredient tested depends on the formulation and others molecules used in the commercial product.

A ferrugem asiática da soja (FAS), causada pelo fitopatógeno Phakopsora pachyrhizi Sydow & Sydow, é uma doença fúngica distribuída mundialmente e responsável por causar danos na cultura da soja [Glycine max (L.) Merril], em até 90% do potencial produtivo. Até agora, devido à limitada disponibilidade de variedades resistentes, a aplicação de fungicida é a estratégia mais utilizada para controlar a FAS, embora algumas populações do patógeno tenham demonstrado menor sensibilidade a determinados ingredientes ativos. Vários métodos foram descritos para medir a sensibilidade de um fungo a um dado fungicida, ou para monitorar sua redução ou perda de eficácia, ou mesmo a fungitoxicidade de um produto químico. Os testes mais utilizados são a germinação de esporos in vitro e a severidade da doença (%) em folhas de soja destacadas. Baseando-se nessas metodologias, foram realizados ensaios com populações do patógeno oriundas de Uberlândia - MG e do Chapadão do Sul - MS. Os resultados mostraram a redução da eficiência de benzovindiflupyr em relação à germinação e à severidade de doença para a população de Chapadão do Sul - MS. O mesmo comportamento foi obtido para os ingredientes ativos fluxapyroxad, cyproconazole e tebuconazole. Os fungicidas multissítios (clorotalonil, oxicloreto de cobre e mancozeb) podem ser utilizados no manejo da resistência à FAS nas lavouras do Brasil associados às estrobilurinas, triazóis e carboxamidas. A eficiência do principal ingrediente ativo estudado depende dos outros ingredientes ativos ou fungicidas associados na formulação comercial.