Differential contribution of the two major polygalacturonases from Penicillium digitatum to virulence towards citrus fruit.
Int J Food Microbiol
; 282: 16-23, 2018 Oct 03.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-29885973
ABSTRACT
The fungus Penicillium digitatum is the causal agent of the citrus green mould, the major postharvest diseases of citrus fruit. Lesions on the surface of infected fruits first appear as soft areas around the inoculation site, due to maceration of fruit. The macerating activity has been associated with pectinases secreted by the fungus during infection. In order to evaluate the contribution to virulence and macerating activity of the two major polygalacturonases (PGs) secreted by P. digitatum, we have obtained and characterized mutants lacking either pg1 or pg2, the genes encoding PG1 and PG2, respectively. Disease incidence of deletants in either gene was not different from that of the parental strain or ectopic transformants. However, disease progressed more slowly in deletants, especially in those lacking the pg2 gene. The lesions originated by the Δpg2 deletants were not as soft and the pH was not as acid as those originated by either the wild type strain or the ectopic transformants. Total PG activity in the macerated tissue was also lower in fruits infected with the Δpg2 deletants. Interestingly, the macerated tissue of oranges infected with Δpg2 deletants showed around 50% reduction in galacturonic acid content with respect to lesions caused by any other strain.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Penicillium
/
Doenças das Plantas
/
Poligalacturonase
/
Proteínas Fúngicas
/
Citrus
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Int J Food Microbiol
Assunto da revista:
CIENCIAS DA NUTRICAO
/
MICROBIOLOGIA
Ano de publicação:
2018
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Espanha