J Integr Plant Biol. ›› 2006, Vol. 48 ›› Issue (1): 44-52.DOI: 10.1111/j.1744-7909.2006.00204.x

• Research Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Physiological and Molecular Features of the Pathosystem Arabidopsis thaliana L.-Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Libert

Fu-Ming Dai, Tong Xu, Gerhard A Wolf and Zu-Hua He   

  • Published:2006-01-07

Abstract: The fungal pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Libert causes rot diseases on many crops worldwide and large economic losses occur frequently because of a lack of resistant varieties. The pathogenesis of S. sclerotiorum and the molecular basis of plant responses to the pathogen are poorly understood. In the present investigation, the process of S. sclerotiorum infection in Arabidopsis thaliana L., a plant that is highly susceptible to this fungus, was analysed. In addition, the defense activation in the host was investigated. A convenient inoculation method using millet grain was developed for S. sclerotiorum in Arabidopsis. The fungus rapidly infected the plants, probably through ball- or cushion-like infection structures. Visible symptoms developed within 24 h and plants were killed 72 h after inoculation. Cellulase, the main enzyme that caused host tissues to rot, was secreted by S. sclerotiorum in a pH-dependent manner. Oxalic acid, another pathogenic factor secreted by the fungus, induced necrotic lesions on the leaves. Infection with S. sclerotiorum strongly induced the production of the pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins β-1,3-glucanase and chitinase in Arabidopsis. Furthermore, the PR gene PDF.1 was induced, but not PR1, indicating that the pathogen activated basal defense of jasmonic acid/ethylene dependence, which is consistent with its necrotrophic characteristics. This pathosystem for Arabidopsis-S. sclerotiorum could provide an approach for the analysis of the interactions between S. sclerotiorum and other crops, thereby facilitating genetic manipulation techniques for controlling this pathogen.(Author for correspondence.Tel: 021 5492 4121; Fax: 021 5492 4015; E-mail: zhhe@sibs.ac.cn)

Key words: Arabidopsis, defense, pathogenesis, pathosystem, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum.

Editorial Office, Journal of Integrative Plant Biology, Institute of Botany, CAS
No. 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan, Beijing 100093, China
Tel: +86 10 6283 6133 Fax: +86 10 8259 2636 E-mail: jipb@ibcas.ac.cn
Copyright © 2022 by the Institute of Botany, the Chinese Academy of Sciences
Online ISSN: 1744-7909 Print ISSN: 1672-9072 CN: 11-5067/Q
备案号:京ICP备16067583号-22