• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.357-362
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• 2016

ALD1 (ABERRANT GROWTH AND DEATH2 [AGD2]-LIKE DEFENSE1) is one of the key defense regulators in Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana benthamiana. In these model plants, ALD1 is responsible for triggering basal defense response and systemic resistance against bacterial infection. As well ALD1 is involved in the production of pipecolic acid and an unidentified compound(s) for systemic resistance and priming syndrome, respectively. These previous studies proposed that ALD1 is a potential candidate for developing genetically modified (GM) plants that may be resistant to pathogen infection. Here we introduce a role of ALD1-LIKE gene of Oryza sativa, named as OsALD1, during plant immunity. OsALD1 mRNA was strongly transcribed in the infected leaves of rice plants by Magnaporthe oryzae, the rice blast fungus. OsALD1 proteins predominantly localized at the chloroplast in the plant cells. GM rice plants over-expressing OsALD1 were resistant to the fungal infection. The stable expression of OsALD1 also triggered strong mRNA expression of PATHOGENESIS-RELATED PROTEIN1 genes in the leaves of rice plants during infection. Taken together, we conclude that OsALD1 plays a role in disease resistance response of rice against the infection with rice blast fungus.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.25-32
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• 2016

Potato is one of the most important crops worldwide. Its commercial cultivars are highly susceptible to many fungal and bacterial diseases. Among these, bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum causes significant yield loss. In the present study, integrated proteomics and genomics approaches were used in order to identify bacterial wilt resistant genes from Rs resistance potato cultivar CT-206-10. 2-DE and MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS analysis identified eight differentially abundant proteins including glycine-rich RNA binding protein (GRP), tomato stress induced-1 (TSI-1) protein, pathogenesis-related (STH-2) protein and pentatricopeptide repeat containing (PPR) protein in response to Rs infection. Further, semi-quantitative RT-PCR identified up-regulation in transcript levels of all these genes upon Rs infection. Taken together, our results showed the involvement of the identified proteins in the Rs stress tolerance in potato. In the future, it would be interesting to raise the transgenic plants to further validate their involvement in resistance against Rs in potato.

• Mycobiology
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.283-290
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• 2016

A double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) mycovirus was detected in malformed fruiting bodies of Pleurotus ostreatus strain ASI2792, one of bottle cultivated commercial strains of the edible oyster mushroom. The partial RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene of the P. ostreatus ASI2792 mycovirus (PoV-ASI2792) was cloned, and a cDNA sequences alignment revealed that the sequence was identical to the RdRp gene of a known PoSV found in the P. ostreatus strain. To investigate the symptoms of PoV-ASI2792 infection by comparing the isogenic virus-free P. ostreatus strains with a virus-infected strain, isogenic virus-cured P. ostreatus strains were obtained by the mycelial fragmentation method for virus curing. The absence of virus was verified with gel electrophoresis after dsRNA-specific virus purification and Northern blot analysis using a partial RdRp cDNA of PoV-ASI2792. The growth rate and mycelial dry weight of virus-infected P. ostreatus strain with PoV-ASI2792 mycovirus were compared to those of three virus-free isogenic strains on 10 different media. The virus-cured strains showed distinctly higher mycelial growth rates and dry weights on all kinds of experimental culture media, with at least a 2.2-fold higher mycelial growth rate on mushroom complete media (MCM) and Hamada media, and a 2.7-fold higher mycelial dry weight on MCM and yeast-malt-glucose agar media than those of the virus-infected strain. These results suggest that the infection of PoV mycovirus has a deleterious effect on the vegetative growth of P. ostreatus.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.362-369
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• 2017

White root rot disease, caused by the pathogen Rosellinia necatrix, is one of the world's most devastating plant fungal diseases and affects several commercially important species of fruit trees and crops. Recent global outbreaks of R. necatrix and advances in molecular techniques have both increased interest in this pathogen. However, the lack of information regarding the genomic structure and transcriptome of R. necatrix has been a barrier to the progress of functional genomic research and the control of this harmful pathogen. Here, we identified 10,616 novel full-length transcripts from the filamentous hyphal tissue of R. necatrix (KACC 40445 strain) using PacBio single-molecule sequencing technology. After annotation of the unigene sets, we selected 14 cell cycle-related genes, which are likely either positively or negatively involved in hyphal growth by cell cycle control. The expression of the selected genes was further compared between two strains that displayed different growth rates on nutritional media. Furthermore, we predicted pathogen-related effector genes and cell wall-degrading enzymes from the annotated gene sets. These results provide the most comprehensive transcriptomal resources for R. necatrix, and could facilitate functional genomics and further analyses of this important phytopathogen.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.115-130
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• 2022

Though information exists regarding the pathogenesis of the shot-hole disease (SH) in flowering cherry (FC), there has been a lack of research focusing on SH management. Therefore, here, we investigated the inhibitory activities of antagonistic bacteria against SH pathogens both in vitro and in vivo as well as their biochemical characteristics and bioactive compounds. Two biosurfactant-producing bacterial antagonists, identified as Bacillus velezensis strains JCK-1618 and JCK-1696, exhibited the best effects against the growth of both bacterial and fungal SH pathogens in vitro through their cell-free culture filtrates (CFCFs). These two strains also strongly inhibited the growth of the pathogens via the action of their antimicrobial diffusible compounds and antimicrobial volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Crude enzymes, solvent extracts, and biosurfactants of the two strains exhibited antimicrobial activities. Liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometric analysis of the partially purified active fractions revealed that the two antagonists produced three cyclic lipopeptides, including iturin A, fengycin A, and surfactin, and a polyketide, oxydifficidin. In a detached leaf assay, pre-treatment and co-treatment of FC leaves with the CFCFs led to a large reduction in the severity of the leaf spots caused by Epicoccum tobaicum and Bukholderia contaminans, respectively. In addition, the two antagonists produced indole-3-acetic acid, siderophore, and a series of hydrolytic enzymes, along with the formation of a substantial biofilm. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the antimicrobial activities of the diffusible compounds and VOCs of B. velezensis against the SH pathogens and their efficiency in the biocontrol of SH.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.34.1-34.10
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• 2023

Nosocomial infections, commonly referred to as healthcare-associated infections, are illnesses that patients get while hospitalized and are typically either not yet manifest or may develop. One of the most prevalent nosocomial diseases in hospitalized patients is pneumonia, among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity. Viral, bacterial, and fungal pathogens cause pneumonia. More severe introductions commonly included Staphylococcus aureus, which is at the top of bacterial infections, per World Health Organization reports. The staphylococci, S. aureus, strain RMI-014804, mesophile, on-sporulating, and non-motile bacterium, was isolated from the sputum of a pulmonary patient in Pakistan. Many characteristics of S. aureus strain RMI-014804 have been revealed in this paper, with complete genome sequence and annotation. Our findings indicate that the genome is a single circular 2.82 Mbp long genome with 1,962 protein-coding genes, 15 rRNA, 49 tRNA, 62 pseudogenes, and a GC content of 28.76%. As a result of this genome sequencing analysis, researchers will fully understand the genetic and molecular basis of the virulence of the S. aureus bacteria, which could help prevent the spread of nosocomial infections like pneumonia. Genome analysis of this strain was necessary to identify the specific genes and molecular mechanisms that contribute to its pathogenicity, antibiotic resistance, and genetic diversity, allowing for a more in-depth investigation of its pathogenesis to develop new treatments and preventive measures against infections caused by this bacterium.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.55-59
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• 2013

The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the development of new spot disease on the leaf and stem of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) in commercial greenhouses at Jeonju and Namwon in Korea. Incidence of target spot on rosemary was higher at the end of the rainy season with high humidity. Those symptoms were black ring spots (3-5 mm in diameter) and withering on green leaves and stems. Conidiophores and conidia were formed on the infected tissue in moist chamber and conidia were shown as the cylindrical and oval types in chain, ranged from 55 to $275{\mu}m$ in length, and 7 to $14{\mu}m$ in width. Conidia with eight to ten pseudosepta were formed on the conidiapore. The optimum growth temperature of isolates was $30^{\circ}C$ on the PDA medium under the dark condition. In the pathogenesis test, the target spot and withering symptoms were appeared on the leaves and stems 3 days after inoculation showing similar symptoms compared to those of in nature. The same fungus was re-isolated from infected lesion, indicating that Corynespora cassiicola caused leaf target spot and twig blight on rosemary. The rDNA ITS nucleotide sequences of the pure cultured isolate from the diseased area on rosemary showed 100% similarity to the sequences of C. cassiicola available in the GenBank database (JQ595296, JQ595297, FJ852715 and AY238606). Therefore, we report that the target spot of leaves and stems in rosemary was caused by C. cassiicola.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.316-326
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• 2018

The effect of simulated climate changes by applying different temperatures and $CO_2$ levels was investigated in the Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici/wheat pathosystem. Healthy and inoculated plants were exposed in single phytotrons to six $CO_2$+temperature combinations: (1) 450 ppm $CO_2/18-22^{\circ}C$ (ambient $CO_2$ and low temperature), (2) 850 ppm $CO_2/18-22^{\circ}C$ (elevated $CO_2$ and low temperature), (3) 450 ppm $CO_2/22-26^{\circ}C$ (ambient $CO_2$ and medium temperature), (4) 850 ppm $CO_2/22-26^{\circ}C$ (elevated $CO_2$ and medium temperature), (5) 450 ppm $CO_2/26-30^{\circ}C$ (ambient $CO_2$ and high temperature), and (6) 850 ppm $CO_2/26-30^{\circ}C$ (elevated $CO_2$ and high temperature). Powdery mildew disease index, fungal DNA quantity, plant death incidence, plant expression of pathogenesis-related (PR) genes, plant growth parameters, carbohydrate and chlorophyll content were evaluated. Both $CO_2$ and temperature, and their interaction significantly influenced powdery mildew development. The most advantageous conditions for the progress of powdery mildew on wheat were low temperature and ambient $CO_2$. High temperatures inhibited pathogen growth independent of $CO_2$ conditions, and no typical powdery mildew symptoms were observed. Elevated $CO_2$ did not stimulate powdery mildew development, but was detrimental for plant vitality. Similar abundance of three PR transcripts was found, and the level of their expression was different between six phytotron conditions. Real time PCR quantification of Bgt was in line with the disease index results, but this technique succeeded to detect the pathogen also in asymptomatic plants. Overall, future global warming scenarios may limit the development of powdery mildew on wheat in Mediterranean area, unless the pathogen will adapt to higher temperatures.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.626-632
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• 2013

In the course of a developing screening method for resistant radish to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. raphani, we found that the fungus produces phytotoxic compound against Raphanus sativus. The culture filtrate of F. oxysporum f. sp. raphani KR1 represented the strongest phytotoxicity when the fungus was incubated in the malt extract broth with 150 rpm at $25^{\circ}C$ for 14 days. Under bioassay-guided purification, we isolated a substance from liquid culture of F. oxysporum f. sp. raphani KR1, with phytotoxic effect against R. sativus. The compound was identified as fusaric acid by mass and nuclear magnetic resonance spectral analyses. Phytotoxicity of the compound against cruciferous vegetable crops, including radish, cabbage, and broccoli, was investigated. Fusaric acid represented phytotoxicity on radish seedlings by concentration dependant manner. And the phytotoxin demonstrated strong phytotoxicity on the resistant cultivars as well as susceptible cultivars of radish to F. oxysporum f. sp. raphani. In addition, fusaric acid isolated from the fungus also showed a potent phytotoxic efficacy against non-host Brassicaceae crops of the fungus such as cabbage and broccoli. The results demonstrate that fusaric acid produced by F. oxysporum f. sp. raphani is non-host-specific toxin and for screening of resistant radish to the fungal pathogen, spore suspension of the fungus without the phytotoxin has to be used.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.274-278
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• 2010

Potato late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans was the most constrain disease at potato cultivation areas. The mating type distribution and fungicides response of P. infestans were investigated to elucidate the changes of pathogen from Gangwon province. On the fungal isolates in 2006, 58.7% were A1 mating type and 41.3% were A2 mating type. In 2007, A1 mating type isolates increased to 93.3% and A2 mating type isolates were collected from Jinbu areas as much as 6.7%. About 234 isolates analysed for metalaxyl response, the results was resistance 73.7%, intermediate 18.8% and sensitive 7.5% in 2006. And it was resistance 59.4%, intermediate 4.0% and sensitive 36.6% in 2007. It meant that mating type distribution and fungicide response were very different over the collection sites. Minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) of dimethomorph examined with 126 isolates in 2006 and 106 isolates in 2007. MIC over $1.0\;{\mu}g/ml$ was 56.3% in 2006 and it was 3.8% in 2007. The average $EC_{50}$ value of P. infestans was $0.37\;{\mu}g/ml$ in 2006, but it decreased to $0.12\;{\mu}g/ml$ in 2007. Fungicides response and pathogenesis of P. infestans should be monitored continuously to enhance the chemical efficacy at potato fields.