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Molecular Analysis of Plant–Pathogen Interaction
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Molecular Analysis of Plant–Pathogen Interaction

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Microbiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2024) | Viewed by 8857

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Cristina Pinedo-Rivilla

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Departamento Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Cádiz, Cadiz, Spain
Interests: plant pathogen; phytopathogenic fungi; phytotoxins; fungicide; biocatalyst; biomolecules; Botrytis cinerea; Eutypa lata
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Javier Moraga

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratorio de Microbiología, Departamento de Biomedicina, Biotecnología y Salud Pública, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Ambientales, Universidad de Cádiz, 11510 Puerto Real, Spain
Interests: plant pathogen; phytopathogenic fungi; phytotoxins; fungicide; biocatalyst; biomolecules; fungi genome; Botrytis cinerea
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Phytopathogenic microorganisms cause significant economic losses in crops around the world. The incidence of many of the diseases they cause has increased in recent years, mainly due to the prohibition of the use of many effective chemical pesticides due to their harmful action on other organisms and the environment.

The mechanisms through which microorganisms produce these diseases, their molecular bases, and the chemical relationships they establish with their target plants are in many cases still unknown. Therefore, research on this topic can contribute to developing new methods for activating or enhancing the natural defenses of plants, as well as discovering new biochemical targets of action of new molecules that are effective against phytopathogenic microorganisms and are environmentally friendly.

Prof. Dr. Cristina Pinedo-Rivilla
Dr. Javier Moraga
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

  • phytopathogen
  • plant pathology
  • phytopathogen fungi
  • phytopathogen bacteria
  • phytoalexins
  • plant defense
  • allelopathy
  • fungicides
 

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

33 pages, 342 KiB  
Article
Revealing Hidden Genes in Botrytis cinerea: New Insights into Genes Involved in the Biosynthesis of Secondary Metabolites
by Ivonne Suárez, Isidro G. Collado and Carlos Garrido
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(11), 5900; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25115900 - 28 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1567
Abstract
Utilizing bioinformatics tools, this study expands our understanding of secondary metabolism in Botrytis cinerea, identifying novel genes within polyketide synthase (PKS), non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS), sesquiterpene cyclase (STC), diterpene cyclase (DTC), and dimethylallyltryptophan synthase (DMATS) families. These findings enrich the genetic framework [...] Read more.
Utilizing bioinformatics tools, this study expands our understanding of secondary metabolism in Botrytis cinerea, identifying novel genes within polyketide synthase (PKS), non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS), sesquiterpene cyclase (STC), diterpene cyclase (DTC), and dimethylallyltryptophan synthase (DMATS) families. These findings enrich the genetic framework associated with B. cinerea’s pathogenicity and ecological adaptation, offering insights into uncharted metabolic pathways. Significantly, the discovery of previously unannotated genes provides new molecular targets for developing targeted antifungal strategies, promising to enhance crop protection and advance our understanding of fungal biochemistry. This research not only broadens the scope of known secondary metabolites but also opens avenues for future exploration into B. cinerea’s biosynthetic capabilities, potentially leading to novel antifungal compounds. Our work underscores the importance of integrating bioinformatics and genomics for fungal research, paving the way for sustainable agricultural practices by pinpointing precise molecular interventions against B. cinerea. This study sets a foundation for further investigations into the fungus’s secondary metabolism, with implications for biotechnology and crop disease management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Analysis of Plant–Pathogen Interaction)
28 pages, 10706 KiB  
Article
Unravelling the Function of the Sesquiterpene Cyclase STC3 in the Lifecycle of Botrytis cinerea
by Víctor Coca-Ruiz, Ivonne Suárez, Josefina Aleu, Jesús M. Cantoral, Celedonio González, Carlos Garrido, Nélida Brito and Isidro G. Collado
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(10), 5125; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25105125 - 8 May 2024
Viewed by 1491
Abstract
The genome sequencing of Botrytis cinerea supplies a general overview of the map of genes involved in secondary metabolite synthesis. B. cinerea genomic data reveals that this phytopathogenic fungus has seven sesquiterpene cyclase (Bcstc) genes that encode proteins involved in the [...] Read more.
The genome sequencing of Botrytis cinerea supplies a general overview of the map of genes involved in secondary metabolite synthesis. B. cinerea genomic data reveals that this phytopathogenic fungus has seven sesquiterpene cyclase (Bcstc) genes that encode proteins involved in the farnesyl diphosphate cyclization. Three sesquiterpene cyclases (BcStc1, BcStc5 and BcStc7) are characterized, related to the biosynthesis of botrydial, abscisic acid and (+)-4-epi-eremophilenol, respectively. However, the role of the other four sesquiterpene cyclases (BcStc2, BcStc3, BcStc4 and BcStc6) remains unknown. BcStc3 is a well-conserved protein with homologues in many fungal species, and here, we undertake its functional characterization in the lifecycle of the fungus. A null mutant ΔBcstc3 and an overexpressed–Bcstc3 transformant (OvBcstc3) are generated, and both strains show the deregulation of those other sesquiterpene cyclase-encoding genes (Bcstc1, Bcstc5 and Bcstc7). These results suggest a co-regulation of the expression of the sesquiterpene cyclase gene family in B. cinerea. The phenotypic characterization of both transformants reveals that BcStc3 is involved in oxidative stress tolerance, the production of reactive oxygen species and virulence. The metabolomic analysis allows the isolation of characteristic polyketides and eremophilenols from the secondary metabolism of B. cinerea, although no sesquiterpenes different from those already described are identified. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Analysis of Plant–Pathogen Interaction)
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19 pages, 13762 KiB  
Article
The Microtubule End Binding Protein Mal3 Is Essential for the Dynamic Assembly of Microtubules during Magnaporthe oryzae Growth and Pathogenesis
by Ningning Shen, Libo Han, Zixuan Liu, Xianya Deng, Shuai Zhu, Chengyu Liu, Dingzhong Tang and Yuanbao Li
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(5), 2672; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25052672 - 26 Feb 2024
Viewed by 1189
Abstract
Cytoskeletal microtubules (MTs) play crucial roles in many aspects of life processes in eukaryotic organisms. They dynamically assemble physiologically important MT arrays under different cell conditions. Currently, aspects of MT assembly underlying the development and pathogenesis of the model plant pathogenic fungus Magnaporthe [...] Read more.
Cytoskeletal microtubules (MTs) play crucial roles in many aspects of life processes in eukaryotic organisms. They dynamically assemble physiologically important MT arrays under different cell conditions. Currently, aspects of MT assembly underlying the development and pathogenesis of the model plant pathogenic fungus Magnaporthe oryzae (M. oryzae) are unclear. In this study, we characterized the MT plus end binding protein MoMal3 in M. oryzae. We found that knockout of MoMal3 results in defects in hyphal polar growth, appressorium-mediated host penetration and nucleus division. Using high-resolution live-cell imaging, we further found that the MoMal3 mutant assembled a rigid MT in parallel with the MT during hyphal polar growth, the cage-like network in the appressorium and the stick-like spindle in nuclear division. These aberrant MT organization patterns in the MoMal3 mutant impaired actin-based cell growth and host infection. Taken together, these findings showed that M. oryzae relies on MoMal3 to assemble elaborate MT arrays for growth and infection. The results also revealed the assembly mode of MTs in M. oryzae, indicating that MTs are pivotal for M. oryzae growth and host infection and may be new targets for devastating fungus control. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Analysis of Plant–Pathogen Interaction)
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21 pages, 9561 KiB  
Article
In Vitro Analysis of the Antagonistic Biological and Chemical Interactions between the Endophyte Sordaria tomento-alba and the Phytopathogen Botrytis cinerea
by Hernando José Bolívar-Anillo, Inmaculada Izquierdo-Bueno, Estrella González-Rey, Victoria E. González-Rodríguez, Jesús M. Cantoral, Isidro G. Collado and Carlos Garrido
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(2), 1022; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25021022 - 13 Jan 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2120
Abstract
Plant pathogenic infections causing substantial global food losses are a persistent challenge. This study investigates a potential biocontrol strategy against the necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea using the endophytic fungus Sordaria tomento-alba isolated from Gliricidia sepium in Colombia. Today, synthetic fungicides dominate B. cinerea [...] Read more.
Plant pathogenic infections causing substantial global food losses are a persistent challenge. This study investigates a potential biocontrol strategy against the necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea using the endophytic fungus Sordaria tomento-alba isolated from Gliricidia sepium in Colombia. Today, synthetic fungicides dominate B. cinerea control, raising environmental and health concerns. S. tomento-alba exhibits notable in vitro effects, inhibiting B. cinerea growth by approximately 60% during co-culture and 50% in double disc co-culture. Additionally, it suppresses botryanes production and produces the compound heptacyclosordariolone, which has proven effective in inhibiting B. cinerea mycelial growth and spore germination in vitro. This biocontrol agent could be a potential eco-friendly alternative to replace synthetic fungicides. Our study provides insights into the chemical and biological mechanisms underpinning the antagonistic activity of S. tomento-alba, emphasizing the need for further research to understand its biosynthesis pathways and optimize its biocontrol potential. It also contributes molecular evidence of fungal interactions with implications for advanced forums in molecular studies in biology and chemistry, particularly in addressing plant pathogenic infections and promoting sustainable agriculture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Analysis of Plant–Pathogen Interaction)
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20 pages, 6781 KiB  
Article
Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analyses Provide Insights into the Pathogenic Mechanism of the Rice False Smut Pathogen Ustilaginoidea virens
by Rongtao Fu, Jian Wang, Cheng Chen, Yao Liu, Liyu Zhao and Daihua Lu
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(13), 10805; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241310805 - 28 Jun 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1837
Abstract
Rice false smut, caused by the fungal pathogen Ustilaginoidea virens, is a worldwide rice fungal disease. However, the molecular mechanism of the pathogenicity of the fungus U. virens remains unclear. To understand the molecular mechanism of pathogenesis of the fungus U. virens [...] Read more.
Rice false smut, caused by the fungal pathogen Ustilaginoidea virens, is a worldwide rice fungal disease. However, the molecular mechanism of the pathogenicity of the fungus U. virens remains unclear. To understand the molecular mechanism of pathogenesis of the fungus U. virens, we performed an integrated analysis of the transcriptome and metabolome of strongly (S) and weakly (W) virulent strains both before and after the infection of panicles. A total of 7932 differential expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using transcriptome analysis. Gene ontology (GO) and metabolic pathway enrichment analysis indicated that amino acid metabolism, autophagy-yeast, MAPK signaling pathway-yeast, and starch and sucrose metabolism were closely related to the pathogenicity of U. virens. Genes related to pathogenicity were significantly upregulated in the strongly virulent strain, and were ATG, MAPK, STE, TPS, and NTH genes. However, genes involved in the negative regulation of pathogenesis were significantly downregulated and contained TOR kinase, TORC1, and autophagy-related protein genes. Metabolome analysis identified 698 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs), including 13 categories of organic acids and derivatives, lipids and lipid-like molecules, organoheterocyclic compounds. The significantly enriched pathways of DAMs mainly included amino acids and carbohydrates, and they accumulated after infection by the S strain. To understand the relevance of DEGs and DAMs in the pathogenicity of U. virens, transcriptomic and metabolomic data were integrated and analyzed. These results further confirmed that the pathogenesis of U. virens was regulated by DEGs and DAMs related to these four pathways, involving arginine and proline metabolism, lysine biosynthesis, alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, and starch and sugar metabolism. Therefore, we speculate that the pathogenicity of U. virens is closely related to the accumulation of amino acids and carbohydrates, and to the changes in the expression of related genes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Analysis of Plant–Pathogen Interaction)
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