1. Secreted pectin monooxygenases drive plant infection by pathogenic oomycetes.
- Author
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Sabbadin F, Urresti S, Henrissat B, Avrova AO, Welsh LRJ, Lindley PJ, Csukai M, Squires JN, Walton PH, Davies GJ, Bruce NC, Whisson SC, and McQueen-Mason SJ
- Subjects
- Copper, Mixed Function Oxygenases chemistry, Mixed Function Oxygenases genetics, Models, Molecular, Oxidation-Reduction, Phytophthora infestans genetics, Phytophthora infestans pathogenicity, Plant Leaves parasitology, Polysaccharides metabolism, Protein Conformation, Protein Domains, Virulence Factors chemistry, Virulence Factors genetics, Virulence Factors metabolism, Solanum lycopersicum parasitology, Mixed Function Oxygenases metabolism, Pectins metabolism, Phytophthora infestans enzymology, Plant Diseases parasitology, Solanum tuberosum parasitology
- Abstract
The oomycete Phytophthora infestans is a damaging crop pathogen and a model organism to study plant-pathogen interactions. We report the discovery of a family of copper-dependent lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) in plant pathogenic oomycetes and its role in plant infection by P. infestans We show that LPMO-encoding genes are up-regulated early during infection and that the secreted enzymes oxidatively cleave the backbone of pectin, a charged polysaccharide in the plant cell wall. The crystal structure of the most abundant of these LPMOs sheds light on its ability to recognize and degrade pectin, and silencing the encoding gene in P. infestans inhibits infection of potato, indicating a role in host penetration. The identification of LPMOs as virulence factors in pathogenic oomycetes opens up opportunities in crop protection and food security., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.)
- Published
- 2021
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