Gene disruption and characterization of a class V chitin synthase in Botrytis cinerea

Can J Microbiol. 2009 Nov;55(11):1267-74. doi: 10.1139/w09-076.

Abstract

Cell-wall chitin biosynthesis in the phytopathogenic fungus Botrytis cinerea involves 7 classes of chitin synthases. In this study, we disrupted a gene encoding a chitin synthase with a myosin-like motor domain (BcchsV) through Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated transformation. The resulting mutant was not significantly affected in either growth characteristics or pathogenicity on tomato leaves. Surprisingly, the BcchsV mutant exhibited a 31% (m/m) increase in its chitin content compared with the wild-type strain. In addition, the BcchsV mutant showed increased sensitivity to Calcofluor White and slightly enhanced tolerance to cell-wall disturbing substances and osmosis regulators, including SDS, sorbitol, and NaCl. These results suggest that Bcchs does not play an essential role in the synthesis of cell-wall chitin in B. cinerea. However, disruption of this gene provoked a compensatory mechanism regulating the cellular response to cell-wall damage.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Agrobacterium tumefaciens / genetics
  • Benzenesulfonates / pharmacology
  • Botrytis / enzymology*
  • Botrytis / genetics*
  • Botrytis / growth & development
  • Botrytis / pathogenicity
  • Cell Wall / chemistry
  • Chitin / analysis
  • Chitin / genetics
  • Chitin Synthase / genetics*
  • Chitin Synthase / metabolism
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA, Fungal / genetics
  • Gene Deletion
  • Phylogeny
  • Plant Diseases / microbiology
  • Solanum lycopersicum / microbiology

Substances

  • Benzenesulfonates
  • DNA, Fungal
  • Chitin
  • C.I. Fluorescent Brightening Agent 28
  • Chitin Synthase