A two-component histidine kinase, MoSLN1, is required for cell wall integrity and pathogenicity of the rice blast fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae

Curr Genet. 2010 Dec;56(6):517-28. doi: 10.1007/s00294-010-0319-x. Epub 2010 Sep 17.

Abstract

A two-component signal transduction system is a common mechanism for environmental sensing in bacteria. The functions of the two-component molecules have been also well characterized in the lower eukaryotic fungi in recent years. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the histidine kinase Sln1p is a major component of the two-component signaling pathways and a key regulator of the osmolarity response. To determine the function of MoSLN1, a Sln1 homolog of Magnaporthe oryzae, we cloned the MoSLN1 gene and generated specific mutants using gene knock-out strategy. Disruption of MoSLN1 resulted in hypersensitivity to various stresses, reduced sensitivity to cell wall perturbing agent Calcofluor white, and loss of pathogenicity, mainly due to a penetration defect. Additionally, we showed that MoSLN1 is involved in oxidative signaling through modulation of intra- and extracellular peroxidase activities. These results indicate that MoSLN1 functions as a pathogenicity factor that plays a role in responses to osmotic stress, the cell wall integrity, and the activity of peroxidases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Membrane Permeability / genetics
  • Cell Wall / metabolism
  • Cell Wall / physiology*
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Fungal Proteins / genetics
  • Histidine Kinase
  • Magnaporthe / enzymology
  • Magnaporthe / genetics*
  • Magnaporthe / metabolism
  • Magnaporthe / pathogenicity*
  • Models, Biological
  • Organisms, Genetically Modified
  • Oryza / microbiology
  • Osmotic Pressure / physiology
  • Phylogeny
  • Plant Diseases / genetics
  • Plant Diseases / microbiology
  • Protein Kinases / genetics*
  • Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Protein Kinases / physiology*
  • Superoxides / metabolism

Substances

  • Fungal Proteins
  • Superoxides
  • Protein Kinases
  • Histidine Kinase