Phytophthora nicotianae transformants lacking dynein light chain 1 produce non-flagellate zoospores

Biflagellate zoospores of the highly destructive plant pathogens in the genus Phytophthora are responsible for the initiation of infection of host plants. Zoospore motility is a critical component of the infection process because it allows zoospores to actively target suitable infection sites on pot...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Fungal genetics and biology 2010-08, Vol.47 (8), p.663-671
Main Authors: Narayan, Reena D., Blackman, Leila M., Shan, Weixing, Hardham, Adrienne R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antibodies
Cloning, Molecular
DNA, Fungal - chemistry
DNA, Fungal - genetics
Dynein light chain 1
Dyneins - chemistry
Dyneins - deficiency
Dyneins - genetics
Dyneins - metabolism
Flagella - chemistry
Flagella - physiology
Flagellar formation
Fungal Proteins - chemistry
Fungal Proteins - genetics
Fungal Proteins - metabolism
Gene Expression Profiling
Gene Silencing
Microscopy, Fluorescence
Molecular Sequence Data
Molecular Weight
Phytophthora
Phytophthora - chemistry
Phytophthora - genetics
Phytophthora - growth & development
RNA, Small Interfering - genetics
Sequence Analysis, DNA
Sporangial discharge
Spores, Fungal - genetics
Spores, Fungal - growth & development
Zoospore motility
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Summary:Biflagellate zoospores of the highly destructive plant pathogens in the genus Phytophthora are responsible for the initiation of infection of host plants. Zoospore motility is a critical component of the infection process because it allows zoospores to actively target suitable infection sites on potential hosts. Flagellar assembly and function in eukaryotes depends on a number of dynein-based molecular motors that facilitate retrograde intraflagellar transport and sliding of adjacent microtubule doublets in the flagellar axonemes. Dynein light chain 1 (DLC1) is one of a number of proteins in the dynein outer arm multiprotein complex. It is a 22 kDa leucine-rich repeat protein that binds to the catalytic motor domain of the dynein γ heavy chain. We report the cloning and characterization of DLC1 homologues in Phytophthora cinnamomi and Phytophthora nicotianae ( PcDLC1 and PnDLC1). PcDLC1 and PnDLC1 are single copy genes that are more highly expressed in sporulating hyphae than in vegetative hyphae, zoospores or germinated cysts. Polyclonal antibodies raised against PnDLC1 locallized PnDLC1 along the length of the flagella of P. nicotianae zoospores. RNAi-mediated silencing of PnDLC1 expression yielded transformants that released non-flagellate, non-motile zoospores from their sporangia. Our observations indicate that zoospore motility is not required for zoospore release from P. nicotianae sporangia or for breakage of the evanescent vesicle into which zoospores are initially discharged.
ISSN:1087-1845
1096-0937
DOI:10.1016/j.fgb.2010.04.008