Smut fungal strategies for the successful infection. (May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xia, Wenqiang; Yu, Xiaoping; Ye, Zihong
• Is Part Of: Microbial pathogenesis. Volume 142(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-05
• Subjects: Ustilaginaceae -- Plant defense response -- Effectors -- Plant cell wall reinforcement; Pathogenic microorganisms -- Periodicals; Pathology, Molecular -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- microbiology -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- parasitology -- Periodicals; Micro-organismes pathogènes -- Périodiques; Pathologie moléculaire -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.9041
• DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2020.104039
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0882-4010

Abstract

Abstract: The smut fungi include a large number of plant pathogens that establish obligate biotrophic relationships with their host. Throughout the whole life inside plant tissue, smut fungi keep plant cells alive and acquire nutrients via biotrophic interfaces. This mini-review mainly summarizes the interactions between smut fungi and their host plants during the infection process. Despite various strategies recruited by plants to defense invading pathogens, smut fungi successfully evolved an arsenal for colonization. Mating of two compatible haploids gives rise to parasitic mycelium, which can sense plant surface cues such as fatty acids and hydrophobic surface, and induce the formation of appressoria for surface penetration. Plants can recognize fungal invading and activate defense response, including callose and lignin deposition, programmed cell death, and SA signaling pathway. To suppress plant immunity and alter the metabolic pathway of host plants, a cocktail of effectors is secreted by smut fungi depending on the plant organ and cell type that is infected. Highlights: Smut fungi comprise a set of obligate biotrophic plant pathogens. Parasitic mycelia can sense plant surface cues and initiate penetration by secreting cell wall degrading enzymes. Unspecific plant defense response was activated at the initial stage of smut fungi infection. Multiple effectors have been identified to be responsible for suppressing plant defense response.