Effectors involved in fungal-fungal interaction lead to a rare phenomenon of hyperbiotrophy in the tritrophic system biocontrol agent-powdery mildew-plant.
File(s)Laur_et_al-2018-New_Phytologist.pdf (1.98 MB)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Tritrophic interactions involving a biocontrol agent, a pathogen and a plant have been analyzed predominantly from the perspective of the biocontrol agent. We have conducted the first comprehensive transcriptomic analysis of all three organisms in an effort to understand the elusive properties of Pseudozyma flocculosa in the context of its biocontrol activity against Blumeria graminis f.sp. hordei as it parasitizes Hordeum vulgare. After inoculation of P. flocculosa, the tripartite interaction was monitored over time and samples collected for scanning electron microscopy and RNA sequencing. Based on our observations, P. flocculosa indirectly parasitizes barley, albeit transiently, by diverting nutrients extracted by B. graminis from barley leaves through a process involving unique effectors. This brings novel evidence that such molecules can also influence fungal-fungal interactions. Their release is synchronized with a higher expression of powdery mildew haustorial effectors, a sharp decline in the photosynthetic machinery of barley and a developmental peak in P. flocculosa. The interaction culminates with a collapse of B. graminis haustoria, thereby stopping P. flocculosa growth, as barley plants show higher metabolic activity. To conclude, our study has uncovered a complex and intricate phenomenon, described here as hyperbiotrophy, only achievable through the conjugated action of the three protagonists.
Date Issued
2017-10-18
Date Acceptance
2017-09-13
Citation
New Phytologist, 2017, 217 (2), pp.713-725
ISSN
0028-646X
Publisher
Wiley
Start Page
713
End Page
725
Journal / Book Title
New Phytologist
Volume
217
Issue
2
Copyright Statement
This is an Open Access Article ©2017 The Authors
New Phytologist © 2017 New Phytologist Trust
New Phytologist © 2017 New Phytologist Trust
Sponsor
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
Grant Number
BB/M000710/1
Subjects
Pseudozyma flocculosa
Ustilaginales
biocontrol agent
effectors
haustorium
hyperbiotrophy
powdery mildew
tritrophic interaction
Publication Status
Published