The phytopathogenic fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum detoxifies plant glucosinolate hydrolysis products via an isothiocyanate hydrolase
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Date
Authors
Chen, Jingyuan
Ullah, Chhana
Reichelt, Michael
Beran, Franziska
Yang, Zhi-Ling
Gershenzon, Jonathan
Hammerbacher, Almuth
Vassao, Daniel G.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Nature Publishing Group
Abstract
Brassicales plants produce glucosinolates and myrosinases that generate toxic isothiocyanates
conferring broad resistance against pathogens and herbivorous insects.
Nevertheless, some cosmopolitan fungal pathogens, such as the necrotrophic white mold
Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, are able to infect many plant hosts including glucosinolate producers.
Here, we show that S. sclerotiorum infection activates the glucosinolate-myrosinase system,
and isothiocyanates contribute to resistance against this fungus. S. sclerotiorum metabolizes
isothiocyanates via two independent pathways: conjugation to glutathione and, more effectively,
hydrolysis to amines. The latter pathway features an isothiocyanate hydrolase that is
homologous to a previously characterized bacterial enzyme, and converts isothiocyanate into
products that are not toxic to the fungus. The isothiocyanate hydrolase promotes fungal
growth in the presence of the toxins, and contributes to the virulence of S. sclerotiorum on
glucosinolate-producing plants.
Description
Keywords
Fungus, Brassicales plants, Pathogens, Herbivorous insects
Sustainable Development Goals
Citation
Chen, J, Ullah, C & Reichelt, M 2020, 'The phytopathogenic fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum
detoxifies plant glucosinolate hydrolysis products
via an isothiocyanate hydrolase', Nature Communications, 11, no. 1, pp. 1-12.