Use of β-Glucuronidase Activity to Quantify the Growth of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici during Infection of Tomato

The β‐glucuronidase (gus) reporter gene was integrated into the phytopathogenic fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis‐lycopersici (FORL) in a co‐transformation experiment using the hygromycin B resistance (hph) gene as selective marker, which resulted in the generation of 10 mitotically stable transformants. One transformant, F30, was selected based on the results of prior detailed characterization of the 10 transformants for growth rate, conidia production and pathogenicity in comparison with the wild‐type strain. A strong positive correlation was found between GUS activity and accumulated biomass of in vitro‐grown fungus and therefore GUS activity was used to study fungal growth quantitatively in two tomato lines. Although a parallel increase in lesion development and GUS activity was noted for both tomato lines, a correlation between the GUS activity and disease progression was not always possible. Interestingly, the levels of GUS activity obtained for the more resistant line were higher than those obtained for the susceptible line, indicating that disease progression in tomato caused by FORL may not be related only to the amount of fungal biomass within the root tissue.     

Fate of transformed Trichoderma harzianum in the phylloplane of tomato plants

A propiconazole-resistant Trichoderma harzianum strain with high phylloplane survival capability was transformed with the E. coli hygromycin B phosphotransferase gene (hph), coding for hygromycin B resistance. Four transformants were analysed for survival ability on the phylloplane of tomato plants grown under glasshouse conditions in comparison with their prototype and a yellow, hygromycin B-sensitive mutant. Over 2 weeks, the four transformants showed higher survival rates in comparison with the wild-type strain. The yellow mutant TF3/973 did not significantly differ in survival from the transformants. Both hygromycin B resistance and mitotic stability of transformants were evaluated during growth in vitro and after reisolation from tomato phylloplane. Hybridization patterns with the complete plasmid indicated that all four transformants were mitotically stable after several rounds of vegetative growth without selective pressure and during 2 weeks on tomato plants. None of the transformants had lost the ability to grow in the presence of both propiconazole and hygromycin B after growth under the same conditions. The results are discussed in relation to risk assessment of the release of transgenic fungi.     

Heterologous expression of Fusarium oxysporum tomatinase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae increases its resistance to saponins and improves ethanol production during the fermentation of Agave tequilana Weber var. azul and Agave salmiana must

This paper describes the effect of the heterologous expression of tomatinase from Fusarium oxysporum f. sp lycopersici in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The gene FoTom1 under the control of the S. cerevisiae phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK1) promoter was cloned into pYES2. S. cerevisiae strain Y45 was transformed with this vector and URA3 transformant strains were selected for resistance to α-tomatine. Two transformants were randomly selected for further study (designated Y45-1 and Y45-2). Control strain Y45 was inhibited at 50 μM α-tomatine, in contrast, transformants Y45-1 and Y45-2 did not show inhibition at 200 μM. Tomatinase activity was detected by HPLC monitoring tomatine disappearance and tomatidine appearance in the supernatants of culture medium. Maximum tomatinase activity was observed in the transformants after 6 h, remaining constant during the following 24 h. No tomatinase activity was detected in the parental strain. Moreover, the transformants were able to grow and produce ethanol in a mix of Agave tequilana Weber var. azul and Agave salmiana must, contrary to the Y45 strain which was unable to grow and ferment under these conditions.     

Transformation frequencies are enhanced and vector DNA is targeted during retransformation of Leptosphaeria maculans, a fungal plant pathogen.

Summary Leptosphaeria maculans, a fungal pathogen of Brassica spp., was successfully transformed with the vector pAN8-1, encoding phleomycin resistance. Protoplasts of a vigorous Phleo^r transformant were then retransformed using the partially homologous vector, pAN7-1 which encodes hygromycin B resistance. Retransformation of this strain to hygromycin resistance occurred at frequencies that were consistently twofold higher than with the original recipient strain. Linearised pAN7-1 DNA transformed phleomycin-resistant protoplasts at higher frequencies still. All the transformants that were tested retained a phleomycin-resistant phenotype (20/20). Molecular analysis of five transformants generated with circular pAN7-1 DNA indicated that in four cases the pAN7-1 vector had integrated into pAN8-1 sequences. These results suggest that transformation frequencies in L. maculans are limited by the ability of vector DNA to integrate into the genome. Hence, construction of strains with target sites for integration may prove to be a generally useful method for improving transformation frequencies of poorly characterised filamentous fungi, particularly when using heterologous vectors. This would greatly facilitate the identification of genes by transfer of gene libraries and the standardisation of chromosomal location effects in studies of expression of nested promoter deletions.     

Electrotransformation of Chlorella vulgaris

Using hygromycin B resistance as a marker for selection, we have established the conditions required for the transformation of Chlorella vulgaris. The exponentially grown C. vulgaris cells were transformed by electroporation with plasmid pIG121-Hm, and transformants were selected with hygromycin B at a concentration of 50 μg/ml. Cell extracts prepared from the late-log cultures of the transformants exhibited glucuronidase activities as conferred by the gus gene on pIG121-Hm. The maintenance of plasmid in the algal cells seemed to be transient as many cultures derived from the hygromycin B-resistant colonies gradually lost the hygromycin resistance upon prolonged growth. The result of Southern blotting of the genomic DNAs prepared from transformant cultures exhibiting persistent hygromycin resistance showed that integration of part of the plasmid DNA into the host chromosome had taken place. Received: 19 December 1997 / Revision received: 5 October 1998 / Accepted: 27 October 1998     

Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated transformation of a high oil-producing fil a m en to us fungusUmbelopsis isabellina

TheAgrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated transformation procedure was developed by using the hygromycin B phosphotransferase gene (hph) as a selective marker for the oil-producing fungusUmbelopsis isabellina. Different conditions were combined to increase the transformation efficiency. The highest efficiency was obtained by usingA. rhizogenes strain R105 and a vector with zygomycete promoter. Southern blot analysis demonstrated that 71 % of transformants contained random integrations of T-DNA sequences under optimal conditions. We randomly selected 115 positive transformants resistant to hygromycin to analyze the amount of total fatty acid and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). Six transformants produced a higher amount of total fatty acids than the wild strain, and one transformant also produced a higher level of GLA than the wild strain in gas chromatography analysis. This is the first report about usingA. rhizogenes strain R105 and germinated conidia to transform successfully the recalcitrant zygomycetes and to obtain transformants with a stable phenotype.     

Antifungal activity of streptavidin C1 and C2 against pathogens causing Fusarium wilt

Fusarium wilt is caused by the soil-inhabiting fungus Fusarium oxysporum ff. spp. and is one of the most devastating plant diseases, resulting in losses and decreasing the quality and safety of agricultural crops. We recently reported the structures and biochemical properties of two biotin-binding proteins, streptavidin C1 and C2 (isolated from Streptomyces cinnamonensis strain KPP02129). In the present study, the potential of the biotin-binding proteins as antifungal agent for Fusarium wilt pathogens was investigated using recombinant streptavidin C1 and C2. The minimum inhibitory concentration of streptavidin C2 was found to be 16 µg ml^–1 for inhibiting the mycelial growth of F. oxysporum f.sp. cucumerinum and F. oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici, while that of streptavidin C1 was found to be 64 µg ml^–1. Compared with the nontreated control soil, the population density of F. oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici in the soil was reduced to 49·5% and 39·6% on treatment with streptavidin C1 (500 µg ml^–1) and C2 (500 µg ml^–1), respectively. A greenhouse experiment revealed that Fusarium wilt of tomato plants was completely inhibited on soil drenching using a 50-ml culture filtrate of the streptavidin-producing strain KPP02129.     

棉花枯萎病菌突变体库的构建及分析

[背景]棉花枯萎病逐渐成为威胁新疆海岛棉产业发展的主要病害,但关于棉花枯萎病菌的致病力、产孢量、生长速度及颜色变化等相关功能基因目前还不是十分明确.[目的]通过构建绿色荧光蛋白(green fluorescent protein,GFP)标记棉花枯萎病菌突变体库,筛选出由于T-DNA的随机插入而导致性状发生变异的突变体...     

Improvement on genetic transformation in the nematode-trapping fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora and its quantification on dung samples

An improved DNA-mediated transformation system for nematode-trapping fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora based on hygromycin B resistance was developed. The transformation frequency varied between 34 and 175 transformants per μg linearized DNA and 93% of the transformants were stable for drug resistance when tested 100 randomly selected transformants. More than 2000 transformants were obtained by transformation of the fungus with pBChygro in the presence of HindIII and among them, one, YMF1.00110, which lost its ability of forming predacious structure, was isolated. Southern analysis showed that the plasmid DNA had integrated into the genome of all tested transformants (including YMF 1.00110) except one. The transformant tagged with hph gene could be re-isolated and quantified from dung samples based on the resistance of hygromycin B. All the results suggested that the method of restriction enzyme mediated integration (REMI) should facilitate not only the insertional mutagenesis for tagging and analysis genes of interest but also the ecological investigation of tagged fungi in a given environment.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Agrobacterium</Emphasis>-mediated transformation of centipedegrass (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eremochloa ophiuroides</Emphasis> [Munro] Hack.)

Centipedegrass (Eremochloa ophiuroides [Munro] Hack.) is an important warm-season turfgrass and pasture grass. Due to availability of an efficient regeneration system, this study was undertaken to develop an Agrobacterium-mediated transformation system for centipedegrass for potential use in its genetic improvements. Embryogenic calli were co-cultivated with Agrobacterium strain EHA105 harboring pCAMBIA1301, followed by selection of hygromycin B (hyg B)-resistant callus and regenerated plantlets. The transformants were analyzed using PCR, DNA blot, RNA blot and semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Two transformant lines, lines 2 and 6, showed integration and expression of the hyg B resistance gene hpt. Line 2 revealed a single integration of the hpt transgene, while line 6 revealed two integration sites of hpt. Both lines exhibited resistance to hyg B, although line 2 showed higher level of expression of hpt.     

Simple sequence repeat markers for species in the Fusarium oxysporum complex

We describe nine simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers developed for studying Fusarium oxysporum. Allelic diversity at the nine loci ranged from 0.003 to 0.895, with a total of 71 alleles among 64 isolates. These markers will facilitate studies on relationships amongst isolates of F. oxysporum.     

Genetic Diversity of Fusarium oxysporum Populations Isolated from Tomato Plants in Tunisia

Fusarium crown and root rot of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis‐lycopersici is a new devastative disease of tomato greenhouse crops in Tunisia. Nothing is known neither about the population of this pathogen in this region, nor about the population of F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici the causal agent of Fusarium wilt of tomato. In order to examine the genetic relatedness among the F. oxysporum isolates by intergenic spacer restriction fragment length polymorphism (IGS‐RFLP) analysis and to elucidate the origin of the formae specialesradicis‐lycopersici in Tunisia by looking for genetic similarity of Tunisians isolates with isolates from a foreign source, the genetic diversity among F. oxysporum f. sp. radicis‐lycopersici and F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici populations was investigated. A total of 62 isolates of F. oxysporum, obtained from symptomless tomato plants, were characterized using IGS typing and pathogenicity tests on tomato plants. All Fusarium isolates were highly pathogenic on tomato. Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis‐lycopersici isolates were separated into five IGS types. From the 53 F. oxysporum f. sp. radicis‐lycopersici isolates, 34 isolates have the same IGS types (IGS type 25), and the remaining 19 isolates were distributed into four IGS types. However, the only nine isolates of F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici have six different IGS types. This difference of diversity between the two formae speciales suggests that F. oxysporum f. sp. radicis‐lycopersici isolates have a foreign origin and may have been accidentally introduced into Tunisia.     

Presence of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis Race 1 in Soils Cultivated with Melon in the State of Colima (Mexico)

During years 2001, 2002 and 2003 the gravity of the Fusarium wilt in 1000 hectares of melon culture was evaluated in Colima (Mexico). In spite of the soil disinfections with methyl bromide, the losses could reach 25% of the final production. The analysis of 4 soil samples from the fields with ill plants, in a selective medium for Fusarium, allowed to detect the presence of F. oxysporum. By means of the presented technique “soil phytopathometry”, 31 isolates of F. oxysporum f. sp. melonis were obtained from the soil samples. The isolates were inoculated on melon plants to evaluate their pathogenicity. The 31 isolates inoculated, produced the symptoms of chlorosis and wilting, in melon cultivars that allowed us to affirm that all isolates were race 1 of F. oxysporum f. sp. melonis. Being this the first news of the presence of F. oxysporum f. sp. melonis in the state of Colima (Mexico).     

Antagonistic effects of soil bacteria onFusarium oxysporum Schlecht f.sp.dianthii (Prill and Del.) Snyd. and Hans.

Summary Thirty two bacteria antagonistic to a number of phytopathogenic fungi were isolated from soil samples. One bacterial strain, designated as M 51, appeared to be particularly active towardsF. oxysporum f. sp.dianthii, in vitro andin vivo and it was inhibitoryin vitro to three otherFusarium spp. used. Tests to find if there was protection against fusarium wilt were carried out by three different methods of inoculation of the cuttings: a) dipping of cuttings for ten minutes in bacterial suspension; b) spraying of suspension on perlite where the rooted cuttings were planted; c) spraying the greenhouse bench rooting boxes, where the non-rooted cuttings were planted, with bacterial suspension. Following this all the cuttings were transplanted into soil naturally highly infested withFusarium oxysporum f. sp.dianthii (3000 units/g). Good protection against fusarium wilt was obtained for cuttings inoculated by method (b). However protection decreased gradually about 60 days after they were transplanted; both control and inoculated cuttings showed a comparable mortality rate. Method of inoculation and the development of the protective effect are discussed.     

A putative endophytic Bacillus cereus str. S42 from Nicotiana glauca for biocontrol of Fusarium wilt disease in tomato and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of its chloroform extract

A putative endophytic Bacillus cereus str. S42 (KP993206), recovered from surface-sterilised stems of Nicotiana glauca was assessed in vitro and in vivo for its antifungal potential towards Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (FOL). Pathogen sporulation was significantly inhibited by B. cereus str. S42. FOL mycelial growth was reduced using its whole-cell suspensions, cell-free culture supernatant and chloroform extract. Its extracellular metabolites remained effective after heating at 50–100 °C with a decline in their activity was observed beyond 100 °C, when added with proteinase K and/or after pH adjustment to 2 and 12. Chitinase gene was detected using PCR amplification. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of its chloroform extract matched phthalic acid, dibutyl ester with high level of similarity. B. cereus str. S42 cell-free culture supernatant and whole-cell suspensions had significantly suppressed Fusarium wilt severity by 87–96% and enhanced tomato growth by 39–79% compared to FOL-inoculated and untreated control.     

Effects of Commercial and Indigenous Microorganisms on Fusarium Wilt Development in Chickpea

The purpose of this research was to determine whetherBacillus subtilis,nonpathogenicFusarium oxysporum,and/orTrichoderma harzianum,applied alone or in combination to chickpea (Cicer arietinumL.) cultivars ‘ICCV 4’ and ‘PV 61’ differing in their levels of resistance to Fusarium wilt, could effectively suppress disease caused by the highly virulent race 5 ofFusarium oxysporumf. sp.ciceris.Seeds of both cultivars were sown in soil amended with the three microbial antagonists, alone or in combination, and 7 days later seedlings were transplanted into soil infested with the pathogen. All three antagonistic microorganisms effectively colonized the roots of both chickpea cultivars, whether alone or in combination, and significantly suppressed Fusarium wilt development. In comparison with the control, the incubation period for the disease was delayed on average about 3 days and the final disease severity index and standardized area under the disease progress curve were reduced significantly between 14 and 33% and 16 and 42%, respectively, by all three microbial antagonists. Final disease incidence only was reduced byB. subtilis(18–25%) or nonpathogenicF. oxysporum(18%). The extent of disease suppression was higher and more consistent in ‘PV 61’ than in ‘ICCV 4’ whether colonized byB. subtilis,nonpathogenicF. oxysporum,orT. harzianum.The combination ofB. subtilis+T. harzianumwas effective in suppressing Fusarium wilt development but it did not differ significantly from treatments with either of these antagonists alone. In contrast, the combination ofB. subtilis+ nonpathogenicF. oxysporumtreatment was not effective but either antagonist alone significantly reduced disease development.     

Antagonistic effects of Streptomyces violaceusniger strain G10 on Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense race 4: Indirect evidence for the role of antibiosis in the antagonistic process

Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense is the causal pathogen of wilt disease of banana. A cost-effective measure of control for this disease is still not available. Streptomyces violaceusniger strain G10 acts as an antifungal agent antagonistic towards many different phytopathogenic fungi, including different pathogenic races of the Fusarium wilt pathogen. In an attempt to understand the mode of action of this antagonist in nature, the interaction between S. violaceusniger strain G10 and F. oxysporum f.sp. cubense was first studied by paired incubation on agar plates. Evidence for the in vitro antibiosis of strain G10 was demonstrated by inhibition zones in the “cross-plug” assay plates. Microscopic observations showed lysis of hyphal ends in the inhibited fungal colonies. Culture of strain G10 in liquid media produces antifungal metabolites, which showed in vitro antagonistic effects against F. oxysporum f.sp. cubense such as swelling, distortion and excessive branching of hyphae, and inhibition of spore germination. An indirect method was used to show that antibiosis is one of the mechanisms of antagonism by which strain G10 acts against F. oxysporun f.sp. cubense in soil. This study suggests the potential of developing strain G10 for the biological control of Fusarium wilt disease of banana. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2002) 28, 303–310 DOI: 10.1038/sj/jim/7000247 Received 08 August 2001/ Accepted in revised form 16 February 2002     

禾谷镰孢菌高产毒菌株的构建*

为研究禾谷镰孢菌Fusarium graminearum Schw.单端孢霉烯族毒素生物合成基因（产毒基因）在寄主体内的表达,作者构建了带报告基因GUS（(-葡糖苷酸酶基因）的质粒pGUSTRI6P5,并通过对野生型菌株的转化获得禾谷镰孢高产毒菌株。该质粒含有由TRI5（禾谷镰孢单端孢霉二烯合酶基因）启动子（TRI5 Prom）驱动的GUS基因编码区、潮霉素B抗性基因和拟枝孢镰孢F. sporotrichioides的产毒调控基因TRI6（FSTRI6）。用pGUSTRI6P5转化野生型菌株GZ3639后,在含潮霉素 B的培养基上选取抗性菌落,单孢分离获单孢菌株（转化子）。在GYEP（葡萄糖-酵母粉-蛋白胨）液体培养基上,转化子B4-1和B16-1的GUS比活力强,15-AcDON（15-乙酰脱氧雪腐镰刀菌烯醇）产量高,且两者呈正相关（相关系数（r）分别为0.9839和0.9523）。B4-1和B16-1两个转化子可作为研究禾谷镰孢与其寄主相互作用的工具菌株。