Labyrinthula terrestris sp. nov., a new pathogen of turf grass

A species of Labyrinthula that causes 'rapid blight' and death of turfgrass has been isolated and studied. We name this new species Labyrinthula terrestris and briefly summarize morphological characteristics and growth patterns of this pathogen of turfgrass.     

The role of proline-associated pentose phosphate pathway in cool-season turfgrasses after UV-B exposure

Physiological adjustments of cool-season turfgrasses were investigated to determine the role of proline-associated pentose phosphate pathway for phenolic biosynthesis and stimulation of antioxidant response system following UV-B exposure. Creeping bentgrass, Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, and perennial ryegrass plugs were subjected to artificial UV-B exposure (biologically effective UVB_BE radiation 8 kJ m⁻² d⁻¹.) for one week with 10-h photoperiod. Significant accumulation of phenolics and stimulation of antioxidant enzyme activity was observed in all investigated cool-season turfgrasses after UV-B exposure and this induction corroborated with higher glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity and high accumulation of proline. Guaiacol peroxidase activity also increased in all investigated cool-season turfgrass species after UV-B exposure. In this study, the shift of carbon flux from glycolysis to pentose phosphate pathway following UV-B exposure and as a result of that, the higher accumulation of phenolics and stimulation of antioxidant response system provides an insight to understand a probable defense mechanism of cool-season turfgrasses against UV stress.     

A quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for the seagrass pathogen Labyrinthula zosterae

The protist Labyrinthula zosterae (Phylum Bigyra, sensu Tsui et al. 2009) has been identified as a causative agent of wasting disease in eelgrass (Zostera marina), of which the most intense outbreak led to the destruction of 90% of eelgrass beds in eastern North America and western Europe in the 1930s. Outbreaks still occur today, albeit at a smaller scale. Traditionally, L. zosterae has been quantified by measuring the necrotic area of Z. marina leaf tissue. This indirect method can however only lead to a very rough estimate of pathogen load. Here, we present a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) approach to directly detect and quantify L. zosterae in eelgrass tissue. Based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences of rRNA genes, species-specific primers were designed. Using our qPCR, we were able to quantify accurately and specifically L. zosterae load both from culture and eelgrass leaves using material from Europe and North America. Our detection limit was less than one L. zosterae cell. Our results demonstrate the potential of this qPCR assay to provide rapid, accurate and sensitive molecular identification and quantification of L. zosterae. In view of declining seagrass populations worldwide, this method will provide a valuable tool for seagrass ecologists and conservation projects.     

Comparison of tall fescue (Cyperales: Gramineae) to other cool-season turfgrasses for tolerance to European chafer (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

Three cultivars of tall fescue, Festuca arundinacea Schreb., were compared with three cultivars each of fine fescue (Festuca spp.), Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) to evaluate tolerance to root-feeding by European chafer grubs, Rhizotrogus majalis (Razoumowsky). Potted turfgrasses were infested with initial densities equivalent to 33 or 66 grubs per 0.1 m2 on 19 August 2000. More grubs were added in late September and October, bringing the total to 66 or 143 grubs per 0.1 m2. Plant growth, root loss, weight gain, and survival of grubs were measured. The experiment was repeated in fall of 2001 with an initial density of 66 grubs per 0.1 m2. The proportion of root mass lost as a result of grub feeding was a function of turf species, root growth, grub survival, and grub growth during the test. Grubs gained the most weight and consumed the most roots when feeding on fine fescue. Fine fescue suffered the greatest percentage of root loss in 2000, despite having the most rapid root growth and largest mass in control pots. Cultivars of tall fescue appeared to be the most tolerant of grub feeding, having the smallest reduction in root mass in both years. Data from fine fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass cultivars were not as consistent as tall fescue, because for some cultivars root growth and grub survival were different between years. We also found that grubs increased in mass by 20% when the mass of available roots was doubled.     

Structure of Labyrinthula sp. Zoospores*

SYNOPSIS. A species of Labyrinthula closely resembling L. algeriensis was isolated from marsh grass, Spartina alterniflora. Zoosporulation was obtained in ～50% of the cultures, which were grown on a modified Vishniac medium, when yeasts were used as food organisms; when the temperature was ～22 C; when thiamine (0.2 mg/l, biotin (1 μg/l, Ba (1 μg/l, and cholesterol (5 mg/l) were present; and when the cells were grown on a semisolid medium (0.6% agar) rather than higher concentrations of agar. The motile cells were similar to biflagellated fungal zoospores in that they were pyriform and laterally biflagellated. The anterior flagellum (13-15 μ long) possessed what appeared to be 2 rows of mastigonemes and was uniform in diameter while the posterior flagellum (6-10 μ) lacked mastigonemes and was tapered distally into a whiplash. The planonts are apparently not isogametes since planogametic copulation could not be induced and since synaptinemal complexes were not observed in sectioned presporangia.     

Two new sulfated furostanol saponins from Tribulus terrestris

The known furostanol saponins methylprotodioscin and protodioscin and two new sulfated saponins, sodium salt of 26-O-beta-glucopyranosyl-22alpha-methoxy-(25R)-furost-5-ene-3beta,26-diol-3-O-alpha-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-4-O-sulfo-glucopyranoside (methylprototribestin) and sodium salt of 26-O-beta-glucopyranosyl-22alpha-hydroxy-(25R)-furost-5-ene-3beta,26-diol-3-O-alpha-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-4-O-sulfo-glucopyranoside (prototribestin) have been isolated from the aerial parts of Tribulus terrestris L. growing in Bulgaria. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D (DQF-COSY, TOCSY, HSQC-TOCSY, HSQC, HMBC, ROESY) NMR data, ESI mass spectra and chemical transformation.     

Filifactor alocis – a new emerging periodontal pathogen

Filifactor alocis, a previously unrecognized Gram-positive anaerobic rod, is now considered a new emerging pathogen that may play a significant role in periodontal disease. F. alocis' unique characteristics and variations at the molecular level that may be responsible for the functional changes required to mediate the pathogenic process are discussed.     

核桃枯枝病新病原及生物学特性

【目的】鉴定四川省广元市剑阁县核桃枯枝病的病原,为该病害的防治奠定基础。【方法】随机采集不同发病阶段的枝干样品30份,采用常规组织分离法分离纯化核桃枯枝病病原菌,用柯赫氏法则对菌株进行致病性验证,结合形态学特征和分子生物学方法对病原菌进行鉴定,采用菌落生长法进行生物学特性研究。【结果】共分离得到180个菌株。致病性测定结果表明核桃枯枝病的病原菌为拟茎点霉Phompsis capsici,这是首次关于Phompsis capsici导致核桃枯枝病在我国发生和研究的报道。在PDA平板上该病原菌菌丝为白色,能产生椭圆形和线形两种分生孢子。病菌菌丝生长以PDA培养基为最适。菌丝能有效利用多种碳、氮源,在供试的9种碳、氮源中,适宜生长的碳源为蔗糖和果糖,氮源为钼氨酸和苯丙氨酸。最适生长温度为25°C,最适pH为6.0-7.0。黑暗条件下菌丝生长最快。【结论】Phompsis capsici最易从伤口侵入致病。     

From Guard to Decoy: a new model for perception of plant pathogen effectors

The Guard Model for disease resistance postulates that plant resistance proteins act by monitoring (guarding) the target of their corresponding pathogen effector. We posit, however, that guarded effector targets are evolutionarily unstable in plant populations polymorphic for resistance (R) genes. Depending on the absence or presence of the R gene, guarded effector targets are subject to opposing selection forces (1) to evade manipulation by effectors (weaker interaction) and (2) to improve perception of effectors (stronger interaction). Duplication of the effector target gene or independent evolution of a target mimic could relax evolutionary constraints and result in a decoy that would be solely involved in effector perception. There is growing support for this Decoy Model from four diverse cases of effector perception involving Pto, Bs3, RCR3, and RIN4. We discuss the differences between the Guard and Decoy Models and their variants, hypothesize how decoys might have evolved, and suggest ways to challenge the Decoy Model.     

NaCl胁迫对6种暖季型草坪草新选系生长的影响

利用水培法研究了NaCl胁迫对沟叶结缕草(Zoysia matrella'Z123')、结缕草(Z.japonica'Z080')、狗牙根(Cynodon dactylon'C291')、海雀稗(Paspalum vaginatum'P006')、假俭草(Eremochloa ophiuroides'E126')和钝叶草(Stenotaphrum secundatum'S004')6种暖季型草坪草新选系生长的影响,并对它们的抗盐能力进行了评价。结果表明,随NaCl浓度的提高,6个选系的叶片枯黄率均增大,但不同选系的变化幅度有显著差异;6个选系抗NaCl能力从强到弱依次为'Z123'、'C291'、'P006'、'S004'、'Z080'、'E126'。5g.L-1NaCl对选系'C291'、'S004'和'Z080'地上部分和根系生长有促进作用,而对选系'Z123'、'P006'和'E126'则有抑制作用;随NaCl浓度的提高,除选系'E126'的根冠比迅速下降外,其他选系的根冠比均增加或缓慢下降;各选系的枝叶含水量均随NaCl浓度提高而下降,但选系'S004'、'P006'和'E126'的枝叶含水量均高于选系'C291'、'Z123'和'Z080'。     

Streptococcus pneumoniae: new tools for an old pathogen

The pneumococcus is one of the longest-known pathogens. It has been instrumental to our understanding of biology in many ways, such as in the discovery of the Gram strain and the identification of nucleic acid as the hereditary material. Despite major advances in our understanding of pneumococcal pathogenesis, the need for vaccines and antibiotics to combat this pathogen is still vital. Genomics is beginning to uncover new virulence factors to advance this process, and it is enabling the development of DNA chip technology, which will permit the analysis of gene expression in specific tissues and in virulence regulatory circuits.