The defense-related STH-2 gene product of potato shows race-specific accumulation after inoculation with low concentrations of Phytophthora infestans zoospores

The defense-related STH-2 gene is rapidly activated following infection or elicitor treatment of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers. However, its physiological or biochemical function is unknown. To study the STH-2 gene product and its accumulation during the defense response, we raised antibodies to a β-galactosidase-STH-2 fusion protein in Escherichia coli. The antiserum specifically recognized a protein of the predicted 17-kDa size in extracts of elicited tuber disks when analyzed by Western blot. In control extracts this band was not detected. The accumulation of STH-2 protein in response to incompatible and compatible zoospores of Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary depended on the inoculum density applied. Whereas a low concentration of spores induced accumulation of STH-2 protein faster in the incompatible than the compatible interaction, this difference in timing was less pronounced at higher inoculum densities. Inoculation with a high concentration of compatible spores also resulted in the disappearance of STH-2 protein late during the infection. In both control and induced tuber tissue the antibody strongly reacted with an unknown protein of 18 kDa. This protein was present constitutively in tubers, but in leaves its accumulation was stimulated by inoculation with P. infestans.