Analysis of the effector secretion pathway of plant pathogenic fungi using chemical genetics

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K14440
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 38060:Applied molecular and cellular biology-related
• Research Institution: Institute of Physical and Chemical Research
• Principal Investigator: Naoyoshi Kumakura 国立研究開発法人理化学研究所, 環境資源科学研究センター, 研究員 (50815438)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: エフェクター分泌 / マーカーリサイクリング / CRISPR

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Phytopathogenic fungi secrete effector proteins to break down immune responses and physical barriers, such as cell walls, of host plants to establish infection. Although the secretion of effectors is precisely regulated in space and time, suggesting the existence of a specific secretory pathway, the molecular mechanism of the secretion is not clarified. In this study, I aimed to elucidate and analyze the molecular mechanism of effector secretion using the effector secretion inhibitors of the Colletotrichum fungi. This study identified target candidate genes for effector secretion inhibitors. Furthermore, I have succeeded in developing a marker recycling method for Colletotrichum orbiculare, a causing agent of anthracnose of Cucurbits, that enables the analysis of functionally redundant genes.

Free Research Field

植物病理学、微生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

世界中で多額の作物被害をもたらす植物病原糸状菌は基礎・応用の両面で重要な研究対象である。本研究では植物病原菌が感染時に分泌するエフェクターの分泌阻害剤に機能アノテーションを付与した。また、モデル植物病害糸状菌における高効率な多重変異体作製技術の開発にも成功した。本手法は、エフェクター分泌に寄与する遺伝子のみならず、病原性に寄与するエフェクター研究にも応用可能であるため、植物病害糸状菌の感染戦略の分子メカニズム解明に寄与することが期待できる。