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GrainGenes Reference Report: PMP-64-45

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Reference
PMP-64-45
Title
Use of Fusarium graminearum transformed with gfp to follow infection patterns in barley and Arabidopsis
Journal
Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology
Year
2004
Volume
64
Pages
45-53
Author
Skadsen RW
Hohn TM
Abstract
The fungal pathogen Fusarium graminearum attacks the seed spikes of barley and wheat, causing sterility, reduced seed weight and accumulation of mycotoxins. To explore infection patterns in barley and in the Arabidopsis model system, the green fluorescent protein gene (gfp) was used to transform F. graminearum. Inoculation of intact barley spikes resulted in rapid colonization of the brush hairs (ovary epithelial hairs) at the extruded seed tip within 7 h. Colonization followed a pattern of rapid basipetal growth along the pericarp epithelium (interior to the lemma and palea), accompanied by slower growth inward through the pericarp and testa. However, at 16 days after infection the aleurone and starchy endosperm remained uninfected, despite heavy colonization of the pericarp. Colonization of the outer lemma also occurred but was much slower. No increase in amylase enzyme activities was found, discounting the possibility that F. graminearum utilizes gibberellin-induced host enzymes to tap the endosperm for nutrients. The transformed Fusarium strain readily infected Arabidopsis thaliana leaves and produced copious spores within distant leaves. Results show the utility of gfp in tracing the growth of this pathogen, without misinterpretation due to contaminating fungi, and for resistance studies utilizing the Arabidopsis model system
Keyword
[ Hide all but 1 of 23 ]
agricultural research
amylases
barley
endosperm
enzyme
enzyme activity
fungal diseases
genetic engineering
genetic transformation
genetically engineered microorganisms
growth
infection
mycotoxins
nutrients
pericarp
plant diseases
plant pathogenic fungi
plant pathogens
resistance
seed weight
spikes
spores
sterility

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