The Colletotrichum lagenarium MAP Kinase Gene CMK1 Regulates Diverse Aspects of Fungal Pathogenesis

• DOI: 10.1094/mpmi.2000.13.4.374
• Publication Date: 2007-05-11T09:09:49Z
• Authors: Yoshitaka Takano; Taisei Kikuchi; Yasuyuki Kubo; John E. Hamer; Kazuyuki Mise; Iwao Furusawa
• Keywords: Appressorium; Conidiation

The infection process of Colletotrichum lagenarium, the causal agent cucumber anthracnose disease, involves several key steps: germination; formation melanized appressoria; appressorial penetration; and subsequent invasive growth in host plants. Here we report that C. lagenarium CMK1 gene encoding a mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase plays central role these steps. can complement appressorium Pmk1 MAP mutant Magnaporthe grisea. Deletion causes reduction conidiation complete lack pathogenicity to plant. Surprisingly, contrast M. grisea pmk1 mutants, conidia cmk1 mutants fail germinate on both plant glass surfaces, demonstrating regulates conidial germination. However, addition yeast extract rescues germination, indicating presence CMK1-independent pathway for regulation Germinating form appressoria are unable grow invasively This strongly suggests signaling pathways have general significance structure pathogenic phytopathogenic fungi. Furthermore, three melanin genes show no or slight expression when germinate, suggesting required melanization.