An Endopolygalacturonase from Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Induces Calcium-Mediated Signaling and Programmed Cell Death in Soybean Cells

A basic endopolygalacturonase (PG) isoform, produced early by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum when infecting soybean seedlings, was used to examine the signaling role of the enzyme in aequorin-expressing soybean cells. A cytosolic Ca2+ elevation was induced, with a rapid increase (phase 1) and a very slow...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Anna Zuppini, Lorella Navazio, Luca Sella, Carala Castiglioni, Francesco Favaron, Paola Mariani
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The American Phytopathological Society 2005-08-01
Series:Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions
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Online Access:https://apsjournals.apsnet.org/doi/10.1094/MPMI-18-0849
Description
Summary:A basic endopolygalacturonase (PG) isoform, produced early by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum when infecting soybean seedlings, was used to examine the signaling role of the enzyme in aequorin-expressing soybean cells. A cytosolic Ca2+ elevation was induced, with a rapid increase (phase 1) and a very slow decrease (phase 2) of Ca2+ concentration, indicating the involvement of Ca2+ ions in PG signaling. Within 1 h of PG-cell contact a remarkable level of cell death was recorded, significantly higher than the control cell culture turnover. The observed morphological and biochemical changes were indicative of the activation of programmed cell death; in particular, cytochrome c release in the cytoplasm and activation of both caspase 9-like and caspase 3-like proteases were found. When a polygalacturonase-inhibiting protein (PGIP) and the PG were simultaneously applied to cells, both the Ca2+ increase and cell death were annulled. The possible roles of prolonged sustained cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations in inducing cell death and of the PG-PGIP interaction in preventing PG signaling are discussed.
ISSN:0894-0282
1943-7706