Penicillium digitatum infection mechanisms in citrus: What do we know so far?

Publication date: Available online 13 May 2019Source: Fungal BiologyAuthor(s): Jonas Henrique Costa, Jaqueline Moraes Bazioli, João Guilherme de Moraes Pontes, Taícia Pacheco FillAbstractPenicillium digitatum is the major source of postharvest decay in citrus fruits worldwide. This fungus shows a notably limited host range, being able to infect mainly mature fruit belonging to the Rutaceae family. This highly specific host interaction has attracted the interest of the scientific community. Researchers have investigated the chemical interactions and specialized virulence strategies that facilitate this fungus’s fruit colonization, thereby leading to a successful citrus infection. There are several factors that mediate and affect the interaction between Penicillium digitatum and its host citrus, including hydrogen peroxide modulation by the phytopathogen, secretion of organic acids and consequently pH control, and other strategies described in this review. The recently achieved sequencing of the complete Penicillium digitatum genome opened up new possibilities for exploration of the virulence factors related to the host-pathogen interaction. Through such techniques as RNAseq, RT-PCR and targeted gene knockout mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens, important genes involved in the fungal infection process in citrus have been reported, helping to elucidate the molecular mechanisms, metabolites and genetic components that are involved in the pathogenicity of P. digitatum. Under...

Source: Fungal Biology - May 13, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research