Moonlighting Function of Phytochelatin Synthase1 in Extracellular Defense against Fungal Pathogens.

Phytochelatin synthase (PCS) is a key component of heavy metal detoxification in plants. PCS catalyzes both the synthesis of the peptide phytochelatin from glutathione and the degradation of glutathione conjugates via peptidase activity. Here, we describe a role for PCS in disease resistance against plant pathogenic fungi.

Host cell ploidy underlying the fungal feeding site is a determinant of powdery mildew growth and reproduction.

Golovinomyces orontii is an obligate biotrophic powdery mildew (PM) that colonizes Arabidopsis thaliana and agronomic species. It establishes a specialized feeding structure in epidermal cells to fuel its extensive surface hyphal growth and reproduction. Previously, endoreduplication was identified in Arabidopsis mesophyll cells underlying the fungal feeding site, presumably to meet the metabolic demands imposed by the fungus.

Loss-of-function mutation of REDUCED WALL ACETYLATION2 in Arabidopsis leads to reduced cell wall acetylation and increased resistance to Botrytis cinerea.

Nearly all polysaccharides in plant cell walls are O-acetylated, including the various pectic polysaccharides and the hemicelluloses xylan, mannan, and xyloglucan. However, the enzymes involved in the polysaccharide acetylation have not been identified. While the role of polysaccharide acetylation in vivo is unclear, it is known to reduce biofuel yield from lignocellulosic biomass by the inhibition of microorganisms used for fermentation.

Host-pathogen warfare at the plant cell wall.

Plants have evolved sensory mechanisms to detect pathogen attack and trigger signalling pathways that induce rapid defence responses. These mechanisms include not only direct detection of pathogen-derived elicitors (e.g.