Characterisation of neutral trehalase and UDP-glucose:sterol glucosyltransferase genes from the plant pathogenic fungus Leptosphaeria maculans

Abstract

Homologues of two genes that are involved in pathogenicity of Magnaporthe grisea on its hosts were cloned from Leptosphaeria maculans, a fungal pathogen of canola. These genes, neutral trehalase (nthl) and UDP-glucose:sterol glucosyltransferase (ugt51E1), were characterised and disrupted in L. maculans. Additionally their chromosomal locations were determined, as well as the location for nth1 on a genetic map. This gene is flanked by a repetitive element and a homologue of a gene encoding C1-tetrahydrofolate synthase. Neutral trehalase transcription was induced by stresses, such as 10 mM hydrogen peroxide or 10 μM hygromycin. The L. maculans ugt51E1 gene is flanked by genes encoding an aspar..