TY - JOUR
T1 - Identification of the cellulose synthase genes from the Oomycete Saprolegnia monoica and effect of cellulose synthesis inhibitors on gene expression and enzyme activity
AU - Fugelstad, Johanna
AU - Bouzenzana, Jamel
AU - Djerbi, Soraya
AU - Guerriero, Gea
AU - Ezcurra, Inés
AU - Teeri, Tuula T.
AU - Arvestad, Lars
AU - Bulone, Vincent
PY - 2009/10
Y1 - 2009/10
N2 - Cellulose biosynthesis is a vital but yet poorly understood biochemical process in Oomycetes. Here, we report the identification and characterization of the cellulose synthase genes (CesA) from Saprolegnia monoica. Southern blot experiments revealed the occurrence of three CesA homologues in this species and phylogenetic analyses confirmed that Oomycete CesAs form a clade of their own. All gene products contained the D,D,D,QXXRW signature of most processive glycosyltransferases, including cellulose synthases. However, their N-terminal ends exhibited Oomycete-specific domains, i.e. Pleckstrin Homology domains, or conserved domains of an unknown function together with additional putative transmembrane domains. Mycelial growth was inhibited in the presence of the cellulose biosynthesis inhibitors 2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile or Congo Red. This inhibition was accompanied by a higher expression of all CesA genes in the mycelium and increased in vitro glucan synthase activities. Altogether, our data strongly suggest a direct involvement of the identified CesA genes in cellulose biosynthesis.
AB - Cellulose biosynthesis is a vital but yet poorly understood biochemical process in Oomycetes. Here, we report the identification and characterization of the cellulose synthase genes (CesA) from Saprolegnia monoica. Southern blot experiments revealed the occurrence of three CesA homologues in this species and phylogenetic analyses confirmed that Oomycete CesAs form a clade of their own. All gene products contained the D,D,D,QXXRW signature of most processive glycosyltransferases, including cellulose synthases. However, their N-terminal ends exhibited Oomycete-specific domains, i.e. Pleckstrin Homology domains, or conserved domains of an unknown function together with additional putative transmembrane domains. Mycelial growth was inhibited in the presence of the cellulose biosynthesis inhibitors 2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile or Congo Red. This inhibition was accompanied by a higher expression of all CesA genes in the mycelium and increased in vitro glucan synthase activities. Altogether, our data strongly suggest a direct involvement of the identified CesA genes in cellulose biosynthesis.
KW - 2,6-Dichlorobenzonitrile (DCB)
KW - Cell wall biosynthesis
KW - Cellulose synthase genes
KW - Congo Red
KW - Oomycetes
KW - Saprolegnia monoica
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=68549136474&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.fgb.2009.07.001
DO - 10.1016/j.fgb.2009.07.001
M3 - Article
C2 - 19589393
AN - SCOPUS:68549136474
SN - 1087-1845
VL - 46
SP - 759
EP - 767
JO - Fungal Genetics and Biology
JF - Fungal Genetics and Biology
IS - 10
ER -