Destruxin B produced by Alternaria brassicae does not induce accessibility of host plants to fungal invasion

It has been reported that Alternaria brassicae, the causal agent of gray leaf spot in Brassica plants, produces a host-specific or host-selective toxin (HSTs) identified as destruxin B. In this study, the role of destruxin B in infection of the pathogen was investigated. Destruxin B purified from culture filtrates (CFs) of A. brassicae induced chlorosis on host leaves at 50–100 μg ml−1, and chlorosis or necrosis on non-host leaves at 250–500 μg ml−1. Destruxin B was detected in spore germination fluids (SGFs) on host and non-host leaves, but not in a sufficient amount to exert toxicity to host plants. When spores of non-pathogenic A. alternata were combined with destruxin B at 100 μg ml−1 and inoculated on the leaves, destruxin B did not affect the infection behavior of the spores. Interestingly, SGF on host leaves allowed non-pathogenic spores to colonize host leaves. Moreover, a high molecular weight fraction (>5 kDa) without destruxin B obtained by ultrafiltration of SGF had host-specific toxin activity and infection-inducing activity. From these results, we conclude that destruxin B is not a HST and does not induce the accessibility of the host plant which is essential for colonization of the pathogen. In addition, the results with SGF imply that a high molecular weight HST(s) is involved in the host–pathogen interaction.