Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
4359346 | Research in Microbiology | 2008 | 5 Pages |
Nitric oxide (NO) is an important signal in plant resistance to pathogens. Here we report that NO is also generated by Blumeria graminis f.sp. hordei as a pathogenesis determinant on barley. Infection by B. graminis f.sp. hordei is dependent on appressorium formation in order to penetrate the host. Using fluorescent dye diaminofluorescein-2 diacetate (DAF-2DA) and confocal laser scanning microscopy, transient NO generation was detected within the B. graminis f.sp. hordei appressorium during its maturation. To confirm that NO was indeed being measured, DAF-2DA fluorescence was suppressed using a NO scavenger and a mammalian NO synthase inhibitor. Both chemicals affected the number of appressorial lobes produced by the fungus. These data indicate that NO plays a key role in formation of B. graminis f.sp. hordei appressoria.