The Cell Wall Integrity-Associated Map Kinase Homolog, AbSlt2 in the Necrotrophic fungus Alternaria brassicicola is Required for Pathogenicity of Brassicas

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dc.contributor.authorScott, Derrick Corneliusen
dc.contributor.committeechairLawrence, Christopher B.en
dc.contributor.committeememberNewton, William E.en
dc.contributor.committeememberEsen, Asimen
dc.contributor.departmentBiologyen
dc.date.accessioned2014-03-14T20:31:42Zen
dc.date.adate2009-05-15en
dc.date.available2014-03-14T20:31:42Zen
dc.date.issued2009-01-22en
dc.date.rdate2009-05-15en
dc.date.sdate2009-02-10en
dc.description.abstractUsing the genome database of the phytopathogenic fungus, Alternaria brassicicola, we identified a gene with high homology to the cell wall integrity-associated mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, Slt2 in the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This MAP kinase consists of a predicted 1,251-bp open reading frame, and encodes a 416-amino-acid protein weighing 47501 Da. This homolog was designated AbSlt2 (A. brassicicola Slt2) and gene disruption knockout (KO) mutants were generated in an A. brassicicola wild type background. Several altered phenotypes were found in the mutants compared to the wild type. During growth in various liquid and solid media, the abslt2 mutants displayed slightly aberrant hyphal growth and were unable to develop at the same rate as wild type. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed the abslt2 mutants showed decreased penetration ability, underdeveloped appresoria, and altered morphology on the leaf surface of the host plant, Brassica oleracea (cabbage) when compared to wild type. Abslt2 mutant hyphae exhibited slower growth in planta ultimately resulting in highly reduced virulence. Complementation of the disruption mutant with the wild type gene fully restored pathogenicity. Therefore, AbSlt2 is a new pathogenicity and developmental factor in A. brassicicola.en
dc.description.degreeMaster of Scienceen
dc.identifier.otheretd-02102009-234303en
dc.identifier.sourceurlhttp://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-02102009-234303/en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/31203en
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.relation.haspartDerrickScottFinalThesis2.pdfen
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subjectSlt2en
dc.subjectAlternaria brassicicolaen
dc.subjectMap Kinaseen
dc.titleThe Cell Wall Integrity-Associated Map Kinase Homolog, AbSlt2 in the Necrotrophic fungus Alternaria brassicicola is Required for Pathogenicity of Brassicasen
dc.typeThesisen
thesis.degree.disciplineBiologyen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.levelmastersen
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Scienceen

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