Levels of the C6-polyol mannitol were observed to rise dramatically in the biotrophic interaction of the rust fungus Uromyces fabae and its host plant Vicia faba. Mannitol was found in millimolar concentrations in extracts and apoplastic fluids of infected leaves and also in extracts of spores. We suggest that this polyol might have at least a dual function: first, as a carbohydrate storage compound, and second, as a scavenger of reactive oxygen species. Mannitol accumulation is accompanied by high expression of a mannitol dehydrogenase (MAD1) in haustoria. While MAD1 transcripts were detected in haustoria only, immunolocalization studies show that the gene product is also present in spores. Kinetic and thermodynamic analyses of the MAD1p catalyzed reactions indicate that the enzyme might be responsible for the production of mannitol in haustoria and for the utilization of mannitol in spores. Since V. faba is normally unable to synthesize or utilize polyols, the multipurpose usage of mannitol seems an ideal strategy for the fungal pathogen.
We have identified and characterized a novel NADP(+)-dependent D-arabitol dehydrogenase and the corresponding gene from the rust fungus Uromyces fabae, a biotrophic plant pathogen on broad bean (Vicia faba). The new enzyme was termed ARD1p (D-arabitol dehydrogenase 1). It recognizes D-arabitol and mannitol as substrates in the forward reaction, and D-xylulose, D-ribulose and D-fructose as substrates in the reverse reaction. Co-factor specificity was restricted to NADP(H). Kinetic data for the major substrates and co-factors are presented. A detailed analysis of the organization and expression pattern of the ARD1 gene are also given. Immunocytological data indicate a localization of the gene product predominantly in haustoria, the feeding structures of these fungi. Analyses of metabolite levels during pathogenesis indicate that the D-arabitol concentration rises dramatically as infection progresses, and D-arabitol was shown in an in vitro system to be capable of quenching reactive oxygen species involved in host plant defence reactions. ARD1p may therefore play an important role in carbohydrate metabolism and in establishing and/or maintaining the biotrophic interaction in U. fabae.
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