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Loss of pectin is an early event during infection of cocoyam roots by Pythium myriotylum

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Abstract

Cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) is an important tuber crop in most tropical zones of Africa and America. In Cameroon, its cultivation is hampered by a soil-borne fungus Pythium myriotylum which is responsible for root rot disease. The mechanism of root colonisation by the fungus has yet to be elucidated. In this study, using microscopical and immunocytochemical methods, we provide a new evidence regarding the mode of action of the fungus and we describe the reaction of the plant to the early stages of fungal invasion. We show that the fungal attack begins with the colonisation of the peripheral and epidermal cells of the root apex. These cells are rapidly lost upon infection, while cortical and stele cells are not. Labelling with the cationic gold, which binds to negatively charged wall polymers such as pectins, is absent in cortical cells and in the interfacial zone of the infected roots while it is abundant in the cell walls of stele cells. A similar pattern of labelling is also found when using the anti-pectin monoclonal antibody JIM5, but not with anti-xyloglucan antibodies. This suggests that early during infection, the fungus causes a significant loss of pectin probably via degradation by hydrolytic enzymes that diffuse and act away from the site of attack. Additional support for pectin loss is the demonstration, via sugar analysis, that a significant decrease in galacturonic acid content occurred in infected root cell walls. In addition, we demonstrate that one of the early reactions of X. sagittifolium to the fungal invasion is the formation of wall appositions that are rich in callose and cellulose.

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Abbreviations

PBS:

Phosphate-Buffered Saline

CBH-I gold:

Cellobiohydrolase colloidal gold

CMC:

Carboxymethylcellulose

GalA:

Galacturonic Acid

HG:

Homogalacturonans

PATAG:

Periodic acid-thiosemicarbazide-silver proteinate

RT:

Room temperature

TEM:

Transmission electron microscopy

UA:

Uronic acid

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge “Le Service des Relations Internationales de l’Université de Rouen” for financing exchange visits between France and Cameroon. Thanks are also due to Dr M.L. Follet Gueye research assistance during the stay of BT at the University de Rouen, to L. Chevalier and to Dr C. Rihouey for their excellent technical assistance. We are indebted to Dr P. Knox (University of Leeds, UK) and Pr A. Staehelin (University of Colorado, USA) for the gift of the antibodies. J. Moore (University of Cape Town, RSA) is also thanked for critical reading of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. UMR CNRS 6037, IFRMP 23. Centre Commun de Microscopie Electronique, Université de Rouen, 76821, Mont Saint Aignan, France

    Thaddée Boudjeko, Christine Andème-Onzighi, Maïté Vicré, Alain-Pierre Balangé & Azeddine Driouich

  2. Department of Biology, Higher Teacher’s Training College, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon

    Denis Omokolo Ndoumou

  3. Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon

    Thaddée Boudjeko

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  1. Thaddée Boudjeko
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  2. Christine Andème-Onzighi
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  3. Maïté Vicré
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  5. Denis Omokolo Ndoumou
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  6. Azeddine Driouich
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Correspondence to Azeddine Driouich.

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Boudjeko, T., Andème-Onzighi, C., Vicré, M. et al. Loss of pectin is an early event during infection of cocoyam roots by Pythium myriotylum . Planta 223, 271–282 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-005-0090-2

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