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Biotrophic Fungal Pathogens: a Critical Overview

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Abstract

Biotrophic fungi are one group of heterogeneous organisms and these fungi differ in their traits like mode of nutrition, types of reproduction, and dispersal systems. Generally, based on the nutritional mode, fungi are classified into three broad categories, viz. biotrophs, necrotrophs, and hemi-biotrophs. Biotrophs derive their nutrients and energy from living plant cells and survive within the interstitial space of the cells. Biotrophic fungi cause serious crop diseases but are highly challenging to investigate and develop a treatment strategy. Blumeria (Erysiphe) graminis, Uromyces fabae, Ustilago maydis, Cladosporium fulvum, Puccinia graminis, and Phytophthora infestans are some of the significant biotrophic fungi that affect mainly plants. One among the biotrophic fungus, Pneumocystis jirovecii (Taphrinomycotina subphylum of the Ascomycota) exclusively a human pathogen, can cause lung diseases such as “pneumocystis.” Biotrophic fungus widely parasitizing Solanaceae family crops (Tomato and potato) has done massive damage to the crops and has led to economic impact worldwide. During infection and for nutrient absorption, biotrophs develops external appendages such as appressoria or haustoria. The hyphae or appressorium adheres to the plant cell wall and collapses the layers for their nutrient absorption. The pathogen also secretes effector molecules to escape from the plant defense mechanism. Later, plants activate their primary and secondary defense mechanisms; however, the pathogen induces virulence genes to escape the host immune responses. Obligate biotrophic fungi pathogenicity has not been fully understood at the molecular level because of the complex interaction, recognition, and signaling with the host. This review summarizes the mechanism of infection in the host, and immune response to emphasize the understanding of the biotrophic fungal biology and pathogenesis in crops. Thus, the detailed review will pave the way to design methods to overcome the resistance of biotrophic fungi and develop disease-free crops.

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Abbreviations

RNAi:

RNA interference

ADK:

adenosine kinases

APM:

adaptive penetration mediated

PCD:

programmed cell death

PAMPs:

pathogen-associated molecular patterns

ROS:

reactive oxygen species

Cf-Avr4:

chitin-binding lectins

HIGS:

host-induced gene silencing

VIGS:

virus-induced gene silencing

NMR:

nuclear magnetic resonance

AVR50:

avirulent 50

Sr35, Sr50:

stem rust resistance genes

PTI:

PAMP-triggered immunity

ETI:

Effector- triggered immunity

NBS-LRRs:

nucleotide-binding site leucine-rich repeats

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  1. Zhengzhou Yongfeng Bio-Fertilizer Co., Ltd, high-tech district, 6 Tsui Zhu Street, 863 Software Park, Building 9 1102, Henan Province, 450001, Zhengzhou City, China

    Wang Fei

  2. Xiangtan Institute for Food and Drug Control, Xiangtan, China

    Ye Liu

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Fei, W., Liu, Y. Biotrophic Fungal Pathogens: a Critical Overview. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 195, 1–16 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-022-04087-0

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