The ultrastructure of M1-a-mediated resistance to powdery mildew infection in barley

Abstract

M1-a-mediated resistance in barley to invasion by the CR3 race of Erysiphe graminis f. sp. hordei does not occur in every host cell with the same speed and severity. In some cells ultrastructural changes within the host cell as a result of resistance will occur within 24 h after inoculation, whereas in other cells these changes may take up to 72 h. In some cells the ultrastructural changes are so drastic that they give the appearance of a hypersensitive death of the host cell, whereas in other cells the changes are very slight. In any case, at the end of these changes the fungus ceases growth. The ultrastructural changes occur in penetrated host epidermal cells as well as non-infected adjacent epidermal and mesophyll cells.The following ultrastructural changes have been observed: (1) an electron-dense material which occurs either free in the vacuole or adhering to the tonoplast (the material is granular or in large clumps); (2) an increased electron density of the host cytoplasm and nucleus; (3) a breakdown of the tonoplast so that the cytoplasmic constituents become dispersed throughout the cell lumen; and (4) the deposition of papillar-like material in areas other than the penetration site. The first three changes take place within the host cell protoplasts and are directly attributable to the gene M1-a. These changes are typical of stress or incompatibility responses and thus M1-a appears to trigger a generalized incompatibility response in the presence of race CR3. The papillar-like material occurs outside the host cell protoplast in the same manner as the papilla and probably is not directly attributable to M1-a.