Cellular Responses Required for Oxidative Stress Tolerance of the Necrotrophic Fungus Alternaria alternata, Causal Agent of Pear Black Spot

Abstract

To establish successful infections in host plants, pathogenic fungi must sense and respond to an array of stresses, such as oxidative stress. In this study, we systematically analyzed the effects of 30 mM H2O2 treatment on reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism in Alternaria alternata. Results showed that 30 mM H2O2 treatment lead to increased O2− generation rate and H2O2 content, and simultaneously, increased the activities and transcript levels of NADPH oxidase (NOX). The activities and gene expression levels of enzymes related with ascorbic acid-glutathione cycle (AsA-GSH cycle) and thioredoxin systems, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), ascorbate peroxidase (AXP) and thioredoxin (TrxR), were remarkably enhanced by 30 mM H2O2 stress treatment. Additionally, 30 mM H2O2 treatment decreased the glutathione (GSH) content, whereas it increased the amount of oxidized glutathione (GSSG), dehydroascorbate (DHA) and ascorbic acid (AsA). These results revealed that cellular responses are required for oxidative stress tolerance of the necrotrophic fungus A. alternata.