The phytopathogenic fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum detoxifies plant glucosinolate hydrolysis products via an isothiocyanate hydrolase

Jingyuan Chen, Chhana Ullah, Michael Reichelt, Franziska Beran, Zhi-Ling Yang, Jonathan Gershenzon, Almuth Hammerbacher () and Daniel G. Vassão ()
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Jingyuan Chen: Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology
Chhana Ullah: Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology
Michael Reichelt: Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology
Franziska Beran: Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology
Zhi-Ling Yang: Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology
Jonathan Gershenzon: Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology
Almuth Hammerbacher: University of Pretoria
Daniel G. Vassão: Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology

Nature Communications, 2020, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Brassicales plants produce glucosinolates and myrosinases that generate toxic isothiocyanates conferring broad resistance against pathogens and herbivorous insects. Nevertheless, some cosmopolitan fungal pathogens, such as the necrotrophic white mold Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, are able to infect many plant hosts including glucosinolate producers. Here, we show that S. sclerotiorum infection activates the glucosinolate-myrosinase system, and isothiocyanates contribute to resistance against this fungus. S. sclerotiorum metabolizes isothiocyanates via two independent pathways: conjugation to glutathione and, more effectively, hydrolysis to amines. The latter pathway features an isothiocyanate hydrolase that is homologous to a previously characterized bacterial enzyme, and converts isothiocyanate into products that are not toxic to the fungus. The isothiocyanate hydrolase promotes fungal growth in the presence of the toxins, and contributes to the virulence of S. sclerotiorum on glucosinolate-producing plants.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16921-2

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