Molecular characterization and in planta detection of Fusarium moniliforme endopolygalacturonase isoforms

The activation of Fusarium moniliforme endopolygalacturonase (endoPG) was studied during infection of maize plants. EndoPG is a plant cell wall degrading enzyme that cleaves the pectin component causing cell death. The authors generated several hybridoma cell lines producing endoPG specific monoclonal antibodies. One monoclonal antibody was selected and successfully used in Western blotting analysis to detect F. moniliforme endoPG secretion in vitro and in planta. Two F. moniliforme strains (FC-l0 and 62264) were used for the studies. Both strains revealed the expression of a single endoPG in vitro as in planta. EndoPG from strain FC-10 presented four isoforms whereas only two isoforms were revealed in the endoPG from strain 62264. Differences were also found in the sequences of the two endoPG genes indicating the presence of endoPG variability among F. moniliforme strains.