Involvement of Suppressor-Glucans and Plant Epidermal Cells in Host-Selective Pathogenesis of Phytophthora capsici

Water-soluble glucans (WSG) from a virulent isolate of Phytophthora capsici (PCAP-3) which were released during germination of cystospore markedly suppressed the elicitor-induced death of suspension-cultured cells of susceptible sweet pepper and tomato but not that of resistant pepper and tobacco. PCAP-3, its polygalacturonase (PGase)-deficient mutant (PCAP3-M16), and galacturonic acid non-utilizable mutant carrying the PGase (PCAP-1) activity could penetrate in epidermal cells of host leaves, but similarly caused a hypersensitive response (HR) on non-injured leaves of resistant host (sweet pepper). In the case of inoculation on press-injured leaves, however, both of the resistant and nonhost plant leaves became quite susceptible to PCAP-3similar to susceptible hosts, but not to PCAP3-M16 and PCAP-1. The results suggested that host-selectivity of P. capsici may be determined in the leaf epidermal cells where the suppressor glucans released during infection effectively suppressed the occurrence of hypersensitive reaction. Furthermore, during growth of the fungus in intercellular spaces of leaf tissues, PGase may contribute not only to the virulence experession but also the supply of initial nutrition for fungal growth in the intercellular space of host tissues.