Characterization of a 20 kDa DNase elicitor from Fusarium solani f. sp. phaseoli and its expression at the onset of induced resistance in Pisum sativum

Summary DNase released from Fusarium solani f. sp. phaseoli (Fsph DNase) has previously been reported to induce pathogenesis-related (PR) genes, phytoalexin accumulation and disease resistance against subsequent challenge with the true pea pathogen, Fusarium solani f. sp. pisi (Fspi). This report is a further analysis of DNase production with probes specific for both the gene and protein. N-terminal analysis of the ≈20 kDa Fsph DNase protein facilitated both the development of anti-Fsph DNase antiserum and the cloning of the Fsph DNase gene. Utilizing the anti-Fsph DNase antiserum to prepare an affinity column, we demonstrated that the retention and recovery of the DNase activity was associated with this protein. Fsph DNase protein was detectable by Western analysis in both the fungi and plant cytoplasm within 6–8 h following inoculation of the pea endocarp surface. Partially purified DNase detected via catalytic activity began accumulating within pea tissue at 3 h post-inoculation. Enhanced fragmentation of pea DNA occurred within 5 h following treatment of pods with Fsph DNase or inoculations with the two fungi. DNA cleavage within the nuclei of endocarp pea cells was detectable via a TUNEL assay at 3 h post-inoculation. As a result of these findings, we propose that the entrance of Fsph DNase into the pea cell and the signalling of plant defence responses is temporally associated with the damage of host DNA.