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. 1987 Dec;84(23):8444–8447. doi: 10.1073/pnas.84.23.8444

Two enzymes involved in biosynthesis of the host-selective phytotoxin HC-toxin

Jonathan D Walton 1
PMCID: PMC299560  PMID: 16593904

Abstract

Cochliobolus carbonum race 1 produces a cyclic tetrapeptide HC-toxin, which is necessary for its exceptional virulence on certain varieties of maize. Previous genetic analysis of HC-toxin production by the fungus has indicated that a single genetic locus controls HC-toxin production. Enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of HC-toxin have been sought by following the precedents established for the biosynthetic enzymes of cyclic peptide antibiotics. Two enzymatic activities from C. carbonum race 1 were found, a D-alanine- and an L-proline-dependent ATP/PPi exchange, which by biochemical and genetic criteria were shown to be involved in the biosynthesis of HC-toxin. These two activities were present in all tested race 1 isolates of C. carbonum, which produce HC-toxin, and in none of the tested race 2 and race 3 isolates, which do not produce the toxin. In a genetic cross between two isolates of C. carbonum differing at the tox locus, all tox+ progeny had both activities, and all tox- progeny lacked both activities.

Keywords: cyclic peptide biosynthesis, maize, plant disease

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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