Modulation of pathogenicity of postharvest pathogens by environmental pH

Until recently, environmental pH was not considered a factor in determining pathogen compatibility. Our hypothesis was that the environmental pH at the infection site, which is dynamically controlled by activities of both the host and the pathogen, regulates the expression of genes necessary for disease development in Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. This form of regulation ensures that genes are expressed at optimal conditions for their encoded activities.Pectate lyase encoded by pelB, has been demonstrated to play a key role in virulence of C. gloeosporioides in avocado fruit. Polyglacturonase synergism with oxalic acid production is considered to be an essential pathogenicity determinant in the interactions of S. sclerotiorum with its numerous hosts. A common regulatory feature of these virulence and pathogenicity factors is their dependence upon environmental pH conditions within the host niche to create optimal conditions for expression and secretion. In this proposal we have examined, 1) the mechanisms employed by these fungi to establish a suitable pH environment, 2) the molecular levels at which genes and gene products are regulated in response to environmental pH, and 3) the molecular basis and functional importance of pH-responsive gene regulation during pathogenicity.   The specific objectives of the proposal were: 1. Characterize the mechanism of local pH modulation and the effect of ambient pH on the expression and secretion of virulence factors. 2. Provide evidence that a conserved molecular pathway for pH-responsive gene expression exists in C. gloeosporioides by cloning a pacC gene homologue. 3. Determine the role of pacC in pathogenicity by gene disruption and activating mutations. Major conclusions 1. We determined the importance of nitrogen source and external pH in the secretion of the virulence factor pectate lyase with respect to the ambient pH transcriptional regulator pacC. It was concluded that nitrogen source availability and ambient pH are two independent signals for the transcriptional regulation of genes required for the disease process of C. gloeosporioides and possibly of other pathogens. 2. We also determined that availability of ammonia regulate independently the alkalinization process and pelB expression, pecate lyase secretion and virulence of C. gloeosporioides. 3. Gene disruption of pacC reduced virulence of C. gloeosporioides however did not reduced fully pelB expression. It was concluded that pelB expression is regulated by several factors including pH, nitrogen and carbon sources. 4. Gene disruption of pacC reduced virulence of S. slcerotiourum Creation of a dominant activating