Protein in FOC1 and FOC4 identified

Scientists have used mass spectrometry processes to investigate and identify the active proteins in Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense race 1 and race 4.

Fusarium wilt is a disease in bananas which has a devastating effect on production, and although Cavendish banana cultivars have been found to be resistant to Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.cubense race 1 (FOC1), a new race (FOC4) has been found to infect them.

In a study published by BMC Biochemistry, scientists from China used mass spectrometry methods to identify the plant pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense race 4 (FOC4) and express the proteins involved.

The recombinant PGC2 products, r-FOC1-PGC2 and r-FOC4-PGC2, were expressed and purified as active extracellular proteins, with the optimal PGC2 activity observed at 50degreesC and pH 5.

Both recombinant PGC2 proteins were found to induce tissue maceration and necrosis in banana plants.

"Collectively, these results suggest that PGC2 is the first exoPG reported from the pathogen FOC, and we have shown that fully functional PGC2 can be produced in the P. pastoris expression system," the report concluded.