Azole sensitivity in Leptosphaeria pathogens of oilseed rape: the role of lanosterol 14 alpha-demethylase

A - Papers appearing in refereed journals

Sewell, T. R., Hawkins, N. J., Stotz, H. U., Huang, Y. J., Kelly, S. L., Kelly, D. E., Fraaije, B. A. and Fitt, B. D. L. 2017. Azole sensitivity in Leptosphaeria pathogens of oilseed rape: the role of lanosterol 14 alpha-demethylase. Scientific Reports. 7 (15849). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-15545-9

AuthorsSewell, T. R., Hawkins, N. J., Stotz, H. U., Huang, Y. J., Kelly, S. L., Kelly, D. E., Fraaije, B. A. and Fitt, B. D. L.
Abstract

Lanosterol 14-α demethylase is a key enzyme intermediating the biosynthesis of ergosterol in fungi,
and the target of azole fungicides. Studies have suggested that Leptosphaeria maculans and L.
biglobosa, the causal agents of phoma stem canker on oilseed rape, difer in their sensitivity to some
azoles, which could be driving pathogen frequency change in crops. Here we used CYP51 protein
modelling and heterologous expression to determine whether there are interspecifc diferences at the
target-site level. Moreover, we provide an example of intrinsic sensitivity diferences exhibited by both
Leptosphaeria spp. in vitro and in planta. Comparison of homologous protein models identifed highly
conserved residues, particularly at the azole binding site, and heterologous expression of LmCYP51B
and LbCYP51B, with fungicide sensitivity testing of the transformants, suggests that both proteins are
similarly sensitive to azole fungicides fusilazole, prothioconazole-desthio and tebuconazole. Fungicide
sensitivity testing on isolates shows that they sometimes have a minor diference in sensitivity in vitro
and in planta. These results suggest that azole fungicides remain a useful component of integrated
phoma stem canker control in the UK due to their efectiveness on both Leptosphaeria spp. Other
factors, such as varietal resistance or climate, may be driving observed frequency changes between
species.

Year of Publication2017
JournalScientific Reports
Journal citation7 (15849)
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-15545-9
Open accessPublished as ‘gold’ (paid) open access
FunderBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
Publisher's version
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online20 Nov 2017
Publication process dates
Accepted30 Jul 2017
PublisherSpringer Nature
Nature Publishing Group
Copyright licenseCC BY
ISSN2045-2322

Permalink - https://repository.rothamsted.ac.uk/item/8v5x6/azole-sensitivity-in-leptosphaeria-pathogens-of-oilseed-rape-the-role-of-lanosterol-14-alpha-demethylase

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