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In esca disease affecting grapevines, Phaeomoniella chlamydospora and Phaeoacremonium minimum colonize the woody parts of the trunks and arms, where they obtain nutrition from xylem sap and, potentially, from residues resulting from the enzymatic breakdown of lignified cell walls, particularly osidic residues. We quantified the secretion of lignin peroxidase, manganese peroxidase and laccase by these fungi in woody tissues of selectively infected cuttings using immunolabeling and transmission electron microscopy. Our results indicated that the detection of these enzymes was generally higher in tissues infected with Phaeoacremonium minimum. These data were confirmed through immunodetection of enzymes secreted by hyphae of fungi grown in vitro. Additionally, we observed that the supply of various carbohydrates (mono, di, tri and tetrasaccharides and polymers) differentially influenced fungal growth and polypeptide secretion. Since some secreted polypeptides display detrimental effects on grapevine cells, these results raise the question of whether the carbohydrate environment could be a factor affecting the aggressiveness of these pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Compared to healthy canes of Ugni-Blanc grapevines, structural modifications were observed in August in wood of growing canes showing foliar symptoms induced by esca and Eutypa Dieback. The observed changes appeared attenuated in canes of the current season sampled in December. In contrast, Black Dead Arm (BDA) did not induce significant modifications compared to healthy canes. A seasonal pattern in suberization was observed in control canes since a first suberized sheath occurred in mid-July at the interface xylem ring/pith and a second sheath was built up in August till December at the interface primary phloem/cortex. The same pattern was observed in BDA-attacked vines. In contrast, these continuous structural barriers were not formed in July and August in canes of the current season in grapevines attacked by esca or Eutypa dieback, but restored in the canes observed in December. These structural modifications were quantified and these events were discussed in the scope of plant physiology and pathogenicity of the implied fungi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

We studied the distribution of wall ingrowth (WI) polymers by probing thin sections of companion cells specialized as transfer cells in minor veins of Medicago sativa cv Gabès blade with affinity probes and antibodies specific to polysaccharides and glycoproteins. The wall polymers in the controls were similar in WIs and in the primary wall but differently distributed. The extent of labeling in these papillate WIs differed for JIM5 and JIM7 homogalacturonans but was in the same range for LM5 and LM6 rhamnogalacturonans and xyloglucans. These data show that WI enhancement probably requires arabinogalactan proteins (JIM8) mainly localized on the outer part of the primary wall and WIs. By comparison, NaCl-treated plants exhibited cell wall polysaccharide modifications indicating (1) an increase in unesterified homogalacturonans (JIM5), probably implicated in Na+ binding and/or polysaccharide network interaction for limiting turgor variations in mesophyll cells; (2) enhancement of the xyloglucan network with an accumulation of fucosylated xyloglucans (CCRC-M1) known to increase the capacity of cellulose binding; and (3) specific recognition of JIM8 arabinogalactan proteins that could participate in both wall enlargement and cohesion by increasing the number of molecular interactions with the other polymers. In conclusion, the cell wall polysaccharide distribution in enlarged WIs might (1) participate in wall resistance to sequestration of Na+, allowing a better control of hydric homeostasis in mesophyll cells to maintain metabolic activity in source leaves, and (2) maintain tolerance of M. sativa to NaCl. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...