Botrytis cinerea is a necrotrophic fungus that causes billions of dollars in agricultural damage every year.  The BcSnod virulence factors are proteins secreted in the early stages of infection.  Structure/function work on these virulence factors is underway along with characterization of their mechanism of action.  Related to the BcSnods is the search for natural product antifungals.

B. cinerea Life Cycle

Bcinerea LifeCycle

 

Recombinant Production of BcSnod Virulence Factors

BcSnod Expression

BcSnod1 (lane 1) and BcSnod2 (lane 2) are recombinantly produced in yeast, Pichia pastoris.  Both can be purified (lanes 4 and 5).

In Planta Activity

Snod1 tobacco

Snod1 Tomato new

BcSnod1 causes necrosis in both tobacco and tomato.
No change is observed for the Pichia pPic9k vector only control.