Comparative proteomic analysis identifies potential pathogenicity/virulence factors in Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ricini inciting vascular wilt disease in castor

Abstract

Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ricini (FOR), the causal agent of castor wilt, is the major pathogen of castor. However, there is meagre information regarding FOR pathogenesis and virulence. Development of effective disease management strategies requires a deep understanding of the pathogenicity and virulence factors deployed by the pathogen to infect its host. We have compared the mycelial proteomes of FOR isolates showing differential virulence, to identify potential pathogenicity and virulence factors. Differentially accumulated/upregulated protein spots in the virulent isolate were further identified by MALDI-TOF/TOF. The identified proteins showed homology with the fungal proteins that play crucial roles in pathogen penetration, colonization, invasion, degradation of plant cutin, detoxification of host-generated ROS, activation of signal transduction pathways, stress response, post-translational modification and toxin production. Our study suggested that the identified proteins might contribute to the high degree of virulence of the virulent FOR isolates.