Abstract
The phytopathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum has been extensively studied, but factors contributing to the pathogenicity of this fungus are not comprehensively understood. With the annotation of the S. sclerotiorum genome and its characterization at the transcriptome and proteome levels, hypothetical and predicted proteins can be targeted for more detailed studies, helping to elucidate fungal infection and virulence mechanisms. Accordingly, a gene (ssv263) encoding a hypothetical, novel protein from S. sclerotiorum that is orthologous to a secreted protein from Botrytis cinerea, and which appears to be unique to these pathogens, was targeted for further analysis. Mutant strains of S. sclerotiorum were generated by disruption of the ssv263 gene and characterized for virulence on a susceptible canola (Brassica napus) genotype. Based on the extent of symptom development, the virulence of the ssv263-disrupted mutants was significantly reduced relative to the wild-type. To our knowledge, this is the first study in which the gene encoding a hypothetical, secreted protein with unknown function has been identified as a possible virulence factor in S. sclerotiorum. These findings are discussed in the context of developing novel strategies for the detection of this pathogen and/or engineering durable disease tolerance.
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