Characterization of Pectate Lyase Produced by Erwinia rhapontici During Growth in Host Plant Tissue

Erwinia rhapontici가 기주식물 조직에서 생산한 Pectate Lyase의 특성

Erwinia rhapontici causes soft-rot disease in a number of plants such as rhubarb, onion, hyacinth and garlic. Pectate lyase (Pel) depolymerizes pectin and other polygalacturonates, which is though to play a role in bacterial invasion of plants. Pel activity was not detected in E. rhapontici cultured in a minimal salts medium containing glycerol, polygalacturonate, or citrus pectin as a carbon source. However, when sterilized potato tuber and Chinese cabbage slices were added to minimal salts polygalacturonate (0.5%) medium, E. rhapontici produced pectate lyase enzyme. Also Pel activity was consistently detected from macerated potato tubers, Chinese cabbage leaves, lettuce leaves and celery petioles tissue. Pel in the extract of macerated Chinese cabbage caused by E. rhapontici strain 1, resulted in electrolyte loss, tissue maceration and cell death of potato tuber tissue. These results indicate that E. rhapontici produces pectate lyase only in the presence of non-diffusible plant components, and that this enzyme probably contributes to its pathogenicity.