Production of extracellular matrices during development of infection structures by the downy mildewPeronospora parasitica

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Abstract
• Differences are shown here in the structure and composition of the extracellular matrices surrounding conidia, germ-tubes and appressoria of the downy mildew Peronospora parasitica, which is a serious pathogen of several cultivated Brassica spp. • The extracellular matrices of germlings growing in vitro (glass and polycarbonate substrata) were investigated using freeze-substitution transmission electron microscopy, lectin cytochemistry and immunogold labelling. • The cell surface carbohydrates present on P. parasitica conidia differed markedly from those on germ-tubes and appressoria. The conidial cell wall comprised an inner electron-lucent layer containing β-1,3-glucans, and an outer electron-opaque layer containing carbohydrates recognized by Bauhinia purpurea agglutinin. • Germ-tubes and appressoria release two types of extracellular matrix: a fibrillar matrix containing β-1,3-glucans is confined to the germling-substratum interface; a second matrix containing protein spreads beyond the contact interface as a thin film. The tenacious adherence of both types of matrix to the substratum after mechanical removal of the germlings suggests that they may contribute to germling attachment.