Poster: Plant-pathogen interactions

Abs # 517: Purification and characterization of beta-glucosidase from the root parasitic plant Orobanche minor

Presenter:	sasaki, izumi , sasaki@oyama-ct.ac.jp
Authors	sasaki, izumi  (A)
Affiliations:	(A): oyama national college of technology

In the obligate root parasitic flowering plant Orobanche minor Sm., beta-glucosidase was found to represent the largest portion of cell wall-degrading activity. In particular, a significantly high activity of beta-glucosidase was detected in tubercles where half of the enzyme existed in its cell wall-bound form. beta-Glucosidase of O. minor was then purified to clarify its properties and to raise antibody. The molecular weight of the enzyme was 33,000, being smaller than other glucosidases in plants. Aryl beta-glucosides are suitable substrates of the enzyme, and thus products of the enzyme would be potential signals as stimulants, phytohormones and phytoalexins. In the later stage of infection, this enzyme specifically located in the bundle tissue, indicating that the enzyme and its products might enter into the host plant through the haustorium. Accordingly, beta-glucosidase of the parasite may modulate the perception of and defence system against the parasite of the host plant.