T-Phylloplanin and Cis-Abienol, Two Natural Products from Tobacco Have Broad Spectrum, Anti-Fungal Activities
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University of Kentucky UKnowledge University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations Graduate School 2011 T-PHYLLOPLANIN AND CIS-ABIENOL, TWO NATURAL PRODUCTS FROM TOBACCO HAVE BROAD SPECTRUM, ANTI-FUNGAL ACTIVITIES Brian Christopher King University of Kentucky, [email protected] Right click to open a feedback form in a new tab to let us know how this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation King, Brian Christopher, "T-PHYLLOPLANIN AND CIS-ABIENOL, TWO NATURAL PRODUCTS FROM TOBACCO HAVE BROAD SPECTRUM, ANTI-FUNGAL ACTIVITIES" (2011). University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations. 208. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/gradschool_diss/208 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at UKnowledge. It has been accepted for inclusion in University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations by an authorized administrator of UKnowledge. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ABSTRACT OF DISSERTATION Brian Christopher King The Graduate School University of Kentucky 2011 T-PHYLLOPLANIN AND CIS-ABIENOL, TWO NATURAL PRODUCTS FROM TOBACCO HAVE BROAD SPECTRUM, ANTI-FUNGAL ACTIVITIES ABSTRACT OF DISSERTATION A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the College of Agriculture at the University of Kentucky By Brian Christopher King Lexington, Kentucky Director: Dr. George J. Wagner, Professor of Plant and Soil Sciences Lexington, Kentucky 2011 Copyright © Brian Christopher King 2011 ABSTRACT OF DISSERTATION T-PHYLLOPLANIN AND CIS-ABIENOL, TWO NATURAL PRODUCTS FROM TOBACCO HAVE BROAD SPECTRUM, ANTI-FUNGAL ACTIVITIES Tobacco phylloplanins (T-phylloplanin) are a group of closely-related glycoproteins that are formed and disposed at the interface between the plant aerial surface (the phylloplane) and the atmosphere. They are synthesized in short procumbent trichomes and are secreted to aerial surfaces where they are thought to serve the plant as a first line of defense against fungal pathogens. Here it is shown using in vitro and in planta assays that tobacco and sunflower phylloplanins have broad-spectrum antifungal activities against spores - and also hyphae for two species - of several true fungi. Field tests show that T-phylloplanin reduces diseases caused by three important fungal pathogens of turf grasses. Tobacco phylloplanins are distinct proteins but they have properties in common with small, membrane-pore-forming, antimicrobial peptides formed by other organisms. To directly determine if T-phylloplanin has pore-forming activity we monitored conductivity change and specific ion leakage from spores and hyphae in suspension. Results indicate that phylloplanin causes fungal membrane disruption that leads to ion depletion and cell death. Having observed broad efficacy of T-phylloplanin against spores and/or hyphae of several true fungi, but no activity towards hyphae of the oomycetes, Pythium and Peronospora parasitica, we tested for possible effects on zoospores of the latter two pathogens. T- phylloplanin was shown to be effective against their zoospores, extending the efficacy of T- phylloplanin to include water molds. In the course of these experiments we also tested the effects of the diterpene cis-abienol that is secreted from tall trichomes of tobaccos and found this compound impacted zoospores and could prevent black shank disease caused by P. parasitica when applied to soil-grown tobaccos as a root drench. Thus, results of these studies with phylloplanins and cis-abienol, two different tobacco surface accumulated compounds are consistent with their serving the plant as first line of defense systems against a wide array of invading fungal pathogens. Phylloplanins and cis-abienol may be useful for controlling fungal diseases in tobacco float beds. The efficacy shown here for T- phylloplanin control of fungal pathogens of turf grasses in the field suggests that this natural product may find use in IPM of turf and other crops. Keywords: Phylloplanin, Pyricularia grisea, Rhizoctonia Solani, Broad spectrum, Fungicide T-PHYLLOPLANIN AND CIS-ABIENOL, TWO NATURAL PRODUCTS FROM TOBACCO HAVE BROAD SPECTRUM, ANTI-FUNGAL ACTIVITIES By Brian Christopher King George J. Wagner Director of Dissertation Charles T. Dougherty Director of Graduate Studies RULES FOR THE USE OF DISSERTATIONS Unpublished dissertations submitted for the Doctor's degree and deposited in the University of Kentucky Library are as a rule open for inspection, but are to be used only with due regard to the rights of the authors. Bibliographical references may be noted, but quotations or summaries of parts may be published only with the permission of the author, and with the usual scholarly acknowledgments. Extensive copying or publication of the dissertation in whole or in part also requires the consent of the Dean of the Graduate School of the University of Kentucky. A library that borrows this dissertation for use by its patrons is expected to secure the signature of each user. Name Date DISSERTATION Brian Christopher King The Graduate School University of Kentucky 2011 T-PHYLLOPLANIN AND CIS-ABIENOL, TWO NATURAL PRODUCTS FROM TOBACCO HAVE BROAD SPECTRUM, ANTI-FUNGAL ACTIVITIES Dissertation A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the College of Agriculture at the University of Kentucky By Brian Christopher King Lexington, Kentucky Director: Dr. George Wagner, Professor of Plant and Soil Sciences Lexington, Kentucky 2011 Copyright © Brian Christopher King 2011 This work is dedicated to my daughter Chloe. I wish for her all the best the world has to offer and may she develop to surpass me in every way, intellectually, emotionally and spiritually. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The following dissertation has benefited from the insights and direction of several people. I am indebted to each of my committee members for their guidance and advice. I have learned a great deal from each, and will carry their lessons with me as I pursue a rewarding career in plant science. From Dr. David Williams I have gained a much broader knowledge of the turf grasses, and a profound fascination for their extraordinary biology. Dr. Paul Vincelli has taught me a lot about fungi in general, and his passion and skill at teaching has helped to open up this area of science to me. Dr. Michael Barrett has always provided very insightful comments on my work, and has taught me how to critically analyze my own scientific research, as well as that of others. Dr. Elisa D‟Angelo has conferred to me the will to keep trying, even if at first you don‟t succeed; some of life‟s best secrets are not learned in a day. I thank Dr. Paul Bertsch for his continued enthusiasm and positive words as a mentor and the opportunity to learn something beyond my world of plants and fungi. Thanks to Dr. Mark Farman for all that he has taught me and the friendship and lab space we shared. I would especially like to thank my major advisor and mentor, Dr. George J. Wagner, for providing me countless exciting opportunities to express my ideas, and for exemplifying the meaning of true scientific excellence. Every aspect of my graduate career has been molded by him, and I am a much better scientist for it. I am incredibly thankful for my wonderful daughter Chloe who follows in my footsteps as we chase our dreams. She has made my life truly complete. I am thankful for the love and support my parents, Gary and Ramona, have given me throughout my life and for having me as their son. Finally, I would like to thank the faculty, staff, and graduate students from Plant Science and Plant Pathology for their help and friendship. They are truly the best of the best, and I wish them all happiness and success. iii Table of Contents ABSTRACT OF DISSERTATION .................................................................................... 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................... iii LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................ vii LIST OF FIGURES ......................................................................................................... viii LIST OF FILES ................................................................................................................ xii BCK_Dissertation, .PDF, 12mb........................................................................................ xii Chapter 1: The State of Turf and the Use of Fungicides .................................................... 1 1.1. Introduction: ............................................................................................................. 1 Chapter 2: Phylloplanins Reduce the Severity of Gray Leaf Spot and Brown Patch Diseases on Turfgrasses ...................................................................................................... 5 2.1. Abbreviations: .......................................................................................................... 5 2.2. Abstract: ................................................................................................................... 5 2.3. Introduction: ............................................................................................................. 6 2.4. Materials and Methods:............................................................................................ 9 2.4.1. Fungal cultures: ................................................................................................