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Physiology and Biochemistry

Glycoproteins from Colletotrichum graminicola that Bind Phenols: Implications for Survival and Virulence of Phytopathogenic Fungi. Ralph L. Nicholson, Departments of Botany and Plant Pathology and Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907; Larry G. Butler(2), and Thomas N. Asquith(3). (2)(3)Departments of Botany and Plant Pathology and Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907. Phytopathology 76:1315-1318. Accepted for publication 29 May 1986. Copyright 1986 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-76-1315.

The anthracnose fungus Colletotrichum graminicola produces spores in a water-soluble mucilage. A glycoprotein fraction of the mucilage had an exceptionally high affinity for binding to purified condensed tannins (phenolic polymers of flavan-3-ols) and protected spores from inhibition of germination by a variety of phenolic compounds. We hypothesize that the ability of fungal glycoproteins to bind phenols is a mechanism by which fungi protect themselves from toxic phenols produced by plants in response to infection.