Structure-Function Analysis of Diterpene Synthase Genes in Magnaporthe oryzae, the Prime Contributor to Rice Blast Disease

Presenter

David Dagenais

Campus

UMass Amherst

Sponsor

Sibongile Mafu, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, UMass Amherst

Schedule

Session 5, 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM [Schedule by Time][Poster Grid for Time/Location]

Location

Poster Board A30, Campus Center Auditorium, Row 2 (A21-A40) [Poster Location Map]

Abstract

Magnaporthe oryzae is the fungus that is the causal agent of rice blast disease, which is responsible for significant crop loss worldwide every year. Diterpenes are natural plant products that are potentially involved in infecting the plants. Interestingly, infected rice crops utilize diterpenes to defend against the Magnaporthe fungus. The objective of this research is to inform the mechanism behind evolutionary change in M. oryzae diterpene synthases (diTPS).

Diterpene synthases are the enzymes that build diterpenes in the plant. In the following structure-function analysis, we mutated specific amino acid sequences through site directed mutagenesis in diTPS genes. The product outcome was then analyzed through GC/MS. By mutating the diTPS, the specific nature of how diterpene synthases build their products is revealed. 

It was found that mutations which were expected to change the cyclic structure of the diterpene products did not affect the cyclic structure. Certain mutations did not have a clear effect on the diterpene product, suggesting further research is needed to fully elucidate the enzymatic pathway of the diTPS. Understanding the genetic and biochemical basis of the diterpenes involved in this disease is one of the avenues to alleviate the impact of this disease, ensuring a strong food supply for the future.

Keywords

Plant Biochemistry, Crops, Diterpenes, Plant evolution and genetics, Amino acid mutation

Research Area

Biological Organisms

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