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An Endopolygalacturonase from Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Induces Calcium-Mediated Signaling and Programmed Cell Death in Soybean Cells

A basic endopolygalacturonase (PG) isoform, produced early by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum when infecting soybean seedlings, was used to examine the signaling role of the enzyme in aequorin-expressing soybean cells. A cytosolic Ca²⁺ elevation was induced, with a rapid increase (phase 1) and a very slow decrease (phase 2) of Ca²⁺ concentration, indicating the involvement of Ca²⁺ ions in PG signaling. Within 1 h of PG-cell contact a remarkable level of cell death was recorded, significantly higher than the control cell culture turnover. The observed morphological and biochemical changes were indicative of the activation of programmed cell death; in particular, cytochrome c release in the cytoplasm and activation of both caspase 9-like and caspase 3-like proteases were found. When a polygalacturonase-inhibiting protein (PGIP) and the PG were simultaneously applied to cells, both the Ca²⁺ increase and cell death were annulled. The possible roles of prolonged sustained cytosolic Ca²⁺ concentrations in inducing cell death and of the PG-PGIP interaction in preventing PG signaling are discussed.