In silico Identification
and Characterization of Pathogenicity Genes in Colletotrichum spp. causing Anthracnose
in Cucumber
Tyagi Aditya, Shanmugam Veerubommu and Kapoor Riti Thapar
Res. J. Biotech.; Vol. 20(1); 13-20;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/201rjbt013020; (2025)
Abstract
Anthracnose disease, caused by Colletotrichum spp., is a major threat to cucumber
(Cucumis sativus L.) cultivation, resulting in significant crop losses. This study
utilized in silico approaches to identify and characterize four key pathogenicity-related
effectors: Necrosis- and Ethylene-Inducing Protein 1 (NEP1), Xylanase A, Cutinase
and Pectate Lyase in Colletotrichum spp. causing anthracnose in cucumber. The effectors
were evaluated for their pharmacokinetic properties, toxicity profiles and molecular
target prediction. The results showed that NEP1 and Xylanase A have favorable gastrointestinal
absorption and are predicted to interact with plant defense-related receptors. Cutinase
and pectate lyase are involved in cell wall degradation.
These results also support previous toxicity predictions that these effectors are
non-carcinogenic and non-cytotoxic; however, pectate lyase might affect the liver,
while NEP1 CI-IC is immunotoxic. These effectors are likely to significantly contribute
to Colletotrichum pathogenicity through suppression of host defenses and aiding
tissue colonization respectively. STRING database analysis further suggests that
these effector proteins interact with plant defense mechanisms, underscoring their
critical role in weakening the plant's immune system and promoting disease progression.
Results are valuable for understanding effector protein function and finding potential
targets for future control strategies to augment cucumber resistance.
