Understanding the mode of action of arsenic(III) on the fungus Neofusicoccum parvum: Target protein identification

Before it was banned, sodium arsenite was the unique fungicide able to control fungi associated with grapevine trunk diseases. However, its mode of action has not been fully elucidated yet. This study focuses on the identification of arsenic(III)-binding proteins using an arsenic-based fluorescent probe and an arsenic-based affinity chromatography. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comparative study of these techniques to demonstrate their complementarity. Mainly cysteine-rich proteins were identified, the majority of which are involved in the infection process, in particular in plant cell wall degradation, host-pathogen interaction, adhesion and pathogenicity. These proteins could therefore be relevant targets for the development of new ways of grapevine trunk disease control.