Fusicoccin

Fixed

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Fusicoccin is a terpenoid, which is synthesized as a toxin from the living parasitically deuteromycetes Fusicoccum amygdali. Affected plants, mostly peach and almond trees, die by the action of the toxin, which leads to irreversible opening of the stomata ( stomata ) and thus to drying ( wilting ). Molecular basis for this is caused by fusicoccin activation of plasma membrane H - ATPase in guard cells. This leads to opening of voltage-gated channel proteins and influx of potassium cations in the guard cells. The following osmotic inflow of water into the guard cells leads to their swelling so that the stomata open and exits reinforced water.

Fusicoccin is used in plant physiology to the study of the phytohormone auxin and the regulation of stomatal movements.