ROLE OF POLYSACCHARIDES IN PATHOGENESIS

Polysaccharides:

• Fungi, bacteria and nematode use it to coat their bodies and provide interface between the outer surface of the micro-organism and its environment.
• In the vascular wilts, large polysaccharide molecules released by the pathogen in the xylem causes mechanical blockage of vascular bundles and initiate wilting.
• Ex: Ralstonia solanacearum (Bacterial wilt of Solanaceous plants)