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Sun PF, Lu MR, Liu YC, Shaw BJP, Lin CP, Chen HW, Lin YF, Hoh DZ, Ke HM, Wang IF, Lu MYJ, Young EB, Millett J, Kirschner R, Lin YCJ, Chen YL, Tsai IJ. An acidophilic fungus promotes prey digestion in a carnivorous plant. Nat Microbiol 2024:10.1038/s41564-024-01766-y. [PMID: 39090391 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-024-01766-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Leaves of the carnivorous sundew plants (Drosera spp.) secrete mucilage that hosts microorganisms, but whether this microbiota contributes to prey digestion is unclear. We identified the acidophilic fungus Acrodontium crateriforme as the dominant species in the mucilage microbial communities, thriving in multiple sundew species across the global range. The fungus grows and sporulates on sundew glands as its preferred acidic environment, and its presence in traps increased the prey digestion process. A. crateriforme has a reduced genome similar to other symbiotic fungi. During A. crateriforme-Drosera spatulata coexistence and digestion of prey insects, transcriptomes revealed significant gene co-option in both partners. Holobiont expression patterns during prey digestion further revealed synergistic effects in several gene families including fungal aspartic and sedolisin peptidases, facilitating prey digestion in leaves, as well as nutrient assimilation and jasmonate signalling pathway expression. This study establishes that botanical carnivory is defined by adaptations involving microbial partners and interspecies interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Feng Sun
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Biodiversity Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica and National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Min R Lu
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ching Liu
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Brandon J P Shaw
- Geography and Environment, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK
- NERC Environmental Omics Facility (NEOF), NEOF Visitor Facility, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Chieh-Ping Lin
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Wei Chen
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Fei Lin
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Daphne Z Hoh
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Huei-Mien Ke
- Department of Microbiology, Soochow University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - I-Fan Wang
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioindustry Sciences, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- University Center of Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Yeh Jade Lu
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Erica B Young
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Jonathan Millett
- Geography and Environment, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK
| | - Roland Kirschner
- School of Forestry and Resource Conservation, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Chung Jimmy Lin
- Department of Life Science, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Plant Biology, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Lan Chen
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioindustry Sciences, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- University Center of Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Isheng Jason Tsai
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Biodiversity Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica and National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Li Y, Cai L, Ding T, Tian E, Yan X, Wang X, Zhang J, Yu K, Chen Z. Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Molecular Basis of Brassica napus in Response to Aphid Stress. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:2855. [PMID: 37571009 PMCID: PMC10421284 DOI: 10.3390/plants12152855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
Rapeseed is a globally important economic crop that can be severely impacted by aphids. However, our understanding of rapeseed resistance to aphid stress is very limited. In this study, we analyzed the resistance characteristics of the low aphid-susceptible variety APL01 and the highly aphid-susceptible variety Holly in response to aphid stress. APL01 had a more significant inhibitory effect on aphid proliferation compared with Holly during the early stage of inoculation, whereas Holly showed stronger tolerance to aphid stress compared with APL01 during the later stage of inoculation. Through transcriptome, physiological, and gene expression analyses, it was revealed that chitinase activity, catalase activity, calcium signal transduction, and activation of systemic acquired resistance might be involved in aphid resistance in B. napus. The degree of inhibition of photosynthesis in plants under aphid stress directly determines the tolerance of B. napus to aphid stress. Furthermore, four promising candidate genes were screened from eight genes related to rapeseed response to biotic stress through RT-qPCR analysis of gene expression levels. These research findings represent an important step forward in understanding the resistance of rapeseed to aphid stress and provide a solid foundation for the cloning of genes responsible for this resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanhong Li
- College of Agriculture, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; (Y.L.); (L.C.); (T.D.); (E.T.)
| | - Lei Cai
- College of Agriculture, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; (Y.L.); (L.C.); (T.D.); (E.T.)
- Center for Research and Development of Fine Chemical, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Ting Ding
- College of Agriculture, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; (Y.L.); (L.C.); (T.D.); (E.T.)
| | - Entang Tian
- College of Agriculture, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; (Y.L.); (L.C.); (T.D.); (E.T.)
| | - Xiaohong Yan
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Oil Crops Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430062, China;
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- Institute of Industrial Crops, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Cotton and Rapeseed, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing 210014, China; (X.W.); (J.Z.)
| | - Jiefu Zhang
- Institute of Industrial Crops, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Cotton and Rapeseed, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing 210014, China; (X.W.); (J.Z.)
| | - Kunjiang Yu
- College of Agriculture, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; (Y.L.); (L.C.); (T.D.); (E.T.)
- Center for Research and Development of Fine Chemical, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
- Guangxi Tianyuan Biochemical Co., Ltd., Nanning 530009, China
| | - Zhuo Chen
- Center for Research and Development of Fine Chemical, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
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Pavlovič A, Vrobel O, Tarkowski P. Water Cannot Activate Traps of the Carnivorous Sundew Plant Drosera capensis: On the Trail of Darwin's 150-Years-Old Mystery. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:plants12091820. [PMID: 37176877 PMCID: PMC10181276 DOI: 10.3390/plants12091820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
In his famous book Insectivorous plants, Charles Darwin observed that the bending response of tentacles in the carnivorous sundew plant Drosera rotundifolia was not triggered by a drop of water, but rather the application of many dissolved chemicals or mechanical stimulation. In this study, we tried to reveal this 150-years-old mystery using methods not available in his time. We measured electrical signals, phytohormone tissue level, enzyme activities and an abundance of digestive enzyme aspartic protease droserasin in response to different stimuli (water drop, ammonia, mechanostimulation, chitin, insect prey) in Cape sundew (Drosera capensis). Drops of water induced the lowest number of action potentials (APs) in the tentacle head, and accumulation of jasmonates in the trap was not significantly different from control plants. On the other hand, all other stimuli significantly increased jasmonate accumulation; the highest was found after the application of insect prey. Drops of water also did not induce proteolytic activity and an abundance of aspartic protease droserasin in contrast to other stimuli. We found that the tentacles of sundew plants are not responsive to water drops due to an inactive jasmonic acid signalling pathway, important for the induction of significant digestive enzyme activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrej Pavlovič
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Science, Palacký University, Šlechtitelů 27, CZ-783 71 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Vrobel
- Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute, Palacký University, Šlechtitelů 27, CZ-783 71 Olomouc, Czech Republic
- Centre of the Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research, Department of Genetic Resources for Vegetables, Medicinal and Special Plants, Crop Research Institute, Šlechtitelů 29, CZ-783 71 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Tarkowski
- Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute, Palacký University, Šlechtitelů 27, CZ-783 71 Olomouc, Czech Republic
- Centre of the Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research, Department of Genetic Resources for Vegetables, Medicinal and Special Plants, Crop Research Institute, Šlechtitelů 29, CZ-783 71 Olomouc, Czech Republic
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Sinelnikov IG, Siedhoff NE, Chulkin AM, Zorov IN, Schwaneberg U, Davari MD, Sinitsyna OA, Shcherbakova LA, Sinitsyn AP, Rozhkova AM. Expression and Refolding of the Plant Chitinase From Drosera capensis for Applications as a Sustainable and Integrated Pest Management. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:728501. [PMID: 34621729 PMCID: PMC8490864 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.728501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, the study of chitinases has become an important target of numerous research projects due to their potential for applications, such as biocontrol pest agents. Plant chitinases from carnivorous plants of the genus Drosera are most aggressive against a wide range of phytopathogens. However, low solubility or insolubility of the target protein hampered application of chitinases as biofungicides. To obtain plant chitinase from carnivorous plants of the genus Drosera in soluble form in E.coli expression strains, three different approaches including dialysis, rapid dilution, and refolding on Ni-NTA agarose to renaturation were tested. The developed « Rapid dilution » protocol with renaturation buffer supplemented by 10% glycerol and 2M arginine in combination with the redox pair of reduced/oxidized glutathione, increased the yield of active soluble protein to 9.5 mg per 1 g of wet biomass. A structure-based removal of free cysteines in the core domain based on homology modeling of the structure was carried out in order to improve the soluble of chitinase. One improved chitinase variant (C191A/C231S/C286T) was identified which shows improved expression and solubility in E. coli expression systems compared to wild type. Computational analyzes of the wild-type and the improved variant revealed overall higher fluctuations of the structure while maintaining a global protein stability. It was shown that free cysteines on the surface of the protein globule which are not involved in the formation of inner disulfide bonds contribute to the insolubility of chitinase from Drosera capensis. The functional characteristics showed that chitinase exhibits high activity against colloidal chitin (360 units/g) and high fungicidal properties of recombinant chitinases against Parastagonospora nodorum. Latter highlights the application of chitinase from D. capensis as a promising enzyme for the control of fungal pathogens in agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor G Sinelnikov
- Federal Research Centre Fundamentals of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Andrey M Chulkin
- Federal Research Centre Fundamentals of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Ivan N Zorov
- Federal Research Centre Fundamentals of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.,Department of Chemistry, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Ulrich Schwaneberg
- Institute of Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.,DWI-Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Aachen, Germany
| | - Mehdi D Davari
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Halle, Germany
| | - Olga A Sinitsyna
- Department of Chemistry, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Arkady P Sinitsyn
- Federal Research Centre Fundamentals of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.,Department of Chemistry, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Aleksandra M Rozhkova
- Federal Research Centre Fundamentals of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
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Ciprandi G, Tosca MA. Non-pharmacological remedies for post-viral acute cough. Monaldi Arch Chest Dis 2021; 92. [PMID: 34461702 DOI: 10.4081/monaldi.2021.1821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The post-viral acute cough (PAC) is a widespread symptom, mainly in childhood and adolescence, and is usually associated with an acute upper respiratory infection, namely the common cold. The use of cough relievers is, therefore, impressive, as documented by the market data. There are many medical devices and dietary supplements for treating PAC, which contain non-pharmacological components. Ancient people used traditional herbs to treat PAC. Thus, a well-established tradition considers natural remedies as an effective and safe way to relieve PAC. The herbal agents include polyphenols, flavonoids, saponins, glucosides, and alkaloids. Also, the European Medicine Agency has recognized the value of plant extracts and other natural substances to treat PAC. Nevertheless, a few studies investigated the role of non-pharmacologic remedies for PAC. There is some evidence for honey, glycerol, Althea officinalis, Drosera rotundifolia, Grindelia, Hedera helix, Pelargonium sidoides, Sambucus nigra, Thymus vulgaris, hyaluronic acid, and saline solutions. However, further rigorous studies should confirm natural products' efficacy and safety to relieve PAC.
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Rajninec M, Jopcik M, Danchenko M, Libantova J. Biochemical and antifungal characteristics of recombinant class I chitinase from Drosera rotundifolia. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 161:854-863. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.06.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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7
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Jakšová J, Libiaková M, Bokor B, Petřík I, Novák O, Pavlovič A. Taste for protein: Chemical signal from prey stimulates enzyme secretion through jasmonate signalling in the carnivorous plant Venus flytrap. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2020; 146:90-97. [PMID: 31734521 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2019.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Hunting cycle of the carnivorous plant Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula Ellis) is comprised of mechanism for rapid trap closure followed by slow hermetical sealing and activation of gene expression responsible for digestion of prey and nutrient uptake. In the present study, we focus on the late phase of Venus's flytrap hunting cycle when mechanical stimulation of the prey ceases and is replaced by chemical cues. We used two nitrogen-rich compounds (chitin and protein) in addition to mechanostimulation to investigate the electrical and jasmonate signalling responsible for induction of enzyme activities. Chemical stimulation by BSA protein and chitin did not induce any additional spontaneous action potentials (APs). However, chemical stimulation by protein induced the highest levels of jasmonic acid (JA) and its isoleucine conjugate (JA-Ile) as well as the expression of studied gene encoding a cysteine protease (dionain). Although chitin is probably the first chemical agent which is in direct contact with digestive glands, presence of protein in the secured trap mimics the presence of insect prey best.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Jakšová
- Department of Biophysics, Centre of the Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research, Faculty of Science, Palacký University, Šlechtitelů 27, CZ-783 71, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Michaela Libiaková
- Department of Plant Physiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 6, Mlynská dolina B2, SK-842 15, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Boris Bokor
- Department of Plant Physiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 6, Mlynská dolina B2, SK-842 15, Bratislava, Slovakia; Comenius University Science Park, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 8, SK-841 04, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Ivan Petřík
- Laboratory of Growth Regulators, Faculty of Science, Palacký University & Institute of Experimental Botany, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Šlechtitelů 27, CZ-78371, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Novák
- Laboratory of Growth Regulators, Faculty of Science, Palacký University & Institute of Experimental Botany, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Šlechtitelů 27, CZ-78371, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Andrej Pavlovič
- Department of Biophysics, Centre of the Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research, Faculty of Science, Palacký University, Šlechtitelů 27, CZ-783 71, Olomouc, Czech Republic.
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Durechova D, Jopcik M, Rajninec M, Moravcikova J, Libantova J. Expression of Drosera rotundifolia Chitinase in Transgenic Tobacco Plants Enhanced Their Antifungal Potential. Mol Biotechnol 2019; 61:916-928. [PMID: 31555964 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-019-00214-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In this study, a chitinase gene (DrChit) that plays a role in the carnivorous processes of Drosera rotundifolia L. was isolated from genomic DNA, linked to a double CaMV35S promoter and nos terminator in a pBinPlus plant binary vector, and used for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of tobacco. RT-qPCR revealed that within 14 transgenic lines analysed in detail, 57% had DrChit transcript abundance comparable to or lower than level of a reference actin gene transcript. In contrast, the transgenic lines 9 and 14 exhibited 72 and 152 times higher expression level than actin. The protein extracts of these two lines exhibited five and eight times higher chitinolytic activity than non-transgenic controls when measured in a fluorimetric assay with FITC-chitin. Finally, the growth of Trichoderma viride was obviously suppressed when the pathogen was exposed to 100 μg of crude protein extract isolated from line 9 and line 14, with the area of mycelium growth reaching only 56.4% and 45.2%, of non-transgenic control, respectively. This is the first time a chitinase from a carnivorous plant with substrate specificity for long chitin polymers was tested in a transgenic plant with the aim of exploring its antifungal potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominika Durechova
- Institute of Plant Genetics and Biotechnology, Plant Science Biodiversity Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Akademicka 2, P. O. Box 39A, 950 07, Nitra, Slovak Republic
| | - Martin Jopcik
- Institute of Plant Genetics and Biotechnology, Plant Science Biodiversity Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Akademicka 2, P. O. Box 39A, 950 07, Nitra, Slovak Republic
| | - Miroslav Rajninec
- Institute of Plant Genetics and Biotechnology, Plant Science Biodiversity Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Akademicka 2, P. O. Box 39A, 950 07, Nitra, Slovak Republic
| | - Jana Moravcikova
- Institute of Plant Genetics and Biotechnology, Plant Science Biodiversity Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Akademicka 2, P. O. Box 39A, 950 07, Nitra, Slovak Republic
| | - Jana Libantova
- Institute of Plant Genetics and Biotechnology, Plant Science Biodiversity Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Akademicka 2, P. O. Box 39A, 950 07, Nitra, Slovak Republic.
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Pavlovič A, Mithöfer A. Jasmonate signalling in carnivorous plants: copycat of plant defence mechanisms. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2019; 70:3379-3389. [PMID: 31120525 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erz188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
The lipid-derived jasmonate phytohormones (JAs) regulate a wide spectrum of physiological processes in plants such as growth, development, tolerance to abiotic stresses, and defence against pathogen infection and insect attack. Recently, a new role for JAs has been revealed in carnivorous plants. In these specialized plants, JAs can induce the formation of digestive cavities and regulate enzyme production in response to different stimuli from caught prey. Appearing to be a new function for JAs in plants, a closer look reveals that the signalling pathways involved resemble known signalling pathways from plant defence mechanisms. Moreover, the digestion-related secretome of carnivorous plants is composed of many pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins and low molecular weight compounds, indicating that the plant carnivory syndrome is related to and has evolved from plant defence mechanisms. This review describes the similarities between defence and carnivory. It further describes how, after recognition of caught insects, JAs enable the carnivorous plants to digest and benefit from the prey. In addition, a causal connection between electrical and jasmonate signalling is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrej Pavlovič
- Department of Biophysics, Centre of the Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research, Faculty of Science, Palacký University, Šlechtitelů, CZ, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Axel Mithöfer
- Research Group Plant Defense Physiology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Straße, Jena, Germany
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Saganová M, Bokor B, Stolárik T, Pavlovič A. Regulation of enzyme activities in carnivorous pitcher plants of the genus Nepenthes. PLANTA 2018; 248:451-464. [PMID: 29767335 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-018-2917-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 05/11/2018] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Nepenthes regulates enzyme activities by sensing stimuli from the insect prey. Protein is the best inductor mimicking the presence of an insect prey. Carnivorous plants of the genus Nepenthes have evolved passive pitcher traps for prey capture. In this study, we investigated the ability of chemical signals from a prey (chitin, protein, and ammonium) to induce transcription and synthesis of digestive enzymes in Nepenthes × Mixta. We used real-time PCR and specific antibodies generated against the aspartic proteases nepenthesins, and type III and type IV chitinases to investigate the induction of digestive enzyme synthesis in response to different chemical stimuli from the prey. Transcription of nepenthesins was strongly induced by ammonium, protein and live prey; chitin induced transcription only very slightly. This is in accordance with the amount of released enzyme and proteolytic activity in the digestive fluid. Although transcription of type III chitinase was induced by all investigated stimuli, a significant accumulation of the enzyme in the digestive fluid was found mainly after protein and live prey addition. Protein and live prey were also the best inducers for accumulation of type IV chitinase in the digestive fluid. Although ammonium strongly induced transcription of all investigated genes probably through membrane depolarization, strong acidification of the digestive fluid affected stability and abundance of both chitinases in the digestive fluid. The study showed that the proteins are universal inductors of enzyme activities in carnivorous pitcher plants best mimicking the presence of insect prey. This is not surprising, because proteins are a much valuable source of nitrogen, superior to chitin. Extensive vesicular activity was observed in prey-activated glands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Saganová
- Department of Plant Physiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 6, Mlynská dolina B2, 842 15, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Boris Bokor
- Department of Plant Physiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 6, Mlynská dolina B2, 842 15, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Comenius University Science Park, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 8, 841 04, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Tibor Stolárik
- Department of Plant Physiology, Plant Science and Biodiversity Centre, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 23, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Department of Biophysics, Centre of the Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research, Faculty of Science, Palacký University Olomouc, Šlechtitelů 27, 783 71, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Andrej Pavlovič
- Department of Biophysics, Centre of the Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research, Faculty of Science, Palacký University Olomouc, Šlechtitelů 27, 783 71, Olomouc, Czech Republic.
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Ravee R, Mohd Salleh F‘I, Goh HH. Discovery of digestive enzymes in carnivorous plants with focus on proteases. PeerJ 2018; 6:e4914. [PMID: 29888132 PMCID: PMC5993016 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.4914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 05/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Carnivorous plants have been fascinating researchers with their unique characters and bioinspired applications. These include medicinal trait of some carnivorous plants with potentials for pharmaceutical industry. METHODS This review will cover recent progress based on current studies on digestive enzymes secreted by different genera of carnivorous plants: Drosera (sundews), Dionaea (Venus flytrap), Nepenthes (tropical pitcher plants), Sarracenia (North American pitcher plants), Cephalotus (Australian pitcher plants), Genlisea (corkscrew plants), and Utricularia (bladderworts). RESULTS Since the discovery of secreted protease nepenthesin in Nepenthes pitcher, digestive enzymes from carnivorous plants have been the focus of many studies. Recent genomics approaches have accelerated digestive enzyme discovery. Furthermore, the advancement in recombinant technology and protein purification helped in the identification and characterisation of enzymes in carnivorous plants. DISCUSSION These different aspects will be described and discussed in this review with focus on the role of secreted plant proteases and their potential industrial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rishiesvari Ravee
- Institute of Systems Biology (INBIOSIS), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Faris ‘Imadi Mohd Salleh
- Institute of Systems Biology (INBIOSIS), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Hoe-Han Goh
- Institute of Systems Biology (INBIOSIS), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
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Pavlovič A, Jakšová J, Novák O. Triggering a false alarm: wounding mimics prey capture in the carnivorous Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula). THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2017; 216:927-938. [PMID: 28850713 DOI: 10.1111/nph.14747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/14/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In the carnivorous plant Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula), the sequence of events after prey capture resembles the well-known plant defence signalling pathway in response to pathogen or herbivore attack. Here, we used wounding to mimic prey capture to show the similarities and differences between botanical carnivory and plant defence mechanisms. We monitored movement, electrical signalling, jasmonate accumulation and digestive enzyme secretion in local and distal (systemic) traps in response to prey capture, the mechanical stimulation of trigger hairs and wounding. The Venus flytrap cannot discriminate between wounding and mechanical trigger hair stimulation. Both induced the same action potentials, rapid trap closure, hermetic trap sealing, the accumulation of jasmonic acid (JA) and its isoleucine conjugate (JA-Ile), and the secretion of proteases (aspartic and cysteine proteases), phosphatases and type I chitinase. The jasmonate accumulation and enzyme secretion were confined to the local traps, to which the stimulus was applied, which correlates with the propagation of electrical signals and the absence of a systemic response in the Venus flytrap. In contrast to plant defence mechanisms, the absence of a systemic response in carnivorous plant may represent a resource-saving strategy. During prey capture, it could be quite expensive to produce digestive enzymes in the traps on the plant without prey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrej Pavlovič
- Department of Biophysics, Centre of the Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research, Faculty of Science, Palacký University, Šlechtitelů 27, CZ-783 71, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Jakšová
- Department of Biophysics, Centre of the Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research, Faculty of Science, Palacký University, Šlechtitelů 27, CZ-783 71, Olomouc, Czech Republic
- Laboratory of Growth Regulators, Centre of the Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research, Institute of Experimental Botany ASCR and Palacký University, Šlechtitelů 11, CZ-783 71, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Novák
- Laboratory of Growth Regulators, Centre of the Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research, Institute of Experimental Botany ASCR and Palacký University, Šlechtitelů 11, CZ-783 71, Olomouc, Czech Republic
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Yilamujiang A, Zhu A, Ligabue-Braun R, Bartram S, Witte CP, Hedrich R, Hasabe M, Schöner CR, Schöner MG, Kerth G, Carlini CR, Mithöfer A. Coprophagous features in carnivorous Nepenthes plants: a task for ureases. Sci Rep 2017; 7:11647. [PMID: 28912541 PMCID: PMC5599630 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-11999-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2017] [Accepted: 08/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Most terrestrial carnivorous plants are specialized on insect prey digestion to obtain additional nutrients. Few species of the genus Nepenthes developed mutualistic relationships with mammals for nitrogen supplementation. Whether dietary changes require certain enzymatic composition to utilize new sources of nutrients has rarely been tested. Here, we investigated the role of urease for Nepenthes hemsleyana that gains nitrogen from the bat Kerivoula hardwickii while it roosts inside the pitchers. We hypothesized that N. hemsleyana is able to use urea from the bats’ excrements. In fact, we demonstrate that 15N-enriched urea provided to Nepenthes pitchers is metabolized and its nitrogen is distributed within the plant. As ureases are necessary to degrade urea, these hydrolytic enzymes should be involved. We proved the presence and enzymatic activity of a urease for Nepenthes plant tissues. The corresponding urease cDNA from N. hemsleyana was isolated and functionally expressed. A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis for eukaryotic ureases, including Nepenthes and five other carnivorous plants’ taxa, identified them as canonical ureases and reflects the plant phylogeny. Hence, this study reveals ureases as an emblematic example for an efficient, low-cost but high adaptive plasticity in plants while developing a further specialized lifestyle from carnivory to coprophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayufu Yilamujiang
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Max Plank Institute for Chemical Ecology, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Anting Zhu
- Institute of Plant Nutrition, Leibniz University Hannover, 30419, Hannover, Germany
| | - Rodrigo Ligabue-Braun
- Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, 91501-970, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Stefan Bartram
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Max Plank Institute for Chemical Ecology, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Claus-Peter Witte
- Institute of Plant Nutrition, Leibniz University Hannover, 30419, Hannover, Germany
| | - Rainer Hedrich
- Institute for Molecular Plant Physiology and Biophysics, University of Würzburg, 97082, Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Caroline R Schöner
- Zoological Institute and Museum, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Universität Greifswald, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Michael G Schöner
- Zoological Institute and Museum, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Universität Greifswald, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Gerald Kerth
- Zoological Institute and Museum, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Universität Greifswald, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Célia R Carlini
- Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, 91501-970, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Brain Institute (BRAINS-InsCer), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, 90610-000, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Axel Mithöfer
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Max Plank Institute for Chemical Ecology, 07745, Jena, Germany.
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