Activation, structure, and organization of genes involved in microbial defense in plants

Trends in the Potential of Stilbenes to Improve Plant Stress Tolerance: Insights of Plant Defense Mechanisms in Response to Biotic and Abiotic Stressors

Stilbenes belong to the naturally synthesized plant phytoalexins, produced de novo in response to various biotic and abiotic stressors. The importance of stilbenes in plant resistance to stress and disease is of increasing interest. However, the defense mechanisms and potential of stilbenes to improve plant stress tolerance have not been thoroughly reviewed. This work overviewed the pentose phosphate pathway, glycolysis pathway, shikimate pathway, and phenylalanine pathway occurred in the synthesis of stilbenes when plants are subjected to biotic and abiotic stresses. The positive implications and underlying mechanisms regarding defensive properties of stilbenes were demonstrated. Ten biomimetic chemosynthesis methods can underpin the potential of stilbenes to improve plant stress tolerance. The prospects for the application of stilbenes in agriculture, food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals industries are anticipated. It is hoped that some of the detailed ideas and practices may contribute to the development of stilbene-related products and improvement of plant resistance breeding.

Effects of salicylic acid-grafted bamboo hemicellulose on gray mold control in blueberry fruit: The phenylpropanoid pathway and peel microbial community composition

Bamboo hemicellulose (HC) is a natural plant polysaccharide with good biocompatibility and biodegradability. But its poor antibacterial activity limits its application in fruits preservation. In this study, based on the good inducer of salicylic acid (SA) for plant diseases resistance, a novel antibacterial coating material was synthesized by grafting SA onto HC. The study aimed to investigate the synergistic effect of HC-g-SA on antibacterial ability, induces diseases resistance and microbial community composition of postharvest fruit. The graft copolymer treatment significantly reduced the incidence of gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea in blueberries during storage (P < 0.05), and significantly stimulated the activity of key enzymes, including phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, chalcone isomerase, laccase, and polyphenol oxidase, leading to an increase in fungicidal compounds such as flavonoids, lignin, and total phenolics produced by the phenylpropanoid pathway in blueberries (P < 0.05). Moreover, the HC-g-SA coating altered bacterial and fungal community composition such that the abundance of postharvest fruit-peel pathogens was significantly reduced. After 8 days storage, the blueberry fruits treated by HC-g-SA had a weight loss rate of 12.42 ± 0.85 %. Therefore, the HC-g-SA graft copolymer had a positive impact on the control of gray mold in blueberry fruit during postharvest storage.

Antimicrobial Peptides - Small but Mighty Weapons for Plants to Fight Phytopathogens

Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs) have diverse structures, varied modes of actions, and can inhibit the growth of a wide range of pathogens at low concentrations. Plants are constantly under attack by a wide range of phytopathogens causing massive yield losses worldwide. To combat these pathogens, nature has armed plants with a battery of defense responses including Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs). These peptides form a vital component of the two-tier plant defense system. They are constitutively expressed as part of the pre-existing first line of defense against pathogen entry. When a pathogen overcomes this barrier, it faces the inducible defense system, which responds to specific molecular or effector patterns by launching an arsenal of defense responses including the production of AMPs. This review emphasizes the structural and functional aspects of different plant-derived AMPs, their homology with AMPs from other organisms, and how their biotechnological potential could generate durable resistance in a wide range of crops against different classes of phytopathogens in an environmentally friendly way without phenotypic cost.

Isolation and characterization of fusarium wilt resistance gene analogs in radish

The resistance gene analog (RGA)-based marker strategy is an effective supplement for current marker reservoir of radish disease-resistance breeding. In this study, we identified RGAs based on the conserved nucleotide-binding site (NBS) and S-receptor-like kinase (SRLK) domains. A total of 68 NBS-RGAs and 46 SRLK-RGAs were isolated from two FW-resistant radish inbred lines, B2 and YR31, and one susceptible line, YR15. A BLASTx search revealed that the NBS-RGAs contained six conserved motifs (i.e., P loop, RNBS-A, Kinase-2, RNBS-B, RNBS-C, and GLPL) and the SRLK-RGAs, contained two conserved motifs (i.e., G-type lectin and PAN-AP). A phylogenetic analysis indicated that the NBS-RGAs could be separated into two classes (i.e., toll/interleukin receptor and coiled-coil types), with six subgroups, and the SRLK-RGAs were divided into three subgroups. Moreover, we designed RGA-specific markers from data-mining approach in radish databases. Based on marker analysis, 24 radish inbred lines were clustered into five main groups with a similarity index of 0.44 and showing genetic diversity with resistance variation in those radish inbred lines. The development of RGA-specific primers would be valuable for marker-assisted selection during the breeding of disease-resistant radish cultivars.

Inhibition of phospholipases influences the metabolism of wound-induced benzylisoquinoline alkaloids in Papaver somniferum L

Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) are important secondary plant metabolites and include medicinally relevant drugs, such as morphine or codeine. As the de novo synthesis of BIA backbones is (still) unfeasible, to date the opium poppy plant Papaver somniferum L. represents the main source of BIAs. The formation of BIAs is induced in poppy plants by stress conditions, such as wounding or salt treatment; however, the details about regulatory processes controlling BIA formation in opium poppy are not well studied. Environmental stresses, such as wounding or salinization, are transduced in plants by phospholipid-based signaling pathways, which involve different classes of phospholipases. Here we investigate whether pharmacological inhibition of phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂, inhibited by aristolochic acid (AA)) or phospholipase D (PLD; inhibited by 5-fluoro-2-indolyl des-chlorohalopemide (FIPI)) in poppy plants influences wound-induced BIA accumulation and the expression of key biosynthetic genes. We show that inhibition of PLA₂ results in increased morphinan biosynthesis concomitant with reduced production of BIAs of the papaverine branch, whereas inhibition of PLD results in increased production of BIAs of the noscapine branch. The data suggest that phospholipid-dependent signaling pathways contribute to the activation of morphine biosynthesis at the expense of the production of other BIAs in poppy plants. A better understanding of the effectors and the principles of regulation of alkaloid biosynthesis might be the basis for the future genetic modification of opium poppy to optimize BIA production.

Mining Plants for Bacterial Quorum Sensing Modulators

The bacterial plant pathogen Agrobacterium tumefaciens uses quorum sensing (QS) in order to regulate the transfer of DNA into the host plant genome, and this results in the induction of crown gall tumors. The deleterious results of these infections are widespread and affect many species of fruit and crops. In order to further our understanding of this process and to provide potential solutions, we evaluated a library of 3800 natural products from plant sources and identified potent compounds that are able to strongly modulate plant-bacterial interactions.

Expression of the Grape VaSTS19 Gene in Arabidopsis Improves Resistance to Powdery Mildew and Botrytis cinerea but Increases Susceptibility to Pseudomonas syringe pv Tomato DC3000

Stilbene synthase (STS) is a key enzyme that catalyzes the biosynthesis of resveratrol compounds and plays an important role in disease resistance. The molecular pathways linking STS with pathogen responses and their regulation are not known. We isolated an STS gene, VaSTS19, from a Chinese wild grape, Vitis amurensis Rupr. cv. "Tonghua-3", and transferred this gene to Arabidopsis. We then generated VaSTS19-expressing Arabidopsis lines and evaluated the functions of VaSTS19 in various pathogen stresses, including powdery mildew, B. cinerea and Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 (PstDC3000). VaSTS19 enhanced resistance to powdery mildew and B. cinerea, but increased susceptibility to PstDC3000. Aniline blue staining revealed that VaSTS19 transgenic lines accumulated more callose compared to nontransgenic control plants, and showed smaller stomatal apertures when exposed to pathogen-associated molecular patterns (flagellin fragment (flg22) or lipopolysaccharides (LPS)). Analysis of the expression of several disease-related genes suggested that VaSTS19 expression enhanced defense responses though salicylic acid (SA) and/or jasmonic acid (JA) signaling pathways. These findings provide a deeper insight into the function of STS genes in defense against pathogens, and a better understanding of the regulatory cross talk between SA and JA pathways.

Screening and optimization of an efficient Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus inducible promoter

Pathogen-inducible promoters have been studied extensively and widely used in resistance breeding and gene therapy. However, few reports have been published that explore the efficacy of Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV)-inducible promoters in antiviral research in the Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera). Here, we screened BmNPV promoters (VP1054, P33, Bm21, Bm122, 39K, P143, and P6.9) and found that the 39K promoter had the highest BmNPV-induced transcriptional activity by dual-luciferase reporter assays system. By 5' truncation analysis, two regions of 39K promoter were critical for optimal virus-inducible activity, indicated that they could serve as a candidate to produce synthetic pathogen-induced promoters. Furthermore, we enhanced the virus-inducible activity of BmNPV 39K promoter using a hybrid enhancer comprising hr3 and polh-up (designated as HP39K). Finally, we showed that RNAi regulated by HP39K promoter could significantly inhibit the proliferation of BmNPV in silkworm cells. Taken together, our results have practical value in antiviral research of silkworm and baculovirus expression system.

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum GR53, a potent biocontrol agent resists Rhizoctonia disease on Chinese cabbage through hormonal and antioxidants regulation

The fungus Rhizoctonia solani is one of the causal agents of numerous diseases that affect crop growth and yield. The aim of this present investigation was to identify a biocontrol agent that acts against R. solani and to determine the agent's protective effect through phytohormones and antioxidant regulation in experimentally infected Chinese cabbage plants. Four rhizospheric soil bacterial isolates GR53, GR169, GR786, and GR320 were tested for their antagonistic activity against R. solani. Among these isolates, GR53 significantly suppressed fungal growth. GR53 was identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum by phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rDNA sequence. The biocontrol activity of B. amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum GR53 was tested in Chinese cabbage plants under controlled conditions. Results showed that R. solani inhibited plant growth (length, width, fresh and dry weight of leaves) by reducing chlorophyll and total phenolic content, as well as by increasing the levels of salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, abscisic acid, and DPPH scavenging activity. By regulating the levels of these compounds, the co-inoculation of B. amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum GR53 heightened induced systemic resistance in infected Chinese cabbage, effectively mitigating R. solani-induced damaging effects and improving plant growth. The results obtained from this study suggest that B. amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum GR53 is an effective biocontrol agent to prevent the damage caused by R. solani in Chinese cabbage plants.

Role of plant defence in alfalfa during symbiosis

During effective symbiosis, rhizobia colonize their hosts, and avoid plant defence mechanisms. To determine whether the host defence responses can be elicited by the symbiotic bacteria, specific markers involved in incompatible pathogenic interactions are required. The available markers of alfalfa defence mechanisms are described and their use in the study of the symbiotic interaction discussed. As defence-related gene expression in roots is not always related to defence mechanisms, other model systems have been established allowing confirmation of an important role of bacterial surface components in alfalfa-Rhizobium meliloti interactions. Nod factors at high concentrations have been shown to elicit defence-like responses in Medicago cell suspensions and roots. Elicitation of defence mechanisms by high levels of Nod factors in Rhizobium-infected roots may be a part of the mechanism by which nodulation is feed-back regulated.

Comparative transcriptional analysis reveals differential gene expression between Sand Daffodil tissues

Sand Daffodil (Pancratium maritimum) is a world-wide endangered Amayllidaceae species and represents an important anti-cancer medicinal resource due to alkaloids production. Despite its increasing pharmaceutical importance, there are not molecular resources that can be utilized toward improving genetic traits. In our research, the suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) method conducted to generate large-scale expressed sequence tags (EST), was designed to identify gene candidates related to the morphological and physiological differences between the two tissues, leaves and bulbs, since lycorine, the main anti-cancer compound, is there synthesized. We focused on identification of transcripts in different tissues from Sand Daffodil using PCR-based suppression SSH to identify genes involved in global pathway control. Sequencing of 2,000 differentially screened clones from the SSH libraries resulted in 136 unigenes. Functional annotation and gene ontology analysis of up-regulated EST libraries showed several known biosynthetic genes and novel transcripts that may be involved in signaling, cellular transport, or metabolism. Real time RT-PCR analysis of a set of 8 candidate genes further confirmed the differential gene expression.

Production of a novel O-methyl-isoflavone by regioselective sequential hydroxylation and O-methylation reactions in Streptomyces avermitilis host system

Distinct isoflavone O-methyltransferases (IOMTs) from Streptomyces species were isolated and expressed using S. avermitilis host system. Previously reported isoflavone 7-O-methyltransferases (I7OMTs, E.C. 2.1.1.150) and two putative O-methyltransferases (OMTs) from Saccharopolyspora erythraea were selected by comparative sequence grouping and expressed in S. avermitilisΔSaOMT2 under the control of constitutive ermE promoter. During whole-cell biotransformation of 4',7-dihydroxyisoflavone (daidzein) by constructed recombinant strains, production of O-methylated daidzein was investigated. S. avermitilisΔSaOMT2::SeOMT3 (SeOMT3) produced 7-methoxy-4'-hydroxyisoflavone (7-OMD) with 4.5% of low conversion yield due to competitive oxidation reactions. However, SeOMT3 could produce a novel 4',7-dihydroxy-3'-methoxyisoflavone (3'-OMD) (<1%) resulted from subsequent 3'-O-methylation of 3',4',7-trihydroxyisoflavone (3'-OHD) which was a hydroxylated product catalyzed by oxygenases. Although external addition of SAM did not change the conversion yield of O-methylation reaction, co-expression of SAM synthetase gene (metK) with SeOMT3 greatly induced the regiospecific O-methylation reaction at 3'-hydroxyl group with final conversion of 12.1% using 0.1 mM of daidzein.

Genes of phenylpropanoid pathway are activated in early response to Fusarium attack in flax plants

Fusarium is the most common flax pathogen causing serious plant diseases and in most cases leading to plant death. To protect itself, the plant activates a number of genes and metabolic pathways, both to counteract the effects of the pathogen, and to eliminate the threat. The identification of the plant genes which respond to infection is the approach, that has been used in this study. Forty-seven flax genes have been identified by means of cDNA subtraction method as those, which respond to pathogen infection. Subtracted genes were classified into several classes and the prevalence of the genes involved in the broad spectrum of antioxidants biosynthesis has been noticed. By means of semi-quantitative RT-PCR and metabolite profiling, the involvement of subtracted genes controlling phenylpropanoid pathway in flax upon infection was positively verified. We identified the key genes of the synthesis of these compounds. At the same time we determined the level of the metabolites produced in the phenylpropanoid pathway (flavonoids, phenolic acids) in early response to Fusarium attack by means of GC-MS technique. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report to describe genes and metabolites of early flax response to pathogens studied in a comprehensive way.

Characterization of resistance to pine wood nematode infection in Pinus thunbergii using suppression subtractive hybridization

BACKGROUND

Pine wilt disease is caused by the pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, which threatens pine forests and forest ecosystems worldwide and causes serious economic losses. In the 40 years since the pathogen was identified, the physiological changes occurring as the disease progresses have been characterized using anatomical and biochemical methods, and resistant trees have been selected via breeding programs. However, no studies have assessed the molecular genetics, e.g. transcriptional changes, associated with infection-induced physiological changes in resistant or susceptible trees.

RESULTS

We constructed seven subtractive suppression hybridization (SSH) cDNA libraries using time-course sampling of trees inoculated with pine wood nematode at 1, 3, or 7 days post-inoculation (dpi) in susceptible trees and at 1, 3, 7, or 14 dpi in resistant trees. A total of 3,299 sequences was obtained from these cDNA libraries, including from 138 to 315 non-redundant sequences in susceptible SSH libraries and from 351 to 435 in resistant SSH libraries. Using Gene Ontology hierarchy, those non-redundant sequences were classified into 15 subcategories of the biological process Gene Ontology category and 17 subcategories of the molecular function category. The transcriptional components revealed by the Gene Ontology classification clearly differed between resistant and susceptible libraries. Some transcripts were discriminative: expression of antimicrobial peptide and putative pathogenesis-related genes (e.g., PR-1b, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) was much higher in susceptible trees than in resistant trees at every time point, whereas expression of PR-9, PR-10, and cell wall-related genes (e.g., for hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein precursor and extensin) was higher in resistant trees than in susceptible trees at 7 and 14 dpi.

CONCLUSIONS

Following inoculation with pine wood nematode, there were marked differences between resistant and susceptible trees in transcript diversity and the timing and level of transcripts expressed in common; in particular, expression of stress response and defense genes differed. This study provided new insight into the differences in the physiological changes between resistant and susceptible trees that have been observed in anatomical and biochemical studies.

Chitinase III in pomegranate seeds (Punica granatum Linn.): a high-capacity calcium-binding protein in amyloplasts

Chitinases are a class of ubiquitous proteins that are widely distributed in plants. Defense is the major natural role for chitinases, primarily against fungal pathogens. Little is known regarding their non-defensive roles in seeds. In this study, a new class III chitinase from pomegranate seeds (pomegranate seed chitinase, PSC) was isolated and purified to homogeneity. The native state of PSC is a monomer with a molecular weight of approximately 30 kDa. This chitinase naturally binds calcium ions with high capacity and low affinity, suggesting that PSC is a calcium storage protein. Consistent with this idea, its amino acid sequence (inferred from cDNA) is rich in acidic amino acid residues, especially Asp, similar to reported calcium storage proteins. The presence of calcium considerably improves the stability of the protein but has little effect on its enzymatic activity. Transmission electron microscopy analyses indicate that, similar to phytoferritin, this enzyme is widely distributed in the stroma of amyloplasts of the embryonic cells, suggesting that amyloplasts in seeds could serve as an alternative plastid for calcium storage. Indeed, the transmission electron microscopy results showed that, within the embryonic cells, calcium ions are mainly distributed in the stroma of the amyloplasts, consistent with a role for PSC in calcium storage. Thus, the plant appears to have evolved a new plastid for calcium storage in seeds. During seed germination, the content of this enzyme decreases with time, suggesting that it is involved in the germination process.

High-capacity calcium-binding chitinase III from pomegranate seeds (Punica granatum Linn.) is located in amyloplasts

We have recently identified a new class III chitinase from pomegranate seeds (PSC). Interestingly, this new chitinase naturally binds calcium ions with high capacity and low affinity, suggesting that PSC is a Ca-storage protein. Analysis of the amino acid sequence showed that this enzyme is rich in acidic amino acid residues, especially Asp, which are responsible for calcium binding. Different from other known chitinases, PSC is located in the stroma of amyloplasts in pomegranate seeds. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis indicated that the embryonic cells of pomegranate seeds are rich in calcium ions, most of which are distributed in the stroma and the starch granule of the amyloplasts, consistent with the above idea that PSC is involved in calcium storage, a newly non-defensive function.

Grapevine cell early activation of specific responses to DIMEB, a resveratrol elicitor

BACKGROUND

In response to pathogen attack, grapevine synthesizes phytoalexins belonging to the family of stilbenes. Grapevine cell cultures represent a good model system for studying the basic mechanisms of plant response to biotic and abiotic elicitors. Among these, modified beta-cyclodextrins seem to act as true elicitors inducing strong production of the stilbene resveratrol.

RESULTS

The transcriptome changes of Vitis riparia x Vitis berlandieri grapevine cells in response to the modified beta-cyclodextrin, DIMEB, were analyzed 2 and 6 h after treatment using a suppression subtractive hybridization experiment and a microarray analysis respectively. At both time points, we identified a specific set of induced genes belonging to the general phenylpropanoid metabolism, including stilbenes and hydroxycinnamates, and to defence proteins such as PR proteins and chitinases. At 6 h we also observed a down-regulation of the genes involved in cell division and cell-wall loosening.

CONCLUSIONS

We report the first large-scale study of the molecular effects of DIMEB, a resveratrol inducer, on grapevine cell cultures. This molecule seems to mimic a defence elicitor which enhances the physical barriers of the cell, stops cell division and induces phytoalexin synthesis.

Stimulation of nodulation in Medicago truncatula by low concentrations of ammonium: quantitative reverse transcription PCR analysis of selected genes

Although mineral nitrogen generally has negative effects on nodulation in legume-rhizobia symbioses, low concentrations of ammonium stimulate nodulation in some legumes. In this study, the effects of ammonium and nitrate on growth, nodulation and expression of 2 nitrogen transport and 12 putative nodulation-related genes of the model symbiosis of Medicago truncatula - Sinorhizobium meliloti are investigated. After 3 weeks of hydroponic growth, whole-plant nodulation was enhanced in all the ammonium treatments and up to three-fold in the 0.5 mM treatment compared with the zero-nitrogen control. Specific nodulation (nodules g(-1) root dry weight) was greatly stimulated in the 0.1 and 0.5 mM NH4+ treatments, to a lower extent in the 0.1 mM NO3- treatment, and inhibited in all other treatments. Expression of the 14 selected genes was observed at 0, 6, 12 and 24 h after exposure to rhizobia and nitrogen. Expression of nitrogen transporter genes increased significantly, but responses of the three genes putatively associated with symbiosis signaling/nodule initiation were mixed. There were infrequent responses of genes coding for an ABA-activated protein kinase or a gibberellin-regulated protein, but an ethylene-responsive element-binding factor showed increased expression in various treatments and sampling times. Three auxin-responsive genes and three cytokinin-responsive genes showed varied responses to ammonium and nitrate. This study indicates that low concentrations of ammonium stimulate nodulation in M. truncatula, but the data were inconclusive in verifying the hypothesis that a relatively high ratio of cytokinin to auxin in roots may be an underlying mechanism in this stimulation of nodulation.

A germin-like protein gene family functions as a complex quantitative trait locus conferring broad-spectrum disease resistance in rice

Plant disease resistance governed by quantitative trait loci (QTL) is predicted to be effective against a broad spectrum of pathogens and long lasting. Use of these QTL to improve crop species, however, is hindered because the genes contributing to the trait are not known. Five disease resistance QTL that colocalized with defense response genes were accumulated by marker-aided selection to develop blast-resistant varieties. One advanced backcross line carrying the major-effect QTL on chromosome (chr) 8, which included a cluster of 12 germin-like protein (OsGLP) gene members, exhibited resistance to rice (Oryza sativa) blast disease over 14 cropping seasons. To determine if OsGLP members contribute to resistance and if the resistance was broad spectrum, a highly conserved portion of the OsGLP coding region was used as an RNA interference trigger to silence a few to all expressed chr 8 OsGLP family members. Challenge with two different fungal pathogens (causal agents of rice blast and sheath blight diseases) revealed that as more chr 8 OsGLP genes were suppressed, disease susceptibility of the plants increased. Of the 12 chr 8 OsGLPs, one clustered subfamily (OsGER4) contributed most to resistance. The similarities of sequence, gene organization, and roles in disease resistance of GLP family members in rice and other cereals, including barley (Hordeum vulgare) and wheat (Triticum aestivum), suggest that resistance contributed by the chr 8 OsGLP is a broad-spectrum, basal mechanism conserved among the Gramineae. Natural selection may have preserved a whole gene family to provide a stepwise, flexible defense response to pathogen invasion.

Expression profiling and mapping of defence response genes associated with the barley-Pyrenophora teres incompatible interaction

Barley net- and spot-form of net blotch disease are caused by two formae of the hemibiotrophic fungus Pyrenophora teres (P. t. f. teres and P. t. f. maculata). In the present study, suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) was used in combination with quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase PCR to identify and profile the expression of defence response (DR) genes in the early stages of both barley-P. teres incompatible and compatible interactions. From a pool of 307 unique gene transcripts identified by SSH, 45 candidate DR genes were selected for temporal expression profiling in infected leaf epidermis. Differential expression profiles were observed for 28 of the selected candidates, which were grouped into clusters depending on their expression profiles within the first 48 h after inoculation. The expression profiles characteristic of each gene cluster were very similar in both barley-P. t. f. teres and barley-P. t. f. maculata interactions, indicating that resistance to both pathogens could be mediated by induction of the same group of DR genes. Chromosomal map locations for 21 DR genes were identified using four doubled-haploid mapping populations. The mapped DR genes were distributed across all seven barley chromosomes, with at least one gene mapping to within 15 cM of another on chromosomes 1H, 2H, 5H and 7H. Additionally, some DR genes appeared to co-localize with loci harbouring known resistance genes or quantitative trait loci for net blotch resistance on chromosomes 6H and 7H, as well as loci associated with resistance to other barley diseases. The DR genes are discussed with respect to their map locations and potential functional role in contributing to net blotch disease resistance.

The role of plant defence proteins in fungal pathogenesis

SUMMARY It is becoming increasingly evident that a plant-pathogen interaction may be compared to an open warfare, whose major weapons are proteins synthesized by both organisms. These weapons were gradually developed in what must have been a multimillion-year evolutionary game of ping-pong. The outcome of each battle results in the establishment of resistance or pathogenesis. The plethora of resistance mechanisms exhibited by plants may be grouped into constitutive and inducible, and range from morphological to structural and chemical defences. Most of these mechanisms are defensive, exhibiting a passive role, but some are highly active against pathogens, using as major targets the fungal cell wall, the plasma membrane or intracellular targets. A considerable overlap exists between pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins and antifungal proteins. However, many of the now considered 17 families of PR proteins do not present any known role as antipathogen activity, whereas among the 13 classes of antifungal proteins, most are not PR proteins. Discovery of novel antifungal proteins and peptides continues at a rapid pace. In their long coevolution with plants, phytopathogens have evolved ways to avoid or circumvent the plant defence weaponry. These include protection of fungal structures from plant defence reactions, inhibition of elicitor-induced plant defence responses and suppression of plant defences. A detailed understanding of the molecular events that take place during a plant-pathogen interaction is an essential goal for disease control in the future.

The rolB gene-induced overproduction of resveratrol in Vitis amurensis transformed cells

Resveratrol is a stilbene, which prevents carcinogenesis at stages of tumor initiation, promotion and progression. In the present investigation, we developed cell cultures of wild-growing grape (Vitis amurensis Rupr.). The cultures produced low levels of resveratrol, up to 0.026% dry wt., i.e., comparable to levels reported for other plant cell cultures previously established. Different methods commonly used to increase secondary metabolite production (cell selection, elicitor treatments and addition of a biosynthetic precursor) only slightly enhanced cell productivity. Transformation of V. amurensis V2 callus culture by the rolB gene of Agrobacterium rhizogenes resulted in more than a 100-fold increase in resveratrol production in transformed calli. The rolB-transformed calli are capable of producing up to 3.15% dry wt. of resveratrol. We show that the capability to resveratrol biosynthesis is tightly correlated with the abundance of rolB mRNA transcripts. Tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors abolished the rolB-gene-mediated stimulatory effect, thus documenting for the first time the involvement of tyrosine phosphorylation in plant secondary metabolism.

Quantitative and qualitative influence of inoculation methods on in planta growth of rice blast fungus

ABSTRACT Molecular analyses of early disease events require infected plant tissue in which the pathogen is present in high quantities and interacts with the plant in a way found in the field. In this study, a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) assay was developed to determine an "infection ratio" of fungal to plant cells in infected tissues. This assay was used to evaluate four inoculation methods (spray, mist, dip, and sheath) as well as use of whole plants or excised parts. Fluorescence stereomicroscopy was used to follow individual lesions developing from appressoria to macroscopic symptoms. Disease progression and outcomes were documented from 24 to 96 h postinoculation (hpi), as well as effectiveness of Pi-ta-mediated resistance. Even at 96 hpi, fungus proliferated well ahead of visible plant damage, especially in veins. Developing lesions sometimes were surrounded by greener areas in detached leaves. Spray inoculation was not sufficient for detecting fungal gene expression in planta before 96 h. Alternatively, a leaf sheath assay produced infected tissues containing 10 to 30% fungal DNA by 34 h. Used together, Q-PCR quantification and fluorescence stereomicroscopy will facilitate studies of early plant invasion because infection density and fungal growth stages are directly observed, not assumed from incubation time.

Expression of the hypersensitive response-assisting protein in Arabidopsis results in harpin-dependent hypersensitive cell death in response to Erwinia carotovora

Active defense mechanisms of plants against pathogens often include a rapid plant cell death known as the hypersensitive cell death (HCD). Hypersensitive response-assisting protein (HRAP) isolated from sweet pepper intensifies the harpin(Pss)-mediated HCD. Here we demonstrate that constitutive expression of the hrap gene in Arabidopsis results in an enhanced disease resistance towards soft rot pathogen, E. carotovora subsp. carotovora. This resistance was due to the induction of HCD since different HCD markers viz. Athsr3, Athsr4, ion leakage, H(2)O(2) and protein kinase were induced. One of the elicitor harpin proteins, HrpN, from Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora was able to induce a stronger HCD in hrap-Arabidopsis than non-transgenic controls. To elucidate the role of HrpN, we used E. carotovora subsp. carotovora defective in HrpN production. The hrpN(-) mutant did not induce disease resistance or HCD markers in hrap-Arabidopsis. These results imply that the disease resistance of hrap-Arabidopsis against a virulent pathogen is harpin dependent.

Loci controlling partial resistance to rice blast do not show marked QTL x environment interaction when plant nitrogen status alters disease severity

Plant disease susceptibility is often increased by nitrogen (N) application. Therefore, it is important to know if resistance loci are effective in different plant N environments. One-hundred lines of the Bala x Azucena rice (Oryza sativa) mapping population were grown in two N treatments and tested for partial resistance to blast (Magnaporthe grisea) isolate CD100. Disease severity (DS), the number and size of lesions and plant N and C concentrations were measured and the results subject to quantitative trait loci (QTL) and QTL x environment analysis. There was a 66% higher plant N concentration in the high N treatment and DS increased significantly, mostly as a result of increased numbers of lesions. Nine regions contained QTL for disease traits but only one showed evidence of statistically significant QTL x treatment interaction. This was a large effect quantitative trait locus at marker R1933 on chromosome 12 which was less effective at high N. Apparently, blast disease is increased by higher plant N, but the efficacy of partial resistance genes is not greatly affected by N application.

Characterization of O-methyltransferase ScOMT1 cloned from Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2)

The roles of O-methyltransferases (OMTs) in microorganisms are not well understood, and are suggested to increase antimicrobial activity. Studies on OMTs cloned from microorganisms may help elucidate their roles. Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) produces many useful natural antibiotics such as actinorhodin. Based on sequence information from S. coelicolor A3(2) genome, it was possible to clone several methyltransferases. An OMT cloned from Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2), ScOMT1 was characterized by in vivo and in vitro assays. Of 23 compounds tested, 13 were found to serve as its substrates. Of the 13 substrates, the methylated positions of 7 compounds were determined by HPLC, NMR, and MS analyses. This OMT favored ortho-dihydroxyflavones. Among the compounds tested here, the best substrate is 6,7-dihydroxyflavone.

Two plant puroindolines colocalize in wheat seed and in vitro synergistically fight against pathogens

Puroindolines, for years largely investigated for their involvement in wheat kernel hardness, have recently attracted attention thanks to their possible role as antimicrobial proteins. With the aim to enhance our knowledge of these proteins we studied their localization in the kernel, and their antimicrobial activity in vitro against six different bacterial strains. Immunolocalization showed that both the PINs are strongly concentrated in the aleurone layer, but also highly present in the endosperm. Interestingly we observed that puroindolines not only have the same spatial distribution in the kernel, they are also always found co-localized. Their co-localization suggests that they could cooperate in defending the plant against pathogens. We therefore tested antimicrobial activity of PINA and PINB, and a putative synergism between these proteins. The results showed that the two polypeptides can in vitro inhibit growth of all the bacteria tested; furthermore when combined together they are able to enhance each other's toxicity. In view of their antimicrobial activity and of their natural presence in Triticum aestivum wheat flour, puroindolines look promising antibacterial agents and thus deserve further studies aimed at establishing their possible future applications in fields of food and health care. Since PINs were still detectable in bakery products, these proteins may be promising tools in investigating natural ways of food preservation.

Influence of Autoclaved Fungal Materials on Spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) Growth, Morphogenesis, and Secondary Metabolism

The influence of autoclaved fungal materials such as culture filtrate, freeze-dried mycelium (FDM), mycelium suspension, and spore suspension (SS) on the growth, morphogenesis, and carvone production of spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) plants was studied. Fungal materials were either applied as a drench or spray on the plants. Spearmint plants (cv. "294099") drenched with SS (1 x 10(8) spores/ml) of Trichoderma reesei showed no significant differences in leaf numbers, root numbers, or shoot numbers compared with nontreated controls. However, significantly higher fresh weights and carvone levels were observed in plants drenched with T. reesei SS compared with the untreated controls. Fungal materials derived from Aspergillus sp., Fusarium graminearum, F. sporotrichoides, Penicillium sp., P. acculeatum, Rhizopus oryzae, and T. reesei were sprayed on spearmint foliage. F. graminearum, F. sporotrichoides, or R. oryzae elicited no enhanced growth, morphogenesis, or secondary metabolism responses. The best growth and morphogenesis responses were obtained employing Aspergillus sp., Penicillium sp., or T. reesei foliar sprays. For example, spearmint cv. "557807" plants sprayed with 100 mg/l FDM T. reesei isolate NRRL 11460 C30 stimulated higher fresh weights (75%), shoot numbers (39%), leaf numbers (57%), and root numbers (108%) compared with untreated plants. This effect was not dose-dependent because similar growth and morphogenesis responses were obtained by testing 10, 100, or 1000 mg/l FDM concentrations. Carvone levels in fungal-treated foliar-sprayed plants were comparable to nontreated controls. However, total carvone levels per plant were higher in fungal-treated plants because of their increased fresh weight.

Jasmonates and Na-orthovanadate promote resveratrol production in Vitis vinifera cv. Barbera cell cultures

Here the effect of jasmonic acid, methyljasmonate and Na-orthovanadate on the production of resveratrol was studied in Vitis vinifera cv. Barbera cell suspension cultures. Na-orthovanadate at 0.1 mm and 1 mm concentration was efficient in promoting the production and/or accumulation and release in the culture medium of cis-resveratrol while trans-resveratrol levels were not affected by this treatment. Methyljasmonate was highly effective in stimulating both trans- and cis-resveratrol endogenous accumulation, as well as their release into the culture medium. Cis-resveratrol was absent or detected in very low amounts in the controls. Jasmonic acid was less efficient than methyljasmonate in promoting endogenous resveratrol accumulation, but it stimulated the release in the culture medium especially of cis-resveratrol. Gel analysis was performed on control and 10 microm MeJA treated cell suspensions. Results showed an up-regulation of the stilbene synthase demonstrating that MeJA stimulated the synthesis ex-novo of this protein.

New insights to the function of phytopathogenic bacterial type III effectors in plants

Phytopathogenic bacteria use the type III secretion system (TTSS) to inject effector proteins into plant cells. This system is essential for bacteria to multiply in plant tissue and to promote the development of disease symptoms. Until recently, little was known about the function of TTSS effectors in bacterial-plant interactions. New studies dissecting the molecular and biochemical action of TTSS effectors show that these proteins contribute to bacterial pathogenicity by interfering with plant defense signal transduction. These investigations provide us with a fresh view of how bacteria manipulate plant physiology to colonize their hosts.

Apoplastic extracts from a transgenic wheat line exhibiting lesion-mimic phenotype have multiple pathogenesis-related proteins that are antifungal

A transgenic wheat line constitutively expressing genes encoding a class IV acidic chitinase and an acidic beta-1,3-glucanase, showed significant delay in spread of Fusarium head blight (scab) disease under greenhouse conditions. In an earlier work, we observed a lesion-mimic phenotype in this transgenic line when homozygous for transgene loci. Apoplastic fluid (AF) extracted from the lesion-mimic plants had pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins belonging to families of beta-1,3-glucanases, chitinases, and thaumatin-like proteins (TLPs). AF had growth inhibitory activity against certain fungal pathogens, including Fusarium graminearum and Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici. Through a two-step ion-exchange chromatography protocol, we recovered many PR proteins and a few uncharacterized proteins. Three individual protein bands corresponding to a TLP (molecular mass, 16 kDa) and two beta-1,3-glucanases (molecular mass, 32 kDa each) were purified and identified by tandem mass spectrometry. We measured the in vitro antifungal activity of the three purified enzymes and a barley class II chitinase (purified earlier in our laboratory) in microtiter plate assays with macroconidia or conidiophores of F. graminearum and Pyrenophora tritici-repentis. Mixtures of proteins revealed synergistic or additive inhibitory activity against F. graminearum and P. tritici-repentis hyphae. The concentrations of PR proteins at which these effects were observed are likely to be those reached in AF of cells exhibiting a hypersensitive response. Our results suggest that apoplastic PR proteins are antifungal and their antimicrobial potency is dependent on concentrations and combinations that are effectively reached in plants following microbial attack.

Induction of chalcone synthase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase by salicylic acid and Colletotrichum lindemuthianum in common bean

The activities of the enzymes chalcone synthase (CHS) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) were measured in leaf extracts obtained from four cultivars of the common bean (AB 136, Rio Tibagi, Carioca and Macanudo). Two stages of plant development were examined: plantlets (V2) and the onset of blooming (R6). Initially, the plants were either treated with salicylic acid or inoculated with the delta race of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum (inductive fungus) and after three days they were evaluated for enzyme activity. Afterwards, all plants were inoculated (challenged) with the virulent pathotype 33/95 of C. lindemuthianum except for the water control. Five days later, the activities of PAL and CHS were evaluated. There were significant changes in the activities of both enzymes three days after treatment with salicylic acid or inductive fungus when compared to the control. Five days after inoculation with with the virulent pathotype 33/95 of C. lindemuthianum CHS activity in the Macanudo was similar to control plants that were not treated with salicylic acid or the inductive fungus but inoculated with 33/95 C. lindemuthianum. The increase in enzyme activity after challenge with 33/95 C. lindemuthianum was greatest for the salicylic acid treatment in the cultivar AB 136, followed by Rio Tibagi and Carioca.

Development of a lesion-mimic phenotype in a transgenic wheat line overexpressing genes for pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins is dependent on salicylic acid concentration

In the course of coexpressing genes for pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins for a class IV chitinase and an acidic glucanase in transgenic wheat plants, we regenerated a wheat line that developed necrotic lesions containing dead cells in the T2 and subsequent generations. Lesion spots were detected at the booting stage (5- to 6-week-old plants) in lines homozygous for the transgene loci. In contrast, lesions were not observed in hemizygous transgenic lines or lines silenced for transgene expression, indicating a requirement for high levels of transgene expression for the development of the lesioned phenotype. Lesion development was associated with the accumulation of host-encoded PR proteins, e.g., chitinases, beta-1,3-glucanases, thaumatin-like protein, and production of reactive oxygen intermediates. F1 progeny of a cross between the lesion-plus transgenic line and wild-type nontransgenic plants produced progeny with a normal phenotype, while the F2 progenies segregated for the lesion phenotype. Salicylic acid (SA) levels in plants with the lesion-plus phenotype were found to be several times higher than controls and nearly double the levels in hemizygous transgenic plants that lack lesions. SA application activated lesion development in excised leaf pieces of these hemizygous transgenic plants. Similar activation of lesion development in control plants occurred only when high concentrations of SA were applied for prolonged periods. Transcripts for phenylalanine-ammonia lyase, which provides precursors of SA, were elevated in homozygous transgenic plants. Our data suggest that transgene-induced lesion-mimic phenotype correlates with enhanced SA biosynthesis.

Plant biotin-containing carboxylases

Biotin-containing proteins are found in all forms of life, and they catalyze carboxylation, decarboxylation, or transcarboxylation reactions that are central to metabolism. In plants, five biotin-containing proteins have been characterized. Of these, four are catalysts, namely the two structurally distinct acetyl-CoA carboxylases (heteromeric and homomeric), 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase and geranoyl-CoA carboxylase. In addition, plants contain a noncatalytic biotin protein that accumulates in seeds and is thought to play a role in storing biotin. Acetyl-CoA carboxylases generate two pools of malonyl-CoA, one in plastids that is the precursor for de novo fatty acid biosynthesis and the other in the cytosol that is the precursor for fatty acid elongation and a large number of secondary metabolites. 3-Methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase catalyzes a reaction in the mitochondrial pathway for leucine catabolism. The exact metabolic function of geranoyl-CoA carboxylase is as yet unknown, but it may be involved in isoprenoid metabolism. This minireview summarizes the recent developments in our understanding of the structure, regulation, and metabolic functions of these proteins in plants.

Candidate defense genes from rice, barley, and maize and their association with qualitative and quantitative resistance in rice

Candidate genes involved in both recognition (resistance gene analogs [RGAs]) and general plant defense (putative defense response [DR]) were used as molecular markers to test for association with resistance in rice to blast, bacterial blight (BB), sheath blight, and brown plant-hopper (BPH). The 118 marker loci were either polymerase chain reaction-based RGA markers or restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers that included RGAs or putative DR genes from rice, barley, and maize. The markers were placed on an existing RFLP map generated from a mapping population of 116 doubled haploid (DH) lines derived from a cross between an improved indica rice cultivar, IR64, and a traditional japonica cultivar, Azucena. Most of the RGAs and DR genes detected a single locus with variable copy number and mapped on different chromosomes. Clusters of RGAs were observed, most notably on chromosome 11 where many known blast and BB resistance genes and quantitative trait loci (QTL) for blast, BB, sheath blight, and BPH were located. Major resistance genes and QTL for blast and BB resistance located on different chromosomes were associated with several candidate genes. Six putative QTL for BB were located on chromosomes 2, 3, 5, 7, and 8 and nine QTL for BPH resistance were located to chromosomes 3, 4, 6, 11, and 12. The alleles of QTL for BPH resistance were mostly from IR64 and each explained between 11.3 and 20.6% of the phenotypic variance. The alleles for BB resistance were only from the Azucena parent and each explained at least 8.4% of the variation. Several candidate RGA and DR gene markers were associated with QTL from the pathogens and pest. Several RGAs were mapped to BB QTL. Dihydrofolate reductase thymidylate synthase co-localized with two BPH QTL associated with plant response to feeding and also to blast QTL. Blast QTL also were associated with aldose reductase, oxalate oxidase, JAMyb (a jasmonic acid-induced Myb transcription factor), and peroxidase markers. The frame map provides reference points to select candidate genes for cosegregation analysis using other mapping populations, isogenic lines, and mutants.

Signals involved in Arabidopsis resistance to Trichoplusia ni caterpillars induced by virulent and avirulent strains of the phytopathogen Pseudomonas syringae

Plants have evolved different but interconnected strategies to defend themselves against herbivorous insects and microbial pathogens. We used an Arabidopsis/Pseudomonas syringae pathosystem to investigate the impact of pathogen-induced defense responses on cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni) larval feeding. Arabidopsis mutants [npr1, pad4, eds5, and sid2(eds16)] or transgenic plants (nahG) that are more susceptible to microbial pathogens and are compromised in salicylic acid (SA)-dependent defense responses exhibited reduced levels of feeding by T. ni compared with wild-type plants. Consistent with these results, Arabidopsis mutants that are more resistant to microbial pathogens and have elevated levels of SA (cpr1 and cpr6) exhibited enhanced levels of T. ni feeding. These experiments suggested an inverse relationship between an active SA defense pathway and insect feeding. In contrast to these results, there was increased resistance to T. ni in wild-type Arabidopsis ecotype Columbia plants that were infected with P. syringae pv. maculicola strain ES4326 (Psm ES4326) expressing the avirulence genes avrRpt2 or avrB, which elicit a hypersensitive response, high levels of SA accumulation, and systemic acquired resistance to bacterial infection. Similar results were obtained with other ecotypes, including Landsberg erecta, Cape Verdi Islands, and Shakdara. When infected with Psm ES4326(avrRpt2) or Psm ES4326(avrB), nahG transgenic and npr1 mutant plants (which are more susceptible to virulent and avirulent P. syringae strains) failed to show the increased insect resistance exhibited by wild-type plants. It was surprising that wild-type plants, as well as nahG and npr1 plants, infected with Psm ES4326 not expressing avrRpt2 or avrB, which elicits disease, became more susceptible to T. ni. Our results suggest two potentially novel systemic signaling pathways: a systemic response elicited by HR that leads to enhanced T. ni resistance and overrides the SA-mediated increase in T. ni susceptibility, and a SA-independent systemic response induced by virulent pathogens that leads to enhanced susceptibility to T. ni.

Pathogen challenge, salicylic acid, and jasmonic acid regulate expression of chitinase gene homologs in pine

To better understand the molecular regulation of defense responses in members of the genus Pinus, we tested the expression of various chitinase homologs in response to pathogen-associated signals. PSCHI4, a putative extracellular class II chitinase, was secreted into liquid medium by pine cells and was also secreted by transgenic tobacco cells that ectopically expressed pschi4. Extracellular proteins of pine were separated by isoelectric focusing; PSCHI4 was not associated with fractions containing detectable beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase or lysozyme activities. However, other fractions contained enzyme activities that increased markedly after elicitor treatment. The pschi4 transcript and protein accumulated in pine seedlings challenged with the necrotrophic pathogen Fusarium subglutinans f. sp. pini, with the protein reaching detectable levels in susceptible seedlings concomitant with the onset of visible disease symptoms. Additional chitinase transcripts, assigned to classes I and IV based on primary sequence analysis, were also induced by pathogen challenge. Jasmonic acid induced class I and class IV but not class II chitinase, whereas salicylic acid induced all three classes of chitinase. These results show that multiple chitinase homologs are induced after challenge by a necrotrophic pathogen and by potential signaling molecules identified in angiosperms. This suggests the potential importance of de novo pathogenesis-related (PR) gene expression in pathogen defense responses of pine trees.

Differential and systemic alteration of defence-related gene transcript levels in mycorrhizal bean plants infected with Rhizoctonia solani

The role of arbuscular mycorrhizas in response of plants to soilborne root pathogens is unclear. A time course study was conducted to monitor disease development and expression of mRNA for the defence-related genes phenylalanine ammonia lyase, chalcone synthase, chalcone isomerase, and hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein in bean (Phasoelus vulgaris L.) plants colonized by the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices Schenck & Smith and postinfected with the soilborne pathogen Rhizoctonia solani Kühn. Precolonization of bean plants by G. intraradices did not significantly reduce the severity of rot symptoms. RNA blot analysis of the defence-related genes revealed a systemic increase in the four defence genes in response to R. solani infections. On the other hand, precolonization of bean plants with G. intraradices elicited no change in phenylalanine ammonia lyase, chalcone synthase, and chalcone isomerase transcripts. A differential and systemic alteration in the expression of all four defence genes was observed in all tissues only during the pathogenic interaction of arbuscular mycorrhizal beans. Depending on the time after infection with R. solani and the tissue examined, varying responses from stimulation to suppression to no change in transcript levels were detected.Key words: induced resistance, defence-related genes, RNA analysis, Rhizoctonia solani, Glomus intraradices.

Flavonoids-potent and versatile biologically active compounds interacting with cytochromes P450

Flavonoids represent a group of phytochemicals exhibiting a wide range of biological activities arising mainly from their antioxidant properties and ability to modulate several enzymes or cell receptors. Flavonoids have been recognized to exert anti-bacterial and anti-viral activity, anti-inflammatory, anti-angionic, analgesic, anti-allergic effects, hepatoprotective, cytostatic, apoptotic, estrogenic and anti-estrogenic properties. However, not all flavonoids and their actions are necessarily beneficial. Some flavonoids have mutagenic and/or prooxidant effects and can also interfere with essential biochemical pathways. Among the proteins that interact with flavonoids, cytochromes P450 (CYPs), monooxygenases metabolizing xenobiotics (e.g. drugs, carcinogens) and endogenous substrates (e.g. steroids), play a prominent role. Flavonoid compounds influence these enzymes in several ways: flavonoids induce the expression of several CYPs and modulate (inhibit or stimulate) their metabolic activity. In addition, some CYPs participate in metabolism of flavonoids. Flavonoids enhance activation of carcinogens and/or influence the metabolism of drugs via induction of specific CYPs. On the other hand, inhibition of CYPs involved in carcinogen activation and scavenging reactive species formed from carcinogens by CYP-mediated reactions can be beneficial properties of various flavonoids. Flavonoids show an estrogenic or anti-estrogenic activity owing to the structural similarity with the estrogen skeleton. Mimicking natural estrogens, they bind to estrogen receptor and modulate its activity. They also block CYP19, a crucial enzyme involved in estrogen biosynthesis. Flavonoids in human diet may reduce the risk of various cancers, especially hormone-dependent breast and prostate cancers, as well preventing menopausal symptoms. For these reasons the structure-function relationship of flavonoids is extensively studied to provide an inspiration for a rational drug and/or chemopreventive agent design of future pharmaceuticals.

Dissection of defence response pathways in rice

The cloning of major resistance genes has led to a better understanding of the molecular biology of the steps for induction of resistance, yet much remains to be discovered about the downstream genes that collectively confer resistance, i.e. the defence response (DR) genes. We are dissecting the pathways contributing to resistance in rice by identifying a collection of mutants with deletions or other structural rearrangements in DR genes. The collection of rice mutants has been screened for many characters, including increased susceptibility or resistance to Magnaporthe grisea and Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae. A collection of enhanced sequence tags (ESTs) and putative DR genes has been established to facilitate detection of mutants with deletions in DR genes. Arrays of DR genes will be used to create gene expression profiles of interesting mutants. Successful application of the mutant screen will have broad utility in identifying candidate genes involved in disease response and other metabolic pathways.

Morphine metabolism in the opium poppy and its possible physiological function. Biochemical characterization of the morphine metabolite, bismorphine

We identified a novel metabolic system of morphine in the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.). In response to stress, morphine is quickly metabolized to bismorphine consisting of two morphine units, followed by accumulation in the cell wall. This bismorphine binds predominantly to pectins, which possess high galacturonic acid residue contents, through ionical bonds. Our newly developed method using artificial polysaccharides demonstrated that bismorphine bridges are formed between the two amino groups of bismorphine and the carboxyl groups of galacturonic acid residues, resulting in cross-linking of galacturonic acid-containing polysaccharides to each other. The ability of bismorphine to cross-link pectins is much higher than that of Ca2+, which also acts as a cross-linker of these polysaccharides. Furthermore, we confirmed that cross-linking of pectins through bismorphine bridges leads to resistance against hydrolysis by pectinases. These results indicated that production of bismorphine is a defense response of the opium poppy. Bismorphine formation is catalyzed by anionic peroxidase that pre-exists in the capsules and leaves of opium poppies. The constitutive presence of morphine, together with bismorphine-forming peroxidase, enables the opium poppy to rapidly induce the defense system.

The defense response elicited by the pathogen Rhizoctonia solani is suppressed by colonization of the AM-fungus Glomus intraradices

Defense responses of alfalfa roots to the pathogenic fungus Rhizoctonia solani were reduced significantly in roots simultaneously infected with the vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Glomus intraradices. R. solani induced five- to tenfold increases in the steady-state levels of chalcone isomerase and isoflavone reductase mRNAs a doubling of root peroxidase activity and a marked autofluorescence in the infected tissue. These changes were inhibited by the presence of G. intraradices. Interestingly, germination of G. intraradices spores and hyphal elongation were sensitive to low concentrations (2 µM) of medicarpin-3-O-glucoside, an isoflavonoid phytoalexin that accumulated both in roots colonized by the pathogenic fungus as well as in AM-treated roots receiving high P, where no colonization by the beneficial fungus occurred. These data support the hypothesis that during early stages of colonization by G. intraradices, suppression of defense-related properties is associated with the successful establishment of AM symbiosis.