NPR1-independent activation of immediate early salicylic acid-responsive genes in Arabidopsis

Phytohormonal regulation determines the organization pattern of shoot aerenchyma in greater duckweed (Spirodela polyrhiza)

Airspace or aerenchyma is crucial for plant development and acclimation to stresses such as hypoxia, drought, and nutritional deficiency. Although ethylene-mediated signaling cascades are known to regulate aerenchyma formation in stems and roots under hypoxic conditions, the precise mechanisms remain unclear. Moreover, the cellular dynamics underlying airspace formation in shoots are poorly understood. We investigated the stage-dependent structural dynamics of shoot aerenchyma in greater duckweed (Spirodela polyrhiza), a fast-growing aquatic herb with well-developed aerenchyma in its floating fronds. Using X-ray micro-computed tomography and histological analysis, we showed that the spatial framework of aerenchyma is established before frond volume increases, driven by cell division and expansion. The substomatal cavity connecting aerenchyma to stomata formed via programmed cell death (PCD) and was closely associated with guard cell development. Additionally, transcriptome analysis and pharmacological studies revealed that the organization of aerenchyma in greater duckweed is determined by the interplay between PCD and proliferation. This balance is governed by spatiotemporal regulation of phytohormone signaling involving ethylene, abscisic acid, and salicylic acid. Overall, our study reveals the structural dynamics and phytohormonal regulation underlying aerenchyma development in duckweed, improving our understanding of how plants establish distinct architectural arrangements. These insights hold the potential for wide-ranging application, not only in comprehending aerenchyma formation across various plant species but also in understanding how airspaces are formed within the leaves of terrestrial plants.

Glutathione Transferase Photoaffinity Labeling Displays GST Induction by Safeners and Pathogen Infection

Glutathione transferases (GSTs) represent a large and diverse enzyme family involved in the detoxification of small molecules by glutathione conjugation in crops, weeds and model plants. In this study, we introduce an easy and quick assay for photoaffinity labeling of GSTs to study GSTs globally in various plant species. The small-molecule probe contains glutathione, a photoreactive group and a minitag for coupling to reporter tags via click chemistry. Under UV irradiation, this probe quickly and robustly labels GSTs in crude protein extracts of different plant species. Purification and mass spectrometry (MS) analysis of labeled proteins from Arabidopsis identified 10 enriched GSTs from the Phi(F) and Tau(U) classes. Photoaffinity labeling of GSTs demonstrated GST induction in wheat seedlings upon treatment with safeners and in Arabidopsis leaves upon infection with avirulent bacteria. Treatment of Arabidopsis with salicylic acid (SA) analog benzothiadiazole (BTH) induces GST labeling independent of NPR1, the master regulator of SA. Six Phi- and Tau-class GSTs that are induced upon BTH treatment were identified, and their labeling was confirmed upon transient overexpression. These data demonstrate that GST photoaffinity labeling is a useful approach to studying GST induction in crude extracts of different plant species upon different types of stress.

Insights into the molecular mechanism of Trichoderma stimulating plant growth and immunity against phytopathogens

Trichoderma species have received significant interest as beneficial fungi for boosting plant growth and immunity against phytopathogens. By establishing a mutualistic relationship with plants, Trichoderma causes a series of intricate signaling events that eventually promote plant growth and improve disease resistance. The mechanisms contain the indirect or direct involvement of Trichoderma in enhancing plant growth by modulating phytohormones signaling pathways, improving uptake and accumulation of nutrients, and increasing soil bioavailability of nutrients. They contribute to plant resistance by stimulating systemic acquired resistance through salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, and ethylene signaling. A cascade of signal transduction processes initiated by the interaction of Trichoderma and plants regulate the expression of defense-related genes, resulting in the synthesis of defense hormones and pathogenesis-related proteins (PRPs), which collectively improve plant resistance. Additionally, advancements in omics technologies has led to the identification of key pathways, their regulating genes, and molecular interactions in the plant defense and growth promotion responses induced by Trichoderma. Deciphering the molecular mechanism behind Trichoderma's induction of plant defense and immunity is essential for harnessing the full plant beneficial potential of Trichoderma. This review article sheds light on the molecular mechanisms that underlie the positive effects of Trichoderma-induced plant immunity and growth and opens new opportunities for developing environmentally friendly and innovative approaches to improve plant immunity and growth.

Exogenous application of salicylic acid improves freezing stress tolerance in alfalfa

Freezing stress is one of the most detrimental environmental factors that can seriously impact the growth, development, and distribution of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Exogenous salicylic acid (SA) has been revealed as a cost-effective method of improving defense against freezing stress due to its predominant role in biotic and abiotic stress resistance. However, how the molecular mechanisms of SA improve freezing stress resistance in alfalfa is still unclear. Therefore, in this study, we used leaf samples of alfalfa seedlings pretreatment with 200 μM and 0 μM SA, which were exposed to freezing stress (-10°C) for 0, 0.5, 1, and 2h and allowed to recover at normal temperature in a growth chamber for 2 days, after which we detect the changes in the phenotypical, physiological, hormone content, and performed a transcriptome analysis to explain SA influence alfalfa in freezing stress. The results demonstrated that exogenous SA could improve the accumulation of free SA in alfalfa leaves primarily through the phenylalanine ammonia-lyase pathway. Moreover, the results of transcriptome analysis revealed that the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway-plant play a critical role in SA alleviating freezing stress. In addition, the weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) found that MPK3, MPK9, WRKY22 (downstream target gene of MPK3), and TGACG-binding factor 1 (TGA1) are candidate hub genes involved in freezing stress defense, all of which are involved in the SA signaling pathway. Therefore, we conclude that SA could possibly induce MPK3 to regulate WRKY22 to participate in freezing stress to induced gene expression related to SA signaling pathway (NPR1-dependent pathway and NPR1-independent pathway), including the genes of non-expresser of pathogenesis-related gene 1 (NPR1), TGA1, pathogenesis-related 1 (PR1), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and heat shock protein (HSP). This enhanced the production of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, POD, and APX, which increases the freezing stress tolerance of alfalfa plants.

Utilizing the KSC Fixation Tube to Conduct Human-Tended Plant Biology Experiments on a Suborbital Spaceflight

Suborbital spaceflights now enable human-tended research investigating short-term gravitational effects in biological systems, eliminating the need for complex automation. Here, we discuss a method utilizing KSC Fixation Tubes (KFTs) to both carry biology to suborbital space as well as fix that biology at certain stages of flight. Plants on support media were inserted into the sample side of KFTs preloaded with RNAlater in the fixation chamber. The KFTs were activated at various stages of a simulated flight to fix the plants. RNA-seq analysis conducted on tissue samples housed in KFTs, showed that plants behaved consistently in KFTs when compared to petri-plates. Over the time course, roots adjusted to hypoxia and leaves adjusted to changes in photosynthesis. These responses were due in part to the environment imposed by the encased triple containment of the KFTs, which is a requirement for flight in human spacecraft. While plants exhibited expected reproducible transcriptomic alteration over time in the KFTs, responses to clinorotation during the simulated flight suggest that transcriptomic responses to suborbital spaceflight can be examined using this approach.

AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR 16 (StARF16) regulates defense gene StNPR1 upon infection with necrotrophic pathogen in potato

We demonstrate a new regulatory mechanism in the jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA) mediated crosstalk in potato defense response, wherein, miR160 target StARF16 (a gene involved in growth and development) binds to the promoter of StNPR1 (a defense gene) and negatively regulates its expression to suppress the SA pathway. Overall, our study establishes the importance of StARF16 in regulation of StNPR1 during JA mediated defense response upon necrotrophic pathogen interaction. Plants employ antagonistic crosstalk between salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) to effectively defend them from pathogens. During biotrophic pathogen attack, SA pathway activates and suppresses the JA pathway via NONEXPRESSOR OF PATHOGENESIS-RELATED GENES 1 (NPR1). However, upon necrotrophic pathogen attack, how JA-mediated defense response suppresses the SA pathway, is still not well-understood. Recently StARF10 (AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR), a miR160 target, has been shown to regulate SA and binds to the promoter of StGH3.6 (GRETCHEN HAGEN3), a gene proposed to maintain the balance between the free SA and auxin in plants. In the current study, we investigated the role of StARF16 (a miR160 target) in the regulation of the defense gene StNPR1 in potato upon activation of the JA pathway. We observed that a negative correlation exists between StNPR1 and StARF16 upon infection with the pathogen. The results were further confirmed through the exogenous application of SA and JA. Using yeast one-hybrid assay, we demonstrated that StARF16 binds to the StNPR1 promoter through putative ARF binding sites. Additionally, through protoplast transfection and chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments, we showed that StARF16 could bind to the StNPR1 promoter and regulate its expression. Co-transfection assays using promoter deletion constructs established that ARF binding sites are present in the 2.6 kb sequence upstream to the StNPR1 gene and play a key role in its regulation during infection. In summary, we demonstrate the importance of StARF16 in the regulation of StNPR1, and thus SA pathway, during JA-mediated defense response upon necrotrophic pathogen interaction.

Modulation of polyamine metabolism in Arabidopsis thaliana by salicylic acid

Polyamines (PAs) play important roles in plant defense against pathogens, but the regulation of PA metabolism by hormone-mediated defense signaling pathways has not been studied in depth. In this study, the modulation of PA metabolism by salicylic acid (SA) was analyzed in Arabidopsis by combining the exogenous application of this hormone with PA biosynthesis and SA synthesis/signaling mutants. SA induced notable modifications of PA metabolism, mainly consisting in putrescine (Put) accumulation both in whole-plant extracts and apoplastic fluids. Put was accumulated at the expense of increased biosynthesis by ARGININE DECARBOXYLASE 2 and decreased oxidation by copper amine oxidase. Enhancement of Put levels by SA was independent of the regulatory protein NONEXPRESSOR OF PATHOGENESIS-RELATED GENES 1 (NPR1) and the signaling kinases MKK4 and MPK3, but depended on MPK6. However, plant infection by Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 elicited Put accumulation in an SA-dependent way. The present study demonstrates a clear connection between SA signaling and plant PA metabolism in Arabidopsis and contributes to understanding the mechanisms by which SA modulates PA levels during plant-pathogen interactions.

Mutation in Arabidopsis β-cyanoalanine synthase overcomes NADPH oxidase action in response to pathogens

Plant responses to pathogens comprise a complex process, implying a plethora of signals and reactions. Among them, endogenous production of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) has been shown to induce resistance in Arabidopsis to the hemibiotrophic bacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst) DC3000. β-cyanoalanine synthase (CAS-C1) is responsible for the detoxification of HCN in Arabidopsis mitochondria. Here, we show that green fluorescent protein-tagged CAS-C1 is transiently reduced in leaves infected with an avirulent strain of Pst during early interactions and increased in leaves infected with a virulent strain of Pst, supporting previous transcriptional data. Genetic crosses show that mutation in CAS-C1 in Arabidopsis resembles the action of the NADPH oxidase RbohD independently of reactive oxygen species production and that the accumulation of salicylic acid is required for HCN-stimulated resistance to Pst. Finally, we show that the cas-c1 mutation acts on the salicylic acid-dependent response to pathogens by mechanisms other than protein ubiquitination or the increase of monomerization and entry to the nucleus of NPR1, the central regulator of the salicylic acid-mediated response. Considering these results, we propose new mechanisms for modulation of the immune response by HCN.

Sulfur Deprivation Modulates Salicylic Acid Responses via Nonexpressor of Pathogenesis-Related Gene 1 in Arabidopsis thaliana

Mineral nutrients are essential for plant growth and reproduction, yet only a few studies connect the nutritional status to plant innate immunity. The backbone of plant defense response is mainly controlled by two major hormones: salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA). This study investigated changes in the macronutrient concentration (deficiency/excess of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and sulfur) on the expression of PR1, a well-characterized marker in the SA-pathway, and PDF1.2 and LOX2 for the JA-pathway, analyzing plants carrying the promoter of each gene fused to GUS as a reporter. After histochemical GUS assays, we determined that PR1 gene was strongly activated in response to sulfur (S) deficiency. Using RT-PCR, we observed that the induction of PR1 depended on the function of Non-expressor of Pathogenesis-Related gene 1 (NPR1) and SA accumulation, as PR1 was not expressed in npr1-1 mutant and NahG plants under S-deprived conditions. Plants treated with different S-concentrations showed that total S-deprivation was required to induce SA-mediated defense responses. Additionally, bioassays revealed that S-deprived plants, induced resistance to the hemibiotrophic pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. DC3000 and increase susceptibility to the necrotrophic Botrytis cinerea. In conclusion, we observed a relationship between S and SA/JA-dependent defense mechanisms in Arabidopsis.

A comprehensive review on the influence of light on signaling cross-talk and molecular communication against phyto-microbiome interactions

Generally, plant growth, development, and their productivity are mainly affected by their growth rate and also depend on environmental factors such as temperature, pH, humidity, and light. The interaction between plants and pathogens are highly specific. Such specificity is well characterized by plants and pathogenic microbes in the form of a molecular signature such as pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) and microbes-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs), which in turn trigger systemic acquired immunity in plants. A number of Arabidopsis mutant collections are available to investigate molecular and physiological changes in plants under the presence of different light conditions. Over the past decade(s), several studies have been performed by selecting Arabidopsis thaliana under the influence of red, green, blue, far/far-red, and white light. However, only few phenotypic and molecular based studies represent the modulatory effects in plants under the influence of green and blue lights. Apart from this, red light (RL) actively participates in defense mechanisms against several pathogenic infections. This evolutionary pattern of light sensitizes the pathologist to analyze a series of events in plants during various stress conditions of the natural and/or the artificial environment. This review scrutinizes the literature where red, blue, white, and green light (GL) act as sensory systems that affects physiological parameters in plants. Generally, white and RL are responsible for regulating various defense mechanisms, but, GL also participates in this process with a robust impact! In addition to this, we also focus on the activation of signaling pathways (salicylic acid and jasmonic acid) and their influence on plant immune systems against phytopathogen(s).

Bacterial infection systemically suppresses stomatal density

Many plant pathogens gain entry to their host via stomata. On sensing attack, plants close these pores to restrict pathogen entry. Here, we show that plants exhibit a second longer term stomatal response to pathogens. Following infection, the subsequent development of leaves is altered via a systemic signal. This reduces the density of stomata formed, thus providing fewer entry points for pathogens on new leaves. Arabidopsis thaliana leaves produced after infection by a bacterial pathogen that infects through the stomata (Pseudomonas syringae) developed larger epidermal pavement cells and stomata and consequently had up to 20% reductions in stomatal density. The bacterial peptide flg22 or the phytohormone salicylic acid induced similar systemic reductions in stomatal density suggesting that they might mediate this effect. In addition, flagellin receptors, salicylic acid accumulation, and the lipid transfer protein AZI1 were all required for this developmental response. Furthermore, manipulation of stomatal density affected the level of bacterial colonization, and plants with reduced stomatal density showed slower disease progression. We propose that following infection, development of new leaves is altered by a signalling pathway with some commonalities to systemic acquired resistance. This acts to reduce the potential for future infection by providing fewer stomatal openings.

Transcription factor WRKY30 mediates resistance to Cucumber mosaic virus in Arabidopsis

WRKY transcription factors are key regulators in regulating abiotic or biotic stress response in Arabidopsis. Previous studies showed that WRKY30 expression was induced by oxidative stress treatment, fungal elicitor, SA and ABA. However, functions of WRKY30 on viral defense are not well studied. Here, we found that Arabidopsis WRKY DNA binding protein 30 (WRKY30) plays essential roles in regulating Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) resistance. The expression of WRKY30 was induced by CMV infection and wrky30 mutant displayed more susceptibility (including higher oxidative damages, induced reactive oxygen species synthesis and more PSII photochemistry compromise), while WRKY30 overexpression plants (WRKY30OX) exhibited more resistance to CMV infection. Moreover BRs-induced CMV tolerance is partly dependent on WRKY30. And WRKY30 expression increased after BL treatment. All these demonstrated that WRKY30 works as a positive regulator in plant CMV resistance process.

The Arabidopsis glutathione transferases, AtGSTF8 and AtGSTU19 are involved in the maintenance of root redox homeostasis affecting meristem size and salt stress sensitivity

The tau (U) and phi (F) classes of glutathione transferase (GST) enzymes reduce the glutathione (GSH) pool using GSH as a co-substrate, thus influence numerous redox-dependent processes including hormonal and stress responses. We performed detailed analysis of the redox potential and reactive oxygen species levels in longitudinal zones of 7-day-old roots of Arabidopsis thaliana L. Col-0 wild type and Atsgtf8 and Atgstu19 insertional mutants. Using redox-sensitive cytosolic green fluorescent protein (roGFP2) the redox status of the meristematic, transition, and elongation zones was determined under control and salt stress (3-hour of 75 or 150 mM NaCl treatment) conditions. The Atgstu19 mutant had the most oxidized redox status in all root zones throughout the experiments. Using fluorescent dyes significantly higher superoxide radical (O₂^-) levels was detected in both Atgst mutants than in the Col-0 control. Salt treatment resulted in the highest O₂^- increase in the Atgstf8 root, while the amount of H₂O₂ elevated most in the case of Atgstu19. Moreover, vitality decreased in Atgstu19 roots more than in wild type under salt stress. Our results indicate that AtGSTF8 and especially the AtGSTU19 proteins function in the root fine-tuning the redox homeostasis both under control and salt stress conditions.

Transcriptome Profiling and Genome-Wide Association Studies Reveal GSTs and Other Defense Genes Involved in Multiple Signaling Pathways Induced by Herbicide Safener in Grain Sorghum

Herbicide safeners protect cereal crops from herbicide injury by inducing genes and proteins involved in detoxification reactions, such as glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) and cytochrome P450s (P450s). Only a few studies have characterized gene or protein expression profiles for investigating plant responses to safener treatment in cereal crops, and most transcriptome analyses in response to safener treatments have been conducted in dicot model species that are not protected by safener from herbicide injury. In this study, three different approaches were utilized in grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) to investigate mechanisms involved in safener-regulated signaling pathways. An initial transcriptome analysis was performed to examine global gene expression in etiolated shoot tissues of hybrid grain sorghum following treatment with the sorghum safener, fluxofenim. Most upregulated transcripts encoded detoxification enzymes, including P450s, GSTs, and UDP-dependent glucosyltransferases (UGTs). Interestingly, several of these upregulated transcripts are similar to genes involved with the biosynthesis and recycling/catabolism of dhurrin, an important chemical defense compound, in these seedling tissues. Secondly, 761 diverse sorghum inbred lines were evaluated in a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to determine key molecular-genetic factors governing safener-mediated signaling mechanisms and/or herbicide detoxification. GWAS revealed a significant single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) associated with safener-induced response on chromosome 9, located within a phi-class SbGST gene and about 15-kb from a different phi-class SbGST. Lastly, the expression of these two candidate SbGSTs was quantified in etiolated shoot tissues of sorghum inbred BTx623 in response to fluxofenim treatment. SbGSTF1 and SbGSTF2 transcripts increased within 12-hr after fluxofenim treatment but the level of safener-induced expression differed between the two genes. In addition to identifying specific GSTs potentially involved in the safener-mediated detoxification pathway, this research elucidates a new direction for studying both constitutive and inducible mechanisms for chemical defense in cereal crop seedlings.

The NONEXPRESSOR OF PATHOGENESIS-RELATED GENES 1 (NPR1) and Related Family: Mechanistic Insights in Plant Disease Resistance

The NONEXPRESSOR OF PATHOGENESIS-RELATED GENES 1 (NPR1) and related NPR1-like proteins are a functionally similar, yet surprisingly diverse family of transcription co-factors. Initially, NPR1 in Arabidopsis was identified as a positive regulator of systemic acquired resistance (SAR), paralogs NPR3 and NPR4 were later shown to be negative SAR regulators. The mechanisms involved have been the subject of extensive research and debate over the years, during which time a lot has been uncovered. The known roles of this protein family have extended to include influences over a broad range of systems including circadian rhythm, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) resident proteins and the development of lateral organs. Recently, important advances have been made in understanding the regulatory relationship between members of the NPR1-like protein family, providing new insight regarding their interactions, both with each other and other defense-related proteins. Most importantly the influence of salicylic acid (SA) on these interactions has become clearer with NPR1, NPR3, and NPR4 being considered bone fide SA receptors. Additionally, post-translational modification of NPR1 has garnered attention during the past years, adding to the growing regulatory complexity of this protein. Furthermore, growing interest in NPR1 overexpressing crops has provided new insights regarding the role of NPR1 in both biotic and abiotic stresses in several plant species. Given the wealth of information, this review aims to highlight and consolidate the most relevant and influential research in the field to date. In so doing, we attempt to provide insight into the mechanisms and interactions which underly the roles of the NPR1-like proteins in plant disease responses.

NPR1 paralogs of Arabidopsis and their role in salicylic acid perception

Salicylic acid (SA) is responsible for certain plant defence responses and NON EXPRESSER OF PATHOGENESIS RELATED 1 (NPR1) is the master regulator of SA perception. In Arabidopsis thaliana there are five paralogs of NPR1. In this work we tested the role of these paralogs in SA perception by generating combinations of mutants and transgenics. NPR2 was the only paralog able to partially complement an npr1 mutant. The null npr2 reduces SA perception in combination with npr1 or other paralogs. NPR2 and NPR1 interacted in all the conditions tested, and NPR2 also interacted with other SA-related proteins as NPR1 does. The remaining paralogs behaved differently in SA perception, depending on the genetic background, and the expression of some of the genes induced by SA in an npr1 background was affected by the presence of the paralogs. NPR2 fits all the requirements of an SA receptor while the remaining paralogs also work as SA receptors with a strong hierarchy. According to the data presented here, the closer the gene is to NPR1, the more relevant its role in SA perception.

Making a Better Home: Modulation of Plant Defensive Response by Brevipalpus Mites

False-spider mites of the genus Brevipalpus are highly polyphagous pests that attack hundreds of plant species of distinct families worldwide. Besides causing direct damage, these mites may also act as vectors of many plant viruses that threaten high-value ornamental plants like orchids and economically important crops such as citrus and coffee. To better understand the molecular mechanisms behind plant-mite interaction we used an RNA-Seq approach to assess the global response of Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis) plants along the course of the infestation with Brevipalpus yothersi, the main vector species within the genus. Mite infestation triggered a drastic transcriptome reprogramming soon at the beginning of the interaction and throughout the time course, deregulating 1755, 3069 and 2680 genes at 6 hours after infestation (hai), 2 days after infestation (dai), and 6 dai, respectively. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed a clear modulation of processes related to the plant immune system. Co-expressed genes correlated with specific classes of transcription factors regulating defense pathways and developmental processes. Up-regulation of defensive responses correlated with the down-regulation of growth-related processes, suggesting the triggering of the growth-defense crosstalk to optimize plant fitness. Biological processes (BPs) enriched at all time points were markedly related to defense against herbivores and other biotic stresses involving the defense hormones salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA). Levels of both hormones were higher in plants challenged with mites than in the non-infested ones, supporting the simultaneous induction of genes from both pathways. To further clarify the functional relevance of the plant hormonal pathways on the interaction, we evaluated the mite performance on Arabidopsis mutants impaired in SA- or JA-mediated response. Mite oviposition was lower on mutants defective in SA biosynthesis (sid2) and signaling (npr1), showing a function for SA pathway in improving the mite reproduction, an unusual mechanism compared to closely-related spider mites. Here we provide the first report on the global and dynamic plant transcriptome triggered by Brevipalpus feeding, extending our knowledge on plant-mite interaction. Furthermore, our results suggest that Brevipalpus mites manipulate the plant defensive response to render the plant more susceptible to their colonization by inducing the SA-mediated pathway.

A cerato-platanin protein SsCP1 targets plant PR1 and contributes to virulence of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

Cerato-platanin proteins (CPs), which are secreted by filamentous fungi, are phytotoxic to host plants, but their functions have not been well defined to date. Here we characterized a CP (SsCP1) from the necrotrophic phytopathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Sscp1 transcripts accumulated during plant infection, and deletion of Sscp1 significantly reduced virulence. SsCP1 could induce significant cell death when expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana. Using yeast two-hybrid, GST pull-down, co-immunoprecipitation and bimolecular florescence complementation, we found that SsCP1 interacts with PR1 in the apoplast to facilitate infection by S. sclerotiorum. Overexpressing PR1 enhanced resistance to the wild-type strain, but not to the Sscp1 knockout strain of S. sclerotiorum. Sscp1-expressing transgenic plants showed increased concentrations of salicylic acid (SA) and higher levels of resistance to several plant pathogens (namely Botrytis cinerea, Alternaria brassicicola and Golovinomyces orontii). Our results suggest that SsCP1 is important for virulence of S. sclerotiorum and that it can be recognized by plants to trigger plant defense responses. Our results also suggest that the SA signaling pathway is involved in CP-mediated plant defense .

Regulation of the turnover of ACC synthases by phytohormones and heterodimerization in Arabidopsis

Ethylene influences many aspects of plant growth and development. The biosynthesis of ethylene is highly regulated by a variety of internal and external cues. A key target of this regulation is 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) synthases (ACS), generally the rate-limiting step in ethylene biosynthesis, which is regulated both transcriptionally and post-transcriptionally. Prior studies have demonstrated that cytokinin and brassinosteroid (BR) act as regulatory inputs to elevate ethylene biosynthesis by increasing the stability of ACS proteins. Here, we demonstrate that several additional phytohormones also regulate ACS protein turnover. Abscisic acid, auxin, gibberellic acid, methyl jasmonic acid, and salicylic acid differentially regulate the stability of ACS proteins, with distinct effects on various isoforms. In addition, we demonstrate that heterodimerization influences the stability of ACS proteins. Heterodimerization between ACS isoforms from distinct subclades results in increased stability of the shorter-lived partner. Together, our study provides a comprehensive understanding of the roles of various phytohormones on ACS protein stability, which brings new insights into crosstalk between ethylene and other phytohormones, and a novel regulatory mechanism that controls ACS protein stability through a heterodimerization of ACS isoforms.

Paraburkholderia phytofirmans PsJN Protects Arabidopsis thaliana Against a Virulent Strain of Pseudomonas syringae Through the Activation of Induced Resistance

Paraburkholderia phytofirmans PsJN is a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR) that stimulates plant growth and improves tolerance to abiotic stresses. This study analyzed whether strain PsJN can reduce plant disease severity and proliferation of the virulent strain Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000, in Arabidopsis plants, through the activation of induced resistance. Arabidopsis plants previously exposed to strain PsJN showed a reduction in disease severity and pathogen proliferation in leaves compared with noninoculated, infected plants. The plant defense-related genes WRKY54, PR1, ERF1, and PDF1.2 demonstrated increased and more rapid expression in strain PsJN-treated plants compared with noninoculated, infected plants. Transcriptional analyses and functional analysis using signaling mutant plants suggested that resistance to infection by DC3000 in plants treated with strain PsJN involves salicylic acid-, jasmonate-, and ethylene-signaling pathways to activate defense genes. Additionally, activation occurs through a specific PGPR-host recognition, being a necessary metabolically active state of the bacterium to trigger the resistance in Arabidopsis, with a strain PsJN-associated molecular pattern only partially involved in the resistance response. This study provides the first report on the mechanism used by the PGPR P. phytofirmans PsJN to protect A. thaliana against a widespread virulent pathogenic bacterium.

Assessing the Role of ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR Transcriptional Repressors in Salicylic Acid-Mediated Suppression of Jasmonic Acid-Responsive Genes

Salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) cross-communicate in the plant immune signaling network to finely regulate induced defenses. In Arabidopsis, SA antagonizes many JA-responsive genes, partly by targeting the ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR (ERF)-type transcriptional activator ORA59. Members of the ERF transcription factor family typically bind to GCC-box motifs in the promoters of JA- and ethylene-responsive genes, thereby positively or negatively regulating their expression. The GCC-box motif is sufficient for SA-mediated suppression of JA-responsive gene expression. Here, we investigated whether SA-induced ERF-type transcriptional repressors, which may compete with JA-induced ERF-type activators for binding at the GCC-box, play a role in SA/JA antagonism. We selected ERFs that are transcriptionally induced by SA and/or possess an EAR transcriptional repressor motif. Several of the 16 ERFs tested suppressed JA-dependent gene expression, as revealed by enhanced JA-induced PDF1.2 or VSP2 expression levels in the corresponding erf mutants, while others were involved in activation of these genes. However, SA could antagonize JA-induced PDF1.2 or VSP2 in all erf mutants, suggesting that the tested ERF transcriptional repressors are not required for SA/JA cross-talk. Moreover, a mutant in the co-repressor TOPLESS, that showed reduction in repression of JA signaling, still displayed SA-mediated antagonism of PDF1.2 and VSP2. Collectively, these results suggest that SA-regulated ERF transcriptional repressors are not essential for antagonism of JA-responsive gene expression by SA. We further show that de novo SA-induced protein synthesis is required for suppression of JA-induced PDF1.2, pointing to SA-stimulated production of an as yet unknown protein that suppresses JA-induced transcription.

Independent Effects of a Herbivore's Bacterial Symbionts on Its Performance and Induced Plant Defences

It is well known that microbial pathogens and herbivores elicit defence responses in plants. Moreover, microorganisms associated with herbivores, such as bacteria or viruses, can modulate the plant’s response to herbivores. Herbivorous spider mites can harbour different species of bacterial symbionts and exert a broad range of effects on host-plant defences. Hence, we tested the extent to which such symbionts affect the plant’s defences induced by their mite host and assessed if this translates into changes in plant resistance. We assessed the bacterial communities of two strains of the common mite pest Tetranychus urticae. We found that these strains harboured distinct symbiotic bacteria and removed these using antibiotics. Subsequently, we tested to which extent mites with and without symbiotic bacteria induce plant defences in terms of phytohormone accumulation and defence gene expression, and assessed mite oviposition and survival as a measure for plant resistance. We observed that the absence/presence of these bacteria altered distinct plant defence parameters and affected mite performance but we did not find indications for a causal link between the two. We argue that although bacteria-related effects on host-induced plant defences may occur, these do not necessarily affect plant resistance concomitantly.

Stress-Mediated cis-Element Transcription Factor Interactions Interconnecting Primary and Specialized Metabolism in planta

Plant specialized metabolites are being used worldwide as therapeutic agents against several diseases. Since the precursors for specialized metabolites come through primary metabolism, extensive investigations have been carried out to understand the detailed connection between primary and specialized metabolism at various levels. Stress regulates the expression of primary and specialized metabolism genes at the transcriptional level via transcription factors binding to specific cis-elements. The presence of varied cis-element signatures upstream to different stress-responsive genes and their transcription factor binding patterns provide a prospective molecular link among diverse metabolic pathways. The pattern of occurrence of these cis-elements (overrepresentation/common) decipher the mechanism of stress-responsive upregulation of downstream genes, simultaneously forming a molecular bridge between primary and specialized metabolisms. Though many studies have been conducted on the transcriptional regulation of stress-mediated primary or specialized metabolism genes, but not much data is available with regard to cis-element signatures and transcription factors that simultaneously modulate both pathway genes. Hence, our major focus would be to present a comprehensive analysis of the stress-mediated interconnection between primary and specialized metabolism genes via the interaction between different transcription factors and their corresponding cis-elements. In future, this study could be further utilized for the overexpression of the specific transcription factors that upregulate both primary and specialized metabolism, thereby simultaneously improving the yield and therapeutic content of plants.

Quantitative Resistance to Verticillium Wilt in Medicago truncatula Involves Eradication of the Fungus from Roots and Is Associated with Transcriptional Responses Related to Innate Immunity

Resistance mechanisms to Verticillium wilt are well-studied in tomato, cotton, and Arabidopsis, but much less in legume plants. Because legume plants establish nitrogen-fixing symbioses in their roots, resistance to root-attacking pathogens merits particular attention. The interaction between the soil-borne pathogen Verticillium alfalfae and the model legume Medicago truncatula was investigated using a resistant (A17) and a susceptible (F83005.5) line. As shown by histological analyses, colonization by the pathogen was initiated similarly in both lines. Later on, the resistant line A17 eliminated the fungus, whereas the susceptible F83005.5 became heavily colonized. Resistance in line A17 does not involve homologs of the well-characterized tomato Ve1 and V. dahliae Ave1 genes. A transcriptomic study of early root responses during initial colonization (i.e., until 24 h post-inoculation) similarly was performed. Compared to the susceptible line, line A17 displayed already a significantly higher basal expression of defense-related genes prior to inoculation, and responded to infection with up-regulation of only a small number of genes. Although fungal colonization was still low at this stage, the susceptible line F83005.5 exhibited a disorganized response involving a large number of genes from different functional classes. The involvement of distinct phytohormone signaling pathways in resistance as suggested by gene expression patterns was supported by experiments with plant hormone pretreatment before fungal inoculation. Gene co-expression network analysis highlighted five main modules in the resistant line, whereas no structured gene expression was found in the susceptible line. One module was particularly associated to the inoculation response in A17. It contains the majority of differentially expressed genes, genes associated with PAMP perception and hormone signaling, and transcription factors. An in silico analysis showed that a high number of these genes also respond to other soil-borne pathogens in M. truncatula, suggesting a core of transcriptional response to root pathogens. Taken together, the results suggest that resistance in M. truncatula line A17 might be due to innate immunity combining preformed defense and PAMP-triggered defense mechanisms, and putative involvement of abscisic acid.

Role of Transcription Factor HAT1 in Modulating Arabidopsis thaliana Response to Cucumber mosaic virus

Arabidopsis thaliana homeodomain-leucine zipper protein 1 (HAT1) belongs to the homeodomain-leucine zipper (HD-Zip) family class II that plays important roles in plant growth and development as a transcription factor. To elucidate further the role of HD-Zip II transcription factors in plant defense, the A. thaliana hat1, hat1hat3 and hat1hat2hat3 mutants and HAT1 overexpression plants (HAT1OX) were challenged with Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). HAT1OX displayed more susceptibility, while loss-of-function mutants of HAT1 exhibited less susceptibility to CMV infection. HAT1 and its close homologs HAT2 and HAT3 function redundantly, as the triple mutant hat1hat2hat3 displayed increased virus resistance compared with the hat1 and hat1hat3 mutants. Furthermore, the induction of the antioxidant system (the activities and expression of enzymatic antioxidants) and the expression of defense-associated genes were down-regulated in HAT1OX but up-regulated in hat1hat2hat3 when compared with Col-0 after CMV infection. Further evidence showed that the involvement of HAT1 in the anti-CMV defense response might be dependent on salicylic acid (SA) but not jasmonic acid (JA). The SA level or expression of SA synthesis-related genes was decreased in HAT1OX but increased in hat1hat2hat3 compared with Col-0 after CMV infection, but there were little difference in JA level or JA synthesis-related gene expression among HAT1OX or defective plants. In addition, HAT1 expression is dependent on SA accumulation. Taken together, our study indicated that HAT1 negatively regulates plant defense responses to CMV.

Changes in the Arabidopsis thaliana Proteome Implicate cAMP in Biotic and Abiotic Stress Responses and Changes in Energy Metabolism

The second messenger 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is increasingly recognized as having many different roles in plant responses to environmental stimuli. To gain further insights into these roles, Arabidopsis thaliana cell suspension culture was treated with 100 nM of cell permeant 8-bromo-cAMP for 5 or 10 min. Here, applying mass spectrometry and comparative proteomics, 20 proteins were identified as differentially expressed and we noted a specific bias in proteins with a role in abiotic stress, particularly cold and salinity, biotic stress as well as proteins with a role in glycolysis. These findings suggest that cAMP is sufficient to elicit specific stress responses that may in turn induce complex changes to cellular energy homeostasis.

Two Theobroma cacao genotypes with contrasting pathogen tolerance show aberrant transcriptional and ROS responses after salicylic acid treatment

Understanding the genetic basis of pathogen susceptibility in various crop plants is crucial to increasing the stability of food, feed, and fuel production. Varietal differences in defence responses provide insights into the mechanisms of resistance and are a key resource for plant breeders. To explore the role of salicylic acid in the regulation of defence in cacao, we demonstrated that SA treatment decreased susceptibility to a pod rot pathogen, Phytophthora tropicalis in two genotypes, Scavina 6 and Imperial College Selection 1, which differ in their resistance to several agriculturally important pathogens. Transient overexpression of TcNPR1, a major transcriptional regulator of the SA-dependent plant immune system, also increased pathogen tolerance in cacao leaves. To explore further the genetic basis of resistance in cacao, we used microarrays to measure gene expression profiles after salicylic acid (SA) treatment in these two cacao genotypes. The two genotypes displayed distinct transcriptional responses to SA. Unexpectedly, the expression profile of the susceptible genotype ICS1 included a larger number of pathogenesis-related genes that were induced by SA at 24h after treatment, whereas genes encoding many chloroplast and mitochondrial proteins implicated in reactive oxygen species production were up-regulated in the resistant genotype, Sca6. Sca6 accumulated significantly more superoxide at 24h after treatment of leaves with SA. These experiments revealed critical insights regarding the molecular differences between cacao varieties, which will allow a better understanding of defence mechanisms to help guide breeding programmes.

The IDA/IDA-LIKE and PIP/PIP-LIKE gene families in Arabidopsis: phylogenetic relationship, expression patterns, and transcriptional effect of the PIPL3 peptide

Peptide ligands play crucial roles in the life cycle of plants by modulating the innate immunity against pathogens and regulating growth and developmental processes. One well-studied example is INFLORESCENCE DEFICIENT IN ABSCISSION (IDA), which controls floral organ abscission and lateral root emergence in Arabidopsis thaliana. IDA belongs to a family of five additional IDA-LIKE (IDL) members that have all been suggested to be involved in regulation of Arabidopsis development. Here we present three novel members of the IDL subfamily and show that two of them are strongly and rapidly induced by different biotic and abiotic stresses. Furthermore, we provide data that the recently identified PAMP-INDUCED SECRETED PEPTIDE (PIP) and PIP-LIKE (PIPL) peptides, which show similarity to the IDL and C-TERMINALLY ENCODED PEPTIDE (CEP) peptides, are not only involved in innate immune response in Arabidopsis but are also induced by abiotic stress. Expression patterns of the IDA/IDL and PIP/PIPL genes were analysed using in silico data, qRT-PCR and GUS promoter lines. Transcriptomic responses to PIPL3 peptide treatment suggested a role in regulation of biotic stress responses and cell wall modification.

Leaf and root glucosinolate profiles of Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis) as a systemic response to methyl jasmonate and salicylic acid elicitation

Glucosinolates (GSs) are an important group of defensive phytochemicals mainly found in Brassicaceae. Plant hormones jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA) are major regulators of plant response to pathogen attack. However, there is little information about the interactive effect of both elicitors on inducing GS biosynthesis in Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis). In this study, we applied different concentrations of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and/or SA onto the leaf and root of Chinese cabbage to investigate the time-course interactive profiles of GSs. Regardless of the site of the elicitation and the concentrations of the elicitors, the roots accumulated much more GSs and were more sensitive and more rapidly responsive to the elicitors than leaves. Irrespective of the elicitation site, MeJA had a greater inducing and longer lasting effect on GS accumulation than SA. All three components of indole GS (IGS) were detected along with aliphatic and aromatic GSs. However, IGS was a major component of total GSs that accumulated rapidly in both root and leaf tissues in response to MeJA and SA elicitation. Neoglucobrassicin (neoGBC) did not respond to SA but to MeJA in leaf tissue, while it responded to both SA and MeJA in root tissue. Conversion of glucobrassicin (GBC) to neoGBC occurred at a steady rate over 3 d of elicitation. Increased accumulation of 4-methoxy glucobrassicin (4-MGBC) occurred only in the root irrespective of the type of elicitors and the site of elicitation. Thus, accumulation of IGS is a major metabolic hallmark of SA- and MeJA-mediated systemic response systems. SA exerted an antagonistic effect on the MeJA-induced root GSs irrespective of the site of elicitation. However, SA showed synergistic and antagonistic effects on the MeJA-induced leaf GSs when roots and leaves are elicitated for 3 d, respectively.

Induction of plant virus defense response by brassinosteroids and brassinosteroid signaling in Arabidopsis thaliana

Our study demonstrated that CMV resistance was upregulated by brassinosteroids (BRs) treatment, and BR signaling was needed for this BRs-induced CMV tolerance. Plant steroid hormones, brassinosteroids (BRs), play essential roles in variety of plant developmental processes and adaptation to various biotic and abiotic stresses. BR signal through plasma membrane-localized receptor and other components to modulate several transcription factors that modulate thousands of target genes including certain stress-responsive genes. To study the effects of BRs on plant virus defense and how BRs induce plant virus stress tolerance, we manipulated the BRs levels in Arabidopsis thaliana and found that BRs levels were positively correlated with the tolerance to Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). We also showed that BRs treatment alleviated photosystem damage, enhanced antioxidant enzymes activity and induced defense-associated genes expression under CMV stress in Arabidopsis. To see whether BR signaling is essential for the plant virus defense response, we made use of BR signaling mutants (a weak allele of the BRs receptor mutant bri1-5 and constitutive BRs response mutant bes1-D). Compared with wild-type Arabidopsis plants, bri1-5 displayed reversed tolerance to CMV, but the resistance was enhanced in bes1-D. Together our results suggest that BRs can induce plant virus defense response through BR signaling.

Transcriptional Control of Glutaredoxin GRXC9 Expression by a Salicylic Acid-Dependent and NPR1-Independent Pathway in Arabidopsis

Salicylic acid (SA) is a key hormone that mediates gene transcriptional reprogramming in the context of the defense response to stress. GRXC9, coding for a CC-type glutaredoxin from Arabidopsis, is an SA-responsive gene induced early and transiently by an NPR1-independent pathway. Here, we address the mechanism involved in this SA-dependent pathway, using GRXC9 as a model gene. We first established that GRXC9 expression is induced by UVB exposure through this pathway, validating its activation in a physiological stress condition. GRXC9 promoter analyses indicate that SA controls gene transcription through two activating sequence-1 (as-1)-like elements located in its proximal region. TGA2 and TGA3, but not TGA1, are constitutively bound to this promoter region. Accordingly, the transient recruitment of RNA polymerase II to the GRXC9 promoter, as well as the transient accumulation of gene transcripts detected in SA-treated WT plants, was abolished in a knockout mutant for the TGA class II factors. We conclude that constitutive binding of TGA2 is essential for controlling GRXC9 expression, while binding of TGA3 in a lesser extent contributes to this regulation. Finally, overexpression of GRXC9 indicates that the GRXC9 protein negatively controls its own gene expression, forming part of the complex bound to the as-1-containing promoter region. These findings are integrated in a model that explains how SA controls transcription of GRXC9 in the context of the defense response to stress.

Chloroplast signaling within, between and beyond cells

The most conspicuous function of plastids is the oxygenic photosynthesis of chloroplasts, yet plastids are super-factories that produce a plethora of compounds that are indispensable for proper plant physiology and development. Given their origins as free-living prokaryotes, it is not surprising that plastids possess their own genomes whose expression is essential to plastid function. This semi-autonomous character of plastids requires the existence of sophisticated regulatory mechanisms that provide reliable communication between them and other cellular compartments. Such intracellular signaling is necessary for coordinating whole-cell responses to constantly varying environmental cues and cellular metabolic needs. This is achieved by plastids acting as receivers and transmitters of specific signals that coordinate expression of the nuclear and plastid genomes according to particular needs. In this review we will consider the so-called retrograde signaling occurring between plastids and nuclei, and between plastids and other organelles. Another important role of the plastid we will discuss is the involvement of plastid signaling in biotic and abiotic stress that, in addition to influencing retrograde signaling, has direct effects on several cellular compartments including the cell wall. We will also review recent evidence pointing to an intriguing function of chloroplasts in regulating intercellular symplasmic transport. Finally, we consider an intriguing yet less widely known aspect of plant biology, chloroplast signaling from the perspective of the entire plant. Thus, accumulating evidence highlights that chloroplasts, with their complex signaling pathways, provide a mechanism for exquisite regulation of plant development, metabolism and responses to the environment. As chloroplast processes are targeted for engineering for improved productivity the effect of such modifications on chloroplast signaling will have to be carefully considered in order to avoid unintended consequences on plant growth and development.

Optimal level of purple acid phosphatase5 is required for maintaining complete resistance to Pseudomonas syringae

Plants possess an exceedingly complex innate immune system to defend against most pathogens. However, a relative proportion of the pathogens overcome host's innate immunity and impair plant growth and productivity. We previously showed that mutation in purple acid phosphatase (PAP5) lead to enhanced susceptibility of Arabidopsis to the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 (Pst DC3000). Here, we report that an optimal level of PAP5 is crucial for mounting complete basal resistance. Overexpression of PAP5 impaired ICS1, PR1 expression and salicylic acid (SA) accumulation similar to pap5 knockout mutant plants. Moreover, plant overexpressing PAP5 was impaired in H2O2 accumulation in response to Pst DC3000. PAP5 is localized in to peroxisomes, a known site of generation of reactive oxygen species for activation of defense responses. Taken together, our results demonstrate that optimal levels of PAP5 is required for mounting resistance against Pst DC3000 as both knockout and overexpression of PAP5 lead to compromised basal resistance.

Calmodulin Gene Expression in Response to Mechanical Wounding and Botrytis cinerea Infection in Tomato Fruit

Calmodulin, a ubiquitous calcium sensor, plays an important role in decoding stress-triggered intracellular calcium changes and regulates the functions of numerous target proteins involved in various plant physiological responses. To determine the functions of calmodulin in fleshy fruit, expression studies were performed on a family of six calmodulin genes (SlCaMs) in mature-green stage tomato fruit in response to mechanical injury and Botrytis cinerea infection. Both wounding and pathogen inoculation triggered expression of all those genes, with SlCaM2 being the most responsive one to both treatments. Furthermore, all calmodulin genes were upregulated by salicylic acid and methyl jasmonate, two signaling molecules involved in plant immunity. In addition to SlCaM2, SlCaM1 was highly responsive to salicylic acid and methyl jasmonate. However, SlCaM2 exhibited a more rapid and stronger response than SlCaM1. Overexpression of SlCaM2 in tomato fruit enhanced resistance to Botrytis-induced decay, whereas reducing its expression resulted in increased lesion development. These results indicate that calmodulin is a positive regulator of plant defense in fruit by activating defense pathways including salicylate- and jasmonate-signaling pathways, and SlCaM2 is the major calmodulin gene responsible for this event.

The secondary metabolism glycosyltransferases UGT73B3 and UGT73B5 are components of redox status in resistance of Arabidopsis to Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato

Secondary metabolism plant glycosyltransferases (UGTs) ensure conjugation of sugar moieties to secondary metabolites (SMs) and glycosylation contributes to the great diversity, reactivity and regulation of SMs. UGT73B3 and UGT73B5, two UGTs of Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis), are involved in the hypersensitive response (HR) to the avirulent bacteria Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst-AvrRpm1), but their function in planta is unknown. Here, we report that ugt73b3, ugt73b5 and ugt73b3 ugt73b5 T-DNA insertion mutants exhibited an accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), an enhanced cell death during the HR to Pst-AvrRpm1, whereas glutathione levels increased in the single mutants. In silico analyses indicate that UGT73B3 and UGT73B5 belong to the early salicylic acid (SA)-induced genes whose pathogen-induced expression is co-regulated with genes related to cellular redox homeostasis and general detoxification. Analyses of metabolic alterations in ugt mutants reveal modification of SA and scopoletin contents which correlate with redox perturbation, and indicate quantitative modifications in the pattern of tryptophan-derived SM accumulation after Pst-AvrRpm1 inoculation. Our data suggest that UGT73B3 and UGT73B5 participate in regulation of redox status and general detoxification of ROS-reactive SMs during the HR to Pst-AvrRpm1, and that decreased resistance to Pst-AvrRpm1 in ugt mutants is tightly linked to redox perturbation.

Transgenic pearl millet male fertility restorer line (ICMP451) and hybrid (ICMH451) expressing Brassica juncea Nonexpressor of pathogenesis related genes 1 (BjNPR1) exhibit resistance to downy mildew disease

Brassica juncea Nonexpressor of pathogenesis-related genes 1 (BjNPR1) has been introduced into pearl millet male fertility restorer line ICMP451 by Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated genetic transformation. Transgenic pearl millet plants were regenerated from the phosphinothricin-resistant calli obtained after co-cultivation with A. tumefaciens strain LBA4404 harbouring Ti plasmid pSB111-bar-BjNPR1. Molecular analyses confirmed the stable integration and expression of BjNPR1 in transgenic pearl millet lines. Transgenes BjNPR1 and bar were stably inherited and disclosed co-segregation in subsequent generations in a Mendelian fashion. Transgenic pearl millet hybrid ICMH451-BjNPR1 was developed by crossing male-sterile line 81A X homozygous transgenic line ICMP451-BjNPR1. T3 and T4 homozygous lines of ICMP451-BjNPR1 and hybrid ICMH451-BjNPR1 exhibited resistance to three strains of downy mildew pathogen, while the untransformed ICMP451 and the isogenic hybrid ICMH451 plants were found susceptible. Following infection with S. graminicola, differential expression of systemic acquired resistance pathway genes, UDP-glucose salicylic acid glucosyl transferase and pathogenesis related gene 1 was observed in transgenic ICMP451-BjNPR1 and untransformed plants indicating the activation of systemic acquired resistance pathway contributing to the transgene-mediated resistance against downy mildew. The transgenic pearl millet expressing BjNPR1 showed resistance to multiple strains of S. graminicola and, as such, seems promising for the development of durable downy mildew resistant hybrids.

Development of disease-resistant rice using regulatory components of induced disease resistance

Infectious diseases cause huge crop losses annually. In response to pathogen attacks, plants activate defense systems that are mediated through various signaling pathways. The salicylic acid (SA) signaling pathway is the most powerful of these pathways. Several regulatory components of the SA signaling pathway have been identified, and are potential targets for genetic manipulation of plants' disease resistance. However, the resistance associated with these regulatory components is often accompanied by fitness costs; that is, negative effects on plant growth and crop yield. Chemical defense inducers, such as benzothiadiazole and probenazole, act on the SA pathway and induce strong resistance to various pathogens without major fitness costs, owing to their 'priming effect.' Studies on how benzothiadiazole induces disease resistance in rice have identified WRKY45, a key transcription factor in the branched SA pathway, and OsNPR1/NH1. Rice plants overexpressing WRKY45 were extremely resistant to rice blast disease caused by the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae and bacterial leaf blight disease caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), the two major rice diseases. Disease resistance is often accompanied by fitness costs; however, WRKY45 overexpression imposed relatively small fitness costs on rice because of its priming effect. This priming effect was similar to that of chemical defense inducers, although the fitness costs were amplified by some environmental factors. WRKY45 is degraded by the ubiquitin-proteasome system, and the dual role of this degradation partly explains the priming effect. The synergistic interaction between SA and cytokinin signaling that activates WRKY45 also likely contributes to the priming effect. With a main focus on these studies, I review the current knowledge of SA-pathway-dependent defense in rice by comparing it with that in Arabidopsis, and discuss potential strategies to develop disease-resistant rice using signaling components.

Purple Acid Phosphatase5 is required for maintaining basal resistance against Pseudomonas syringae in Arabidopsis

BACKGROUND

Plants have evolved an array of constitutive and inducible defense strategies to restrict pathogen ingress. However, some pathogens still manage to invade plants and impair growth and productivity. Previous studies have revealed several key regulators of defense responses, and efforts have been made to use this information to develop disease resistant crop plants. These efforts are often hampered by the complexity of defense signaling pathways. To further elucidate the complexity of defense responses, we screened a population of T-DNA mutants in Colombia-0 background that displayed altered defense responses to virulent Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 (Pst DC3000).

RESULTS

In this study, we demonstrated that the Arabidopsis Purple Acid Phosphatse5 (PAP5) gene, induced under prolonged phosphate (Pi) starvation, is required for maintaining basal resistance to certain pathogens. The expression of PAP5 was distinctly induced only under prolonged Pi starvation and during the early stage of Pst DC3000 infection (6 h.p.i). T-DNA tagged mutant pap5 displayed enhanced susceptibility to the virulent bacterial pathogen Pst DC3000. The pap5 mutation greatly reduced the expression of pathogen inducible gene PR1 compared to wild-type plants. Similarly, other defense related genes including ICS1 and PDF1.2 were impaired in pap5 plants. Moreover, application of BTH (an analog of SA) restored PR1 expression in pap5 plants.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, our results demonstrate the requirement of PAP5 for maintaining basal resistance against Pst DC3000. Furthermore, our results provide evidence that PAP5 acts upstream of SA accumulation to regulate the expression of other defense responsive genes. We also provide the first experimental evidence indicating the role PAP5 in plant defense responses.

Differential expression of calcium/calmodulin-regulated SlSRs in response to abiotic and biotic stresses in tomato fruit

Calcium has been shown to enhance stress tolerance, maintain firmness and reduce decay in fruits. Previously we reported that seven tomato SlSRs encode calcium/calmodulin-regulated proteins, and that their expressions are developmentally regulated during fruit development and ripening, and are also responsive to ethylene. To study their expressions in response to stresses encountered during postharvest handling, tomato fruit at the mature-green stage was subjected to chilling and wounding injuries, infected with Botrytis cinerea and treated with salicylic acid or methyl jasmonate. Gene expression studies revealed that the seven SlSRs differentially respond to different stress signals. SlSR2 was the only gene upregulated by all the treatments. SlSR4 acted as a late pathogen-induced gene; it was upregulated by salicylic acid and methyl jasmonate, but downregulated by cold treatment. SlSR3L was cold- and wound-responsive and was also induced by salicylic acid. SlSR1 and SlSR1L were repressed by cold, wounding and pathogen infection, but were upregulated by salicylic acid and methyl jasmonate. Overall, results of these expression studies indicate that individual SlSRs have distinct roles in responses to the specific stress signals, and SlSRs may act as a coordinator(s) connecting calcium-mediated signaling with other stress signal transduction pathways during fruit ripening and storage.

Plant bZIP transcription factors responsive to pathogens: a review

Transcription factors of the basic leucine zipper (bZIP) family control important processes in all eukaryotes. In plants, bZIPs are master regulators of many central developmental and physiological processes, including morphogenesis, seed formation, abiotic and biotic stress responses. Modulation of the expression patterns of bZIP genes and changes in their activity often contribute to the activation of various signaling pathways and regulatory networks of different physiological processes. However, most advances in the study of plant bZIP transcription factors are related to their involvement in abiotic stress and development. In contrast, there are few examples of functional research with regard to biotic stress, particularly in the defense against pathogens. In this review, we summarize the recent progress revealing the role of bZIP transcription factors in the biotic stress responses of several plant species, from Arabidopsis to cotton. Moreover, we summarize the interacting partners of bZIP proteins in molecular responses during pathogen attack and the key components of the signal transduction pathways with which they physically interact during plant defense responses. Lastly, we focus on the recent advances regarding research on the functional role of bZIPs in major agricultural cultivars and examine the studies performed in this field.

Defense gene expression is potentiated in transgenic barley expressing antifungal peptide Metchnikowin throughout powdery mildew challenge

Transgenesis of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) from different origins has emerged as an option for improvement of crop disease resistance since proof-of-concept for their activities against microbial phytopathogens is provided, persistently. Nevertheless, a more systematic approach based on knowledge of AMPs modes of action including elucidation of their cellular targets and possible impact on immune system considerably improves and diversifies the armory against harmful plant diseases. In present study, the impact of Metchnikowin (Mtk) expression in barley in terms of modulating different immune pathways was investigated. Monitoring of transcript abundance of different genes involved in key immune pathways of SAR, ISR, and redox milieu during interaction of Mtk barley with biotrophic Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei (Bgh) demonstrated that several immune responses are modulated in Mtk transgenic plants. Present findings substantiate the higher activation of SAR pathway as well as ISR pathway in transgenic plants. Regarding susceptibility factors, nonetheless MLO gene is expressed more in Mtk plants and should lead to an increased cellular accessibility to Bgh, its impact is presumably overwhelmed by other mechanism(s) so that the plants show more resistance when challenging with Bgh. On the other hand, no obvious difference was observed between expression level of Bax inhibitor-1 (BI-1) in transgenic and wild type plants, which could be an indicative of its neutrality in resistance/susceptibility of transgenic plants to Bgh. The provided evidence on the involved pathways in Mtk-induced resistance improves our knowledge concerning impacts of AMPs expressed in diverse plant species on immune system of relevant transgenic plants.

Safeners recruit multiple signalling pathways for the orchestrated induction of the cellular xenobiotic detoxification machinery in Arabidopsis

Safeners enhance herbicide tolerance in crop plants but not in target weeds, thus improving herbicide selectivity. The safeners isoxadifen-ethyl and mefenpyr-diethyl protect cereal crops from sulfonyl urea herbicides in postemergence application. The two safeners were shown here to induce the cellular xenobiotic detoxification machinery in Arabidopsis thaliana when applied to leaves in a way mimicking field application. Gene expression profiling revealed the induction of 446 genes potentially involved in the detoxification process. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants expressing a reporter gene under control of a safener-responsive maize promoter were used as a model system to study the safener signalling pathway. Reporter gene analysis in the tga2/3/5/6, sid2-2 and npr1 mutants as compared with the wild-type background showed that safener inducibility required TGA transcription factors and salicylic acid (SA) in a NON-EXPRESSOR of PR-1 (NPR1)-independent pathway converging on two as-1 promoter elements. For the majority of the safener-responsive Arabidopsis genes, a similar dependence on TGA transcription factors and/or SA was shown by gene expression profiling in wild-type plants as compared with the tga2/3/5/6 and sid2-2 mutants. Thirty-eight percent of the genes, however, were induced by safeners in a TGA/SA-independent manner. These genes are likely to be controlled by WRKY transcription factors and cognate W-boxes in their promoters.

Mutant analysis in Arabidopsis provides insight into the molecular mode of action of the auxinic herbicide dicamba

Herbicides that mimic the natural auxin indole-3-acetic acid are widely used in weed control. One common auxin-like herbicide is dicamba, but despite its wide use, plant gene responses to dicamba have never been extensively studied. To further understand dicamba's mode of action, we utilized Arabidopsis auxin-insensitive mutants and compared their sensitivity to dicamba and the widely-studied auxinic herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). The mutant axr4-2, which has disrupted auxin transport into cells, was resistant to 2,4-D but susceptible to dicamba. By comparing dicamba resistance in auxin signalling F-box receptor mutants (tir1-1, afb1, afb2, afb3, and afb5), only tir1-1 and afb5 were resistant to dicamba, and this resistance was additive in the double tir1-1/afb5 mutant. Interestingly, tir1-1 but not afb5 was resistant to 2,4-D. Whole genome analysis of dicamba-induced gene expression showed that 10 hours after application, dicamba stimulated many stress-responsive and signalling genes, including those involved in biosynthesis or signalling of auxin, ethylene, and abscisic acid (ABA), with TIR1 and AFB5 required for the dicamba-responsiveness of some genes. Research into dicamba-regulated gene expression and the selectivity of auxin receptors has provided molecular insight into dicamba-regulated signalling and could help in the development of novel herbicide resistance in crop plants.

A broad-spectrum, efficient and nontransgenic approach to control plant viruses by application of salicylic acid and jasmonic acid

Plant viruses cause many diseases that lead to significant economic losses. However, most of the approaches to control plant viruses, including transgenic processes or drugs are plant-species-limited or virus-species-limited, and not very effective. We introduce an application of jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA), a broad-spectrum, efficient and nontransgenic method, to improve plant resistance to RNA viruses. Applying 0.06 mM JA and then 0.1 mM SA 24 h later, enhanced resistance to Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and Turnip crinkle virus (TCV) in Arabidopsis, tobacco, tomato and hot pepper. The inhibition efficiency to virus replication usually achieved up to 80-90%. The putative molecular mechanism was investigated. Some possible factors affecting the synergism of JA and SA have been defined, including WRKY53, WRKY70, PDF1.2, MPK4, MPK2, MPK3, MPK5, MPK12, MPK14, MKK1, MKK2, and MKK6. All genes involving in the synergism of JA and SA were investigated. This approach is safe to human beings and environmentally friendly and shows potential as a strong tool for crop protection against plant viruses.

Exchanging the as-1-like element of the PR-1 promoter by the as-1 element of the CaMV 35S promoter abolishes salicylic acid responsiveness and regulation by NPR1 and SNI1

The plant defense hormone salicylic acid (SA) activates gene expression through a number of different mechanisms. In Arabidopsis thaliana, the SA-induced PATHOGENESIS RELATED (PR)-1 promoter is regulated through TGA transcription factors binding to the two TGACG motifs of the so called as-1 (activation sequence-1)-like element which is located between base pair positions -665 and -641. Activation is mediated by the transcriptional co-activator NPR1 (NON EXPRESSOR OF PR GENES1), which physically interacts with TGA factors. Moreover, the promoter is under the control of the negative regulator SNI1 (SUPPRESSOR OF NPR1, INDUCIBLE1). We have recently reported that SNI1-mediated repression of basal promoter activities and NPR1-dependent induction are maintained in a truncated PR-1 promoter that contains sequences between -816 and -573 upstream of the -68 promoter region. In this addendum, we report that the expression characteristics of this truncated PR-1 promoter is changed profoundly when its as-1-like element is replaced by the as-1 element of Cauliflower Mosaic Virus 35S promoter which also contains two TGACG motifs. The resulting chimeric promoter showed high constitutive activity that was independent from SA, NPR1 and SNI1. Thus, the configuration of two TGA binding sites within the PR-1 promoter determines whether NPR1 can induce and whether SNI1 can repress the promoter.

Glutathione transferases

The 55 Arabidopsis glutathione transferases (GSTs) are, with one microsomal exception, a monophyletic group of soluble enzymes that can be divided into phi, tau, theta, zeta, lambda, dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) and TCHQD classes. The populous phi and tau classes are often highly stress inducible and regularly crop up in proteomic and transcriptomic studies. Despite much study on their xenobiotic-detoxifying activities their natural roles are unclear, although roles in defence-related secondary metabolism are likely. The smaller DHAR and lambda classes are likely glutathione-dependent reductases, the zeta class functions in tyrosine catabolism and the theta class has a putative role in detoxifying oxidised lipids. This review describes the evidence for the functional roles of GSTs and the potential for these enzymes to perform diverse functions that in many cases are not "glutathione transferase" activities. As well as biochemical data, expression data from proteomic and transcriptomic studies are included, along with subcellular localisation experiments and the results of functional genomic studies.

Early genomic responses to salicylic acid in Arabidopsis

Salicylic acid (SA) is a stress-induced hormone involved in the activation of defense genes. Here we analyzed the early genetic responses to SA of wild type and npr1-1 mutant Arabidopsis seedlings, using Complete Arabidopsis Transcriptome MicroArray (CATMAv2) chip. We identified 217 genes rapidly induced by SA (early SAIGs); 193 by a NPR1-dependent and 24 by a NPR1-independent pathway. These two groups of genes also differed in their functional classification, expression profiles and over-representation of cis-elements, supporting differential pathways for their activation. Examination of the expression patterns for selected early SAIGs from both groups indicated that their activation by SA required TGA2/5/6 subclass of transcription factors. These genes were also activated by Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato AvrRpm1, suggesting that they might play a role in defense against bacteria. This study gives a global idea of the early response to SA in Arabidopsis seedlings, expanding our knowledge about SA function in plant defense.

Salicylic Acid, a multifaceted hormone to combat disease

For more than 200 years, the plant hormone salicylic acid (SA) has been studied for its medicinal use in humans. However, its extensive signaling role in plants, particularly in defense against pathogens, has only become evident during the past 20 years. This review surveys how SA in plants regulates both local disease resistance mechanisms, including host cell death and defense gene expression, and systemic acquired resistance (SAR). Genetic studies reveal an increasingly complex network of proteins required for SA-mediated defense signaling, and this process is amplified by several regulatory feedback loops. The interaction between the SA signaling pathway and those regulated by other plant hormones and/or defense signals is also discussed.