Potato oxysterol binding protein and cathepsin B are rapidly up-regulated in independent defence pathways that distinguish R gene-mediated and field resistances to Phytophthora infestans

Fungal oxysterol-binding protein-related proteins promote pathogen virulence and activate plant immunity

Oxysterol-binding protein-related proteins (ORPs) are a conserved class of lipid transfer proteins that are closely involved in multiple cellular processes in eukaryotes, but their roles in plant-pathogen interactions are mostly unknown. We show that transient expression of ORPs of Magnaporthe oryzae (MoORPs) in Nicotiana benthamina plants triggered oxidative bursts and cell death; treatment of tobacco Bright Yellow-2 suspension cells with recombinant MoORPs elicited the production of reactive oxygen species. Despite ORPs being normally described as intracellular proteins, we detected MoORPs in fungal culture filtrates and intercellular fluids from barley plants infected with the fungus. More importantly, infiltration of Arabidopsis plants with recombinant Arabidopsis or fungal ORPs activated oxidative bursts, callose deposition, and PR1 gene expression, and enhanced plant disease resistance, implying that ORPs may function as endogenous and exogenous danger signals triggering plant innate immunity. Extracellular application of fungal ORPs exerted an opposite impact on salicylic acid and jasmonic acid/ethylene signaling pathways. Brassinosteroid Insensitive 1-associated Kinase 1 was dispensable for the ORP-activated defense. Besides, simultaneous knockout of MoORP1 and MoORP3 abolished fungal colony radial growth and conidiation, whereas double knockout of MoORP1 and MoORP2 compromised fungal virulence on barley and rice plants. These observations collectively highlight the multifaceted role of MoORPs in the modulation of plant innate immunity and promotion of fungal development and virulence in M. oryzae.

Cathepsin B-like cysteine protease ApCathB negatively regulates cryo-injury tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis and Agapanthus praecox

Cell death is an inevitably cryo-injury in cell and tissue cryopreservation. The research on programmed cell death (PCD) in plant cryopreservation is still in its infancy. In this study, the survival rate of Agapanthus praecox embryogenic callus was significantly improved when the vitrification solution was added with 20 μM E-64, which is an inhibitor of cathepsin B. For further investigating the relation between cathepsin B and cryo-injury, the coding gene of cathepsin B, ApCathB was isolated and characterized. A subcellular localization assay showed that ApCathB was located in cytomembrane. Heterologous overexpression of ApCathB reduced the recovery rate during Arabidopsis seedlings cryopreservation from 29.56 % to 16.46 %. Transgenic seedlings lost most of cell viability in hypocotyl after dehydration and lead to aggravated cryo-injury. The reduced survival rate of ApCathB-overexpressing embryogenic callus of A. praecox further confirmed its negatively function in cryo-injury tolerance. In addition, the survival of ApCathB-overexpressing lines was almost rescued by E-64. TUNEL detection showed intensified signal and ROS was burst, especially for H₂O₂. Furthermore, VPE, Metacaspase 1, Cyp15a and AIF genes related to cell death regulation were remarkably up-regulated in ApCathB-overexpressing embryogenic callus during cryopreservation. Additionally, the expression level of genes regulating cell degradation was also elevated, indicating accelerated cell death caused by ApCathB-overexpressing. Taken together, this work verified that ApCathB negatively regulated the cryo-injury tolerance and cell viability through mediating the PCD event in plant cryopreservation. Significantly, cathepsin B has potential to be a target to improve survival rate after cryopreservation.

The front line of defence: a meta-analysis of apoplastic proteases in plant immunity

Secreted proteases act at the front line of defence and play pivotal roles in disease resistance. However, the criteria for apoplastic immune proteases are not always defined and followed. Here, we critically reviewed 46 apoplastic proteases that function in plant defence. We found that most apoplastic immune proteases are induced upon infection, and 17 proteases are genetically required for the immune response. Proteolytic activity has been confirmed for most of the proteases but is rarely shown to be required for biological function, and the apoplastic location of proteases can be subjective and dynamic. Pathogen-derived inhibitors have only been described for cysteine and serine proteases, and the selection pressure acting on immune proteases is rarely investigated. We discuss six different mechanisms by which these proteases mediate plant immunity and summarize the challenges for future research.

Quantitative Proteomics of Potato Leaves Infected with Phytophthora infestans Provides Insights into Coordinated and Altered Protein Expression during Early and Late Disease Stages

In order to get a better understanding of protein association during Solanum tuberosum (cv. Sarpo Mira)–Phytophthora infestans incompatible interaction, we investigated the proteome dynamics of cv. Sarpo Mira, after foliar application of zoospore suspension from P. infestans isolate, at three key time-points: zero hours post inoculation (hpi) (Control), 48 hpi (EI), and 120 hpi (LI); divided into early and late disease stages by the tandem mass tagging (TMT) method. A total of 1229 differentially-expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified in cv. Sarpo Mira in a pairwise comparison of the two disease stages, including commonly shared DEPs, specific DEPs in early and late disease stages, respectively. Over 80% of the changes in protein abundance were up-regulated in the early stages of infection, whereas more DEPs (61%) were down-regulated in the later disease stage. Expression patterns, functional category, and enrichment tests highlighted significant coordination and enrichment of cell wall-associated defense response proteins during the early stage of infection. The late stage was characterized by a cellular protein modification process, membrane protein complex formation, and cell death induction. These results, together with phenotypic observations, provide further insight into the molecular mechanism of P. infestans resistance in potatos.

Transcriptomic changes in Echinochloa colona in response to treatment with the herbicide imazamox

Presented here is the first Echinochloa colona leaf transcriptome. Analysis of gene expression before and after herbicide treatment reveals that E. colona mounts a stress response upon exposure to herbicide. Herbicides are the most frequently used means of controlling weeds. For many herbicides, the target site is known; however, it is considerably less clear how plant gene expression changes in response to herbicide exposure. In this study, changes in gene expression in response to herbicide exposure in imazamox-sensitive (S) and- resistant (R) junglerice (Echinochloa colona L.) biotypes was examined. As no reference genome is available for this weed, a reference leaf transcriptome was generated. Messenger RNA was isolated from imazamox-treated- and untreated R and S plants and the resulting cDNA libraries were sequenced on an Illumina HiSeq2000. The transcriptome was assembled, annotated, and differential gene expression analysis was performed to identify transcripts that were upregulated or downregulated in response to herbicide exposure for both biotypes. Differentially expressed transcripts included transcription factors, protein-modifying enzymes, and enzymes involved in metabolism and signaling. A literature search revealed that members of the families represented in this analysis were known to be involved in abiotic stress response in other plants, suggesting that imazamox exposure induced a stress response. A time course study examining a subset of transcripts showed that expression peaked within 4-12 h and then returned to untreated levels within 48 h of exposure. Testing of plants from two additional biotypes showed a similar change in gene expression 4 h after herbicide exposure compared to the resistant and sensitive biotypes. This study shows that within 48 h junglerice mounts a stress response to imazamox exposure.

Loci and candidate gene identification for resistance to Phytophthora sojae via association analysis in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr]

Phytophthora sojae is an oomycete soil-borne plant pathogen that causes the serious disease Phytophthora root rot in soybean, leading to great loss of soybean production every year. Understanding the genetic basis of this plant-pathogen interaction is important to improve soybean disease resistance. To discover genes or QTLs underlying naturally occurring variations in soybean P.sojae resistance, we performed a genome-wide association study using 59,845 single-nucleotide polymorphisms identified from re-sequencing of 279 accessions from Yangtze-Huai soybean breeding germplasm. We used two models for association analysis. The same strong peak was detected by both two models on chromosome 13. Within the 500-kb flanking regions, three candidate genes (Glyma13g32980, Glyma13g33900, Glyma13g33512) had SNPs in their exon regions. Four other genes were located in this region, two of which contained a leucine-rich repeat domain, which is an important characteristic of R genes in plants. These candidate genes could be potentially useful for improving the resistance of cultivated soybean to P.sojae in future soybean breeding.

The battle in the apoplast: further insights into the roles of proteases and their inhibitors in plant-pathogen interactions

Upon host penetration, fungal pathogens secrete a plethora of effectors to promote disease, including proteases that degrade plant antimicrobial proteins, and protease inhibitors (PIs) that inhibit plant proteases with antimicrobial activity. Conversely, plants secrete proteases and PIs to protect themselves against pathogens or to mediate recognition of pathogen proteases and PIs, which leads to induction of defense responses. Many examples of proteases and PIs mediating effector-triggered immunity in host plants have been reported in the literature, but little is known about their role in compromising basal defense responses induced by microbe-associated molecular patterns. Recently, several reports appeared in literature on secreted fungal proteases that modify or degrade pathogenesis-related proteins, including plant chitinases or PIs that compromise their activities. This prompted us to review the recent advances on proteases and PIs involved in fungal virulence and plant defense. Proteases and PIs from plants and their fungal pathogens play an important role in the arms race between plants and pathogens, which has resulted in co-evolutionary diversification and adaptation shaping pathogen lifestyles.

Genome-wide association mapping of quantitative resistance to sudden death syndrome in soybean

BACKGROUND

Sudden death syndrome (SDS) is a serious threat to soybean production that can be managed with host plant resistance. To dissect the genetic architecture of quantitative resistance to the disease in soybean, two independent association panels of elite soybean cultivars, consisting of 392 and 300 unique accessions, respectively, were evaluated for SDS resistance in multiple environments and years. The two association panels were genotyped with 52,041 and 5,361 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), respectively. Genome-wide association mapping was carried out using a mixed linear model that accounted for population structure and cryptic relatedness.

RESULT

A total of 20 loci underlying SDS resistance were identified in the two independent studies, including 7 loci localized in previously mapped QTL intervals and 13 novel loci. One strong peak of association on chromosome 18, associated with all disease assessment criteria across the two panels, spanned a physical region of 1.2 Mb around a previously cloned SDS resistance gene (GmRLK18-1) in locus Rfs2. An additional variant independently associated with SDS resistance was also found in this genomic region. Other peaks were within, or close to, sequences annotated as homologous to genes previously shown to be involved in plant disease resistance. The identified loci explained an average of 54.5% of the phenotypic variance measured by different disease assessment criteria.

CONCLUSIONS

This study identified multiple novel loci and refined the map locations of known loci related to SDS resistance. These insights into the genetic basis of SDS resistance can now be used to further enhance durable resistance to SDS in soybean. Additionally, the associations identified here provide a basis for further efforts to pinpoint causal variants and to clarify how the implicated genes affect SDS resistance in soybean.

Ergosterol, an orphan fungal microbe-associated molecular pattern (MAMP)

Fungal pathogens continue to pose a significant threat to crop production and food supply. The early stages of plant-fungus interactions are mostly mediated by microbe-associated molecular pattern (MAMP) molecules, perceived by plant pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Currently, the identified fungal MAMP molecules include chitin, chitosan, β-glucans, elicitins and ergosterol. Although the molecular battles between host plants and infecting fungal phytopathogens have been studied extensively, many aspects still need to be investigated to obtain a holistic understanding of the intrinsic mechanisms, which is paramount in combating fungal plant diseases. Here, an overview is given of the most recent findings concerning an 'orphan' fungal MAMP molecule, ergosterol, and we present what is currently known from a synopsis of different genes, proteins and metabolites found to play key roles in induced immune responses in plant-fungus interactions. Clearly, integrative investigations are still needed to provide a comprehensive systems-based understanding of the dynamics associated with molecular mechanisms in plant-ergosterol interactions and associated host responses.

Identification of genetic markers linked to anthracnose resistance in sorghum using association analysis

Anthracnose in sorghum caused by Colletotrichum sublineolum is one of the most destructive diseases affecting sorghum production under warm and humid conditions. Markers and genes linked to resistance to the disease are important for plant breeding. Using 14,739 SNP markers, we have mapped eight loci linked to resistance in sorghum through association analysis of a sorghum mini-core collection consisting of 242 diverse accessions evaluated for anthracnose resistance for 2 years in the field. The mini-core was representative of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics' world-wide sorghum landrace collection. Eight marker loci were associated with anthracnose resistance in both years. Except locus 8, disease resistance-related genes were found in all loci based on their physical distance from linked SNP markers. These include two NB-ARC class of R genes on chromosome 10 that were partially homologous to the rice blast resistance gene Pib, two hypersensitive response-related genes: autophagy-related protein 3 on chromosome 1 and 4 harpin-induced 1 (Hin1) homologs on chromosome 8, a RAV transcription factor that is also part of R gene pathway, an oxysterol-binding protein that functions in the non-specific host resistance, and homologs of menthone:neomenthol reductase (MNR) that catalyzes a menthone reduction to produce the antimicrobial neomenthol. These genes and markers may be developed into molecular tools for genetic improvement of anthracnose resistance in sorghum.

Proteomics analysis suggests broad functional changes in potato leaves triggered by phosphites and a complex indirect mode of action against Phytophthora infestans

Phosphite (salts of phosphorous acid; Phi)-based fungicides are increasingly used in controlling oomycete pathogens, such as the late blight agent Phytophthora infestans. In plants, low amounts of Phi induce pathogen resistance through an indirect mode of action. We used iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomics to investigate the effects of phosphite on potato plants before and after infection with P. infestans. Ninety-three (62 up-regulated and 31 down-regulated) differentially regulated proteins, from a total of 1172 reproducibly identified proteins, were identified in the leaf proteome of Phi-treated potato plants. Four days post-inoculation with P. infestans, 16 of the 31 down-regulated proteins remained down-regulated and 42 of the 62 up-regulated proteins remained up-regulated, including 90% of the defense proteins. This group includes pathogenesis-related, stress-responsive, and detoxification-related proteins. Callose deposition and ultrastructural analyses of leaf tissues after infection were used to complement the proteomics approach. This study represents the first comprehensive proteomics analysis of the indirect mode of action of Phi, demonstrating broad effects on plant defense and plant metabolism. The proteomics data and the microscopy study suggest that Phi triggers a hypersensitive response that is responsible for induced resistance of potato leaves against P. infestans.

BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Phosphie triggers complex functional changes in potato leaves that are responsible for the induced resistance against Phytophthora infestans. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Translational Plant Proteomics.

Gene profiling in partially resistant and susceptible near-isogenic tomatoes in response to late blight in the field

In order to better understand resistance to Phytophthora infestans in tomato, we compared the global gene expression of the susceptible tomato, M82, with its more resistant near-isogenic line, 6-2 (IL6-2), under field conditions using a microarray with more than 12 800 tomato expressed sequence tags (ESTs). Because variance in the field was a major concern, we investigated the likelihood of false positives or false negatives and demonstrated that either probability was very low. The two isolines had indistinguishable constitutive gene expressions prior to inoculation. However, a few genes were particularly prone to variation in both isolines in the absence of P. infestans. Included among these genes were catalase, genes coding for pathogenesis-related proteins, endochitinase and cytochrome P450. In response to inoculation with P. infestans, a time course of gene expression identified 1248 transcripts that were similarly induced or repressed in each line, and 991 that were differentially expressed between the two lines. These differences provide hypotheses to explain the difference in resistance between the two isolines. For example, one hypothesis is that genes up-regulated in IL6-2 in response to inoculation with P. infestans, but not up-regulated in M82, contribute to the resistance in IL6-2. Using virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS), we were able to partially silence two such genes-one encoded a protein with homology to an R gene with the Toll/interleukin-1 receptor-nucleotide-binding site-leucine-rich repeat (TIR-NBS-LRR) motif (37O19) and the other encoded a peroxisomal membrane protein (35P7). Partial silencing of 37O19 reduced the resistance in IL6-2 (P = 0.001), but had no effect on the response of M82. Partial silencing of 35P7 reduced the resistance in IL6-2 moderately significantly (P = 0.067), but had no effect in M82. We expect that hypotheses developed from this gene expression study performed under field conditions will provide an important avenue to an accurate understanding of the genes involved in resistance.

Enzymatic characterization of germination-specific cysteine protease-1 expressed transiently in cotyledons during the early phase of germination

Papain-like cysteine protease activity that shows a unique transient expression profile in cotyledons of daikon radish during germination was detected. The enzyme showed a distinct elution pattern on DEAE-cellulose compared with cathepsin B-like and Responsive to dessication-21 cysteine protease. Although this activity was not detected in seed prior to imbibition, the activity increased markedly and reached a maximum at 2 days after imbibition and then decreased rapidly and completely disappeared after 5 days. Using cystatin-Sepharose, the 26 kDa cysteine protease (DRCP26) was isolated from cotyledons at 2 days after imbibition. The deduced amino acid sequence from the cDNA nucleotide sequence indicated that DRCP26 is an orthologue of Arabidopsis unidentified protein, germination-specific cysteine protease-1, belonging to the C1 family of cysteine protease predicted from genetic information. In an effort to characterize the enzymatic properties of DRCP26, the enzyme was purified to homogeneity from cotyledons at 48 h after imbibition. The best synthetic substrate for the enzyme was carbobenzoxy-Phe-Arg-4-methylcoumaryl-7-amide. All model peptides were digested to small peptides by the enzyme, suggesting that DRCP26 possesses broad cleavage specificity. These results indicated that DRCP26 plays a role in the mobilization of storage proteins in the early phase of seed germination.

Bromelain, a cysteine protease from pineapple (Ananas comosus) stem, is an inhibitor of fungal plant pathogens

AIM

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of bromelain, a cysteine protease isolated from pineapple (Ananas comosus), on growth of several agronomically important fungal pathogens.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Purification of bromelain from pineapple stems was carried out by chromatography techniques, and its antimicrobial activity was tested against the fungal pathogens Fusarium verticillioides, Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium proliferatum by broth microdilution assay. A concentration of 0.3 μmol l(-1) of bromelain was sufficient for 90% growth inhibition of F. verticillioides. The capability of bromelain to inhibit fungal growth is related to its proteolytic activity.

CONCLUSIONS

The study demonstrates that stem bromelain exhibits a potent antifungal activity against phytopathogens and suggests its potential use as an effective agent for crop protection.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The results support the use of a natural protease that accumulates at high levels in pineapple stems as alternative to the use of chemical fungicides for crop protection.

Transcriptomics and systems biology analysis in identification of specific pathways involved in cacao resistance and susceptibility to witches' broom disease

This study reports on expression analysis associated with molecular systems biology of cacao-Moniliophthora perniciosa interaction. Gene expression data were obtained for two cacao genotypes (TSH1188, resistant; Catongo, susceptible) challenged or not with the fungus M. perniciosa and collected at three time points through disease. Using expression analysis, we identified 154 and 227 genes that are differentially expressed in TSH1188 and Catongo, respectively. The expression of some of these genes was confirmed by RT-qPCR. Physical protein-protein interaction (PPPI) networks of Arabidopsis thaliana orthologous proteins corresponding to resistant and susceptible interactions were obtained followed by cluster and gene ontology analyses. The integrated analysis of gene expression and systems biology allowed designing a general scheme of major mechanisms associated with witches' broom disease resistance/susceptibility. In this sense, the TSH1188 cultivar shows strong production of ROS and elicitors at the beginning of the interaction with M. perniciosa followed by resistance signal propagation and ROS detoxification. On the other hand, the Catongo genotype displays defense mechanisms that include the synthesis of some defense molecules but without success in regards to elimination of the fungus. This phase is followed by the activation of protein metabolism which is achieved with the production of proteasome associated with autophagy as a precursor mechanism of PCD. This work also identifies candidate genes for further functional studies and for genetic mapping and marker assisted selection.

EST sequencing and gene expression profiling of defence-related genes from Persea americana infected with Phytophthora cinnamomi

BACKGROUND

Avocado (Persea americana) belongs to the Lauraceae family and is an important commercial fruit crop in over 50 countries. The most serious pathogen affecting avocado production is Phytophthora cinnamomi which causes Phytophthora root rot (PRR). Root pathogens such as P. cinnamomi and their interactions with hosts are poorly understood and despite the importance of both the avocado crop and the effect Phytophthora has on its cultivation, there is a lack of molecular knowledge underpinning our understanding of defence strategies against the pathogen. In order to initiate a better understanding of host-specific defence we have generated EST data using 454 pyrosequencing and profiled nine defence-related genes from Pc-infected avocado roots.

RESULTS

2.0 Mb of data was generated consisting of ~10,000 reads on a single lane of the GS FLX platform. Using the Newbler assembler 371 contigs were assembled, of which 367 are novel for Persea americana. Genes were classified according to Gene Ontology terms. In addition to identifying root-specific ESTs we were also able to identify and quantify the expression of nine defence-related genes that were differentially regulated in response to P. cinnamomi. Genes such as metallothionein, thaumatin and the pathogenesis related PsemI, mlo and profilin were found to be differentially regulated.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study in elucidating the avocado root transcriptome as well as identifying defence responses of avocado roots to the root pathogen P. cinnamomi. Our data is currently the only EST data that has been generated for avocado rootstocks, and the ESTs identified in this study have already been useful in identifying defence-related genes as well as providing gene information for other studies looking at processes such as ROS regulation as well as hypoxia in avocado roots. Our EST data will aid in the elucidation of the avocado transcriptome and identification of markers for improved rootstock breeding and screening. The characterization of the avocado transcriptome will furthermore form a basis for functional genomics of basal angiosperms.

Distinct carbohydrate and lipid-based molecular patterns within lipopolysaccharides from Burkholderia cepacia contribute to defense-associated differential gene expression in Arabidopsis thaliana

Lipopolysaccharides are structural components within the cell walls of Gram-negative bacteria. The LPSs as microbe-associated molecular pattern (MAMP) molecules can trigger defense-related responses involved in MAMP-triggered immunity and basal resistance in plants, presumably from an initial perception event. LPS from Burkholderia cepacia as well as two fragments, the glycolipid, lipid A and the polysaccharide (OPS-core) chain, were used to treat Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings to evaluate the eliciting activities of the individual LPS sub-domains by means of Annealing Control Primer-based Differential Display transcript profiling. Genes found to be up-regulated encode for proteins involved in signal perception and transduction, transcriptional regulation and defense - and stress responses. Furthermore, genes encoding proteins involved in chaperoning, secretion, protein-protein interactions and protein degradation were differentially expressed. It is concluded that intact LPS, as well as the two sub-components, induced the expression of a broad range of genes associated with perception and defense as well as metabolic reprogramming of cellular activities in support of immunity and basal resistance. Whilst the lipid A and OPS moieties were able to up-regulate sub-sets of defense-associated genes over the same spectrum of categories as intact LPS, the up-regulation observed with intact LPS was the more comprehensive, suggesting that the lipid A and glycan molecular patterns of the molecule act as partial agonists, but that the intact LPS structure is required for full agonist activity.

Phenotypic characterization of potato late blight resistance mediated by the broad-spectrum resistance gene RB

The potato gene RB, cloned from the wild potato species Solanum bulbocastanum, confers partial resistance to late blight, caused by the oomycete pathogen Phytophthora infestans. In order to better characterize this partial resistance phenotype, we have compared host resistance responses mediated by RB with those mediated by the S. demissum-derived R gene R9, which confers immunity to P. infestans carrying the corresponding avirulence gene avrR9. We found that both RB and R9 genes were capable of eliciting a hypersensitive cell death response (HR). However, in RB plants, the pathogen escaped HR lesions and continued to grow beyond the inoculation sites. We also found that callose deposition was negatively correlated with resistance levels in tested plants. Transcription patterns of pathogenesis-related (PR) genes PR-1 basic, PR-2 acidic, and PR-5 indicated that P. infestans inoculation induced transcription of these defense-related genes regardless of the host genotype; however, transcription was reduced in both the susceptible and partially resistant plants later in the infection process but remained elevated in the immune host. Most interestingly, transcription of the HR-associated gene Hin1 was suppressed in both Katahdin and RB-transgenic Katahdin but not in R9 4 days after inoculation. Together, this suggests that suppression of certain defense-related genes may allow P. infestans to spread beyond the site of infection in the partially resistant host despite elicitation of hypersensitive cell death.

Deciphering the structural and biological properties of the lipid A moiety of lipopolysaccharides from Burkholderia cepacia strain ASP B 2D, in Arabidopsis thaliana

Lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) are major, indispensable cell surface components of Gram-negative bacteria that have diverse roles in bacterial pathogenesis of plants. Environmental strains of Burkholderia cepacia have been described as phytopathogens, growth promotors, biocontrol agents and bioremediation agents. We have previously shown that LPSs from B. cepacia can be recognized as microbe-associated molecular pattern molecules, to elicit defense responses in plants. Recent findings suggest that the lipid A moiety might be partially responsible for LPSs perception. These studies were extended by analysis of the structure and biological activity of the lipid A moiety of LPSs of B. cepacia(.) The full structure was determined by a combination of negative/positive-ion matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry (MS) on intact and partially degraded substrates. B. cepacia lipid A was found to contain a tetra- or penta-acylated, 1,4'-diphosphorylated, β-(1-6)-linked D-GlcN disaccharide and further substituted by L-Ara4N in position 4'. As primary fatty acids, R-configurated 16:0(3-OH) (amide-linked in 2 and 2') and 14:0(3-OH) (ester-linked in 3 and 3', nonstoichiometric) were identified. A secondary 14:0 was located at position 2'. Its biological activity to elicit defense-related responses was subsequently investigated by monitoring the changes in the transcriptome of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings. Genes found to be upregulated code for proteins involved in signal perception and transduction, transcriptional regulation, defense and stress responses. Furthermore, genes encoding proteins involved in chaperoning, protein interactions and protein degradation were differentially expressed as part of the metabolic reprogramming of cellular activities in support of immunity and defense.

Functional implications of sterol transport by the oxysterol-binding protein gene family

Cholesterol and its numerous oxygenated derivatives (oxysterols) profoundly affect the biophysical properties of membranes, and positively and negatively regulate sterol homoeostasis through interaction with effector proteins. As the bulk of cellular sterols are segregated from the sensory machinery that controls homoeostatic responses, an important regulatory step involves sterol transport or signalling between membrane compartments. Evidence for rapid, energy-independent transport between organelles has implicated transport proteins, such as the eukaryotic family of OSBP (oxysterol-binding protein)/ORPs (OSBP-related proteins). Since the founding member of this family was identified more than 25 years ago, accumulated evidence has implicated OSBP/ORPs in sterol signalling and/or sterol transport functions. However, recent evidence of sterol transfer activity by OSBP/ORPs suggests that other seemingly disparate functions could be the result of alterations in membrane sterol distribution or ancillary to this primary activity.

Phytophthora infestans effector AVR3a is essential for virulence and manipulates plant immunity by stabilizing host E3 ligase CMPG1

Fungal and oomycete plant pathogens translocate effector proteins into host cells to establish infection. However, virulence targets and modes of action of their effectors are unknown. Effector AVR3a from potato blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans is translocated into host cells and occurs in two forms: AVR3a(KI), which is detected by potato resistance protein R3a, strongly suppresses infestin 1 (INF1)-triggered cell death (ICD), whereas AVR3a(EM), which evades recognition by R3a, weakly suppresses host ICD. Here we show that AVR3a interacts with and stabilizes host U-box E3 ligase CMPG1, which is required for ICD. In contrast, AVR3a(KI/Y147del), a mutant with a deleted C-terminal tyrosine residue that fails to suppress ICD, cannot interact with or stabilize CMPG1. CMPG1 is stabilized by the inhibitors MG132 and epoxomicin, indicating that it is degraded by the 26S proteasome. CMPG1 is degraded during ICD. However, it is stabilized by mutations in the U-box that prevent its E3 ligase activity. In stabilizing CMPG1, AVR3a thus modifies its normal activity. Remarkably, given the potential for hundreds of effector genes in the P. infestans genome, silencing Avr3a compromises P. infestans pathogenicity, suggesting that AVR3a is essential for virulence. Interestingly, Avr3a silencing can be complemented by in planta expression of Avr3a(KI) or Avr3a(EM) but not the Avr3a(KI/Y147del) mutant. Our data provide genetic evidence that AVR3a is an essential virulence factor that targets and stabilizes the plant E3 ligase CMPG1, potentially to prevent host cell death during the biotrophic phase of infection.

Functional redundancy in the Arabidopsis Cathepsin B gene family contributes to basal defence, the hypersensitive response and senescence

Cysteine proteases are required for programmed cell death (PCD) in animals. Recent work in Nicotiana benthamiana has implicated cathepsin B-like cysteine proteases in the hypersensitive response (HR) in plants, a form of PCD involved in disease resistance. Here, we investigate the function and regulation of Cathepsin B (CathB) genes in plant defence, and in both pathogen-inducible and developmental forms of PCD. Single, double and triple knockout mutants were isolated for the three Arabidopsis thaliana AtCathB genes. AtCathB genes were redundantly required for full basal resistance against the virulent bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst) DC3000. By contrast, AtCathB genes were not required for R gene-mediated resistance to Pst DC3000 expressing AvrB or AvrRps4. Neither did they contribute to PCD triggered by AvrRps4, although they were crucial for the full development of PCD during HR triggered by AvrB. Cathepsin B has also been proposed to play a positive regulatory role in senescence. Atcathb triple mutants showed a delay in senescence and a seven-fold decrease in accumulation of senescence marker gene SAG12. Our results demonstrate a redundant function for AtCathB genes in basal defence as well as a potential regulatory role in distinct forms of plant PCD.

Purification and characterization of cathepsin B-like cysteine protease from cotyledons of daikon radish, Raphanus sativus

Plant cathepsin B-like cysteine protease (CBCP) plays a role in disease resistance and in protein remobilization during germination. The ability of animal cathepsin B to function as a dipeptidyl carboxypeptidase has been attributed to the presence of a dihistidine (His110-His111) motif in the occluding loop, which represents a unique structure of cathepsin B. However, a dihistidine motif is not present in the predicted sequence of the occluding loop of plant CBCP, as determined from cDNA sequence analysis, and the loop is shorter. In an effort to investigate the enzymatic properties of plant CBCP, which possesses the unusual occluding loop, we have purified CBCP from the cotyledons of daikon radish (Raphanus sativus) by chromatography through Sephacryl S-200, DEAE-cellulose, hydroxyapatite and organomercurial-Sepharose. The molecular mass of the enzyme was estimated to be 28 kDa by SDS/PAGE under reducing conditions. The best synthetic substrate for CBCP was t-butyloxycarbonyl Leu-Arg-Arg-4-methylcoumaryl 7-amide, as is the case with human cathepsin B. However, the endopeptidase activity of CBCP towards glucagon and adrenocorticotropic hormone showed broad cleavage specificity. Human cathepsin B preferentially cleaves model peptides via its dipeptidyl carboxypeptidase activity, whereas daikon CBCP displays both endopeptidase and exopeptidase activities. In addition, CBCP was found to display carboxymonopeptidase activity against the substrate o-aminobenzoyl-Phe-Arg-Phe(4-NO(2)). Daikon CBCP is less sensitive (1/7000) to CA-074 than human cathepsin B. Expression analysis of CBCP at the protein and RNA levels indicated that daikon CBCP activity in cotyledons is regulated by post-transcriptional events during germination.

Fungal effector protein AVR2 targets diversifying defense-related cys proteases of tomato

The interaction between the fungal pathogen Cladosporium fulvum and its host tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is an ideal model to study suppression of extracellular host defenses by pathogens. Secretion of protease inhibitor AVR2 by C. fulvum during infection suggests that tomato papain-like cysteine proteases (PLCPs) are part of the tomato defense response. We show that the tomato apoplast contains a remarkable diversity of PLCP activities with seven PLCPs that fall into four different subfamilies. Of these PLCPs, transcription of only PIP1 and RCR3 is induced by treatment with benzothiadiazole, which triggers the salicylic acid-regulated defense pathway. Sequencing of PLCP alleles of tomato relatives revealed that only PIP1 and RCR3 are under strong diversifying selection, resulting in variant residues around the substrate binding groove. The doubled number of variant residues in RCR3 suggests that RCR3 is under additional adaptive selection, probably to prevent autoimmune responses. AVR2 selectively inhibits only PIP1 and RCR3, and one of the naturally occurring variant residues in RCR3 affects AVR2 inhibition. The higher accumulation of PIP1 protein levels compared with RCR3 indicates that PIP1 might be the real virulence target of AVR2 and that RCR3 acts as a decoy for AVR2 perception in plants carrying the Cf-2 resistance gene.

Plant proteases: from phenotypes to molecular mechanisms

Plant genomes encode hundreds of proteases, which represent dozens of unrelated families. The biological role of these proteases is mostly unknown, but mutant alleles, gene silencing, and overexpression studies have provided phenotypes for a growing number of proteases. The aim of this review is to show the diversity of the processes that are regulated by proteases, and to summarize the current knowledge of the underlying molecular mechanisms. The emerging picture is that plant proteases are key regulators of a striking variety of biological processes, including meiosis, gametophyte survival, embryogenesis, seed coat formation, cuticle deposition, epidermal cell fate, stomata development, chloroplast biogenesis, and local and systemic defense responses. The functional diversity correlates with the molecular data: Proteases are specifically expressed in time and space and accumulate in different subcellular compartments. Their substrates and activation mechanisms are elusive, however, and represent a challenging topic for further research.

Characteristics of oxysterol binding proteins

Protein families characterized by a ligand binding domain related to that of oxysterol binding protein (OSBP) have been identified in eukaryotic species from yeast to humans. These proteins, designated OSBP-related (ORP) or OSBP-like (OSBPL) proteins, have been implicated in various cellular functions. However, the detailed mechanisms of their action have remained elusive. Data from our and other laboratories suggest that binding of sterol ligands may be a unifying theme. Work with Saccharomyces cerevisiae ORPs suggests a function of these proteins in the nonvesicular intracellular transport of sterols, in secretory vesicle transport from the Golgi complex, and in the establishment of cell polarity. Mammals have more ORP genes, and differential splicing substantially increases the complexity of the encoded protein family. Functional studies on mammalian ORPs point in different directions: integration of sterol and sphingomyelin metabolism, sterol transport, regulation of neutral lipid metabolism, control of the microtubule-dependent motility of endosomes/lysosomes, and regulation of signaling cascades. We envision that during evolution, the functions of ORPs have diverged from an ancestral one in sterol transport, to meet the increasing demand of the regulatory potential in multicellular organisms. Our working hypothesis is that mammalian ORPs mainly act as sterol sensors that relay information to a spectrum of different cellular processes.

Involvement of cathepsin B in the plant disease resistance hypersensitive response

A diverse range of plant proteases are implicated in pathogen perception and in subsequent signalling and execution of disease resistance. We demonstrate, using protease inhibitors and virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS), that the plant papain cysteine protease cathepsin B is required for the disease resistance hypersensitive response (HR). VIGS of cathepsin B prevented programmed cell death (PCD) and compromised disease resistance induced by two distinct non-host bacterial pathogens. It also suppressed the HR triggered by transient co-expression of potato R3a and Phytophthora infestans Avr3a genes. However, VIGS of cathepsin B did not compromise HR following recognition of Cladosporium fulvum AVR4 by tomato Cf-4, indicating that plant PCD can be independent of cathepsin B. The non-host HR to Erwinia amylovora was accompanied by a transient increase in cathepsin B transcript level and enzymatic activity and induction of the HR marker gene Hsr203. VIGS of cathepsin B significantly reduced the induction of Hsr203 following E. amylovora challenge, further demonstrating a role for this protease in PCD. Whereas cathepsin B is often relocalized from the lysosome to the cytosol during animal PCD, plant cathepsin B is secreted into the apoplast, and is activated upon secretion in the absence of pathogen challenge.

A Phytophthora infestans cystatin-like protein targets a novel tomato papain-like apoplastic protease

There is emerging evidence that the proteolytic machinery of plants plays important roles in defense against pathogens. The oomycete pathogen Phytophthora infestans, the agent of the devastating late blight disease of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) and potato (Solanum tuberosum), has evolved an arsenal of protease inhibitors to overcome the action of host proteases. Previously, we described a family of 14 Kazal-like extracellular serine protease inhibitors from P. infestans. Among these, EPI1 and EPI10 bind and inhibit the pathogenesis-related (PR) P69B subtilisin-like serine protease of tomato. Here, we describe EPIC1 to EPIC4, a new family of P. infestans secreted proteins with similarity to cystatin-like protease inhibitor domains. Among these, the epiC1 and epiC2 genes lacked orthologs in Phytophthora sojae and Phytophthora ramorum, were relatively fast-evolving within P. infestans, and were up-regulated during infection of tomato, suggesting a role during P. infestans-host interactions. Biochemical functional analyses revealed that EPIC2B interacts with and inhibits a novel papain-like extracellular cysteine protease, termed Phytophthora Inhibited Protease 1 (PIP1). Characterization of PIP1 revealed that it is a PR protein closely related to Rcr3, a tomato apoplastic cysteine protease that functions in fungal resistance. Altogether, this and earlier studies suggest that interplay between host proteases of diverse catalytic families and pathogen inhibitors is a general defense-counterdefense process in plant-pathogen interactions.

Screening and expression analysis of Phytophthora infestans induced genes in potato leaves with horizontal resistance

Horizontal resistance to late blight with quantitative and durable characteristics is a major objective for potato breeding programs. With the aim of investigating the molecular aspects of horizontal resistance, a cDNA microarray was used to identify Phytophthora infestans-induced genes from 100 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) selected from a subtractive cDNA library. Of the 100 cDNA clones represented on the array, 76 were differentially expressed in infected plants as compared with mock-inoculated control plants. Four groups of genes could be identified according to their expression patterns at three time points, 24, 48 and 72 h postinoculation (hpi). Group A appeared to be strongly induced (>10-fold) at 72 hpi. Group B demonstrated up-regulated expression patterns at all the three time points. The transcripts of group C peaked at 48 hpi, while genes of group D were up-regulated at 24 hpi and decreased slightly thereafter. Blast algorithm searches revealed that the largest set of up-regulated genes (about 35%) was assigned to the primary/secondary metabolism. Other genes with known or putative functions included disease defense or cell rescue (about 18%), transcription, signal transduction, cellular transporter/transport facilitation, development, protein synthesis/destination, as well as those playing roles in cellular organization. Furthermore, 15 genes encoding unknown function proteins were also identified. The results indicated that multiple defense mechanisms are involved in horizontal potato resistance to late blight and alteration in metabolic pathways is one of the most important defense responses.

Mapping the R10 and R11 genes for resistance to late blight (Phytophthora infestans) present in the potato (Solanum tuberosum) R-gene differentials of black

The R10 and R11 late blight differentials of Black (tetraploid clones 3681ad1 and 5008ab6) were crossed with the susceptible potato (Solanum tuberosum) cultivar Maris Piper and the progeny were assessed for blight resistance in a whole plant glasshouse test using race 1,2,3,4,6,7 of Phytophthora infestans. The disease scores for the R10 population displayed a continuous distribution whereas the progeny in the R11 population could be categorised as resistant or susceptible. A bulk segregant analysis using amplified fragment length polymorphism assays was done on the ten most resistant and ten most susceptible progeny in each population and two closely linked markers were found to be associated with resistance. R11 mapped to 8.5 cM from marker PAG/MAAG_172.3 and R10 mapped as a quantitative trait locus in which marker PAC/MATC_264.1 explained 56.9% of the variation in disease scores. The results were consistent with R10 and R11 being allelic versions of genes at the R3 locus on chromosome 11. The implications are discussed for mapping R-genes which fail to give complete immunity to a pathogen.

Ethylene-sensitivity regulates proteolytic activity and cysteine protease gene expression in petunia corollas

To investigate ethylene's role in petal senescence, a comparative analysis of age-related changes in total protein, protease activity, and the expression of nine cysteine protease genes in the corollas of ethylene-sensitive Petuniaxhybrida cv. Mitchell Diploid (MD) and ethylene-insensitive (35S:etr1-1; line 44568) transgenic petunias was conducted. The later stages of corolla senescence in MD flowers were associated with decreased fresh weight, decreased total protein, and increased proteolytic activity. Corolla senescence was delayed by approximately 8 d in etr-44568 transgenic petunias, and decreases in corolla fresh weight, protein content, and maximum proteolytic activity were similarly delayed. Protease inhibitor studies indicated that the majority of the protease activity in senescing petals was due to cysteine proteases. Nine cysteine proteases expressed in petals were subsequently identified. Northern blot analysis indicated that six of the nine cysteine proteases showed increased transcript abundance during petal senescence. One of these cysteine proteases, PhCP10, was detected only in senescing tissues. Expression of four of the senescence-associated cysteine proteases was delayed, but not prevented in etr-44568 flowers. The other two senescence associated cysteine proteases had high levels of transcript accumulation in etr-44568 corollas at 8 d after flower opening, when MD flowers were senescing. These patterns suggest that age-related factors, other than ethylene, were regulating the up-regulation of these genes during flower ageing. The delay in visible symptoms and biochemical and molecular indicators of senescence in ethylene-insensitive flowers is consistent with the concept that ethylene modulates the timing of senescence pathways in petals.

Gene profiling of a compatible interaction between Phytophthora infestans and Solanum tuberosum suggests a role for carbonic anhydrase

Late blight of potato, caused by the oomycete pathogen Phytophthora infestans, is a devastating disease that can cause the rapid death of plants. To investigate the molecular basis of this compatible interaction, potato cDNA microarrays were utilized to identify genes that were differentially expressed in the host during a compatible interaction with P. infestans. Of the 7,680 cDNA clones represented on the array, 643 (12.9%) were differentially expressed in infected plants as compared with mock-inoculated control plants. These genes were classified into eight groups using a nonhierarchical clustering method with two clusters (358 genes) generally down-regulated, three clusters (241 genes) generally up-regulated, and three clusters (44 genes) with a significant change in expression at only one timepoint. Three genes derived from two down-regulated clusters were evaluated further, using reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. For these analyses, both incompatible and compatible interactions were included to determine if suppression of these genes was specific to compatibility. One gene, plastidic carbonic anhydrase (CA), was found to have a very different expression pattern in compatible vs. incompatible interactions. Virus-induced gene silencing was used to suppress expression of this gene in Nicotiana benthamiana. In CA-silenced plants, the pathogen grew more quickly, indicating that suppression of CA increases susceptibility to P. infestans.