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de Lima LFF, Carvalho IGB, de Souza-Neto RR, Dos Santos LDS, Nascimento CA, Takita MA, Távora FTPK, Mehta A, de Souza AA. Antisense Oligonucleotide as a New Technology Application for CsLOB1 Gene Silencing Aiming at Citrus Canker Resistance. PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2024; 114:1802-1809. [PMID: 38748545 DOI: 10.1094/phyto-02-24-0058-kc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
Citrus canker disease, caused by Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri, poses a significant threat to global citrus production. The control of the disease in the field relies mainly on the use of conventional tools such as copper compounds, which are harmful to the environment and could lead to bacterial resistance. This scenario stresses the need for new and sustainable technologies to control phytopathogens, representing a key challenge in developing studies that translate basic into applied knowledge. During infection, X. citri subsp. citri secretes a transcriptional activator-like effector that enters the nucleus of plant cells, activating the expression of the canker susceptibility gene LATERAL ORGAN BOUNDARIES 1 (LOB1). In this study, we explored the use of antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) with phosphorothioate modifications to transiently inhibit the gene expression of CsLOB1 in Citrus sinensis. We designed and validated three potential ASO sequences, which led to a significant reduction in disease symptoms compared with the control. The selected ASO3-CsLOB1 significantly decreased the expression level of CsLOB1 when delivered through two distinct delivery methods, and the reduction of the symptoms ranged from approximately 15 to 83%. Notably, plants treated with ASO3 did not exhibit an increase in symptom development over the evaluation period. This study highlights the efficacy of ASO technology, based on short oligonucleotide chemically modified sequences, as a promising tool for controlling phytopathogens without the need for genetic transformation or plant regeneration. Our results demonstrate the potential of ASOs as a biotechnological tool for the management of citrus canker disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiz Felipe Franco de Lima
- Citrus Research Center "Sylvio Moreira," Agronomic Institute-IAC, Cordeirópolis, Brazil
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Bioagents, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas-UNICAMP, Campinas, Brazil
| | | | - Reinaldo Rodrigues de Souza-Neto
- Citrus Research Center "Sylvio Moreira," Agronomic Institute-IAC, Cordeirópolis, Brazil
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Bioagents, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas-UNICAMP, Campinas, Brazil
| | | | | | - Marco Aurélio Takita
- Citrus Research Center "Sylvio Moreira," Agronomic Institute-IAC, Cordeirópolis, Brazil
| | | | - Angela Mehta
- Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, PBI, Av. W/5 Norte Final, CEP 70770917, Brasília, Brazil
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2
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Roeschlin RA, Azad SM, Grove RP, Chuan A, García L, Niñoles R, Uviedo F, Villalobos L, Massimino ME, Marano MR, Boch J, Gadea J. Designer TALEs enable discovery of cell death-inducer genes. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 195:2985-2996. [PMID: 38723194 PMCID: PMC11288752 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiae230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs) in plant-pathogenic Xanthomonas bacteria activate expression of plant genes and support infection or cause a resistance response. PthA4AT is a TALE with a particularly short DNA-binding domain harboring only 7.5 repeats which triggers cell death in Nicotiana benthamiana; however, the genetic basis for this remains unknown. To identify possible target genes of PthA4AT that mediate cell death in N. benthamiana, we exploited the modularity of TALEs to stepwise enhance their specificity and reduce potential target sites. Substitutions of individual repeats suggested that PthA4AT-dependent cell death is sequence specific. Stepwise addition of repeats to the C-terminal or N-terminal end of the repeat region narrowed the sequence requirements in promoters of target genes. Transcriptome profiling and in silico target prediction allowed the isolation of two cell death inducer genes, which encode a patatin-like protein and a bifunctional monodehydroascorbate reductase/carbonic anhydrase protein. These two proteins are not linked to known TALE-dependent resistance genes. Our results show that the aberrant expression of different endogenous plant genes can cause a cell death reaction, which supports the hypothesis that TALE-dependent executor resistance genes can originate from various plant processes. Our strategy further demonstrates the use of TALEs to scan genomes for genes triggering cell death and other relevant phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxana A Roeschlin
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Ocampo y Esmeralda S/n, S2002LRK, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Sepideh M Azad
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y celular de Plantas (IBMCP), Universidad Politécnica de Valencia-CSIC, Ingeniero Fausto Elio S/N., 46022, Valencia, España
| | - René P Grove
- Institute of Plant Genetics, Leibniz Universität Hannover, 30419 Hannover, Germany
| | - Ana Chuan
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y celular de Plantas (IBMCP), Universidad Politécnica de Valencia-CSIC, Ingeniero Fausto Elio S/N., 46022, Valencia, España
| | - Lucila García
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Ocampo y Esmeralda S/n, S2002LRK, Rosario, Argentina
- Área Virología, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR), Suipacha 590, S2002LRK, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Regina Niñoles
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y celular de Plantas (IBMCP), Universidad Politécnica de Valencia-CSIC, Ingeniero Fausto Elio S/N., 46022, Valencia, España
| | - Facundo Uviedo
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Ocampo y Esmeralda S/n, S2002LRK, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Liara Villalobos
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Ocampo y Esmeralda S/n, S2002LRK, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Maria E Massimino
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y celular de Plantas (IBMCP), Universidad Politécnica de Valencia-CSIC, Ingeniero Fausto Elio S/N., 46022, Valencia, España
| | - María R Marano
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Ocampo y Esmeralda S/n, S2002LRK, Rosario, Argentina
- Área Virología, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR), Suipacha 590, S2002LRK, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Jens Boch
- Institute of Plant Genetics, Leibniz Universität Hannover, 30419 Hannover, Germany
| | - José Gadea
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y celular de Plantas (IBMCP), Universidad Politécnica de Valencia-CSIC, Ingeniero Fausto Elio S/N., 46022, Valencia, España
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González-Fuente M. Choose your own TALE: Two novel cell death-inducers identified by engineered effectors. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 195:2493-2494. [PMID: 38662677 PMCID: PMC11288754 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiae228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Manuel González-Fuente
- Assistant Features Editor, Plant Physiology, American Society of Plant Biologists
- Faculty of Biology & Biotechnology, Ruhr-University Bochum, D-44801 Bochum, Germany
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Shantharaj D, Minsavage GV, Orbović V, Moore GA, Holmes DR, Römer P, Horvath DM, Lahaye T, Jones JB. A promoter trap in transgenic citrus mediates recognition of a broad spectrum of Xanthomonas citri pv. citri TALEs, including in planta-evolved derivatives. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2023; 21:2019-2032. [PMID: 37421233 PMCID: PMC10502743 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
Citrus bacterial canker (CBC), caused by Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xcc), causes dramatic losses to the citrus industry worldwide. Transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs), which bind to effector binding elements (EBEs) in host promoters and activate transcription of downstream host genes, contribute significantly to Xcc virulence. The discovery of the biochemical context for the binding of TALEs to matching EBE motifs, an interaction commonly referred to as the TALE code, enabled the in silico prediction of EBEs for each TALE protein. Using the TALE code, we engineered a synthetic resistance (R) gene, called the Xcc-TALE-trap, in which 14 tandemly arranged EBEs, each capable of autonomously recognizing a particular Xcc TALE, drive the expression of Xanthomonas avrGf2, which encodes a bacterial effector that induces plant cell death. Analysis of a corresponding transgenic Duncan grapefruit showed that transcription of the cell death-inducing executor gene, avrGf2, was strictly TALE-dependent and could be activated by several different Xcc TALE proteins. Evaluation of Xcc strains from different continents showed that the Xcc-TALE-trap mediates resistance to this global panel of Xcc isolates. We also studied in planta-evolved TALEs (eTALEs) with novel DNA-binding domains and found that these eTALEs also activate the Xcc-TALE-trap, suggesting that the Xcc-TALE-trap is likely to confer durable resistance to Xcc. Finally, we show that the Xcc-TALE-trap confers resistance not only in laboratory infection assays but also in more agriculturally relevant field studies. In conclusion, transgenic plants containing the Xcc-TALE-trap offer a promising sustainable approach to control CBC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Vladimir Orbović
- Citrus Research and Education CenterUniversity of FloridaLake AlfredFLUSA
| | - Gloria A. Moore
- Department of Horticultural SciencesUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFLUSA
| | - Danalyn R. Holmes
- Zentrum für Molekularbiologie der Pflanzen (ZMBP)Eberhard‐Karls‐Universität TübingenTübingenGermany
| | - Patrick Römer
- Genetics, Department of BiologyLudwig‐Maximilians‐University MunichMartinsriedGermany
- Present address:
Avicare+KöthenGermany
| | | | - Thomas Lahaye
- Zentrum für Molekularbiologie der Pflanzen (ZMBP)Eberhard‐Karls‐Universität TübingenTübingenGermany
- Genetics, Department of BiologyLudwig‐Maximilians‐University MunichMartinsriedGermany
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5
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Andrade MDO, da Silva JC, Soprano AS, Shimo HM, Leme AFP, Benedetti CE. Suppression of citrus canker disease mediated by flagellin perception. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2023; 24:331-345. [PMID: 36691963 PMCID: PMC10013774 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.13300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Citrus cancer, caused by strains of Xanthomonas citri (Xc) and Xanthomonas aurantifolii (Xa), is one of the most economically important citrus diseases. Although our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying citrus canker development has advanced remarkably in recent years, exactly how citrus plants fight against these pathogens remains largely unclear. Using a Xa pathotype C strain that infects Mexican lime only and sweet oranges as a pathosystem to study the immune response triggered by this bacterium in these hosts, we herein report that the Xa flagellin C protein (XaFliC) acts as a potent defence elicitor in sweet oranges. Just as Xa blocked canker formation when coinfiltrated with Xc in sweet orange leaves, two polymorphic XaFliC peptides designated flgIII-20 and flgIII-27, not related to flg22 or flgII-28 but found in many Xanthomonas species, were sufficient to protect sweet orange plants from Xc infection. Accordingly, ectopic expression of XaFliC in a Xc FliC-defective mutant completely abolished the ability of this mutant to grow and cause canker in sweet orange but not Mexican lime plants. Because XaFliC and flgIII-27 also specifically induced the expression of several defence-related genes, our data suggest that XaFliC acts as a main immune response determinant in sweet orange plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxuel de Oliveira Andrade
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM)CampinasBrazil
| | - Jaqueline Cristina da Silva
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM)CampinasBrazil
| | - Adriana Santos Soprano
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM)CampinasBrazil
| | - Hugo Massayoshi Shimo
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM)CampinasBrazil
| | - Adriana Franco Paes Leme
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM)CampinasBrazil
| | - Celso Eduardo Benedetti
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM)CampinasBrazil
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Nowack MK, Holmes DR, Lahaye T. TALE-induced cell death executors: an origin outside immunity? TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 27:536-548. [PMID: 34924289 PMCID: PMC7612725 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2021.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Phytopathogenic bacteria inject effector proteins into plant host cells to promote disease. Plant resistance (R) genes encoding nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) proteins mediate the recognition of functionally and structurally diverse microbial effectors, including transcription-activator like effectors (TALEs) from the bacterial genus Xanthomonas. TALEs bind to plant promoters and transcriptionally activate either disease-promoting host susceptibility (S) genes or cell death-inducing executor-type R genes. It is perplexing that plants contain TALE-perceiving executor-type R genes in addition to NLRs that also mediate the recognition of TALE-containing xanthomonads. We present recent findings on the evolvability of TALEs, which suggest that the native function of executors is not in plant immunity, but possibly in the regulation of developmentally controlled programmed cell death (PCD) processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moritz K Nowack
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; VIB Center of Plant Systems Biology, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Danalyn R Holmes
- University of Tübingen, ZMBP - General Genetics, Auf der Morgenstelle 32, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Lahaye
- University of Tübingen, ZMBP - General Genetics, Auf der Morgenstelle 32, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany.
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Huang CJ, Wu TL, Zheng PX, Ou JY, Ni HF, Lin YC. Comparative Genomic Analysis Uncovered Evolution of Pathogenicity Factors, Horizontal Gene Transfer Events, and Heavy Metal Resistance Traits in Citrus Canker Bacterium Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:731711. [PMID: 34557177 PMCID: PMC8453159 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.731711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Worldwide citrus production is severely threatened by Asiatic citrus canker which is caused by the proteobacterium Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri. Foliar sprays of copper-based bactericides are frequently used to control plant bacterial diseases. Despite the sequencing of many X. citri strains, the genome diversity and distribution of genes responsible for metal resistance in X. citri subsp. citri strains from orchards with different management practices in Taiwan are not well understood. Results: The genomes of three X. citri subsp. citri strains including one copper-resistant strain collected from farms with different management regimes in Taiwan were sequenced by Illumina and Nanopore sequencing and assembled into complete circular chromosomes and plasmids. CRISPR spoligotyping and phylogenomic analysis indicated that the three strains were located in the same phylogenetic lineages and shared ∼3,000 core-genes with published X. citri subsp. citri strains. These strains differed mainly in the CRISPR repeats and pathogenicity-related plasmid-borne transcription activator-like effector (TALE)-encoding pthA genes. The copper-resistant strain has a unique, large copper resistance plasmid due to an unusual ∼40 kbp inverted repeat. Each repeat contains a complete set of the gene cluster responsible for copper and heavy metal resistance. Conversely, the copper sensitive strains carry no metal resistance genes in the plasmid. Through comparative analysis, the origin and evolution of the metal resistance clusters was resolved. Conclusion: Chromosomes remained constant among three strains collected in Taiwan, but plasmids likely played an important role in maintaining pathogenicity and developing bacterial fitness in the field. The evolution of pathogenicity factors and horizontal gene transfer events were observed in the three strains. These data suggest that agricultural management practices could be a potential trigger for the evolution of citrus canker pathogens. The decrease in the number of CRISPR repeats and pthA genes might be the result of adaptation to a less stressful environment. The metal resistance genes in the copper resistant X. citri strain likely originated from the Mauritian strain not the local copper-resistant X. euvesicatoria strain. This study highlights the importance of plasmids as 'vehicles' for exchanging genetic elements between plant pathogenic bacteria and contributing to bacterial adaptation to the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Jui Huang
- Department of Plant Medicine, National Chiayi University, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Ting-Li Wu
- Biotechnology Center in Southern Taiwan, Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Academia Sinica, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Po-Xing Zheng
- Biotechnology Center in Southern Taiwan, Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Academia Sinica, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Jheng-Yang Ou
- Biotechnology Center in Southern Taiwan, Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Academia Sinica, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Fang Ni
- Department of Plant Protection, Chiayi Agricultural Experiment Station, Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Yao-Cheng Lin
- Biotechnology Center in Southern Taiwan, Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Academia Sinica, Tainan, Taiwan
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Teper D, Xu J, Pandey SS, Wang N. PthAW1, a Transcription Activator-Like Effector of Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri, Promotes Host-Specific Immune Responses. MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS : MPMI 2021; 34:1033-1047. [PMID: 33970668 DOI: 10.1094/mpmi-01-21-0026-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Citrus canker disease caused by Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri is one of the most destructive diseases in citrus. X. citri subsp. citri pathotypes display different host ranges. X. citri subsp. citri strain A (XccA) causes canker disease in most commercial citrus varieties, whereas strain AW (XccAW), which is genetically similar to XccA, infects only lime and alemow. Understanding the mechanism that determines the host range of pathogens is critical to investigating and utilizing host resistance. We hypothesized that XccAW would undergo mutations in genes that restrict its host range when artificially inoculated into incompatible citrus varieties. To test this hypothesis, we used an experimental evolution approach to identify phenotypic traits and genetic loci associated with the adaptation of XccAW to incompatible sweet orange. Repeated inoculation and reisolation cycles improved the ability of three independent XccAW strains to colonize sweet orange. Adapted XccAW strains displayed increased expression of type III secretion system and effector genes. Genome sequencing analysis indicated that two of the adapted strains harbored mutations in pthAW1, a transcription activator-like effector (TALE) gene, that corresponded to the removal of one or two repeats from the central DNA-binding repeat region. Introduction of the original but not the adapted pthAW1 variants into XccA abolished its ability to cause canker symptoms in sweet orange, Meyer lemon, and clementine but not in other XccAW-resistant citrus varieties. The original pthAW1, when expressed in XccA, induced ion leakage and the expression of pathogenesis-related genes but had no effect on CsLOB1 expression in sweet orange. Our study has identified a novel host-specific avirulence TALE and demonstrated active adaptive rearrangements of the TALE repeat array during host adaptation.[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doron Teper
- Citrus Research and Education Center, Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, 700 Experiment Station Road, Lake Alfred, FL 33850, U.S.A
| | - Jin Xu
- Citrus Research and Education Center, Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, 700 Experiment Station Road, Lake Alfred, FL 33850, U.S.A
| | - Sheo Shankar Pandey
- Citrus Research and Education Center, Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, 700 Experiment Station Road, Lake Alfred, FL 33850, U.S.A
| | - Nian Wang
- Citrus Research and Education Center, Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, 700 Experiment Station Road, Lake Alfred, FL 33850, U.S.A
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Richard D, Pruvost O, Balloux F, Boyer C, Rieux A, Lefeuvre P. Time-calibrated genomic evolution of a monomorphic bacterium during its establishment as an endemic crop pathogen. Mol Ecol 2020; 30:1823-1835. [PMID: 33305421 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Horizontal gene transfer is of major evolutionary importance as it allows for the redistribution of phenotypically important genes among lineages. Such genes with essential functions include those involved in resistance to antimicrobial compounds and virulence factors in pathogenic bacteria. Understanding gene turnover at microevolutionary scales is critical to assess the pace of this evolutionary process. Here, we characterized and quantified gene turnover for the epidemic lineage of a bacterial plant pathogen of major agricultural importance worldwide. Relying on a dense geographic sampling spanning 39 years of evolution, we estimated both the dynamics of single nucleotide polymorphism accumulation and gene content turnover. We identified extensive gene content variation among lineages even at the smallest phylogenetic and geographic scales. Gene turnover rate exceeded nucleotide substitution rate by three orders of magnitude. Accessory genes were found preferentially located on plasmids, but we identified a highly plastic chromosomal region hosting ecologically important genes such as transcription activator-like effectors. Whereas most changes in the gene content are probably transient, the rapid spread of a mobile element conferring resistance to copper compounds widely used for the management of plant bacterial pathogens illustrates how some accessory genes can become ubiquitous within a population over short timeframes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damien Richard
- Cirad, UMR PVBMT, Réunion, France.,ANSES, Plant Health Laboratory, Réunion, France.,Université de la Réunion, UMR PVBMT, Réunion, France
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10
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Secrete or perish: The role of secretion systems in Xanthomonas biology. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2020; 19:279-302. [PMID: 33425257 PMCID: PMC7777525 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2020.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria of the Xanthomonas genus are mainly phytopathogens of a large variety of crops of economic importance worldwide. Xanthomonas spp. rely on an arsenal of protein effectors, toxins and adhesins to adapt to the environment, compete with other microorganisms and colonize plant hosts, often causing disease. These protein effectors are mainly delivered to their targets by the action of bacterial secretion systems, dedicated multiprotein complexes that translocate proteins to the extracellular environment or directly into eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. Type I to type VI secretion systems have been identified in Xanthomonas genomes. Recent studies have unravelled the diverse roles played by the distinct types of secretion systems in adaptation and virulence in xanthomonads, unveiling new aspects of their biology. In addition, genome sequence information from a wide range of Xanthomonas species and pathovars have become available recently, uncovering a heterogeneous distribution of the distinct families of secretion systems within the genus. In this review, we describe the architecture and mode of action of bacterial type I to type VI secretion systems and the distribution and functions associated with these important nanoweapons within the Xanthomonas genus.
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Teper D, Xu J, Li J, Wang N. The immunity of Meiwa kumquat against Xanthomonas citri is associated with a known susceptibility gene induced by a transcription activator-like effector. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008886. [PMID: 32931525 PMCID: PMC7518600 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Citrus canker caused by Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xcc) is one of the most devastating diseases in citrus. Meiwa kumquat (Fortunella crassifolia) has shown a durable resistance against Xcc. Here, we aimed to characterize the mechanisms responsible for such a durable resistance by characterizing the transcriptional and physiological responses of Meiwa kumquat to Xcc. Inoculation of Meiwa kumquat with Xcc promoted immune responses such as upregulation of PR genes, accumulation of salicylic acid, hypersensitive response (HR)-like cell death and early leaf abscission. Hypertrophy and hyperplasia symptoms, which are known to be caused by Xcc-induction of the canker susceptibility gene LOB1 through the transcription activator-like effector (TALE) PthA4, always appear prior to the development of cell death. Mutation of pthA4 in Xcc abolished the induction of LOB1, canker symptoms, cell death, and leaf abscission and reduced the expression of PR genes in inoculated kumquat leaves without reducing Xcc titers in planta. Transcriptome analysis demonstrated that PthA4 promotes plant biotic and abiotic stress responses and the biosynthesis of abscisic acid. Transcriptional induction of LOB1 homologs in Meiwa kumquat by Xcc pthA4 mutant strains carrying a repertoire of designer TALEs promoted the elicitation of HR-like phenotype and leaf abscission, suggesting that kumquat response to Xcc is associated with upregulation of LOB1. Our study suggests a novel mechanism of plant resistance to Xanthomonas via elicitation of immune responses by upregulation of a host susceptibility gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doron Teper
- Citrus Research and Education Center, Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Lake Alfred, United States of America
| | - Jin Xu
- Citrus Research and Education Center, Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Lake Alfred, United States of America
| | - Jinyun Li
- Citrus Research and Education Center, Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Lake Alfred, United States of America
| | - Nian Wang
- Citrus Research and Education Center, Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Lake Alfred, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Xue J, Lu Z, Liu W, Wang S, Lu D, Wang X, He X. The genetic arms race between plant and Xanthomonas: lessons learned from TALE biology. SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES 2020; 64:51-65. [PMID: 32661897 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-020-1699-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The pathogenic bacterial genus Xanthomonas infects a wide variety of host plants and causes devastating diseases in many crops. Transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs) are important virulence factors secreted by Xanthomonas with the ability to directly bind to the promoters of target genes in plant hosts and activate their expression, which often facilitates the proliferation of pathogens. Understanding how plants cope with TALEs will provide mechanistic insights into crop breeding for Xanthomonas defense. Over the past 30 years, numerous studies have revealed the modes of action of TALEs in plant cells and plant defense strategies to overcome TALE attack. Based on these findings, new technologies were adopted for disease management to optimize crop production. In this article, we will review the most recent advances in the evolutionary arms race between plant resistance and TALEs from Xanthomonas, with a specific focus on TALE applications in the development of novel breeding strategies for durable and broad-spectrum resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Xue
- Rice Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Technology in Rice Breeding, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Zhanhua Lu
- Rice Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Technology in Rice Breeding, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Rice Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Technology in Rice Breeding, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Shiguang Wang
- Rice Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Technology in Rice Breeding, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Dongbai Lu
- Rice Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Technology in Rice Breeding, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Xiaofei Wang
- Rice Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Technology in Rice Breeding, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Xiuying He
- Rice Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Technology in Rice Breeding, Guangzhou, 510640, China.
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Sun L, Ke F, Nie Z, Wang P, Xu J. Citrus Genetic Engineering for Disease Resistance: Past, Present and Future. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E5256. [PMID: 31652763 PMCID: PMC6862092 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20215256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 10/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Worldwide, citrus is one of the most important fruit crops and is grown in more than 130 countries, predominantly in tropical and subtropical areas. The healthy progress of the citrus industry has been seriously affected by biotic and abiotic stresses. Several diseases, such as canker and huanglongbing, etc., rigorously affect citrus plant growth, fruit quality, and yield. Genetic engineering technologies, such as genetic transformation and genome editing, represent successful and attractive approaches for developing disease-resistant crops. These genetic engineering technologies have been widely used to develop citrus disease-resistant varieties against canker, huanglongbing, and many other fungal and viral diseases. Recently, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-based systems have made genome editing an indispensable genetic manipulation tool that has been applied to many crops, including citrus. The improved CRISPR systems, such as CRISPR/CRISPR-associated protein (Cas)9 and CRISPR/Cpf1 systems, can provide a promising new corridor for generating citrus varieties that are resistant to different pathogens. The advances in biotechnological tools and the complete genome sequence of several citrus species will undoubtedly improve the breeding for citrus disease resistance with a much greater degree of precision. Here, we attempt to summarize the recent successful progress that has been achieved in the effective application of genetic engineering and genome editing technologies to obtain citrus disease-resistant (bacterial, fungal, and virus) crops. Furthermore, we also discuss the opportunities and challenges of genetic engineering and genome editing technologies for citrus disease resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lifang Sun
- Institute of Citrus Research, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Taizhou 318026, China.
- National Center for Citrus Variety Improvement, Zhejiang Branch, Taizhou 318026, China.
| | - Fuzhi Ke
- Institute of Citrus Research, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Taizhou 318026, China.
- National Center for Citrus Variety Improvement, Zhejiang Branch, Taizhou 318026, China.
| | - Zhenpeng Nie
- Institute of Citrus Research, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Taizhou 318026, China.
- National Center for Citrus Variety Improvement, Zhejiang Branch, Taizhou 318026, China.
| | - Ping Wang
- Institute of Citrus Research, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Taizhou 318026, China.
- National Center for Citrus Variety Improvement, Zhejiang Branch, Taizhou 318026, China.
| | - Jianguo Xu
- Institute of Citrus Research, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Taizhou 318026, China.
- National Center for Citrus Variety Improvement, Zhejiang Branch, Taizhou 318026, China.
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