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Mierziak J, Wojtasik W. Epigenetic weapons of plants against fungal pathogens. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 24:175. [PMID: 38443788 PMCID: PMC10916060 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-04829-8] [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: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
In the natural environment, plants face constant exposure to biotic stress caused by fungal attacks. The plant's response to various biotic stresses relies heavily on its ability to rapidly adjust the transcriptome. External signals are transmitted to the nucleus, leading to activation of transcription factors that subsequently enhance the expression of specific defense-related genes. Epigenetic mechanisms, including histone modifications and DNA methylation, which are closely linked to chromatin states, regulate gene expression associated with defense against biotic stress. Additionally, chromatin remodelers and non-coding RNA play a significant role in plant defense against stressors. These molecular modifications enable plants to exhibit enhanced resistance and productivity under diverse environmental conditions. Epigenetic mechanisms also contribute to stress-induced environmental epigenetic memory and priming in plants, enabling them to recall past molecular experiences and utilize this stored information for adaptation to new conditions. In the arms race between fungi and plants, a significant aspect is the cross-kingdom RNAi mechanism, whereby sRNAs can traverse organismal boundaries. Fungi utilize sRNA as an effector molecule to silence plant resistance genes, while plants transport sRNA, primarily through extracellular vesicles, to pathogens in order to suppress virulence-related genes. In this review, we summarize contemporary knowledge on epigenetic mechanisms of plant defense against attack by pathogenic fungi. The role of epigenetic mechanisms during plant-fungus symbiotic interactions is also considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Mierziak
- Department of Genetic Biochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Przybyszewskiego 63, Wroclaw, 51-148, Poland
| | - Wioleta Wojtasik
- Department of Genetic Biochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Przybyszewskiego 63, Wroclaw, 51-148, Poland.
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Xue Y, Muhammad S, Yang J, Wang X, Zhao N, Qin B, Qiu Y, Du Z, Ulhassan Z, Zhou W, Liu F, Li R. Comparative transcriptome-wide identification and differential expression of genes and lncRNAs in rice near-isogenic line (KW- Bph36-NIL) in response to BPH feeding. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 13:1095602. [PMID: 36874914 PMCID: PMC9981640 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1095602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Brown planthopper (BPH) is the most devastating pest of rice in Asia, causing substantial yield losses and has become a challenging task to be controlled under field conditions. Although extensive measures have been taken over the past decades, which resulted in the evolution of new resistant BPH strains. Therefore, besides other possible approaches, equipping host plants with resistant genes is the most effective and environment-friendly technique for BPH control. Here, we systematically analyzed transcriptome changes in the susceptible rice variety Kangwenqingzhan (KW) and the resistant near-isogenic line (NIL) KW-Bph36-NIL, through RNA-seq, depicting the differential expression profiles of mRNAs and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in rice before and after BPH feeding. We observed a proportion of genes (1.48%) and (2.74%) were altered in KW and NIL, respectively, indicating different responses of rice strains against BPH feeding. Nevertheless, we characterized 384 differentially expressed long non-coding RNAs (DELs) that can be impacted by the two strains by alternatively changing the expression patterns of the respective coding genes, suggesting their certain involvement in response to BPH feeding. In BPH invasion, KW and NIL responded differently by modifying the synthesis, storage, and transformation of intracellular substances, adjusting the nutrient accumulation and utilization inside and outside the cells. In addition, NIL expressed stronger resistance by acutely up-regulating genes and other transcription factors related to stress resistance and plant immunity. Altogether, our study elaborates valuable insights into the genome-wide DEGs and DELs expression profiles of rice under BPH invasion by high throughput sequencing and further suggests that NILs can be utilized in BPH resistance breeding programs in developing high-resistance rice lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanxia Xue
- School of Electrical and Control Engineering, North University of China, Taiyuan, China
| | - Sajid Muhammad
- College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jinlian Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Xuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Neng Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Baoxiang Qin
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Yongfu Qiu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Zhimin Du
- College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zaid Ulhassan
- College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Weijun Zhou
- College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fang Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Rongbai Li
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
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Amaral J, Valledor L, Alves A, Martín-García J, Pinto G. Studying tree response to biotic stress using a multi-disciplinary approach: The pine pitch canker case study. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:916138. [PMID: 36160962 PMCID: PMC9501998 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.916138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
In an era of climate change and global trade, forests sustainability is endangered by several biotic threats. Pine pitch canker (PPC), caused by Fusarium circinatum, is one of the most important disease affecting conifers worldwide. To date, no effective control measures have been found for this disease. Earlier studies on PPC were mainly focused on the pathogen itself or on determining the levels of susceptibility of different hosts to F. circinatum infection. However, over the last years, plenty of information on the mechanisms that may explain the susceptibility or resistance to PPC has been published. This data are useful to better understand tree response to biotic stress and, most importantly, to aid the development of innovative and scientific-based disease control measures. This review gathers and discusses the main advances on PPC knowledge, especially focusing on multi-disciplinary studies investigating the response of pines with different levels of susceptibility to PPC upon infection. After an overview of the general knowledge of the disease, the importance of integrating information from physiological and Omics studies to unveil the mechanisms behind PPC susceptibility/resistance and to develop control strategies is explored. An extensive review of the main host responses to PPC was performed, including changes in water relations, signalling (ROS and hormones), primary metabolism, and defence (resin, phenolics, and PR proteins). A general picture of pine response to PPC is suggested according to the host susceptibility level and the next steps and gaps on PPC research are pointed out.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Amaral
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
- *Correspondence: Joana Amaral,
| | - Luis Valledor
- Department of Organisms and Systems Biology, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
- University Institute of Biotechnology of Asturias, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Artur Alves
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Jorge Martín-García
- Department of Vegetal Production and Forest Resources, University of Valladolid, Palencia, Spain
- Sustainable Forest Management Research Institute, University of Valladolid-INIA, Palencia, Spain
| | - Glória Pinto
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
- Glória Pinto,
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