β-aminobutyric acid induces priming defence against Botrytis cinerea in grapefruit by reducing intercellular redox status that modifies posttranslation of VvNPR1 and its interaction with VvTGA1

Either NPR1 or TGA1 serve as master redox-sensitive transcriptional regulators for the transcription of PR genes in plants. The redox modification of the two co-activators involved in BABA-induced priming resistance against Botrytis cinerea in grapes was examined in this study. The results showed that 10 mmol L^-1 BABA could effectively trigger a priming defense in grapes as manifested by augmented expression levels of PR genes upon inoculation with B. cinerea. Moreover, transcriptome profiling analysis revealed that all of the sets of key genes in the enzymatic ROS scavenging system, the PPP and AsA-GSH cycle were in harmony and were transcriptionally induced in BABA-primed grapes with pathogenic infection; in addition, this enhanced expression caused the accelerated accumulation of reductive substances, namely, AsA, GSH and NADPH, resulting in reduced intercellular conditions. Under reduced conditions, the interaction of VvTGA1 and VvNPR1 in the Y2H assay implied that VvTGA1 can provide the DNA binding capacity required by VvNPR1 for activation of VvPR genes. Consequently, the transactivation of VvNPR1 by the promoters of VvPR1, VvPR2 and VvPR5 was determined via a DLR assay, and it induced the transcription of the VvPR genes. In parallel, the redox-modified reducing condition achieved with an abundant supply of reductive substances was closely associated with the translocation of NPR1 for interaction with TGA in the nucleus. Thus, the posttranslational modification and subsequent interaction of the two redox-sensitive co-activators of VvNPR1 and VvTGA1 under reduced conditions may be responsible for BABA-induced priming for effective disease resistance in grapes.

2,4-EPIBRASSIONOLIDE ACTIVATES PRIMING RESISTANCE AGAINST RHIZOPUS STOLONIFER INFECTION IN PEACH FRUIT

This study was conducted to assess the effects of 2,4-epibrassionolide (EBR) on mold decay caused by Rhizopus stolonifer and its capability to activate biochemical defense reactions in postharvest peaches. The treatment of EBR at 5 μM possessed the optimum effectiveness on inhibiting the Rhizopus rot in peach fruit among all treatments. The EBR treatment significantly up-regulated the expression levels of a set of defense-related enzymes and PR genes that included PpCHI, PpGns1, PpPAL, PpNPR1, PpPR1 and PpPR4 as well as led to an enhancement for biosynthesis of phenolics and lignins in peaches during the incubation at 20 °C. Interestingly, the EBR-treated peaches exhibited more striking expressions of PR genes and accumulation of antifungal compounds upon inoculation with the pathogen, indicating a priming defense could be activated by EBR. On the other hand, 5 μM EBR exhibited direct toxicity on fungal proliferation of R. stolonifer in vitro. Thus, we concluded that 5 μM EBR inhibited the Rhizopus rot in peach fruit probably by a direct inhibitory effect on pathogen growth and an indirect induction of a priming resistance. These findings provided a potential alternative for control of fungal infection in peaches during the postharvest storage.