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Fakhar AZ, Liu J, Pajerowska-Mukhtar KM, Mukhtar MS. The ORFans' tale: new insights in plant biology. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 28:1379-1390. [PMID: 37453923 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2023.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Orphan genes (OGs) are protein-coding genes without a significant sequence similarity in closely related species. Despite their functional importance, very little is known about the underlying molecular mechanisms by which OGs participate in diverse biological processes. Here, we discuss the evolutionary mechanisms of OGs' emergence with relevance to species-specific adaptations. We also provide a mechanistic view of the involvement of OGs in multiple processes, including growth, development, reproduction, and carbon-metabolism-mediated immunity. We highlight the interconnection between OGs and the sucrose nonfermenting 1 (SNF1)-related protein kinases (SnRKs)-target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling axis for phytohormone signaling, nutrient metabolism, and stress responses. Finally, we propose a high-throughput pipeline for OGs' interspecies and intraspecies gene transfer through a transgenic approach for future biotechnological advances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Zeeshan Fakhar
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1300 University Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Jinbao Liu
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1300 University Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | | | - M Shahid Mukhtar
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1300 University Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
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2
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Zakieh M, Alemu A, Henriksson T, Pareek N, Singh PK, Chawade A. Exploring GWAS and genomic prediction to improve Septoria tritici blotch resistance in wheat. Sci Rep 2023; 13:15651. [PMID: 37730954 PMCID: PMC10511425 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42856-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Septoria tritici blotch (STB) is a destructive foliar diseases threatening wheat grain yield. Wheat breeding for STB disease resistance has been identified as the most sustainable and environment-friendly approach. In this work, a panel of 316 winter wheat breeding lines from a commercial breeding program were evaluated for STB resistance at the seedling stage under controlled conditions followed by genome-wide association study (GWAS) and genomic prediction (GP). The study revealed a significant genotypic variation for STB seedling resistance, while disease severity scores exhibited a normal frequency distribution. Moreover, we calculated a broad-sense heritability of 0.62 for the trait. Nine single- and multi-locus GWAS models identified 24 marker-trait associations grouped into 20 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for STB seedling-stage resistance. The seven QTLs located on chromosomes 1B, 2A, 2B, 5B (two), 7A, and 7D are reported for the first time and could potentially be novel. The GP cross-validation analysis in the RR-BLUP model estimated the genomic-estimated breeding values (GEBVs) of STB resistance with a prediction accuracy of 0.49. Meanwhile, the GWAS assisted wRR-BLUP model improved the accuracy to 0.58. The identified QTLs can be used for marker-assisted backcrossing against STB in winter wheat. Moreover, the higher prediction accuracy recorded from the GWAS-assisted GP analysis implies its power to successfully select superior candidate lines based on their GEBVs for STB resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Zakieh
- Department of Plant Breeding, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 23422, Lomma, Sweden
| | - Admas Alemu
- Department of Plant Breeding, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 23422, Lomma, Sweden
| | | | - Nidhi Pareek
- Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Bandarsindri, Kishangarh, Ajmer, Rajasthan, 305801, India
| | - Pawan K Singh
- International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Texcoco, Mexico
| | - Aakash Chawade
- Department of Plant Breeding, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 23422, Lomma, Sweden.
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3
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Jiang M, Zhang Y, Yang X, Li X, Lang H. Brassica rapa orphan gene BR1 delays flowering time in Arabidopsis. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1135684. [PMID: 36909380 PMCID: PMC9998908 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1135684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Orphan genes are essential to the emergence of species-specific traits and the process of evolution, lacking sequence similarity to any other identified genes. As they lack recognizable domains or functional motifs, however, efforts to characterize these orphan genes are often difficult. Flowering is a key trait in Brassica rapa, as premature bolting can have a pronounced adverse impact on plant quality and yield. Bolting resistance-related orphan genes, however, have yet to be characterized. In this study, an orphan gene designated BOLTING RESISTANCE 1 (BR1) was identified and found through gene structural variation analyses to be more highly conserved in Chinese cabbage than in other available accessions. The expression of BR1 was increased in bolting resistant Chinese cabbage and decreased in bolting non-resistant type, and the expression of some mark genes were consist with bolting resistance phenotype. BR1 is primarily expressed in leaves at the vegetative growth stage, and the highest BR1 expression levels during the flowering stage were observed in the flower buds and silique as compared to other tissue types. The overexpression of BR1 in Arabidopsis was associated with enhanced bolting resistance under long day (LD) conditions, with these transgenic plants exhibiting significant decreases in stem height, rosette radius, and chlorophyll content. Transcriptomic sequencing of WT and BR1OE plants showed the association of BR1 with other bolting resistance genes. Transcriptomic sequencing and qPCR revealed that six flowering integrator genes and one chlorophyll biosynthesis-related gene were downregulated following BR1 overexpression. Six key genes in photoperiodic flowering pathway exhibited downward expression trends in BR1OE plants, while the expression of floral repressor AtFLC gene was upregulated. The transcripts of these key genes were consistent with observed phenotypes in BR1OE plants, and the results indicated that BR1 may function through vernalization and photoperiodic pathway. Instead, the protein encoded by BR1 gene was subsequently found to localize to the nucleus. Taken together, we first propose that orphan gene BR1 functions as a novel regulator of flowering time, and these results suggested that BR1 may represent a promising candidate gene to support the selective breeding of Chinese cabbage cultivars with enhanced bolting resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingliang Jiang
- School of Agriculture, Jilin Agricultural Science and Technology College, Jilin, China
| | - Yuting Zhang
- College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiaolong Yang
- College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaonan Li
- College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Hong Lang
- School of Agriculture, Jilin Agricultural Science and Technology College, Jilin, China
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4
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Kilaru S, Fantozzi E, Cannon S, Schuster M, Chaloner TM, Guiu-Aragones C, Gurr SJ, Steinberg G. Zymoseptoria tritici white-collar complex integrates light, temperature and plant cues to initiate dimorphism and pathogenesis. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5625. [PMID: 36163135 PMCID: PMC9512790 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33183-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Transitioning from spores to hyphae is pivotal to host invasion by the plant pathogenic fungus Zymoseptoria tritici. This dimorphic switch can be initiated by high temperature in vitro (~27 °C); however, such a condition may induce cellular heat stress, questioning its relevance to field infections. Here, we study the regulation of the dimorphic switch by temperature and other factors. Climate data from wheat-growing areas indicate that the pathogen sporadically experiences high temperatures such as 27 °C during summer months. However, using a fluorescent dimorphic switch reporter (FDR1) in four wild-type strains, we show that dimorphic switching already initiates at 15-18 °C, and is enhanced by wheat leaf surface compounds. Transcriptomics reveals 1261 genes that are up- or down-regulated in hyphae of all strains. These pan-strain core dimorphism genes (PCDGs) encode known effectors, dimorphism and transcription factors, and light-responsive proteins (velvet factors, opsins, putative blue light receptors). An FDR1-based genetic screen reveals a crucial role for the white-collar complex (WCC) in dimorphism and virulence, mediated by control of PCDG expression. Thus, WCC integrates light with biotic and abiotic cues to orchestrate Z. tritici infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreedhar Kilaru
- Biosciences, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, EX4 4QD, Exeter, UK
| | - Elena Fantozzi
- Biosciences, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, EX4 4QD, Exeter, UK
| | - Stuart Cannon
- Biosciences, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, EX4 4QD, Exeter, UK
| | - Martin Schuster
- Biosciences, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, EX4 4QD, Exeter, UK
| | - Thomas M Chaloner
- Biosciences, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, EX4 4QD, Exeter, UK
| | | | - Sarah J Gurr
- Biosciences, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, EX4 4QD, Exeter, UK
- University of Utrecht, Padualaan 8, Utrecht, 3584 CH, The Netherlands
| | - Gero Steinberg
- Biosciences, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, EX4 4QD, Exeter, UK.
- University of Utrecht, Padualaan 8, Utrecht, 3584 CH, The Netherlands.
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5
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Jiang M, Li X, Dong X, Zu Y, Zhan Z, Piao Z, Lang H. Research Advances and Prospects of Orphan Genes in Plants. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:947129. [PMID: 35874010 PMCID: PMC9305701 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.947129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Orphan genes (OGs) are defined as genes having no sequence similarity with genes present in other lineages. OGs have been regarded to play a key role in the development of lineage-specific adaptations and can also serve as a constant source of evolutionary novelty. These genes have often been found related to various stress responses, species-specific traits, special expression regulation, and also participate in primary substance metabolism. The advancement in sequencing tools and genome analysis methods has made the identification and characterization of OGs comparatively easier. In the study of OG functions in plants, significant progress has been made. We review recent advances in the fast evolving characteristics, expression modulation, and functional analysis of OGs with a focus on their role in plant biology. We also emphasize current challenges, adoptable strategies and discuss possible future directions of functional study of OGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingliang Jiang
- School of Agriculture, Jilin Agricultural Science and Technology College, Jilin, China
| | - Xiaonan Li
- College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiangshu Dong
- School of Agriculture, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Ye Zu
- College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zongxiang Zhan
- College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhongyun Piao
- College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Hong Lang
- School of Agriculture, Jilin Agricultural Science and Technology College, Jilin, China
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6
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Moon H, Jeong AR, Kwon OK, Park CJ. Oryza-Specific Orphan Protein Triggers Enhanced Resistance to Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae in Rice. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:859375. [PMID: 35360326 PMCID: PMC8961030 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.859375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
All genomes carry lineage-specific orphan genes lacking homology in their closely related species. Identification and functional study of the orphan genes is fundamentally important for understanding lineage-specific adaptations including acquirement of resistance to pathogens. However, most orphan genes are of unknown function due to the difficulties in studying them using helpful comparative genomics. Here, we present a defense-related Oryza-specific orphan gene, Xio1, specifically induced by the bacterial pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) in an immune receptor XA21-dependent manner. Salicylic acid (SA) and ethephon (ET) also induced its expression, but methyl jasmonic acid (MeJA) reduced its basal expression. C-terminal green fluorescent protein (GFP) tagged Xio1 (Xio1-GFP) was visualized in the nucleus and the cytosol after polyethylene glycol (PEG)-mediated transformation in rice protoplasts and Agrobacterium-mediated infiltration in tobacco leaves. Transgenic rice plants overexpressing Xio1-GFP showed significantly enhanced resistance to Xoo with reduced lesion lengths and bacterial growth, in company with constitutive expression of defense-related genes. However, all of the transgenic plants displayed severe growth retardation and premature death. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) was significantly produced in rice protoplasts constitutively expressing Xio1-GFP. Overexpression of Xio1-GFP in non-Oryza plant species, Arabidopsis thaliana, failed to induce growth retardation and enhanced resistance to Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst) DC3000. Our results suggest that the defense-related orphan gene Xio1 plays an important role in distinctive mechanisms evolved within the Oryza and provides a new source of Oryza-specific genes for crop-breeding programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyeran Moon
- Department of Molecular Biology, Sejong University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - A-Ram Jeong
- Department of Molecular Biology, Sejong University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Oh-Kyu Kwon
- Department of Molecular Biology, Sejong University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Chang-Jin Park
- Department of Molecular Biology, Sejong University, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Bioresources Engineering, Sejong University, Seoul, South Korea
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Karki SJ, Reilly A, Zhou B, Mascarello M, Burke J, Doohan F, Douchkov D, Schweizer P, Feechan A. A small secreted protein from Zymoseptoria tritici interacts with a wheat E3 ubiquitin ligase to promote disease. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2021. [PMID: 33095257 DOI: 10.5061/dryad.9w0vt4bcx] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Septoria tritici blotch (STB), caused by the ascomycete fungus Zymoseptoria tritici, is a major threat to wheat production worldwide. The Z. tritici genome encodes many small secreted proteins (ZtSSPs) that are likely to play a key role in the successful colonization of host tissues. However, few of these ZtSSPs have been functionally characterized for their role during infection. In this study, we identified and characterized a small, conserved cysteine-rich secreted effector from Z. tritici which has homologues in other plant pathogens in the Dothideomycetes. ZtSSP2 was expressed throughout Z. tritici infection in wheat, with the highest levels observed early during infection. A yeast two-hybrid assay revealed an interaction between ZtSSP2 and wheat E3 ubiquitin ligase (TaE3UBQ) in yeast, and this was further confirmed in planta using bimolecular fluorescence complementation and co-immunoprecipitation. Down-regulation of this wheat E3 ligase using virus-induced gene silencing increased the susceptibility of wheat to STB. Together, these results suggest that TaE3UBQ is likely to play a role in plant immunity to defend against Z. tritici.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujit Jung Karki
- School of Agriculture & Food Science and UCD Earth Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Aisling Reilly
- School of Agriculture & Food Science and UCD Earth Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Binbin Zhou
- School of Biology and Environmental Science and UCD Earth Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Maurizio Mascarello
- School of Agriculture & Food Science and UCD Earth Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
- Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity Conservation, Charles Deberiotstraat 8 32, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - James Burke
- School of Agriculture & Food Science and UCD Earth Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Fiona Doohan
- School of Biology and Environmental Science and UCD Earth Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Dimitar Douchkov
- Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Cytogenetics, Gatersleben, Germany
| | - Patrick Schweizer
- Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Cytogenetics, Gatersleben, Germany
| | - Angela Feechan
- School of Agriculture & Food Science and UCD Earth Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
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8
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Karki SJ, Reilly A, Zhou B, Mascarello M, Burke J, Doohan F, Douchkov D, Schweizer P, Feechan A. A small secreted protein from Zymoseptoria tritici interacts with a wheat E3 ubiquitin ligase to promote disease. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2021; 72:733-746. [PMID: 33095257 PMCID: PMC7853600 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/eraa489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Septoria tritici blotch (STB), caused by the ascomycete fungus Zymoseptoria tritici, is a major threat to wheat production worldwide. The Z. tritici genome encodes many small secreted proteins (ZtSSPs) that are likely to play a key role in the successful colonization of host tissues. However, few of these ZtSSPs have been functionally characterized for their role during infection. In this study, we identified and characterized a small, conserved cysteine-rich secreted effector from Z. tritici which has homologues in other plant pathogens in the Dothideomycetes. ZtSSP2 was expressed throughout Z. tritici infection in wheat, with the highest levels observed early during infection. A yeast two-hybrid assay revealed an interaction between ZtSSP2 and wheat E3 ubiquitin ligase (TaE3UBQ) in yeast, and this was further confirmed in planta using bimolecular fluorescence complementation and co-immunoprecipitation. Down-regulation of this wheat E3 ligase using virus-induced gene silencing increased the susceptibility of wheat to STB. Together, these results suggest that TaE3UBQ is likely to play a role in plant immunity to defend against Z. tritici.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujit Jung Karki
- School of Agriculture & Food Science and UCD Earth Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Aisling Reilly
- School of Agriculture & Food Science and UCD Earth Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Binbin Zhou
- School of Biology and Environmental Science and UCD Earth Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Maurizio Mascarello
- School of Agriculture & Food Science and UCD Earth Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
- Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity Conservation, Charles Deberiotstraat 8 32, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - James Burke
- School of Agriculture & Food Science and UCD Earth Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Fiona Doohan
- School of Biology and Environmental Science and UCD Earth Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Dimitar Douchkov
- Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Cytogenetics, Gatersleben, Germany
| | - Patrick Schweizer
- Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Cytogenetics, Gatersleben, Germany
| | - Angela Feechan
- School of Agriculture & Food Science and UCD Earth Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
- Correspondence:
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Benbow HR, Brennan CJ, Zhou B, Christodoulou T, Berry S, Uauy C, Mullins E, Doohan FM. Insights into the resistance of a synthetically-derived wheat to Septoria tritici blotch disease: less is more. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2020; 20:407. [PMID: 32883202 PMCID: PMC7469286 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-020-02612-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known about the initial, symptomless (latent) phase of the devastating wheat disease Septoria tritici blotch. However, speculations as to its impact on fungal success and disease severity in the field have suggested that a long latent phase is beneficial to the host and can reduce inoculum build up in the field over a growing season. The winter wheat cultivar Stigg is derived from a synthetic hexaploid wheat and contains introgressions from wild tetraploid wheat Triticum turgidum subsp. dicoccoides, which contribute to cv. Stigg's exceptional STB resistance, hallmarked by a long latent phase. We compared the early transcriptomic response to Zymoseptoria tritici of cv. Stigg to a susceptible wheat cultivar, to elucidate the mechanisms of and differences in pathogen recognition and disease response in these two hosts. RESULTS The STB-susceptible cultivar Longbow responds to Z. tritici infection with a stress response, including activation of hormone-responsive transcription factors, post translational modifications, and response to oxidative stress. The activation of key genes associated with these pathways in cv. Longbow was independently observed in a second susceptible wheat cultivar based on an independent gene expression study. By comparison, cv. Stigg is apathetic in response to STB, and appears to fail to activate a range of defence pathways that cv. Longbow employs. Stigg also displays some evidence of sub-genome bias in its response to Z. tritici infection, whereas the susceptible cv. Longbow shows even distribution of Z. tritici responsive genes across the three wheat sub-genomes. CONCLUSIONS We identify a suite of disease response genes that are involved in early pathogen response in susceptible wheat cultivars that may ultimately lead to susceptibility. In comparison, we hypothesise that rather than an active defence response to stave off disease progression, cv. Stigg's defence strategy is molecular lethargy, or a lower-amplitude of pathogen recognition that may stem from cv. Stigg's wild wheat-derived ancestry. Overall, we present insights into cv. Stigg's exceptional resistance to STB, and present key biological processes for further characterisation in this pathosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harriet R Benbow
- UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, UCD Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
- UCD Earth Institute, University College Dublin, UCD Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
- UCD Centre for Plant Science, University College Dublin, UCD Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Ciarán J Brennan
- UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, UCD Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
- UCD Earth Institute, University College Dublin, UCD Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
- UCD Centre for Plant Science, University College Dublin, UCD Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Binbin Zhou
- UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, UCD Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
- UCD Earth Institute, University College Dublin, UCD Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
- UCD Centre for Plant Science, University College Dublin, UCD Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Thalia Christodoulou
- UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, UCD Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
- UCD Earth Institute, University College Dublin, UCD Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
- UCD Centre for Plant Science, University College Dublin, UCD Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Simon Berry
- Limagrain UK Ltd, Windmill Avenue, Woolpit, Suffolk, IP30 9UP, UK
| | | | - Ewen Mullins
- Teagasc Crops Research, Oak Park, Co. Carlow, Ireland
| | - Fiona M Doohan
- UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, UCD Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
- UCD Earth Institute, University College Dublin, UCD Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
- UCD Centre for Plant Science, University College Dublin, UCD Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
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Zhou B, Benbow HR, Brennan CJ, Arunachalam C, Karki SJ, Mullins E, Feechan A, Burke JI, Doohan FM. Wheat Encodes Small, Secreted Proteins That Contribute to Resistance to Septoria Tritici Blotch. Front Genet 2020; 11:469. [PMID: 32477410 PMCID: PMC7235427 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
During plant-pathogen interactions, pathogens secrete many rapidly evolving, small secreted proteins (SSPs) that can modify plant defense and permit pathogens to colonize plant tissue. The fungal pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici is the causal agent of Septoria tritici blotch (STB), one of the most important foliar diseases of wheat, globally. Z. tritici is a strictly apoplastic pathogen that can secrete numerous proteins into the apoplast of wheat leaves to promote infection. We sought to determine if, during STB infection, wheat also secretes small proteins into the apoplast to mediate the recognition of pathogen proteins and/or induce defense responses. To explore this, we developed an SSP-discovery pipeline to identify small, secreted proteins from wheat genomic data. Using this pipeline, we identified 6,998 SSPs, representing 2.3% of all proteins encoded by the wheat genome. We then mined a microarray dataset, detailing a resistant and susceptible host response to STB, and identified 141 Z. tritici- responsive SSPs, representing 4.7% of all proteins encoded by Z. tritici - responsive genes. We demonstrate that a subset of these SSPs have a functional signal peptide and can interact with Z. tritici SSPs. Transiently silencing two of these wheat SSPs using virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) shows an increase in susceptibility to STB, confirming their role in defense against Z. tritici.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binbin Zhou
- UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science, UCD Earth Institute, UCD O’Brien Centre for Science (East), University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Harriet R. Benbow
- UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science, UCD Earth Institute, UCD O’Brien Centre for Science (East), University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ciarán J. Brennan
- UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science, UCD Earth Institute, UCD O’Brien Centre for Science (East), University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Chanemougasoundharam Arunachalam
- UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science, UCD Earth Institute, UCD O’Brien Centre for Science (East), University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sujit J. Karki
- UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ewen Mullins
- Department of Crop Science, Teagasc, Carlow, Ireland
| | - Angela Feechan
- UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - James I. Burke
- UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Fiona M. Doohan
- UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science, UCD Earth Institute, UCD O’Brien Centre for Science (East), University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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