1
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Siddique AB, Parveen S, Rahman MZ, Rahman J. Revisiting plant stress memory: mechanisms and contribution to stress adaptation. PHYSIOLOGY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF PLANTS : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 30:349-367. [PMID: 38623161 PMCID: PMC11016036 DOI: 10.1007/s12298-024-01422-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Highly repetitive adverse environmental conditions are encountered by plants multiple times during their lifecycle. These repetitive encounters with stresses provide plants an opportunity to remember and recall the experiences of past stress-associated responses, resulting in better adaptation towards those stresses. In general, this phenomenon is known as plant stress memory. According to our current understanding, epigenetic mechanisms play a major role in plants stress memory through DNA methylation, histone, and chromatin remodeling, and modulating non-coding RNAs. In addition, transcriptional, hormonal, and metabolic-based regulations of stress memory establishment also exist for various biotic and abiotic stresses. Plant memory can also be generated by priming the plants using various stressors that improve plants' tolerance towards unfavorable conditions. Additionally, the application of priming agents has been demonstrated to successfully establish stress memory. However, the interconnection of all aspects of the underlying mechanisms of plant stress memory is not yet fully understood, which limits their proper utilization to improve the stress adaptations in plants. This review summarizes the recent understanding of plant stress memory and its potential applications in improving plant tolerance towards biotic and abiotic stresses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abu Bakar Siddique
- Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania, Prospect, TAS 7250 Australia
| | - Sumaya Parveen
- Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, 1207 Bangladesh
| | - Md Zahidur Rahman
- Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, 1207 Bangladesh
| | - Jamilur Rahman
- Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, 1207 Bangladesh
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Harris CJ, Amtmann A, Ton J. Epigenetic processes in plant stress priming: Open questions and new approaches. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 75:102432. [PMID: 37523900 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2023.102432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Priming reflects the capacity of plants to memorise environmental stress experience and improve their response to recurring stress. Epigenetic modifications in DNA and associated histone proteins may carry short-term and long-term memory in the same plant or mediate transgenerational effects, but the evidence is still largely circumstantial. New experimental tools now enable scientists to perform targeted manipulations that either prevent or generate a particular epigenetic modification in a particular location of the genome. Such 'reverse epigenetics' approaches allow for the interrogation of causality between individual priming-induced modifications and their role for altering gene expression and plant performance under recurring stress. Furthermore, combining site-directed epigenetic manipulation with conditional and cell-type specific promoters creates novel opportunities to test and engineer spatiotemporal patterns of priming.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Jake Harris
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EA, UK
| | - Anna Amtmann
- School of Molecular Biosciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G128QQ, UK.
| | - Jurriaan Ton
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Forte FP, Malinowska M, Nagy I, Schmid J, Dijkwel P, Hume DE, Johnson RD, Simpson WR, Asp T. Methylome changes in Lolium perenne associated with long-term colonisation by the endophytic fungus Epichloë sp. LpTG-3 strain AR37. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1258100. [PMID: 37810388 PMCID: PMC10557135 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1258100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Epichloë spp. often form mutualistic interactions with cool-season grasses, such as Lolium perenne. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this interaction remain poorly understood. In this study, we employed reduced representation bisulfite sequencing method (epiGBS) to investigate the impact of the Epichloë sp. LpTG-3 strain AR37 on the methylome of L. perenne across multiple grass generations and under drought stress conditions. Our results showed that the presence of the endophyte leads to a decrease in DNA methylation across genomic features, with differentially methylated regions primarily located in intergenic regions and CHH contexts. The presence of the endophyte was consistently associated with hypomethylation in plants across generations. This research sheds new light on the molecular mechanisms governing the mutualistic interaction between Epichloë sp. LpTG-3 strain AR37 and L. perenne. It underscores the role of methylation changes associated with endophyte infection and suggests that the observed global DNA hypomethylation in L. perenne may be influenced by factors such as the duration of the endophyte-plant association and the accumulation of genetic and epigenetic changes over time.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Flavia Pilar Forte
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Faculty of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Marta Malinowska
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Faculty of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Istvan Nagy
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Faculty of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jan Schmid
- Ferguson Street Laboratories, Palmerston North, New Zealand
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Paul Dijkwel
- Ferguson Street Laboratories, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - David E. Hume
- AgResearch, Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | | | - Wayne R. Simpson
- AgResearch, Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Torben Asp
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Faculty of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ruiz-Galea M, Kremer C, Friero E, Hernández I. Tolerant Epitypes of Elicited Holm Oak Somatic Embryos Could Be Revealed by Challenges in Dual Culture with Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:3056. [PMID: 37687303 PMCID: PMC10489650 DOI: 10.3390/plants12173056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Holm oaks (Quercus ilex L.) can suffer severe infection by the oomycete Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands; the production of more tolerant plants is, therefore, required. Embryo formation is a key period in the establishment of epigenetic memory. Somatic embryos from three holm oak genotypes were elicited, either over 3 days or 60 days, with methyl-jasmonate, salicylic acid (SA), β-aminobutyric acid (BABA), or benzothiadiazole (all at 50 μM and 100 μM), or 10% and 30% of a filtered oomycete extract (FILT10 and FILT30) to activate plant immune responses. The number of embryos produced and conversion rate under all conditions were recorded. Some elicited embryos were then exposed to P. cinnamomi in dual culture, and differential mycelial growth and the progression of necrosis were measured. The same was performed with the roots of germinated embryos. Within genotypes, significant differences were seen among the elicitation treatments in terms of both variables. Embryos and roots of 60-day BABA, SA, or FILT10 treatments inhibited mycelium growth. The 3-day BABA (either concentration) and 60-day FILT10 induced the greatest inhibition of necrosis. Mycelium and necrosis inhibition were compared with those of tolerant trees. Both inhibitions might be a defense response maintained after primed embryo germination, thus increasing the likelihood of tolerance to infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mar Ruiz-Galea
- Department of Agroenvironmental Research, Instituto Madrileño de Investigación y Desarrollo Rural, Agrario y Alimentario (IMIDRA), Alcalá de Henares, 28805 Madrid, Spain; (C.K.); (E.F.); (I.H.)
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Hönig M, Roeber VM, Schmülling T, Cortleven A. Chemical priming of plant defense responses to pathogen attacks. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1146577. [PMID: 37223806 PMCID: PMC10200928 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1146577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Plants can acquire an improved resistance against pathogen attacks by exogenous application of natural or artificial compounds. In a process called chemical priming, application of these compounds causes earlier, faster and/or stronger responses to pathogen attacks. The primed defense may persist over a stress-free time (lag phase) and may be expressed also in plant organs that have not been directly treated with the compound. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the signaling pathways involved in chemical priming of plant defense responses to pathogen attacks. Chemical priming in induced systemic resistance (ISR) and systemic acquired resistance (SAR) is highlighted. The roles of the transcriptional coactivator NONEXPRESSOR OF PR1 (NPR1), a key regulator of plant immunity, induced resistance (IR) and salicylic acid signaling during chemical priming are underlined. Finally, we consider the potential usage of chemical priming to enhance plant resistance to pathogens in agriculture.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Hönig
- Institute of Biology/Applied Genetics, Dahlem Centre of Plant Sciences (DCPS), Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Chemical Biology, Faculty of Science, Palacký University, Olomouc, Czechia
| | - Venja M. Roeber
- Institute of Biology/Applied Genetics, Dahlem Centre of Plant Sciences (DCPS), Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Schmülling
- Institute of Biology/Applied Genetics, Dahlem Centre of Plant Sciences (DCPS), Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anne Cortleven
- Institute of Biology/Applied Genetics, Dahlem Centre of Plant Sciences (DCPS), Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Yang Z, Zhi P, Chang C. Priming seeds for the future: Plant immune memory and application in crop protection. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:961840. [PMID: 35968080 PMCID: PMC9372760 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.961840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Plants have evolved adaptive strategies to cope with pathogen infections that seriously threaten plant viability and crop productivity. Upon the perception of invading pathogens, the plant immune system is primed, establishing an immune memory that allows primed plants to respond more efficiently to the upcoming pathogen attacks. Physiological, transcriptional, metabolic, and epigenetic changes are induced during defense priming, which is essential to the establishment and maintenance of plant immune memory. As an environmental-friendly technique in crop protection, seed priming could effectively induce plant immune memory. In this review, we highlighted the recent advances in the establishment and maintenance mechanisms of plant defense priming and the immune memory associated, and discussed strategies and challenges in exploiting seed priming on crops to enhance disease resistance.
Collapse
|