Harpin-elicited hypersensitive cell death and pathogen resistance require the NDR1 and EDS1 genes

Plants sprayed with harpin, a bacterial protein that induces hypersensitive cell death (HCD), develop systemic acquired resistance (SAR) without macroscopic necrosis. HCD sometimes accompanies the development of resistance conferred by resistance (R) genes. In Arabidopsis, some R genes require one or both of the signalling components NDR1 and EDS1 for function. This study addresses whether HCD, NDR1 and EDS1 are required for induction of SAR by harpin. When Arabidopsis and tobacco leaves were sprayed with harpin, microscopic hypersensitive response (micro-HR) lesions developed. Systemic expression of PR genes and the development of resistance were accompanied by micro-HR, except in the ndr1-1 mutant, in which harpin induced micro-HR without the development of resistance or expression of the PR-1 gene. Cell death and resistance did not occur following treatment with harpin in plants that could not accumulate salicylic acid. Harpin also failed to induce resistance in Arabidopsis eds1-1 mutants. Therefore, harpin-induced resistance seems to develop concomitantly with cell death and resistance requires NDR1 and EDS1.     

Resistance of wheat to Mycosphaerella graminicola involves early and late peaks of gene expression

Large-scale cDNA-AFLP profiling identified numerous genes with increased expression during the resistance response of wheat to the Septoria tritici blotch fungus, Mycosphaerella graminicola. To test whether these genes were associated with resistance responses, primers were designed for the 14 that were most strongly up-regulated, and their levels of expression were measured at 12 time points from 0 to 27 days after inoculation (DAI) in two resistant and two susceptible cultivars of wheat by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. None of these genes was expressed constitutively in the resistant wheat cultivars. Instead, infection of wheat by M. graminicola induced changes in expression of each gene in both resistant and susceptible cultivars over time. The four genes chitinase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase, pathogenesis-related protein PR-1, and peroxidase were induced from about 10- to 60-fold at early stages (3 h–1 DAI) during the incompatible interactions but were not expressed at later time points. Nine other genes (ATPase, brassinosteroid-6-oxidase, peptidylprolyl isomerase, peroxidase 2, 40S ribosomal protein, ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase, putative protease inhibitor, methionine sulfoxide reductase, and an RNase S-like protein precursor) had bimodal patterns with both early (1–3 DAI) and late (12–24 DAI) peaks of expression in at least one of the resistant cultivars, but low if any induction in the two susceptible cultivars. The remaining gene (a serine carboxypeptidase) had a trimodal pattern of expression in the resistant cultivar Tadinia. These results indicate that the resistance response of wheat to M. graminicola is not completed during the first 24 h after contact with the pathogen, as thought previously, but instead can extend into the period from 18 to 24 DAI when fungal growth increases dramatically in compatible interactions. Many of these genes have a possible function in signal transduction or possibly as regulatory elements. Expression of the PR-1 gene at 12 h after inoculation was much higher in resistant compared to susceptible recombinant-inbred lines (RILs) segregating for the Stb4 and Stb8 genes for resistance. Therefore, analysis of gene expression could provide a faster method for separating resistant from susceptible lines in research programs. Significant differential expression patterns of the defense-related genes between the resistant and susceptible wheat cultivars and RILs after inoculation with M. graminicola suggest that these genes may play a major role in the resistance mechanisms of wheat.     

拟南芥转录因子IDD4不同突变体对灰葡萄孢菌的抗性分析

为明确IDD家族IDD4基因在拟南芥Arabidopsis thaliana抵抗灰葡萄孢菌Botrytis cinerea侵染过程中的作用,通过统计病情指数检测拟南芥野生型（wild type,WT）植株、过表达植株IDD4-OE和缺失突变体idd4植株感染灰葡萄孢菌情况,利用组织染色检测叶片细胞死亡和H₂O₂的积累情况,采用实时荧光定量PCR（real-time quantitative-PT-PCR,qRT-PCR）技术分析灰葡萄孢菌肌动蛋白基因Bc. ACTIN在3种植株叶片中的表达情况,并施加0.1 mmol/L外源水杨酸（salicylic acid,SA）后测定IDD4-OE植株的病情指数。结果显示,不同株系对灰葡萄孢菌的抗性由高到低依次为idd4＞WT＞IDD4-OE,IDD4-OE植株中病原菌感染部位的寄主细胞死亡程度比idd4植株严重。染色结果表明,病原菌侵染拟南芥后4 h,接种部位已有H₂O₂积累。qRT-PCR反应结果显示,Bc. ACTIN在IDD4-OE中比在idd4植株中的表达水平更高,表明灰葡萄孢菌在IDD4-OE植株中的繁殖速率更快。对IDD4-OE植株外源施加SA后,其病情指数、Bc. ACTIN表达量与WT植株间均无显著差异,说明SA能将感病植株的抗性提高至WT植株的水平,表明IDD4作为负调控因子参与了拟南芥对灰葡萄孢菌的抗性调控,SA在其中发挥着重要作用。     

A functional gene-for-gene interaction is required for the production of an oxidative burst in response to infection with avirulent Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato in Arabidopsis thaliana

An early event correlated with the gene-for-gene hypersensitive response (HR) is the accumulation of active oxygen species (AOS), also known as the oxidative burst. We present data that genetically demonstrates that the oxidative burst is a downstream component of the RPS2- avrRpt2gene-for-gene signal cascade. An in planta AOS assay using the fluorescent probe 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) was modified for use with the Arabidopsis thaliana / Pseudomonas syringae pv.tomato (P. syringae pv. tomato) model system. An oxidative burst occurred between 8 and 15 hpi with avirulent P. syringae pv. tomato(avrRpt2), but not with virulent P. syringae pv. tomato. This burst preceded cell death and was not observed in the RPS2 Arabidopsis mutantsrps2-101C and rps2-201 inoculated with avirulent P. syringae pv. tomato. An HR-like response has been observed when plants undergoing a systemic acquired resistance (SAR) response are challenged with a normally virulent pathogen (manifestation stage of SAR), however an HR-like oxidative burst was not detected by the in planta AOS assay during this stage of SAR.     

Bioluminescence reporter assay system to monitor Arabidopsis MPK3 gene expression in response to infection by Botrytis cinerea

The Arabidopsis MPK3 gene product participates in disease resistance mediated by the MAP kinase cascade. The expression of the MPK3 gene is induced by pathogen inoculation and treatment with chemicals such as salicylic acid (SA) and methyl jasmonate (JA), but the detailed expression pattern of the MPK3 gene has been largely unknown. To investigate MPK3 gene expression in response to disease stress, we fused the MPK3 promoter to the firefly luciferase gene to create a real-time monitoring system for regulated gene expression in planta. The results of an in vivo reporter assay using transgenic Arabidopsis plants harboring MPK3::Fluc showed that the MPK3 promoter activity was induced by treatment with chemicals such as SA and benzo(1,2,3)-thiadiazole-7-carbothioic acid S-methyl ester (BTH), that induce defense gene expression. Inoculation with the fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea resulted in systemic induction of MPK3::Fluc.     

毁灭炭疽菌Colletotrichum destructivum诱抗蛋白对烟草抗病性的诱导

为明确毁灭炭疽菌Colletotrichum destructivum诱抗蛋白诱导烟草的抗病性及其作用,采用喷雾、摩擦接种方法及RT-PCR技术研究了诱抗蛋白的预防保护作用,以及烟草悬浮细胞经诱导后过氧化物酶(POD)、多酚氧化酶(PPO)、苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)活性及脯氨酸(Pro)含量和病程相关基因表达的变化。结果表明,接种3、5和7 d后,该诱抗蛋白对烟草炭疽病的诱抗效果分别为58.00%、48.99%和49.65%,对烟草白粉病的诱抗效果分别为83.26%、80.76%和78.60%,并可以抑制烟草普通花叶病毒的复制及在寄主体内的扩增;经诱抗蛋白处理后,烟草悬浮细胞POD、PPO、PAL活性及Pro含量明显提高;诱抗蛋白能够诱导烟草病程相关蛋白基因PR-1a、PR-1b以及抗病信号传导途径关键基因NPR1的表达。表明毁灭炭疽菌诱抗蛋白可诱导烟草产生抗病性,可能与烟草悬浮细胞中POD、PAL、PPO的活性及Pro的含量提高以及相关病程基因表达有关。     

Mycorrhiza induced resistance in potato plantlets challenged by Phytophthora infestans

Biological control of soil-borne pathogens by arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi has been repeatedly demonstrated. However, their role in the control of above-ground hemibiotrophic pathogens is less conclusive. Here, we investigated in vitro the impact of an AM fungus on Phytophthora infestans in potato plants. The leaf infection index was decreased in mycorrhizal potato plants. Real-Time Quantitative PCR revealed the induction of two pathogenesis related genes (PR1 and PR2) in the leaves of mycorrhizal plants shortly after infection with P. infestans. These results suggested a systemic resistance in mycorrhizal plants, related to the priming of the two PR genes in potato.     

Systemic resistance to bacterial leaf speck pathogen in Arabidopsis thaliana induced by the culture filtrate of a plant growth-promoting fungus (PGPF) Phoma sp. GS8-1

The culture filtrate (CF) from the plant growth-promoting fungus Phoma sp. GS8-1 was found to induce systemic resistance in Arabidopsis thaliana against the bacterial leaf speck pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 (Pst), and the underlying mechanism was studied. Roots of A. thaliana were treated with CF from GS8-1, and plants expressed a clear resistance to subsequent Pst infection; disease severity was reduced, and proliferation of pathogen was suppressed. Various mutants of A. thaliana were used to test whether the CF induced resistance through one of the known signaling pathways: salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), and ethylene (ET). The CF was fully protective against Pst in Arabidopsis mutants jar1 and ein2 similar to wild-type plants. However, its efficacy was reduced in plants containing transgene NahG. Examination of systemic gene expression revealed that CF modulates the expression of SA-inducible PR-1, PR-2 and PR-5 genes, the JA/ET-inducible ChitB gene, and the ET-inducible Hel gene. Moreover, the expression of these genes was further enhanced upon subsequent stimulation after attack by Pst. Our data suggest that in addition to a partial requirement for SA, the signals JA and ET may also play a role in defense signaling in Arabidopsis.     

Induction of peroxidase, scopoletin, phenolic compounds and resistance in Hevea brasiliensis by elicitin and a novel protein elicitor purified from Phytophthora palmivora

Elicitin and a new protein 75 kDa elicitor were purified from the culture filtrate of Phytophthora palmivora, a pathogen of Hevea brasiliensis (rubber plant). Elicitin was obtained by using a one step of DEAE cellulose chromatography and the new elicitor was obtained by two steps of chromatography: a DEAE cellulose column followed by a hydrophobic column. Both elicitors were stable to heat and a wide range of pH values, but were sensitive to ProteaseK. Both elicitors induced scopoletin, peroxidase isozymes (with substrate o-dianisidine and scopoletin) and total phenolic compounds in cell suspension of H. brasiliensis with similar kinetics. In addition, both elicitors induced peroxidase enzyme (o-dianisidine), total phenolic compounds and enhanced local resistance against P. palmivora on young rubber tree seedlings. However, the increase of peroxidase enzyme and total phenolic compounds in rubber tree seedlings was different from those in cell suspension. Furthermore, during the expression of local resistance the zoospore of P. palmivora induced the peroxidase enzyme (o-dianisidine) more rapidly and with higher level than the control plants. H. brasiliensis is more responsive to the new elicitor than elicitin in triggering defense responses. That is the new elicitor was active at a concentration lower than those required for elicitin, about a 30-fold decrease for activation defense responses in cell suspension. For induction of peroxidase enzyme (o-dianisidine), phenolic compounds and local resistance of rubber plants against P. palmivora, the 75 kDa protein was active at about a 2-fold lower concentration when compared to elicitin.     

非亲和性稻瘟病菌对水稻的诱导抗性

为研究稻瘟病菌Magnaporthe oryzae不同菌株间的相互作用,选择与单抗性基因系水稻IRBL5-M （携带抗性基因Pi5）表现为亲和性的菌株HN52与非亲和性的菌株HN119为研究对象,将其单独或混合接种到单抗性基因系水稻IRBL5-M中,并通过荧光显微镜观察接种后水稻叶鞘的发病情况及病斑面积,测定接种后水稻内相关抗性基因OsWRKY45、OsNPR1、OsPR10、OsMAPK2的表达量以及活性氧的变化。结果显示,相较于单独接种亲和性菌株,混合接种后单抗性基因系水稻IRBL5-M病斑发病面积减少;混合接种中亲和性菌株HN52菌丝侵染能力降低,侵染菌丝细胞间扩展率显著降低73.13%;同时单抗性基因系水稻IRBL5-M中OsWRKY45、OsNPR1、OsPR10和OsMAPK2抗性基因表达量显著增加,水稻叶片中活性氧含量增加,表明在菌株混合侵染过程中,非亲和性菌株可通过激发水稻的抗性反应来降低亲和性菌株对水稻的侵染程度。     

沉默转录因子OsERF7提高水稻对褐飞虱和白背飞虱的抗性

为了解植物中特有的转录因子乙烯响应因子(ethylene responsive factor,ERF)在植物诱导抗虫反应中的作用,通过克隆1个水稻ERF转录因子基因OsERF7,并结合分子生物学、反向遗传学及生物测定,探究其在水稻防御褐飞虱Nilaparvata lugens和白背飞虱Sogatella furcifera为害过程中的作用。结果显示,机械损伤处理与褐飞虱产卵雌成虫为害均能在中后期诱导OsERF7的表达。沉默OsERF7能显著降低水稻上褐飞虱及白背飞虱卵的孵化率,并延长褐飞虱卵的发育历期;与野生型水稻相比,褐飞虱和白背飞虱在沉默突变体品系R1和R30上的卵孵化率分别只有野生型水稻上的62.5%～68.3%和68.0%～76.0%,褐飞虱卵的发育历期则延长0.37～0.45 d。沉默OsERF7不影响褐飞虱产卵雌成虫为害诱导的水稻防御相关信号分子—茉莉酸(JA)、水杨酸(SA)、乙烯(ET)和过氧化氢(H_2O_2)的含量。表明转录因子OsERF7作用于防御相关信号途径的下游,并且负调控水稻对褐飞虱和白背飞虱的抗性。     

Plant immunisation: from myth to SAR

The idea that plants might be able to develop a form of acquired immunity to infection following exposure to a pathogen has been current ever since discovery of the animal immune system in the later years of the nineteenth century. Early attempts to demonstrate a comparable system in plants focused on the detection of precipitating antibodies and hence were doomed to failure. Nevertheless, largely anecdotal evidence for plant immunisation continued to accumulate, culminating in the discovery of phytoalexins in the 1940s. Convincing evidence for systemic changes in plant resistance following an inducer inoculation was not available until 20 years later, when pioneering work on tobacco infected with blue mould (Peronospora tabacina) or tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) showed that tissues remote from the inoculation site were altered in disease reaction type. Increased resistance was expressed as a reduction in lesion numbers and size, and a reduced rate of pathogen reproduction. Systemic acquired resistance (SAR) has now been demonstrated in at least 20 plant species in at least six plant families, although detailed genetic or molecular analysis has mainly been confined to a few models, such as tobacco, cucumber and Arabidopsis. SAR is associated with the coordinate induction of genes encoding defence proteins which can be used as molecular markers of the response. The availability of Arabidopsis mutants altered in the induction and expression of SAR is now providing new insights into the signal transduction pathway(s) involved, and will enable comparison with the molecular mechanisms operating in other plant taxa. Important unresolved questions concern the nature of the translocated signal, the mechanism of defence ‘priming’, efficacy of the response against different pathogens, and practical exploitation of SAR in crop protection. The first generation of chemical plant defence activators is now commercially available and optimal use of these SAR inducers in integrated disease control requires further evaluation. The prospects for engineering transgenic crops altered in the regulation or expression of SAR is also a subject for further investigation. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

酵母pac1基因介导对葡萄B病毒的抗性

为明确广谱性抗病毒基因—酵母pac1基因对葡萄B病毒(Grapevine virus B,GVB)的抗性效果,通过农杆菌介导的遗传转化,将pac1基因导入西方烟37B,对转基因植株进行PCR鉴定及Southern blot分析,通过病毒摩擦接种观察症状以及实时荧光定量RT-PCR检测植株体内病毒含量,并对转基因植株抗病性进行初步鉴定。结果表明,目的基因pac1成功导入并整合至西方烟37B基因组,共获得10个转基因株系。不同株系的T1代烟草中阳性植株比例为16.7%~72.7%,表明目的基因可成功遗传到子代。接种病毒后转基因植株普遍延迟发病,但后期症状与非转基因对照相似,其中仅1个转基因株系B6具有不表现典型症状等抗性反应。接种植株病毒含量检测中,所有转基因植株均检测到病毒存在,但表现为抗病的B6株系中病毒含量显著低于非转基因对照,表明该转基因植株虽不能完全抵抗GVB侵染,但对GVB具有耐病性。