Oligochitosan induces cell death and hydrogen peroxide accumulation in tobacco suspension cells

Oligochitosan has been shown to induce several plant defense responses. In the present work, the effect of oligochitosan on tobacco cell survival was investigated. The results showed that oligochitosan caused tobacco cell death in a dose-dependent manner. About 40.6 % tobacco cells died when cultured for 72 h after 500 μg ml⁻¹ oligochitosan treatment. Certain aspects of this cell death process appeared to be similar to apoptosis in animal cells. These included shrinkage of cytoplasm and condensation of chromatin. Oligochitosan also induced H₂O₂ accumulation in tobacco cell suspension culture. The role of H₂O₂ in the signal transduction that leads to cell death was investigated. Co-treatment of tobacco cells with oligochitosan and catalase inhibited H₂O₂ accumulation but did not inhibit the induction of cell death. The results suggested that apoptosis-like cell death of tobacco cells induced by oligochitosan is independent of H₂O₂ signal pathway.     

Antifungal activity of oligochitosan against Phytophthora capsici and other plant pathogenic fungi in vitro

Antifungal activity of oligochitosan against nine phytopathogens was investigated in vitro. Oligochitosan was more effective than chitosan in inhibiting mycelial growth of Phytophthora capsici and its inhibition on different stages in life cycle of P. capsici was observed. Rupture of released zoospores induced by oligochitosan was reduced by addition of 100 mM glucose. The effects of oligochitosan on mycelial growth and zoospore release, but not zoospore rupture, were reduced largely when pH value was above 7. The ultrastructural study showed that oligochitosan caused distortion and disruption of most vacuoles, thickening of plasmalemma, and appearance of unique tubular materials. Plasmalemmasomes in hyphal tip cells were not found in the presence of oligochitosan. These results suggest polycationic nature of oligochitosan contributes only partly to its antifungal activity and multiple modes of action of oligochitosan exist including the disruption of endomembrane system.     

壳寡糖季铵盐衍生物纳米银的合成及其诱导烟株抗烟草花叶病毒活性

为开发符合高效、低毒且环境友好的新型烟草花叶病毒(TMV)抑制剂,以具有季铵盐结构的新型壳寡糖季铵盐衍生物为还原剂和稳定剂,合成了壳寡糖季铵盐衍生物纳米银溶液,并研究了不同浓度该纳米银溶液诱导烟株产生抗TMV的活性。结果表明:所合成的壳寡糖季铵盐衍生物纳米银溶液在透射电镜(TEM)下显示分布较均匀,粒径主要集中在7~12 nm。在珊西烟上以25μg/m L的壳寡糖季铵盐衍生物纳米银溶液对枯斑的抑制效果最好,抑制率为74.0%,比50μg/m L壳寡糖溶液和2%宁南霉素水剂分别高41.5%和24.4%;对于普通烟K326,壳寡糖季铵盐衍生物纳米银溶液可缓解被病毒侵染的烟草叶绿素含量的下降幅度,提高叶片中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)和过氧化氢酶(PPO)的活性,降低丙二醛(MDA)的含量,提高可溶性蛋白含量。表明壳寡糖季铵盐纳米银溶液可提高烟株对TMV的抗病性。     

Exogenous application of melatonin improves plant resistance to virus infection

In this study, melatonin (MEL)-mediated plant resistance to tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) was examined to study local infection in Nicotiana glutinosa and systemic infection in Solanum lycopersicum. Exogenous application of 100 µm MEL increased anti-virus infection activity to 37.4% in virus-infected N. glutinosa plants. The same treatment significantly reduced relative levels of virus RNA analysed by qRT-PCR and virus titres measured by dot-ELISA, and increased the relative expression levels of the PR1 and PR5 genes analysed by qRT-PCR, in virus-infected S. lycopersicum. MEL treatment induced considerable accumulations of salicylic acid (SA) and nitric oxide (NO) but did not significantly affect production of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in the virus-infected S. lycopersicum plants. Transgenic nahG N. tabacum was used to determine whether MEL-induced TMV resistance was dependent on the SA pathway. The results showed that the relative RNA level of the TMV analysed by qRT-PCR and virus titres analysed by dot-ELISA were not reduced by the MEL treatment in the nahG transgenic N. tabacum seedlings treated twice with 100 µm MEL. The increased relative expression levels of PR1 and PR5 were greatly reduced when cPTIO, an NO scavenger, was included in the MEL treatment. A working model of MEL-mediated plant resistance to TMV is proposed. MEL-mediated plant resistance to viruses provides a new avenue to control plant viral diseases.     

丁香酚对烟草抗烟草花叶病毒的诱导作用初探

为探讨植物源化合物丁香酚对烟草抗烟草花叶病毒(TMV)的诱导作用,初步研究了丁香酚对接种TMV的烟草叶片中叶绿素和丙二醛(MDA)含量,防御酶苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)、过氧化物酶(POD)和超氧化物岐化酶(SOD)活性,以及病程相关蛋白基因 PR-1 、PR-3 、PR-5 表达的影响。结果表明:丁香酚处理可促进叶绿素的合成,减轻烟草体内MDA的积累,提高PAL、POD和SOD的活性,增强 PR-1 、PR-3 、PR-5 基因的表达。表明丁香酚可提高植物的诱导抗病性,进而减轻TMV对烟草的危害。     

Hypersensitive reaction and P/HRGP accumulation is modulated by nitric oxide through hydrogen peroxide in pearl millet during Sclerospora graminicola infection

Priming of pearl millet seedlings with nitric oxide (NO) donors sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and S-nitrosoglutathione (SNOG) induced hypersensitive reactions (HR) and accumulation of Proline/Hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein (P/HRGP) during infection by downy mildew pathogen Sclerospora graminicola. Such defense responses were specifically altered by concentration of NO donors resulting in the modulation of endogenous NO in seedling tissues. The stoichiometric interactions of NO and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) when followed in relation to HR and P/HRGP accumulation, the degree of defense response varied with H₂O₂ level, the latter being largely influenced by NO concentration. Therefore, balancing NO and H₂O₂ is vital for optimum expression of defense responses for imparting disease resistance.     

Comet assay in gill cells of Prochilodus lineatus exposed in vivo to cypermethrin

Agricultural chemicals can induce genetic alterations on aquatic organisms that have been associated with effects on growth, reproduction and population dynamics. The evaluation of DNA damage in fish using the comet assay (CA) frequently involves the utilization of erythrocytes. However, epithelial gill cells (EGC) can be more sensitive, as they are constantly dividing and in direct contact with potentially stressing compounds from the aquatic environment. The aim of the present study was to evaluate (1) the sensitivity and suitability of epithelial gill cells of Prochilodus lineatus in response to different genotoxic agents through the application of the CA, (2) the induction of DNA damage in this cell population after in vivo exposure to cypermethrin. Baseline value of the CA damage index (DI) for EGC of juvenile P. lineatus was 144.68 ± 5.69. Damage increased in a dose-dependent manner after in vitro exposure of EGC to methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) and H₂O₂, two known genotoxic agents. In vivo exposure of fish to cypermethrin induced a significant increase in DNA DI of EGC at 0.150 μg/l (DI: 239.62 ± 6.21) and 0.300 μg/l (270.63 ± 2.09) compared to control (150.25 ± 4.38) but no effect was observed at 0.075 μg/l (168.50 ± 10.77). This study shows that EGC of this species are sensitive for the application of the CA, demonstrating DNA damage in response to alkylation (MMS), oxidative damage (H₂O₂), and to the insecticide cypermethryn. These data, together with our previous study on DNA damage induction on erythrocytes of this species, provides useful information for future work involving biomonitoring in regions where P. lineatus is naturally exposed to pesticides and other genotoxic agents.     

大豆凝集素基因lec-s转化烟草>增强对烟草花叶病毒的抗性

 将编码大豆凝集素的lec-s基因插入植物表达载体pBI121中,构建植物重组表达质粒pBI121:: lec-s。由根癌土壤杆菌EHA105介导的叶盘法转化烟草,获得了转基因烟草株系。PCR和RT-PCR检测证明lec-s基因已转入烟草植株中。接种烟草花叶病毒（Tobacco mosaic virus,TMV）进行抗病性试验结果表明,转基因烟草叶片上的病斑数显著减少,说明转基因烟草表现出对TMV的抗性。定量RT-PCR检测发现,接种TMV后,抗病防卫基因（PR-1a、GST1、Pal和hsr515）在转基因烟草叶片中显著上调表达。这些结果表明,大豆凝集素基因lec-s转化烟草可对TMV产生抗性,其作用机制可能在于lec-s基因参与了植物的防卫信号通路,诱导了抗病防卫基因在转基因植株体内的表达,增强了植株对TMV的系统抗性。     

Studies on poly(acrylic acid) induced resistance to viral and non-viral plant pathogens

Studies on polymer size, concentration and mode of application, either as foliar spray or soil drench, in relation to the induction of resistance to tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) in Nicotiana tabacum cv xanthi-nc by poly(acrylic acid) (PA) are reported. PA also induced resistance to TMV in N. glutinosa, to pelargonium leaf curl virus in Datura stramonium, to cucumber mosaic virus in Vigna sinensis and to tobacco ring-spot virus in N. tabacum cv White Burley. No TMV was detected in PA-treated tomato cv Virocross 11 days after inoculation; but the susceptible cultivar Craigella became infected. PA treatment had no effect on TMV replication in White Burley tobacco but resistance was induced to Peronospora tabacina, a fungal pathogen of N. tabacum cv xanthi-nc. The potential of PA-induced resistance as a control measure for viruses and fungi is discussed.     

Viruses of pepper in plastic houses in Crete

During a survey of virus diseases affecting pepper grown in plastic houses in Crete, during 1984–1986, tomato mosaic virus (ToMV) and tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) were detected. The most common virus was TMV, being present in samples of alle pepper cultivars carrying the L₁ resistance gene, while ToMV was isolated only from susceptible pepper cultivars. According to responses ofCapsicum spp. the isolates from 640 samples checked were classified into three pathotypes: P₀, P_1.2 and P_1.2.3. Results of this study show that P_1.2 represents at present the major threat to the Cretan pepper industry.Samenvatting Bij een in de jaren 1984–1986 gehouden inventarisatie van virusziekten in paprika in plastic-foliekassen op Kreta werd zowel het tabaksmozaïekvirus (TMV) als het tomatemozaïekvirus (ToMV) aangetoond. TMV kwam zeer algemeen voor: het werd aangetroffen in alle monsters van de paprikarassen met het resistentiegen L₁. ToMV werd alleen geïsoleerd uit planten van vatbare paprikarassen. Volgens de waargenomen symptomen die de isolaten van 640 monsters opCapsicum spp. vertoonden, konden de isolaten in drie pathotypen, nl. P₁, P_1,2 en P_1,2,3, worden geklassificeerd. Uit het onderzoek is gebleken dat P_1,2 de belangrijkste bedreiging vormt voor de teelt van paprika op Kreta.     

Salicylic acid induced alleviation of oxidative stress caused by clethodim in maize (Zea mays L.) leaves

Salicylic acid is used for regulation of oxidative stress in plants subjected to unfavorable environmental conditions. Application of herbicides for the purpose of weed killing can affect not only the weeds but also the main crop as well. Many herbicides have the ability to cause oxidative stress and further degradation of cell components. In this work, SA was used to alleviate the oxidative stress caused in response to clethodim herbicide in maize leaves. The results demonstrated that, spraying of clethodim caused yellowing of leaves and sometimes browning or drying of leaf tips with high clethodim doses. Contrary, leaves showed no injuries when treated with 1 mM SA 3 days prior clethodim application. Elevated amounts of H₂O₂ and MDA were detected in clethodim treated leaves compared with control indicating ROS formation and lipid peroxidation. Excessive ROS formation led to oxidative stress which followed by degradation of membranous structures. In SA treated leaves, the contents of H₂O₂ and MDA were more or less similar to the corresponding controls. A change in the antioxidant enzymes activities due to clethodim and SA treatment was noticed. For example, the activities of POD and APX were induced while SOD and CAT were more or less reduced in response to clethodim. SA treatment prior clethodim application could induce POD but inhibit CAT. Moreover, SOD and APX activities were adjusted to be similar to those of the control. Another mechanism of SA regulation of the oxidative stress occurred through the formation of antioxidants in the form of phenolic compounds. For that, spraying SA with or without clethodim could accumulate phenolic compounds greatly. The DPPH free radical scavenging assay for leaf extracts had confirmed a change in antioxidant status. Furthermore, SA could enhance accumulation of total proteins and free amino acids in clethodim and SA treated leaves compared with the control. This work was to provide evidence for the ability of SA to regulate clethodim herbicide detoxification through regulation of the antioxidant status of maize leaf cells.     

Signals induced by exogenous nitric oxide and their role in controlling brown rot disease caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Monilinia fructicola</Emphasis> in postharvest peach fruit

Recent evidence suggests that nitric oxide (NO) signaling plays an important role in plant–pathogen interactions and that aconitase is a major target of NO. In the present study on the signaling role of NO in the elicitation of defense responses in peach fruit against Monilinia fructicola and subsequent effect on brown rot disease, 15 μM NO solution induced disease resistance in harvested peaches. As a potentiated elicitor, NO induced high levels of endogenous NO and superoxide (O₂ ^?), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and NADPH oxidase and Ca²⁺-ATPase activity in the fruit. Aconitase activity in peach fruit was inhibited by NO. Activity of partially purified aconitase was inhibited in vitro by sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and H₂O₂; however, the inhibition could be relieved by carboxy-2-phenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl 3-oxide (cPTIO) or catalase (CAT), indicating that the defense response and signals induced by NO transduction depend on aconitase and conditions leading to elevated levels of NO; otherwise, H₂O₂ would inactivate aconitase directly in fruit. Treatment with NO resulted in salicylic acid (SA) accumulating during storage. Higher levels of jasmonic acid (JA) were detected in NO-treated fruit 48 h after the treatment. But after NO was removed, the level of SA and JA were lower than in the control. The results suggest that exogenous NO enhances resistance of harvested peach fruit against the fungus by inducing signals such as endogenous NO, reactive oxygen species (ROS), SA and JA and by inhibiting aconitase activity.     

Increased activities of ribonuclease and protease after challenge in tobacco plants with induced systemic resistance

Inoculation of 3-4 lower leaves of tobacco with tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) increased ribonuclease (RNase) and protease activities in inoculated leaves. Little or no increase in the activities were apparent in upper noninoculated leaves prior to challenge. After challenge with TMV or Peronospora tabacina, RNase activities increased more rapidly in the upper leaves of induced plants as compared to those of noninduced plants. Protease activities in the leaves challenged with P. tabacina or TMV also increased after challenge, but little or no differences in the activities were apparent between induced and noninduced plants. The incubation of purified TMV with leaf extracts obtained from induced challenged, noninduced challenged and noninduced unchallenged plants prior to inoculation did not affect the number of local lesions formed on tobacco plants.     

葡聚六糖诱导烟草抗花叶病毒病的研究

分别采用酶联免疫吸附技术(Fab’)2-ELISA和温室盆栽试验测定了葡聚六糖诱导烟草对花叶病毒病的抗性,结果表明,葡聚六糖诱导烟草抗花叶病毒病的最佳有效浓度为10 μg/mL,最佳诱导间隔期为7 d,持效期约为28 d,诱导抗病的防病效果与诱导次数呈正比。     

Virus-specific expression of systemic acquired resistance in tobacco mosaic virus- and tobacco necrosis virus-infected ‘Samsun NN’ and ‘Samsun’ tobacco

Systemic acquired resistance induced in intact ‘Samsun NN’ tobacco plants by either tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) or tobacco necrosis virus (TNV) was more effective against challenge inoculation with the same than with the other of the two viruses. However, in trimmed ‘Samsun NN’ plants resistance induced by either of these viruses was stronger against TMV than against TNV. In intact ‘Samsun’ tobacco plants TNV induced a systemic resistance against itself identical to the one expressed in ‘Samsun NN’. Moreover, it induced systemic resistance against TMV as based on a decrease in TMV content in challeng-inoculated leaves. These observations indicate that systemic acquired resistance is not limited to combinations in which both inducing and challenging virus give rise to a hypersensitive reaction, and further point to virus-specific factors regulating the extent of resistance expressed.     

Salicylic acid alleviates growth inhibition and oxidative stress caused by zucchini yellow mosaic virus infection in Cucurbita pepo leaves

The effects of zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) infection and pretreatments with salicylic acid (SA) on biomass accumulation of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo cv. Eskandarani) were investigated. The response of photosynthesis, transpiration and the activities of antioxidant enzymes in leaves was also considered. Significant reductions in growth parameters (i.e. leaf area, biomass and shoot height), photosynthesis and chlorophyll a and b content were detected in ZYMV-infected leaves in comparison to healthy controls. Antioxidant enzyme activities were increased up to 3-fold for peroxidase (POD), 2-fold for ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and catalase (CAT) activities and 1.3-fold for SOD activity by virus infection. ZYMV infection also caused increases in H₂O₂ and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents. These results suggest that ZYMV infection causes oxidative stress in pumpkin leaves leading to the development of epidemiological symptoms. Interestingly, spraying pumpkin leaves with SA led to recovery from the undesirable effects of ZYMV infection. Leaves treated with 100 μM SA three days before inoculation had the appearance of healthy leaves. No distinct disease symptoms were observed on the leaves treated with 100 μM SA followed by inoculation with ZYMV. In non-infected plants, SA application increased activities of POD and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and inhibited APX and CAT activities.In contrast, SA treatment followed by ZYMV inoculation stimulated SOD activity and inhibited activities of POD, APX and CAT. In addition, MDA displayed an inverse relation, indicating inhibition of lipid peroxidation in cells under SA treatment. It is suggested that the role of SA in inducing plant defense mechanisms against ZYMV infection might have occurred through the SA-antioxidant system. Such interference might occur through inhibition or activation of some antioxidant enzymes, reduction of lipid peroxidation and induction of H₂O₂ accumulation following SA application.