Roles of reactive oxygen species in interactions between plants and pathogens

The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by the consumption of molecular oxygen during host–pathogen interactions is termed the oxidative burst. The most important ROS are singlet oxygen (¹O₂), the hydroxyperoxyl radical (HO₂·), the superoxide anion , hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), the hydroxyl radical (OH^-) and the closely related reactive nitrogen species, nitric oxide (NO). These ROS are highly reactive, and therefore toxic, and participate in several important processes related to defence and infection. Furthermore, ROS also play important roles in plant biology both as toxic by-products of aerobic metabolism and as key regulators of growth, development and defence pathways. In this review, we will assess the different roles of ROS in host–pathogen interactions with special emphasis on fungal and Oomycete pathogens.     

小麦-条锈菌互作过程中活性氧及保护酶系的变化研究

 对条锈菌与小麦不同互作体系中组织学特征、活性氧产生及其相关酶系的变化进行了研究。组织学观察表明:非亲和组合相对于亲和组合存在明显差异,表现为菌丝生长受抑,吸器母细胞和吸器形成减少,寄主细胞在接种后18h左右出现过敏性坏死。生化测定结果表明:在非亲和组合中,O₂^-的产生速率和H₂O₂的含量均高于亲和组合,且O₂^-产生速率在接种后12h达到一个峰值,H₂O₂的含量在接种后20和72h出现2个高峰。而在亲和组合中,O₂^-产生速率低于对照或与对照相似,H₂O₂的含量虽然高于对照,但却普遍低于非亲和组合;SOD在亲和组合中的活性总体上要高于非亲和组合;接种24h后,CAT在2种组合中的活性均高于对照,在接种后36和48h时,亲和组合中的CAT活性高于非亲和组合,而在接种60h后又开始低于非亲和组合;POD活性在接种24h后均明显升高,但亲和组合中POD活性增幅大;MDA在非亲和组合中于接种后72h含量明显上升。结果表明,亲和与非亲和组合中条锈菌扩展、活性氧的产生及相关酶活变化都存在明显差异,这些差异与小麦抗锈性的表达可能有密切联系。     

Nitric oxide-overproducing transformants of Pseudomonas fluorescens with enhanced biocontrol of tomato bacterial wilt

The relation between nitric oxide (NO) production and the protective ability of Pseudomonas fluorescens T5 against bacterial wilt disease in tomato was examined. The endogenous nitric oxide reductase gene of T5 was disrupted by homologous recombination using a suicide plasmid. Three disruptants were obtained, and all had higher levels of NO production. Infection with Ralstonia solanacearum was reduced in tomato plants treated with the NO-overproducing transformants compared with the wild type. These results suggest that the modification of pseudomonads to increase their level of NO production is a new approach to enhancing their biocontrol efficacy.     

小麦抗条锈反应中活性氧及细胞质钙离子的作用

 为探讨活性氧和细胞质钙离子在小麦抗条锈病反应中的作用,以小麦品种洛夫林13与具有不同致病力的单孢锈菌CY29、CY25的互作体系为平台,对锈菌侵染后小麦叶片中活性氧(ROS)积累、保护酶系(SOD、CAT和APX)活性变化动态、细胞质膜的透性改变及细胞质钙离子浓度变化做了研究。结果表明,不亲和锈菌CY25侵染可引起小麦叶片内2次ROS的爆发,第1次出现在接种后前期(接种后第2天),强度较小,第2次出现在接种后期(接种后第5天),强度较大;亲和锈菌CY29侵染只引起1次ROS爆发,出现在接种后期(接种后第5和第6天之间),但强度极大。过敏性坏死反应HR只出现在不亲和互作小麦叶片上前期ROS爆发之后,表明前期ROS爆发与HR的产生有关。伴随着后期小麦叶片中强度极高的ROS的爆发,叶片细胞原生质膜遭到了破坏,细胞内物质外渗,细胞不久便死亡,表明高强度的ROS爆发会导致细胞死亡。根据不同互作体系ROS爆发时期SOD、CAT和APX等保护酶的活性变化分析,不亲和互作体系前期强度较小的ROS爆发主要成分是H₂O₂,后期强度较高的ROS爆发主要成分是O₂^-_·和H₂O₂;亲和互作体系强度极高的ROS爆发主要成分是O₂^-_·和H₂O₂。由此说明H₂O₂是引起小麦抗病反应HR发生的因素,而O₂^-_·则是引起细胞死亡的因素。细胞质钙离子浓度变化研究表明,HR的发生与细胞质钙离子浓度增加相关。细胞质钙离子浓度的降低推迟了HR的发生,这说明小麦叶片细胞内细胞质钙离子浓度的增加是HR的必要条件,同时也说明Ca²⁺是植物HR的胞内第二信使参与植物抗病防卫反应。     

Involvement of NbNOA1 in NO production and defense responses in INF1-treated Nicotiana benthamiana

During defense responses, plant cells produce nitric oxide (NO), which may control many physiological processes. In a previous study, we reported that nitrate reductase (NR) is responsible in part for INF1 elicitor-induced NO production in Nicotiana benthamiana, but the possibility remains that other NO-generating system(s) contribute to NO production. In mammalian cells, NO production is catalyzed by NO synthase (NOS). However, NOS-like enzyme(s) have never been identified in plants, and only the gene for Arabidopsis thaliana nitric oxide-associated 1 (AtNOA1) has been identified as a putative regulator of NOS activity in plants. In this study, we cloned NbNOA1, a homolog of AtNOA1, from N. benthamiana and investigated its involvement in NO production induced by INF1. The NbNOA1 gene was silenced by a virus-induced gene-silencing (VIGS) technique. NbNOA1-silenced plants had yellowish leaves. Silencing NbNOA1 partially decreased INF1-induced NO production, while overexpressing NbNOA1 did not affect NO production. Silencing NbNOA1 suppressed INF1-induced PR1a gene expression and increased susceptibility to Colletotrichum lagenarium. These results suggest that NbNOA1 is involved in INF1-mediated NO production and is required for defense responses. The nucleotide sequence data reported are available in the DDBJ/EMBL/GenBank databases under accession number AB303300.     

Influence of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species on development of lettuce downy mildew in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactuca</Emphasis> spp.

The role of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species, molecules indispensable for plant-pathogen signalling, was studied in the Lactuca spp.-Bremia lactucae pathosystem. Using a leaf disc model the translaminar effect of various compounds affecting their metabolism was studied by light microscopy. Time course studies revealed a slowdown in the development of B. lactucae (race BL16) infection structures by rutin (scavenger of reactive nitrogen and oxygen species) and SNP (NO donor) within 48 h post inoculation, followed by a retardation of sporulation. Application of the specific NO scavenger, PTIO, accelerated penetration of B. lactucae but had no further effects on the plant-pathogen interaction. Inhibitors of NO synthase (L-NAME) and nitrate reductase (sodium tungstate) did not influence pathogen development. Our results suggest that drastic change in the NO: hydrogen peroxide ratio seems to determine the pathogen’s fate. NO synthase-like activity significantly increased early after B. lactucae challenge in resistant L. virosa. Confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed the accumulation of nitric oxide in the penetrated cells, pointing to a role in the initiation of the hypersensitive reaction. The tips of germ tubes and appressoria of B. lactucae also accumulated NO, suggesting an essential role for this molecule in penetration of the biotrophic pathogen. Additionally, temporal changes in endogenous levels of rutin and quercetin in extracts from Lactuca spp. leaves will be discussed in connection to their role as part of the antioxidative machinery that influences the plants’ susceptibility/resistance to lettuce downy mildew.     

Arginase activity in Arabidopsis thaliana infected with Heterodera schachtii

The activity of arginase (ARGAH), which results in ornithine and urea production, is important for nitrogen metabolism in all organisms as well as for defence responses. The second‐stage juveniles of the cyst‐forming nematode Heterodera schachtii penetrate roots and induce the formation of a permanent feeding site. To determine whether infection with H. schachtii causes the induction of arginase, the expression was studied in Arabidopsis roots and shoots at the day of inoculation and at 3, 7 and 15 days post‐inoculation (dpi). Parasite infection caused a strong decrease of root arginase activity and ARGAH1 gene expression, which persisted over the entire examination period. In shoots, the mRNA expression of ARGAH2 increased at 3 and 7 dpi, but the enzymatic activity was significantly enhanced only at 3 dpi. Thus, while arginase down‐regulation occurs in roots, which is apparently due to the presence of nematode effectors, in shoots the activity is only transiently up‐regulated despite persistently high gene expression. As oxidative stress is possible during nematode infection, the activity and gene expression of glutathione reductase, a marker of the redox equilibrium, were estimated and found to be significantly enhanced at 7 dpi in shoots of infected plants. The level of proline, an amino acid known for its ability to scavenge free radicals, was increased 60‐fold. The results suggest that the disruption of redox homeostasis, as reflected by increased proline level and glutathione reductase expression and activity, accompanies changes in arginine metabolism in the shoots, indicating systemic changes induced by nematode infection.     

Induction of an antioxidant enzyme system and other oxidative stress markers associated with compatible and incompatible interactions between chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp.ciceris

To ascertain if active oxygen species play a role in fusarium wilt of chickpea caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris, the degree of lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde formation) and the activity levels of diamine oxidase (DAO), an apoplastic H₂O₂-forming oxidase, and several antioxidant enzymes, namely ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), guaiacol-dependent peroxidase (GPX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), were determined spectrophotometrically in roots and stems of ‘WR315’ (resistant) and ‘JG62’ (susceptible) chickpea cultivars inoculated with the highly virulent race 5 of the pathogen. Moreover, APX, CAT, GPX and SOD were also analysed in roots and stems by gel electrophoresis and activity staining; and the protein levels of APX and SOD in roots were determined by Western blotting. In roots, infection by the pathogen increased lipid peroxidation and CAT and SOD activities, although such responses occurred earlier in the incompatible compared with the compatible interactions. APX, GPX and GR activities were also increased in infected roots, but only in the compatible interaction. In stems, infection by the pathogen increased lipid peroxidation and APX, CAT, SOD and GPX activities only in the compatible interaction, and DAO activity only in the incompatible one. In general, electrophoregrams agreed with the activity levels determined spectrophotometrically and did not reveal any differences in isoenzyme patterns between cultivars or between infected and non-infected plants. Further, Western blots revealed an increase in the root protein levels of APX in the compatible interaction and in those of SOD in both compatible and incompatible interactions. In conclusion, whereas enhanced DAO activity in stems, and earlier increases in lipid peroxidation and CAT and SOD activities in roots, can be associated with resistance to fusarium wilt in chickpea, the induction of the latter three parameters in roots and stems along with that of APX, GR (only in roots) and GPX (only in stems) activities are rather more associated with the establishment of the compatible interaction.     

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。     

活性氧与木质素对细菌Sneb825诱导番茄抵抗南方根结线虫侵染的响应

 根结线虫病严重威胁各类蔬菜作物的生产,是世界上最难防治的土传病害之一。利用生防细菌能够有效地控制蔬菜根结线虫种群数量并降低危害。荧光假单胞菌Sneb825是本实验室筛选出的对南方根结线虫病具有较高防效的生防细菌。本研究通过盆栽试验、裂根试验和温室试验验证了荧光假单胞菌Sneb825诱导番茄抗南方根结线虫侵染的防治效果;通过酶联免疫法(ELISA)和实时荧光定量PCR检测了番茄根系内活性氧与木质素含量及其相关基因表达量的变化。研究发现,Sneb825菌株发酵液不但能够有效降低南方根结线虫对番茄的侵染,而且对番茄植株有显著的促生作用。Sneb825菌株发酵液灌根处理并接种南方根结线虫二龄幼虫后,番茄根系内活性氧(10 dpi)和木质素含量(5 dpi)显著高于空白对照;活性氧合成相关基因RBOH1(10 dpi)和过氧化物酶基因Ep5C(10 dpi)以及木质素合成相关基因Tpx1(5 dpi)的表达量均达到最高值。研究结果表明活性氧和木质素的大量积累是荧光假单胞菌Sneb825诱导番茄抑制南方根结线虫侵染的防御对策之一。荧光假单胞菌可以有效的防治根结线虫病,在农业生产实践中具有潜在的应用前景。     

Histochemical studies on the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (O2 and H2O2) in the incompatible and compatible interaction of wheat—Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici

The generation and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide anion (O₂⁻) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), were studied in the interaction between wheat cv. ‘Suwon 11’ and two races of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (avirulent and virulent). Generation of O₂⁻ and H₂O₂ was analyzed histochemically using nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) and 3,3-diamino-benzidine (DAB), respectively. At the pre-penetration stage during appressorium formation both stripe rust races induced H₂O₂ accumulation in guard cells. In the incompatible interaction, a rapid increase of O₂⁻ and H₂O₂ generation at infection sites was detected. The percentage of infection sites showing NBT and DAB staining was 36.1% and 40.0%, respectively, 12 h after inoculation (hai). At extended incubation time until 24 hai, percentage of infection sites showing H₂O₂ accumulation further increased, whereas those exhibiting O₂⁻ accumulation declined. The early infection stage from 12 to 24 hai coincided with primary haustoria formation in mesophyll cells. In contrast, in the compatible interaction, O₂⁻ and H₂O₂ generation could not be detected in most of the infection sites. In the incompatible interaction, intensive DAB staining was also determined in mesophyll cells, especially in cell walls, surrounding the infected cells 16–24 hai; thereafter, these cells contained fluorescing compounds and underwent hypersensitive response (HR). The number of necrotic host cells surrounding the infection sites increased continuously from 20 to 96 hai. It might be concluded that H₂O₂ accumulation during the early infection stage is associated with the occurrence of hypersensitive cell death and that resistance response is leading to arrest the avirulent race of the obligate stripe rust pathogen. In the compatible interaction at 96 hai, H₂O₂ accumulation was observed in mesophyll cells surrounding the rust lesion.     

Induction of phytoalexins in adzuki bean after inoculation with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phytophthora vignae</Emphasis> f. sp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">adzukicola</Emphasis>

To identify phytoalexins of adzuki bean elicited in response to attempted infection of Phytophthora vignae f. sp. adzukicola, we isolated compounds from adzuki bean and evaluated their antifungal activity. Seven flavonoids (daidzein, genistein, 2′-hydroxygenistein, coumestrol, dalbergioidin, kievitone, and phaseol) were identified from epicotyls wound-inoculated with a mycelial suspension of an avirulent race of P. vignae f. sp. adzukicola. Of those compounds, kievitone and dalbergioidin accumulated to higher levels in incompatible interactions compared to compatible interactions 48 h after inoculation. Kievitone strongly inhibited the germination of encysted zoospores, and dalbergioidin were slightly suppressive. From these results, we concluded that kievitone and dalbergioidin are phytoalexins in adzuki bean.     

Histological and ultrastructural comparisons of compatible, incompatible and -β-amino- n -butyric acid-induced resistance responses of pepper stems to Phytophthora capsici

The compatible interaction of pepper stems with Phytophthora capsici showed more rapid and severe disease development than did the incompatible interaction, although pathogen penetration styles of host cells in compatible and incompatible interactions were similar to each other. Treatment with -β-amino- n -butyric acid (BABA) protected the pepper plants against P. capsici infection. Reduced hyphal growth and sporangial formation were found after P. capsici infection in BABA-induced resistant and incompatible reactions. One of the most noticeable ultrastructural features of the BABA-induced resistant reaction was the formation of electron-dense wall appositions. The thick and dense wall appositions that encased the haustoria restricted haustorial development, thus leading to limitation of further pathogen penetration into inner plant tissues. A main host response in the incompatible interaction was the occlusion of cortical cells with an amorphous material. Plugging of the intercellular spaces in the cortical cells with electron opaque material was frequently observed in the incompatible interaction, but not in the compatible interaction. Another common feature of the BABA-induced resistant and incompatible reactions was degeneration of mitochondrial structure within penetrating hyphal cytoplasm. The mitochondrial structure in the BABA-induced resistant or incompatible reactions had no distinct double membrane layer and well-shaped cristae.     

Histochemical studies on the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (O2− and H2O2) in the incompatible and compatible interaction of wheat—Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici

The generation and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide anion (O₂⁻) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), were studied in the interaction between wheat cv. ‘Suwon 11’ and two races of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (avirulent and virulent). Generation of O₂⁻ and H₂O₂ was analyzed histochemically using nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) and 3,3-diamino-benzidine (DAB), respectively. At the pre-penetration stage during appressorium formation both stripe rust races induced H₂O₂ accumulation in guard cells. In the incompatible interaction, a rapid increase of O₂⁻ and H₂O₂ generation at infection sites was detected. The percentage of infection sites showing NBT and DAB staining was 36.1% and 40.0%, respectively, 12 h after inoculation (hai). At extended incubation time until 24 hai, percentage of infection sites showing H₂O₂ accumulation further increased, whereas those exhibiting O₂⁻ accumulation declined. The early infection stage from 12 to 24 hai coincided with primary haustoria formation in mesophyll cells. In contrast, in the compatible interaction, O₂⁻ and H₂O₂ generation could not be detected in most of the infection sites. In the incompatible interaction, intensive DAB staining was also determined in mesophyll cells, especially in cell walls, surrounding the infected cells 16–24 hai; thereafter, these cells contained fluorescing compounds and underwent hypersensitive response (HR). The number of necrotic host cells surrounding the infection sites increased continuously from 20 to 96 hai. It might be concluded that H₂O₂ accumulation during the early infection stage is associated with the occurrence of hypersensitive cell death and that resistance response is leading to arrest the avirulent race of the obligate stripe rust pathogen. In the compatible interaction at 96 hai, H₂O₂ accumulation was observed in mesophyll cells surrounding the rust lesion.     

Physiological response of yellow vein mosaic virus-infected bhendi [Abelmoschus esculentus] leaves

The effect of okra yellow vein mosaic virus infection on PS II efficiency and thylakoid membrane protein changes in field-grown bhendi (Abelmoschus esculentus) leaves was studied. The degree of virus infection was determined by means of the ratio of variable to maximum chlorophyll fluorescence (F_v/F_m). Changes in photosynthetic pigments, soluble proteins, nitrate reductase, photosynthetic activities and thylakoid membrane proteins were investigated. Okra yellow vein mosaic virus infection resulted in the reduction of photosynthetic pigments, soluble proteins, ribulose-1, 5-bisphosphate carboxylase activity and nitrate reductase activity. Virus infection caused marked inhibition of PS II activity. The artificial electron donors, diphenyl carbazide and hydroxylamine significantly restored the loss of PS II activity in infected leaves. The marked loss of PS II activity in infected leaves may be due to the loss of 47, 33, 28–25, 17 and 15 kDa polypeptides. It is concluded that the yellow vein mosaic virus infection inactivates the donor side of PS II.     

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.     

Ultrastructural analysis of responses of host and fungal cells during plant infection

Cellular responses in fungi and in susceptible or resistant hosts during fungus–plant interactions have been studied ultrastructurally to examine their role in pathogenicity. Pathogenicity is determined in some saprophytic fungi by various factors: the production of disease determinants such as the production of host-specific toxins (HSTs) or the extracellular matrix (ECM) by fungal infection structures and H₂O₂ generation from penetration pegs. Three different target sites for HSTs have been identified in host cells in many ultrastructural studies: plasma membranes, chloroplasts, and mitochondria. The mode of action of HSTs is characterized by the partial destruction of the target structures only in susceptible genotypes of host plants, with the result that the fungus can colonize the host. The infection structures of most fungal pathogen secrete ECM on plant surfaces during fungal differentiation, while the penetration pegs of some pathogens produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cell walls and plasma membranes. The pathological roles of ECM and H₂O₂ generation are discussed here in light of ultrastructural evidence. Host and fungal characteristics in the incompatible interactions include the rapid formation of lignin in host epidermal cell walls, failure of penetration pegs to invade lignin-fortified pectin layers, the inhibition of subcuticular hyphal proliferation and the collapse of hyphae that have degraded cell walls within pectin layers of the host. Apoptosis-like host resistant mechanism is also discussed.