Pathogenicity and virulence factors of Pseudomonas syringae

In 1994, Oku reported that plant pathogens, mainly fungal pathogens, require three essential abilities to infect plants: to enter plants, to overcome host resistance, and to evoke disease. Because the infectious process of phytopathogenic bacteria differs from that of fungal pathogens, we have attempted to characterize pathogenicity, the ability of a pathogen to cause disease, using the phytopathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas syringae as a representative pathogen. To establish infection and incite disease development, bacteria first have to enter a plant. This process requires flagella- and type IV pili-mediated motility, and active taxis is probably necessary for effective infection. After bacteria enter a plant’s apoplastic spaces, they need to overcome host plant resistance. To do this, they secrete a wide variety of hypersensitive response and pathogenicity (Hrp) effector proteins into the plant cytoplasm to interfere with pathogen/microbe-associated molecular pattern- and effector-triggered immunity, produce phytohormones and/or phytotoxins to suppress plant defense responses and extracellular polysaccharides to prevent access by antibiotics and to chelate Ca²⁺, and activate the multidrug resistance efflux pump to extrude antimicrobial compounds for successful colonization. Furthermore, to evoke disease, bacteria produce toxins and Hrp effectors that compromise a plant’s homeostasis and injure plant cells. The expression of these virulence factors depends on the infection processes and environmental conditions. Thus, the expression and function of virulence factors interact with each other, creating complex networks in the regulation of bacterial virulence-related genes.     

Hrp-dependent biotrophic mechanism of virulence: How has it evolved in tumorigenic bacteria?

A mechanism of virulence mediated byhrp-genes is present in many Gram-negative bacterial pathogens. It involves delivery of effector proteins into host cellsvia the type III secretion system (TTSS) and the interaction of TTSS effectors with plant proteins. These interactions may either promote responses beneficial to the pathogen or trigger the hypersensitive response if an effector is recognized by corresponding resistance protein.Pantoea agglomerans, which is widespread in nature mainly as an epiphyte, has evolved into ahrp-dependent and host-specific tumorigenic pathogen by acquiring a plasmid containing a pathogenicity island (PAI). This PAI harbors ahrp-gene cluster, and genes encoding for TTSS effector proteins and biosynthesis of IAA and cytokinins. The results reviewed describe how the interplay between negative-acting and positive-acting TTSS effectors determines the transformation ofP. agglomerans into two related pathovars. Furthermore, the PAI’s structure supports the premise that these pathovars are recently evolved pathogens. Finally, the possible interaction between TTSS effectors and phytohormones for gall formation is proposed.     

Diversity of Avr‐vnt1 and AvrSmira1 effector genes in Polish and Norwegian populations of Phytophthora infestans

The oomycete Phytophthora infestans, the cause of late blight, is one of the most important potato pathogens. During infection, it secretes effector proteins that manipulate host cell function, thus contributing to pathogenicity. This study examines sequence differentiation of two P. infestans effectors from 91 isolates collected in Poland and Norway and five reference isolates. A gene encoding the Avr‐vnt1 effector, recognized by the potato Rpi‐phu1 resistance gene product, is conserved. In contrast, the second effector, AvrSmira1 recognized by Rpi‐Smira1, is highly diverse. Both effectors contain positively selected amino acids. A majority of the polymorphisms and all selected sites are located in the effector C‐terminal region, which is responsible for their function inside host cells. Hence it is concluded that they are associated with a response to diversified target protein or recognition avoidance. Diversification of the AvrSmira1 effector sequences, which existed prior to the large‐scale cultivation of plants containing the Rpi‐Smira1 gene, may reduce the predicted durability of resistance provided by this gene. Although no isolates virulent to plants with the Rpi‐phu1 gene were found, the corresponding Avr‐vnt1 effector has undergone selection, providing evidence for an ongoing ‘arms race’ between the host and pathogen. Both genes remain valuable components for resistance gene pyramiding.     

Post-translational modifications in effectors and plant proteins involved in host–pathogen conflicts

Molecular interplay between two species is largely driven by protein–protein interactions and protein modifications that set the pace of co-evolution in these species. During host–pathogen interactions, proteins involved in virulence and defence impart tempospatial dynamic post-translational modifications (PTMs) to gain advantage for the causative species. Pathogens mainly cause disease in plant hosts by secreting elicitors (peptides and small molecules) or proteins in the inter- and intracellular space of host cells. These pathogen proteins have evolved a wide array of sophisticated mechanisms to manipulate host responses, including resistance. Through a set of diverse events ranging from PTMs to post-translational oligomerization, these proteins are able to enhance virulence and suppress the otherwise elaborate plant immune system. Similarly, PTMs adapted by host proteins often lead to the activation of a robust defence response. Insights into the PTMs of pathogen and host proteins are therefore germane to the understanding of the co-evolutionary arms race. This review summarizes the characterization of PTMs in pathogen effectors and their target host proteins. Based on this, a metaphorical view of host–pathogen conflicts is proposed, where PTMs act as molecular pivots in a 3D combinatorial game model – a novel abstraction of the arms race, where these molecular pivots restore the balance of competition between the two organisms.     

Victoria Blight,defense turned upside down

Genes that confer disease resistance to biotrophic pathogens typically encode nucleotide-binding, leucine-rich-repeat proteins (NB-LRRs). These proteins confer resistance by detecting the presence of virulence effectors secreted by biotrophic pathogens. Recognition triggers NB-LRR activation and subsequently, the defense response which often includes localized host cell death. The fungus, Cochliobolus victoriae, is a necrotrophic pathogen that causes a disease called Victoria Blight. Virulence of this fungus is dependent on its production of a peptide called “victorin” that has been traditionally described as a toxin. Only plants that respond to victorin are susceptible to Cochliobolus victoriae whereas those that do not are resistant to the fungus. Genetic and molecular analyses have revealed that victorin functions like a biotrophic effector recognized by a NB-LRR resistance protein in Arabidopsis. Further, numerous plant species express victorin sensitivity suggesting there are numerous NB-LRRs that recognize victorin. Thus, through expression of victorin, C. victoriae is able to exploit plant defense to cause disease and is capable of evoking this response in an array of different plants.     

Tapping into molecular conversation between oomycete plant pathogens and their hosts

Several plant pathogenic oomycetes have been under investigation using modern molecular approaches. Genome sequencing and annotations are underway or near to completion for some of the species. Pathogen-associated molecular pattern molecules (PAMPs) and effector molecules perform inter- and intracellular tasks as adaptation factors and manipulators of the defence network. Hundreds of secreted putative effectors have been discovered and conserved molecular patterns such as RXLR and EER motifs have been identified and used for classifications. PAMPs and effectors are recognized directly or indirectly by the pattern recognition receptors at the cell surface including receptor-like kinases and receptor-like proteins, and/or by nucleotide binding site–leucine rich repeat proteins within the cytoplasm. The current knowledge of effectors, immune receptors and the defence network, will help us understand the ‘intricate genetic dance’ between the oomycete pathogens and their hosts. This review concentrates on the recent findings in oomycete-plant interactions.     

Cherry picking by pseudomonads: After a century of research on canker,genomics provides insights into the evolution of pathogenicity towards stone fruits

Bacterial canker disease is a major limiting factor in the growing of cherry and other Prunus species worldwide. At least five distinct clades within the bacterial species complex Pseudomonas syringae are known to be causal agents of the disease. The different pathogens commonly coexist in the field. Reducing canker is a challenging prospect as the efficacy of chemical controls and host resistance may vary against each of the diverse clades involved. Genomic analysis has revealed that the pathogens use a variable repertoire of virulence factors to cause the disease. Significantly, strains of P. syringae pv. syringae possess more genes for toxin biosynthesis and fewer encoding type III effector proteins. There is also a shared pool of key effector genes present on mobile elements such as plasmids and prophages that may have roles in virulence. By contrast, there is evidence that absence or truncation of certain effector genes, such as hopAB, is characteristic of cherry pathogens. Here we highlight how recent research, underpinned by the earlier epidemiological studies, is allowing significant progress in our understanding of the canker pathogens. This fundamental knowledge, combined with emerging insights into host genetics, provides the groundwork for development of precise control measures and informed approaches to breed for disease resistance.     

Selbst oder Nicht-Selbst �C die Rezeptoren des pflanzlichen Immunsystems

Plants recognize conserved molecular structures from microorganisms, which triggers active immune responses. Successful pathogens have to overcome this level of immunity; however, plants in turn can adapt their immune system, thus plants and pathogens are in an evolutionary arms race. As being sessile organisms, plants need to integrate and adapt to changing environmental conditions such as light, temperature, drought, or microorganisms. Plants protect themselves against diseases through sensitive recognition of potential pathogens and effective defense systems. The first level of the plant immune system provides recognition of a broad spectrum of microorganisms leading to defense activation (Bittel and Robatzek 2007). The second level of the plant immunity allows certain plant cultivars to detect of specific pathogen strains??a phenomenon also referred to as ??gene-for-gene resistance?? (Jones and Dangl 2006). The first level of immunity occurs rapidly and triggers active defenses normally without harm to the plant cell. The second level of plant immunity develops over days and deploys a local cell death, which prevents pathogens from further spread into tissues. In addition to these cell-autonomous defense systems, plants have also evolved strategies of systemic immunity.     

Recombination and selection in populations of plant pathogens

A theoretical model has been used to study the dynamics of the frequencies of the following: a virulence gene which is selected by part of the host plant population; an unnecessary virulence gene, which is not required for infection of the host; and the gametic disequilibrium between the two genes. If the two genes are not initially in gametic equilibrium, the frequency of the unnecessary virulence may be altered greatly by hitch-hiking selection, because of the increased frequency of the selected virulence. The hitchhiking effect is strongest if reproduction is entirely asexual, but can still be significant if the frequency of recombination is less than the fraction of the host population which consists of selectively resistant plants. The frequency of recombination may be reduced if reproduction is partly clonal, rather than fully sexual, or if the two genes are linked. Selection against unnecessary virulence may give rise to complex dynamics of both virulence alleles; in particular, the frequency of an unnecessary virulence can rise substantially, by hitch-hiking selection, even if there is some sex or recombination. The direction in which the unnecessary virulence's frequency changes depends on the sign of the gametic disequilibrium between it and the selected gene, and on the existence of selection against unnecessary virulence. If there is no such selection, the long-term dynamics of genotype frequencies in a largely asexual pathogen population may be unpredictable. Consequently, disease control strategies based on planned replacements of one resistance gene by another are unlikely to be effective.     

植物寄生线虫效应子研究进展

植物寄生线虫是一类专性活体营养寄生物,在植物根部维管束细胞附近诱导形成取食位点,与植物形成稳定的寄生关系,严重影响植物的生长发育,最终导致植物大幅度减产,甚至绝收。为长期、有效地防控植物寄生线虫,对线虫寄生、致病机制及其与植物的相互作用模式进行研究显得尤为重要。效应子在线虫整个寄生阶段中起着关键作用。近些年,线虫效应子的鉴定、功能、线虫效应子与植物相互作用模式等方面的研究取得了重要进展。本文主要针对病原物与寄主植物的相互作用模型、植物寄生线虫效应子鉴定、功能及线虫效应子与寄主植物的相互作用等方面的研究进展进行简单概述。     

Identification of wheat blue dwarf phytoplasma effectors targeting plant proliferation and defence responses

The identification of effectors from pathogenic microbes is one of the most important subjects for elucidating infection mechanisms. Wheat blue dwarf (WBD) phytoplasma causes dwarfism, witches' broom, and yellow leaf tips in wheat plants, resulting in severe yield loss in northwestern China. In this study, 37 candidate effector proteins were transiently expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana. Plants expressing the SAP11‐like protein SWP1 exhibited typical witches' broom. Interestingly, another protein, SWP11, induced both cell death and defence responses, including H₂O₂ accumulation and callose deposition. Analysis by qRT‐PCR was used to show that a marker gene of the hypersensitive response, HIN1, and three pathogenesis‐related genes, PR1, PR2 and PR3, were significantly up‐regulated in leaves of N. benthamiana expressing SWP11. In addition, SWP12 and SWP21 (TENGU‐like) were shown to suppress SWP11‐, BAX‐, and/or INF1‐induced cell death. These results indicated that SWP21 has a distinct role in virulence compared with TENGU and that WBD phytoplasma possesses effectors that target plant proliferation and defence responses. The ability of these effectors to trigger or suppress plant immunity provides new insights into the phytoplasma–plant interaction.     

Comprehensive prediction of plant cytoplasmic and apoplastic effectors underlying Erwinia psidii pathogenicity

Erwinia psidii (Eps) is the causal agent of emerging diseases of eucalypt and guava; however, the mechanisms underlying its pathogenicity are not fully understood. Here, we predicted factors involved in the ability of Eps to cause disease on its host plants. For that, the genomes of four Eps strains exhibiting different virulence on eucalypt were sequenced, and hrp/hrc genes coding for the type III secretion system (T3SS), effectors injected into the plant cell cytoplasm through the T3SS (T3SEs) and their plant subcellular localizations, as well as proteins deployed to the host apoplast, were predicted. It was found that Eps possesses a complete hrp/hrc gene cluster based on comparison with Erwinia amylovora. A total of 18 T3SEs were predicted, 11 of which were shared among all strains, none were exclusive to any strain and seven were absent in at least one strain. No sequence variation among strains was found for five T3SE candidates whereas extensive variation was found for six, suggesting the latter may be determinants of virulence differences. The T3SE candidates are predicted to target the plant cell nucleus, cytoplasm, mitochondrion, chloroplast and peroxisome. The predicted apoplastic effector repertoire common to all four strains was over-represented in proteins of unknown functions or predicted to possess enzymatic activities, among which the most abundant were oxidoreductases and peptidases. Proteins with lytic transglycosylase activity were predicted in strain-specific apoplastic effector repertoires. These results provide an important framework for future research aimed at uncovering the factors underlying Eps pathogenicity.     

Effect of light and dark on the growth and development of downy mildew pathogen Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis

Disease development in plants requires a susceptible host, a virulent pathogen, and a favourable environment. Oomycete pathogens cause many important diseases and have evolved sophisticated molecular mechanisms to manipulate their hosts. Day length has been shown to impact plant–oomycete interactions but a need exists for a tractable reference system to understand the mechanistic interplay between light regulation, oomycete pathogen virulence, and plant host immunity. Here we present data demonstrating that light is a critical factor in the interaction between Arabidopsis thaliana and its naturally occurring downy mildew pathogen Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis (Hpa). We investigated the role of light on spore germination, mycelium development, sporulation, and oospore formation of Hpa, along with defence responses in the host. We observed abundant Hpa sporulation on compatible Arabidopsis under day lengths ranging from 10 to 14 hr. In contrast, exposure to constant light or constant dark suppressed sporulation. Exposure to constant dark suppressed spore germination, mycelial development, and oospore formation, whereas exposure to constant light stimulated these three stages of development. A biomarker of plant immune system activation was induced under both constant light and constant dark. Altogether, these findings demonstrate that Hpa has the molecular mechanisms to perceive and respond to light and that both the host and pathogen responses are influenced by the light regime. Therefore, this pathosystem can be used for investigations to understand the molecular mechanisms through which oomycete pathogens like Hpa perceive and integrate light signals, and how light influences pathogen virulence and host immunity during their interactions.     

Virus recognition and pathogenicity: Implications for resistance mechanisms and breeding

The major method of control of virus diseases in crop plants is breeding for resistance. The genetics of resistance, and of matching virulence (the ability of a virus strain to overcome a specific host resistance gene) have been studied less for viruses than for fungal and bacterial pathogens. This paper draws on a survey of the genetics of resistance to a large number of viruses in cultivated crops, and makes some generalisations and predictions about mechanisms. Most resistance to viruses in crops is monogenic. Dominant alleles are associated with virus-localisation mechanisms, which are induced after infection. The nature of the ‘recognition event’ between plant- and virus-coded functions, which triggers resistance plus a cascade of secondary responses, is not yet known. Gene dosage-dependent alleles tend to be associated with non-localising resistance, which allows some virus spread, but inhibits multiplication. Recessive alleles may involve a negative type of resistance mechanism, whereby the resistant plant lacks some function normally required by the virus for pathogenesis. Such resistance tends to be expressed as complete immunity. Many resistance genes have been overcome by virulent isolates of viruses; only 10 % of the sample of resistance genes have proved exceptionally durable. Virulence may involve different viral functions. The production of infectious cDNA clones, and construction of chimaeric recombinants between clones of virulent and avirulent isolates, is now allowing detailed mapping of virulence determinants. Transformation of plants with ‘novel’ genes for virus resistance, based on coat proteins and viral satellites, may allow construction of more robust resistance systems.     

Inoculation of Malus genotypes with a set of Erwinia amylovora strains indicates a gene‐for‐gene relationship between the effector gene eop1 and both Malus floribunda 821 and Malus ‘Evereste’

The Gram‐negative bacterium Erwinia amylovora, causal agent of fire blight disease in pome fruit trees, encodes a type three secretion system (T3SS) that translocates effector proteins into plant cells that collectively function to suppress host defences and enable pathogenesis. Until now, there has only been limited knowledge about the interaction of effector proteins and host resistance presented in several wild Malus species. This study tested disease responses in several Malus wild species with a set of effector deletion mutant strains and several highly virulent E. amylovora strains, which are assumed to influence the host resistance response of fire blight‐resistant Malus species. The findings confirm earlier studies that deletion of the T3SS abolished virulence of the pathogen. Furthermore, a new gene‐for‐gene relationship was established between the effector protein Eop1 and the fire blight resistant ornamental apple cultivar Evereste and the wild species Malus floribunda 821. The results presented here provide new insights into the host–pathogen interactions between Malus sp. and E. amylovora.     

稻曲病菌SIX效应蛋白参与调控植物免疫

为明确稻曲病菌Ustilaginoidea virens的SIX(secreted in xylem)效应蛋白功能,利用生物信息学软件预测6个SIX1蛋白和1个SIX2蛋白的分泌特性,并通过酵母分泌系统对其分泌特性进行验证,在烟草上通过根癌农杆菌Agrobacterium tumefaciens介导的瞬时表达系统检测SIX蛋白对小鼠促凋亡蛋白BAX、致病疫霉Phytophthora infestans激发子INF1、大豆疫霉Phytophthora sojae病原相关分子模式糖基水解酶XEG1引起烟草细胞坏死的作用,在烟草上表达SIX蛋白后接种辣椒疫霉Phytophthora capsici并观察其对辣椒疫霉侵染的作用。结果显示:所检测的SIX蛋白中有5个含有预测的信号肽,2个被预测为非经典分泌蛋白,但经酵母分泌系统验证均具有分泌功能;大部分SIX蛋白能够抑制BAX、INF1、XEG1引起的烟草细胞坏死,但抑制坏死的情况并不完全一致;大部分含信号肽的SIX蛋白能够促进辣椒疫霉侵染,UV8b＿3638去信号肽突变体也能够促进辣椒疫霉侵染。表明大多数SIX蛋白参与调控植物免疫,且能促进病原...     

紫外辐射对植物病害影响的研究进展

紫外(UV)辐射作用于"病菌一植物"病害系统影响植物病害的发生发展,主要包括两个方面一是UV辐射对植物病原菌孢子的萌发、芽管伸长、菌丝生长等光生物学效应,不同种属的菌种对UV辐射存在不同的响应机制;二是寄主植物从形态、生理生化等方面对UV作出响应,导致植物的抗病性发生变化.研究证实,中、短波UV辐射可抑制病菌孢子萌发,减少病害的发病率;长波UV辐射对病菌孢子的萌发有诱导作用,可提高病害发病率.根据UV辐射水平、病菌侵染程度及植物抗性品种等因素的影响,UV辐射对不同植物病害系统也存在不同的作用机制.该文作者就近年来国内外有关辐射对植物病害影响的研究进展进行综述.