Expression of Medicago truncatula ecto-apyrase MtAPY1;1 in leaves of Nicotiana benthamiana restricts necrotic lesions induced by a virulent fungus

Ecto-apyrase(s) participates in cell-wall-associated defense through ATP hydrolysis. Here we analyzed Medicago truncatula genes through cDNA screening and in silico analyses against known databases. This study revealed seven genes, five of which (MtAPY1;1 to MtAPY1;5) are members of a legume-specific family, whereas two genes (MtAPY2;1 and MtAPY2;2) are close to those in other plants. Agrobacterium-based transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana, combined with a c-myc epitope tag technology, confirmed that the MtAPY1;1 is a secreted protein. Transient expression of MtAPY1;1 in leaves of N. benthamiana restricted disease development by a virulent fungus, suggesting a role in disease resistance.