Silencing of a LIM gene in cotton exhibits enhanced resistance against Apolygus lucorum

Abstract Main conclusion Overexpression of pathogen-induced cysteine-rich transmembrane proteins (PCMs) in Arabidopsis thaliana enhances resistance against biotrophic pathogens and stimulates hypocotyl growth, suggesting a potential role for PCMs in connecting both biological processes. Abstract Plants possess a sophisticated immune system to protect themselves against pathogen attack. The defense hormone salicylic acid (SA) is an important player in the plant immune gene regulatory network. Using RNA-seq time series data of Arabidopsis thaliana leaves treated with SA, we identified a largely uncharacterized SA-responsive gene family of eight members that are all activated in response to various pathogens or their immune elicitors and encode small proteins with cysteine-rich transmembrane domains. Based on their nucleotide similarity and chromosomal position, the designated Pathogen-induced Cysteine-rich transMembrane protein (PCM) genes were subdivided into three subgroups consisting of PCM1-3 (subgroup I), PCM4-6 (subgroup II), and PCM7-8 (subgroup III). Of the PCM genes, only PCM4 (also known as PCC1) has previously been implicated in plant immunity. Transient expression assays in Nicotiana benthamiana indicated that most PCM proteins localize to the plasma membrane. Ectopic overexpression of the PCMs in Arabidopsis thaliana resulted in all eight cases in enhanced resistance against the biotrophic oomycete pathogen Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis Noco2. Additionally, overexpression of PCM subgroup I genes conferred enhanced resistance to the hemi-biotrophic bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000. The PCM-overexpression lines were found to be also affected in the expression of genes related to light signaling and development, and accordingly, PCM-overexpressing seedlings displayed elongated hypocotyl growth. These results point to a function of PCMs in both disease resistance and photomorphogenesis, connecting both biological processes, possibly via effects on membrane structure or activity of interacting proteins at the plasma membrane.

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Multi‐Level Control of Conductive Filament Evolution and Enhanced Resistance Controllability of the Cu‐Cone Structure Embedded Conductive Bridge Random Access Memory

Advanced Electronic Materials ◽

10.1002/aelm.202100209 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 2100209

Author(s):

Hae Jin Kim ◽

Jihun Kim ◽

Tae Gyun Park ◽

Jung Ho Yoon ◽

Cheol Seong Hwang

Keyword(s):

Random Access ◽

Random Access Memory ◽

Level Control ◽

Access Memory ◽

Conductive Filament ◽

Cone Structure ◽

Enhanced Resistance ◽

Conductive Bridge ◽

Multi Level

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Apple Autotetraploids with Enhanced Resistance to Apple Scab (Venturia inaequalis) Due to Genome Duplication-Phenotypic and Genetic Evaluation

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22020527 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (2) ◽

pp. 527

Author(s):

Małgorzata Podwyszyńska ◽

Monika Markiewicz ◽

Agata Broniarek-Niemiec ◽

Bożena Matysiak ◽

Agnieszka Marasek-Ciolakowska

Keyword(s):

Venturia Inaequalis ◽

Leaf Shape ◽

Apple Scab ◽

Early Period ◽

Physiological Parameters ◽

Aflp Analysis ◽

Poor Growth ◽

Enhanced Resistance ◽

Apple Cultivars ◽

Old Trees

Among the fungal diseases of apple trees, serious yield losses are due to an apple scab caused by Venturia inaequalis. Protection against this disease is based mainly on chemical treatments, which are currently very limited. Therefore, it is extremely important to introduce cultivars with reduced susceptibility to this pathogen. One of the important sources of variability for breeding is the process of polyploidization. Newly obtained polyploids may acquire new features, including increased resistance to diseases. In our earlier studies, numerous tetraploids have been obtained for several apple cultivars with ‘Free Redstar’ tetraploids manifesting enhanced resistance to apple scab. In the present study, tetraploids of ‘Free Redstar’ were assessed in terms of phenotype and genotype with particular emphasis on the genetic background of their increased resistance to apple scab. Compared to diploid plants, tetraploids (own-rooted plants) were characterized with poor growth, especially during first growing season. They had considerably shorter shoots, fewer branches, smaller stem diameter, and reshaped leaves. In contrast to own-rooted plants, in M9-grafted three-year old trees, no significant differences between diplo- and tetraploids were observed, either in morphological or physiological parameters, with the exceptions of the increased leaf thickness and chlorophyll content recorded in tetraploids. Significant differences between sibling tetraploid clones were recorded, particularly in leaf shape and some physiological parameters. The amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis confirmed genetic polymorphism of tetraploid clones. Methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism (MSAP) analysis showed that the level of DNA methylation was twice as high in young tetraploid plants as in a diploid donor tree, which may explain the weaker vigour of neotetraploids in the early period of their growth in the juvenile phase. Molecular analysis showed that ‘Free Redstar’ cultivar and their tetraploids bear six Rvi genes (Rvi5, Rvi6, Rvi8, Rvi11, Rvi14 and Rvi17). Transcriptome analysis confirmed enhanced resistance to apple scab of ‘Free Redstar’ tetraploids since the expression levels of genes related to resistance were strongly enhanced in tetraploids compared to their diploid counterparts.

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Genome-Wide Characterization of Jasmonates Signaling Components Reveals the Essential Role of ZmCOI1a-ZmJAZ15 Action Module in Regulating Maize Immunity to Gibberella Stalk Rot

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22020870 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (2) ◽

pp. 870

Author(s):

Liang Ma ◽

Yali Sun ◽

Xinsen Ruan ◽

Pei-Cheng Huang ◽

Shi Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fusarium Graminearum ◽

Maize Production ◽

Stalk Rot ◽

Enhanced Resistance ◽

Genome Wide ◽

Susceptibility Factors ◽

A Genome ◽

Function Module ◽

Ja Signaling ◽

Signaling Components

Gibberella stalk rot (GSR) by Fusarium graminearum causes significant losses of maize production worldwide. Jasmonates (JAs) have been broadly known in regulating defense against pathogens through the homeostasis of active JAs and COI-JAZ-MYC function module. However, the functions of different molecular species of JAs and COI-JAZ-MYC module in maize interactions with Fusarium graminearum and regulation of diverse metabolites remain unknown. In this study, we found that exogenous application of MeJA strongly enhanced resistance to GSR. RNA-seq analysis showed that MeJA activated multiple genes in JA pathways, which prompted us to perform a genome-wide screening of key JA signaling components in maize. Yeast Two-Hybrid, Split-Luciferase, and Pull-down assays revealed that the JA functional and structural mimic coronatine (COR) functions as an essential ligand to trigger the interaction between ZmCOIa and ZmJAZ15. By deploying CRISPR-cas9 knockout and Mutator insertional mutants, we demonstrated that coi1a mutant is more resistant, whereas jaz15 mutant is more susceptible to GSR. Moreover, JA-deficient opr7-5opr8-2 mutant displayed enhanced resistance to GSR compared to wild type. Together, these results provide strong evidence that ZmJAZ15 plays a pivotal role, whereas ZmCOIa and endogenous JA itself might function as susceptibility factors, in maize immunity to GSR.

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Synthesis and self-assembly of curcumin-modified amphiphilic polymeric micelles with antibacterial activity

Journal of Nanobiotechnology ◽

10.1186/s12951-021-00851-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Caio H. N. Barros ◽

Dishon W. Hiebner ◽

Stephanie Fulaz ◽

Stefania Vitale ◽

Laura Quinn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antibacterial Activity ◽

Self Assembly ◽

Glycolic Acid ◽

Extracellular Polymeric Substances ◽

Polymeric Micelles ◽

Polymeric Nanoparticles ◽

Enhanced Resistance ◽

Antimicrobial Nanoparticles ◽

Good Penetration ◽

Antibiofilm Agents

Abstract Background The ubiquitous nature of bacterial biofilms combined with the enhanced resistance towards antimicrobials has led to the development of an increasing number of strategies for biofilm eradication. Such strategies must take into account the existence of extracellular polymeric substances, which obstruct the diffusion of antibiofilm agents and assists in the maintenance of a well-defended microbial community. Within this context, nanoparticles have been studied for their drug delivery efficacy and easily customised surface. Nevertheless, there usually is a requirement for nanocarriers to be used in association with an antimicrobial agent; the intrinsically antimicrobial nanoparticles are most often made of metals or metal oxides, which is not ideal from ecological and biomedical perspectives. Based on this, the use of polymeric micelles as nanocarriers is appealing as they can be easily prepared using biodegradable organic materials. Results In the present work, micelles comprised of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) and dextran are prepared and then functionalised with curcumin. The effect of the functionalisation in the micelle’s physical properties was elucidated, and the antibacterial and antibiofilm activities were assessed for the prepared polymeric nanoparticles against Pseudomonas spp. cells and biofilms. It was found that the nanoparticles have good penetration into the biofilms, which resulted in enhanced antibacterial activity of the conjugated micelles when compared to free curcumin. Furthermore, the curcumin-functionalised micelles were efficient at disrupting mature biofilms and demonstrated antibacterial activity towards biofilm-embedded cells. Conclusion Curcumin-functionalised poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-dextran micelles are novel nanostructures with an intrinsic antibacterial activity tested against two Pseudomonas spp. strains that have the potential to be further exploited to deliver a secondary bioactive molecule within its core. Graphic Abstract

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Systemic Acquired Resistance in Canola Is Linked with Pathogenesis-Related Gene Expression and Requires Salicylic Acid

Phytopathology ◽

10.1094/phyto-97-7-0794 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 97 (7) ◽

pp. 794-802 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

Shobha D. Potlakayala ◽

Darwin W. Reed ◽

Patrick S. Covello ◽

Pierre R. Fobert

Keyword(s):

Salicylic Acid ◽

Pseudomonas Syringae ◽

Systemic Acquired Resistance ◽

Induced Defense ◽

Acquired Resistance ◽

Microbial Pathogens ◽

Broad Host Range ◽

Avirulent Strain ◽

Enhanced Resistance ◽

Pathogenesis Related

Systemic acquired resistance (SAR) is an induced defense response that confers long-lasting protection against a broad range of microbial pathogens. Here we show that treatment of Brassica napus plants with the SAR-inducing chemical benzo-(1,2,3)-thiadiazole-7-carbothioic acid S-methyl ester (BTH) significantly enhanced resistance against virulent strains of the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. maculicola and the fungal pathogen Leptosphaeria maculans. Localized preinoculation of plants with an avirulent strain of P. syringae pv. maculicola also enhanced resistance to these pathogens but was not as effective as BTH treatment. Single applications of either SAR-inducing pretreatment were effective against P. syringae pv. maculicola, even when given more than 3 weeks prior to the secondary challenge. The pretreatments also led to the accumulation of pathogenesis-related (PR) genes, including BnPR-1 and BnPR-2, with higher levels of transcripts observed in the BTH-treatment material. B. napus plants expressing a bacterial salicylate hydroxylase transgene (NahG) that metabolizes salicylic acid to catechol were substantially compromised in SAR and accumulated reduced levels of PR gene transcripts when compared with untransformed controls. Thus, SAR in B. napus displays many of the hallmarks of classical SAR including long lasting and broad host range resistance, association with PR gene activation, and a requirement for salicylic acid.

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Mutations in Wheat Exhibiting Growth-Stage-Specific Resistance to Biotrophic Fungal Pathogens

Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions ◽

10.1094/mpmi.2004.17.11.1242 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 17 (11) ◽

pp. 1242-1249 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Phil H. Smith ◽

John A. Howie ◽

Anthony J. Worland ◽

Rebecca Stratford ◽

Lesley A. Boyd

Keyword(s):

Fungal Pathogens ◽

Growth Stage ◽

Puccinia Striiformis ◽

Specific Resistance ◽

Yellow Rust ◽

Dominant Mutation ◽

Resistance Phenotype ◽

The Third ◽

Enhanced Resistance ◽

Seedling Leaf

Two mutants were isolated in wheat that showed enhanced resistance towards Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, the fungal causal agent of yellow rust. The altered phenotype of I3-48 is due to a minimum of two mutation events, each showing a partial, additive effect, with one mutation segregating with a deletion on the long arm of chromosome 4D. In the case of I3-54, the enhanced resistance is due to a single, dominant mutation. In both mutants, the expression of the enhanced resistance is growth-stage specific. With I3-54, the full resistance phenotype is apparent from the third seedling leaf onwards, while with I3-48, a full resistance phenotype is only seen on the tenth and subsequent leaves. In addition to the enhanced resistance towards yellow rust, I3-48 also shows enhanced resistance towards brown rust, and I3-54 shows enhanced resistance to powdery mildew.

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NewSaccharomyces cerevisiaeBaker's Yeast Displaying Enhanced Resistance to Freezing

Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry ◽

10.1021/jf020701a ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 51 (2) ◽

pp. 483-491 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Antonio C. Codón ◽

Ana M. Rincón ◽

Miguel A. Moreno-Mateos ◽

Jesús Delgado-Jarana ◽

Manuel Rey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Enhanced Resistance

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