Enhanced resistance to Botrytis cinerea in genetically-modified Vitis vinifera L. plants over-expressing the grapevine stilbene synthase gene

The molecular regulation of stilbene phytoalexin biosynthesis in developing Vitis vinifera L. grape berries was investigated using a UV induction system. Berries were collected at 1, 5, 10 and 16 weeks post-flowering from the cultivars Shiraz, Semillon, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay and the skins analysed for resveratrol production following irradiation with UV-C light. The rate and maximal level of resveratrol accumulation increased markedly in berries sampled from 1–5 weeks post-flowering and then dramatically declined in maturing berries sampled from 10–16 weeks post-flowering in all cultivars. In berries sampled at 1 and 5 weeks post-flowering, maximal levels of resveratrol accumulation were recorded at incubation periods of 24 and 48 h respectively whereas maximal resveratrol levels were not recorded in week 16 berry skins until 72 h after UV-treatment. Gene expression analysis indicated that stilbene synthase (STS) mRNA accumulated within 4–8 h of UV treatment in berries sampled at 1 and 5 weeks post-flowering, but did not increase in week 16 berries until 24–48 h following UV-irradiation. Furthermore, the overall level of STS gene expression declined in berries sampled 10–16 weeks post-flowering. The results demonstrate that inducible stilbene accumulation in ripening grape berries is highly regulated at the level of STS gene transcription. This decline in inducible STS gene expression may be a major factor contributing to the increased susceptibility of ripening grape berries to Botrytis cinerea infection.

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DISCRIMINATION OF CLONES OF VITIS VINIFERA L. BASED ON THE POLYMORPHISM OF STILBENE SYNTHASE-CHALCONE SYNTHASE 5' UNTRANSLATED GENOMIC REGIONS

Acta Horticulturae ◽

10.17660/actahortic.2000.528.34 ◽

2000 ◽

pp. 259-264

Author(s):

F. Geuna ◽

A. Scienza ◽

H. Hartings

Keyword(s):

Vitis Vinifera ◽

Chalcone Synthase ◽

Stilbene Synthase ◽

Vitis Vinifera L ◽

Genomic Regions

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Molecular Basis of Ergosterol-Induced Protection of Grape Against Botrytis cinerea: Induction of Type I LTP Promoter Activity, WRKY, and Stilbene Synthase Gene Expression

Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions ◽

10.1094/mpmi-19-1103 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 19 (10) ◽

pp. 1103-1112 ◽

Cited By ~ 50

Author(s):

Laurent Laquitaine ◽

Eric Gomès ◽

Julie François ◽

Chloé Marchive ◽

Stéphanie Pascal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Botrytis Cinerea ◽

Molecular Basis ◽

Stilbene Synthase ◽

Gus Activity ◽

Cell Suspensions ◽

Type I ◽

Lipid Transfer ◽

Tobacco Plants ◽

Stilbene Synthase Gene

Type I lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) are basic, 9-kDa cystein-rich proteins believed to be involved in plant defense mechanisms. A 2,100-bp fragment containing the coding region of Vitis vinifera lipid transfer protein 1 (VvLTP1) and 1,420-bp of its promoter region was isolated by screening a grape genomic library. In silico analysis revealed several putative, defense-related, cis-regulatory elements such as W- and MYB-boxes, involved in the binding of WRKY and MYB transcription factors, respectively. The 5′-truncated versions of the VvLTP1 promoter were generated, cloned in front of the β-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene, and introduced in tobacco plants and grapevine cell suspensions using Agrobacterium spp. Single MYB- and the W-boxes identified on the 0.250-kbp fragment were sufficient to induce GUS activity in transgenic tobacco plants after transient expression of MYB and WRKY. Ergosterol, a nonspecific fungal elicitor, induced GUS activity in transgenic grapevine cell suspensions transformed with the 1,420- and 750-bp promoter containing a palindromic arrangement of two Wboxes but not the 650- or 250-bp fragment, where only one W-box was present. Moreover, ergosterol triggered WRKY, VvLTP1, and stilbene synthase gene expression in grape plantlets and enhanced protection against Botrytis cinerea. The molecular basis of ergosterol-induced protection is discussed.

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Fruit zone leaf removal influences vegetative, yield, disease, fruit composition, and wine sensory attributes of Vitis vinifera L. 'Optima' and 'Cabernet franc'

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/p95-184 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 77 (1) ◽

pp. 149-153 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

S. L. Staff ◽

D. C. Percival ◽

J. A. Sullivan ◽

K. H. Fisher

Keyword(s):

Vitis Vinifera ◽

Botrytis Cinerea ◽

Canopy Structure ◽

Sensory Attributes ◽

Vitis Vinifera L ◽

Leaf Removal ◽

Cabernet Franc ◽

Fruit Composition ◽

Wine Composition ◽

Bunch Rot

The influence of fruit zone leaf removal treatments (0, 50, and 100%) on grapevine canopy structure, incidence of bunch rot (Botrytis cinerea Pers.:Fr.), yield components, fruit and wine composition and wine sensory attributes was studied on Vitis vinifera L. 'Optima' and 'Cabernet franc'. The 50 and 100% leaf removal reduced leaf layer number, percent interior leaves and percent interior clusters. Yield was reduced between 29 and 46%. Severity of bunch rot in Optima and incidence and severity for Cabernet franc were reduced by leaf removal. Leaf removal improved colour, aroma and palatability of both Optima and Cabernet franc wines. Key words: Botrytis cinerea, defoliation, canopy management

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