scholarly journals Host-dependent fungus-fungus competition suppresses fungal pathogenesis in Arabidopsis thaliana

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kuldanai Pathompitaknukul ◽  
Kei Hiruma ◽  
Hiroyuki Tanaka ◽  
Nanami Kawamura ◽  
Atsushi Toyoda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Arabidopsis Thaliana ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Fungal Colonization ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Ethylene Signaling ◽  
Disease Symptoms ◽  
Indole Glucosinolates ◽  
Rich Diversity ◽  
Fungal Secondary Metabolism ◽  
Fungal Genes

AbstractLike animals, plants accommodate a rich diversity of microbes, typically without discernible disease symptoms. How their pathogenesis is prevented in the host remains obscure. Here, we show that the root-infecting fungus Colletotrichum fructicola of the C. gloeosporioides clade (CgE), isolated from field-grown healthy Brassicaceae plants, inhibits growth of pathogenic fungi in Arabidopsis thaliana, in a phosphate status-dependent manner. Loss of host ethylene signaling or phytoalexins, camalexin or indole glucosinolates, however, allows CgE to display pathogenesis, suggesting host contributions to endophytic CgE colonization and benefit. Compared to a closely-related C. gloeosporioides pathogen (CgP), CgE is characterized by genome expansion and >700 fungal genes (4.34%) specifically induced in the host roots when co-inoculated with CgP, including genes related to fungal secondary metabolism. This may underlie antimicrobial tolerance of CgE and its dominance over pathogenic fungi within the host, pointing to a role for fungus-fungus competition in asymptomatic fungal colonization in plants.

scholarly journals Sweet Immunity: Inulin Boosts Resistance of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) against Grey Mold (Botrytis cinerea) in an Ethylene-Dependent Manner

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 1052 ◽  
Author(s):  
Łukasz Tarkowski ◽  
Bram Van de Poel ◽  
Monica Höfte ◽  
Wim Van den Ende
Keyword(s):  
Botrytis Cinerea ◽  
Soluble Sugars ◽  
Sugar Metabolism ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Ethylene Signaling ◽  
Important Species ◽  
Disease Symptoms ◽  
Gaba A ◽  
Grey Mold ◽  
Negative Effect

The concept of “Sweet Immunity” postulates that sugar metabolism and signaling influence plant immune networks. In this study, we tested the potential of commercially available inulin-type fructans to limit disease symptoms caused by Botrytis cinerea in lettuce. Spraying mature lettuce leaves, with inulin-type fructans derived from burdock or chicory was as effective in reducing grey mold disease symptoms caused by Botrytis cinerea as spraying with oligogalacturonides (OGs). OGs are well-known defense elicitors in several plant species. Spraying with inulin and OGs induced accumulation of hydrogen peroxide and levels further increased upon pathogen infection. Inulin and OGs were no longer able to limit Botrytis infection when plants were treated with the ethylene signaling inhibitor 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), indicating that a functional ethylene signaling pathway is needed for the enhanced defense response. Soluble sugars accumulated in leaves primed with OGs, while 1-MCP treatment had an overall negative effect on the sucrose pool. Accumulation of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a stress-associated non-proteinogenic amino acid and possible signaling compound, was observed in inulin-treated samples after infection and negatively affected by the 1-MCP treatment. We have demonstrated for the first time that commercially available inulin-type fructans and OGs can improve the defensive capacity of lettuce, an economically important species. We discuss our results in the context of a possible recognition of fructans as Damage or Microbe Associated Molecular Patterns.

scholarly journals Analysis of small RNA silencing in Zymoseptoria tritici – wheat interactions

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graeme J. Kettles ◽  
Bernhard J. Hofinger ◽  
Pingsha Hu ◽  
Carlos Bayon ◽  
Jason J. Rudd ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Rna ◽  
Rna Virus ◽  
Control Measure ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Fungal Colonization ◽  
In Planta ◽  
Zymoseptoria Tritici ◽  
Mrna Targets ◽  
Fungal Genes

AbstractCross-kingdom small RNA (sRNA) silencing has recently emerged as a mechanism facilitating fungal colonization and disease development. Here we characterized RNAi pathways in Zymoseptoria tritici, a major fungal pathogen of wheat, and assessed their contribution to pathogenesis. Computational analysis of fungal sRNA and host mRNA sequencing datasets was used to define the global sRNA populations in Z. tritici and predict their mRNA targets in wheat. 389 in planta-induced sRNA loci were identified. sRNAs generated from some of these loci were predicted to target wheat mRNAs including those potentially involved in pathogen defense. However, molecular approaches failed to validate targeting of selected wheat mRNAs by fungal sRNAs. Mutant strains of Z. tritici carrying deletions of genes encoding key components of RNAi such as Dicer-like (DCL) and Argounate (AGO) proteins were generated, and virulence bioassays suggested that these are dispensable for full infection of wheat. Nonetheless, our results did suggest the existence of non-canonical DCL-independent pathway(s) for sRNA biogenesis in Z. tritici. dsRNA targeting essential fungal genes applied in vitro or generated from an RNA virus vector in planta in a procedure known as HIGS (Host-Induced Gene Silencing) was ineffective in preventing Z. tritici growth or disease. We also demonstrated that Z. tritici is incapable of dsRNA uptake. Collectively, our data suggest that RNAi approaches for gene function analyses in this fungal species and potentially also as a control measure may not be as effective as has been demonstrated for some other plant pathogenic fungi.

scholarly journals Sound Waves Promote Arabidopsis thaliana Root Growth by Regulating Root Phytohormone Content

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 5739
Author(s):  
Joo Yeol Kim ◽  
Hyo-Jun Lee ◽  
Jin A Kim ◽  
Mi-Jeong Jeong
Keyword(s):  
Arabidopsis Thaliana ◽  
Cell Division ◽  
Root Growth ◽  
Apical Meristem ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Root Apical Meristem ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Auxin Signaling ◽  
Ethylene Signaling ◽  
Sound Waves

Sound waves affect plants at the biochemical, physical, and genetic levels. However, the mechanisms by which plants respond to sound waves are largely unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the effect of sound waves on Arabidopsis thaliana growth. The results of the study showed that Arabidopsis seeds exposed to sound waves (100 and 100 + 9k Hz) for 15 h per day for 3 day had significantly longer root growth than that in the control group. The root length and cell number in the root apical meristem were significantly affected by sound waves. Furthermore, genes involved in cell division were upregulated in seedlings exposed to sound waves. Root development was affected by the concentration and activity of some phytohormones, including cytokinin and auxin. Analysis of the expression levels of genes regulating cytokinin and auxin biosynthesis and signaling showed that cytokinin and ethylene signaling genes were downregulated, while auxin signaling and biosynthesis genes were upregulated in Arabidopsis exposed to sound waves. Additionally, the cytokinin and auxin concentrations of the roots of Arabidopsis plants increased and decreased, respectively, after exposure to sound waves. Our findings suggest that sound waves are potential agricultural tools for improving crop growth performance.

scholarly journals Ca2+-Dependent Protein Kinase 6 Enhances KAT2 Shaker Channel Activity in Arabidopsis thaliana

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 1596
Author(s):  
Elsa Ronzier ◽  
Claire Corratgé-Faillie ◽  
Frédéric Sanchez ◽  
Christian Brière ◽  
Tou Cheu Xiong
Keyword(s):  
Arabidopsis Thaliana ◽  
Resonance Energy Transfer ◽  
Resonance Energy ◽  
Physical Interaction ◽  
Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
In Planta ◽  
Knock Out ◽  
Calcium Dependent ◽  
Dependent Protein

Post-translational regulations of Shaker-like voltage-gated K+ channels were reported to be essential for rapid responses to environmental stresses in plants. In particular, it has been shown that calcium-dependent protein kinases (CPKs) regulate Shaker channels in plants. Here, the focus was on KAT2, a Shaker channel cloned in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, where is it expressed namely in the vascular tissues of leaves. After co-expression of KAT2 with AtCPK6 in Xenopuslaevis oocytes, voltage-clamp recordings demonstrated that AtCPK6 stimulates the activity of KAT2 in a calcium-dependent manner. A physical interaction between these two proteins has also been shown by Förster resonance energy transfer by fluorescence lifetime imaging (FRET-FLIM). Peptide array assays support that AtCPK6 phosphorylates KAT2 at several positions, also in a calcium-dependent manner. Finally, K+ fluorescence imaging in planta suggests that K+ distribution is impaired in kat2 knock-out mutant leaves. We propose that the AtCPK6/KAT2 couple plays a role in the homeostasis of K+ distribution in leaves.

Dynamics of fungal pathogens in host plant tissues

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (S1) ◽  
pp. 1275-1283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shigehito Takenaka
Keyword(s):  
Host Plant ◽  
Species Interactions ◽  
Fungal Biomass ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Plant Pathogens ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Molecular Methods ◽  
Plant Colonization ◽  
Fungal Colonization ◽  
Plant Tissues

To develop efficient control measures against fungal plant pathogens, the dynamics of host plant colonization during disease development and the interactions among fungi within host plant tissues need to be clarified. These studies require accurate quantitative estimation of specific fungal biomass in plant tissues. This has been approached by direct-microscopic methods, cultural methods, chemical determinations of fungal components, serological methods, and molecular methods. Among these methods, serological and molecular methods provide rapid, specific, and sensitive quantitative measures of fungal biomass in host plant tissues. Therefore, studies on fungal dynamics of host plant colonization using these two methods are presented. Some examples of species interactions among pathogenic fungi within host plants, such as synergism and competition, are reviewed and the usefulness of serological and molecular methods for studies on these interactions is presented. These quantitative methods will provide helpful information for understanding the ecology of plant pathogenic fungi, such as the dynamics of host plant colonization and species interactions. Key words: quantitative methods, fungal biomass, ELISA, PCR, fungal colonization, species interaction.

scholarly journals Insect herbivory facilitates the establishment of an invasive plant pathogen

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin M. Gossner ◽  
Ludwig Beenken ◽  
Kirstin Arend ◽  
Dominik Begerow ◽  
Derek Peršoh
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Pathogenic Fungus ◽  
Feeding Activity ◽  
Insect Herbivory ◽  
Forest Health ◽  
Mechanical Damage ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Fungal Colonization ◽  
Feeding Damage ◽  
The Impact

AbstractPlants can be severely affected by insect herbivores and phytopathogenic fungi, but interactions between these plant antagonists are poorly understood. We analysed the impact of feeding damage by the abundant herbivore Orchestes fagi on infection rates of beech (Fagus sylvatica) leaves with Petrakia liobae, an invasive plant pathogenic fungus. The fungus was not detected in hibernating beetles, indicating that O. fagi does not serve as vector for P. liobae, at least not between growing seasons. Abundance of the fungus in beech leaves increased with feeding damage of the beetle and this relationship was stronger for sun-exposed than for shaded leaves. A laboratory experiment revealed sun-exposed leaves to have thicker cell walls and to be more resistant to pathogen infection than shaded leaves. Mechanical damage significantly increased frequency and size of necroses in the sun, but not in shade leaves. Our findings indicate that feeding damage of adult beetles provides entry ports for fungal colonization by removal of physical barriers and thus promotes infection success by pathogenic fungi. Feeding activity by larvae probably provides additional nutrient sources or eases access to substrates for the necrotrophic fungus. Our study exemplifies that invasive pathogens may benefit from herbivore activity, which may challenge forest health in light of climate change.

scholarly journals Spray-induced gene silencing for disease control is dependent on the efficiency of pathogen RNA uptake

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lulu Qiao ◽  
Chi Lan ◽  
Luca Capriotti ◽  
Audrey Ah-Fong ◽  
Jonatan Nino Sanchez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Management ◽  
Plant Disease ◽  
Plant Pathogens ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Uptake Efficiency ◽  
Fungal Plant Pathogens ◽  
Plant Disease Management ◽  
Fungal Genes

AbstractRecent discoveries show that fungi can take up environmental RNA, which can then silence fungal genes through environmental RNA interference. This discovery prompted the development of Spray-Induced Gene Silencing (SIGS) for plant disease management. In this study, we aimed to determine the efficacy of SIGS across a variety of eukaryotic microbes. We first examined the efficiency of RNA uptake in multiple pathogenic and non-pathogenic fungi, and an oomycete pathogen. We observed efficient double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) uptake in the fungal plant pathogens Botrytis cinerea, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Rhizoctonia solani, Aspergillus niger, and Verticillium dahliae, but no uptake in Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, and weak uptake in a beneficial fungus, Trichoderma virens. For the oomycete plant pathogen, Phytophthora infestans, RNA uptake was limited, and varied across different cell types and developmental stages. Topical application of dsRNA targeting virulence-related genes in the pathogens with high RNA uptake efficiency significantly inhibited plant disease symptoms, whereas the application of dsRNA in pathogens with low RNA uptake efficiency did not suppress infection. Our results have revealed that dsRNA uptake efficiencies vary across eukaryotic microbe species and cell types. The success of SIGS for plant disease management can largely be determined by the pathogen RNA uptake efficiency.

scholarly journals Exogenous Auxin Elicits Changes in the Arabidopsis thaliana Root Proteome in a Time-Dependent Manner

Proteomes ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Slade ◽  
W. Ray ◽  
Sherry Hildreth ◽  
Brenda Winkel ◽  
Richard Helm
Keyword(s):  
Arabidopsis Thaliana ◽  
Time Dependent ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Exogenous Auxin ◽  
Root Proteome

scholarly journals Bletilla striata (Orchidaceae) Seed Coat Restricts the Invasion of Fungal Hyphae at the Initial Stage of Fungal Colonization

Plants ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chihiro Miura ◽  
Miharu Saisho ◽  
Takahiro Yagame ◽  
Masahide Yamato ◽  
Hironori Kaminaka
Keyword(s):  
Seed Coat ◽  
Germination Rate ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Fungal Colonization ◽  
Symbiotic Interaction ◽  
Bletilla Striata ◽  
Initial Stage ◽  
Fungal Hyphae ◽  
Symbiotic Fungi ◽  
Fungal Associates

Orchids produce minute seeds that contain limited or no endosperm, and they must form an association with symbiotic fungi to obtain nutrients during germination and subsequent seedling growth under natural conditions. Orchids need to select an appropriate fungus among diverse soil fungi at the germination stage. However, there is limited understanding of the process by which orchids recruit fungal associates and initiate the symbiotic interaction. This study aimed to better understand this process by focusing on the seed coat, the first point of fungal attachment. Bletilla striata seeds, some with the seed coat removed, were prepared and sown with symbiotic fungi or with pathogenic fungi. The seed coat-stripped seeds inoculated with the symbiotic fungi showed a lower germination rate than the intact seeds, and proliferated fungal hyphae were observed inside and around the stripped seeds. Inoculation with the pathogenic fungi increased the infection rate in the seed coat-stripped seeds. The pathogenic fungal hyphae were arrested at the suspensor side of the intact seeds, whereas the seed coat-stripped seeds were subjected to severe infestation. These results suggest that the seed coat restricts the invasion of fungal hyphae and protects the embryo against the attack of non-symbiotic fungi.

scholarly journals Symptomatic plant viroid infections in phytopathogenic fungi

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (26) ◽  
pp. 13042-13050 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuang Wei ◽  
Ruiling Bian ◽  
Ida Bagus Andika ◽  
Erbo Niu ◽  
Qian Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Noncoding Rna ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Cryphonectria Parasitica ◽  
Phytopathogenic Fungi ◽  
Disease Symptoms ◽  
Rna Transcripts ◽  
Viroid Replication ◽  
Hop Stunt Viroid ◽  
Pathogenic Agents ◽  
Symptomatic Plant

Viroids are pathogenic agents that have a small, circular noncoding RNA genome. They have been found only in plant species; therefore, their infectivity and pathogenicity in other organisms remain largely unexplored. In this study, we investigate whether plant viroids can replicate and induce symptoms in filamentous fungi. Seven plant viroids representing viroid groups that replicate in either the nucleus or chloroplast of plant cells were inoculated to three plant pathogenic fungi,Cryphonectria parasitica,Valsa mali, andFusarium graminearum. By transfection of fungal spheroplasts with viroid RNA transcripts, each of the three, hop stunt viroid (HSVd), iresine 1 viroid, and avocado sunblotch viroid, can stably replicate in at least one of those fungi. The viroids are horizontally transmitted through hyphal anastomosis and vertically through conidia. HSVd infection severely debilitates the growth ofV. malibut not that of the other two fungi, while inF. graminearumandC. parasitica, with deletion of dicer-like genes, the primary components of the RNA-silencing pathway, HSVd accumulation increases. We further demonstrate that HSVd can be bidirectionally transferred betweenF. graminearumand plants during infection. The viroids also efficiently infect fungi and induce disease symptoms when the viroid RNAs are exogenously applied to the fungal mycelia. These findings enhance our understanding of viroid replication, host range, and pathogenicity, and of their potential spread to other organisms in nature.

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