scholarly journals Understanding Plant Social Networking System: Avoiding Deleterious Microbiota but Calling Beneficials

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. 3319
Author(s):  
Yong-Soon Park ◽  
Choong-Min Ryu

Plant association with microorganisms elicits dramatic effects on the local phytobiome and often causes systemic and transgenerational modulation on plant immunity against insect pests and microbial pathogens. Previously, we introduced the concept of the plant social networking system (pSNS) to highlight the active involvement of plants in the recruitment of potentially beneficial microbiota upon exposure to insects and pathogens. Microbial association stimulates the physiological responses of plants and induces the development of their immune mechanisms while interacting with multiple enemies. Thus, beneficial microbes serve as important mediators of interactions among multiple members of the multitrophic, microscopic and macroscopic communities. In this review, we classify the steps of pSNS such as elicitation, signaling, secreting root exudates, and plant protection; summarize, with evidence, how plants and beneficial microbes communicate with each other; and also discuss how the molecular mechanisms underlying this communication are induced in plants exposed to natural enemies. Collectively, the pSNS modulates robustness of plant physiology and immunity and promotes survival potential by helping plants to overcome the environmental and biological challenges.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhiqiang Zhang ◽  
Buhe Temuer ◽  
Xiaoyu Wang ◽  
Sarula Bao ◽  
Jinyan Liu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) are major insect pests on alfalfa and result in decreased plant nutrients and growth, low yields and even plant death. In our previous studies, an alfalfa variety (Caoyuan No.4) with high thrips resistance was bred through consecutive field recurrent selection. In order to better understand the genetic and molecular mechanisms of thrips resistance in Caoyuan No.4, RNA-Sequencing was employed using the thrips-resistant alfalfa accession (Caoyuan No.4) and a thrips-susceptible alfalfa accession (Caoyuan No.2), each with and without thrips infestation.Results: There were 851 genes constitutively upregulated and 434 genes downregulated in Caoyuan No.4 compared to Caoyuan No.2 without thrips infestation. The upregulated genes were mainly involved in primary metabolism such as energy metabolism and carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism and certain secondary metabolites, while the downregulated genes were mainly related to plant-pathogen interaction. In addition, very few DEGs (only 13) were detected in Caoyuan No.4 after thrips stress, but a total of 3326 contigs DEGs were detected in Caoyuan No.2 after thrips stress. The upregulated genes in Caoyuan No.2 after stress were mainly involved in isoflavonoid biosynthesis, proteasome, amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism, flavonoid biosynthesis as well as plant-pathogen interaction. Moreover, 117 genes that were shared in both the S_CK vs S_T group and S_CK vs R_CK group were divided into 6 clusters, which are mainly involved in secondary metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, rust resistance kinase, WRKY transcription factor and nodule lectin.Conclusion: Both constitutive defensive genes and potential induced defensive genes were detected in the defense of Caoyuan No.4. That two distinct kinds of defensive genes — constitutive defensive genes and induced defensive genes — can be simultaneously activated and thus potentially enhance plant protection against insects attacks is a significant finding for plant resistance breeders.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 5710
Author(s):  
Vincent Ninkuu ◽  
Lin Zhang ◽  
Jianpei Yan ◽  
Zhenchao Fu ◽  
Tengfeng Yang ◽  
...  

Biodiversity is adversely affected by the growing levels of synthetic chemicals released into the environment due to agricultural activities. This has been the driving force for embracing sustainable agriculture. Plant secondary metabolites offer promising alternatives for protecting plants against microbes, feeding herbivores, and weeds. Terpenes are the largest among PSMs and have been extensively studied for their potential as antimicrobial, insecticidal, and weed control agents. They also attract natural enemies of pests and beneficial insects, such as pollinators and dispersers. However, most of these research findings are shelved and fail to pass beyond the laboratory and greenhouse stages. This review provides an overview of terpenes, types, biosynthesis, and their roles in protecting plants against microbial pathogens, insect pests, and weeds to rekindle the debate on using terpenes for the development of environmentally friendly biopesticides and herbicides.


2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 194-199
Author(s):  
Wioletta Ratajczak-Wrona ◽  
Ewa Jablonska

Background: Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) play a crucial role in the innate immune system’s response to microbial pathogens through the release of reactive nitrogen species, including Nitric Oxide (NO). </P><P> Methods: In neutrophils, NO is produced by the inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS), which is regulated by various signaling pathways and transcription factors. N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a potential human carcinogen, affects immune cells. NDMA plays a major part in the growing incidence of cancers. Thanks to the increasing knowledge on the toxicological role of NDMA, the environmental factors that condition the exposure to this compound, especially its precursors- nitrates arouse wide concern. Results: In this article, we present a detailed summary of the molecular mechanisms of NDMA’s effect on the iNOS-dependent NO production in human neutrophils. Conclusion: This research contributes to a more complete understanding of the mechanisms that explain the changes that occur during nonspecific cellular responses to NDMA toxicity.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 243
Author(s):  
Vivian S. Lin

Continued expansion of the chemical biology toolbox presents many new and diverse opportunities to interrogate the fundamental molecular mechanisms driving complex plant–microbe interactions. This review will examine metabolic labeling with click chemistry reagents and activity-based probes for investigating the impacts of plant-associated microbes on plant growth, metabolism, and immune responses. While the majority of the studies reviewed here used chemical biology approaches to examine the effects of pathogens on plants, chemical biology will also be invaluable in future efforts to investigate mutualistic associations between beneficial microbes and their plant hosts.


1990 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 569-575 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dierk Scheel ◽  
Jane E. Parker

Abstract Plants defend themselves against pathogen attack by activating a whole set of defense responses, most of them relying on transcriptional activation of plant defense genes. The same responses are induced by treatment of plant cells with elicitors released from the pathogen or from the plant surface. Several plant/elicitor combinations have been used successfully as experimental systems to investigate the molecular basis of plant defense responses. Receptor-like structures on the plasma membrane of plant cells appear to bind the elicitors. Thereby, intracellular signal transduction chains are initiated which finally result in the activation of plant defense genes. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of early processes in plant defense responses, as provided by these studies, may in the long term help to develop environmentally safe plant protection methods for agriculture.


2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 221-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivelina Nikolova ◽  
Natalia Georgieva

The effects of the synthetic insecticide Eforia 043 ZK (thiamethoxam+lambdacyhalothrin), applied alone and at 1/5 and 2/5 reduced doses in a mix with the mineral oil Akarzin, on Tychius flavus Beck. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), Adelphocoris lineolatus Goeze (Hemiptera: Miridae), Acyrthosiphon pisum Harr. (Hemiptera: Aphididae), harmful thrips (Thysanoptera) and cicadas (Hemiptera: suborder Auchenorrhyncha) were studied. The efficacy of Eforia (applied alone and in reduced doses) was significantly higher against A. pisum, followed by A. lineolatus and harmful thrips, compared to cicadas. The insecticidal action of Akarzin had a better protective effect against A. pisum, followed by A. lineolatus, in comparison with thrips and cicadas. Combined application of the broad-spectrum insecticide Eforia provided good control against insect pests. The mix of Eforia?s reduced 1/5 dose with the mineral oil showed the highest toxicity throughout the reporting period. Eforia applied at the reduced dose of 2/5 with Akarzin followed in efficacy. A synergistic effect was observed in combinations and was defined as subadditive synergism. Reduced dosage of Eforia and decrease in negative environmental impact of the plant protection products is a friendly approach to integrated pest control. It is important to apply innovative formulations of plant protection products that are safer both for plants and the environment.


Author(s):  
N.N. Iksat ◽  
◽  
D. Tokasheva ◽  
М.К. Beissekova ◽  
U.I. Amanbayeva ◽  
...  

Salicylic acid is a natural signaling molecule that plays a key role in establishing and transmitting plant protection signals from phytopathogens. Salicylic acid, by modulating the expression of protective genes and changing the activity of antioxidant enzymes, can regulate oxidative processes associated with plant protective reactions. This review article reviews studies that provide insight into the functioning of salicylic acid in plant immunity


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiumei Luo ◽  
Tingting Tian ◽  
Maxime Bonnave ◽  
Xue Tan ◽  
Xiaoqing Huang ◽  
...  

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are critical for the growth, development, proliferation, and pathogenicity of microbial pathogens; however, excessive levels of ROS are toxic. Little is known regarding the signaling cascades in response to ROS stress in oomycetes such as Phytophthora infestans, the causal agent of potato late blight. Here, P. infestans was used as a model system to investigate the mechanism underlying the response to ROS stress in oomycete pathogens. Results showed severe defects in sporangium germination, mycelial growth, appressorium formation, and virulence of P. infestans in response to H2O2 stress. Importantly, these phenotypes mimic those of P. infestans treated with rapamycin, the inhibitor of target of rapamycin (TOR, 1-phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase). Strong synergism occurred when P. infestans was treated with a combination of H2O2 and rapamycin, suggesting that a crosstalk exists between ROS stress and the TOR signaling pathway. Comprehensive analysis of transcriptome, proteome and phosphorylation omics showed that H2O2 stress significantly induced the operation of the TOR-mediated autophagy pathway. Monodansylcadaverine (MDC) staining showed that in the presence of H2O2 and rapamycin, the autophagosome level increased in a dosage-dependent manner. Furthermore, transgenic potatoes containing double-stranded RNA of PiTOR (TOR in P. infestans) displayed high resistance to P. infestans. Taken together, TOR is involved in the ROS response and is a potential target for control of oomycete diseases, as host-mediated silencing of PiTOR enhances potato resistance to late blight.


2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (No. 4) ◽  
pp. 242-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anamarija Jagodič ◽  
Stanislav Trdan ◽  
Žiga Laznik

Plants under herbivore attack emit mixtures of volatiles that can attract the natural enemies of the herbivores. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are organisms that can be used in the biological control of insect pests. Recent studies have shown that the movement of EPNs is associated with the detection of chemical stimuli from the environment. To date, several compounds that are responsible for the mediation in below ground multitrophic interactions have been identified. In the review, we discuss the use of EPNs in agriculture, the role of belowground volatiles and their use in plant protection programmes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (13) ◽  
pp. 3117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ewa Muszyńska ◽  
Mateusz Labudda

Heavy metals are an interesting group of trace elements (TEs). Some of them are minutely required for normal plant growth and development, while others have unknown biological actions. They may cause injury when they are applied in an elevated concentration, regardless of the importance for the plant functioning. On the other hand, their application may help to alleviate various abiotic stresses. In this review, both the deleterious and beneficial effects of metallic trace elements from their uptake by roots and leaves, through toxicity, up to the regulation of physiological and molecular mechanisms that are associated with plant protection against stress conditions have been briefly discussed. We have highlighted the involvement of metallic ions in mitigating oxidative stress by the activation of various antioxidant enzymes and emphasized the phenomenon of low-dose stimulation that is caused by non-essential, potentially poisonous elements called hormesis, which is recently one of the most studied issues. Finally, we have described the evolutionary consequences of long-term exposure to metallic elements, resulting in the development of unique assemblages of vegetation, classified as metallophytes, which constitute excellent model systems for research on metal accumulation and tolerance. Taken together, the paper can provide a novel insight into the toxicity concept, since both dose- and genotype-dependent response to the presence of metallic trace elements has been comprehensively explained.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document