Regulatory and functional interactions of plant growth regulators and plant glutathione S-transferases (GSTs)

Analysis of expression profiles of selected genes associated with the regenerative property and the receptivity to gene transfer during somatic embryogenesis in Triticum aestivum L

The physiological, biochemical and molecular mechanisms regulating the initiation of a regenerative pathway remain partially unknown. Efforts to identify the biological features that confer transformation ability, or the tendency of some cells to induce transgene silencing, would help to improve plant genetic engineering. The objective of our study was to monitor the evolution of plant cell competencies in relation to both in vitro tissue culture regeneration and the genetic transformation properties. We used a simple wheat regeneration procedure as an experimental model for studying the regenerative capacity of plant cells and their receptivity to direct gene transfer over the successive steps of the regenerative pathway. Target gene profiling studies and biochemical assays were conducted to follow some of the mechanisms triggered during the somatic-to-embryogenic transition (i.e. dedifferentiation, cell division activation, redifferentiation) and affecting the accessibility of plant cells to receive and stably express the exogenous DNA introduced by bombardment. Our results seem to indicate that the control of cell-cycle (S-phase) and host defense strategies can be crucial determinants of genetic transformation efficiency. The results from studies conducted at macro-, micro- and molecular scales are then integrated into a holistic approach that addresses the question of tissue culture and transgenesis competencies more broadly. Through this multilevel analysis we try to establish functional links between both regenerative capacity and transformation receptiveness, and thereby to provide a more global and integrated vision of both processes, at the core of defense/adaptive mechanisms and survival, between undifferentiated cell proliferation and organization.

Molecular cloning and expression of five glutathione S-transferase (GST) genes from Banana (Musa acuminata L. AAA group, cv. Cavendish)

Three tau class MaGSTs responded to abiotic stress, MaGSTF1 and MaGSTL1 responded to signaling molecules, they may play an important role in the growth of banana plantlet. Glutathione S-transferases (GST) are multifunctional detoxification enzymes that participate in a variety of cellular processes, including stress responses. In this study, we report the molecular characteristics of five GST genes (MaGSTU1, MaGSTU2, MaGSTU3, MaGSTF1 and MaGSTL1) cloned from banana (Musa acuminate L. AAA group, cv. Cavendish) using a RACE-PCR-based strategy. The predicted molecular masses of these GSTs range from 23.4 to 27.7 kDa and their pIs are acidic. At the amino acid level, they share high sequence similarity with GSTs in the banana DH-Pahang (AA group) genome. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the deduced amino acid sequences of MaGSTs also have high similarity to GSTs of other plant species. Expression analysis by semi-quantitative RT-PCR revealed that these genes are differentially expressed in various tissues. In addition, their expression is regulated by various stress conditions, including exposure to signaling molecules, cold, salinity, drought and Fusarium oxysporum f specialis(f. Sp) cubense Tropical Race 4 (Foc TR4) infection. The expression of the tau class MaGSTs (MaGSTU1, MaGSTU2 and MaGSTU3) mainly responded to cold, salinity and drought while MaGSTF1 and MaGSTL1 expressions were upregulated by signaling molecules. Our findings suggest that MaGSTs play a key role in both development and abiotic stress responses.

Glutathione and glutathione reductase: a boon in disguise for plant abiotic stress defense operations

Abiotic stresses such as salinity, drought, clilling, heavy metal are the major limiting factors for crop productivity. These stresses induce the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which are highly reactive and toxic, which must be minimized to protect the cell from oxidative damage. The cell organelles, particularly chloroplast and mitochondria are the major sites of ROS production in plants where excessive rate of electron flow takes place. Plant cells are well equipped to efficiently scavenge ROS and its reaction products by the coordinated and concerted action of antioxidant machinery constituted by vital enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant components. Glutathione reductase (GR, EC 1.6.4.2) and tripeptide glutathione (GSH, γ-Glutamyl-Cysteinyl-Glycine) are two major components of ascorbate-glutathione (AsA-GSH) pathway which play significant role in protecting cells against ROS and its reaction products-accrued potential anomalies. Both GR and GSH are physiologically linked together where, GR is a NAD(P)H-dependent enzymatic antioxidant and efficiently maintains the reduced pool of GSH - a cellular thiol. The differential modulation of both GR and GSH in plants has been widely implicated for the significance of these two enigmatic antioxidants as major components of plant defense operations. Considering recent informations gained through molecular-genetic studies, the current paper presents an overview of the structure, localization, biosynthesis (for GSH only), discusses GSH and GR significance in abiotic stress (such as salinity, drought, clilling, heavy metal)-exposed crop plants and also points out unexplored aspects in the current context for future studies.

Isolation and Characterization of a Theta Glutathione S-transferase Gene from Panax ginseng Meyer

Plants have versatile detoxification systems to encounter the phytotoxicity of the wide range of natural and synthetic compounds present in the environment. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) is an enzyme that detoxifies natural and exogenous toxic compounds by conjugation with glutathione (GSH). Recently, several roles of GST giving stress tolerance in plants have demonstrated, but little is known about the role of ginseng GSTs. Therefore, this work aimed to provide further information on the GST gene present in Panax ginseng genome as well as its expression and function. A GST cDNA (PgGST) was isolated from P. ginseng cDNA library, and it showed the amino acid sequence similarity with theta type of GSTs. PgGST in ginseng plant was induced by exposure to metals, plant hormone, heavy metals, and high light irradiance. To improve the resistance against environmental stresses, full-length cDNA of PgGST was introduced into Nicotiana tabacum. Overexpression of PgGST led to twofold increase in GST-specific activity compared to the non-transgenic plants, and the GST overexpressed plant showed resistance against herbicide phosphinothricin. The results suggested that the PgGST isolated from ginseng might have a role in the protection mechanism against toxic materials such as heavy metals and herbicides.

Expression of a rice Lambda class of glutathione S-transferase, OsGSTL2, in Arabidopsis provides tolerance to heavy metal and other abiotic stresses

Global industrial growth has contaminated the soil and water with many hazardous compounds, including heavy metals. These heavy metals are not only toxic to plants but also cause severe human health hazards when leach out into food chain. One of the approaches employed for the decontamination of environment includes identification and overexpression of genes involved in the detoxification mechanism of plants. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are a superfamily of enzymes, principally known for their role in detoxification reactions. Different classes of GSTs have been used to develop plants with improved detoxification mechanism, but not much information is available for Lambda class of GSTs. Here, we studied expression of OsGSTLs in different rice genotypes under arsenic stress. The study suggests differential expression of these genes in arsenic sensitive and tolerant genotypes. Further, the role of one member of Lambda class OsGSTL2 was studied by expressing in heterologous system, Arabidopsis. Transgenic lines developed were analysed for their response to different abiotic stresses including heavy metals. Analysis suggests that OsGSTL2 provides tolerance for heavy metals and other abiotic stresses like cold, osmotic stress and salt. We conclude that OsGSTLs can be utilized for developing plant varieties tolerant to different abiotic stresses including heavy metals.

Functional divergence of the glutathione S-transferase supergene family in Physcomitrella patens reveals complex patterns of large gene family evolution in land plants

Plant glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are multifunctional proteins encoded by a large gene family that play major roles in the detoxification of xenobiotics and oxidative stress metabolism. To date, studies on the GST gene family have focused mainly on vascular plants (particularly agricultural plants). In contrast, little information is available on the molecular characteristics of this large gene family in nonvascular plants. In addition, the evolutionary patterns of this family in land plants remain unclear. In this study, we identified 37 GST genes from the whole genome of the moss Physcomitrella patens, a nonvascular representative of early land plants. The 37 P. patens GSTs were divided into 10 classes, including two new classes (hemerythrin and iota). However, no tau GSTs were identified, which represent the largest class among vascular plants. P. patens GST gene family members showed extensive functional divergence in their gene structures, gene expression responses to abiotic stressors, enzymatic characteristics, and the subcellular locations of the encoded proteins. A joint phylogenetic analysis of GSTs from P. patens and other higher vascular plants showed that different class GSTs had distinct duplication patterns during the evolution of land plants. By examining multiple characteristics, this study revealed complex patterns of evolutionary divergence among the GST gene family in land plants.

Comparison of transcript profiles in different life stages of the nematode Globodera pallida under different host potato genotypes

The potato cyst nematodes (PCNs) Globodera pallida and Globodera rostochiensis are important parasites of potato. PCNs undergo complex biotrophic interactions with their hosts that involve gene expression changes in both the nematode and the host plant. The aim of this study was to determine key genes that are differentially expressed in Globodera pallida life cycle stages and during the initiation of the feeding site in susceptible and partially resistant potato genotypes. For this purpose, two microarray experiments were designed: (i) a comparison of eggs, infective second-stage juveniles (J2s) and sedentary parasitic-stage J2s (SJ2); (ii) a comparison of SJ2s at 8 days after inoculation (DAI) in the susceptible cultivar (Desirée) and two partially resistant lines. The results showed differential expression of G. pallida genes during the stages studied, including previously characterized effectors. In addition, a large number of genes changed their expression between SJ2s in the susceptible cultivar and those infecting partially resistant lines; the number of genes with modified expression was lower when the two partially resistant lines were compared. Moreover, a histopathological study was performed at several time points (7, 14 and 30 DAI) and showed the similarities between both partially resistant lines with a delay and degeneration in the formation of the syncytia in comparison with the susceptible cultivar. Females at 30 DAI in partially resistant lines showed a delay in their development in comparison with those in the susceptible cultivar.

The combined use of photoaffinity labeling and surface plasmon resonance-based technology identifies multiple salicylic acid-binding proteins

Salicylic acid (SA) is a small phenolic molecule that not only is the active ingredient in the multi-functional drug aspirin, but also serves as a plant hormone that affects diverse processes during growth, development, responses to abiotic stresses and disease resistance. Although a number of SA-binding proteins (SABPs) have been identified, the underlying mechanisms of action of SA remain largely unknown. Efforts to identify additional SA targets, and thereby elucidate the complex SA signaling network in plants, have been hindered by the lack of effective approaches. Here, we report two sensitive approaches that utilize SA analogs in conjunction with either a photoaffinity labeling technique or surface plasmon resonance-based technology to identify and evaluate candidate SABPs from Arabidopsis. Using these approaches, multiple proteins, including the E2 subunit of α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase and the glutathione S-transferases GSTF2, GSTF8, GSTF10 and GSTF11, were identified as SABPs. Their association with SA was further substantiated by the ability of SA to inhibit their enzymatic activity. The photoaffinity labeling and surface plasmon resonance-based approaches appear to be more sensitive than the traditional approach for identifying plant SABPs using size-exclusion chromatography with radiolabeled SA, as these proteins exhibited little to no SA-binding activity in such an assay. The development of these approaches therefore complements conventional techniques and helps dissect the SA signaling network in plants, and may also help elucidate the mechanisms through which SA acts as a multi-functional drug in mammalian systems.

The Or gene enhances carotenoid accumulation and stability during post-harvest storage of potato tubers

Provitamin A carotenoids in staple crops are not very stable during storage and their loss compromises nutritional quality. To elucidate the fundamental mechanisms underlying carotenoid accumulation and stability, we investigated transgenic potato tubers that expressed the cauliflower Orange (Or) gene. We found that the Or transgene not only promoted retention of β-carotene level, but also continuously stimulated its accumulation during 5 months of cold storage. In contrast, no increased levels of carotenoids were observed in the tubers of vector-only controls or a yellow-flesh variety during the same period of storage. The increased carotenoid accumulation was found to be associated with the formation of lipoprotein-carotenoid sequestering structures, as well as with the enhanced abundance of phytoene synthase, a key enzyme in the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway. Furthermore, the provitamin A carotenoids stored were shown to be stable during simulated digestion and accessible for uptake by human intestinal absorptive cells. Proteomic analysis identified three major functional groups of proteins (i.e. heat shock proteins, glutathione-S-transferases, and carbohydrate metabolic proteins) that are potentially important in the Or-regulated carotenoid accumulation. Our results show that regulation of carotenoid sequestration capacity is an important mechanism by which carotenoid stability is regulated. Our findings suggest that induction of a proper sink structure formation in staple crops may provide the crops with a unique ability to promote and/or stabilize provitamin A accumulation during plant growth and post-harvest storage.

Differential response of young and adult leaves to herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid in pea plants: role of reactive oxygen species

In this work the differential response of adult and young leaves from pea (Pisum sativum L.) plants to the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) (23 mm) applied by foliar spraying was investigated. The concentration of 2,4-D (23 mm) and the time of treatment (72 h) were previously optimized in order to visualize its toxic effects on pea plants. Under these conditions, the herbicide induced severe disturbances in mesophyll cells structure and proliferation of vascular tissue in young leaves and increased acyl-CoA oxidase (ACX), xanthine oxidase (XOD) and lipoxygenase (LOX) activities in young leaves, and only ACX and LOX in adult leaves. This situation produced reactive oxygen species (ROS) over-accumulation favoured by the absence of significant changes in the enzymatic antioxidants, giving rise to oxidative damages to proteins and membrane lipids. An increase of ethylene took place in both young and adult leaves and the induction of genes encoding the stress proteins, PRP4A and HSP 71,2, was observed mainly in young leaves. These results suggest that ROS overproduction is a key factor in the effect of high concentrations of 2,4-D, and ROS can trigger a differential response in young and adult leaves, either epinasty development in young leaves or senescence processes in adult tissues.

Functional roles of effectors of plant-parasitic nematodes

Plant pathogens have evolved a variety of different strategies that allow them to successfully infect their hosts. Plant-parasitic nematodes secrete numerous proteins into their hosts. These proteins, called effectors, have various functions in the plant cell. The most studied effectors to date are the plant cell wall degrading enzymes, which have an interesting evolutionary history since they are believed to have been acquired from bacteria or fungi by horizontal gene transfer. Extensive genome, transcriptome and proteome studies have shown that plant-parasitic nematodes secrete many additional effectors. The function of many of these is less clear although during the last decade, several research groups have determined the function of some of these effectors. Even though many effectors remain to be investigated, it has already become clear that they can have very diverse functions. Some are involved in suppression of plant defences, while others can specifically interact with plant signalling or hormone pathways to promote the formation of nematode feeding sites. In this review, the most recent progress in the understanding of the function of plant-parasitic nematode effectors is discussed.

Cloning, molecular characterization and heterologous expression of a glutathione S-transferase gene in rice

OsGSTL2 is one of three tandem-arranged glutathione S-transferase, lambda class genes in chromosome 3 of rice (Oryza sativa L.). It includes 9 introns and 10 exons, and encodes a protein of 244 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular mass of 27.37 kDa. The predicted three-dimensional structure of OsGSTL2 showed a typical glutathione S-transferase fold. Using semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis, OsGSTL2 transcript was detected in the roots and leaves of seedling stage and tillering stage, and the roots, leaves and panicles of heading stage from rice plants, and the expression level of OsGSTL2 mRNA in rice roots show significant change under chlorsulfuron stress. The OsGSTL2 gene was cloned into pYTV vector and was transformed into yeast strain PEP4. Western blot analysis showed the exogenous OsGSTL2 was expressed in transformed yeast. GST activity of crude extracts of yeast showed the OsGSTL2 transgenic yeast had higher levels of GST activities than control yeasts. These findings suggested that the OsGSTL2 is a glutathione S-transferase and has potential use in detoxification.

The Arabidopsis phi class glutathione transferase AtGSTF2: binding and regulation by biologically active heterocyclic ligands

The plant-specific phi class of glutathione transferases (GSTFs) are often highly stress-inducible and expressed in a tissue-specific manner, suggestive of them having important protective roles. To date, these functions remain largely unknown, although activities associated with the binding and transport of reactive metabolites have been proposed. Using a sensitive and selective binding screen, we have probed the Arabidopsis thaliana GSTFs for natural product ligands from bacteria and plants. Uniquely, when overexpressed in bacteria, family members GSTF2 and GSTF3 bound a series of heterocyclic compounds, including lumichrome, harmane, norharmane and indole-3-aldehyde. When screened against total metabolite extracts from A. thaliana, GSTF2 also selectively bound the indole-derived phytoalexin camalexin, as well as the flavonol quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside. In each case, isothermal titration calorimetry revealed high-affinity binding (typically Kd<1 μM), which was enhanced in the presence of glutathione and by the other heterocyclic ligands. With GSTF2, these secondary ligand associations resulted in an allosteric enhancement in glutathione-conjugating activity. Together with the known stress responsiveness of GSTF2 and its association with membrane vesicles, these results are suggestive of roles in regulating the binding and transport of defence-related compounds in planta.

Expression of SbGSTU (tau class glutathione S-transferase) gene isolated from Salicornia brachiata in tobacco for salt tolerance

Tau class glutathione transferases (GSTU) genes are plant specific, induced by different abiotic stress, and important for protecting plants against oxidative damage. GST gene was isolated using 5' RACE from an extreme halophyte Salicornia brachiata, cloned, sequenced and its protein structure was predicted. Transcript profiling of SbGST gene expression was studied under different abiotic stress conditions and plant growth regulator treatments, viz. salt, cold, drought, ABA and salicylic acid, with time period point and concentration point. The expression of SbGST gene was up-regulated in all stress conditions, except SA treatment. Seed germination percentage, GST enzyme assay, fresh weight and other growth parameters (root length, shoot length and leaf area) were studied and results indicate that over-expression of SbGST gene in transgenic tobacco leads to enhanced seed germination and growth under salt stress. Transgenic lines were evaluated for their performance under salt stress and tobacco plants over-expressing SbGST showed higher seed germination and survival compared to wild type. These results confirm that expression of SbGST gene is up-regulated by different stresses and over-expression of tau class SbGST gene in transgenic tobacco plays a vital role in abiotic stress tolerance. SbGST gene expressed conspicuously under salt stress leading to enhance seed germination and better growth. Furthermore, GST is a potential candidate gene to be used in genetic engineering for enhancing abiotic stress tolerance.

Mitochondrial complex II has a key role in mitochondrial-derived reactive oxygen species influence on plant stress gene regulation and defense

Mitochondria are both a source of ATP and a site of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. However, there is little information on the sites of mitochondrial ROS (mROS) production or the biological role of such mROS in plants. We provide genetic proof that mitochondrial complex II (Complex II) of the electron transport chain contributes to localized mROS that regulates plant stress and defense responses. We identify an Arabidopsis mutant in the Complex II subunit, SDH1-1, through a screen for mutants lacking GSTF8 gene expression in response to salicylic acid (SA). GSTF8 is an early stress-responsive gene whose transcription is induced by biotic and abiotic stresses, and its expression is commonly used as a marker of early stress and defense responses. Transcriptional analysis of this mutant, disrupted in stress responses 1 (dsr1), showed that it had altered SA-mediated gene expression for specific downstream stress and defense genes, and it exhibited increased susceptibility to specific fungal and bacterial pathogens. The dsr1 mutant also showed significantly reduced succinate dehydrogenase activity. Using in vivo fluorescence assays, we demonstrated that root cell ROS production occurred primarily from mitochondria and was lower in the mutant in response to SA. In addition, leaf ROS production was lower in the mutant after avirulent bacterial infection. This mutation, in a conserved region of SDH1-1, is a unique plant mitochondrial mutant that exhibits phenotypes associated with lowered mROS production. It provides critical insights into Complex II function with implications for understanding Complex II's role in mitochondrial diseases across eukaryotes.

Multiple roles for plant glutathione transferases in xenobiotic detoxification

Discovered 40 years ago, plant glutathione transferases (GSTs) now have a well-established role in determining herbicide metabolism and selectivity in crops and weeds. Within the GST superfamily, the numerous and plant-specific phi (F) and tau (U) classes are largely responsible for catalyzing glutathione-dependent reactions with xenobiotics, notably conjugation leading to detoxification and, more rarely, bioactivating isomerizations. In total, the crystal structures of 10 plant GSTs have been solved and a highly conserved N-terminal glutathione binding domain and structurally diverse C-terminal hydrophobic domain identified, along with key coordinating residues. Unlike drug-detoxifying mammalian GSTs, plant enzymes utlilize a catalytic serine in place of a tyrosine residue. Both GSTFs and GSTUs undergo changes in structure during catalysis indicative of an induced fit mechanism on substrate binding, with an understanding of plant GST structure/function allowing these proteins to be engineered for novel functions in detoxification and ligand recognition. Several major crops produce alternative thiols, with GSTUs shown to use homoglutathione in preference to glutathione, in herbicide detoxification reactions in soybeans. Similarly, hydroxymethylglutathione is used, in addition to glutathione in detoxifying the herbicide fenoxaprop in wheat. Following GST action, plants are able to rapidly process glutathione conjugates by at least two distinct pathways, with the available evidence suggesting these function in an organ- and species-specific manner. Roles for GSTs in endogenous metabolism are less well defined, with the enzymes linked to a diverse range of functions, including signaling, counteracting oxidative stress, and detoxifying and transporting secondary metabolites.

Characterization of JAZ-interacting bHLH transcription factors that regulate jasmonate responses in Arabidopsis

The plant hormone jasmonate (JA) plays important roles in the regulation of plant defence and development. JASMONATE ZIM-DOMAIN (JAZ) proteins inhibit transcription factors that regulate early JA-responsive genes, and JA-induced degradation of JAZ proteins thus allows expression of these response genes. To date, MYC2 is the only transcription factor known to interact directly with JAZ proteins and regulate early JA responses, but the phenotype of myc2 mutants suggests that other transcription factors also activate JA responses. To identify JAZ1-interacting proteins, a yeast two-hybrid screen of an Arabidopsis cDNA library was performed. Two basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) proteins, MYC3 and MYC4, were identified. MYC3 and MYC4 share high sequence similarity with MYC2, suggesting they may have similar biological functions. MYC3 and MYC4 interact not only with JAZ1 but also with other JAZ proteins (JAZ3 and JAZ9) in both yeast two-hybrid and pull-down assays. MYC2, MYC3, and MYC4 were all capable of inducing expression of JAZ::GUS reporter constructs following transfection of carrot protoplasts. Although myc3 and myc4 loss-of-function mutants showed no phenotype, transgenic plants overexpressing MYC3 and MYC4 had higher levels of anthocyanin compared to the wild-type plants. In addition, roots of MYC3 overexpression plants were hypersensitive to JA. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR expression analysis of nine JA-responsive genes revealed that eight of them were induced in MYC3 and MYC4 overexpression plants, except for a pathogen-responsive gene, PDF1.2. Similar to MYC2, MYC4 negatively regulates expression of PDF1.2. Together, these results suggest that MYC3 and MYC4 are JAZ-interacting transcription factors that regulate JA responses.

Glutathione-indole-3-acetonitrile is required for camalexin biosynthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana

Camalexin, a major phytoalexin in Arabidopsis thaliana, consists of an indole ring and a thiazole ring. The indole ring is produced from Trp, which is converted to indole-3-acetonitrile (IAN) by CYP79B2/CYP79B3 and CYP71A13. Conversion of Cys(IAN) to dihydrocamalexic acid and subsequently to camalexin is catalyzed by CYP71B15. Recent studies proposed that Cys derivative, not Cys itself, is the precursor of the thiazole ring that conjugates with IAN. The nature of the Cys derivative and how it conjugates to IAN and subsequently forms Cys(IAN) remain obscure. We found that protein accumulation of multiple glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), elevation of GST activity, and consumption of glutathione (GSH) coincided with camalexin production. GSTF6 overexpression increased and GSTF6-knockout reduced camalexin production. Arabidopsis GSTF6 expressed in yeast cells catalyzed GSH(IAN) formation. GSH(IAN), (IAN)CysGly, and γGluCys(IAN) were determined to be intermediates within the camalexin biosynthetic pathway. Inhibitor treatments and mutant analyses revealed the involvement of γ-glutamyl transpeptidases (GGTs) and phytochelatin synthase (PCS) in the catabolism of GSH(IAN). The expression of GSTF6, GGT1, GGT2, and PCS1 was coordinately upregulated during camalexin biosynthesis. These results suggest that GSH is the Cys derivative used during camalexin biosynthesis, that the conjugation of GSH with IAN is catalyzed by GSTF6, and that GGTs and PCS are involved in camalexin biosynthesis.

Expansion mechanisms and functional divergence of the glutathione s-transferase family in sorghum and other higher plants

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) exist in various eukaryotes and function in detoxification of xenobiotics and in response to abiotic and biotic stresses. We have carried out a genome-wide survey of this gene family in 10 plant genomes. Our data show that tandem duplication has been regarded as the major expansion mechanism and both monocot and dicot plants may have practiced different expansion and evolutionary history. Non-synonymous substitutions per site (Ka) and synonymous substitutions per site (Ks) analyses showed that N- and C-terminal functional domains of GSTs (GST_N and GST_C) seem to have evolved under a strong purifying selection (Ka/Ks < 1) under different selective pressures. Differential evolutionary rates between GST_N and GST_C and high degree of expression divergence have been regarded as the major drivers for the retention of duplicated genes and the adaptability to various stresses. Expression profiling also indicated that the gene family plays a role not only in stress-related biological processes but also in the sugar-signalling pathway. Our survey provides additional annotation of the plant GST gene family and advance the understanding of plant GSTs in lineage-specific expansion and species diversification.

A glutathione S-transferase regulated by light and hormones participates in the modulation of Arabidopsis seedling development

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) have been well documented to be involved in diverse aspects of biotic and abiotic stresses, especially detoxification processes. Whether they regulate plant development remains unclear. Here, we report on our isolation by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction of a plant GST, AtGSTU17, from Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and demonstrate that its expression is regulated by multiple photoreceptors, especially phytochrome A (phyA) under all light conditions. Further physiological studies indicated that AtGSTU17 participates in various aspects of seedling development, including hypocotyl elongation, anthocyanin accumulation, and far-red light-mediated inhibition of greening with a requirement of functional phyA. The loss-of-function mutant of AtGSTU17 (atgstu17) resulted in reduced biomass of seedlings and number of lateral roots in the presence of auxin, as well as insensitivity to abscisic acid (ABA)-mediated inhibition of root elongation, with similarity to different phyA mutant alleles. Moreover, the root phenotype conferred by atgstu17 was reflected by histochemical β-glucuronidase staining of AtGSTU17 promoter activity with the addition of auxin or ABA. Further microarray analysis of wild-type Columbia and atgstu17 seedlings treated with far-red irradiation or ABA revealed that AtGSTU17 might modulate hypocotyl elongation by positively regulating some light-signaling components and negatively regulating a group of auxin-responsive genes and modulate root development by negatively controlling an auxin transport protein in the presence of ABA. Therefore, our data reveal that AtGSTU17 participates in light signaling and might modulate various aspects of Arabidopsis development by affecting glutathione pools via a coordinated regulation with phyA and phytohormones.

Glutathione transferases

The 55 Arabidopsis glutathione transferases (GSTs) are, with one microsomal exception, a monophyletic group of soluble enzymes that can be divided into phi, tau, theta, zeta, lambda, dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) and TCHQD classes. The populous phi and tau classes are often highly stress inducible and regularly crop up in proteomic and transcriptomic studies. Despite much study on their xenobiotic-detoxifying activities their natural roles are unclear, although roles in defence-related secondary metabolism are likely. The smaller DHAR and lambda classes are likely glutathione-dependent reductases, the zeta class functions in tyrosine catabolism and the theta class has a putative role in detoxifying oxidised lipids. This review describes the evidence for the functional roles of GSTs and the potential for these enzymes to perform diverse functions that in many cases are not "glutathione transferase" activities. As well as biochemical data, expression data from proteomic and transcriptomic studies are included, along with subcellular localisation experiments and the results of functional genomic studies.

Complexity and coordination of root growth at low water potentials: recent advances from transcriptomic and proteomic analyses

Progress in understanding root growth regulation and adaptation under water-stressed conditions is reviewed, with emphasis on recent advances from transcriptomic and proteomic analyses of maize and soybean primary roots. In both systems, kinematic characterization of the spatial patterns of cell expansion within the root elongation zone showed that at low water potentials, elongation rates are preferentially maintained towards the root apex but are progressively inhibited at more basal locations resulting in a shortened growth zone. This characterization provided an essential foundation for extensive research into the physiological mechanisms of growth regulation in the maize primary root at low water potentials. Recently, these studies were expanded to include transcriptomic and cell wall proteomic analyses of the maize primary root, and a proteomic analysis of total soluble proteins in the soybean primary root. This review focuses on findings related to protection from oxidative damage, the potential roles of increased apoplastic reactive oxygen species in regulation of wall extension properties and other processes, region-specific phenylpropanoid metabolism as related to accumulation of (iso)flavonoids and wall phenolics and amino acid metabolism. The results provide novel insights into the complexity and coordination of the processes involved in root growth at low water potentials.

Roles for glutathione transferases in plant secondary metabolism

Plant glutathione transferases (GSTs) are classified as enzymes of secondary metabolism, but while their roles in catalysing the conjugation and detoxification of herbicides are well known, their endogenous functions are largely obscure. Thus, while the presence of GST-derived S-glutathionylated xenobiotics have been described in many plants, there is little direct evidence for the accumulation of similarly conjugated natural products, despite the presence of a complex and dichotomous metabolic pathway which processes these reaction products. The conservation in glutathione conjugating and processing pathways, the co-regulation of GSTs with inducible plant secondary metabolism and biochemical studies showing the potential of these enzymes to conjugate reactive natural products are all suggestive of important endogenous functions. As a framework for addressing these enigmatic functions we postulate that either: (a) the natural reaction products of GSTs are unstable and undergo reversible S-glutathionylation; (b) the conjugation products of GSTs are very rapidly processed to derived metabolites; (c) GSTs do not catalyse conventional conjugation reactions but instead use glutathione as a cofactor rather than co-substrate; or (d) GSTs are non-catalytic and function as transporter proteins for secondary metabolites and their unstable intermediates. In this review, we describe how enzyme biochemistry and informatics are providing clues as to GST function allowing for the critical evaluation of each of these hypotheses. We also present evidence for the involvement of GSTs in the synthesis of sulfur-containing secondary metabolites such as volatiles and glucosinolates, and the conjugation, transport and storage of reactive oxylipins, phenolics and flavonoids.

Regulation of growth response to water stress in the soybean primary root. I. Proteomic analysis reveals region-specific regulation of phenylpropanoid metabolism and control of free iron in the elongation zone

In water-stressed soybean primary roots, elongation was maintained at well-watered rates in the apical 4 mm (region 1), but was progressively inhibited in the 4-8 mm region (region 2), which exhibits maximum elongation in well-watered roots. These responses are similar to previous results for the maize primary root. To understand these responses in soybean, spatial profiles of soluble protein composition were analysed. Among the changes, the results indicate that region-specific regulation of phenylpropanoid metabolism may contribute to the distinct growth responses in the different regions. Several enzymes related to isoflavonoid biosynthesis increased in abundance in region 1, correlating with a substantial increase of isoflavonoid content in this region which could contribute to growth maintenance via various potential mechanisms. In contrast, caffeoyl-CoA O-methyltransferase, which is involved in lignin synthesis, was highly up-regulated in region 2. This response was associated with enhanced accumulation of lignin, which may be related to the inhibition of growth in this region. Several proteins that increased in abundance in both regions of water-stressed roots were related to protection from oxidative damage. In particular, an increase in the abundance of ferritin proteins effectively sequestered more iron and prevented excess free iron in the elongation zone under water stress.

Gene expression profiles deciphering rice phenotypic variation between Nipponbare (Japonica) and 93-11 (Indica) during oxidative stress

Rice is a very important food staple that feeds more than half the world's population. Two major Asian cultivated rice (Oryza sativa L.) subspecies, japonica and indica, show significant phenotypic variation in their stress responses. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenotypic variation are still largely unknown. A common link among different stresses is that they produce an oxidative burst and result in an increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, methyl viologen (MV) as a ROS agent was applied to investigate the rice oxidative stress response. We observed that 93-11 (indica) seedlings exhibited leaf senescence with severe lesions under MV treatment compared to Nipponbare (japonica). Whole-genome microarray experiments were conducted, and 1,062 probe sets were identified with gene expression level polymorphisms between the two rice cultivars in addition to differential expression under MV treatment, which were assigned as Core Intersectional Probesets (CIPs). These CIPs were analyzed by gene ontology (GO) and highlighted with enrichment GO terms related to toxin and oxidative stress responses as well as other responses. These GO term-enriched genes of the CIPs include glutathine S-transferases (GSTs), P450, plant defense genes, and secondary metabolism related genes such as chalcone synthase (CHS). Further insertion/deletion (InDel) and regulatory element analyses for these identified CIPs suggested that there may be some eQTL hotspots related to oxidative stress in the rice genome, such as GST genes encoded on chromosome 10. In addition, we identified a group of marker genes individuating the japonica and indica subspecies. In summary, we developed a new strategy combining biological experiments and data mining to study the possible molecular mechanism of phenotypic variation during oxidative stress between Nipponbare and 93-11. This study will aid in the analysis of the molecular basis of quantitative traits.

Different roles of functional residues in the hydrophobic binding site of two sweet orange tau glutathione S-transferases

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) catalyze the conjugation of glutathione to hydrophobic compounds, contributing to the metabolism of toxic chemicals. In this study, we show that two naturally occurring tau GSTs (GSTUs) exhibit distinctive kinetic parameters towards 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB), although they differ only in three amino acids (Arg89, Glu117 and Ile172 in GSTU1 are replaced by Pro89, Lys117 and Val172 in GSTU2). In order to understand the effects of the single mismatched residues, several mutant GSTs were generated through site-directed mutagenesis. The analysis of the kinetic parameters of the mutants led to the conclusion that Glu117 provides a critical contribution to the maintenance of a high-affinity CDNB-binding site. However, the substitution E117K gives rise to mutants showing increased k(cat) values for CDNB, suggesting that Lys117 might positively influence the formation of the transition state during catalysis. No changes in the K(m) values towards glutathione were found between the naturally occurring GSTs and mutants, except for the mutant caused by the substitution R89P in GSTU1, which showed a sharp increase in K(m). Moreover, the analysis of enzyme reactivation after denaturation showed that this R89P substitution leads to a two-fold enhancement of the refolded enzyme yield, suggesting that the insertion of proline might induce critical structural modifications. In contrast, the substitution P89R in GSTU2 does not modify the reactivation yield and does not impair the affinity of the mutant for glutathione, suggesting that all three residues investigated in this work are fundamental in the creation of enzymes characterized by unique biochemical properties.

Top hits in contemporary JAZ: an update on jasmonate signaling

The phytohormone jasmonate (JA) regulates a wide range of growth, developmental, and defense-related processes during the plant life cycle. Identification of the JAZ family of proteins that repress JA responses has facilitated rapid progress in understanding how this lipid-derived hormone controls gene expression. Recent analysis of JAZ proteins has provided insight into the nature of the JA receptor, the chemical specificity of signal perception, and cross-talk between JA and other hormone response pathways. Functional diversification of JAZ proteins by alternative splicing, together with the ability of JAZ proteins to homo- and heterodimerize, provide mechanisms to enhance combinatorial diversity and versatility in gene regulation by JA.

The Arabidopsis glutathione transferase gene family displays complex stress regulation and co-silencing multiple genes results in altered metabolic sensitivity to oxidative stress

Plant glutathione transferases (GSTs) are induced by diverse biotic and abiotic stimuli, and are important for protecting plants against oxidative damage. We have studied the primary transcriptional stress response of the entire Arabidopsis GST family to seven stresses, including both biotic and abiotic stimuli, with a focus on early changes in gene expression. Our results indicate that individual GST genes are highly specific in their induction patterns. Furthermore, we have been able to link individual GSTs to particular stress stimuli. Using RNAi, we successfully co-silenced a group of four phi GSTs that represent some of the most highly expressed GST genes. Despite a marked reduction in total phi GST protein levels, the transgenic plants showed no reduction in GST activity as measured using the model substrate 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB), and appeared to have surprisingly robust physical phenotypes during stress. However, analysis of metabolite pools showed oxidation of the glutathione pool in the RNAi lines, and we observed alterations in carbon and nitrogen compounds following salicylic acid and hydrogen peroxide stress treatments, indicative of oxidative modification of primary metabolism. Thus, there appears to be a high degree of functional redundancy within the Arabidopsis GST family, with extensive disruption being required to reveal the roles of phi GSTs in protection against oxidative stress.

Systemic effects on leaf glutathione metabolism and defence protein expression caused by esca infection in grapevines

Esca is a devastating disease of Vitis vinifera L., caused by fungal pathogen(s) inhabiting the wood. The pathogens induce symptoms in the foliage, which are associated with structural and biochemical changes in leaves. The present study was undertaken to examine the effects of the disease on leaf glutathione metabolism in field-grown plants. The glutathione pool decreased and defence proteins such as PR-proteins and chitinases were expressed in the leaves before the appearance of visible symptoms in esca-infected canes. Glutathione depletion was increased as the disease developed in the leaves. The ratio of glutathione disulfide (GSSG) to the total glutathione pool was slightly decreased in leaves without visible symptoms, but it was significantly increased as the disease progressed. The abundance of γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-ECS) transcripts and of γ-ECS protein was greatly decreased in leaves exhibiting esca symptoms. Although glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase transcripts were largely unchanged by the spread of the esca disease, leaf glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities, the amounts of mRNAs encoding GSTU1 and GSTF2 and the abundance of the GSTU1 and GSTF2 proteins were highest at the early stages of infection and then decreased as visible symptoms appeared in the leaves. The GSTF2 protein, which was more abundant than GSTU1, was found in the nucleus and in the cytoplasm, whereas the GSTU1 protein was found largely in the plastids. These data demonstrate that the fungi involved in the esca disease induce pronounced systemic effects in the leaves before the appearance of visible damage. We conclude that the expression of GSTs, the extent of glutathione accumulation and the ratio of GSSG to total glutathione are early indicators of the presence of the esca disease in grapevine canes and thus these parameters can be used as stress markers in field-grown vines.

Enzyme activities and subcellular localization of members of the Arabidopsis glutathione transferase superfamily

Enzyme screens with Strep-tagged recombinant proteins and expression studies with the respective green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusions have been employed to examine the functional activities and subcellular localization of members of the Arabidopsis glutathione transferase (GST) superfamily. Fifty-one of 54 GST family members were transcribed and 41 found to express as functional glutathione-dependent enzymes in Escherichia coli. Functional redundancy was observed and in particular three theta (T) class GSTs showed conserved activities as hydroperoxide-reducing glutathione peroxidases (GPOXs). When expressed in tobacco as GFP fusions, all three GSTTs localized to the peroxisome, where their GPOX activity could prevent membrane damage arising from fatty acid oxidation. Through alternative splicing, two of these GSTTs form fusions with Myb transcription factor-like domains. Examination of one of these variants showed discrete localization within the nucleus, possibly serving a role in reducing nucleic acid hydroperoxides or in signalling. Based on this unexpected differential sub-cellular localization, 15 other GST family members were expressed as GFP fusions in tobacco. Most accumulated in the cytosol, but GSTU12 localized to the nucleus, a family member resembling a bacterial tetrachlorohydroquinone dehalogenase selectively associated with the plasma membrane, and a lambda GSTL2 was partially directed to the peroxisome after removal of a putative chloroplast transit peptide. Based on the results obtained with the GSTTs, it was concluded that these proteins can exert identical protective functions in differing subcellular compartments.

A rapid transcriptional activation is induced by the dormancy-breaking chemical hydrogen cyanamide in kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) buds

Budbreak in kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) can be poor in locations that have warm winters with insufficient winter chilling. Kiwifruit vines are often treated with the dormancy-breaking chemical hydrogen cyanamide (HC) to increase and synchronize budbreak. This treatment also offers a tool to understand the processes involved in budbreak. A genomics approach is presented here to increase our understanding of budbreak in kiwifruit. Most genes identified following HC application appear to be associated with responses to stress, but a number of genes appear to be associated with the reactivation of growth. Three patterns of gene expression were identified: Profile 1, an HC-induced transient activation; Profile 2, an HC-induced transient activation followed by a growth-related activation; and Profile 3, HC- and growth-repressed. One group of genes that was rapidly up-regulated in response to HC was the glutathione S-transferase (GST) class of genes, which have been associated with stress and signalling. Previous budbreak studies, in three other species, also report up-regulated GST expression. Phylogenetic analysis of these GSTs showed that they clustered into two sub-clades, suggesting a strong correlation between their expression and budbreak across species.

Study of Early Leaf Senescence in Arabidopsis thaliana by Quantitative Proteomics Using Reciprocal 14N/15N Labeling and Difference Gel Electrophoresis

Leaf senescence represents the final stage of leaf development and is associated with fundamental changes on the level of the proteome. For the quantitative analysis of changes in protein abundance related to early leaf senescence, we designed an elaborate double and reverse labeling strategy simultaneously employing fluorescent two-dimensional DIGE as well as metabolic (15)N labeling followed by MS. Reciprocal (14)N/(15)N labeling of entire Arabidopsis thaliana plants showed that full incorporation of (15)N into the proteins of the plant did not cause any adverse effects on development and protein expression. A direct comparison of DIGE and (15)N labeling combined with MS showed that results obtained by both quantification methods correlated well for proteins showing low to moderate regulation factors. Nano HPLC/ESI-MS/MS analysis of 21 protein spots that consistently exhibited abundance differences in nine biological replicates based on both DIGE and MS resulted in the identification of 13 distinct proteins and protein subunits that showed significant regulation in Arabidopsis mutant plants displaying advanced leaf senescence. Ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large and three of its four small subunits were found to be down-regulated, which reflects the degradation of the photosynthetic machinery during leaf senescence. Among the proteins showing higher abundance in mutant plants were several members of the glutathione S-transferase family class phi and quinone reductase. Up-regulation of these proteins fits well into the context of leaf senescence since they are generally involved in the protection of plant cells against reactive oxygen species which are increasingly generated by lipid degradation during leaf senescence. With the exception of one glutathione S-transferase isoform, none of these proteins has been linked to leaf senescence before.

Programmed cell death in plants: new insights into redox regulation and the role of hydrogen peroxide

Programmed cell death (PCD), the highly regulated dismantling of cells, is essential for plant growth and survival. PCD plays key roles in embryo development, formation and maturation of many cell types and tissues, and plant reaction/adaptation to environmental conditions. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are not only toxic by products of aerobic metabolism with strictly controlled cellular levels, but they also function as signaling agents regulating many biological processes and producing pleiotropic effects. Over the last decade, ROS have become recognized as important modulators of plant PCD. Molecular genetic approaches using plant mutants and transcriptome studies related to ROS-mediated PCD have revealed a wide array of plant-specific cell death regulators and have contributed to unraveling the elaborate redox signaling network. This review summarizes the biological processes, in which plant PCD participates and discusses the signaling functions of ROS with emphasis on hydrogen peroxide.

Differential Gene Expression and Subcellular Targeting of Arabidopsis Glutathione S-Transferase F8 Is Achieved through Alternative Transcription Start Sites

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) play major roles in the protection of plants from biotic and abiotic stresses through the detoxification of xenobiotics and toxic endogenous products. This report describes additional complexity in the regulation of the well characterized stress-responsive Arabidopsis thaliana GSTF8 promoter. This complexity results from the use of multiple transcription start sites (TSS) to give rise to alternate GSTF8 transcripts with the potential to produce two in-frame proteins differing only in their N-terminal sequence. In addition to the originally mapped TSS (Chen, W., Chao, G., and Singh, K. B. (1996) Plant J. 10, 955-966), a further nine TSS have been identified, with the majority clustered into a distinct group. The most 3' TSS gives rise to the major message (GSTF8-S) and the shorter form of the protein, whereas those originating from upstream TSS (GSTF8-L) are more weakly expressed and encode for the larger form of the protein. Differential tissue-specific and stress-responsive expression patterns were observed (e.g. GSTF8-L is more highly expressed in leaves compared with roots, whereas GSTF8-S expression has the opposite pattern and is much more stress-responsive). Analysis of GSTF8-L and GSTF8-S proteins demonstrated that GSTF8-L is solely targeted to plastids, whereas GSTF8-S is cytoplasmic. In silico analysis revealed potential conservation of GSTF8-S across a wide range of plants; in contrast, conservation of GSTF8-L was confined to the Brassicaceae. These studies demonstrate that alternate TSS of the GSTF8 promoter are used to confer differential tissue-specific and stress-responsive expression patterns as well as to target the same protein to two different subcellular localizations.

Glutathione-S-Transferase is Detected During Somatic Embryogenesis in Chicory

Glutathione S-tranferases (GSTs) are a heterogeneous family of proteins, which perform diverse pivotal catalytic and non-enzymatic functions during plant development and in plant stress responses. Previous studies have shown that a GST activity (EC 2.5.1.18) is closely linked with the precocious phases of somatic embryogenesis in leaf tissues of an interspecific chicory hybrid (Cichorium intybus L. var. sativa x C. endivia L. var. latifolia). In order to learn more about the involvement of this enzyme in this process, in situ-hybridization as well as immunolocalization were performed in parallel. GST-mRNAs and proteins were colocalized in small veins, particularly in young protoxylem cell walls. During cell reactivation, the in situ and protein signals became less intense and were associated with chloroplasts. The GST-mRNAs and corresponding proteins were not always colocalized in the same tissues. While high amounts of transcripts could be detected in multicellular embryos, the proteins were not well labeled. Our results indicated that GSTs belong to a complex anti-oxidant mechanism within the cell, and also at the cell wall level. GSTs presence in reactivated cell and multicellular embryos is discussed in relation to redox cell status.

Genotypic variation in genome-wide transcription profiles induced by insect feeding: Brassica oleracea--Pieris rapae interactions

Background

Transcriptional profiling after herbivore attack reveals, at the molecular level, how plants respond to this type of biotic stress. Comparing herbivore-induced transcriptional responses of plants with different phenotypes provides insight into plant defense mechanisms. Here, we compare the global gene expression patterns induced by Pieris rapae caterpillar attack in two white cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) cultivars. The two cultivars are shown to differ in their level of direct defense against caterpillar feeding. Because Brassica full genome microarrays are not yet available, 70-mer oligonucleotide microarrays based on the Arabidopsis thaliana genome were used for this non-model plant.

Results

The transcriptional responses of the two cultivars differed in timing as characterized by changes in their expression pattern after 24, 48 and 72 hours of caterpillar feeding. In addition, they also differed qualitatively. Surprisingly, of all genes induced at any time point, only one third was induced in both cultivars. Analyses of transcriptional responses after jasmonate treatment revealed that the difference in timing did not hold for the response to this phytohormone. Additionally, comparisons between Pieris rapae- and jasmonate-induced transcriptional responses showed that Pieris rapae induced more jasmonate-independent than jasmonate-dependent genes.

Conclusion

The present study clearly shows that global transcriptional responses in two cultivars of the same plant species in response to insect feeding can differ dramatically. Several of these differences involve genes that are known to have an impact on Pieris rapae performance and probably underlie different mechanisms of direct defense, present in the cultivars.

Salt-induced changes in the plasma membrane proteome of the halotolerant alga Dunaliella salina as revealed by blue native gel electrophoresis and nano-LC-MS/MS analysis

The halotolerant alga Dunaliella salina is a recognized model photosynthetic organism for studying plant adaptation to high salinity. The adaptation mechanisms involve major changes in the proteome composition associated with energy metabolism and carbon and iron acquisition. To clarify the molecular basis for the remarkable resistance to high salt, we performed a comprehensive proteomics analysis of the plasma membrane. Plasma membrane proteins were recognized by tagging intact cells with a membrane-impermeable biotin derivative. Proteins were resolved by two-dimensional blue native/SDS-PAGE and identified by nano-LC-MS/MS. Of 55 identified proteins, about 60% were integral membrane or membrane-associated proteins. We identified novel surface coat proteins, lipid-metabolizing enzymes, a new family of membrane proteins of unknown function, ion transporters, small GTP-binding proteins, and heat shock proteins. The abundance of 20 protein spots increased and that of two protein spots decreased under high salt. The major salt-regulated proteins were implicated in protein and membrane structure stabilization and within signal transduction pathways. The migration profiles of native protein complexes on blue native gels revealed oligomerization or co-migration of major surface-exposed proteins, which may indicate mechanisms of stabilization at high salinity.

Transcriptome analysis of root-knot nematode functions induced in the early stages of parasitism

Root-knot nematodes of the genus Meloidogyne are obligate biotrophic parasites able to infest > 2000 plant species. The nematode effectors responsible for disease development are involved in the adaptation of the parasite to its host environment and host response modulation. Here, the differences between the transcriptomes of preparasitic exophytic second-stage juveniles (J2) and parasitic endophytic third-stage juveniles (J3) of Meloidogyne incognita were investigated. Genes up-regulated at the endophytic stage were isolated by suppression subtractive hybridization and validated by dot blots and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Up-regulation was demonstrated for genes involved in detoxification and protein degradation, for a gene encoding a putative secreted protein and for genes of unknown function. Transcripts of the glutathione S-transferase gene Mi-gsts-1 were 27 times more abundant in J3 than in J2. The observed Mi-gsts-1 expression in the oesophageal secretory glands and the results of functional analyses based on RNA interference suggest that glutathione S-transferases are secreted during parasitism and are required for completion of the nematode life cycle in its host. Secreted glutathione S-transferases may protect the parasite against reactive oxygen species or modulate the plant responses triggered by pathogen attack.

Reactive oxygen species as signals that modulate plant stress responses and programmed cell death

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are known as toxic metabolic products in plants and other aerobic organisms. An elaborate and highly redundant plant ROS network, composed of antioxidant enzymes, antioxidants and ROS-producing enzymes, is responsible for maintaining ROS levels under tight control. This allows ROS to serve as signaling molecules that coordinate an astonishing range of diverse plant processes. The specificity of the biological response to ROS depends on the chemical identity of ROS, intensity of the signal, sites of production, plant developmental stage, previous stresses encountered and interactions with other signaling molecules such as nitric oxide, lipid messengers and plant hormones. Although many components of the ROS signaling network have recently been identified, the challenge remains to understand how ROS-derived signals are integrated to eventually regulate such biological processes as plant growth, development, stress adaptation and programmed cell death.