Tobacco TGA factors differ with respect to interaction with NPR1, activation potential and DNA-binding properties

The secret password: Cell death-inducing proteins in filamentous phytopathogens - As versatile tools to develop disease-resistant crops

Cell death-inducing proteins (CDIPs) are some of the secreted effector proteins manifested by filamentous oomycetes and fungal pathogens to invade the plant tissue and facilitate infection. Along with their involvement in different developmental processes and virulence, CDIPs play a crucial role in plant-pathogen interactions. As the name implies, CDIPs cause necrosis and trigger localised cell death in the infected host tissues by the accumulation of higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), oxidative burst, accumulation of nitric oxide (NO), and electrolyte leakage. They also stimulate the biosynthesis of defense-related phytohormones such as salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), abscisic acid (ABA), and ethylene (ET), as well as the expression of pathogenesis-related (PR) genes that are important in disease resistance. Altogether, the interactions result in the hypersensitive response (HR) in the host plant, which might confer systemic acquired resistance (SAR) in some cases against a vast array of related and unrelated pathogens. The CDIPs, due to their capability of inducing host resistance, are thus unique among the array of proteins secreted by filamentous plant pathogens. More interestingly, a few transgenic plant lines have also been developed expressing the CDIPs with added resistance. Thus, CDIPs have opened an interesting hot area of research. The present study critically reviews the current knowledge of major types of CDIPs identified across filamentous phytopathogens and their modes of action in the last couple of years. This review also highlights the recent breakthrough technologies in studying plant-pathogen interactions as well as crop improvement by enhancing disease resistance through CDIPs.

Transcriptome analysis reveals pathogenesis-related gene 1 pathway against salicylic acid treatment in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L)

Salicylic acid (SA) is a well-studied phenolic plant hormone that plays an important role in plant defense against the hemi-biothrophic and biothrophic pathogens and depends on the living cells of host for the successful infection. In this study, a pathogenesis test was performed between Vitis davidii and V. vinifera cultivars against grape white rot disease (Coniella diplodiella). V. davidii was found to be resistant against this disease. SA contents were found to be higher in the resistant grape cultivar after different time points. RNA-seq analysis was conducted on susceptible grapevine cultivars after 12, 24, and 48 h of SA application with the hypothesis that SA may induce defense genes in susceptible cultivars. A total of 511 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified from the RNA-seq data, including some important genes, VvWRKY1/2, VvNPR1, VvTGA2, and VvPR1, for the SA defense pathway. DEGs related to phytohormone signal transduction and flavonoid biosynthetic pathways were also upregulated. The quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) results of the significantly expressed transcripts were found to be consistent with the transcriptome data, with a high correlation between the two analyses. The pathogenesis-related gene 1 (VvPR1), which is an important marker gene for plant defense, was selected for further promoter analysis. The promoter sequence showed that it contains some important cis-elements (W-box, LS7, as-1, and TCA-element) to recruit the transcription factors VvWRKY, VvNPR1, and VvTGA2 to express the VvPR1 gene in response to SA treatment. Furthermore, the VvPR1 promoter was serially deleted into different fragments (-1,837, -1,443, -1,119, -864, -558, -436, and -192 ) bp and constructed vectors with the GUS reporter gene. Deletion analysis revealed that the VvPR1 promoter between -1837 bp to -558 bp induced significant GUS expression with respect to the control. On the basis of these results, the -558 bp region was assumed to be an important part of the VvPR1 promoter, and this region contained the important cis-elements related to SA, such as TCA-element (-1,472 bp), LS7 (-1,428 bp), and as-1 (-520 bp), that recruit the TFs and induce the expression of the VvPR1 gene. This study expanded the available information regarding SA-induced defense in susceptible grapes and recognized the molecular mechanisms through which this defense might be mediated.

TGA transcription factors-Structural characteristics as basis for functional variability

TGA transcription factors are essential regulators of various cellular processes, their activity connected to different hormonal pathways, interacting proteins and regulatory elements. Belonging to the basic region leucine zipper (bZIP) family, TGAs operate by binding to their target DNA sequence as dimers through a conserved bZIP domain. Despite sharing the core DNA-binding sequence, the TGA paralogues exert somewhat different DNA-binding preferences. Sequence variability of their N- and C-terminal protein parts indicates their importance in defining TGA functional specificity through interactions with diverse proteins, affecting their DNA-binding properties. In this review, we provide a short and concise summary on plant TGA transcription factors from a structural point of view, including the relation of their structural characteristics to their functional roles in transcription regulation.

A Chimeric TGA Repressor Slows Down Fruit Maturation and Ripening in Tomato

The bZIP transcription factor (TF) SlTGA2.2 was previously highlighted as a possible hub in a network regulating fruit growth and transition to ripening (maturation phase). It belongs to a clade of TFs well known for their involvement in the regulation of the salicylic acid-dependent systemic acquired resistance. To investigate if this TGA TF plays a role in tomato fruit growth and maturation, we took advantage of the fruit-specific SlPPC2 promoter (PPC2pro) to target the expression of a SlTGA2.2-SRDX chimeric repressor in a developmental window restricted to early fruit growth and maturation. Here, we show that this SlTGA2.2-SRDX repressor alters early fruit development and metabolism, including chloroplast number and structure, considerably extends the time necessary to reach the mature green stage and slows down fruit ripening. RNA sequencing and plant hormone analyses reveal that PPC2pro:SlTGA2.2-SRDX fruits are maintained in an immature stage as long as PPC2pro is active, through early modifications of plant hormonal signaling and down-regulation of MADS-RIN and NAC-NOR ripening regulators. Once PPC2pro becomes inactive and therefore SlTGA2.2-SRDX expression is reduced, ripening can proceed, albeit at a slower pace than normal. Altogether, this work emphasizes the developmental continuum between fruit growth, maturation and ripening and provides a useful tool to alter and study the molecular bases of tomato fruit transition to ripening.

Redox-active cysteines in TGACG-BINDING FACTOR 1 (TGA1) do not play a role in salicylic acid or pathogen-induced expression of TGA1-regulated target genes in Arabidopsis thaliana

Salicylic acid (SA) is an important signaling molecule of the plant immune system. In Arabidopsis thaliana, SA biosynthesis is indirectly modulated by the closely related transcription factors TGACG-BINDING FACTOR 1 and 4 (TGA1 and TGA4, respectively). They activate expression of SYSTEMIC ACQUIRED RESISTANCE DEFICIENT1, the gene product of which regulates the key SA biosynthesis gene ISOCHORISMATE SYNTHASE 1. Since TGA1 interacts with the SA receptor NONEXPRESSOR OF PATHOGENESIS-RELATED GENES 1 (NPR1) in a redox-dependent manner and since the redox state of TGA1 is altered in SA-treated plants, TGA1 was assumed to play a role in the NPR1-dependent signaling cascade. Here, we identified 193 out of 2090 SA-induced genes that require TGA1/TGA4 for maximal expression after SA treatment. One robustly TGA1/TGA4-dependent gene encodes for the SA hydroxylase DOWNY MILDEW RESISTANT 6-LIKE OXYGENASE 1, suggesting an additional regulatory role of TGA1/TGA4 in SA catabolism. Expression of TGA1/TGA4-dependent genes in mock/SA-treated or Pseudomonas-infected plants was rescued in the tga1 tga4 double mutant after introduction of a mutant genomic TGA1 fragment encoding a TGA1 protein without any cysteines. Thus, the functional significance of the observed redox modification of TGA1 in SA-treated tissues remains enigmatic.

CaASR1 promotes salicylic acid- but represses jasmonic acid-dependent signaling to enhance the resistance of Capsicum annuum to bacterial wilt by modulating CabZIP63

CabZIP63 acts positively in the resistance of pepper (Capsicum annuum) to bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum or tolerance to high-temperature/high-humidity stress, but it is unclear how CabZIP63 achieves its functional specificity against R. solanacearum. Here, CaASR1, an abscisic acid-, stress-, and ripening-inducible protein of C. annuum, was functionally characterized in modulating the functional specificity of CabZIP63 during the defense response of pepper to R. solanacearum. In pepper plants inoculated with R. solanacearum, CaASR1 was up-regulated before 24 h post-inoculation but down-regulated thereafter, and was down-regulated by high-temperature/high-humidity stress. Data from gene silencing and transient overexpression experiments indicated that CaASR1 acts as a positive regulator in the immunity of pepper against R. solanacearum and a negative regulator of thermotolerance. Pull-down combined with mass spectrometry revealed that CaASR1 interacted with CabZIP63 upon R. solanacearum infection; the interaction was confirmed by microscale thermophoresis and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays.CaASR1 silencing upon R. solanacearum inoculation repressed CabZIP63-mediated transcription from the promoters of the salicylic acid (SA)-dependent CaPR1 and CaNPR1, but derepressed transcription of CaHSP24 and the jasmonic acid (JA)-dependent CaDEF1. Our findings suggest that CaASR1 acts as a positive regulator of the defense response of pepper to R. solanacearum by interacting with CabZIP63, enabling it to promote SA-dependent but repress JA-dependent immunity and thermotolerance during the early stages of infection.

Heterologous Expression of the AtNPR1 Gene in Olive and Its Effects on Fungal Tolerance

The NPR1 gene encodes a key component of systemic acquired resistance (SAR) signaling mediated by salicylic acid (SA). Overexpression of NPR1 confers resistance to biotrophic and hemibiotrophic fungi in several plant species. The NPR1 gene has also been shown to be involved in the crosstalk between SAR signaling and the jasmonic acid-ethylene (JA/Et) pathway, which is involved in the response to necrotrophic fungi. The aim of this research was to generate transgenic olive plants expressing the NPR1 gene from Arabidopsis thaliana to evaluate their differential response to the hemibiotrophic fungus Verticillium dahliae and the necrotroph Rosellinia necatrix. Three transgenic lines expressing the AtNPR1 gene under the control of the constitutive promoter CaMV35S were obtained using an embryogenic line derived from a seed of cv. Picual. After maturation and germination of the transgenic somatic embryos, the plants were micropropagated and acclimated to ex vitro conditions. The level of AtNPR1 expression in the transgenic materials varied greatly among the different lines and was higher in the NPR1-780 line. The expression of AtNPR1 did not alter the growth of transgenic plants either in vitro or in the greenhouse. Different levels of transgene expression also did not affect basal endochitinase activity in the leaves, which was similar to that of control plants. Response to the hemibiotrophic pathogen V. dahliae varied with pathotype. All plants died by 50 days after inoculation with defoliating (D) pathotype V-138, but the response to non-defoliating (ND) strains differed by race: following inoculation with the V-1242 strain (ND, race 2), symptoms appeared after 44-55 days, with line NPR1-780 showing the lowest disease severity index. This line also showed good performance when inoculated with the V-1558 strain (ND, race 1), although the differences from the control were not statistically significant. In response to the necrotroph R. necatrix, all the transgenic lines showed a slight delay in disease development, with mean area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) values 7-15% lower than that of the control.

The NONEXPRESSOR OF PATHOGENESIS-RELATED GENES 1 (NPR1) and Related Family: Mechanistic Insights in Plant Disease Resistance

The NONEXPRESSOR OF PATHOGENESIS-RELATED GENES 1 (NPR1) and related NPR1-like proteins are a functionally similar, yet surprisingly diverse family of transcription co-factors. Initially, NPR1 in Arabidopsis was identified as a positive regulator of systemic acquired resistance (SAR), paralogs NPR3 and NPR4 were later shown to be negative SAR regulators. The mechanisms involved have been the subject of extensive research and debate over the years, during which time a lot has been uncovered. The known roles of this protein family have extended to include influences over a broad range of systems including circadian rhythm, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) resident proteins and the development of lateral organs. Recently, important advances have been made in understanding the regulatory relationship between members of the NPR1-like protein family, providing new insight regarding their interactions, both with each other and other defense-related proteins. Most importantly the influence of salicylic acid (SA) on these interactions has become clearer with NPR1, NPR3, and NPR4 being considered bone fide SA receptors. Additionally, post-translational modification of NPR1 has garnered attention during the past years, adding to the growing regulatory complexity of this protein. Furthermore, growing interest in NPR1 overexpressing crops has provided new insights regarding the role of NPR1 in both biotic and abiotic stresses in several plant species. Given the wealth of information, this review aims to highlight and consolidate the most relevant and influential research in the field to date. In so doing, we attempt to provide insight into the mechanisms and interactions which underly the roles of the NPR1-like proteins in plant disease responses.

Integration of the Pokeweed miRNA and mRNA Transcriptomes Reveals Targeting of Jasmonic Acid-Responsive Genes

The American pokeweed plant, Phytolacca americana, displays broad-spectrum resistance to plant viruses and is a heavy metal hyperaccumulator. However, little is known about the regulation of biotic and abiotic stress responses in this non-model plant. To investigate the control of miRNAs in gene expression, we sequenced the small RNA transcriptome of pokeweed treated with jasmonic acid (JA), a hormone that mediates pathogen defense and stress tolerance. We predicted 145 miRNAs responsive to JA, most of which were unique to pokeweed. These miRNAs were low in abundance and condition-specific, with discrete expression change. Integration of paired mRNA-Seq expression data enabled us to identify correlated, novel JA-responsive targets that mediate hormone biosynthesis, signal transduction, and pathogen defense. The expression of approximately half the pairs was positively correlated, an uncommon finding that we functionally validated by mRNA cleavage. Importantly, we report that a pokeweed-specific miRNA targets the transcript of OPR3, novel evidence that a miRNA regulates a JA biosynthesis enzyme. This first large-scale small RNA study of a Phytolaccaceae family member shows that miRNA-mediated control is a significant component of the JA response, associated with widespread changes in expression of genes required for stress adaptation.

Arabidopsis WRKY50 and TGA Transcription Factors Synergistically Activate Expression of PR1

Arabidopsis PR1 is a salicylic acid (SA) inducible marker gene for systemic acquired resistance (SAR). However, the regulation of PR1 in plants is poorly understood. In this study, we showed that AtWRKY50 transcription factor binds to two promoter elements of PR1 via its DNA binding domain. Interestingly, the DNA-binding sites for AtWRKY50 deviate significantly from the consensus WRKY binding W-box. The binding sites are located in close proximity to the binding sites for TGA transcription factors. Transactivation experiments in Arabidopsis protoplasts derived from wild type, npr1-1 and tga256 mutant plants indicated that AtWRKY50 alone was able to induce expression of a PR1::β-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene, independent of TGAs or NPR1. However, co-expression of TGA2 or TGA5 with AtWRKY50 synergistically enhanced expression to high levels. Yeast-2-hybrid assays and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) experiments revealed that AtWRKY50 could interact with TGA2 and TGA5. Using electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) it was established that AtWRKY50 and TGA2 or TGA5 simultaneously bind to the PR1 promoter. Taken together, these results support a role of AtWRKY50 in SA-induced expression of PR1. Highlights: AtWRKY50 specifically binds to LS10 region of PR1 promoter and interacts with TGAs to synergistically activate PR1 expression.

Overexpression of the bZIP transcription factor OsbZIP79 suppresses the production of diterpenoid phytoalexin in rice cells

Phytoalexins are antimicrobial specialised metabolites that are produced by plants in response to pathogen attack. Momilactones and phytocassanes are major diterpenoid phytoalexins in rice that are synthesised from geranylgeranyl diphosphate that is derived from the methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway. We have previously reported that rice cells overexpressing the basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor OsTGAP1 exhibit a hyperaccumulation of momilactones and phytocassanes, with hyperinductive expression of momilactone and phytocassane biosynthetic genes and MEP pathway genes, upon response to a chitin oligosaccharide elicitor. For a better understanding of OsTGAP1-mediated regulation of diterpenoid phytoalexin production, we identified OsTGAP1-interacting proteins using yeast two-hybrid screening. Among the OsTGAP1-interacting protein candidates, a TGA factor OsbZIP79 was investigated to verify its physical interaction with OsTGAP1 and involvement in the regulation of phytoalexin production. An in vitro pull-down assay demonstrated that OsTGAP1 and OsbZIP79 exhibited a heterodimeric as well as a homodimeric interaction. A bimolecular fluorescence complementation analysis also showed the interaction between OsTGAP1 and OsbZIP79 in vivo. Intriguingly, whereas OsbZIP79 transactivation activity was observed in a transient reporter assay, the overexpression of OsbZIP79 resulted in suppression of the elicitor-inducible expression of diterpenoid phytoalexin biosynthetic genes, and thus caused a decrease in the accumulation of phytoalexin in rice cells. These results suggest that OsbZIP79 functions as a negative regulator of phytoalexin production triggered by a chitin oligosaccharide elicitor in rice cells, although it remains open under which conditions OsbZIP79 can work with OsTGAP1.

De novo sequencing, assembly, and analysis of the root transcriptome of Persea americana (Mill.) in response to Phytophthora cinnamomi and flooding

Avocado is a diploid angiosperm containing 24 chromosomes with a genome estimated to be around 920 Mb. It is an important fruit crop worldwide but is susceptible to a root rot caused by the ubiquitous oomycete Phytophthora cinnamomi. Phytophthora root rot (PRR) causes damage to the feeder roots of trees, causing necrosis. This leads to branch-dieback and eventual tree death, resulting in severe losses in production. Control strategies are limited and at present an integrated approach involving the use of phosphite, tolerant rootstocks, and proper nursery management has shown the best results. Disease progression of PRR is accelerated under high soil moisture or flooding conditions. In addition, avocado is highly susceptible to flooding, with even short periods of flooding causing significant losses. Despite the commercial importance of avocado, limited genomic resources are available. Next generation sequencing has provided the means to generate sequence data at a relatively low cost, making this an attractive option for non-model organisms such as avocado. The aims of this study were to generate sequence data for the avocado root transcriptome and identify stress-related genes. Tissue was isolated from avocado infected with P. cinnamomi, avocado exposed to flooding and avocado exposed to a combination of these two stresses. Three separate sequencing runs were performed on the Roche 454 platform and produced approximately 124 Mb of data. This was assembled into 7685 contigs, with 106 448 sequences remaining as singletons. Genes involved in defence pathways such as the salicylic acid and jasmonic acid pathways as well as genes associated with the response to low oxygen caused by flooding, were identified. This is the most comprehensive study of transcripts derived from root tissue of avocado to date and will provide a useful resource for future studies.

The NPR1 ortholog PhaNPR1 is required for the induction of PhaPR1 in Phalaenopsis aphrodite

BACKGROUND

Systematic acquired resistance (SAR) is an effective broad-spectrum defense mechanism that confers long-lasting protection against biotrophic pathogens trough defense related salicylic acid (SA) signaling. Gene(s) involved in SAR have been extensively studied in dicot plants; however, remains largely unresolved in monocot plants. NPR1, an evolutionary conserved gene, plays a central role in SAR, and PR-1 is widely used as a marker for effective SA signaling.

RESULTS

We identified NPR1 and PR-1 homologous genes, PhaNPR1 and PhaPR1, from an economically important orchid, Phalaenopsis aphrodite, and characterized their roles in SA signaling and Cymbidium mosaic virus (CymMV) resistance. A phylogenetic analysis of NPR1 homologs showed that these genes appear to have evolved before angiospermy. Similar to Arabidopsis NPR1, PhaNPR1 was only moderately induced upon SA treatment and CymMV infection. Although PhaPR1 shows only 36% identity with AtPR1, its promoter shared conserved elements with those of other PR-1 genes, and it was induced upon SA treatment and CymMV infection. After CymMV infection, silencing on PhaNPR1 also reduced PhaPR1 expression; however, CymMV accumulation was not affected.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, after virus infection, PhaNPR1 is required for PhaPR1 induction, but plays little role in defense against CymMV.

The plant vascular system: evolution, development and functions

The emergence of the tracheophyte-based vascular system of land plants had major impacts on the evolution of terrestrial biology, in general, through its role in facilitating the development of plants with increased stature, photosynthetic output, and ability to colonize a greatly expanded range of environmental habitats. Recently, considerable progress has been made in terms of our understanding of the developmental and physiological programs involved in the formation and function of the plant vascular system. In this review, we first examine the evolutionary events that gave rise to the tracheophytes, followed by analysis of the genetic and hormonal networks that cooperate to orchestrate vascular development in the gymnosperms and angiosperms. The two essential functions performed by the vascular system, namely the delivery of resources (water, essential mineral nutrients, sugars and amino acids) to the various plant organs and provision of mechanical support are next discussed. Here, we focus on critical questions relating to structural and physiological properties controlling the delivery of material through the xylem and phloem. Recent discoveries into the role of the vascular system as an effective long-distance communication system are next assessed in terms of the coordination of developmental, physiological and defense-related processes, at the whole-plant level. A concerted effort has been made to integrate all these new findings into a comprehensive picture of the state-of-the-art in the area of plant vascular biology. Finally, areas important for future research are highlighted in terms of their likely contribution both to basic knowledge and applications to primary industry.

Tobacco Transcription Factor NtWRKY12 Interacts with TGA2.2 in vitro and in vivo

The promoter of the salicylic acid-inducible PR-1a gene of Nicotiana tabacum contains binding sites for transcription factor NtWRKY12 (WK-box at position -564) and TGA factors (as-1-like element at position -592). Transactivation experiments in Arabidopsis protoplasts derived from wild type, npr1-1, tga256, and tga2356 mutant plants revealed that NtWRKY12 alone was able to induce a PR-1a::β-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene to high levels, independent of co-expressed tobacco NtNPR1, TGA2.1, TGA2.2, or endogenous Arabidopsis NPR1, TGA2/3/5/6. By in vitro pull-down assays with GST and Strep fusion proteins and by Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer assays with protein-CFP and protein-YFP fusions in transfected protoplasts, it was shown that NtWRKY12 and TGA2.2 could interact in vitro and in vivo. Interaction of NtWRKY12 with TGA1a or TGA2.1 was not detectable by these techniques. A possible mechanism for the role of NtWRKY12 and TGA2.2 in PR-1a gene expression is discussed.

Genome-wide expansion and expression divergence of the basic leucine zipper transcription factors in higher plants with an emphasis on sorghum

Plant bZIP transcription factors play crucial roles in multiple biological processes. However, little is known about the sorghum bZIP gene family although the sorghum genome has been completely sequenced. In this study, we have carried out a genome-wide identification and characterization of this gene family in sorghum. Our data show that the genome encodes at least 92 bZIP transcription factors. These bZIP genes have been expanded mainly by segmental duplication. Such an expansion mechanism has also been observed in rice, arabidopsis and many other plant organisms, suggesting a common expansion mode of this gene family in plants. Further investigation shows that most of the bZIP members have been present in the most recent common ancestor of sorghum and rice and the major expansion would occur before the sorghum-rice split era. Although these bZIP genes have been duplicated with a long history, they exhibited limited functional divergence as shown by nonsynonymous substitutions (Ka)/synonymous substitutions (Ks) analyses. Their retention was mainly due to the high percentages of expression divergence. Our data also showed that this gene family might play a role in multiple developmental stages and tissues and might be regarded as important regulators of various abiotic stresses and sugar signaling.

NONEXPRESSOR OF PATHOGENESIS-RELATED PROTEINS1 (NPR1) and some NPR1-related proteins are sensitive to salicylic acid

NONEXPRESSOR OF PATHOGENESIS-RELATED PROTEINS1 (NPR1; also known as NIM1) is a master regulator of systemic acquired resistance (SAR). SAR is induced by salicylic acid (SA), leading to the expression of PATHOGENESIS-RELATED (PR) genes. Current evidence suggests that NPR1 is part of a transcription complex tethered to activation sequence-1 (as-1)-like cis-acting elements in PR-1 gene promoters through TGA transcription factors, and that SA-dependent PR-1 gene expression is regulated by NIM1-INTERACTING (NIMIN) proteins. In Arabidopsis, NPR1 is active only after SA induction. Regulation of Arabidopsis NPR1 activity has been proposed to comprise cysteine-156 (Cys-156), mediating SA-induced cytoplasmic oligomer-nuclear monomer exchange, and Cys-521 and Cys-529, mediating SA-dependent transcriptional activation. Tobacco NPR1 does not harbour these residues. To understand the function of tobacco NPR1, we analysed its biochemical capabilities in a heterologous system: yeast. Tobacco NPR1 differs from Arabidopsis NPR1 in its subcellular localization and its transactivation potential. Yet, both tobacco and Arabidopsis NPR1, as well as tobacco NIM1-like1, alter some of their biochemical activities in response to SA. Whereas the addition of SA to yeast growth medium induces transcriptional activity in tobacco NPR1, its interaction with NIMIN2-type proteins is suppressed. The effects of SA are specific, sensitive and occur coordinately. They are abolished completely by mutation of the arginine residue within the invariable penta-amino acid motif LENRV, as present in the nonfunctional Arabidopsis nim1-4 allele. Furthermore, NPR1 proteins with the LENRV domain coincidently harbour a broad and strongly conserved NIMIN1/NIMIN2 binding site. Our data suggest that NPR1 and some NPR1-like proteins are sensitive to the plant hormone SA, altering some of their biochemical capabilities to enable stimulus-dependent gene expression. The sensitivity of NPR1 proteins to SA, together with their differential interaction with diverse NIMIN proteins, seems a plausible molecular basis for the timely and coordinated activation of PR genes during SAR.

Heterologous expression of Arabidopsis NPR1 (AtNPR1) enhances oxidative stress tolerance in transgenic tobacco plants

In Arabidopsis, NPR1 (non-expressor of pathogenesis related genes 1, AtNPR1) functions downstream of salicylic acid (SA) and modulates the SA mediated systemic acquired resistance. It is also involved in a cross talk with the jasmonate pathway that is essential for resistance against herbivores and necrotrophic pathogens. Overexpression of AtNPR1 in transgenic plants resulted in enhanced disease resistance. Recently, tobacco transgenic plants expressing AtNPR1 were shown to be tolerant to the early instars of Spodoptera litura (Meur et al., Physiol Plant 133:765-775, 2008). In this communication, we show that the heterologous expression of AtNPR1 in tobacco has also enhanced the oxidative stress tolerance. The transgenic plants exhibited enhanced tolerance to the treatment with methyl viologen. This tolerance was associated with the constitutive upregulation of PR1, PR2 (glucanase), PR5 (thaumatin like protein), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and Cu(2+)/Zn(2+) superoxide dismutase (SOD). This is the first demonstration of the novel function of heterologous expression of AtNPR1 in oxidative stress tolerance in transgenic tobacco.

Dissection of salicylic acid-mediated defense signaling networks

The small phenolic molecule salicylic acid (SA) plays a key role in plant defense. Significant progress has been made recently in understanding SA-mediated defense signaling networks. Functional analysis of a large number of genes involved in SA biosynthesis and regulation of SA accumulation and signal transduction has revealed distinct but interconnecting pathways that orchestrate the control of plant defense. Further studies utilizing combinatorial approaches in genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry and genomics will uncover finer details of SA-mediated defense networks as well as further insights into the crosstalk of SA with other defense signaling pathways. The complexity of defense networks illustrates the capacity of plants to integrate multiple developmental and environmental signals into a tight control of the costly defense responses.

An important role of a BAHD acyl transferase-like protein in plant innate immunity

Salicylic acid (SA) is an important regulator of plant resistance to biotrophic and hemi-biotrophic pathogens. The enhanced pseudomonas susceptibility 1 (eps1) mutant in Arabidopsis thaliana is hypersusceptible to both virulent and avirulent strains of the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae. Through positional cloning, the EPS1 gene was isolated and found to encode a novel member of the BAHD acyltransferase superfamily. Pathogen-induced accumulation of SA and expression of pathogenesis-related (PR) genes were compromised in the eps1 mutant. SA could induce PR1 gene expression and restore disease resistance in the eps1 mutant. These results suggest that EPS1 functions upstream of SA and may be involved directly in synthesis of a precursor or a regulatory molecule for SA biosynthesis. Mutations of EPS1 or other genes important for SA accumulation or signaling conferred enhanced resistance to the necrotrophic fungal pathogens Botrytis cinerea and Alternaria brassicicola in the Nossen-0 background but had little effect in the Columbia-0 background. These results suggest that there is natural variation among Arabidopsis ecotypes with respect to the antagonistic cross-talk between defense signaling pathways against various types of microbial pathogens.

The Arabidopsis GRAS protein SCL14 interacts with class II TGA transcription factors and is essential for the activation of stress-inducible promoters

The plant signaling molecule salicylic acid (SA) and/or xenobiotic chemicals like the auxin mimic 2,4-D induce transcriptional activation of defense- and stress-related genes that contain activation sequence-1 (as-1)-like cis-elements in their promoters. as-1-like sequences are recognized by basic/leucine zipper transcription factors of the TGA family. Expression of genes related to the SA-dependent defense program systemic acquired resistance requires the TGA-interacting protein NPR1. However, a number of as-1-containing promoters can be activated independently from NPR1. Here, we report the identification of Arabidopsis thaliana SCARECROW-like 14 (SCL14), a member of the GRAS family of regulatory proteins, as a TGA-interacting protein that is required for the activation of TGA-dependent but NPR1-independent SA- and 2,4-D-inducible promoters. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that class II TGA factors TGA2, TGA5, and/or TGA6 are needed to recruit SCL14 to promoters of selected SCL14 target genes identified by whole-genome transcript profiling experiments. The coding regions and the expression profiles of the SCL14-dependent genes imply that they might be involved in the detoxification of xenobiotics and possibly endogenous harmful metabolites. Consistently, plants ectopically expressing SCL14 showed increased tolerance to toxic doses of the chemicals isonicotinic acid and 2,4,6-triiodobenzoic acid, whereas the scl14 and the tga2 tga5 tga6 mutants were more susceptible. Hence, the TGA/SCL14 complex seems to be involved in the activation of a general broad-spectrum detoxification network upon challenge of plants with xenobiotics.

The role of bZIP transcription factors in green plant evolution: adaptive features emerging from four founder genes

Background

Transcription factors of the basic leucine zipper (bZIP) family control important processes in all eukaryotes. In plants, bZIPs are regulators of many central developmental and physiological processes including photomorphogenesis, leaf and seed formation, energy homeostasis, and abiotic and biotic stress responses. Here we performed a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of bZIP genes from algae, mosses, ferns, gymnosperms and angiosperms.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We identified 13 groups of bZIP homologues in angiosperms, three more than known before, that represent 34 Possible Groups of Orthologues (PoGOs). The 34 PoGOs may correspond to the complete set of ancestral angiosperm bZIP genes that participated in the diversification of flowering plants. Homologous genes dedicated to seed-related processes and ABA-mediated stress responses originated in the common ancestor of seed plants, and three groups of homologues emerged in the angiosperm lineage, of which one group plays a role in optimizing the use of energy.

Conclusions/Significance

Our data suggest that the ancestor of green plants possessed four bZIP genes functionally involved in oxidative stress and unfolded protein responses that are bZIP-mediated processes in all eukaryotes, but also in light-dependent regulations. The four founder genes amplified and diverged significantly, generating traits that benefited the colonization of new environments.

Constitutive expression of Arabidopsis NPR1 confers enhanced resistance to the early instars of Spodoptera litura in transgenic tobacco

In Arabidopsis, NPR1 (AtNPR1) regulates salicylic acid (SA)-mediated activation of PR genes at the onset of systemic acquired resistance. AtNPR1 also modulates SA-induced suppression of jasmonic acid-responsive gene expression, and npr1 mutants manifest enhanced herbivore resistance. We have raised stable transgenic tobacco lines, expressing AtNPR1 constitutively, which showed elevated expression of PR1 and PR2 genes upon SA treatment. Herbivore bioassays with a generalist polyphagous pest, Spodoptera litura, revealed that the transgenic lines exhibited enhanced resistance compared to the wild-type plants, particularly with respect to younger larval populations. Insect-mediated injury induced several protease inhibitors (PIs), more significantly a 40-kDa serine PI in all the tobacco lines, but the induction was higher in the transgenic plants. We show in this communication that heterologous expression of AtNPR1 provides enhanced resistance to early larval populations of the herbivore, Spodoptera in transgenic tobacco plants.

Genome-wide analysis of gene expression profiles during the kernel development of maize (Zea mays L.)

Maize kernel is an important source of food, feed, and industrial raw materials. The elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of maize kernel development will be helpful for the manipulation of maize improvements. A microarray with approximately 58,000 probes was used to study dynamic gene expression during kernel development from fertilization to physiological maturity. By comparing six consecutive time points, 3445 differentially expressed genes were identified. These genes were then grouped into 10 clusters showing specific expression patterns using a K-means clustering algorithm. An investigation of function and expression patterns of genes elucidate the regulation mechanism underlying the important developmental processes cell division and kernel filling. The differential expression of genes involved in plant hormone signaling pathways suggested that phytohormone might play a critical role in the kernel developmental process. Moreover, regulation of some transcription factors and protein kinases might be involved in the whole developmental process.

Salicylic acid is important for basal defense of Solanum tuberosum against Phytophthora infestans

The importance of the signaling compound salicylic acid for basal defense of potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Désirée) against Phytophthora infestans, the causal agent of late blight disease, was assessed using transgenic NahG potato plants which are unable to accumulate salicylic acid. Although the size of lesions caused by P. infestans was not significantly different in wild-type and transgenic NahG plants, real-time polymerase chain reaction analyses revealed a drastic enhancement of pathogen growth in potato plants depleted of salicylic acid. Increased susceptibility of NahG plants correlated with compromised callose formation and reduced early defense gene expression. NahG plants pretreated with the salicylic acid analog 2,6-dichloro-isonicotinic acid allowed pathogen growth to a similar extent as did wild-type plants, indicating that salicylic acid is an important compound required for basal defense of potato against P. infestans.

WRKY62 Transcription Factor Acts Downstream of Cytosolic NPR1 and Negatively Regulates Jasmonate-Responsive Gene Expression

Cytosolic NPR1 has been shown to be essential for the salicylic acid (SA)-mediated suppression of jasmonic acid (JA)-responsive gene expression. However, factors downstream of NPR1 in the cross-talk between SA and JA signaling are unclear. Here we show that Arabidopsis WRKY62, a member of WRKY group III transcription factors, was induced by methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and SA treatment. The presence of basal SA is required for the MeJA-induced WRKY62 expression, and both chemicals exhibit a synergistic effect on WRKY62 induction. In addition, upon treatment with an extremely low concentration of SA, cytosolic NPR1 controls the MeJA-induced expression of WRKY62. TGA transcription factors, which up-regulate SA-induced expression of WRKY62, are dispensable for the induction of WRKY62 in JA signaling. Genetic dissection of both wrky62 mutants and WRKY62-overexpressing plants indicated that WRKY62 down-regulates JA-responsive LOX2 and VSP2 expression. Our results demonstrate that WRKY62 acts downstream of cytosolic NPR1 and negatively regulates JA-responsive gene expression, suggesting that WRKY62 may be involved in the SA-mediated suppression of JA signaling.

The binding of nuclear factors to the as-1 element in the CaMV 35S promoter is affected by cytosine methylation in vitro

Transcriptional gene silencing (TGS) is often associated with an increased level of cytosine methylation in the affected promoters. The effect of methylation of the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter sequence on its binding to factors present in the nuclei was analyzed by electrophoretic mobility shift assays using extracts of petunia flowers. Specific DNA-protein interactions were detected in the region of the CaMV 35S promoter that contains the as-1 element and the region between - 345 and - 208. The binding of protein factor(s) to the as-1 element was influenced by cytosine methylation, whereas the binding to the region between - 345 and - 208 was unaffected. The results suggest that cytosine methylation of the as-1 element potentially affects the activity of the CaMV 35S promoter.

Pathogen-induced Arabidopsis WRKY7 is a transcriptional repressor and enhances plant susceptibility to Pseudomonas syringae

The Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) WRKY7 gene is induced by pathogen infection and salicylic acid (SA) treatment and may therefore play a role in plant defense responses. Here, we show that WRKY7 is localized in the nucleus, recognizes DNA molecules with the W-box (TTGAC) elements, and functions as a transcriptional repressor in plant cells. To study its biological functions directly, we have characterized both loss-of-function T-DNA insertion and RNAi mutants and gain-of-function transgenic overexpression plants for WRKY7 in Arabidopsis. The T-DNA insertion and RNAi mutant plants displayed enhanced resistance to a virulent strain of the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae as measured by significant decrease in both bacterial growth and symptom development as compared to those in wild-type plants. The enhanced resistance in the loss-of-function mutants was associated with increased induction of SA-regulated Pathogenesis-Related 1 (PR1) by the bacterial pathogen. Transgenic plants that constitutively overexpress WRKY7 have altered leaf growth and morphology strikingly similar to those observed in the previously isolated eds8 mutant plants. Like eds8 mutant plants, WRKY7-overexpressing plants supported more growth of P. syringae and developed more severe disease symptoms than wild-type plants. The enhanced susceptibility of both the WRKY7-overexpressing plants and the eds8 mutant correlated with reduced expression of defense-related genes, including PR1, but significantly increased accumulation of SA after pathogen infection, probably due to reduced negative feedback of SA synthesis. Thus, pathogen-induced WRKY7 transcription factor play a negative role in defense responses to P. syringae.

Synergistic interactions of the plant cell death pathways induced by Phytophthora infestans Nepl-like protein PiNPP1.1 and INF1 elicitin

Cell death plays a ubiquitous role in plant-microbe interactions, given that it is associated with both susceptible and resistance interactions. A class of cell death-inducing proteins, termed Nepl-like proteins (NLPs), has been reported in bacteria, fungi, and oomycetes. These proteins induce nonspecific necrosis in a variety of dicotyledonous plants. Here, we describe three members of the NLP family from the oomycete Phytophthora infestans (PiNPP1.1, PiNPP1.2, and PiNPP1.3). Using agroinfection with a binary Potato virus X vector, we showed that PiNPP1.1 induces cell death in Nicotiana benthamiana and the host plant tomato. Expression analyses indicated that PiNPP1.1 is up-regulated during late stages of infection of tomato by P. infestans. We compared PiNPP1.1 necrosis-inducing activity to INF1 elicitin, a well-studied protein that triggers the hypersensitive response in Nicotiana spp. Using virus-induced gene silencing, we showed that the cell death induced by PiNPP1.1 is dependent on the ubiquitin ligase-associated protein SGT1 and the heat-shock protein HSP90. In addition, cell death triggered by PiNPP1.1 but not that by INF1 was dependent on the defense-signaling proteins COI1, MEK2, NPR1, and TGA2.2, suggesting distinct signaling requirements. Combined expression of PiNPP1.1 and INF1 in N. benthamiana resulted in enhanced cell death, suggesting synergistic interplay between the two cell-death responses. Altogether, these results point to potentially distinct but interacting cell-death pathways induced by PiNPP1.1 and INF1 in plants.

Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis of the tobacco PR-1a- and the truncated CaMV 35S promoter reveals differences in salicylic acid-dependent TGA factor binding and histone acetylation

Salicylic acid (SA) is a plant signalling molecule needed for the induction of defence responses upon attack by a variety of pathogens. Truncation of the Cauliflower Mosaic Virus (CaMV) 35S promoter down to 90 bp has identified activation sequence-1 (as-1) as an autonomous SA-responsive cis element. The as-1-like elements are found in a number of SA-inducible promoters like e.g. the tobacco PR-1a promoter. They are recognized by basic/leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factors of the TGA family. In tobacco leaves, TGA2.2 is the most abundant TGA factor. TGA2.2 is required for the expression of as-1-containing promoters. Here we unravel clear differences between the "truncated" CaMV 35S and the PR-1a promoter with respect to in vivo TGA binding and histone acetylation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analysis revealed SA-inducible recruitment of tobacco TGA2.2 as well as SA-inducible histone acetylation at the PR-1a promoter. In contrast, no influence of SA on TGA2.2 binding and histone acetylation was detectable at the "truncated" CaMV 35S promoter. The finding of SA-independent TGA factor binding in the absence of additional flanking regulatory sequences suggests that transcriptional activation is not necessarily mediated by inducible DNA binding of TGA factors. Plants with severely reduced TGA2.2 protein levels also showed SA-induced histone acetylation at the PR-1a promoter indicating that regulatory events independent from TGA2.2 function are initiated at the PR-1a promoter.

Analysis of oxidative signalling induced by ozone in Arabidopsis thaliana

We are using acute ozone as an elicitor of endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) to understand oxidative signalling in Arabidopsis. Temporal patterns of ROS following a 6 h exposure to 300 nL L(-1) of ozone in ozone-sensitive Wassilewskija (Ws-0) ecotype showed a biphasic ROS burst with a smaller peak at 4 h and a larger peak at 16 h. This was accompanied by a nitric oxide (NO) burst that peaked at 9 h. An analysis of antioxidant levels showed that both ascorbate (AsA) and glutathione (GSH) were at their lowest levels, when ROS levels were high in ozone-stressed plants. Whole genome expression profiling analysis at 1, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h after initiation of ozone treatment identified 371 differentially expressed genes. Early induction of proteolysis and hormone-responsive genes indicated that an oxidative cell death pathway was triggered rapidly. Down-regulation of genes involved in carbon utilization, energy pathways and signalling suggested an inefficient defense response. Comparisons with other large-scale expression profiling studies indicated some overlap between genes induced by ethylene and ozone, and a significant overlap between genes repressed by ozone and methyl jasmonate treatment. Further, analysis of cis elements in the promoters of ozone-responsive genes also supports the view that phytohormones play a significant role in ozone-induced cell death.

Cross-species annotation of basic leucine zipper factor interactions: Insight into the evolution of closed interaction networks

Dimeric basic leucine zipper (bZIP) factors constitute one of the most important classes of enhancer-type transcription factors. In vertebrates, bZIP factors are involved in many cellular processes, including cell survival, learning and memory, cancer progression, lipid metabolism, and a variety of developmental processes. These factors have the ability to homodimerize and heterodimerize in a specific and predictable manner, resulting in hundreds of dimers with unique effects on transcription. In recent years, several studies have described dimerization preferences for bZIP factors from different species, including Homo sapiens, Drosophila melanogaster, Arabidopsis thaliana, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Here, these findings are summarized as novel, graphical representations of closed, interacting protein networks. These representations combine phylogenetic information, DNA-binding properties, and dimerization preference. Beyond summarizing bZIP dimerization preferences within selected species, we have included annotation for a solitary bZIP factor found in the primitive eukaryote, Giardia lamblia, a possible evolutionary precursor to the complex networks of bZIP factors encoded by other genomes. Finally, we discuss the fundamental similarities and differences between dimerization networks within the context of bZIP factor evolution.

The role of salicylic acid and jasmonic acid in pathogen defence

Phytohormones are not only instrumental in regulating developmental processes in plants but also play important roles for the plant's responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. In particular, abscisic acid, ethylene, jasmonic acid, and salicylic acid have been shown to possess crucial functions in mediating or orchestrating stress responses in plants. Here, we review the role of salicylic acid and jasmonic acid in pathogen defence responses with special emphasis on their function in the solanaceous plant potato.

Identification of NPR1-dependent and independent genes early induced by salicylic acid treatment in Arabidopsis

Salicylic acid (SA) plays a crucial role in stress resistance in plants by modifying the expression of a battery of genes. In this paper, we report the identification of a group of early SA-regulated genes of Arabidopsis (activated between 0.5-2.5 h), using the cDNA-amplified fragment length polymorphism technique (cDNA-AFLP). Using 128 different primer combinations, we identified several genes based on their differential expression during SA treatment. Among these, we identified 12 genes up-regulated by SA whose patterns of induction were confirmed by Northern analysis. The identified genes can be grouped into two functional groups: Group 1: genes involved in cell protection (i.e. glycosyltransferases, glutathion S-transferases), and Group 2: genes involved in signal transduction (protein kinases and transcription factors). We also evaluated NPR1 requirement for the induction of the 12 up-regulated genes, and found that only those belonging to Group 2 require this co-activator for their expression. In silico analysis of the promoter sequences of the up-regulated genes, allowed us to identify putative cis-elements over-represented in these genes. Interestingly, as-1-like elements, previously characterized as SA-responsive elements, were specifically over-represented in Group 1 genes. The identification of early SA-regulated genes is an important step towards understanding the complex role of this hormone in plant stress resistance.

Tobacco bZIP transcription factor TGA2.2 and related factor TGA2.1 have distinct roles in plant defense responses and plant development

Salicylic acid (SA) is a crucial internal signaling molecule needed for the induction of plant defense responses upon attack of a variety of pathogens. Basic leucine zipper transcription factors of the TGA family bind to activating sequence-1 (as-1)-like elements which are SA-responsive cis elements found in promoters of 'immediate early' and 'late' SA-inducible genes. TGA2.2 constitutes the main component of tobacco as-1-binding factor-1 (ASF-1). TGA2.1, which differs from TGA2.2 by being able to activate transcription in yeast, constitutes a minor fraction of the complex. Both proteins interact with NPR1, a protein essential for SA inducibility of 'late' genes. Here we demonstrate using dsRNAi mediated gene silencing that reducing the amount of TGA2.2 and TGA2.1 correlates with a significant decrease in ASF-1 activity and with a decreased inducibility of both 'immediate early' and 'late' genes. In contrast, reducing the amount of TGA2.1 alone had no effect on the expression of these target genes suggesting that TGA2.1 is dispensable for SA-inducible gene expression from the as-1 element. Expression of a TGA2.2 mutant unable to form heterodimers with the endogenous pool of TGA factors led to reduced SA-inducibility of 'immediate early' gene Nt103, indicating that the native leucine zipper is important for the protein to act positively on transcription. Plants with reduced amounts of TGA2.1 developed petal like stamens indicating a regulatory role of TGA2.1 in defining organ identity in tobacco flowers. A model is suggested that unifies conflicting results on the function of tobacco TGA factors with respect to activation of the 'late' PR-1a promoter.

Identification and characterization of GIP1, an Arabidopsis thaliana protein that enhances the DNA binding affinity and reduces the oligomeric state of G-box binding factors

Environmental control of the alcohol dehydrogenase (Adh) and other stress response genes in plants is in part brought about by transcriptional regulation involving the G-box cis-acting DNA element and bZIP G-box Binding Factors (GBFs). The mechanisms of GBF regulation and requirements for additional factors in this control process are not well understood. In an effort to identify potential GBF binding and control partners, maize GBF1 was used as bait in a yeast two-hybrid screen of an A. thaliana cDNA library. GBF Interacting Protein 1 (GIP1) arose from the screen as a 496 amino acid protein with a predicted molecular weight of 53,748 kDa that strongly interacts with GBFs. Northern analysis of A. thaliana tissue suggests a 1.8-1.9 kb GIP1 transcript, predominantly in roots. Immunolocalization studies indicate that GIP1 protein is mainly localized to the nucleus. In vitro electrophoretic mobility shift assays using an Adh G-box DNA probe and recombinant A. thaliana GBF3 or maize GBF1, showed that the presence of GIP1 resulted in a tenfold increase in GBF DNA binding activity without altering the migration, suggesting a transient association between GIP1 and GBF. Addition of GIP1 to intentionally aggregated GBF converted GBF to lower molecular weight macromolecular complexes and GIP1 also refolded denatured rhodanese in the absence of ATP. These data suggest GIP1 functions to enhance GBF DNA binding activity by acting as a potent nuclear chaperone or crowbar, and potentially regulates the multimeric state of GBFs, thereby contributing to bZIP-mediated gene regulation.

Alteration of TGA factor activity in rice results in enhanced tolerance to Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae

In dicotyledonous plants broad-spectrum resistance to pathogens is established after the induction of the systemic acquired resistance (SAR) response. In Arabidopsis the NPR1 protein can regulate SAR by interacting with members of the TGA class of basic, leucine-zipper transcription factors to alter pathogenesis-related (PR) gene expression. Overexpression of (At)NPR1 in Arabidopsis enhances resistance to multiple pathogens. Similarly, overexpression of (At)NPR1 in rice enhances resistance to the bacterial pathogen, Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo). These results suggest that components of the (At)NPR1-mediated SAR defense response may be conserved between monocots and dicots. To determine whether or not rice TGA factors are involved in disease resistance responses, the effect of altering the function of rice TGA2.1 was analyzed in transgenic plants. Transgenic rice overexpressing an rTGA2.1 mutant, that can no longer bind DNA, and transgenic rice that have the endogenous rTGA2.1 silenced by dsRNA-mediated silencing were generated. Both types of transgenic rice displayed increased tolerance to Xoo, were dwarfed, and had altered accumulation of PR genes. The results presented in this study suggest that wild-type rTGA2.1 has primarily a negative role in rice basal defense responses to bacterial pathogens.

Salicylic acid (SA)-dependent gene activation can be uncoupled from cell death-mediated gene activation: the SA-inducible NIMIN-1 and NIMIN-2 promoters, unlike the PR-1a promoter, do not respond to cell death signals in tobacco

SUMMARY Tobacco pathogenesis-related (PR) genes of group 1 are induced during pathogen defence (hypersensitive response, HR, and systemic acquired resistance, SAR), after exogenous application of salicylic acid (SA), and by developmental cues. Likewise, SA enhances transcripts for Arabidopsis NIMIN-1 and NIMIN-2, which interact with NPR1/NIM1, a key regulator of SAR. To further illuminate gene activation during pathogen defence, reporter gene expression from the NIMIN-1 and NIMIN-2 promoters was analysed in transgenic tobacco plants in direct comparison to PR-1 gene expression. NIMIN[GUS] chimeric genes were highly sensitive to SA, whereas NIMIN[GUS], unlike PR1a[GUS], expression was only weak in necrotic tissue exhibiting HR. Furthermore, PR-1a, but not NIMIN, promoter constructs were activated systemically in response to local cell death elicited by expression of the proapoptotic Bax gene. Conversely, NIMIN-1[GUS] expression was completely suppressed during pathogen defence in plants depleted from SA, whereas PR-1 proteins still accumulated in necrotic tissue. These findings demonstrate that SA-dependent gene activation can be uncoupled from cell death-induced gene activation. Whereas PR-1a induction during the HR and SAR responses is mediated by HR-associated signals and SA, activation of the NIMIN-1 and NIMIN-2 promoters in infected tobacco relies on SA, but not on cell death signals.

Salicylic acid-inducible Arabidopsis CK2-like activity phosphorylates TGA2

We demonstrate that TGA2, TGA5 and TGA6, and TGA3 to a lesser extent, are phosphorylated by an activity in rabbit reticulocytes. Using deletion and point mutagenesis of TGA2, three amino acid (aa) residues, (11)Ser, (12)Thr and (16)Thr, were found to be critical for efficient phosphorylation by a kinase(s) in rabbit reticulocytes. These three residues also were important for phosphorylation by recombinant human Casein Kinase II (CK2) and by a CK2-like kinase in Arabidopsis leaf extracts. Salicylic acid (SA) treatment enhanced the phosphorylation of recombinant TGA2 in vitro; it also enhanced phosphorylation of a TGA2-GFP fusion protein in vivo. By contrast, in vivo phosphorylation of a TGA2-A-GFP fusion protein, in which the (11)Ser, (12)Thr and (16)Thr residues were mutated to non-phosphorylable alanine, was only poorly if at all stimulated by SA treatment. Mutation of the putative CK2 phosphorylation motif did not affect nuclear localization of TGA2. However, the DNA binding activity of TGA2 was reduced by CK2 treatment, whereas that of TGA2-A was unaffected; TGA2's DNA binding activity after incubation in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate also was substantially lower than that of comparably treated TGA2-A. Taken together, these results suggest that phosphorylation at the putative CK2 phosphorylation site negatively regulates the DNA binding activity of TGA2. Analysis of transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing TGA2-GFP or TGA2-A-GFP, in the absence of SA treatment, revealed that they accumulated similarly elevated levels of PR-1 gene transcripts. Possible reasons why mutations in the putative CK2 phosphorylation site had little effect on PR-1 induction by TGA2 are discussed.

Arabidopsis AtSPL14, a plant-specific SBP-domain transcription factor, participates in plant development and sensitivity to fumonisin B1

The recessive Arabidopsis thalianafumonisin B1-resistant (fbr6) mutant was identified by its ability to survive in the presence of a programmed cell death (PCD)-inducing fungal toxin FB1. The fbr6 mutant also displays altered plant architecture in the absence of FB1, most notably elongated petioles and enhanced leaf margin serration. These phenotypes are a result of a T-DNA insertion in the SQUAMOSA promoter binding protein (SBP) domain gene, AtSPL14. AtSPL14 encodes a plant-specific protein with features characteristic of a transcriptional regulator, including a nuclear localization signal sequence, a plant-specific DNA binding domain (the SBP box), and a protein interaction motif (ankyrin repeats). A transiently expressed fusion of the AtSPL14 protein to green fluorescent protein is directed to the plant nucleus. DNA sequences immediately upstream of the translation start site direct expression of the beta-glucuronidase reporter gene primarily in the vascular tissues, consistent with the phenotypes of the fbr6 mutant. AtSPL14 activates transcription in yeast, with a transactivation domain residing within the N-terminal region of the protein. Recombinant AtSPL14 protein binds A. thaliana genomic DNA in vitro in the absence of other proteins. These results indicate that FBR6/SPL14 functions as a transcriptional regulator that plays a role not only in sensitivity to FB1, but also in the development of normal plant architecture.

Plant defence responses: conservation between models and crops

Diseases of plants are a major problem for agriculture world wide. Understanding the mechanisms employed by plants to defend themselves against pathogens may lead to novel strategies to enhance disease resistance in crop plants. Much of the research in this area has been conducted with Arabidopsis as a model system, and this review focuses on how relevant the knowledge generated from this model system will be for increasing resistance in crop plants. In addition, the progress made using other model plant species is discussed. While there appears to be substantial similarity between the defence responses of Arabidopsis and other plants, there are also areas where significant differences are evident. For this reason it is also necessary to increase our understanding of the specific aspects of the defence response that cannot be studied using Arabidopsis as a model.

Regulation of the Arabidopsis defense transcriptome

Transcriptional re-programming is a key step of plant defense in response to pathogen recognition. Microarray analyses combined with genetic and biochemical approaches are now enabling us to study basic principles and details of regulatory mechanisms controlling the defense transcriptome in Arabidopsis. Recent results show that signaling pathways used by different defense systems converge and target overlapping gene sets. Furthermore, a quantitative mechanism common to multiple defense systems modulates transcript levels of these defense-associated genes. Most importantly, some transcription factors have been proven to play a pivotal role in disease resistance. Regulatory circuits linking signaling and gene regulation are emerging, suggesting that a complex interplay of transcriptional activators and repressors fine-tunes expression of the defense transcriptome.

Dimerization specificity of all 67 B-ZIP motifs in Arabidopsis thaliana: a comparison to Homo sapiens B-ZIP motifs

Basic region-leucine zipper (B-ZIP) proteins are a class of dimeric sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins unique to eukaryotes. We have identified 67 B-ZIP proteins in the Arabidopsis thaliana genome. No A.thaliana B-ZIP domains are homologous with any Homo sapiens B-ZIP domains. Here, we predict the dimerization specificity properties of the 67 B-ZIP proteins in the A.thaliana genome based on three structural properties of the dimeric alpha-helical leucine zipper coiled coil structure: (i) length of the leucine zipper, (ii) placement of asparagine or a charged amino acid in the hydrophobic interface and (iii) presence of interhelical electrostatic interactions. Many A.thaliana B-ZIP leucine zippers are predicted to be eight or more heptads in length, in contrast to the four or five heptads typically found in H.sapiens, a prediction experimentally verified by circular dichroism analysis. Asparagine in the a position of the coiled coil is typically observed in the second heptad in H.sapiens. In A.thaliana, asparagine is abundant in the a position of both the second and fifth heptads. The particular placement of asparagine in the a position helps define 14 families of homodimerizing B-ZIP proteins in A.thaliana, in contrast to the six families found in H.sapiens. The repulsive interhelical electrostatic interactions that are used to specify heterodimerizing B-ZIP proteins in H.sapiens are not present in A.thaliana. Instead, we predict that plant leucine zippers rely on charged amino acids in the a position to drive heterodimerization. It appears that A.thaliana define many families of homodimerizing B-ZIP proteins by having long leucine zippers with asparagine judiciously placed in the a position of different heptads.

Functional characterization of tobacco transcription factor TGA2.1

Activation sequence-1 (as-1)-like regulatory cis elements mediate transcriptional activation in response to increased levels of plant signalling molecules auxin and salicylic acid (SA). Our earlier work has shown that tobacco cellular as-1-binding complex SARP (salicylic acid responsive protein) is primarily comprised of bZIP protein TGA2.2 and of minor amounts of a protein that cross-reacts with an antibody directed against related bZIP factor TGA2.1. As this protein was significantly smaller than recombinant TGA2.1, the origin of this protein had remained unresolved. Here we demonstrate that it corresponds to a distinct cleavage product of TGA2.1 generated during extract preparation. Overexpression of TGA2.1 led to increased levels of the TGA2.1/TGA2.2 heterodimer which was as effective with regard to enhancing the SA-inducibility of as-1 containing target gene Nt103 as corresponding amounts of the TGA2.2 homodimer. Thus, the TGA2.1 specific N-terminal domain, which had revealed transcriptional activation potential in yeast, did not show enhanced transcriptional activation in planta. TGA2.1 even had a negative effect on the SA-induced expression of the truncated CaMV 35S (-90) promoter that contains an isolated as-1-element upstream of the TATA-box. Plants expressing a TGA mutant deficient in DNA binding (TGA2.1trd) showed reduced levels of SA-inducible Nt103 expression, thus resembling plants expressing the analogous TGA2.2 derivative TGA2.2trd. In contrast to TGA2.2trd, TGA2.1trd did not reduce auxin-induced expression of Nt103 and SA-induced expression of pathogenesis related protein PR-1a, indicating that TGA2.1trd and TGA2.2trd differ in their capacity to outcompete regulatory factors involved in these regulatory pathways.

TGA5 acts as a positive and TGA4 acts as a negative regulator of ocs element activity in Arabidopsis roots in response to defence signals

TGA/OBF family members are bZIP transcription factors that bind to the octopine synthase (ocs) element, a plant promoter sequence that has been strongly linked to defence/stress responses. Intron-containing hairpin (ihp) constructs were used to generate Arabidopsis lines with reduced expression of TGA4 and TGA5. No visible phenotypic differences were observed between ihpTGA and wild-type (WT) plants. However, the ihpTGA4 and ihpTGA5 plants had opposite affects on ocs element activity, with the ihpTGA4 lines enhancing, and the ihpTGA5 lines reducing, the response of an ocs element construct to the key defence signals, salicylic acid (SA) and H(2)O(2), in roots.

NPR1-independent activation of immediate early salicylic acid-responsive genes in Arabidopsis

Salicylic acid (SA) is a key signal for the activation of defense genes in response to stress. The activation of late defense genes by SA, such as PR-1, involves the participation of the NPR1 protein. This protein acts as coactivator of the TGA factors that recognize as-1-like elements in the PR-1 promoter. Considering that functional as-1-like elements are also found in the promoter of SA- and auxin-responsive immediate early genes, we tested the hypothesis that NPR1 is also required for activation of these genes. The expression of the immediate early genes glutathione S-transferase (GST6) and glucosyltransferase (EIGT) was studied in npr1 mutant and wild-type Arabidopsis plants. In the npr1 mutant background, SA and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid were unable to promote transcription of PR-1 but effectively stimulated the expression of GST6 and EIGT. Furthermore, increased binding of proteins to the GST6 as-1-like promoter element was detected in nuclear extracts from npr1 and wild-type plants after treatment with SA. In summary, these results indicate that activation of immediate early genes by SA proceeds through an NPR1-independent pathway. Therefore, we propose that activation by SA of immediate early and late genes occur by different mechanisms.