Identification of a high-affinity binding protein for N-acetylchitooligosaccharide elicitor in the plasma membrane of suspension-cultured rice cells by affinity labeling

Suppression of Chitin-Triggered Immunity by Plant Fungal Pathogens: A Case Study of the Cucurbit Powdery Mildew Fungus Podosphaera xanthii

Fungal pathogens are significant plant-destroying microorganisms that present an increasing threat to the world's crop production. Chitin is a crucial component of fungal cell walls and a conserved MAMP (microbe-associated molecular pattern) that can be recognized by specific plant receptors, activating chitin-triggered immunity. The molecular mechanisms underlying the perception of chitin by specific receptors are well known in plants such as rice and Arabidopsis thaliana and are believed to function similarly in many other plants. To become a plant pathogen, fungi have to suppress the activation of chitin-triggered immunity. Therefore, fungal pathogens have evolved various strategies, such as prevention of chitin digestion or interference with plant chitin receptors or chitin signaling, which involve the secretion of fungal proteins in most cases. Since chitin immunity is a very effective defensive response, these fungal mechanisms are believed to work in close coordination. In this review, we first provide an overview of the current understanding of chitin-triggered immune signaling and the fungal proteins developed for its suppression. Second, as an example, we discuss the mechanisms operating in fungal biotrophs such as powdery mildew fungi, particularly in the model species Podosphaera xanthii, the main causal agent of powdery mildew in cucurbits. The key role of fungal effector proteins involved in the modification, degradation, or sequestration of immunogenic chitin oligomers is discussed in the context of fungal pathogenesis and the promotion of powdery mildew disease. Finally, the use of this fundamental knowledge for the development of intervention strategies against powdery mildew fungi is also discussed.

A receptor-like protein from Nicotiana benthamiana mediates VmE02 PAMP-triggered immunity

Plants use their innate immune system to defend against phytopathogens. As a part of this, pattern triggered-immunity is activated via pattern recognition receptor (PRR) detection of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Although an increasing number of PAMPs have been identified, the PRRs for their recognition remain largely unknown. In the present study, we report a receptor-like protein RE02 (Response to VmE02) in Nicotiana benthamiana, which mediates the perception of VmE02, a PAMP previously identified from the phytopathogenic fungus Valsa mali, using virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS), co-immunoprecipitation, pull-down and microscale thermophoresis assays. We show that silencing of RE02 markedly attenuated VmE02-triggred cell death and immune responses. RE02 specifically interacted with VmE02 in vivo and in vitro, and it displayed a high affinity for VmE02. Formation of a complex with the receptor-like kinases SOBIR1 and BAK1 was essential for RE02 to perceive VmE02. Moreover, RE02-silenced plants exhibited enhanced susceptibility to both the oomycete Phytophthora capsici and the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, while overexpression of RE02 increased plant resistance to these pathogens. Together, our results indicate that the PAMP VmE02 and the receptor-like protein RE02 represent a new ligand-receptor pair in plant immunity, and that RE02 represents a promising target for engineering disease resistance.

Simultaneous visualization of callose deposition and plasma membrane for live-cell imaging in plants

The appropriate combination of fluorescent probes enabled the simultaneous visualization of callose deposition and plasma membrane in living Arabidopsis and can be useful for the cell biological study of papilla formation in plants. Localized callose deposition at the site of fungal infection is a central part of papilla formation, which creates a barrier between the host plasma membrane and the cell wall and plays an important role in preventing the penetration of fungal hyphae into the host cells. Using chitin-induced callose deposition as a model system, we examined suitable conditions for the simultaneous visualization of callose deposition and plasma membrane dynamics in living Arabidopsis cotyledons. We found that aniline blue fluorochrome (ABF) for callose staining selectively interferes with FM dyes for membrane visualization depending on the structure of the latter compounds and the proper combination of these fluorescent dyes and staining conditions is a key for successful live-cell imaging. The established conditions enabled the live-cell imaging of chitin-induced callose deposition and host membrane systems. The established system/conditions would also be useful for the cell biological studies on the localized callose deposition in other stress/development-associated processes. The finding that the slight difference in the structure of FM dyes affects the interaction with another fluorescent dye, ABF, would also give useful suggestions for the studies where multiple fluorescent dyes are utilized for live-cell imaging.

Recognition Pattern, Functional Mechanism and Application of Chitin and Chitosan Oligosaccharides in Sustainable Agriculture

Background:

Application of chitin attracts much attention in the past decades as the second abundant polysaccharides in the world after cellulose. Chitin oligosaccharides (CTOS) and its deacetylated derivative chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) were shown great potentiality in agriculture by enhancing plant resistance to abiotic or biotic stresses, promoting plant growth and yield, improving fruits quality and storage, etc. Those applications have already served huge economic and social benefits for many years. However, the recognition mode and functional mechanism of CTOS and COS on plants have gradually revealed just in recent years.

Objective:

Recognition pattern and functional mechanism of CTOS and COS in plant together with application status of COS in agricultural production will be well described in this review. By which we wish to promote further development and application of CTOS and COS–related products in the field.

Stomatal immunity against fungal invasion comprises not only chitin-induced stomatal closure but also chitosan-induced guard cell death

Many pathogenic fungi exploit stomata as invasion routes, causing destructive diseases of major cereal crops. Intensive interaction is expected to occur between guard cells and fungi. In the present study, we took advantage of well-conserved molecules derived from the fungal cell wall, chitin oligosaccharide (CTOS), and chitosan oligosaccharide (CSOS) to study how guard cells respond to fungal invasion. In Arabidopsis, CTOS induced stomatal closure through a signaling mediated by its receptor CERK1, Ca²⁺, and a major S-type anion channel, SLAC1. CSOS, which is converted from CTOS by chitin deacetylases from invading fungi, did not induce stomatal closure, suggesting that this conversion is a fungal strategy to evade stomatal closure. At higher concentrations, CSOS but not CTOS induced guard cell death in a manner dependent on Ca²⁺ but not CERK1. These results suggest that stomatal immunity against fungal invasion comprises not only CTOS-induced stomatal closure but also CSOS-induced guard cell death.

Affinity Labeling and Purification of Plant Chitin-Binding LysM Receptor with Chitin Octasaccharide Derivatives

Lysin motif (LysM) is a carbohydrate-binding modules found in all kingdoms. LysM binds to N-acetylglucosamine-containing molecules such as peptidoglycan, chitin, Nod factor, and Myc factor and is found in peptidoglycan hydrolases, chitinases, and plant pathogen effectors and plant receptor/co-receptor for defense and symbiosis signaling. This chapter describes the synthesis of a nonradioactive chitin ligand, biotinylated chitin octasaccharide, (GlcNAc)₈-Bio, and its application for the detection and characterization of chitin-binding LysM receptor CEBiP in the microsomal membrane fraction of rice suspension-cultured cells by affinity labeling. We also describe the purification of CEBiP from the plasma membrane of the rice cells by affinity chromatography with the synthesized (GlcNAc)₈-APEA-CH-Sepharose as an affinity matrix.

Unprecedented Affinity Labeling of Carbohydrate-Binding Proteins with s-Triazinyl Glycosides

Carbohydrate-protein interactions trigger a wide range of biological signaling pathways, the mainstays of physiological and pathological processes. However, there are an incredible number of carbohydrate-binding proteins (CBPs) that remain to be identified and characterized. This study reports for the first time the covalent labeling of CBPs by triazinyl glycosides, a new and promising class of affinity-based glycoprobes. Mono- and bis-clickable triazinyl glycosides were efficiently synthesized from unprotected oligosaccharides (chitinpentaose and 2'-fucosyl-lactose) in a single step. These molecules allow the specific covalent labeling of chitin-oligosaccharide-binding proteins (wheat germ agglutinin WGA and Bc ChiA1 D202A, an inactivated chitinase) and fucosyl-binding lectin (UEA-I), respectively.

LysM Receptor-Like Kinase and LysM Receptor-Like Protein Families: An Update on Phylogeny and Functional Characterization

Members of plant specific families of receptor-like kinases (RLKs) and receptor-like proteins (RLPs), containing 3 extracellular LysMs have been shown to directly bind and/or to be involved in perception of lipo-chitooligosaccharides (LCO), chitooligosaccharides (CO), and peptidoglycan (PGN), three types of GlcNAc-containing molecules produced by microorganisms. These receptors are involved in microorganism perception by plants and can activate different plant responses leading either to symbiosis establishment or to defense responses against pathogens. LysM-RLK/Ps belong to multigenic families. Here, we provide a phylogeny of these families in eight plant species, including dicotyledons and monocotyledons, and we discuss known or putative biological roles of the members in each of the identified phylogenetic groups. We also report and discuss known biochemical properties of the LysM-RLK/Ps.

The lysin motif-containing proteins, Lyp1, Lyk7 and LysMe3, play important roles in chitin perception and defense against Verticillium dahliae in cotton

BACKGROUND

Lysin motif (LysM)-containing proteins are important pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) in plants, which function in the perception of microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) and in the defense against pathogenic attack. To date, the LysM genes have not been systematically analyzed in cotton or effectively utilized for disease resistance.

RESULTS

Here, we identified 29, 30, 60, and 56 LysM genes in the four sequenced cotton species, diploid Gossypium raimondii, diploid G. arboreum, tetraploid G. hirsutum acc. TM-1, and G. barbadense acc. 3-79, respectively. These LysM genes were classified into four groups with different structural characteristics and a variety of expression patterns in different organs and tissues when induced by chitin or Verticillium dahliae. We further characterized three genes, Lyp1, Lyk7 and LysMe3, which showed significant increase in expression in response to chitin signals, V. dahliae challenge and several stress-related signaling compounds. Lyp1, Lyk7 and LysMe3 proteins were localized to the plasma membrane, and silencing of their expression in cotton drastically impaired salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, and reactive oxygen species generation, impaired defense gene activation, and compromised resistance to V. dahliae.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that Lyp1, Lyk7, and LysMe3 are important PRRs that function in the recognition of chitin signals to activate the downstream defense processes and induce cotton defense mechanisms against V. dahliae.

Function, Discovery, and Exploitation of Plant Pattern Recognition Receptors for Broad-Spectrum Disease Resistance

Plants are constantly exposed to would-be pathogens and pests, and thus have a sophisticated immune system to ward off these threats, which otherwise can have devastating ecological and economic consequences on ecosystems and agriculture. Plants employ receptor kinases (RKs) and receptor-like proteins (RLPs) as pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) to monitor their apoplastic environment and detect non-self and damaged-self patterns as signs of potential danger. Plant PRRs contribute to both basal and non-host resistances, and treatment with pathogen-/microbe-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs/MAMPs) or damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) recognized by plant PRRs induces both local and systemic immunity. Here, we comprehensively review known PAMPs/DAMPs recognized by plants as well as the plant PRRs described to date. In particular, we describe the different methods that can be used to identify PAMPs/DAMPs and PRRs. Finally, we emphasize the emerging biotechnological potential use of PRRs to improve broad-spectrum, and potentially durable, disease resistance in crops.

The Structural Basis of Ligand Perception and Signal Activation by Receptor Kinases

Plants have evolved a family of unique membrane receptor kinases to orchestrate the growth and development of their cells, tissues, and organs. Receptor kinases also form the first line of defense of the plant immune system and allow plants to engage in symbiotic interactions. Here, we discuss recent advances in understanding, at the molecular level, how receptor kinases with lysin-motif or leucine-rich-repeat ectodomains have evolved to sense a broad spectrum of ligands. We summarize and compare the established receptor activation mechanisms for plant receptor kinases and dissect how ligand binding at the cell surface leads to activation of cytoplasmic signaling cascades. Our review highlights that one family of plant membrane receptors has diversified structurally to fulfill very different signaling tasks.

Modulation of plant defense responses to herbivores by simultaneous recognition of different herbivore-associated elicitors in rice

Induced plant defense responses against insect herbivores are triggered by wounding and/or perception of herbivore elicitors from their oral secretions (OS) and/or saliva. In this study, we analyzed OS isolated from two rice chewing herbivores, Mythimna loreyi and Parnara guttata. Both types of crude OS had substantial elicitor activity in rice cell system that allowed rapid detection of early and late defense responses, i.e. accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and defense secondary metabolites, respectively. While the OS from M. loreyi contained large amounts of previously reported insect elicitors, fatty acid-amino acid conjugates (FACs), the elicitor-active P. guttata's OS contained no detectable FACs. Subsequently, elicitor activity associated with the high molecular mass fraction in OS of both herbivores was identified, and shown to promote ROS and metabolite accumulations in rice cells. Notably, the application of N-linolenoyl-Gln (FAC) alone had only negligible elicitor activity in rice cells; however, the activity of isolated elicitor fraction was substantially promoted by this FAC. Our results reveal that plants integrate various independent signals associated with their insect attackers to modulate their defense responses and reach maximal fitness in nature.

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.

Identification of target genes of the bZIP transcription factor OsTGAP1, whose overexpression causes elicitor-induced hyperaccumulation of diterpenoid phytoalexins in rice cells

Phytoalexins are specialised antimicrobial metabolites that are produced by plants in response to pathogen attack. Momilactones and phytocassanes are the major diterpenoid phytoalexins in rice and are synthesised from geranylgeranyl diphosphate, which is derived from the methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway. The hyperaccumulation of momilactones and phytocassanes due to the hyperinductive expression of the relevant biosynthetic genes and the MEP pathway gene OsDXS3 in OsTGAP1-overexpressing (OsTGAP1ox) rice cells has previously been shown to be stimulated by the chitin oligosaccharide elicitor. In this study, to clarify the mechanisms of the elicitor-stimulated coordinated hyperinduction of these phytoalexin biosynthetic genes in OsTGAP1ox cells, transcriptome analysis and chromatin immunoprecipitation with next-generation sequencing were performed, resulting in the identification of 122 OsTGAP1 target genes. Transcriptome analysis revealed that nearly all of the momilactone and phytocassane biosynthetic genes, which are clustered on chromosomes 4 and 2, respectively, and the MEP pathway genes were hyperinductively expressed in the elicitor-stimulated OsTGAP1ox cells. Unexpectedly, none of the clustered genes was included among the OsTGAP1 target genes, suggesting that OsTGAP1 did not directly regulate the expression of these biosynthetic genes through binding to each promoter region. Interestingly, however, several OsTGAP1-binding regions were found in the intergenic regions among and near the cluster regions. Concerning the MEP pathway genes, only OsDXS3, which encodes a key enzyme of the MEP pathway, possessed an OsTGAP1-binding region in its upstream region. A subsequent transactivation assay further confirmed the direct regulation of OsDXS3 expression by OsTGAP1, but other MEP pathway genes were not included among the OsTGAP1 target genes. Collectively, these results suggest that OsTGAP1 participates in the enhanced accumulation of diterpenoid phytoalexins, primarily through mechanisms other than the direct transcriptional regulation of the genes involved in the biosynthetic pathway of these phytoalexins.

Molecular strategies to improve rice disease resistance

Rice diseases such as blast (Magnaporthe oryzae), sheath blight (Rhizoctonia solani) and bacterial blight (Xanthomonas oryzae pv oryzae) are a major obstacle to achieving optimal yields. To complement conventional breeding method, molecular and transgenic method represents an increasingly important approach for genetic improvement of disease resistance and reduction of pesticide usage. During the past two decades, a wide variety of genes and mechanisms involved in rice defense response have been identified and elucidated. These include components of pathogen recognition, signal transduction, downstream defense-related proteins, and crosstalk among different signaling pathways. In addition, various molecular strategies including use of specialized promoters, modification of target protein structures have been studied and proposed to improve the effectiveness of transgenes. While genetically improving rice for enhanced disease resistance, it is important to consider potential effects of the transgene on rice yield, tolerance to abiotic stresses, and defense against other pathogens.

An experimental system to study responses of Medicago truncatula roots to chitin oligomers of high degree of polymerization and other microbial elicitors

A fully acetylated, soluble CO preparation of mean DP of ca. 7 was perceived with high sensitivity by M. truncatula in a newly designed versatile root elicitation assay. The root system of legume plants interacts with a large variety of microorganisms, either pathogenic or symbiotic. Understanding how legumes recognize and respond specifically to pathogen-associated or symbiotic signals requires the development of standardized bioassays using well-defined preparations of the corresponding signals. Here we describe the preparation of chitin oligosaccharide (CO) fractions from commercial chitin and their characterization by a combination of liquid-state and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. We show that the CO fraction with highest degree of polymerization (DP) became essentially insoluble after lyophilization. However, a fully soluble, fully acetylated fraction with a mean DP of ca. 7 was recovered and validated by showing its CERK1-dependent activity in Arabidopsis thaliana. In parallel, we developed a versatile root elicitation bioassay in the model legume Medicago truncatula, using a hydroponic culture system and the Phytophthora β-glucan elicitor as a control elicitor. We then showed that M. truncatula responded with high sensitivity to the CO elicitor, which caused the production of extracellular reactive oxygen species and the transient induction of a variety of defense-associated genes. In addition, the bioassay allowed detection of elicitor activity in culture filtrates of the oomycete Aphanomyces euteiches, opening the way to the analysis of recognition of this important legume root pathogen by M. truncatula.

Reactive oxygen species and their role in plant defence and cell wall metabolism

Harnessing the toxic properties of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to fight off invading pathogens can be considered a major evolutionary success story. All aerobic organisms have evolved the ability to regulate the levels of these toxic intermediates, whereas some have evolved elaborate signalling pathways to dramatically increase the levels of ROS and use them as weapons in mounting a defence response, a process commonly referred to as the oxidative burst. The balance between steady state levels of ROS and the exponential increase in these levels during the oxidative burst has begun to shed light on complex signalling networks mediated by these molecules. Here, we discuss the different sources of ROS that are present in plant cells and review their role in the oxidative burst. We further describe two well-studied ROS generating systems, the NADPH oxidase and apoplastic peroxidase proteins, and their role as the primary producers of ROS during pathogen invasion. We then discuss what is known about the metabolic and proteomic fluxes that occur in plant cells during the oxidative burst and after pathogen recognition, and try to highlight underlying biochemical processes that may provide more insight on the complex regulation of ROS in plants.

Arabidopsis lysin-motif proteins LYM1 LYM3 CERK1 mediate bacterial peptidoglycan sensing and immunity to bacterial infection

Recognition of microbial patterns by host pattern recognition receptors is a key step in immune activation in multicellular eukaryotes. Peptidoglycans (PGNs) are major components of bacterial cell walls that possess immunity-stimulating activities in metazoans and plants. Here we show that PGN sensing and immunity to bacterial infection in Arabidopsis thaliana requires three lysin-motif (LysM) domain proteins. LYM1 and LYM3 are plasma membrane proteins that physically interact with PGNs and mediate Arabidopsis sensitivity to structurally different PGNs from gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. lym1 and lym3 mutants lack PGN-induced changes in transcriptome activity patterns, but respond to fungus-derived chitin, a pattern structurally related to PGNs, in a wild-type manner. Notably, lym1, lym3, and lym3 lym1 mutant genotypes exhibit supersusceptibility to infection with virulent Pseudomonas syringae pathovar tomato DC3000. Defects in basal immunity in lym3 lym1 double mutants resemble those observed in lym1 and lym3 single mutants, suggesting that both proteins are part of the same recognition system. We further show that deletion of CERK1, a LysM receptor kinase that had previously been implicated in chitin perception and immunity to fungal infection in Arabidopsis, phenocopies defects observed in lym1 and lym3 mutants, such as peptidoglycan insensitivity and enhanced susceptibility to bacterial infection. Altogether, our findings suggest that plants share with metazoans the ability to recognize bacterial PGNs. However, as Arabidopsis LysM domain proteins LYM1, LYM3, and CERK1 form a PGN recognition system that is unrelated to metazoan PGN receptors, we propose that lineage-specific PGN perception systems have arisen through convergent evolution.

The role of chitin detection in plant--pathogen interactions

Despite the deployment of antifungal defence strategies, fungal diseases occur in all types of multicellular organisms. In plants, the role of fungal chitin as pathogen-associated molecular pattern that activates host defence is well established. Interestingly, plants employ homologs of the chitin immune receptors to initiate microbial symbiosis. Accumulating evidence shows that fungal pathogens developed secreted effectors to disarm chitin-triggered host immunity.

Long-term protection against tobacco mosaic virus induced by the marine alga oligo-sulphated-galactan Poly-Ga in tobacco plants

In order to study the antiviral effect of the oligo-sulphated galactan Poly-Ga, the leaves of tobacco plants Xhanti(NN) were sprayed with water (control), with increasing concentrations of Poly-Ga, for increasing numbers of treatments or cultivated for increasing times after treatment. Control and treated plants were infected with tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and the numbers of necrotic lesions were measured in infected leaves. The number of necrotic lesions decreased with increasing concentrations of Poly-Ga, with increasing numbers of treatments and with increasing time after treatment, indicating a long-term protection against TMV that mimicks vaccination. In addition, control Xhanti(nn) plants and plants treated with Poly-Ga and cultivated for increasing times after treatment were infected with TMV in the middle part of the plant, and the levels of TMV-capsid protein (CP) transcripts were measured in apical leaves. TMV-CP transcripts decreased in distant leaves, indicating that Poly-Ga induces systemic protection against TMV. The activities of the defence enzymes phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and lipoxygenase (LOX) and the amounts of several phenylpropanoid compounds (PPCs) were measured in control and treated plants without infection. A progressive increase in PAL activity was observed with increasing time after treatment, together with the accumulation of free and conjugated PPCs. In contrast, LOX activity remained unchanged. Interestingly, the increase in PAL activity showed a linear correlation with the decrease in necrotic lesions and the decrease in TMV-CP transcript level. Thus, Poly-Ga induced systemic and long-term protection against TMV in tobacco plants that is determined, at least in part, by a sustained activation of PAL and the accumulation of PPCs with potential antiviral activity.

Enhancement of MAMP signaling by chimeric receptors improves disease resistance in plants

Plants activate defense responses through the recognition of microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs). Recently, several pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) have been identified in plants, paving the way for manipulating MAMP signaling. CEBiP is a receptor for the chitin elicitor (CE) identified in the rice plasma membrane and XA21 is a member of the receptor-like protein kinase (RLK) family that confers disease resistance to rice bacterial leaf blight expressing the sulfated protein Ax21. To improve resistance to rice blast, the most serious fungal disease of rice, we aimed to create a defense system that combines high affinity of CEBiP for CE and the ability of XA21 to confer disease resistance. Cultured rice cells expressing the chimeric receptor CRXA, which consists of CEBiP and the intracellular region of XA21, induced cell death accompanied by an increased production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species after exposure to CE. Rice plants expressing the chimeric receptor exhibited more resistance to rice blast. Engineering PRRs may be a new strategy in molecular breeding for achieving disease resistance.

Perception of the chitin oligosaccharides contributes to disease resistance to blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae in rice

Chitin is a component of fungal cell walls, and its fragments act as elicitors in many plants. The plasma membrane glycoprotein CEBiP, which possesses LysM domains, is a receptor for the chitin elicitor (CE) in rice. Here, we report that the perception of CE by CEBiP contributes to disease resistance against the rice blast fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae, and that enhanced responses to CE by engineering CEBiP increase disease tolerance. Knockdown of CEBiP expression allowed increased spread of the infection hyphae. To enhance defense responses to CE, we constructed chimeric genes composed of CEBiP and Xa21, which mediate resistance to rice bacterial leaf blight. The expression of either CRXa1 or CRXa3, each of which contains the whole extracellular portion of CEBiP, the whole intracellular domain of XA21, and the transmembrane domain from either CEBiP or XA21, induced cell death accompanied by an increased production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species after treatment with CE. Rice plants expressing the chimeric receptor exhibited necrotic lesions in response to CE and became more resistant to M. oryzae. Deletion of the first LysM domain in CRXA1 abolished these cellular responses. These results suggest that CEs are produced and recognized through the LysM domain of CEBiP during the interaction between rice and M. oryzae and imply that engineering pattern recognition receptors represents a new strategy for crop protection against fungal diseases.

Chitooligosaccharide sensing and downstream signaling: contrasted outcomes in pathogenic and beneficial plant-microbe interactions

In plants, short chitin oligosaccharides and chitosan fragments (collectively referred to as chitooligosaccharides) are well-known elicitors that trigger defense gene expression, synthesis of antimicrobial compounds, and cell wall strengthening. Recent findings have shed new light on chitin-sensing mechanisms and downstream activation of intracellular signaling networks that mediate plant defense responses. Interestingly, chitin receptors possess several lysin motif domains that are also found in several legume Nod factor receptors. Nod factors are chitin-related molecules produced by nitrogen-fixing rhizobia to induce root nodulation. The fact that chitin and Nod factor receptors share structural similarity suggests an evolutionary conserved relationship between mechanisms enabling recognition of both deleterious and beneficial microorganisms. Here, we will present an update on molecular events involved in chitooligosaccharide sensing and downstream signaling pathways in plants and will discuss how structurally related signals may lead to such contrasted outcomes during plant-microbe interactions.

Chitin research revisited

Two centuries after the discovery of chitin, it is widely accepted that this biopolymer is an important biomaterial in many aspects. Numerous studies on chitin have focused on its biomedical applications. In this review, various aspects of chitin research including sources, structure, biosynthesis, chitinolytic enzyme, chitin binding protein, genetic engineering approach to produce chitin, chitin and evolution, and a wide range of applications in bio- and nanotechnology will be dealt with.

Effect of Ca2+ on programmed death of guard and epidermal cells of pea leaves

The effect of Ca2+ on programmed death of guard cells (GC) and epidermal cells (EC) determined from destruction of the cell nucleus was investigated in epidermis of pea leaves. Ca2+ at concentrations of 1-100 microM increased and at a concentration of 1 mM prevented the CN(-)-induced destruction of the nucleus in GC, disrupting the permeability barrier of GC plasma membrane for propidium iodide (PI). Ca2+ at concentrations of 0.1-1 mM enhanced drastically the number of EC nuclei stained by PI in epidermis treated with chitosan, an inducer of programmed cell death. The internucleosomal DNA fragmentation caused by CN(-) was suppressed by 2 mM Ca2+ on 6 h incubation, but fragmentation was stimulated on more prolonged treatment (16 h). Presumably, the disruption of the permeability barrier of plasma membrane for PI is not a sign of necrosis in plant cells. Quinacrine and diphenylene iodonium at 50 microM concentration prevented GC death induced by CN(-) or CN(-) + 0.1 mM Ca2+ but had no influence on respiration and photosynthetic O2 evolution in pea leaf slices. The generation of reactive oxygen species determined from 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein fluorescence was promoted by Ca2+ in epidermal peels from pea leaves.

Characterization of receptor proteins using affinity cross-linking with biotinylated ligands

The plant genome encodes a wide range of receptor-like proteins but the function of most of these proteins is unknown. We propose the use of affinity cross-linking of biotinylated ligands for a ligand-based survey of the corresponding receptor molecules. Biotinylated ligands not only enable the analysis of receptor-ligand interactions without the use of radioactive compounds but also the isolation and identification of receptor molecules by a simple affinity trapping method. We successfully applied this method for the characterization, isolation and identification of the chitin elicitor binding protein (CEBiP). A biocytin hydrazide conjugate of N-acetylchitooctaose (GN8-Bio) was synthesized and used for the detection of CEBiP in the plasma or microsomal membrane preparations from rice and carrot cells. Binding characteristics of CEBiP analyzed by inhibition studies were in good agreement with the previous results obtained with the use of a radiolabeled ligand. The biotin-tagged CEBiP could be purified by avidin affinity chromatography and identified by LC-MALDI-MS/MS after tryptic digestion. We also used this method to detect OsFLS2, a rice receptor-like kinase for the perception of the peptide elicitor flg22, in membrane preparations from rice cells overexpressing OsFLS2. This work demonstrates the applicability of this method to the purification and identification of plant receptor proteins.

Chitosan-induced programmed cell death in plants

Chitosan, CN(-), or H(2)O(2) caused the death of epidermal cells (EC) in the epidermis of pea leaves that was detected by monitoring the destruction of cell nuclei; chitosan induced chromatin condensation and marginalization followed by the destruction of EC nuclei and subsequent internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. Chitosan did not affect stoma guard cells (GC). Anaerobic conditions prevented the chitosan-induced destruction of EC nuclei. The antioxidants nitroblue tetrazolium or mannitol suppressed the effects of chitosan, H(2)O(2), or chitosan + H(2)O(2) on EC. H(2)O(2) formation in EC and GC mitochondria that was determined from 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein fluorescence was inhibited by CN(-) and the protonophoric uncoupler carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone but was stimulated by these agents in GC chloroplasts. The alternative oxidase inhibitors propyl gallate and salicylhydroxamate prevented chitosan- but not CN(-)-induced destruction of EC nuclei; the plasma membrane NADPH oxidase inhibitors diphenylene iodonium and quinacrine abolished chitosan- but not CN(-)-induced destruction of EC nuclei. The mitochondrial protein synthesis inhibitor lincomycin removed the destructive effect of chitosan or H(2)O(2) on EC nuclei. The effect of cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis in the cytoplasm, was insignificant; however, it was enhanced if cycloheximide was added in combination with lincomycin. The autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine removed the chitosan effect but exerted no influence on the effect of H(2)O(2) as an inducer of EC death. The internucleosome DNA fragmentation in conjunction with the data on the 3-methyladenine effect provides evidence that chitosan induces programmed cell death that follows a combined scenario including apoptosis and autophagy. Based on the results of an inhibitor assay, chitosan-induced EC death involves reactive oxygen species generated by the NADPH oxidase of the plasma membrane.

OsTGAP1, a bZIP transcription factor, coordinately regulates the inductive production of diterpenoid phytoalexins in rice

Production of major diterpenoid phytoalexins, momilactones and phytocassanes, is induced in rice upon recognition of pathogenic invasion as plant defense-related compounds. We recently showed that biosynthetic genes for momilactones are clustered on rice chromosome 4 and co-expressed after elicitation, mimicking pathogen attack. Because genes for most metabolic pathways in plants are not organized in gene clusters, examination of the mechanism(s) regulating the expression of such clustered genes is needed. Here, we report a chitin oligosaccharide elicitor-inducible basic leucine zipper transcription factor, OsTGAP1, which is essential for momilactone biosynthesis and regulates the expression of the five genes in the cluster. The knock-out mutant for OsTGAP1 had almost no expression of the five clustered genes (OsCPS4, OsKSL4, CYP99A2, CYP99A3, and OsMAS) or production of momilactones upon elicitor treatment. Inductive expression of OsKSL7 for phytocassane biosynthesis was also largely affected in the ostgap1 mutant, although phytocassane accumulation still occurred. Conversely, OsTGAP1-overexpressing lines exhibited enhanced expression of the clustered genes and hyperaccumulation of momilactones in response to the elicitor. Furthermore, enhanced expression of OsKSL7 and hyperaccumulation of phytocassanes was also observed. We also found that OsTGAP1 overexpression can influence transcriptional up-regulation of OsDXS3 in the methylerythritol phosphate pathway, eventually leading to inductive production of diterpenoid phytoalexins. These results indicate that OsTGAP1 functions as a key regulator of the coordinated transcription of genes involved in inductive diterpenoid phytoalexin production in rice and mainly exerts an essential role on expression of the clustered genes for momilactone biosynthesis.

Plant systems for recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns

Research of the last decade has revealed that plant immunity consists of different layers of defense that have evolved by the co-evolutional battle of plants with its pathogens. Particular light has been shed on PAMP- (pathogen-associated molecular pattern) triggered immunity (PTI) mediated by pattern recognition receptors. Striking similarities exist between the plant and animal innate immune system that point for a common optimized mechanism that has evolved independently in both kingdoms. Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) from both kingdoms consist of leucine-rich repeat receptor complexes that allow recognition of invading pathogens at the cell surface. In plants, PRRs like FLS2 and EFR are controlled by a co-receptor SERK3/BAK1, also a leucine-rich repeat receptor that dimerizes with the PRRs to support their function. Pathogens can inject effector proteins into the plant cells to suppress the immune responses initiated after perception of PAMPs by PRRs via inhibition or degradation of the receptors. Plants have acquired the ability to recognize the presence of some of these effector proteins which leads to a quick and hypersensitive response to arrest and terminate pathogen growth.

The Arabidopsis AtLEC gene encoding a lectin-like protein is up-regulated by multiple stimuli including developmental signal, wounding, jasmonate, ethylene, and chitin elicitor

The Arabidopsis gene AtLEC (At3g15356) gene encodes a putative 30-kDa protein with a legume lectin-like domain. Likely to classic legume lectin family of genes, AtLEC is expressed in rosette leaves, primary inflorescences, and roots, as observed in Northern blot analysis. The accumulation of AtLEC transcript is induced very rapidly, within 30 min, by chitin, a fungal wall-derived oligosaccharide elictor of the plant defense response. Transgenic Arabidopsis carrying an AtLEC promoter-driven beta-glucuronidase (GUS) construct exhibited GUS activity in the leaf veins, secondary inflorescences, carpel heads, and silique receptacles, in which no expression could be seen in Northern blot analysis. This observation suggests that AtLEC expression is induced transiently and locally during developmental processes in the absence of an external signal such as chitin. In addition, mechanically wounded sites showed strong GUS activity, indicating that the AtLEC promoter responds to jasmonate. Indeed, methyl jasmonate and ethylene exposure induced AtLEC expression within 3-6 h. Thus, the gene appears to play a role in the jasmonate-/ethylene-responsive, in addition to the chitin-elicited, defense responses. However, chitin-induced AtLEC expression was also observed in jasmonate-insensitive (coi1) and ethylene-insensitive (etr1-1) Arabidopsis mutants. Thus, it appears that chitin promotes AtLEC expression via a jasmonate- and/or ethylene-independent pathway.

Chitin signaling and plant disease resistance

Chitin, a polymer of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, is a component of the fungal cell wall and is not found in plants. Plant cells are equipped with chitin degrading enzymes to digest fungal cell walls and are capable of perceiving chitin fragments (chitooligosaccharides) released from fungal cell walls during fungal infection. Chitin recognition results in the activation of defense signaling pathways. Although chitin is a well recognized pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP), little is known about the molecular mechanism of chitin signaling. Recent studies identified a number of critical components in the chitin-elicited signaling pathway including a potential receptor, MAPK cascade and transcription factor network. Interestingly, the chitin signaling pathway overlaps with the phytobacterial flagellin-and EF-Tu-elicited signaling pathways, suggesting that plant cells may perceive different PAMPs from various pathogens via specialized receptors and then utilize a conserved, common downstream pathway to mediate disease resistance. Given the fact that fungal pathogens are major problems in many agricultural systems, research on chitin signaling could have significance to sustainable agriculture and biofuel and biomaterial production.

A LysM receptor-like kinase plays a critical role in chitin signaling and fungal resistance in Arabidopsis

Chitin, a polymer of N-acetyl-d-glucosamine, is found in fungal cell walls but not in plants. Plant cells can perceive chitin fragments (chitooligosaccharides) leading to gene induction and defense responses. We identified a LysM receptor-like protein (LysM RLK1) required for chitin signaling in Arabidopsis thaliana. The mutation in this gene blocked the induction of almost all chitooligosaccharide-responsive genes and led to more susceptibility to fungal pathogens but had no effect on infection by a bacterial pathogen. Additionally, exogenously applied chitooligosaccharides enhanced resistance against both fungal and bacterial pathogens in the wild-type plants but not in the mutant. Together, our data indicate that LysM RLK1 is essential for chitin signaling in plants (likely as part of the receptor complex) and is involved in chitin-mediated plant innate immunity. The LysM RLK1-mediated chitin signaling pathway is unique, but it may share a conserved downstream pathway with the FLS2/flagellin- and EFR/EF-Tu-mediated signaling pathways. Additionally, our work suggests a possible evolutionary relationship between the chitin and Nod factor perception mechanisms due to the similarities between their potential receptors and between the signal molecules perceived by them.

Effects of a bile acid elicitor, cholic acid, on the biosynthesis of diterpenoid phytoalexins in suspension-cultured rice cells

An elicitor of rice defense responses was recently isolated from human feces and was identified as cholic acid (CA). Pathogen infection in rice leaves induces phytocassanes and momilactones, both of which are major diterpenoid phytoalexins in rice, whereas CA mainly induces phytocassanes. We established a high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry protocol for the rapid and accurate quantification of phytocassanes and momilactones. Using this method, we showed that CA preferentially induced the formation of phytocassanes in suspension-cultured rice cells, while a fungal chitin oligosaccharide elicitor induced that of both phytocassanes and momilactones. We further investigated the effects of CA on the expression of diterpene cyclase genes involved in phytoalexin biosynthesis. CA induced the transcription of the genes OsCPS2 (OsCyc2) and OsKSL7 (OsDTC1), which are involved in phytocassane biosynthesis, to a greater extent than the genes OsCPS4 (OsCyc1) and OsKSL4, which are involved in momilactone biosynthesis. OsCPS2 was particularly strongly induced, suggesting that it is one of the main mechanisms by which CA induces high levels of phytocassanes.

CERK1, a LysM receptor kinase, is essential for chitin elicitor signaling in Arabidopsis

Chitin is a major component of fungal cell walls and serves as a microbe-associated molecular pattern (MAMP) for the detection of various potential pathogens in innate immune systems of both plants and animals. We recently showed that chitin elicitor-binding protein (CEBiP), plasma membrane glycoprotein with LysM motifs, functions as a cell surface receptor for chitin elicitor in rice. The predicted structure of CEBiP does not contain any intracellular domains, suggesting that an additional component(s) is required for signaling through the plasma membrane into the cytoplasm. Here, we identified a receptor-like kinase, designated CERK1, which is essential for chitin elicitor signaling in Arabidopsis. The KO mutants for CERK1 completely lost the ability to respond to the chitin elicitor, including MAPK activation, reactive oxygen species generation, and gene expression. Disease resistance of the KO mutant against an incompatible fungus, Alternaria brassicicola, was partly impaired. Complementation with the WT CERK1 gene showed cerk1 mutations were responsible for the mutant phenotypes. CERK1 is a plasma membrane protein containing three LysM motifs in the extracellular domain and an intracellular Ser/Thr kinase domain with autophosphorylation/myelin basic protein kinase activity, suggesting that CERK1 plays a critical role in fungal MAMP perception in plants.

Identification of a biosynthetic gene cluster in rice for momilactones

Rice diterpenoid phytoalexins such as momilactones and phytocassanes are produced in suspension-cultured rice cells treated with a chitin oligosaccharide elicitor and in rice leaves irradiated with UV light. The common substrate geranylgeranyl diphosphate is converted into diterpene hydrocarbon precursors via a two-step sequential cyclization and then into the bioactive phytoalexins via several oxidation steps. It has been suggested that microsomal cytochrome P-450 monooxygenases (P-450s) are involved in the downstream oxidation of the diterpene hydrocarbons leading to the phytoalexins and that a dehydrogenase is involved in momilactone biosynthesis. However, none of the enzymes involved in the downstream oxidation of the diterpene hydrocarbons have been identified. In this study, we found that a putative dehydrogenase gene (AK103462) and two functionally unknown P-450 genes (CYP99A2 and CYP99A3) form a chitin oligosaccharide elicitor- and UV-inducible gene cluster, together with OsKS4 and OsCyc1, the diterpene cyclase genes involved in momilactone biosynthesis. Functional analysis by heterologous expression in Escherichia coli followed by enzyme assays demonstrated that the AK103462 protein catalyzes the conversion of 3beta-hydroxy-9betaH-pimara-7,15-dien-19,6beta-olide into momilactone A. The double knockdown of CYP99A2 and CYP99A3 specifically suppressed the elicitor-inducible production of momilactones, strongly suggesting that CYP99A2, CYP99A3, or both are involved in momilactone biosynthesis. These results provide strong evidence for the presence on chromosome 4 of a gene cluster involved in momilactone biosynthesis.

Involvement of the elicitor-induced gene OsWRKY53 in the expression of defense-related genes in rice

We present a detailed characterization of the chitin oligosaccharide elicitor-induced gene OsWRKY53. OsWRKY53 was also induced in suspension-cultured rice cells by a fungal cerebroside elicitor and in rice plants by infection with the blast fungus Magnaporthe grisea. A fusion of OsWRKY53 with green fluorescent protein was detected exclusively in the nuclei of onion epidermal cells, and OsWRKY53 protein specifically bound to W-box elements. A transient assay using the particle bombardment method showed that OsWRKY53 is a transcriptional activator. A microarray analysis revealed that several defense-related genes, including pathogenesis-related protein genes such as PBZ1, were upregulated in rice cells overexpressing OsWRKY53. Finally, overexpression of OsWRKY53 in rice plants resulted in enhanced resistance to M. grisea. These results strongly suggest that OsWRKY53 is a transcription factor that plays important roles in elicitor-induced defense signaling pathways in rice.

Bacterial lipopolysaccharides induce defense responses associated with programmed cell death in rice cells

PAMP (pathogen-associated molecular pattern) recognition plays an important role during the innate immune response in both plants and animals. Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) derived from Gram-negative bacteria are representative of typical PAMP molecules and have been reported to induce defense-related responses, including the suppression of the hypersensitive response, the expression of defense genes and systemic resistance in plants. However, the details regarding the precise molecular mechanisms underlying these cellular responses, such as the molecular machinery involved in the perception and transduction of LPS molecules, remain largely unknown. Furthermore, the biological activities of LPS on plants have so far been reported only in dicots and no information is thus available regarding their functions in monocots. In our current study, we report that LPS preparations for various becteria, including plant pathogens and non-pathogens, can induce defense responses in rice cells, including reactive oxygen generation and defense gene expression. In addition, global analysis of gene expression induced by two PAMPs, LPS and chitin oligosaccharide, also reveals a close correlation between the gene responses induced by these factors. This indicates that there is a convergence of signaling cascades downstream of their corresponding receptors. Furthermore, we show that the defense responses induced by LPS in the rice cells are associated with programmed cell death (PCD), which is a finding that has not been previously reported for the functional role of these molecules in plant cells. Interestingly, PCD induction by the LPS was not detected in cultured Arabidopsis thaliana cells.

Induction of resistance against rice blast fungus in rice plants treated with a potent elicitor, N-acetylchitooligosaccharide

The mode of action of a potent elicitor, N-acetylchitooligosaccharide, in rice plants was examined. In intact seedlings, no significant uptake of the elicitor via the roots was observed within 3 h, whereas rapid uptake was observed in excised leaves. Rapid and transient expression of an elicitor-responsive gene, EL2, was induced in the leaves of intact seedlings sprayed with the elicitor or in the roots and leaves of intact seedlings by immersing roots in the elicitor solution. Histochemical analysis indicated that EL2 was expressed in cells exposed to the elicitor of root and leaves. In seedlings treated with the elicitor for 1 d or longer, hyphal growth of rice blast fungus was significantly delayed, and an accumulation of auto-fluorescence around the infection site was observed. Two defense-related genes, PR-1 and PR-10 (PBZ1), were induced in a systemic and local manner by elicitor treatment, in correlation with the induction of resistance against rice blast fungus. N-Acetylchitoheptaose did not inhibit the hyphal growth of the fungi. These results indicate the occurrence of systemic signal transmission from N-acetylchitooligosaccharide in rice plants.

Isolation of a novel Ser/Thr protein kinase gene from oligochitosan-induced tobacco and its role in resistance against tobacco mosaic virus

Oligochitosan induces defense responses to pathogenic microbes in a wide variety of plants by acting as an elicitor. In the present study, mRNA differential display was used to investigate oligochitosan-induced transcriptional activation of defense-related genes. Accordingly, a novel Ser/Thr protein kinase gene was isolated and designated as oligochitosan-induced protein kinase (oipk). Molecular cloning showed that oipk contains six introns interrupted by seven exons. The open reading frame (ORF) of the gene is 1848 bp, which encodes a putative protein of 615 amino acids with the predicted molecular mass of 70.96 kDa and a pI of 6.32. A plant oipk antisense expression vector was constructed and transformed into tobacco by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Decreased phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL, EC 4.3.1.5) activity and decreased resistance to tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) were observed in transgenic tobacco. RT-PCR analysis revealed that oipk was expressed at high levels after oligochitosan induction in wild-type tobacco, but not in transgenic tobacco. These results indicated that oipk is involved in the signal pathway of oligochitosan-induced resistance in tobacco.

Plant cells recognize chitin fragments for defense signaling through a plasma membrane receptor

Chitin is a major component of fungal cell walls and serves as a molecular pattern for the recognition of potential pathogens in the innate immune systems of both plants and animals. In plants, chitin oligosaccharides have been known to induce various defense responses in a wide range of plant cells including both monocots and dicots. To clarify the molecular machinery involved in the perception and transduction of chitin oligosaccharide elicitor, a high-affinity binding protein for this elicitor was isolated from the plasma membrane of suspension-cultured rice cells. Characterization of the purified protein, CEBiP, as well as the cloning of the corresponding gene revealed that CEBiP is actually a glycoprotein consisting of 328 amino acid residues and glycan chains. CEBiP was predicted to have a short membrane spanning domain at the C terminus. Knockdown of CEBiP gene by RNA interference resulted in the suppression of the elicitor-induced oxidative burst as well as the gene responses, showing that CEBiP plays a key role in the perception and transduction of chitin oligosaccharide elicitor in the rice cells. Structural analysis of CEBiP also indicated the presence of two LysM motifs in the extracellular portion of CEBiP. As the LysM motif has been known to exist in the putative Nod-factor receptor kinases involved in the symbiotic signaling between leguminous plants and rhizobial bacteria, the result indicates the involvement of partially homologous plasma membrane proteins both in defense and symbiotic signaling in plant cells.