Fine tuning of reactive oxygen species homeostasis regulates primed immune responses in Arabidopsis

Stromule Geometry Allows Optimal Spatial Regulation of Organelle Interactions in the Quasi-2D Cytoplasm

In plant cells, plastids form elongated extensions called stromules, the regulation and purposes of which remain unclear. Here, we quantitatively explore how different stromule structures serve to enhance the ability of a plastid to interact with other organelles: increasing the effective space for interaction and biomolecular exchange between organelles. Interestingly, electron microscopy and confocal imaging showed that the cytoplasm in Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana benthamiana epidermal cells is extremely thin (around 100 nm in regions without organelles), meaning that inter-organelle interactions effectively take place in 2D. We combine these imaging modalities with mathematical modeling and new in planta experiments to demonstrate how different stromule varieties (single or multiple, linear or branching) could be employed to optimize different aspects of inter-organelle interaction capacity in this 2D space. We found that stromule formation and branching provide a proportionally higher benefit to interaction capacity in 2D than in 3D. Additionally, this benefit depends on optimal plastid spacing. We hypothesize that cells can promote the formation of different stromule architectures in the quasi-2D cytoplasm to optimize their interaction interface to meet specific requirements. These results provide new insight into the mechanisms underlying the transition from low to high stromule numbers, the consequences for interaction with smaller organelles, how plastid access and plastid to nucleus signaling are balanced and the impact of plastid density on organelle interaction.

Non-proteinogenic amino acids mitigate oxidative stress and enhance the resistance of common bean plants against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

White mold, caused by the necrotrophic fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, is a challenging disease to common bean cultivation worldwide. In the current study, two non-proteinogenic amino acids (NPAAs), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and ß-alanine, were suggested as innovative environmentally acceptable alternatives for more sustainable management of white mold disease. In vitro, GABA and ß-alanine individually demonstrated potent dose-dependent fungistatic activity and effectively impeded the radial growth and development of S. sclerotiorum mycelium. Moreover, the application of GABA or ß-alanine as a seed treatment followed by three root drench applications efficiently decreased the disease severity, stimulated plant growth, and boosted the content of photosynthetic pigments of treated S. sclerotiorum-infected plants. Furthermore, although higher levels of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), superoxide anion (O2 •-), and malondialdehyde (MDA) indicated that S. sclerotiorum infection had markedly triggered oxidative stress in infected bean plants, the exogenous application of both NPAAs significantly reduced the levels of the three studied oxidative stress indicators. Additionally, the application of GABA and ß-alanine increased the levels of both non-enzymatic (total soluble phenolics and flavonoids), as well as enzymatic (catalase [CAT], peroxidases [POX], and polyphenol oxidase [PPO]) antioxidants in the leaves of S. sclerotiorum-infected plants and improved their scavenging activity and antioxidant efficiency. Applications of GABA and ß-alanine also raised the proline and total amino acid content of infected bean plants. Lastly, the application of both NPAAs upregulated the three antioxidant-related genes PvCAT1, PvCuZnSOD1, and PvGR. Collectively, the fungistatic activity of NPAAs, coupled with their ability to alleviate oxidative stress, enhance antioxidant defenses, and stimulate plant growth, establishes them as promising eco-friendly alternatives for white mold disease management for sustainable bean production.

Exogenous priming of chitosan induces resistance in Chinese prickly ash against stem canker caused by Fusarium zanthoxyli

Stem canker is a highly destructive disease that threatens prickly ash plantations in China. This study demonstrated the effective control of stem canker in prickly ash using chitosan priming, reducing lesion areas by 46.77 % to 75.13 % across all chitosan treatments. The mechanisms underlying chitosan-induced systemic acquired resistance (SAR) in prickly ash were further investigated. Chitosan increased H2O2 levels and enhanced peroxidase and catalase enzyme activities. A well-constructed regulatory network depicting the genes involved in the SAR and their corresponding expression levels in prickly ash plants primed with chitosan was established based on transcriptomic analysis. Additionally, 224 ZbWRKYs were identified based on the whole genome of prickly ash, and their phylogenetic evolution, conserved motifs, domains and expression patterns of ZbWRKYs were comprehensively illustrated. The expression of 12 key genes related to the SAR was significantly increased by chitosan, as determined using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Furthermore, the activities of defensive enzymes and the accumulation of lignin and flavonoids in prickly ash were significantly enhanced by chitosan treatment. Taken together, this study provides valuable insights into the chitosan-mediated activation of the immune system in prickly ash, offering a promising eco-friendly approach for forest stem canker control.

Seed biopriming as a promising approach for stress tolerance and enhancement of crop productivity: a review

Chemicals are used extensively in agriculture to increase crop production to meet the nutritional needs of an expanding world population. However, their injudicious application adversely affects the soil's physical, chemical and biological properties, subsequently posing a substantial threat to human health and global food security. Beneficial microorganisms improve plant health and productivity with minimal impact on the environment; however, their efficacy greatly relies on the application technique. Biopriming is an advantageous technique that involves the treatment of seeds with beneficial biological agents. It exhibits immense potential in improving the physiological functioning of seeds, thereby playing a pivotal role in their uniform germination and vigor. Biopriming-mediated molecular and metabolic reprogramming imparts stress tolerance to plants, improves plant health, and enhances crop productivity. Furthermore, it is also associated with rehabilitating degraded land, and improving soil fertility, health and nutrient cycling. Although biopriming has vast applications in the agricultural system, its commercialization and utilization by farmers is still in its infancy. This review aims to critically analyze the recent studies based on biopriming-mediated stress mitigation by alteration in physiological, metabolic and molecular processes in plants. Additionally, considering the necessity of popularizing this technique, the major challenges and prospects linked to the commercialization and utilization of this technique in agricultural systems have also been discussed. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Glycolate oxidase gene family identification and functional analyses in cotton resistance to Verticillium wilt

Glycolate oxidase (GOX) plays an important role in the regulation of photorespiration and photosynthesis in plants. However, as one of the main enzymes to produce the second messenger hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), its functions in response to pathogens are still poorly understood. In this study, we carried out genome-wide identification, and 14 GOX genes were identified in Gossypium hirsutum. These GOX genes are located on 10 chromosomes and divided into hydroxyacid-oxidases (HAOX) and GOX groups. After infection with Verticillium dahliae Kleb., six GOX gene expression levels were changed. Moreover, H2O2, salicylic acid (SA), and the content and activity of GOX increased in cotton. GhHAOX2-D-silenced plants showed more wilting than control plants after infection with V. dahliae. Additionally, H2O2 accumulation and SA content were reduced in GhHAOX2-D-silenced plants. The expression levels of GhPAL, GhPAD4, and GhPR1 and the lignin content of the silenced plants were significantly lower than those of the control plants. These results indicate that GhHAOX2-D is a positive regulator of Verticillium wilt tolerance in cotton and may promote H2O2 accumulation via the synergistic effects of GOX genes and SA. Collectively, GOX genes play an important role in cotton resistance to Verticillium wilt.

Identification and characterization of Glycolate oxidase gene family in garden lettuce (Lactuca sativa cv. 'Salinas') and its response under various biotic, abiotic, and developmental stresses

Glycolate oxidase (GLO) is an FMN-containing enzyme localized in peroxisomes and performs in various molecular and biochemical mechanisms. It is a key player in plant glycolate and glyoxylate accumulation pathways. The role of GLO in disease and stress resistance is well-documented in various plant species. Although studies have been conducted regarding the role of GLO genes from spinach on a microbial level, the direct response of GLO genes to various stresses in short-season and leafy plants like lettuce has not been published yet. The genome of Lactuca sativa cultivar 'Salinas' (v8) was used to identify GLO gene members in lettuce by performing various computational analysis. Dual synteny, protein-protein interactions, and targeted miRNA analyses were conducted to understand the function of GLO genes. The identified GLO genes showed further clustering into two groups i.e., glycolate oxidase (GOX) and hydroxyacid oxidase (HAOX). Genes were observed to be distributed unevenly on three chromosomes, and syntenic analysis revealed that segmental duplication was prevalent. Thus, it might be the main reason for GLO gene diversity in lettuce. Almost all LsGLO genes showed syntenic blocks in respective plant genomes under study. Protein-protein interactions of LsGLO genes revealed various functional enrichments, mainly photorespiration, and lactate oxidation, and among biological processes oxidative photosynthetic carbon pathway was highly significant. Results of in-depth analyses disclosed the interaction of GLO genes with other members of the glycolate pathway and the activity of GLO genes in various organs and developmental stages in lettuce. The extensive genome evaluation of GLO gene family in garden lettuce is believed to be a reference for cloning and studying functional analyses of GLO genes and characterizing other members of glycolate/glyoxylate biosynthesis pathway in various plant species.

6-deoxy-6-amino chitosan: a preventative treatment in the tomato/Botrytis cinerea pathosystem

6-deoxy-6-amino chitosan (aminochitosan) is a water-soluble chitosan derivative with an additional amine group at the C-6 position. This modification has improved aqueous solubility, in vitro antifungal activity and is hypothesized to have enhanced in vivo antifungal activity compared to native chitosan. Gray mold disease in tomatoes is caused by the fungus, Botrytis cinerea, and poses a severe threat both pre- and post-harvest. To investigate the optimal concentration of aminochitosan and its lower molecular weight fractions for antifungal and priming properties in the tomato/B. cinerea pathosystem, different concentrations of aminochitosan were tested in vitro on B. cinerea growth and sporulation and in vivo as a foliar pre-treatment in tomato leaves. The leaves were monitored for photosynthetic changes using multispectral imaging and hydrogen peroxide accumulation using DAB. Despite batch-to-batch variations in aminochitosan, it displayed significantly greater inhibition of B. cinerea in vitro than native chitosan at a minimum concentration of 1 mg/mL. A concentration-dependent increase in the in vitro antifungal activities was observed for radial growth, sporulation, and germination with maximum in vitro inhibition for all the biopolymer batches and lower MW fractions at 2.5 and 5 mg/mL, respectively. However, the inhibition threshold for aminochitosan was identified as 1 mg/mL for spores germinating in vivo, compared to the 2.5 mg/mL threshold in vitro. The pre-treatment of leaves displayed efficacy in priming direct and systemic resistance to B. cinerea infection at 4, 6 and 30 days post-inoculation by maintaining elevated Fv/Fm activity and chlorophyll content due to a stronger and more rapid elicitation of the defense systems at earlier time points. Moreover, these defense systems appear to be ROS-independent at higher concentrations (1 and 2.5 mg/mL). In addition, aminochitosan accumulates in the cell membrane and therefore acts to increase the membrane permeability of cells after foliar spray. These observations corroborate the notion that aminochitosan biopolymers can exert their effects through both direct mechanisms of action and indirect immunostimulatory mechanisms. The contrast between in vitro and in vivo efficacy highlights the bimodal mechanisms of action of aminochitosan and the advantageous role of primed plant defense systems.

Small Signals Lead to Big Changes: The Potential of Peptide-Induced Resistance in Plants

The plant immunity system is being revisited more and more and new elements and roles are attributed to participating in the response to biotic stress. The new terminology is also applied in an attempt to identify different players in the whole scenario of immunity: Phytocytokines are one of those elements that are gaining more attention due to the characteristics of processing and perception, showing they are part of a big family of compounds that can amplify the immune response. This review aims to highlight the latest findings on the role of phytocytokines in the whole immune response to biotic stress, including basal and adaptive immunity, and expose the complexity of their action in plant perception and signaling events.

Differential Expression of Genes between a Tolerant and a Susceptible Maize Line in Response to a Sugarcane Mosaic Virus Infection

To uncover novel genes associated with the Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) response, we used RNA-Seq data to analyze differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and transcript expression pattern clusters between a tolerant/resistant (CI-RL1) and a susceptible (B73) line, in addition to the F1 progeny (CI-RL1xB73). A Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment of DEGs led us to propose three genes possibly associated with the CI-RL1 response: a heat shock 90-2 protein and two ABC transporters. Through a clustering analysis of the transcript expression patterns (CTEPs), we identified two genes putatively involved in viral systemic spread: the maize homologs to the PIEZO channel (ZmPiezo) and to the Potyvirus VPg Interacting Protein 1 (ZmPVIP1). We also observed the complex behavior of the maize eukaryotic factors ZmeIF4E and Zm-elfa (involved in translation), homologs to eIF4E and eEF1α in A. thaliana. Together, the DEG and CTEPs results lead us to suggest that the tolerant/resistant CI-RL1 response to the SCMV encompasses the action of diverse genes and, for the first time, that maize translation factors are associated with viral interaction.

Long-Lasting Defence Priming by β-Aminobutyric Acid in Tomato Is Marked by Genome-Wide Changes in DNA Methylation

Exposure of plants to stress conditions or to certain chemical elicitors can establish a primed state, whereby responses to future stress encounters are enhanced. Stress priming can be long-lasting and likely involves epigenetic regulation of stress-responsive gene expression. However, the molecular events underlying priming are not well understood. Here, we characterise epigenetic changes in tomato plants primed for pathogen resistance by treatment with β-aminobutyric acid (BABA). We used whole genome bisulphite sequencing to construct tomato methylomes from control plants and plants treated with BABA at the seedling stage, and a parallel transcriptome analysis to identify genes primed for the response to inoculation by the fungal pathogen, Botrytis cinerea. Genomes of plants treated with BABA showed a significant reduction in global cytosine methylation, especially in CHH sequence contexts. Analysis of differentially methylated regions (DMRs) revealed that CHH DMRs were almost exclusively hypomethylated and were enriched in gene promoters and in DNA transposons located in the chromosome arms. Genes overlapping CHH DMRs were enriched for a small number of stress response-related gene ontology terms. In addition, there was significant enrichment of DMRs in the promoters of genes that are differentially expressed in response to infection with B. cinerea. However, the majority of genes that demonstrated priming did not contain DMRs, and nor was the overall distribution of methylated cytosines in primed genes altered by BABA treatment. Hence, we conclude that whilst BABA treatment of tomato seedlings results in characteristic changes in genome-wide DNA methylation, CHH hypomethylation appears only to target a minority of genes showing primed responses to pathogen infection. Instead, methylation may confer priming via in-trans regulation, acting at a distance from defence genes, and/or by targeting a smaller group of regulatory genes controlling stress responses.

Activation of the BABA-induced priming defence through redox homeostasis and the modules of TGA1 and MAPKK5 in postharvest peach fruit

The priming of defence responses in pathogen-challenged model plants undergoes a preparation phase and an expression phase for defence function. However, the priming response in postharvest fruits has not been elucidated. Here, we found that 50 mM β-aminobutyric acid (BABA) treatment could induce two distinct pathways linked with TGA1-related systemic acquired resistance (SAR), resulting in the alleviation of Rhizopus rot in postharvest peach fruit. The first priming phase was elicited by BABA alone, leading to the enhanced transcription of redox-regulated genes and posttranslational modification of PpTGA1. The second phase was activated by an H₂ O₂ burst via up-regulation of PpRBOH genes and stimulation of the MAPK cascade on pathogen invasion, resulting in a robust defence. In the MAPK cascade, PpMAPKK5 was identified as a shortcut interacting protein of PpTGA1 and increased the DNA binding activity of PpTGA1 for the activation of salicylic acid (SA)-responsive PR genes. The overexpression of PpMAPKK5 in Arabidopsis caused the constitutive transcription of SA-dependent PR genes and as a result conferred resistance against the fungus Rhizopus stolonifer. Hence, we suggest that the BABA-induced priming defence in peaches is activated by redox homeostasis with an elicitor-induced reductive signalling and a pathogen-stimulated H₂ O₂ burst, which is accompanied by the possible phosphorylation of PpTGA1 by PpMAPKK5 for signal amplification.

Feasible strategies for studying the involvement of DNA methylation and histone acetylation in the stress-induced formation of quality-related metabolites in tea (Camellia sinensis)

Tea plants are subjected to multiple stresses during growth, development, and postharvest processing, which affects levels of secondary metabolites in leaves and influences tea functional properties and quality. Most studies on secondary metabolism in tea have focused on gene, protein, and metabolite levels, whereas upstream regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. In this review, we exemplify DNA methylation and histone acetylation, summarize the important regulatory effects that epigenetic modifications have on plant secondary metabolism, and discuss feasible research strategies to elucidate the underlying specific epigenetic mechanisms of secondary metabolism regulation in tea. This information will help researchers investigate the epigenetic regulation of secondary metabolism in tea, providing key epigenetic data that can be used for future tea genetic breeding.

Extracellular DNA as an elicitor of broad-spectrum resistance in Arabidopsis thaliana

Like in mammals, the plant immune system has evolved to perceive damage. Damaged-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) are endogenous signals generated in wounded or infected tissue after pathogen or insect attack. Although extracellular DNA (eDNA) is a DAMP signal that induces immune responses, plant responses after eDNA perception remain largely unknown. Here, we report that signaling defenses but not direct defense responses are induced after eDNA applications enhancing broad-range plant protection. A screening of defense signaling and hormone biosynthesis marker genes revealed that OXI1, CML37 and MPK3 are relevant eDNA-Induced Resistance markers (eDNA-IR). Additionally, we observed that eDNA from several Arabidopsis ecotypes and other phylogenetically distant plants such as citrus, bean and, more surprisingly, a monocotyledonous plant such as maize upregulates eDNA-IR marker genes. Using 3,3'-Diaminobenzidine (DAB) and aniline blue staining methods, we observed that H₂O₂ but not callose was strongly accumulated following self-eDNA treatments. Finally, eDNA resulted in effective induced resistance in Arabidopsis against the pathogens Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis, Pseudomonas syringae, and Botrytis cinerea and against aphid infestation, reducing the number of nymphs and moving forms. Hence, the unspecificity of DNA origin and the wide range of insects to which eDNA can protect opens many questions about the mechanisms behind eDNA-IR.

Heat priming improved heat tolerance of photosynthesis, enhanced terpenoid and benzenoid emission and phenolics accumulation in Achillea millefolium

The mechanism of heat priming, triggering alteration of secondary metabolite pathway fluxes and pools to enhance heat tolerance is not well understood. Achillea millefolium is an important medicinal herbal plant, rich in terpenoids and phenolics. In this study, the potential of heat priming treatment (35°C for 1 hr) to enhance tolerance of Achillea plants upon subsequent heat shock (45°C for 5 min) stress was investigated through recovery (0.5-72 hr). The priming treatment itself had minor impacts on photosynthesis, led to moderate increases in the emission of lipoxygenase (LOX) pathway volatiles and isoprene, and to major elicitation of monoterpene and benzaldehyde emissions in late stages of recovery. Upon subsequent heat shock, in primed plants, the rise in LOX and reduction in photosynthetic rate (A) was much less, stomatal conductance (g_s ) was initially enhanced, terpene emissions were greater and recovery of A occurred faster, indicating enhanced heat tolerance. Additionally, primed plants accumulated higher contents of total phenolics and condensed tannins at the end of the recovery. These results collectively indicate that heat priming improved photosynthesis upon subsequent heat shock by enhancing g_s and synthesis of volatile and non-volatile secondary compounds with antioxidative characteristics, thereby maintaining the integrity of leaf membranes under stress.

Membrane-Enriched Proteomics Link Ribosome Accumulation and Proteome Reprogramming With Cold Acclimation in Barley Root Meristems

Due to their sessile nature, plants rely on root systems to mediate many biotic and abiotic cues. To overcome these challenges, the root proteome is shaped to specific responses. Proteome-wide reprogramming events are magnified in meristems due to their active protein production. Using meristems as a test system, here, we study the major rewiring that plants undergo during cold acclimation. We performed tandem mass tag-based bottom-up quantitative proteomics of two consecutive segments of barley seminal root apexes subjected to suboptimal temperatures. After comparing changes in total and ribosomal protein (RP) fraction-enriched contents with shifts in individual protein abundances, we report ribosome accumulation accompanied by an intricate translational reprogramming in the distal apex zone. Reprogramming ranges from increases in ribosome biogenesis to protein folding factors and suggests roles for cold-specific RP paralogs. Ribosome biogenesis is the largest cellular investment; thus, the vast accumulation of ribosomes and specific translation-related proteins during cold acclimation could imply a divergent ribosomal population that would lead to a proteome shift across the root. Consequently, beyond the translational reprogramming, we report a proteome rewiring. First, triggered protein accumulation includes spliceosome activity in the root tip and a ubiquitous upregulation of glutathione production and S-glutathionylation (S-GSH) assemblage machineries in both root zones. Second, triggered protein depletion includes intrinsically enriched proteins in the tip-adjacent zone, which comprise the plant immune system. In summary, ribosome and translation-related protein accumulation happens concomitantly to a proteome reprogramming in barley root meristems during cold acclimation. The cold-accumulated proteome is functionally implicated in feedbacking transcript to protein translation at both ends and could guide cold acclimation.

Endophytic Bacteria from the Sahara Desert Protect Tomato Plants Against Botrytis cinerea Under Different Experimental Conditions

Bacteria endophytes are living microorganisms that live inside plant tissues without visible harmful symptoms, providing a mutualistic interaction. In this study, different bacterial endophytic strains were isolated from different plants primed to live in an arid area, namely, the Sahara Desert. Up to 27 of these strains were selected based on their ability to inhibit Botrytis cinerea growth in dual-culture assay and by bacterial volatiles. The results presented in this study show the capacity of most of the bacterial strains to protect Solanum lycopersicum against the pathogenic fungus B. cinerea, under different experimental conditions. Five of these strains induced susceptibility in tomato plants and no callose accumulation upon fungal infection, pointing to callose deposition as a protective mechanism mediated by endophytic bacteria. Moreover, there was a significant correlation between the bacterial strains inducing callose and the level of protection against B. cinerea. On the other hand, hormone production by bacteria does not explain the relationship between protection and the differences between the phenotypic results obtained in vitro and those obtained in plant experiments. Induced resistance is highly specific in the inducer-plant-stress interaction.

Involvement of DNA methylation in regulating the accumulation of the aroma compound indole in tea (Camellia sinensis) leaves during postharvest processing

The manufacturing process of tea (Camellia sinensis), especially oolong tea, involves multiple postharvest stresses. These stresses can induce the formation and accumulation of many important aroma compounds, such as indole-a key floral aroma contributor of oolong tea. However, little is known about the regulation mechanisms of aroma compound formation, especially epigenetic regulation. DNA methylation is an important epigenetic modification. Changes in the DNA methylation levels of promoter sequences can regulate gene expression under stress conditions. In this study, the differences in DNA methylation levels and histone 3 lysine 9 dimethylation levels of indole key biosynthetic gene (tryptophan synthase β-subunit 2, CsTSB2) were detected between untreated and continuous wounding treatment tea leaves. The results show that the DNA methylation levels affect the ability of the basic helix-loop-helix family transcription factor CsMYC2a to bind to the promoter of CsTSB2. Analyses of the transcript levels of DNA methyltransferases during oolong tea processing screened out candidate genes involved in the regulation of secondary metabolite product biosynthesis/accumulation. The results suggest that the domains rearranged methyltransferase 3, a DNA methyltransferase, is involved in the DNA methylation regulation of indole formation during the oolong tea manufacturing process. This is the first report on the involvement of DNA methylation in the regulation of aroma compound formation in tea leaves exposed to postharvest stresses.

Tomato Bio-Protection Induced by Pseudomonas fluorescens N21.4 Involves ROS Scavenging Enzymes and PRs, without Compromising Plant Growth

Aims: to discover the interrelationship between growth, protection and photosynthesis induced by Pseudomonas fluorescens N21.4 in tomato (Lycopersicum sculentum) challenged with the leaf pathogen Xanthomonas campestris, and to define its priming fingerprint. Methods: Photosynthesis was determined by fluorescence; plant protection was evaluated by relative disease incidence, enzyme activities by specific colorimetric assays and gene expression by qPCR. Changes in Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) scavenging cycle enzymes and pathogenesis related protein activity and expression were determined as metabolic and genetic markers of induction of systemic resistance. Results: N21.4 significantly protected plants and increased dry weight. Growth increase is supported by significant increases in photochemical quenching together with significant decreases in energy dissipation (Non-Photochemical Quenching, NPQ). Protection was associated with changes in ROS scavenging cycle enzymes, which were significantly increased on N21.4 + pathogen challenged plants, supporting the priming effect. Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) was a good indicator of biotic stress, showing similar levels in pathogen- and N21.4-treated plants. Similarly, the activity of defense-related enzymes, ß-1,3-glucanase and chitinase significantly increased in post-pathogen challenge state; changes in gene expression were not coupled to activity. Conclusions: protection does not compromise plant growth; N21.4 priming fingerprint is defined by enhanced photochemical quenching and decreased energy dissipation, enhanced chlorophylls, primed ROS scavenging cycle enzyme activity, and glucanase and chitinase activity.

Spermine and Spermidine Priming against Botrytis cinerea Modulates ROS Dynamics and Metabolism in Arabidopsis

Polyamines (PAs) are ubiquitous small aliphatic polycations important for growth, development, and environmental stress responses in plants. Here, we demonstrate that exogenous application of spermine (Spm) and spermidine (Spd) induced cell death at high concentrations, but primed resistance against the necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea in Arabidopsis. At low concentrations, Spm was more effective than Spd. Treatments with higher exogenous Spd and Spm concentrations resulted in a biphasic endogenous PA accumulation. Exogenous Spm induced the accumulation of H2O2 after treatment but also after infection with B. cinerea. Both Spm and Spd induced the activities of catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and guaiacol peroxidase after treatment but also after infection with B. cinerea. The soluble sugars glucose, fructose, and sucrose accumulated after treatment with high concentrations of PAs, whereas only Spm induced sugar accumulation after infection. Total and active nitrate reductase (NR) activities were inhibited by Spm treatment, whereas Spd inhibited active NR at low concentrations but promoted active NR at high concentrations. Finally, γaminobutyric acid accumulated after treatment and infection in plants treated with high concentrations of Spm. Phenylalanine and asparagine also accumulated after infection in plants treated with a high concentration of Spm. Our data illustrate that Spm and Spd are effective in priming resistance against B. cinerea, opening the door for the development of sustainable alternatives for chemical pesticides.

β-aminobutyric acid induces priming defence against Botrytis cinerea in grapefruit by reducing intercellular redox status that modifies posttranslation of VvNPR1 and its interaction with VvTGA1

Either NPR1 or TGA1 serve as master redox-sensitive transcriptional regulators for the transcription of PR genes in plants. The redox modification of the two co-activators involved in BABA-induced priming resistance against Botrytis cinerea in grapes was examined in this study. The results showed that 10 mmol L^-1 BABA could effectively trigger a priming defense in grapes as manifested by augmented expression levels of PR genes upon inoculation with B. cinerea. Moreover, transcriptome profiling analysis revealed that all of the sets of key genes in the enzymatic ROS scavenging system, the PPP and AsA-GSH cycle were in harmony and were transcriptionally induced in BABA-primed grapes with pathogenic infection; in addition, this enhanced expression caused the accelerated accumulation of reductive substances, namely, AsA, GSH and NADPH, resulting in reduced intercellular conditions. Under reduced conditions, the interaction of VvTGA1 and VvNPR1 in the Y2H assay implied that VvTGA1 can provide the DNA binding capacity required by VvNPR1 for activation of VvPR genes. Consequently, the transactivation of VvNPR1 by the promoters of VvPR1, VvPR2 and VvPR5 was determined via a DLR assay, and it induced the transcription of the VvPR genes. In parallel, the redox-modified reducing condition achieved with an abundant supply of reductive substances was closely associated with the translocation of NPR1 for interaction with TGA in the nucleus. Thus, the posttranslational modification and subsequent interaction of the two redox-sensitive co-activators of VvNPR1 and VvTGA1 under reduced conditions may be responsible for BABA-induced priming for effective disease resistance in grapes.

The IBI1 Receptor of β-Aminobutyric Acid Interacts with VOZ Transcription Factors to Regulate Abscisic Acid Signaling and Callose-Associated Defense

External and internal signals can prime the plant immune system for a faster and/or stronger response to pathogen attack. β-aminobutyric acid (BABA) is an endogenous stress metabolite that induces broad-spectrum disease resistance in plants. BABA perception in Arabidopsis is mediated by the aspartyl tRNA synthetase IBI1, which activates priming of multiple immune responses, including callose-associated cell wall defenses that are under control by abscisic acid (ABA). However, the immediate signaling components after BABA perception by IBI1, as well as the regulatory role of ABA therein, remain unknown. Here, we have studied the early signaling events controlling IBI1-dependent BABA-induced resistance (BABA-IR), using untargeted transcriptome and protein interaction analyses. Transcriptome analysis revealed that IBI1-dependent expression of BABA-IR against the biotrophic oomycete Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis is associated with suppression of ABA-inducible abiotic stress genes. Protein interaction studies identified the VOZ1 and VOZ2 transcription factors (TFs) as IBI1-interacting partners, which are transcriptionally induced by ABA but suppress pathogen-induced expression of ABA-dependent genes. Furthermore, we show that VOZ TFs require nuclear localization for their contribution to BABA-IR by mediating augmented expression of callose-associated defense. Collectively, our study indicates that the IBI1-VOZ signaling module channels pathogen-induced ABA signaling toward cell wall defense while simultaneously suppressing abiotic stress-responsive genes.

Phenylalanine increases chrysanthemum flower immunity against Botrytis cinerea attack

Flowers are the most vulnerable plant organ to infection by the necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea. Here we show that pre-treatment of chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium) flowers with phenylalanine (Phe) significantly reduces their susceptibility to B. cinerea. To comprehend how Phe treatment induces resistance, we monitored the dynamics of metabolites (by GC/LC-MS) and transcriptomes (by RNAseq) in flowers after Phe treatment and B. cinerea infection. Phe treatment resulted in accumulation of 3-phenyllactate and benzaldehyde, and in particular induced the expression of genes related to Ca²⁺ signaling and receptor kinases, implicating an induction of the defense response. Interestingly, the main effects of Phe treatment were observed in flowers exposed to B. cinerea infection, stabilizing the global fluctuations in the levels of metabolites and transcripts while reducing susceptibility to the fungus. We suggest that Phe-induced resistance is associated to cell priming, enabling rapid and targeted reprogramming of cellular defense responses to resist disease development. After Phe pre-treatment, the levels of the anti-fungal volatiles phenylacetaldehyde and eugenol were maintained and the level of coniferin, a plausible monolignol precursor in cell wall lignification, was strongly increased. In addition, Phe pre-treatment reduced ROS generation, prevented ethylene emission, and caused changes in the expression of a minor number of genes related to cell wall biogenesis, encoding the RLK THESEUS1, or involved in Ca²⁺ and hormonal signaling processes. Our findings point to Phe pre-treatment as a potential orchestrator of a broad-spectrum defense response which may not only provide an ecologically friendly pest control strategy but also offers a promising way of priming plants to induce defense responses against B. cinerea.

Redox status regulates subcelluar localization of PpTGA1 associated with a BABA-induced priming defence against Rhizopus rot in peach fruit

This study attempted to characterize the involvement of a change in the redox status and subcellular localization in the BABA-induced priming resistance of peach fruit against Rhizopus rot. Specifically, 50 mM BABA primed the peaches for the enhanced disease resistance against R. stolonifer, as demonstrated by suppression of the disease development upon pathogen challenge accompanied by the clearly elevated level of TGA transcription factor (PpTGA1) and NPR1 gene (PpNPR1). In addition, the BABA elicitation enhanced the activities of a series of critical enzymes in the PPP and AsA-GSH cycle, and eventually promoted the NADPH and GSH pools, which altered the intracellular redox state towards a highly reductive condition. Additionally, PpTGA1-GFP was localized in the cytoplasm in the absence of BABA treatment or R. stolonifer inoculation, while BABA elicitation plus R. stolonifer inoculation caused PpTGA1-GFP to specifically translocate to the nucleus, where it interacted with PpNPR1 and regulated the positive expression of PR genes. Therefore, the observations implied that BABA could promote the reduction of the redox state, resulting in the translocation of PpTGA1 to the nucleus, which was a prerequisite for the induction of a priming defence against Rhizopus rot in peach.

Full sunlight acclimation mechanisms in Riccia discolor thalli: Assessment at morphological, anatomical, and biochemical levels

Light occupies a central position in regulating development of plants. Either little or excess of light could be harmful for plants. Since bryophytes are shade loving organisms, they must adapt to function in fluctuating light regimes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate acclimatory responses of Riccia discolor thalli grown under full sunlight, and were compared with shade grown thalli (control). Length, width, and fresh mass of thallus were significantly lower (by 27, 41 and 37%, respectively) but endogenous nitric oxide content (by 81%) and nitric oxide synthase like activity (by 58%) were higher in full sunlight grown thalli than shade grown thalli. Number of rhizoids was greater in shade but length and width of rhizoids were higher (by 36 and 25%, respectively) in full sunlight grown thalli. The content of carotenoids was higher (by 34%) in full sunlight grown thalli. In full sunlight grown thalli, chloroplasts exhibited avoidance movement but in shade grown thalli they exhibited accumulation movement. Photosynthetic yields were higher in shade grown thalli. Among energy fluxes, ABS/RC did not vary but DI₀/RC was higher (by 12%) in full sunlight grown thalli. Reactive oxygen species and damage were greater in full sunlight grown thalli despite enhanced levels of antioxidants i.e. superoxide dismutase (by 66%) and catalase (by 34%). Overall results suggest that full sunlight acclimation in Riccia discolor thalli occurred at various levels in which endogenous NO plays a positive role.

Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses reveal the effects of callose deposition and multihormone signal transduction pathways on the tea plant-Colletotrichum camelliae interaction

Colletotrichum infects diverse hosts, including tea plants, and can lead to crop failure. Numerous studies have reported that biological processes are involved in the resistance of tea plants to Colletotrichum spp. However, the molecular and biochemical responses in the host during this interaction are unclear. Cuttings of the tea cultivar Longjing 43 (LJ43) were inoculated with a conidial suspension of Colletotrichum camelliae, and water-sprayed cuttings were used as controls. In total, 10,592 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified from the transcriptomic data of the tea plants and were significantly enriched in callose deposition and the biosynthesis of various phytohormones. Subsequently, 3,555 mass spectra peaks were obtained by LC-MS detection in the negative ion mode, and 27, 18 and 81 differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) were identified in the tea leaves at 12 hpi, 24 hpi and 72 hpi, respectively. The metabolomic analysis also revealed that the levels of the precursors and intermediate products of jasmonic acid (JA) and indole-3-acetate (IAA) biosynthesis were significantly increased during the interaction, especially when the symptoms became apparent. In conclusion, we suggest that callose deposition and various phytohormone signaling systems play important roles in the tea plant-C. camelliae interaction.

Crop Protection against Botrytis cinerea by Rhizhosphere Biological Control Agent Bacillus velezensis XT1

This study aims to evaluate the use of Bacillus velezensis strain XT1 as a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR) and biocontrol agent against B. cinerea in tomato and strawberry plants. Foliar and radicular applications of strain XT1 increased plant total biomass as compared to the control and B. cinerea-infected plants, with root applications being, on the whole, the most effective mode of treatment. Applications of the bacterium were found to reduce infection parameters such as disease incidence and severity by 50% and 60%, respectively. We analyzed stress parameters and phytohormone content in order to evaluate the capacity of XT1 to activate the defense system through phytohormonal regulation. Overall, the application of XT1 reduced oxidative damage, while the H₂O₂ and malondialdehyde (MDA) content was lower in XT1-treated and B. cinerea-infected plants as compared to non-XT1-treated plants. Moreover, treatment with XT1 induced callose deposition, thus boosting the response to pathogenic infection. The results of this study suggest that the signaling and activation pathways involved in defense mechanisms are mediated by jasmonic acid (JA) and ethylene hormones, which are induced by preventive treatment with XT1. The study also highlights the potential of preventive applications of strain XT1 to activate defense mechanisms in strawberry and tomato plants through hormone regulation.

Arabidopsis Plants Sense Non-self Peptides to Promote Resistance Against Plectosphaerella cucumerina

Peptides are important regulators that participate in the modulation of almost every physiological event in plants, including defense. Recently, many of these peptides have been described as defense elicitors, termed phytocytokines, that are released upon pest or pathogen attack, triggering an amplification of plant defenses. However, little is known about peptides sensing and inducing resistance activities in heterologous plants. In the present study, exogenous peptides from solanaceous species, Systemins and HypSys, are sensed and induce resistance to the necrotrophic fungus Plectosphaerella cucumerina in the taxonomically distant species Arabidopsis thaliana. Surprisingly, other peptides from closer taxonomic clades have very little or no effect on plant protection. In vitro bioassays showed that the studied peptides do not have direct antifungal activities, suggesting that they protect the plant through the promotion of the plant immune system. Interestingly, tomato Systemin was able to induce resistance at very low concentrations (0.1 and 1 nM) and displays a maximum threshold being ineffective above at higher concentrations. Here, we show evidence of the possible involvement of the JA-signaling pathway in the Systemin-Induced Resistance (Sys-IR) in Arabidopsis. Additionally, Systemin treated plants display enhanced BAK1 and BIK1 gene expression following infection as well as increased production of ROS after PAMP treatment suggesting that Systemin sensitizes Arabidopsis perception to pathogens and PAMPs.

Defense of Scots pine against sawfly eggs (Diprion pini) is primed by exposure to sawfly sex pheromones

Plants respond to insect infestation with defenses targeting insect eggs on their leaves and the feeding insects. Upon perceiving cues indicating imminent herbivory, such as damage-induced leaf odors emitted by neighboring plants, they are able to prime their defenses against feeding insects. Yet it remains unknown whether plants can amplify their defenses against insect eggs by responding to cues indicating imminent egg deposition. Here, we tested the hypothesis that a plant strengthens its defenses against insect eggs by responding to insect sex pheromones. Our study shows that preexposure of Pinus sylvestris to pine sawfly sex pheromones reduces the survival rate of subsequently laid sawfly eggs. Exposure to pheromones does not significantly affect the pine needle water content, but results in increased needle hydrogen peroxide concentrations and increased expression of defense-related pine genes such as SOD (superoxide dismutase), LOX (lipoxygenase), PAL (phenylalanine ammonia lyase), and PR-1 (pathogenesis related protein 1) after egg deposition. These results support our hypothesis that plant responses to sex pheromones emitted by an herbivorous insect can boost plant defensive responses to insect egg deposition, thus highlighting the ability of a plant to mobilize its defenses very early against an initial phase of insect attack, the egg deposition.

Proteomic Analysis of MeJa-Induced Defense Responses in Rice against Wounding

The role of jasmonates in defense priming has been widely recognized. Priming is a physiological process by which a plant exposed to low doses of biotic or abiotic elicitors activates faster and/or stronger defense responses when subsequently challenged by a stress. In this work, we investigated the impact of MeJA-induced defense responses to mechanical wounding in rice (Oryza sativa). The proteome reprogramming of plants treated with MeJA, wounding or MeJA+wounding has been in-depth analyzed by using a combination of high throughput profiling techniques and bioinformatics tools. Gene Ontology analysis identified protein classes as defense/immunity proteins, hydrolases and oxidoreductases differentially enriched by the three treatments, although with different amplitude. Remarkably, proteins involved in photosynthesis or oxidative stress were significantly affected upon wounding in MeJA-primed plants. Although these identified proteins had been previously shown to play a role in defense responses, our study revealed that they are specifically associated with MeJA-priming. Additionally, we also showed that at the phenotypic level MeJA protects plants from oxidative stress and photosynthetic damage induced by wounding. Taken together, our results add novel insight into the molecular actors and physiological mechanisms orchestrated by MeJA in enhancing rice plants defenses after wounding.

Single-dose β-aminobutyric acid treatment modifies tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) leaf acclimation to consecutive UV-B treatment

β-Aminobutyric acid (BABA) pre-treatment has been shown to alter both biotic and abiotic stress responses. The present study extends this observation to acclimative UV-B-response, which has not been explored in this context so far. A single soil application of 300 ppm BABA modified the non-enzymatic antioxidant capacities and the leaf hydrogen peroxide levels in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) leaves in response to a 9-day treatment with 5.4 kJ m-2 d-1 biologically effective supplementary UV-B radiation in a model experiment that was performed in a growth chamber. BABA decreased leaf hydrogen peroxide levels both as a single factor and in combination with UV-B, but neither BABA nor UV-B affected leaf photochemistry significantly. The total antioxidant capacities were increased by either BABA or UV-B, and this response was additive in BABA pre-treated leaves. These results together with the observed changes in hydroxyl radical neutralising ability and non-enzymatic hydrogen peroxide antioxidant capacities show that BABA pre-treatment (i) has a long-term effect on leaf antioxidants even in the absence of other factors and (ii) modifies acclimative readjustment of prooxidant-antioxidant balance in response to UV-B. BABA-inducible antioxidants do not include phenolic compounds as a UV-B-induced increase in the adaxial leaf flavonoid index and total leaf extract UV absorption were unaffected by BABA.

Accumulating evidences of callose priming by indole- 3- carboxylic acid in response to Plectospharella cucumerina

Indole-3-carboxylic acid (I3CA) is an indolic compound that induces resistance in Arabidopsis adult plants against the necrotrophic fungus Plectosphaerella cucumerina through primed callose accumulation. In this study, we confirm the relevance of ATL31 and SYP121 genes involved in vesicular trafficking in I3CA priming of defenses and we discard camalexin as a mediator of I3CA-induced resistance (IR) in adult plants. In addition, we observed that an intact I3CA biosynthetic pathway is necessary for I3CA-IR functionality.

Root colonization by Pseudomonas chlororaphis primes tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum) plants for enhanced tolerance to water stress

Previous research demonstrated that Pseudomonas chlororaphis subsp. aureofaciens strain M71, a plant growth promoting bacterium (PGPB), exerts beneficial effects on plant metabolism and primes tolerance mechanisms against biotic stresses in tomatoes. We designed an experiment to assess whether root colonization with P. chlororaphis is also able to improve tolerance to water stress in tomatoes. Our results show that inoculation with P. chlororaphis stimulates the antioxidant activity of well-watered tomatoes while maintaining a steady-state level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), increases the expression of genes encoding for the biosynthesis of leaf terpenes, stimulates the production of both the phytohormones ABA and IAA, in turn affecting plant shape (number of leaves) and height (length of internodes), without altering photosynthesis. Upon exposure to mild water stress conditions, an improved antioxidant activity in tomatoes 'primed' by P. chlororaphis inoculation limited the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in leaves and thus enhanced tolerance, also through increase of the (osmolyte) proline content. Moreover, P. chlororaphis inoculation further enhanced the ABA level in leaves of water-stressed tomatoes allowing a more efficient modulation of stomatal closure that resulted in an improved water use efficiency (WUE) and biomass accumulation.

Metabolomics in Plant Priming Research: The Way Forward?

A new era of plant biochemistry at the systems level is emerging, providing detailed descriptions of biochemical phenomena at the cellular and organismal level. This new era is marked by the advent of metabolomics—the qualitative and quantitative investigation of the entire metabolome (in a dynamic equilibrium) of a biological system. This field has developed as an indispensable methodological approach to study cellular biochemistry at a global level. For protection and survival in a constantly-changing environment, plants rely on a complex and multi-layered innate immune system. This involves surveillance of ‘self’ and ‘non-self,’ molecule-based systemic signalling and metabolic adaptations involving primary and secondary metabolites as well as epigenetic modulation mechanisms. Establishment of a pre-conditioned or primed state can sensitise or enhance aspects of innate immunity for faster and stronger responses. Comprehensive elucidation of the molecular and biochemical processes associated with the phenotypic defence state is vital for a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms that define the metabolism of plant–pathogen interactions. Such insights are essential for translational research and applications. Thus, this review highlights the prospects of metabolomics and addresses current challenges that hinder the realisation of the full potential of the field. Such limitations include partial coverage of the metabolome and maximising the value of metabolomics data (extraction of information and interpretation). Furthermore, the review points out key features that characterise both the plant innate immune system and enhancement of the latter, thus underlining insights from metabolomic studies in plant priming. Future perspectives in this inspiring area are included, with the aim of stimulating further studies leading to a better understanding of plant immunity at the metabolome level.

Glycolate oxidase gene family in Nicotiana benthamiana: genome-wide identification and functional analyses in disease resistance

Glycolate oxidase (GOX)-dependent production of H2O2 in response to pathogens and its function in disease resistance are still poorly understood. In this study, we performed genome-wide identification of GOX gene family in Nicotiana benthamiana and analyzed their function in various types of disease resistance. Sixteen GOX genes were identified in N. benthamiana genome. They consisted of GOX and HAOX groups. All but two NbGOX proteins contained an alpha_hydroxyacid_oxid_FMN domain with extra 43-52 amino acids compared to that of FMN-dependent alpha-hydroxyacid oxidizing enzymes (NCBI-CDD cd02809). Silencing of three NbGOX family genes NbHAOX8, NbGOX1 and NbGOX4 differently affected resistance to various pathogens including Tobacco rattle virus, Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Effect of these genes on resistance to Xoo is well correlated with that on Xoo-responsive H2O2 accumulation. Additionally, silencing of these genes enhanced PAMP-triggered immunity as shown by increased flg22-elicited H2O2 accumulation in NbGOX-silenced plants. These NbGOX family genes were distinguishable in altering expression of defense genes. Analysis of mutual effect on gene expression indicated that NbGOX4 might function through repressing NbHAOX8 and NbGOX1. Collectively, our results reveal the important roles and functional complexity of GOX genes in disease resistance in N. benthamiana.

The MicroRNA miR773 Is Involved in the Arabidopsis Immune Response to Fungal Pathogens

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are 21- to 24-nucleotide short noncoding RNAs that trigger gene silencing in eukaryotes. In plants, miRNAs play a crucial role in a wide range of developmental processes and adaptive responses to abiotic and biotic stresses. In this work, we investigated the role of miR773 in modulating resistance to infection by fungal pathogens in Arabidopsis thaliana. Interference with miR773 activity by target mimics (in MIM773 plants) and concomitant upregulation of the miR773 target gene METHYLTRANSFERASE 2 (MET2) increased resistance to infection by necrotrophic (Plectosphaerrella cucumerina) and hemibiotrophic (Fusarium oxysporum, Colletototrichum higginianum) fungal pathogens. By contrast, both MIR773 overexpression and MET2 silencing enhanced susceptibility to pathogen infection. Upon pathogen challenge, MIM773 plants accumulated higher levels of callose and reactive oxygen species than wild-type plants. Stronger induction of defense-gene expression was also observed in MIM773 plants in response to fungal infection. Expression analysis revealed an important reduction in miR773 accumulation in rosette leaves of plants upon elicitor perception and pathogen infection. Taken together, our results show not only that miR773 mediates pathogen-associated molecular pattern-triggered immunity but also demonstrate that suppression of miR773 activity is an effective approach to improve disease resistance in Arabidopsis plants.

The last link of the x-aminobutyric acid series: the five conformers of β-aminobutyric acid

Structural characterization of β-aminobutyric acid by rotational spectroscopy.

Defense Priming: An Adaptive Part of Induced Resistance

Priming is an adaptive strategy that improves the defensive capacity of plants. This phenomenon is marked by an enhanced activation of induced defense mechanisms. Stimuli from pathogens, beneficial microbes, or arthropods, as well as chemicals and abiotic cues, can trigger the establishment of priming by acting as warning signals. Upon stimulus perception, changes may occur in the plant at the physiological, transcriptional, metabolic, and epigenetic levels. This phase is called the priming phase. Upon subsequent challenge, the plant effectively mounts a faster and/or stronger defense response that defines the postchallenge primed state and results in increased resistance and/or stress tolerance. Priming can be durable and maintained throughout the plant's life cycle and can even be transmitted to subsequent generations, therefore representing a type of plant immunological memory.

Induced Systemic Resistance against Botrytis cinerea by Bacillus cereus AR156 through a JA/ET- and NPR1-Dependent Signaling Pathway and Activates PAMP-Triggered Immunity in Arabidopsis

Induced resistance response is a potent and cost effective plant defense against pathogen attack. The effectiveness and underlying mechanisms of the suppressive ability by Bacillus cereus AR156 to Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 (Pst DC3000) in Arabidopsis has been investigated previously; however, the strength of induced systemic resistance (ISR) activity against Botrytis cinerea remains unknown. Here, we show that root-drench application of AR156 significantly reduces disease incidence through activation of ISR. This protection is accompanied with multilayered ISR defense response activated via enhanced accumulation of PR1 protein expression in a timely manner, hydrogen peroxide accumulation and callose deposition, which is significantly more intense in plants with both AR156 pretreatment and B. cinerea inoculation than that in plants with pathogen inoculation only. Moreover, AR156 can trigger ISR in sid2-2 and NahG mutants, but not in jar1, ein2 and npr1 mutant plants. Our results indicate that AR156-induced ISR depends on JA/ET-signaling pathway and NPR1, but not SA. Also, AR156-treated plants are able to rapidly activate MAPK signaling and FRK1/WRKY53 gene expression, both of which are involved in pathogen associated molecular pattern (PAMP)-triggered immunity (PTI). The results indicate that AR156 can induce ISR by the JA/ET-signaling pathways in an NPR1-dependent manner and involves multiple PTI components.

Vitamins for enhancing plant resistance

This paper provides an overview on vitamins with inducing activities in plants, the molecular and cellular mechanisms implicated, and the hormonal signalling-network regulating this process. Moreover, it reports how vitamins might be part of the molecular events linked to induced resistance by the conventional elicitors. Induced resistance (IR), exploiting the plant innate-defense system is a sustainable strategy for plant disease control. In the last decade, vitamins have been proven to act as inducers of disease resistance, and these findings have received an important attention owing to their safety and cost effectiveness. Vitamins, including thiamine (TH, vitamin B1), riboflavin (RF, vitamin B2), menadione sodium bisulfite (MSB, vitamin K3), Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA, vitamin Bx), and folic acid (FA, vitamin B9) provided an efficient protection against a wide range of pathogens through the modulation of specific host-defense facets. However, other vitamins, such as ascorbic acid (AA, vitamin C) and tocopherols (vitamin E), have been shown to be a part of the molecular mechanisms associated to IR. The present review is the first to summarize what vitamins are acting as inducers of disease resistance in plants and how could they be modulated by the conventional elicitors. Thus, this report provides an overview on the protective abilities of vitamins and the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying their activities. Moreover, it describes the hormonal-signalling network regulating vitamin-signal transduction during IR. Finally, a biochemical model describing how vitamins are involved in the establishment of IR process is discussed.

Beta-aminobutyric acid priming of plant defense: the role of ABA and other hormones

Plants are exposed to recurring biotic and abiotic stresses that can, in extreme situations, lead to substantial yield losses. With the changing environment, the stress pressure is likely to increase and sustainable measures to alleviate the effect on our crops are sought. Priming plants for better stress resistance is one of the sustainable possibilities to reach this goal. Here, we report on the effects of beta-aminobutyric acid, a priming agent with an exceptionally wide range of action and describe its way of preparing plants to defend themselves against various attacks, among others through the modulation of their hormonal defense signaling, and highlight the special role of abscisic acid in this process.

Bio-recovery of non-essential heavy metals by intra- and extracellular mechanisms in free-living microorganisms

Free-living microorganisms may become suitable models for recovery of non-essential and essential heavy metals from wastewater bodies and soils by using and enhancing their accumulating and/or leaching abilities. This review analyzes the variety of different mechanisms developed mainly in bacteria, protists and microalgae to accumulate heavy metals, being the most relevant those involving phytochelatin and metallothionein biosyntheses; phosphate/polyphosphate metabolism; compartmentalization of heavy metal-complexes into vacuoles, chloroplasts and mitochondria; and secretion of malate and other organic acids. Cyanide biosynthesis for extra-cellular heavy metal bioleaching is also examined. These metabolic/cellular processes are herein analyzed at the transcriptional, kinetic and metabolic levels to provide mechanistic basis for developing genetically engineered microorganisms with greater capacities and efficiencies for heavy metal recovery, recycling of heavy metals, biosensing of metal ions, and engineering of metalloenzymes.

Regulation of plant reactive oxygen species (ROS) in stress responses: learning from AtRBOHD

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are constantly produced in plants, as the metabolic by-products or as the signaling components in stress responses. High levels of ROS are harmful to plants. In contrast, ROS play important roles in plant physiology, including abiotic and biotic tolerance, development, and cellular signaling. Therefore, ROS production needs to be tightly regulated to balance their function. Respiratory burst oxidase homologue (RBOH) proteins, also known as plant nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidases, are well studied enzymatic ROS-generating systems in plants. The regulatory mechanisms of RBOH-dependent ROS production in stress responses have been intensively studied. This has greatly advanced our knowledge of the mechanisms that regulate plant ROS production. This review attempts to integrate the regulatory mechanisms of RBOHD-dependent ROS production by discussing the recent advance. AtRBOHD-dependent ROS production could provide a valuable reference for studying ROS production in plant stress responses.

Seed priming with BABA (β-amino butyric acid): a cost-effective method of abiotic stress tolerance in Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek

The effects of β-amino butyric acid (BABA) on abiotic stress tolerance potential of three Vigna radiata varieties were studied. The reduction in the growth of seedlings subjected to NaCl/polyethylene glycol (PEG) stress is alleviated by BABA seed priming, which also enhanced photosynthetic pigment content and photosynthetic and mitochondrial activities, and also modified the chlorophyll a fluorescence-related parameters. Moreover, BABA seed priming reduced malondialdehyde content in the seedlings and enhanced the accumulation of proline, total protein, total carbohydrate, nitrate reductase activity, and activities of antioxidant enzymes like guaiacol peroxidase and superoxide dismutase. Most of these positive features of BABA priming were predominantly exhibited when the plants were encountered with stress (NaCl/PEG). The BABA content in the BABA-treated green gram seeds and seedlings was also detected and quantified with high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC), and it revealed that the priming effect of BABA initiated in seeds and further gets carried over to the seedlings. It was concluded that BABA seed priming improved the drought and salinity stress tolerance potential of all the three green gram varieties, and it was evident in the NaCl-tolerant variety Pusa Vishal as compared to Pusa Ratna (abiotic stress sensitive) and Pusa 9531(drought tolerant). Dual mode in cost effectiveness of BABA priming is evident from: (1) the positive features of priming are being exhibited more during the exposure of plants to stress, and (2) priming of seedlings can be carried out by BABA application to seeds at very low concentration and volume.

Burkholderia phytofirmans PsJN Confers Grapevine Resistance against Botrytis cinerea via a Direct Antimicrobial Effect Combined with a Better Resource Mobilization

Plant innate immunity serves as a surveillance system by providing the first line of powerful weapons to fight against pathogen attacks. Beneficial microorganisms and Microbial-Associated Molecular Patterns might act as signals to trigger this immunity. Burkholderia phytofirmans PsJN, a highly efficient plant beneficial endophytic bacterium, promotes growth in a wide variety of plants including grapevine. Further, the bacterium induces plant resistance against abiotic and biotic stresses. However, no study has deciphered triggered-mechanisms during the tripartite interaction between grapevine, B. phytofirmans PsJN and Botrytis cinerea. Herein, we showed that in contrast with classical rhizobacteria, which are restricted in the root system and act through ISR, B. phytofirmans PsJN is able to migrate until aerial part and forms at leaves surface a biofilm around B. cinerea mycelium to restrict the pathogen. Nevertheless, considering the endophytic level of PsJN in leaves, the plant protection efficacy of B. phytofirmans PsJN could not be explained solely by its direct antifungal effect. Deeper investigations showed a callose deposition, H2O2 production and primed expression of PR1, PR2, PR5, and JAZ only in bacterized-plantlets after pathogen challenge. The presence of PsJN modulated changes in leaf carbohydrate metabolism including gene expression, sugar levels, and chlorophyll fluorescence imaging after Botrytis challenge. Our findings indicated that protection induced by B. phytofirmans PsJN was multifaceted and relied on a direct antifungal effect, priming of defense mechanisms as well as the mobilization of carbon sources in grapevine leaf tissues.

Burkholderia phytofirmans PsJN Confers Grapevine Resistance against Botrytis cinerea via a Direct Antimicrobial Effect Combined with a Better Resource Mobilization

Plant innate immunity serves as a surveillance system by providing the first line of powerful weapons to fight against pathogen attacks. Beneficial microorganisms and Microbial-Associated Molecular Patterns might act as signals to trigger this immunity. Burkholderia phytofirmans PsJN, a highly efficient plant beneficial endophytic bacterium, promotes growth in a wide variety of plants including grapevine. Further, the bacterium induces plant resistance against abiotic and biotic stresses. However, no study has deciphered triggered-mechanisms during the tripartite interaction between grapevine, B. phytofirmans PsJN and Botrytis cinerea. Herein, we showed that in contrast with classical rhizobacteria, which are restricted in the root system and act through ISR, B. phytofirmans PsJN is able to migrate until aerial part and forms at leaves surface a biofilm around B. cinerea mycelium to restrict the pathogen. Nevertheless, considering the endophytic level of PsJN in leaves, the plant protection efficacy of B. phytofirmans PsJN could not be explained solely by its direct antifungal effect. Deeper investigations showed a callose deposition, H2O2 production and primed expression of PR1, PR2, PR5, and JAZ only in bacterized-plantlets after pathogen challenge. The presence of PsJN modulated changes in leaf carbohydrate metabolism including gene expression, sugar levels, and chlorophyll fluorescence imaging after Botrytis challenge. Our findings indicated that protection induced by B. phytofirmans PsJN was multifaceted and relied on a direct antifungal effect, priming of defense mechanisms as well as the mobilization of carbon sources in grapevine leaf tissues.

Analysis of the transgenerational iron deficiency stress memory in Arabidopsis thaliana plants

We investigated the existence of the transgenerational memory of iron (Fe) deficiency stress, in Arabidopsis thaliana. Plants were grown under Fe deficiency/sufficiency, and so were their offspring. The frequency of somatic homologous recombination (SHR) events, of DNA strand breaks as well as the expression of the transcription elongation factor TFIIS-like gene increase when plants are grown under Fe deficiency. However, SHR frequency, DNA strand break events, and TFIIS-like gene expression do not increase further when plants are grown for more than one generation under the same stress, and furthermore, they decrease back to control values within two succeeding generations grown under control conditions, regardless of the Fe deficiency stress history of the mother plants. Seedlings produced from plants grown under Fe deficiency evolve more oxygen than control seedlings, when grown under Fe sufficiency: however, this trait is not associated with any change in the protein profile of the photosynthetic apparatus and is not transmitted to more than one generation. Lastly, plants grown for multiple generations under Fe deficiency produce seeds with greater longevity: however, this trait is not inherited in offspring generations unexposed to stress. These findings suggest the existence of multiple-step control of mechanisms to prevent a genuine and stable transgenerational transmission of Fe deficiency stress memory, with the tightest control on DNA integrity.

β-Aminobutyric Acid-Induced Resistance Against Root-Knot Nematodes in Rice Is Based on Increased Basal Defense

The nonprotein amino acid β-aminobutyric acid (BABA) is known to protect plants against various pathogens. The mode of action is relatively diverse and specific in different plant-pathogen systems. To extend the analysis of the mode of action of BABA to plant-parasitic nematodes in monocot plants, we evaluated the effect of BABA against the root-knot nematode (RKN) Meloidogyne graminicola in rice. BABA treatment of rice plants inhibited nematode penetration and resulted in delayed nematode and giant cell development. BABA-induced resistance (BABA-IR) was still functional in mutants or transgenics defective in salicylic acid biosynthesis and response or abscisic acid (ABA) response. Pharmacological inhibition of jasmonic acid (JA) and ethylene (ET) biosynthesis indicated that BABA-IR against rice RKN likely occurs independent of JA and ET. However, histochemical and biochemical quantification in combination with quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction data suggest that BABA protects rice against RKN through the activation of basal defense mechanisms of the plant, such as reactive oxygen species accumulation, lignin formation, and callose deposition.

Imposed glutathione-mediated redox switch modulates the tobacco wound-induced protein kinase and salicylic acid-induced protein kinase activation state and impacts on defence against Pseudomonas syringae

The role of the redox-active tripeptide glutathione in plant defence against pathogens has been studied extensively; however, the impact of changes in cellular glutathione redox potential on signalling processes during defence reactions has remained elusive. This study explored the impact of elevated glutathione content on the cytosolic redox potential and on early defence signalling at the level of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), as well as on subsequent defence reactions, including changes in salicylic acid (SA) content, pathogenesis-related gene expression, callose depositions, and the hypersensitive response. Wild-type (WT) Nicotiana tabacum L. and transgenic high-glutathione lines (HGL) were transformed with the cytosol-targeted sensor GRX1-roGFP2 to monitor the cytosolic redox state. Surprisingly, HGLs displayed an oxidative shift in their cytosolic redox potential and an activation of the tobacco MAPKs wound-induced protein kinase (WIPK) and SA-induced protein kinase (SIPK). This activation occurred in the absence of any change in free SA content, but was accompanied by constitutively increased expression of several defence genes. Similarly, rapid activation of MAPKs could be induced in WT tobacco by exposure to either reduced or oxidized glutathione. When HGL plants were challenged with adapted or non-adapted Pseudomonas syringae pathovars, the cytosolic redox shift was further amplified and the defence response was markedly increased, showing a priming effect for SA and callose; however, the initial and transient hyperactivation of MAPK signalling was attenuated in HGLs. The results suggest that, in tobacco, MAPK and SA signalling may operate independently, both possibly being modulated by the glutathione redox potential. Possible mechanisms for redox-mediated MAPK activation are discussed.

Reactive oxygen species and plant resistance to fungal pathogens

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been studied for their role in plant development as well as in plant immunity. ROS were consistently observed to accumulate in the plant after the perception of pathogens and microbes and over the years, ROS were postulated to be an integral part of the defence response of the plant. In this article we will focus on recent findings about ROS involved in the interaction of plants with pathogenic fungi. We will describe the ways to detect ROS, their modes of action and their importance in relation to resistance to fungal pathogens. In addition we include some results from works focussing on the fungal interactor and from studies investigating roots during pathogen attack.