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Signal Transduction Pathways in Plants for Resistance against Plant Pathogens 2020

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A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Plant Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 September 2020) | Viewed by 60004

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Prof. Dr. Hon-Ming Lam

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Guest Editor

1. School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
2. Institute of Environment, Energy and Sustainability, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Interests: climate-smart and sustainable agriculture; plant and agricultural biotechnology; genomic studies on crop–environment interaction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Jianzhong Liu

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Guest Editor

College of Chemistry and Life, Zhejiang Normal University, Zhejiang, China
Interests: defense signaling; virus-induced gene silencing; nitric oxide signaling; cell death
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is the continuation of our previous Special Issue "Signal Transduction Pathways in Plants for Resistance against Plant Pathogens".

Pathogens could severely limit plant growth and hence pose a severe threat to crop productivity. The co-evolutionary war between plants and their pathogens has led to the development of complex signaling systems in plants, enabling them to sense the presence of both compatible and incompatible pathogens and trigger their defense systems precisely and promptly. This Special Issue explores the signal transduction pathways in plants that lead to resistance against pathogens, including, but not limited to, functional analysis of qualitative and quantitation resistance genes, defense mechanisms, plant–pathogen interactions, and signal transduction crosstalk.

Prof. Dr. Hon-Ming Lam
Prof. Dr. Jianzhong Liu
Guest Editors

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Keywords

Plant defense
Plant immunity
Plant pathogens
Plant-microbe interaction
Plant signal transduction
Resistance genes
Avirulence genes
Signaling crosstalk

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 8374 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Coiled-Coil N21 of Hpa1 in Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae Promotes Plant Growth, Disease Resistance and Drought Tolerance in Non-Hosts via Eliciting HR and Regulation of Multiple Defense Response Genes

by Zhao-Lin Ji, Mei-Hui Yu, Ya-Yan Ding, Jian Li, Feng Zhu, Jun-Xian He and Li-Na Yang

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(1), 203; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22010203 - 28 Dec 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2944

Abstract

Acting as a typical harpin protein, Hpa1 of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae is one of the pathogenic factors in hosts and can elicit hypersensitive responses (HR) in non-hosts. To further explain the underlying mechanisms of its induced resistance, we studied the function of the most stable and shortest three heptads in the N-terminal coiled-coil domain of Hpa1, named N21_Hpa1. Proteins isolated from N21-transgenic tobacco elicited HR in Xanthi tobacco, which was consistent with the results using N21 and full-length Hpa1 proteins expressed in Escherichia coli. N21-expressing tobacco plants showed enhanced resistance to tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and Pectobacterium carotovora subsp. carotovora (Pcc). Spraying of a synthesized N21 peptide solution delayed the disease symptoms caused by Botrytis cinerea and Monilinia fructicola and promoted the growth and drought tolerance of plants. Further analysis indicated that N21 upregulated the expression of multiple plant defense-related genes, such as genes mediated by salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA) and ethylene (ET) signaling, and genes related to reactive oxygen species (ROS) biosynthesis. Further, the bioavailability of N21 peptide was better than that of full-length Hpa1_Xoo. Our studies support the broad application prospects of N21 peptide as a promising succedaneum to biopesticide Messenger or Illite or other biological pharmaceutical products, and provide a basis for further development of biopesticides using proteins with similar structures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Signal Transduction Pathways in Plants for Resistance against Plant Pathogens 2020)

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17 pages, 3028 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Rice Immunophilin Homolog, OsFKBP12, Is a Negative Regulator of Both Biotic and Abiotic Stress Responses

by Ming-Yan Cheung, Wan-Kin Auyeung, Kwan-Pok Li and Hon-Ming Lam

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(22), 8791; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21228791 - 20 Nov 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2207

Abstract

A class of proteins that were discovered to bind the immunosuppressant drug FK506, called FK506-binding proteins (FKBPs), are members of a sub-family of immunophilins. Although they were first identified in human, FKBPs exist in all three domains of life. In this report, a rice FKBP12 homolog was first identified as a biotic stress-related gene through suppression subtractive hybridization screening. By ectopically expressing OsFKBP12 in the heterologous model plant system, Arabidopsis thaliana, for functional characterization, OsFKBP12 was found to increase susceptibility of the plant to the pathogen, Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 (Pst DC3000). This negative regulatory role of FKBP12 in biotic stress responses was also demonstrated in the AtFKBP12-knockout mutant, which exhibited higher resistance towards Pst DC3000. Furthermore, this higher-plant FKBP12 homolog was also shown to be a negative regulator of salt tolerance. Using yeast two-hybrid tests, an ancient unconventional G-protein, OsYchF1, was identified as an interacting partner of OsFKBP12. OsYchF1 was previously reported as a negative regulator of both biotic and abiotic stresses. Therefore, OsFKBP12 probably also plays negative regulatory roles at the convergence of biotic and abiotic stress response pathways in higher plants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Signal Transduction Pathways in Plants for Resistance against Plant Pathogens 2020)

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24 pages, 6261 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Respiratory Burst Oxidase Homologs RBOHD and RBOHF as Key Modulating Components of Response in Turnip Mosaic Virus—Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heyhn System

by Katarzyna Otulak-Kozieł, Edmund Kozieł, Józef Julian Bujarski, Justyna Frankowska-Łukawska and Miguel Angel Torres

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(22), 8510; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21228510 - 12 Nov 2020

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 3987

Abstract

Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) is one of the most important plant viruses worldwide. It has a very wide host range infecting at least 318 species in over 43 families, such as Brassicaceae, Fabaceae, Asteraceae, or Chenopodiaceae from dicotyledons. Plant NADPH oxidases, the respiratory burst oxidase homologues (RBOHs), are a major source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during plant–microbe interactions. The functions of RBOHs in different plant–pathogen interactions have been analyzed using knockout mutants, but little focus has been given to plant–virus responses. Therefore, in this work we tested the response after mechanical inoculation with TuMV in ArabidopsisrbohD and rbohF transposon knockout mutants and analyzed ultrastructural changes after TuMV inoculation. The development of the TuMV infection cycle was promoted in rbohD plants, suggesting that RbohD plays a role in the Arabidopsis resistance response to TuMV. rbohF and rbohD/F mutants display less TuMV accumulation and a lack of virus cytoplasmic inclusions were observed; these observations suggest that RbohF promotes viral replication and increases susceptibility to TuMV. rbohD/F displayed a reduction in H₂O₂ but enhanced resistance similarly to rbohF. This dominant effect of the rbohF mutation could indicate that RbohF acts as a susceptibility factor. Induction of hydrogen peroxide by TuMV was partially compromised in rbohD mutants whereas it was almost completely abolished in rbohD/F, indicating that these oxidases are responsible for most of the ROS produced in this interaction. The pattern of in situ H₂O₂ deposition after infection of the more resistant rbohF and rbohD/F genotypes suggests a putative role of these species on systemic signal transport. The ultrastructural localization and quantification of pathogenesis-related protein 1 (PR1) indicate that ROS produced by these oxidases also influence PR1 distribution in the TuMV-A.thaliana pathosystem. Our results revealed the highest activation of PR1 in rbohD and Col-0. Thus, our findings indicate a correlation between PR1 accumulation and susceptibility to TuMV. The specific localization of PR1 in the most resistant genotypes after TuMV inoculation may indicate a connection of PR1 induction with susceptibility, which may be characteristic for this pathosystem. Our results clearly indicate the importance of NADPH oxidases RbohD and RbohF in the regulation of the TuMV infection cycle in Arabidopsis. These findings may help provide a better understanding of the mechanisms modulating A.thaliana–TuMV interactions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Signal Transduction Pathways in Plants for Resistance against Plant Pathogens 2020)

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17 pages, 2681 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Distinct Molecular Pattern-Induced Calcium Signatures Lead to Different Downstream Transcriptional Regulations via AtSR1/CAMTA3

by Peiguo Yuan, Jeremy B. Jewell, Smrutisanjita Behera, Kiwamu Tanaka and B. W. Poovaiah

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(21), 8163; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21218163 - 31 Oct 2020

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3467

Abstract

Plants encrypt the perception of different pathogenic stimuli into specific intracellular calcium (Ca²⁺) signatures and subsequently decrypt the signatures into appropriate downstream responses through various Ca²⁺ sensors. Two microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs), bacterial flg22 and fungal chitin, and one damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP), AtPep1, were used to study the differential Ca²⁺ signatures in Arabidopsis leaves. The results revealed that flg22, chitin, and AtPep1 induced distinct changes in Ca²⁺ dynamics in both the cytosol and nucleus. In addition, Flg22 and chitin upregulated the expression of salicylic acid-related genes, ICS1 and EDS1, whereas AtPep1 upregulated the expression of jasmonic acid-related genes, JAZ1 and PDF1.2, in addition to ICS1 and EDS1. These data demonstrated that distinct Ca²⁺ signatures caused by different molecular patterns in leaf cells lead to specific downstream events. Furthermore, these changes in the expression of defense-related genes were disrupted in a knockout mutant of the AtSR1/CAMTA3 gene, encoding a calmodulin-binding transcription factor, in which a calmodulin-binding domain on AtSR1 was required for deciphering the Ca²⁺ signatures into downstream transcription events. These observations extend our knowledge regarding unique and intrinsic roles for Ca²⁺ signaling in launching and fine-tuning plant immune response, which are mediated by the AtSR1/CAMTA3 transcription factor. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Signal Transduction Pathways in Plants for Resistance against Plant Pathogens 2020)

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26 pages, 3747 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Potential Role of Photosynthesis in the Regulation of Reactive Oxygen Species and Defence Responses to Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici in Wheat

by Yuting Hu, Shengfu Zhong, Min Zhang, Yinping Liang, Guoshu Gong, Xiaoli Chang, Feiquan Tan, Huai Yang, Xiaoyan Qiu, Liya Luo and Peigao Luo

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(16), 5767; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21165767 - 11 Aug 2020

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 3442

Abstract

Photosynthesis is not only a primary generator of reactive oxygen species (ROS) but also a component of plant defence. To determine the relationships among photosynthesis, ROS, and defence responses to powdery mildew in wheat, we compared the responses of the Pm40-expressing wheat line L658 and its susceptible sister line L958 at 0, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h post-inoculation (hpi) with powdery mildew via analyses of transcriptomes, cytology, antioxidant activities, photosynthesis, and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters. The results showed that H₂O₂ accumulation in L658 was significantly greater than that in L958 at 6 and 48 hpi, and the enzymes activity and transcripts expression of peroxidase and catalase were suppressed in L658 compared with L958. In addition, the inhibition of photosynthesis in L658 paralleled the global downregulation of photosynthesis-related genes. Furthermore, the expression of the salicylic acid-related genes non-expressor of pathogenesis related genes 1 (NPR1), pathogenesis-related 1 (PR1), and pathogenesis-related 5 (PR5) was upregulated, while the expression of jasmonic acid- and ethylene-related genes was inhibited in L658 compared with L958. In conclusion, the downregulation of photosynthesis-related genes likely led to a decline in photosynthesis, which may be combined with the inhibition of peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) to generate two stages of H₂O₂ accumulation. The high level of H₂O_2, salicylic acid and PR1 and PR5 in L658 possible initiated the hypersensitive response. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Signal Transduction Pathways in Plants for Resistance against Plant Pathogens 2020)

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21 pages, 4459 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Deciphering the Novel Role of AtMIN7 in Cuticle Formation and Defense against the Bacterial Pathogen Infection

by Zhenzhen Zhao, Xianpeng Yang, Shiyou Lü, Jiangbo Fan, Stephen Opiyo, Piao Yang, Jack Mangold, David Mackey and Ye Xia

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(15), 5547; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21155547 - 3 Aug 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4567

Abstract

The cuticle is the outermost layer of plant aerial tissue that interacts with the environment and protects plants against water loss and various biotic and abiotic stresses. ADP ribosylation factor guanine nucleotide exchange factor proteins (ARF-GEFs) are key components of the vesicle trafficking system. Our study discovers that AtMIN7, an Arabidopsis ARF-GEF, is critical for cuticle formation and related leaf surface defense against the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pathovar tomato (Pto). Our transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy studies indicate that the atmin7 mutant leaves have a thinner cuticular layer, defective stomata structure, and impaired cuticle ledge of stomata compared to the leaves of wild type plants. GC–MS analysis further revealed that the amount of cutin monomers was significantly reduced in atmin7 mutant plants. Furthermore, the exogenous application of either of three plant hormones—salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, or abscisic acid—enhanced the cuticle formation in atmin7 mutant leaves and the related defense responses to the bacterial Pto infection. Thus, transport of cutin-related components by AtMIN7 may contribute to its impact on cuticle formation and related defense function. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Signal Transduction Pathways in Plants for Resistance against Plant Pathogens 2020)

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Review

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26 pages, 1639 KiB

Open AccessReview

Secretory Peptides as Bullets: Effector Peptides from Pathogens against Antimicrobial Peptides from Soybean

by Yee-Shan Ku, Sau-Shan Cheng, Aisha Gerhardt, Ming-Yan Cheung, Carolina A. Contador, Lok-Yiu Winnie Poon and Hon-Ming Lam

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(23), 9294; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21239294 - 5 Dec 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4999

Abstract

Soybean is an important crop as both human food and animal feed. However, the yield of soybean is heavily impacted by biotic stresses including insect attack and pathogen infection. Insect bites usually make the plants vulnerable to pathogen infection, which causes diseases. Fungi, oomycetes, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes are major soybean pathogens. The infection by pathogens and the defenses mounted by soybean are an interactive and dynamic process. Using fungi, oomycetes, and bacteria as examples, we will discuss the recognition of pathogens by soybean at the molecular level. In this review, we will discuss both the secretory peptides for soybean plant infection and those for pathogen inhibition. Pathogenic secretory peptides and peptides secreted by soybean and its associated microbes will be included. We will also explore the possible use of externally applied antimicrobial peptides identical to those secreted by soybean and its associated microbes as biopesticides. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Signal Transduction Pathways in Plants for Resistance against Plant Pathogens 2020)

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16 pages, 2348 KiB

Open AccessReview

Versatile Roles of the Receptor-Like Kinase Feronia in Plant Growth, Development and Host-Pathogen Interaction

by Dongchao Ji, Tong Chen, Zhanquan Zhang, Boqiang Li and Shiping Tian

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(21), 7881; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21217881 - 23 Oct 2020

Cited by 34 | Viewed by 6128

Abstract

As a member of the Catharanthus roseus receptor-like kinase 1-like (CrRLK1L) protein kinase subfamily, FERONIA (FER) has emerged as a versatile player regulating multifaceted functions in growth and development, as well as responses to environmental factors and pathogens. With the concerted efforts of researchers, the molecular mechanism underlying FER-dependent signaling has been gradually elucidated. A number of cellular processes regulated by FER-ligand interactions have been extensively reported, implying cell type-specific mechanisms for FER. Here, we provide a review on the roles of FER in male-female gametophyte recognition, cell elongation, hormonal signaling, stress responses, responses to fungi and bacteria, and present a brief outlook for future efforts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Signal Transduction Pathways in Plants for Resistance against Plant Pathogens 2020)

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19 pages, 2214 KiB

Open AccessReview

Terpenes and Terpenoids in Plants: Interactions with Environment and Insects

by Delbert Almerick T. Boncan, Stacey S.K. Tsang, Chade Li, Ivy H.T. Lee, Hon-Ming Lam, Ting-Fung Chan and Jerome H.L. Hui

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(19), 7382; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21197382 - 6 Oct 2020

Cited by 235 | Viewed by 17191

Abstract

The interactions of plants with environment and insects are bi-directional and dynamic. Consequently, a myriad of mechanisms has evolved to engage organisms in different types of interactions. These interactions can be mediated by allelochemicals known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which include volatile terpenes (VTs). The emission of VTs provides a way for plants to communicate with the environment, including neighboring plants, beneficiaries (e.g., pollinators, seed dispersers), predators, parasitoids, and herbivores, by sending enticing or deterring signals. Understanding terpenoid distribution, biogenesis, and function provides an opportunity for the design and implementation of effective and efficient environmental calamity and pest management strategies. This review provides an overview of plant–environment and plant–insect interactions in the context of terpenes and terpenoids as important chemical mediators of these abiotic and biotic interactions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Signal Transduction Pathways in Plants for Resistance against Plant Pathogens 2020)

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16 pages, 1461 KiB

Open AccessReview

Review on Structures of Pesticide Targets

by Xiangyang Li, Xueqing Yang, Xiaodong Zheng, Miao Bai and Deyu Hu

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(19), 7144; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21197144 - 28 Sep 2020

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 5535

Abstract

Molecular targets play important roles in agrochemical discovery. Numerous pesticides target the key proteins in pathogens, insect, or plants. Investigating ligand-binding pockets and/or active sites in the proteins’ structures is usually the first step in designing new green pesticides. Thus, molecular target structures are extremely important for the discovery and development of such pesticides. In this manuscript, we present a review of the molecular target structures, including those of antiviral, fungicidal, bactericidal, insecticidal, herbicidal, and plant growth-regulator targets, currently used in agrochemical research. The data will be helpful in pesticide design and the discovery of new green pesticides. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Signal Transduction Pathways in Plants for Resistance against Plant Pathogens 2020)

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20 pages, 2217 KiB

Open AccessReview

Emerging Roles of the Selective Autophagy in Plant Immunity and Stress Tolerance

by Jie Ran, Sayed M. Hashimi and Jian-Zhong Liu

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(17), 6321; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21176321 - 31 Aug 2020

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 4691

Abstract

Autophagy is a conserved recycling system required for cellular homeostasis. Identifications of diverse selective receptors/adaptors that recruit appropriate autophagic cargoes have revealed critical roles of selective autophagy in different biological processes in plants. In this review, we summarize the emerging roles of selective autophagy in both biotic and abiotic stress tolerance and highlight the new features of selective receptors/adaptors and their interactions with both the cargoes and Autophagy-related gene 8s (ATG8s). In addition, we review how the two major degradation systems, namely the ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS) and selective autophagy, are coordinated to cope with stress in plants. We especially emphasize how plants develop the selective autophagy as a weapon to fight against pathogens and how adapted pathogens have evolved the strategies to counter and/or subvert the immunity mediated by selective autophagy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Signal Transduction Pathways in Plants for Resistance against Plant Pathogens 2020)

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