The possible involvement of peroxidase in defense of yellow lupine embryo axes against Fusarium oxysporum

Peroxidase activity (EC 1.11.1.7) towards phenolic substrates, i.e. pyrogallol, syringaldazine and guaiacol, and ascorbate peroxidase activity (EC 1.11.1.11) were analyzed in embryo axes of Lupinus luteus L. cv. Polo cultured on Heller medium for 96h after inoculation with the necrotrophic fungus Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. Schlecht lupini. Four variants were compared: inoculated embryo axes cultured with 60mM sucrose (+Si) or without it (-Si), and non-inoculated embryo axes cultured with 60mM sucrose (+Sn) or without it (-Sn). Between 0 and 96h of culture, peroxidase activity towards the phenolic substrates increased in all variants except -Si, where a decrease was noted in peroxidase activity towards syringaldazine and guaiacol, but not towards pyrogallol. In +Si tissues, a considerable increase in enzyme activity towards these substrates was recorded starting from 72h of culture. Lignin content of +Si tissues increased already at the first stage of infection, i.e. 24h after inoculation. Additionally, in +Sn tissues, high ascorbate peroxidase activity was observed during the culture. Its activity increased in +Si tissues, beginning at 72h after inoculation. However, this was lower than in +Sn tissues. At 72h after inoculation, a considerably stronger development of the infection was observed in -Si than in +Si tissues during our earlier research [Morkunas, I. et al., 2005. Sucrose-stimulated accumulation of isoflavonoids as a defense response of lupine to Fusarium oxysporum. Plant Physiol Biochem 2005; 43: 363-73]. Both peroxidases assayed towards phenolic substrates and ascorbate peroxidase was less active in -Si tissues than in -Sn tissues. Hydrogen peroxide concentration was much higher in -Si than in +Si tissues. These results indicate that peroxidases may be some of the elements of the defense system that are stimulated by sucrose in yellow lupine embryo axes in response to infection caused by F. oxysporum.     

Cross-talk interactions of sucrose and Fusarium oxysporum in the phenylpropanoid pathway and the accumulation and localization of flavonoids in embryo axes of yellow lupine

This study investigated the effects of cross-talk interactions of sucrose and infection caused by a pathogenic fungus Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lupini on the regulation of the phenylpropanoid pathway, i.e. the level of expression of genes encoding enzymes participating in flavonoid biosynthesis, as well as cell location and accumulation of these compounds in embryo axes of Lupinus luteus L. cv. Polo. Embryo axes, both non-inoculated and inoculated, were cultured for 96 h on Heller medium with 60 mM sucrose (+Sn and +Si) or without it (−Sn and −Si). Real-time RT-PCR to assess expression levels of the flavonoid biosynthetic genes, phenylalanine ammonialyase (PAL), chalcone synthase (CHS), chalcone isomerase (CHI) and isoflavone synthase (IFS) were used. Sucrose alone strongly stimulated the expression of these genes. There was a very high expression level of these genes in +Si embryo axes in the early phase of infection. Signal amplification by sucrose and the infection was most intense in the 48-h +Si axes, resulting in the highest level of expression of flavonoid biosynthetic genes. In −Si tissues, the expression level of these genes increased at 48 and 72 h after inoculation relative to 24 h; however, the relative level of expression was much lower than in +Si axes, except at 72 h for PAL and CHS.Moreover, at 48 h of culture, considerably higher activity of CHI (EC 5.5.1.6) was observed in axes with a high level of sucrose than in those with a sucrose deficit. CHI activity in +Si axes at 48 and 96 h post-inoculation was over 1.5 and 2 times higher than that in +Sn axes, as well as higher than in −Si axes.Observations of yellow lupine embryo axes under a confocal microscope showed an increased post-infection accumulation of flavonoids, particularly in cells of embryo axes infected with F. oxysporum and cultured on a medium containing sucrose (+Si). Up to 48 h post-infection in +Si axes, a very intensive emission of green fluorescence was observed, indicating high accumulation of these compounds in whole cells. Moreover, a nuclear location of flavonoids was recorded in cells. Strong staining of flavonoid end products in +Si embryo axes was consistent with the expression of PAL, CHS, CHI and IFS.These results indicate that, in the early phase of infection, the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway is considerably enhanced in yellow lupine embryo axes as a strong signal amplification effect of sucrose and the pathogenic fungus F. oxysporum.     

Response of embryo axes of germinating seeds of yellow lupine to Fusarium oxysporum.

Defence responses of embryo axes of Lupinus luteus L. cv. Polo were studied 48-96 h after inoculation with Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht f.sp. lupini. The infection restricted the growth of embryo axes, the lengths of infected embryo axes 72 and 96 h after inoculation were 11 and 12 mm less in the controls, respectively, while their masses c. 0.03 g less than in the controls. The concentration of H2O2 in embryo axes of inoculated germinating seeds was higher than in the control. This was probably a consequence of oxidative burst as well as H2O2 generation by the invading necrotrophic fungal pathogen. EPR-based analyses detected the presence of free radicals with g1 and g2 values of 2.0052 +/- 0.0004 and 2.0031 +/- 0.0005, respectively. Concentrations of the radicals 72 and 96 h after inoculation were 50% higher than in the control. The values of the spectroscopic splitting coefficients suggest that they are quinone radicals. However, inoculated embryo axes possess a number of adaptive mechanisms protecting them from oxidative damage. A twofold increase in catalase (CAT, EC 1.11.1.6) activity was evidenced in embryo axes infected with F. oxysporum Schlecht f. sp. lupini, as compared to the control 48-96 h after inoculation. Superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1) activity 96 h after inoculation was 80% higher than in the control. Furthermore, EPR-based analyses revealed a higher concentration of Mn2+ ions after 72 h for inoculated embryo axes, as compared to the control. On the other hand, no increase was detected in the concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (products of lipid peroxidation) in infected embryo axes. The protective mechanisms induced in lupine embryo axes in response to F. oxysporum Schlecht f.sp. lupini were compared with responses to infections with pathogenic fungi elicited in other plant families.     

Fusarium oxysporum-induced oxidative stress and antioxidative defenses of yellow lupine embryo axes with different sugar levels

This study was designed to investigate whether and to what extent oxidative stress is induced in embryo axes of Lupinus luteus L. cv. Polo inoculated with a necrotrophic fungus, Fusarium oxysporum and cultured on Heller medium for 96h. Four variants were compared: inoculated embryo axes cultured with 60mM sucrose (+Si) or without it (-Si), and non-inoculated embryo axes cultured with 60mM sucrose (+Sn) or without it (-Sn). After inoculation, an accumulation of stable free radicals and Mn2+ ions in +Si and -Si were detected by electron paramagnetic resonance. Concentrations of the radicals with g-values of 2.0052+/-0.0004 and 2.0029+/-0.0003 were generally higher in -Si than in +Si. Beginning at 24h after inoculation, in both +Si and -Si the concentrations of these ions decreased, but more strongly in -Si than in +Si. After inoculation, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1) and catalase (CAT, EC 1.11.1.6) were higher in -Si than in +Si. SOD and CAT zymograms showed that the synthesis of new isoforms was induced after inoculation. Simultaneously, superoxide anions were assayed in embryo axes by using their specific indicator dihydroethidium (DHE). The DHE-derived fluorescence was stronger and covered a much larger tissue area in +Si than in -Si. The respiration rate was generally much higher in +Si than in -Si. Electron micrographs revealed that, in contrast to -Si cells, +Si cells had numerous mitochondria with less reduced numbers of cristae and long sections of rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi bodies. These results indicate that different defensive strategies against F. oxysporum were induced depending on soluble sugar levels in yellow lupine embryo axes.     

Differential metabolic response of narrow leafed lupine (Lupinus angustifolius) leaves to infection with Colletotrichum lupini

Flavones and isoflavones are a major group of phenolic secondary metabolites which occur in leaves of narrow leafed lupine (Lupinus angustifolius) either as free aglycones or in a form of glycosides and malonyl-glycosides. Profiles of phenolic compounds in leaves of seedlings infected with anthracnose causing fungus Colletotrichum lupini were compared to those of healthy plants. A HPLC with diode array UV detector was used as the analytical method and identification of these secondary metabolites was confirmed with a HPLC/MSⁿ instrument. Isomers of several target compounds differing in the glycosilation and/or malonylation pattern were detected in the studied samples. However, the application of standard HPLC with C18 columns resulted in the co-elution of several glyconjugates in single chromatographic peaks whereas for isoflavonoid aglycones complete resolution was achieved. Lupine plants grown in a greenhouse were either sprayed with the C. lupini spore suspension or the suspension was spotted on to wounded leaves. Profiles of the isoflavones were altered in result to infection with both methods. In particular, the concentration of isoflavone free aglycones detected in extracts from diseased plants was substantially increased in all of the studied samples. However, the pattern of these compounds depended on the age of lupine leaves as well as on the method of infection. Synthesis of luteone and 2′-hydroxygenistein was enhanced in the youngest leaves of plants sprayed with spores as well as in wound-infected leaves. Wighteone synthesis was induced mainly in older leaves of plants sprayed with the spore suspension.     

Morning glory systemically accumulates scopoletin and scopolin after interaction with Fusarium oxysporum

An isolate of non-pathogenic Fusarium, Fusarium oxysporum 101-2 (NPF), induces resistance in the cuttings of morning glory against Fusarium wilt caused by F. oxysporum f. sp. batatas O-17 (PF). The effect of NPF on phenylpropanoid metabolism in morning glory cuttings was studied. It was found that morning glory tissues responded to treatment with NPF bud-cell suspension (108 bud-cells/ml) with the activation of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL). PAL activity was induced faster and greater in the NPF-treated cuttings compared to cuttings of a distilled water control. High performance liquid chromatography analysis of the extract from tissues of morning glory cuttings after NPF treatment showed a quicker induction of scopoletin and scopolin synthesis than that seen in the control cuttings. PF also the induced synthesis of these compounds at 10(5) bud-cells/ml, but inhibited it at 10(8) bud-cells/ml. Possibly PF produced constituent(s) that elicited the inhibitory effect on induction of the resistance reaction. These compounds could potentially be useful as markers to detect early beginning interactions between Fusarium and morning glory tissues cuttings.     

Metabolic and ultrastructural responses of lupine embryo axes to sugar starvation

Embryo axes isolated from germinating lupine seeds were cultivated in vitro for 24-96 h over media containing either 60 mmol/L sucrose or no sucrose. Ultrastructural studies showed that large vacuoles were accumulating in a central region of primary parenchyma cells in sucrose starved lupine embryo axes, whereas cytoplasm along with organelles were forced to a periphery of the cells. We suggest that the autolysis of cytoplasmic proteins contributes to the accumulation of the vacuoles and this suggestion is consistent with the results of the characterisation of protein content. The level of cytosolic proteins was reduced by 50% and the activity of cytosolic marker enzyme, PEP carboxylase, was reduced by 46% in starved embryos as compared to control. The mitochondria from starved tissues were not degraded. The level of mitochondrial proteins was reduced by only 10% and the activity of mitochondrial NAD-isocitrate dehydrogenase decreased by 8% as a result of starvation. As demonstrated by the results of Percoll density gradient centrifugation, sucrose starvation caused an increase of 49% in many of the higher density mitochondria fractions, whereas many of the lower density mitochondria fractions were decreased by 33%. The samples of mitochondria from starved embryo axes were determined to have higher respiration activity in the presence of glutamate and malate as compared to control samples. EPR-based analyses of free radicals showed the presence of free radicals with a signal at g = 2.0060 in embryo axes. The level of the radical was two times higher in sucrose-starved embryo axes than in control (the level of this radical increased in senescing plant tissues as well). The results of EPR-based quantitation of Mn2+ ions revealed that the level was a few times higher in starved material than in control. Starved embryo axes, however, do possess a number of adaptive mechanisms protecting them from oxidative damage. Densitometric analyses of gels revealed an increase in the activity of SOD in sugar-starved embryos, whereas CAT and POX activities were lower in axes grown without sucrose as compared to control. Superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase zymogram analyses showed that synthesis of new isoforms was not induced by sugar starvation. An accumulation of phytoferritin was found in plastids of sucrose starved embryos. These results are discussed in relation to the metabolic changes observed in senescing plant tissues.     

Distribution of isoflavones in lupin hypocotyls. Possible control of cell wall peroxidase activity involved in lignification

The distribution of 4 key isoflavones (luteone, genistein, 2'-hydroxygenistein and wighteone) in lupin ( Lupinus albus L. cv. multolupa) hypocotyls shows a gradient that diminishes from young to old tissues. A spatial gradient occurs within the hypocotyl, and a temporal gradient in both the outermost vascular and epidermal tissues. Not only does a gradient exist in respect to the quantity of isoflavones, but there is also a gradient in respect to the type of isoflavone. Thus, wighteone is mainly associated with the non-meristematic zones of the lupin hypocotyl. A close relationship was found between the distribution and the localization in the walls of phloem cells of both peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7) and isoflavones. This observation suggests an in vivo peroxidase-isoflavone interconnection. In fact, lupin isoflavones are able to inhibit the peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of the lignin precursor coniferyl alcohol, probably due to the co-oxidation of isoflavones in the reaction media. The results are discussed on the basis of a possible role for isoflavones in controlling cell wallperoxidase activity involved in the lignification of phloem cells.     

淡紫紫孢菌PLF-1对感染尖刀镰孢菌百合种球的促生作用及其相关防御酶活性变化

为了探究淡紫紫孢菌(Purpureocillium lilacinum)PLF-1对百合种球的促生作用及对百合尖刀镰孢菌的防治效果,采用平板对峙法评估淡紫紫孢菌对尖孢镰刀菌的拮抗效果,以及淡紫紫孢菌对百合抗尖孢镰刀菌的抗性作用。同时监测百合种球中超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化物酶（POD）和过氧化氢酶（CAT）的活性变化情况。研究结果表明：浓度为4.34×10⁴ CFU/mL和4.34×10⁵ CFU/mL的淡紫紫孢菌孢子悬浮液对百合种球表现为促进作用,浓度为4.34×10⁴ CFU/mL时最高茎长达11 cm。平板拮抗实验中该淡紫紫孢菌菌株能有效抑制尖孢镰刀菌生长,抑制率高达72%。接种淡紫紫孢菌和病原菌的百合种球茎长会增长37.6%,根长会增长33%。该菌株能提高感染尖刀镰孢菌百合种球中的超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化物酶（POD）和过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性,有效抑制尖刀镰孢菌的毒害作用,促进植株健康生长。     

Regulation by sucrose of storage compounds breakdown in germinating seeds of yellow lupine (Lupinus luteus L.), white lupine (Lupinus albus L.) and Andean lupine (Lupinus mutabilis Sweet). II. Mobilization of storage lipid

Research of the regulatory function of sucrose in storage lipid breakdown was conducted on isolated embryo axes, excised cotyledons and whole seedlings of three lupine species grown in vitro on medium with 60 mM sucrose or without the sugar. Lack of sucrose in the medium caused significant increase in total lipid content in yellow, white and Andean lupine isolated embryo axes but in Andean lupine seedling cotyledons and excised cotyledons, lipid level was clearly lower in carbohydrates deficient conditions. Sucrose caused no significant effect on fatty acids spectra. The main fatty acid in yellow lupine seeds was linoleic acid, in white lupine oleic acid and in Andean lupine both oleic and linoleic acids. The main phospholipid in organs of three lupine species was phosphatidylcholine. In sugar-deficient conditions, content of phosphatidylcholine and some others phospholipids was decreased. The peculiar features of regulation by sugars of storage lipid breakdown in germinating lupine seeds and induction of autophagy in young carbohydrate starved embryo axes is discussed.     

应用PCR-RFLP和巢式PCR检测黄瓜尖镰孢菌

以3株黄瓜尖镰孢菌(Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.cucumarinum)、23株镰孢菌属(Fusariumspp.)真菌和分离自土壤的20株真菌、6株细菌和7株放线菌为材料,采用化学裂解法提取总DNA,进行PCR-RFLP和巢式PCR检测,试验证明PCR-RFLP程序不能完全区分Fusarium属内不同种,而巢式PCR对黄瓜尖镰孢菌具有特异性.运用优化的PCR-RFLP和巢式PCR检测程序对染病黄瓜组织进行了检测,结果表明,两种方法均可在接种发病早期(未显症时)检测出黄瓜枯萎病菌,PCR-RFLP在感病品种接种后3d即可检测到病原菌,而巢式PCR在接种后5d才能检测到病原菌.     

Cyclosporine A from a nonpathogenic Fusarium oxysporum suppressing Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

AIMS: To evaluate the antagonistic activity of Fusarium oxysporum nonpathogenic fungal strain S6 against the phytopathogenic fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and to identify the antifungal compounds involved. METHODS AND RESULTS: The antagonistic activity of Fusarium oxysporum strain S6 was determined in vitro by dual cultures. The metabolite responsible for the activity was isolated by chromatographic techniques, purified and identified by spectroscopic methods as cyclosporine A. The antifungal activity against the pathogen was correlated with the presence of this metabolite by a dilution assay and then quantified. Cyclosporine A caused both growth inhibition and suppression of sclerotia formation. In a greenhouse assay, a significant increase in the number of surviving soybean (Glycine max) plants was observed when S. sclerotiorum and F. oxysporum (S6) were inoculated together when compared with plants inoculated with S. sclerotiorum alone. CONCLUSION: Fusarium oxysporum (S6) may be a good fungal biological control agent for S. sclerotiorum and cyclosporine A is the responsible metabolite involved in its antagonistic activity in vitro. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Cyclosporine A has not been previously described as an inhibitor of S. sclerotiorum. Its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.1 microg disc(-1) makes it suitable to use as a biofungicide. In vivo experiments showed that F. oxysporum (S6) is a good candidate for the biocontrol of S. sclerotiorum in soybean.     

Tomatinase from Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici is required for full virulence on tomato plants

Saponin detoxification enzymes from pathogenic fungi are involved in the infection process of their host plants. Fusarium oxysporum f. sp lycopersici, a tomato pathogen, produces the tomatinase enzyme Tom1, which degrades alpha-tomatine to less toxic derivates. To study the role of the tom1 gene in the virulence of F. oxysporum, we performed targeted disruption and overexpression of the gene. The infection process of tomato plants inoculated with transformants constitutively producing Tom1 resulted in an increase of symptom development. By contrast, tomato plants infected with the knockout mutants showed a delay in the disease process, indicating that Tom1, although not essential for pathogenicity, is required for the full virulence of F. oxysporum. Total tomatinase activity in the disrupted strains was reduced only 25%, leading to beta(2)-tomatine as the main hydrolysis product of the saponin in vitro. In silico analysis of the F. oxysporum genome revealed the existence of four additional putative tomatinase genes with identities to tomatinases from family 3 of glycosyl hydrolases. These might be responsible for the remaining tomatinase activity in the Deltatom1 mutants. Our results indicate that detoxification of alpha-tomatine in F. oxysporum is carried out by several tomatinase activities, suggesting the importance of these enzymes during the infection process.     

Acifluorfen-induced isoflavonoids and enzymes of their biosynthesis in mature soybean leaves : whole leaf and mesophyll responses

Mature soybean (Glycine max L. cv Harosoy 63) leaves normally contain kaempferol-3-glycosides but they accumulate no other flavonoids. Whole leaves sprayed with the diphenyl ether herbicide Acifluorfen and maintained in the light developed small necrotic lesions and accumulated isoflavone aglycones, isoflavone glucosides, and pterocarpans. Isoflavonoid accumulation was preceded by induced activity for chalcone synthase (CHS) and by increased activity for phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and UDP-glucose:isoflavone 7-O-glucosyl transferase (IGT). PAL and CHS activity was highest between 24 and 30 hours after treatment, isoflavone aglycones and pterocarpans at 48 hours, IGT at 72 hours, and isoflavone glucosides at 96 hours.     

Regulation by sucrose of storage compounds breakdown in germinating seeds of yellow lupine (Lupinus luteus L.), white lupine (Lupinus albus L.) and Andean lupine (Lupinus mutabilis Sweet): I. Mobilization of storage protein

Research of the regulatory function of sucrose in storage protein breakdown was conducted on isolated embryo axes, excised cotyledons and whole seedlings of three lupine species grown in vitro on medium with 60 mM sucrose or without the sugar. Sucrose stimulated growth of yellow, white and Andean lupine isolated embryo axes and cotyledons but growth of seedlings was inhibited. Dry matter content was higher in sucrose-fed isolated organs and in seedling organs. Ultrastructure research revealed that lack of sucrose in the medium caused enhancement in storage protein breakdown. Protein deposits in cotyledons were smaller as well as soluble portion content in all studied organs was lower when there was no sucrose in the medium. In the same conditions, the activity of glutamate dehydrogenase was significantly higher. Increase in vacuolization of cells of white lupine root meristematic zone cells was observed and induction of autophagy in young carbohydrate-starved embryo axes is discussed.     

Arabidopsis defense response against Fusarium oxysporum

The plant fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum (Fox) is the causal agent of root rot or wilt diseases in several plant species, including crops such as tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), banana (Musa sapientum) and asparagus (Asparagus officinalis). Colonization of plants by Fox leads to the necrosis of the infected tissues, a subsequent collapse of vascular vessels and decay of the plant. Plant resistance to Fox appears to be monogenic or oligogenic depending on the host. Perception of Fox by plants follows the concept of elicitor-induced immune response, which in turn activates several plant defense signaling pathways. Here, we review the Fox-derived elicitors identified so far and the interaction among the different signaling pathways mediating plant resistance to Fox.     

Biosynthesis of antifungal isoflavonoids in Lupinus albus. Enzymatic prenylation of genistein and 2'-hydroxygenistein.

A 45,000g particulate fraction from hypocotyls of Lupinus albus catalyzes the prenylation of genistein 1 and 2′-hydroxygenistein 2 with dimethylallyl pyrophosphate to the antifungal 6-isopentenylgenistein 3 (wighteone) and 6-isopentenyl-2′-hydroxygenistein 4 (luteone), respectively.