玉米ZmSOD基因克隆及其在干旱胁迫下的表达

为探讨超氧化物歧化酶(superoxide dismutase，SOD)基因在玉米抗逆反应中的作用，研究选用2个抗旱性有明显差别的玉米品种为试验材料，采用RT-PCR、实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)及二维凝胶电泳(2-DE)耦联的基质辅助激光解吸电离/飞行时间质谱(MALDI-TOF)法，对ZmSOD基因的序列结构及其在干旱胁迫下的表达特性进行分析。结果表明：(1)从干旱敏感品种‘登海605’(DH605)和抗旱品种‘蠡玉35’(LY35)玉米叶片中分别成功克隆出ZmSOD1和ZmSOD2基因。DH605中ZmSOD1开放阅读框(ORF)全长456 bp，编码151个氨基酸，编码的蛋白等电点为5.76，分子量为15.05 kD。LY35中ZmSOD2ORF全长459 bp，编码152个氨基酸，编码的蛋白等电点为5.65，分子量为15.11 kD；ZmSOD1和ZmSOD2是亲水性稳定蛋白，都含有Cu/Zn-SOD结构域，蛋白序列N端无信号肽及无跨膜结构域。同源性和系统进化分析表明，玉米ZmSOD和谷子Cu/Zn-SOD2的亲缘关系最近，相似性高达96.05%。(2)在干旱条件下，ZmSOD1在DH605中转录水平明显降低，LY35中ZmSOD2转录水平显著升高；2-DE耦联的质谱分析显示：ZmSOD1在DH605中表达量明显降低，LY35中ZmSOD2表达量无显著性变化，却检测到Mn-SOD蛋白表达量显著增加。(3)相关分析显示，干旱条件下，DH605叶片中ZmSOD1转录水平和其蛋白丰度及SOD酶活性呈极显著性正相关，LY35叶片中ZmSOD2转录水平与SOD酶活性呈显著性正相关。研究结果为进一步探索SOD基因在调节玉米抗性以及逆境胁迫应答过程中的作用机制提供了基础。     

番茄LeRma1基因的克隆与表达

以番茄‘哈大粉801’为试材,利用RT-PCR技术,克隆得到1个E3泛素蛋白连接酶基因LeRma1（GenBank登录号XM_004243764.1）。对LeRma1基因进行序列分析,并对LeRma1基因在番茄植株的不同部位以及在非生物胁迫（干旱、盐、碱、高温、低温）下的表达和生理特性进行研究,为培育和改良番茄品种提供理论依据。结果表明：（1）序列分析显示,LeRma1基因的cDNA全长序列729 bp,编码242个氨基酸,分子量为27.05 kD,理论pI 7.97;同源分析显示,番茄LeRma1蛋白与马铃薯的一致性最高（91%）。（2）半定量PCR检测表明, LeRma1基因在番茄根、茎、叶、花、果实中均有表达,且表达差异不明显。（3）干旱胁迫下,LeRma1基因在番茄叶片中优势表达,而在整个干旱过程中根部的LeRma1基因表达量变化不明显;抗旱相关基因LEA、 DREB2A、ABI3在干旱胁迫过程中,番茄叶片中均有表达,且其表达量呈上升趋势,而在根部DREB2A、ABI3基因基本没有检测到。（4）干旱胁迫过程中,番茄植株中丙二醛（MDA）含量呈显著升高趋势,质膜系统严重损伤,体内保护酶（SOD、POD、CAT）活性上升,且根部活性总体明显高于叶片。（5）在非生物逆境（盐、碱、高温、低温）胁迫过程中,LeRma1基因在番茄叶片和根部的表达几乎都有增强的趋势,且在叶片中均是胁迫3 h后诱导起始增强表达。研究认为,LeRma1基因是一个受干旱胁迫诱导增强表达的基因,且在叶片中优势表达,说明LeRma1基因对植物耐受干旱胁迫所起的作用存在一定的组织差异性,而且LeRma1基因可能参与番茄的干旱应答及信号转导过程,在番茄抵抗其他非生物胁迫中LeRma1基因也可能具有一定的作用。     

烟草NtSKOR1基因的克隆及功能分析

该研究利用拟南芥AtSKOR蛋白序列,通过NCBI的Blast搜索获得烟草NtSKOR1基因CDS序列。设计全长CDS扩增引物,通过RT PCR方法从栽培烟草中克隆得到NtSKOR1基因,对其进行生物信息学、表达特性等分析,并利用CRISPR/Cas9技术获得NtSKOR1的敲除材料。结果表明：(1)NtSKOR1基因CDS由2 466 bp核苷酸组成,编码821个氨基酸,推测NtSKOR1蛋白等电点为6.36,分子量为94.21 kD。(2)NtSKOR1定位于细胞膜,有6个跨膜区,无信号肽序列;NtSKOR1蛋白含有孔形成区(P)及锚定蛋白区(ANK)等典型SKOR类蛋白功能域。(3)进化树分析表明,烟草NtSKOR1蛋白与番茄和马铃薯的SKOR蛋白遗传距离最近,与禾本科植物的SKOR蛋白遗传距离较远。(4)组织特异性表达分析表明,NtSKOR1基因主要在烟草根中表达,其表达模式与拟南芥一致;钾胁迫处理后,NtSKOR1基因呈先降低后升高再降低的表达模式。(5)CRISPR/Cas9敲除NtSKOR1基因,烟草叶片钾含量显著降低,表明NtSKOR1基因是控制烟叶钾离子的关键基因之一。该研究结果为解析烟草钾离子吸收转运的分子机制提供重要依据。     

转新型抗虫基因Vip3A棉花新种质的创制

该研究构建植物表达载体pBin438 Vip3A,通过农杆菌介导法转化棉花品种‘冀合713’,将新型抗虫基因Vip3A导入到棉花植株,创制对棉铃虫抗性的转基因棉花新种质。结果表明：(1)PCR检测Vip3A基因已经导入到棉花基因组中且能够稳定遗传。(2)室内抗虫性鉴定表明,与对照相比转基因植株对棉铃虫的抗性显著提高,并获得2株高抗和3株抗棉铃虫的转Vip3A基因株系。(3)Southern blotting结果显示,转基因株系BV01为单拷贝。(4)Elisa检测表明,外源Vip3A基因在BV01的根、茎、叶、花、种子中都有表达,在叶片中的Vip3A蛋白表达为苗期>蕾期>花期>铃期>吐絮期。该研究创制了新型抗虫转基因棉花材料,为培育棉花新型抗虫品种提供了种质资源。     

烟草NtNHX1 3基因的克隆及表达特性

以栽培烟草‘云烟87’为材料,通过同源克隆方法分离了烟草NHX（Na⁺,K⁺/H⁺ exchanger）基因NtNHX1 3。结果表明：NtNHX1 3基因CDS长度1 617 bp,编码蛋白质长度为538 aa,蛋白理论等电点为8.67,分子量为59.34 kD。预测NtNHX1 3属于膜蛋白,含有11个跨膜区,且含有NHX类蛋白保守位点氨氯吡嗪咪结合位点。进化树分析显示,NtNHX1 3与菊苣、野菊花NHX遗传距离最近。qRT PCR组织特异性表达分析表明,NtNHX1 3在烟草叶片中表达量最高,根、茎、花中也有表达;盐胁迫处理后NtNHX1 3基因的表达上调,表明该基因参与了盐胁迫反应;打顶初期NtNHX1 3基因的表达呈逐渐上调的趋势,与该时期钾含量逐渐升高相吻合。研究推测,NtNHX1 3具有将钾离子从细胞质转运至液泡的功能。     

长穗偃麦草EeSKOR启动子的克隆及功能分析

为了研究外整流钾通道蛋白(stelar K⁺ outward rectifier channels,SKOR)基因SKOR在长穗偃麦草中的功能,利用热不对称交错PCR(Tail PCR)技术,克隆了长穗偃麦草EeSKOR启动子,并进行启动子顺式作用元件及基因表达分析。结果表明：(1)成功获得长穗偃麦草EeSKOR基因起始密码子上游798 bp启动子序列,命名为pEeSKOR。 (2)EeSKOR启动子除必须具备的核心启动元件外,还含有特异转录因子结合位点、植物激素响应元件、光响应元件、组织特异的启动元件和胁迫响应元件。(3)成功构建植物表达载体pEeSKOR∷GUS,经农杆菌介导的瞬时转化,EeSKOR启动子驱动GUS报告基因可在拟南芥的叶、叶柄和根中表达。(4)实时定量PCR检测显示,在NaCl、PEG、ABA和SA处理下长穗偃麦草EeSKOR基因在根中呈现不同的表达模式,NaCl处理下EeSKOR的表达量呈先下调后上调趋势;PEG处理下EeSKOR的表达量呈上调趋势,且随着时间的延长显著上调;ABA处理下EeSKOR的表达受到抑制且随处理时间延长呈显著下调趋势;SA处理下EeSKOR表现出先上调后下调趋势,且在处理72 h时表达量显著低于正常表达水平。研究认为,EeSKOR基因的表达受NaCl、PEG、ABA和SA的诱导调节。该研究结果为进一步系统研究长穗偃麦草EeSKOR基因功能提供重要理论依据。     

菘蓝IiCYP79F1基因的克隆与表达分析

该研究以菘蓝叶片为材料,采用RT PCR方法克隆菘蓝IiCYP79F1基因,并对其进行生物信息学与表达模式分析。结果表明：（1）成功获得IiCYP79F1基因的gDNA全长（2 109 bp）,包含3个外显子及2个内含子,ORF全长为1 626 bp,编码541个氨基酸（GenBank登录号为KY774689.1）;生物信息学分析显示,IiCYP79F1蛋白的二级结构主要由α 螺旋（43.81%）、无规则卷曲（35.49%）、延伸链（13.68%）和β 转角（7.02%）组成;其氨基酸序列与西兰花、欧洲油菜、芜菁和芝麻菜的相似性较高,其蛋白与芝麻菜的亲缘关系最近。（2）qRT PCR分析显示,IiCYP79F1基因呈时空特异性表达,且在茎中与幼苗期高表达;MeJA、Ag⁺、葡萄糖和机械损伤处理均能有效促进IiCYP79F1基因的表达,而SA和低温处理则具有明显的抑制作用。该研究结果为进一步探讨IiCYP79F1在菘蓝芥子油苷生物合成中的作用奠定了基础,也为培育高芥子油苷含量的菘蓝新种质提供了新思路。     

葡萄CBF4基因生物信息学及其对低温和硅酸钾响应分析

为探究葡萄CBF4基因的结构和表达特征,该研究以葡萄为材料,对葡萄 CBF4基因进行生物信息学及低温和硅酸钾响应分析。结果表明:(1)CBF4蛋白定位在细胞核,有5个磷酸化位点和14个糖基化位点,无信号肽,是一个亲水的、脂溶性较差的膜外蛋白。二级结构以无规则卷曲为主,比例为56.88%。该蛋白包含一个AP2/EREBP结构域。(2)CBF4蛋白的多序列和系统进化分析表明酿酒葡萄与美洲葡萄的同源性最高、亲缘关系最近。(3)荧光定量 PCR 分析显示,低温胁迫后CBF4基因在葡萄叶片中表达水平上调,说明CBF4基因可能参与了葡萄叶片低温胁迫的响应。低温条件下,施加硅酸钾CBF4基因表达具有差异性,说明该基因在不同的葡萄组织中对硅酸钾的响应机制可能不同。以上结果为进一步研究葡萄CBF4基因的功能和机理奠定了基础。     

蓖麻RcMsc2基因功能分析

G2/有丝分裂特异性细胞周期蛋白 2(G2/mitotic-specific cyclin-2,Msc2)作为高等植物应对逆境胁迫的关键调控蛋白,参与多个抗逆境胁迫的应答。为探究RcMsc2基因的功能,该研究从蓖麻叶片组织中成功克隆了RcMsc2,并利用生物信息学分析RcMsc2蛋白的结构和潜在功能,同时借助qRT-PCR方法分析RcMsc2基因的组织表达特性和非生物胁迫表达特性。结果表明:(1)RcMsc2基因位于蓖麻第5号染色体长臂,该基因的CDS(coding sequence)区是1 299 bp,编码432个氨基酸。(2)RcMsc2蛋白拥有细胞周期(cyclin)家族特征结构域,是一个不稳定酸性亲水蛋白,无跨膜域和信号肽,相对分子量为49.38 kD。(3)RcMsc2蛋白质的二级、三级结构以α-螺旋和无规则卷曲为主。(4)RcMsc2蛋白与麻风树和巴西橡胶树的CYCB2蛋白的序列同源性最高,且同被聚为Group Ⅱ。(5)35S-RcMsc2-GFP融合蛋白定位于细胞核。(6)RcMsc2基因在蓖麻的所有组织中均有表达且主要在根和茎中发挥作用; 非生物胁迫分析表明RcMsc2基因可以被脱落酸(abscisic acid, ABA)、盐、干旱和低温处理诱导表达,并且RcMsc2基因对低温胁迫的响应最敏感。综上表明,该研究较全面地分析了RcMsc2基因的结构特征、系统进化和表达模式,为揭示RcMsc2基因在蓖麻的生长发育和应答冷胁迫过程中的功能提供了理论参考。     

北美鹅掌楸LtAGO1基因的克隆、表达及其启动子分析

为深入探究叶原基分化成叶器官的形态建成机制,该研究以北美鹅掌楸为材料,采用RT-PCR和RACE克隆技术获得LtAGO1的cDNA全长和启动子序列并预测其功能,通过RT-qPCR分析LtAGO1在鹅掌楸属中的组织表达模式。同时,经抗性筛选和DNA鉴定获得ProAGO1 ∷ GUS的转基因拟南芥株系,并进一步对T2代阳性植株进行表型和GUS组织化学染色分析。结果表明:(1) LtAGO1基因包含3 300 bp的开放阅读框,编码1 100个氨基酸,分子量为122.14 kD,理论等电点(pI)为9.36。(2)氨基酸序列分析显示LtAGO1含Gly-rich-AGO1和Piwi两个典型的AGO基因结构域,同源性分析显示LtAGO1蛋白与沉水樟AGO1蛋白(RWR84608.1)亲缘关系最近。(3)组织表达特异性分析显示LtAGO1在北美鹅掌楸不同组织间的相对表达量为雄蕊>花芽>花瓣>花萼>叶片>雌蕊>叶芽>茎,LtAGO1在北美鹅掌楸叶片不同发育阶段的相对表达量为叶芽萌动期>幼叶期>衰老期>成熟期,AGO1在鹅掌楸属叶缘的表达量高于叶片的其他部位且北美鹅掌楸叶凹陷部位的表达量高于叶尖部位。(4)获得叶中-侧轴向和基-顶轴向的极性缺失、叶缘锯齿、重瓣花型的转化株系,GUS组织染色显示ProAGO1启动GUS基因在叶芽顶端稳定表达且在新分化的叶柄上表达较强,在成熟期的茎、叶、花和果的维管束中均特异表达。LtAGO1启动子的GUS活性强度为叶顶芽>花>维管束,这与实时定量PCR结果相一致。综上认为,LtAGO1基因在顶端分生组织特异表达且受到多种途径的调控而参与到叶和花器官的发育进程中。该研究结果为进一步了解北美鹅掌楸LtAGO1基因的基本功能及其调控叶形发育机制提供了理论基础。     

Transgenic indica Rice Expressing ns-LTP-Like Protein Shows Enhanced Resistance to Both Fungal and Bacterial Pathogens

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) from plant seeds, known to inhibit pathogen growth have a great potential in developing transgenic plants resistant to disease. Some of the nonspecific-lipid transfer proteins (ns-LTP) that facilitate in vitro transport of lipids, show antimicrobial activity in vitro. Rice seeds also contain ns-LTPs; however, these genes are expressed weakly in seedlings. We have transformed Pusa Basmati 1, an elite indica rice cultivar, with the gene for Ace-AMP1 from Allium cepa, coding for an effective antimicrobial protein homologous to ns-LTPs. The gene for Ace-AMP1 was cloned under an inducible rice phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) or a constitutive maize ubiquitin (UbI) promoter. Ace-AMP1 was expressed in transgenic lines and secreted in the apoplastic space. Protein extracts from leaves of transgenic plants inhibited three major rice pathogens, Magnaporthe grisea, Rhizoctonia solani and Xanthomonas oryzae, in vitro. Enhanced resistance against these pathogens was observed in in planta assays, and the degree of resistance correlating with the levels of Ace-AMP1 with an average increase in resistance to blast, sheath blight, and bacterial leaf blight disease by 86%, 67%, and 82%, respectively. Importantly, transgenic rice plants, with stable integration and expression of Ace-AMP1, retained their agronomic characteristics while displaying enhanced resistance to both fungal and bacterial pathogens.     

Efficient Inoculation of Rice black‐streaked dwarf virus to Maize Using Laodelphax striatellus Fallen

Maize rough dwarf disease caused by Rice black‐streaked dwarf virus (RBSDV) is the most important disease of maize in China. Although deploying disease resistant hybrids would be the most effective way to control the disease, development of resistant hybrids has been limited by virus transmission rates that are too low for effective screening. An efficient inoculation technique for RBSDV was developed using Laodelphax striatellus Fallen, in which a virus‐free planthopper colony was developed and viruliferous planthoppers were obtained by allowing a 3‐ to 4‐day acquisition access period on RBSDV‐infected wheat plants. Planthoppers were then allowed a 25‐ to 28‐day latent period on wheat seedlings followed by a 3‐day inoculation access period on two‐to‐three‐leaf stage maize seedlings. By 35 days postinoculation, susceptible hybrid ‘Zhengdan 958’, inbred lines of ‘Ye 107’ and ‘Ye 478’ plants showed 100% RBSDV infection with symptoms of stunting plants, darkening leaves and white waxy swellings on underside of leaves. At tasseling stage, average disease indices were from 96.4 to 100.0%. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays were correlated with the presence of symptoms. The high efficiency of RBSDV transmission obtained using this technique provides a reliable procedure to screen for RBSDV resistance in maize.     

The use of insecticides to control maize rough dwarf virus (MRDV) in maize*

Insecticides were screened in the laboratory for fast action against the delphacid planthopper, Laodelphax striatellus, the vector of maize rough dwarf virus (MRDV) in Israel. In these tests the synthetic pyrethroids were more efficient than oxydemeton-methyl or endosulfan giving 50% mortality after 5 h compared to 10% in the non-pyrethroid insecticides. Selected insecticides were then tested in maize fields for their effect on disease spread and crop yield. The synthetic pyrethroids cypermethrin, fluvalinate and biphenthrin reduced MRDV incidence by 22–59% and disease was less severe in the treated plots. Total crop yield (stems, leaves, ears) was 28% higher in the biphenthrin-and fluvalinate-treated plots than in untreated plots.     

Transmission by Laodelphax striatellus Fallen of Rice black‐streaked dwarf virus from Frozen Infected Rice Leaves to Healthy Plants of Rice and Maize

Rice black‐streaked dwarf virus (RBSDV) is transmitted naturally to important crops such as rice, maize, barley and wheat in a persistent manner by the planthoppers, Laodelphax striatellus, Unkanodes sapporona and Unkanodes albifascia. Insect vector transmission tests are the basis for identifying viral incidence, evaluating the resistance of varieties and selecting resistance sources for rice and maize breeding. A simple, rapid and reliable method is described by which virus‐free small brown planthoppers (L. striatellus) acquired RBSDV from frozen infected rice leaves and transmitted it to healthy rice and maize plants. After feeding on frozen infected rice leaves, the planthoppers were tested by RT‐PCR for the presence of virus after 10, 15, and 22 days, respectively. The percentages of RBSDV‐containing insects were 0, 25 and 71.43% of L. striatellus fed on frozen infected rice leaves compared to 0, 28.25 and 71.43% of L. striatellus fed on fresh infected rice leaves, respectively. In transmission tests, three of eight rice seedlings (37.5%) and four of eight maize seedlings (50%) were inoculated by the planthoppers that had fed previously on frozen leaves and had allowed a 22 days latent period and showed typical disease symptoms. As a positive control, four of eight rice seedlings (50%) and four of six maize seedlings (66.67%) became infected. All rice and maize plants expressing disease symptoms were identified as virus‐positive by RT‐PCR. These results indicated that the planthoppers acquired RBSDV from frozen infected leaves and transmitted the virus to healthy plants.     

Identification of quantitative trait loci controlling resistance to maize chlorotic dwarf virus

Ineffective screening methods and low levels of disease resistance have hampered genetic analysis of maize (Zea mays L.) resistance to disease caused by maize chlorotic dwarf virus (MCDV). Progeny from a cross between the highly resistant maize inbred line Oh1VI and the susceptible inbred line Va35 were evaluated for MCDV symptoms after multiple virus inoculations, using the viral vector Graminella nigrifrons. Symptom severity scores from three rating dates were used to calculate area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) scores for vein banding, leaf twist and tear, and whorl chlorosis. AUDPC scores for the F₂ population indicated that MCDV resistance was quantitatively inherited. Genotypic and phenotypic analyses of 314 F₂ individuals were compared using composite interval mapping (CIM) and analysis of variance. CIM identified two major quantitative trait loci (QTL) on chromosomes 3 and 10 and two minor QTL on chromosomes 4 and 6. Resistance was additive, with alleles from Oh1VI at the loci on chromosomes 3 and 10 contributing equally to resistance.     

Screening of wild accessions resistant to gray mold (Botrytis cinerea Pers.) in Lycopersicon

Tomato gray mold (Botrytis cinerea Pers.) is a common disease worldwide, and often causes serious production loss by infecting leaves, stems, flowers and fruits. Presently, no resistant cultivars are available. To find new breeding materials for gray mold resistance, assessment for resistance of the leaflet and stem in six tomato cultivars, 44 wild tomato accessions and a Solanum lycopersicoides accession was performed. Although no correlation was observed (r=−0.127^ns) between resistance of the leaflet and the stem, L. peruvianum LA2745, L. hirsutum LA2314 and L. pimpinellifolium LA1246 showed high resistance both in the leaflet and in the stem. Particularly, in the leaves of LA2745, no lesions were observed even more than two weeks after the inoculation with conidia, and F1s between a cultivated tomato and LA2745 also showed high resistance as observed in LA2745. From these results, LA2745 is thought to be a promising material for breeding gray-mold resistant cultivars.     

Screening for Barley yellow dwarf virus-Resistant Barley Genotypes by Assessment of Virus Content in Inoculated Seedlings

The content of Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) in roots and leaves of barley seedling plants differing in their level of resistance was assessed by quantitative ELISA 1–42 days after inoculation with the strain of BYDV (PAV). High virus accumulation in roots and low concentration in leaves was characteristic of the period 9–15 days after inoculation. In leaves, the differences in virus content between resistant and susceptible genotypes became significant after 15 days and resistance to virus accumulation was better expressed 30–39 days after inoculation. Roots of resistant materials exhibited evident retardation of virus accumulation and the greatest difference in virus content between resistant and susceptible plants was detected 9 days after inoculation. By these criteria, the selected winter and spring barley cultivars and lines (in total 44 materials) fell in to five groups according to field reactions and the presence or absence of the Yd2 resistance gene. There were highly significant and positive relations between ELISA values and 5‐year field data on symptomatic reactions and grain‐yield reductions due to infection. Using the described method, resistant and moderately resistant genotypes (both Yd2 and non‐Yd2) were significantly differentiated from susceptible genotypes. The possible use of this method in screening for BYDV resistance is discussed.     

Interactions between iron nutrition and Verticillium wilt resistance in tomato

The relationship between Fe nutritional status and Verticillium wilt disease in tomatoes possessing single gene resistance to Race 1 of Verticillium dahliae was investigated using hydroponic culture media. Iron limiting conditions increased the sensitivity of resistant tomatoes to the pathogen as expressed by wilting and chlorosis. Distance of fungal vascular invasion was approximately the same in both Fe replete and Fe limited treatments. Comparison of near-isolines revealed that the magnitude of disease expressed in Fe deficient Pixie II (resistant) was considerably less than that expressed by the susceptible Pixie variety. Infection of tomato did not enhance the severity of low-Fe stress as quantified by root peroxidase activity and chlorophyll content of young leaves.     

Combinative effects of a bacterial type-III effector and a biocontrol bacterium on rice growth and disease resistance

Expression of HpaG_Xoo, a bacterial type-III effector, in transgenic plants induces disease resistance. Resistance also can be elicited by biocontrol bacteria. In both cases, plant growth is often promoted. Here we address whether biocontrol bacteria and HpaG_Xoo can act together to provide better results in crop improvement. We studied effects ofPseudomonas cepacia on the rice variety R109 and the hpaG_Xoo-expressing rice line HER1. Compared to R109, HER1 showed increased growth, grain yield, and defense responses toward diseases and salinity stress. Colonization of roots byP. cepacia caused 20% and 13% increase, in contrast to controls, in root growth of R109 and HER1. Growth of leaves and stems also increased in R109 but that of HER 1 was inhibited. WhenP. cepacia colonization was subsequent to plant inoculation withRhizoctonia solani, a pathogen that causes sheath blight, the disease was less severe than controls in both R109 and HER1; HER1, nevertheless, was more resistant, suggesting thatP.cepacia and HpaG_Xoo cooperate in inducing disease resistance. Several genes that critically regulate growth and defense behaved differentially in HER1 and R109 while responding toP. cepacia. In R109 leaves, theOsARF1 gene, which regulates plant growth, was expressed in consistence with growth promotion byP. cepacia. Inversely,OsARF1 expression was coincident with inhibition in growth of HER1 leaves. In both plants, the expression ofOsEXP1, which encodes an expansin protein involved in plant growth, was concomitant with growth promotion in leaves instead of roots, in response toP. cepacia. We also studiedOsMAPK, a gene that encodes a mitogen-activated protein kinase and controls defense responses toward salinity and infection by pathogens in rice. In response toP. cepacia, an early expression ofOsMAPK was coincident with R109 resistance to the disease, while HER1 expressed the gene similarly whetherP. cepacia was present or not. Evidently,P. cepacia and G_Xoo-gene mediated resistance may act differently in rice growth and resistance. Whereas combinative effectsof P. cepacia and HpaG_Xoo in disease resistance have a great potential in agricultural use, it is interesting to study mechanisms that underlie interactions involving biocontrol bacteria, type-III effectors and pathogens. These authors contributed equally to this paper.