The novel peptide NbPPI1 identified from Nicotiana benthamiana triggers immune responses and enhances resistance against Phytophthora pathogens

In plants, recognition of small secreted peptides, such as damage/danger‐associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), regulates diverse processes, including stress and immune responses. Here, we identified an SGPS (Ser‐Gly‐Pro‐Ser) motif‐containing peptide, Nicotiana tabacum NtPROPPI, and its two homologs in Nicotiana benthamiana, NbPROPPI1 and NbPROPPI2. Phytophthora parasitica infection and salicylic acid (SA) treatment induced NbPROPPI1/2 expression. Moreover, SignalP predicted that the 89‐amino acid NtPROPPI includes a 24‐amino acid N‐terminal signal peptide and NbPROPPI1/2‐GFP fusion proteins were mainly localized to the periplasm. Transient expression of NbPROPPI1/2 inhibited P. parasitica colonization, and NbPROPPI1/2 knockdown rendered plants more susceptible to P. parasitica. An eight‐amino‐acid segment in the NbPROPPI1 C‐terminus was essential for its immune function and a synthetic 20‐residue peptide, NbPPI1, derived from the C‐terminus of NbPROPPI1 provoked significant immune responses in N. benthamiana. These responses led to enhanced accumulation of reactive oxygen species, activation of mitogen‐activated protein kinases, and up‐regulation of the defense genes Flg22‐induced receptor‐like kinase (FRK) and WRKY DNA‐binding protein 33 (WRKY33). The NbPPI1‐induced defense responses require Brassinosteroid insensitive 1‐associated receptor kinase 1 (BAK1). These results suggest that NbPPI1 functions as a DAMP in N. benthamiana; this novel DAMP provides a potentially useful target for improving plant resistance to Pytophthora pathogens.     

Nicotiana benthamiana LRR‐RLP NbEIX2 mediates the perception of an EIX‐like protein from Verticillium dahliae

Verticillium wilt diseases caused by the soil‐borne fungus Verticillium dahliae result in devastating yield losses in many economically important crops annually. Here, we identified a novel ethylene‐inducing xylanase (EIX)‐like protein, VdEIX3, from V. dahliae, which exhibits immunity‐inducing activity in Nicotiana benthamiana. In vitro‐purified VdEIX3 can induce strong oxidative burst, activate the expression of defense‐related genes, and increase resistance against oomycete and fungal pathogens in N. benthamiana. VdEIX3 orthologs of other Verticillium pathogens also induce cell death in N. benthamiana, which form a new type of EIX protein family that is distinct from the known EIX proteins. A leucine‐rich repeat receptor‐like protein, NbEIX2, regulates the perception of VdEIX3 in N. benthamiana. Our results demonstrate that VdEIX3 is a novel EIX‐like protein that can be recognized by N. benthamiana NbEIX2, and also suggest that NbEIX2 is a promising receptor‐like protein that is potentially applicable to transgenic breeding for improving resistance to Verticillium wilt diseases.     

The Puccinia striiformis effector Hasp98 facilitates pathogenicity by blocking the kinase activity of wheat TaMAPK4

The obligate biotrophic fungus Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst) employs virulence effectors to disturb host immunity and causes devastating stripe rust disease. However, our understanding of how Pst effectors regulate host defense responses remains limited. In this study, we determined that the Pst effector Hasp98, which is highly expressed in Pst haustoria, inhibits plant immune responses triggered by flg22 or nonpathogenic bacteria. Overexpression of Hasp98 in wheat (Triticum aestivum) suppressed avirulent Pst-triggered immunity, leading to decreased H₂O₂ accumulation and promoting P. striiformis infection, whereas stable silencing of Hasp98 impaired P. striiformis pathogenicity. Hasp98 interacts with the wheat mitogen-activated protein kinase TaMAPK4, a positive regulator of plant resistance to stripe rust. The conserved TEY motif of TaMAPK4 is important for its kinase activity, which is required for the resistance function. We demonstrate that Hasp98 inhibits the kinase activity of TaMAPK4 and that the stable silencing of TaMAPK4 compromises wheat resistance against P. striiformis. These results suggest that Hasp98 acts as a virulence effector to interfere with the MAPK signaling pathway in wheat, thereby promoting P. striiformis infection.     

The Phytophthora effector Avh94 manipulates host jasmonic acid signaling to promote infection

The oomycete pathogen Phytophthora sojae is a causal agent of soybean root rot.Upon colonization of soybeans,P.sojae secretes various RXLR effectors to suppress host immune responses,supporting successful infection.Previous research has demonstrated that the RXLR effector Avh94 functions as a virulence effector,but the molecular mechanism underlying its role in virulence remains unknown.Here,we demonstrate that Avh94 overexpression in plants and pathogens promotes Phytophthora infection.Avh94 in...     

Microbe-derived non-necrotic glycoside hydrolase family 12 proteins act as immunogenic signatures triggering plant defenses

Plant pattern recognition receptors(PRRs) are sentinels at the cell surface sensing microbial invasion and activating innate immune responses. During infection, certain microbial apoplastic effectors can be recognized by plant PRRs, culminating in immune responses accompanied by cell death. However, the intricated relationships between the activation of immune responses and cell death are unclear.Here, we studied the glycoside hydrolase family12(GH12) protein, Ps109281, secreted by Phytophthora ...     

Transformation of callus cultures of nine plant species mediated by agrobacterium

A simple method for the Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of callus cultures of nine plant species, Lycopersicum esculentum Mill, Petunia hybrida Vilm, Pimpinella anisum L., Solanum melongena L., S. tuberosum L., Nicotiana glauca Graham, N. glutinosa L., N. plumbaginifolia Viviani and N. tabacum L., is described. Plant calli were resuspended in liquid media, co-cultivated with A. tumefaciens, and plated on restrictive media. The combination of a gene for kanamycin resistance and a gene for firefly luciferase was convenient in the selection and confirmation of hundreds of transformants. Four strains of A. tumefaciens, A208, A348, A281, and PC2760, were employed. All of the callus cultures were successfully transformed with at least one strain of A. tumefaciens, and A281 was the most effective of the four strains. N. glutinosa, N. plumbaginifolia, N. tabacum, P. hybrida and L. esculentum were transformed more efficiently than the other species tested.     

The RECEPTOR-LIKE PROTEIN53 immune complex associates with LLG1 to positively regulate plant immunity

Pattern recognition receptors(PRRs) sense ligands in pattern-triggered immunity(PTI). Plant PRRs include numerous receptor-like proteins(RLPs), but many RLPs remain functionally uncharacterized. Here, we examine an Arabidopsis thaliana RLP, RLP53, which positively regulates immune signaling. Our forward genetic screen for suppressors of enhanced disease resistance1(edr1) identified a point mutation in RLP53 that fully suppresses disease resistance and mildewinduced cell death in edr1 mutants. Th...     

砷胁迫对三七皂苷和黄酮含量、关键酶活性的影响及其蛋白质组分析

通过田间小区试验,研究不同As浓度(0、20、80、140、200和260 mg·kg^-1)连续2年处理对3年生三七根茎(主根、须根、剪口)和茎叶中皂苷、黄酮和As含量、三七鲨烯合酶、苯丙氨酸解氨酶和查尔酮合酶活性,以及叶片蛋白质组的影响,探讨连续2年砷胁迫对三七主要药效成分影响的酶学和蛋白质组学机制.结果表明: 三七须根中总皂苷含量随砷处理浓度的增加而降低.140 mg·kg^-1As处理下,茎叶和剪口总皂苷大于对照.根茎部三七鲨烯合酶活性较茎叶高.三七各部位黄酮含量均随砷处理浓度的增加而降低.140 mg·kg^-1As处理下,根茎部查尔酮合酶和苯丙氨酸解氨酶活性较茎叶高.茎叶和剪口查尔酮合酶活性低于对照,苯丙氨酸解氨酶的活性高于对照.三七各部位砷含量均随砷处理浓度增加而增加.须根中砷含量大于其他部位.140 mg·kg^-1As处理下,与对照相比,差异表达的蛋白质点达21个.叶片蛋白质组中下调的蛋白质包括磷酸核酮糖激酶、热激蛋白、NAD(P)-结合酶、单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶和细胞色素b6-f复合物铁硫亚基.上调的蛋白质为CDC27家族蛋白、酸性内切壳多糖酶、共生受体激酶、异黄酮还原酶、DAHP合成酶、蛋白激酶、苹果酸脱氢酶、乙二醛酶和谷氨酰胺合成酶.经过连续2年的砷胁迫, 三七各部位砷含量增加,不仅影响了三七叶片光合作用和能量的合成,还减弱了抗氧化和抗逆能力,诱导了代谢解毒物质的酶表达,导致皂苷和黄酮含量降低.三七对砷的耐受阈值为140 mg·kg^-1.     

Coat protein of Chinese wheat mosaic virus upregulates and interacts with cytosolic glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase,a negative regulator of plant autophagy,to promote virus infection

Autophagy is an intracellular degradation mechanism involved in antiviral defense, but the strategies employed by plant viruses to counteract autophagy-related defense remain unknown for the majority of the viruses. Herein,we describe how the Chinese wheat mosaic virus(CWMV, genus Furovirus) interferes with autophagy and enhances its infection in Nicotiana benthamiana. Yeast two-hybrid screening and in vivo/in vitro assays revealed that the 19 k Da coat protein(CP19 K) of CWMV interacts with cyt...     

Revision of the genus Noculacia Mayer, 1903 (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Caprellidea) with the description of two new species

The genus Noculacia Mayer, 1903 is reviewed. Two new species, N. africana n. sp. and N. australiensis n. sp., are described based on material collected from southeast Africa and western-southern Australia, respectively. Noculacia bullata Mayer, 1903, the type species of the genus, is redescribed. Noculacia bogisa Mayer, 1903 is transferred to the genus Pseudoprotella Mayer, 1890 mainly on the basis of the presence of a well developed molar, the structure of pereopods 3 and 4, and the setal formula of the mandibular palp being 2-x-1. The genus Noculacia is presently composed of three species: N. africana n. sp., N. australiensis n. sp, and N. bullata Mayer, 1903. The genus Pseudoprotella is composed of P. bogisa (Mayer, 1903), P. inermis Chevreux, 1927, and P. phasma (Montagu, 1804).     

Fg12 ribonuclease secretion contributes to Fusarium graminearum virulence and induces plant cell death

Filamentous fungal pathogens secrete effectors that modulate host immunity and facilitate infection. Fusarium graminearum is an important plant pathogen responsible for various devastating diseases. However, little is known about the function of effector proteins secreted by F. graminearum. Herein, we identified several effector candidates in the F. graminearum secretome. Among them, the secreted ribonuclease Fg12 was highly upregulated during the early stages of F. graminearum infection in soybean; its deletion compromised the virulence of F. graminearum. Transient expression of Fg12 in Nicotiana benthamiana induced cell death in a light‐dependent manner. Fg12 possessed ribonuclease (RNase) activity, degrading total RNA. The enzymatic activity of Fg12 was required for its cell death‐promoting effects. Importantly, the ability of Fg12 to induce cell death was independent of BAK1/SOBIR1, and treatment of soybean with recombinant Fg12 protein induced resistance to various pathogens, including F. graminearum and Phytophthora sojae. Overall, our results provide evidence that RNase effectors not only contribute to pathogen virulence but also induce plant cell death.     

Trehalose phosphate synthase 5‐dependent trehalose metabolism modulates basal defense responses in Arabidopsis thaliana

Despite the recent discovery that trehalose synthesis is important for plant development and abiotic stress tolerance, the effects of trehalose on biotic stress responses remain relatively unknown. In this study, we demonstrate that TREHALOSE PHOSPHATE SYNTHASE 5 (TPS5)-dependent trehalose metabolism regulates Arabidopsis thaliana defenses against pathogens (necrotrophic Botrytis cinerea and biotrophic Pseudomonas syringae). Pathogen infection increased trehalose levels and upregulated TPS5 expression. Application of exogenous trehalose significantly improved plant defenses against B. cinerea, but increased the susceptibility of plants to P. syringae. We demonstrate that elevated trehalose biosynthesis, in transgenic plants over-expressing TPS5, also increased the susceptibility to P. syringae, but decreased the disease symptoms caused by B. cinerea. The knockout of TPS5 prevented the accumulation of trehalose and enhanced defense responses against P. syringae. Additionally, we observed that a TPS5-interacting protein (multiprotein bridging factor 1c) was required for induced expression of TPS5 during pathogen infections. Furthermore, we show that trehalose promotes P. syringae growth and disease development, via a mechanism involving suppression of the plant defense gene, Pathogenesis-Related Protein 1. These findings provide insight into the function of TPS5-dependent trehalose metabolism in plant basal defense responses.     

Effect of combination treatment with entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana and Nomuraea rileyi (Hypocreales) on Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidaeae)

In biocontrol of insect pests, efficacy of treatment with multiple pathogens has not been frequently investigated but may have potential for effective management. The possible advantage of a combination treatment with two entomopathogenic fungi - Beauveria bassiana and Nomuraea rileyi - was assessed in laboratory bioassays on second instar Spodoptera litura. From among the fungal isolates of an epizootic population, two isolates of each fungus differing in virulence to S. litura were chosen, one highly virulent and the other with low virulence. The bioassays were carried out at either a continuous temperature of 25±1°C or at a temperature cycle of 32±2°C 8 h/21±2°C 16 h to mimic the field temperatures during the epizootic. Treatments with the two fungi were done both simultaneously and sequentially. In combination treatments at 25±1°C, in all isolate combinations, a majority of the larvae showed N. rileyi induced mycosis; the percentage mortality and speed of kill of insects in these treatments was similar to the N. rileyi isolate used in the combination treatments. At the temperature cycle of 32±2°C 8 h/21±2°C 16 h, in all combination treatments, all the dead insects exhibited B. bassiana mycosis; the mortality pattern was similar to the B. bassiana isolate used in the combination treatments. The adverse effect of high temperature on virulence of N. rileyi was however, not evident in in vitro growth assays. Combination treatment with both fungi did not have a synergistic effect on insect mortality.     

供磷水平对梨砧木生长和15N-尿素吸收利用特性的影响

以一年生盆栽豆梨、川梨、木梨实生苗为试材,采用¹⁵N同位素示踪技术,研究了不同供磷水平(P₂O₅分别为0、50、100、150、200 kg·hm^-2,分别用P₀、P₁、P₂、P₃、P₄表示)对3种梨砧木生长和¹⁵N-尿素吸收、利用特性的影响.结果表明: 随着供磷水平的提高,砧木的株高、地径、干质量、根系总表面积、总根长、根尖数、根系活力、根系呼吸速率、Ndff值和氮素利用率均先升高后降低,但不同砧木升降幅度不同,且各指标出现峰值的磷水平不同.在同一磷素水平下,木梨的株高、地径、干质量均最高,川梨次之,豆梨最低,根系形态指标和根系呼吸速率呈相同规律,而Ndff值和氮素利用率表现不同.在不同磷素水平下,木梨在P₃处理各指标均达到最高水平,而川梨和豆梨分别在P₂和P₁处理各指标均达到最高水平;砧木各器官的Ndff值在不同磷水平下均以茎最高;木梨的最高氮素利用率(种植季的肥料N回收率)为9.6%、川梨为8.9%、豆梨为8.3%.以上结果表明,不同梨砧木生长和氮素吸收利用特性在不同磷水平下响应不同,生产中应根据砧木需磷特性合理施磷.     

Differential proteomic analysis of apoplastic proteins during initial phase of salt stress in rice

The plant cell apoplast, which consists of all the compartments beyond the plasma membrane, is implicated in a variety of functions during plant growth and development as well as in plant defence responses to stress conditions. To evaluate the role of apoplastic proteins in initial phase of salt stress, a 2-DE based differential proteomics approach has been used to identify apoplastic salt response proteins. Six salt response proteins have been identified, among them, an apoplastic protein OsRMC, which belongs to cysteine-rich repeat receptor like protein kinase subfamily but without the kinase domain, has shown drastically increased abundance in response to salt stress during the initial phase. Our results show, OsRMC negative regulates the salt tolerance of rice plants. These results indicated that plant apoplastic proteins may have important role in plant salt stress response signal pathway.Key words: rice, apoplast, proteomic, salt stress, receptor-like protein kinase, OsRMC     

过表达BTG2增强人肺腺癌细胞的辐射敏感性

在肺癌类型中,肺腺癌占大多数,其总体生存率差,BTG2是抗增殖基因家族的一员,属于BTG/TOB家族。许多研究表明,B细胞易位基因2(BTG2)多种类型的肿瘤中存在异常表达,但其在肺腺癌放疗敏感性中发挥的调控作用尚不明确。本研究通过肺腺癌组织样本及在线数据库,探究BTG2在肺腺癌患者中的表达水平及其表达与临床预后之间的相关性,结果提示在具有放疗抗性的肺腺癌患者中,BTG2的表达水平显著降低,且在肺腺癌细胞系中,BTG2能对放疗产生响应,其在肺腺癌患者中的低表达状态与不良的预后相关(P＜0.05);在人肺腺癌A549和H1299细胞系中转染过表达BTG2(OE-BTG2)慢病毒,通过克隆形成检测过表达BTG2对肺腺癌细胞系的辐射敏感性的影响,实验证实过表达BTG2可显著增强A549和H1299细胞系的辐射敏感性(P＜0.05);并进一步通过WB、免疫组化检测BTG2及凋亡相关蛋白BAX的表达水平,结果证实:过表达BTG2可显著增加A549和H1299细胞辐射后的凋亡水平。最后通过裸鼠成瘤试验检测BTG2在活体中对肺腺癌辐射敏感性的影响,结果提示:在动物实验中,过表达BTG2可显著增强肺腺癌的辐射敏感性(P＜0.05)及增加辐射后BAX的表达水平。综上所述,BTG2在肺腺癌组织中处于低表达状态,并且与不良的临床预后紧密相关,过表达BTG2可促进凋亡过程,增加人肺腺癌细胞系的辐射敏感性,能为克服肺腺癌的辐射抗性提供新的靶点。     

供磷水平对梨砧木生长和15N-尿素吸收利用特性的影响

以一年生盆栽豆梨、川梨、木梨实生苗为试材,采用¹⁵N同位素示踪技术,研究了不同供磷水平(P₂O₅分别为0、50、100、150、200 kg·hm^-2,分别用P₀、P₁、P₂、P₃、P₄表示)对3种梨砧木生长和¹⁵N-尿素吸收、利用特性的影响.结果表明: 随着供磷水平的提高,砧木的株高、地径、干质量、根系总表面积、总根长、根尖数、根系活力、根系呼吸速率、Ndff值和氮素利用率均先升高后降低,但不同砧木升降幅度不同,且各指标出现峰值的磷水平不同.在同一磷素水平下,木梨的株高、地径、干质量均最高,川梨次之,豆梨最低,根系形态指标和根系呼吸速率呈相同规律,而Ndff值和氮素利用率表现不同.在不同磷素水平下,木梨在P₃处理各指标均达到最高水平,而川梨和豆梨分别在P₂和P₁处理各指标均达到最高水平;砧木各器官的Ndff值在不同磷水平下均以茎最高;木梨的最高氮素利用率(种植季的肥料N回收率)为9.6%、川梨为8.9%、豆梨为8.3%.以上结果表明,不同梨砧木生长和氮素吸收利用特性在不同磷水平下响应不同,生产中应根据砧木需磷特性合理施磷.     

拟南芥IAA酰胺合成酶GH3-6负调控干旱和盐胁迫的反应

生长素是一种重要的植物激素, 几乎参与了植物所有的生命活动过程。GH3-6具有IAA酰胺合成酶活性, 催化氨基酸与IAA形成IAA的氨基轭合物, 发挥暂时或永久灭活IAA的作用。该文探讨了GH3-6基因在拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)逆境适应过程中的功能。结果显示GH3-6基因受干旱、ABA和高盐的诱导表达。与野生型相比, GH3-6基因过表达突变体dfl1-D对干旱的抗性明显减弱, 叶片失水速率更快。在抗盐方面, dfl1-D也显著弱于野生型。在3种逆境(干旱、ABA和高盐)胁迫下, GH3-6基因的高表达抑制了逆境响应基因RD22、KIN1、RD29A和DREB1A的表达。而且在干旱胁迫下, dfl1-D中ABA的含量明显低于野生型。研究结果证明, 高表达GH3-6基因负调控拟南芥对逆境的抗性。     

“秕谷草-伪褐飞虱-中华淡翅盲蝽”载体植物系统的可行性

为明确用于防治稻飞虱的“秕谷草-伪褐飞虱-中华淡翅盲蝽”载体植物系统的可行性,本文开展了靶标作物水稻、载体植物秕谷草和靶标害虫褐飞虱、替代猎物伪褐飞虱组合对中华淡翅盲蝽成虫形态、种群增长参数、产卵选择性和取食选择性的影响研究.结果表明: 中华淡翅盲蝽水稻种群(取食褐飞虱卵)的雌雄成虫个体均显著大于秕谷草种群(取食伪褐飞虱卵).取食褐飞虱卵的中华淡翅盲蝽种群增长参数单雌产卵量、净增长率、内禀增长率、周限增长率明显高于取食伪褐飞虱卵的种群,但取食伪褐飞虱卵也有较高的种群增长能力,足以扩繁种群.对于靶标作物水稻和载体植物秕谷草,无论是水稻种群还是秕谷草种群均偏好在水稻上产卵.同时,2个种群的雌虫、雄虫和若虫对褐飞虱卵和伪褐飞虱卵捕食量没有显著性差异.在上述研究基础上,讨论了在田间建立“秕谷草-伪褐飞虱-中华淡翅盲蝽”载体植物系统的可行性.