Molecular Basis of Disease Resistance in Plants

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Protection and Biotic Interactions".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2023) | Viewed by 14790

Special Issue Editor

Molecular Identification Research Laboratory, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ottawa, ON K2H 8P9, Canada
Interests: plant responses to stress; plant–microbe interactions; plant pathology; omics; plant molecular biology; next-generation sequencing; transposable elements; genome evolution
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The associations between plants and pathogens are important for plant productivity and breeding strategies. Traditional breeding has allowed the introduction of resistance in plant cultivars and varieties, but new technologies are opening the way for accelerating the development of novel breeding strategies (e.g., omic technologies). A system-based view of plant defense mechanisms and the strategies used by pathogens for plant colonization are essential to target key players that can be modified toward better understanding gene function and increasing host resistance.

In this Special Issue, we welcome articles (original research papers, perspectives, reviews, methods) in cell biology, molecular biology, omics (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics), genetics, and physiology aimed at understanding the interactions between plants and pathogens and/or providing strategies for plant breeding or improving pathogen characterization and diagnostics.

Dr. Leonardo Miguel Galindo-González
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • plant–pathogen interactions
  • plant–microbe interactions
  • plant response to pathogens
  • pathogen
  • infection mechanisms
  • molecular biology
  • genomics
  • transcriptomics proteomics
  • metabolomics
  • pathogen diagnostics
  • metagenomics
  • DNA barcoding/metabarcoding

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

15 pages, 3465 KiB  
Article
Tae-miR397 Negatively Regulates Wheat Resistance to Blumeria graminis
by Yuanyuan Guan, Zhiyuan Wei, Luyi Zhou, Kaige Wang, Meng Zhang, Puwen Song, Ping Hu, Haiyan Hu and Chengwei Li
Plants 2023, 12(17), 3096; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12173096 - 29 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 813
Abstract
MicroRNA (miRNA) plays a crucial role in the interactions between plants and pathogens, and identifying disease-related miRNAs could help us understand the mechanisms underlying plant disease pathogenesis and breed resistant varieties. However, the role of miRNA in wheat defense responses remains largely unexplored. [...] Read more.
MicroRNA (miRNA) plays a crucial role in the interactions between plants and pathogens, and identifying disease-related miRNAs could help us understand the mechanisms underlying plant disease pathogenesis and breed resistant varieties. However, the role of miRNA in wheat defense responses remains largely unexplored. The miR397 family is highly conserved in plants and involved in plant development and defense response. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the function of tae-miR397 in wheat resistance to powdery mildew. The expression pattern analysis revealed that tae-miR397 expression was higher in young leaves than in other tissues and was significantly decreased in wheat Bainong207 leaves after Blumeria graminis (Bgt) infection and chitin treatment. Additionally, the expression of tae-miR397 was significantly down-regulated by salicylic acid and induced under jasmonate treatment. The overexpression of tae-miR397 in common wheat Bainong207 enhanced the wheat’s susceptibility to powdery mildew in the seedling and adult stages. The rate of Bgt spore germination and mycelial growth in transgenic wheat plants overexpressing tae-miR397 was faster than in the untransformed wild-type plants. The target gene of tae-miR397 was predicted to be a wound-induced protein (Tae-WIP), and the function was investigated. We demonstrated that silencing of Tae-WIP via barley-stripe-mosaic-virus-induced gene silencing enhanced wheat’s susceptibility to powdery mildew. qRT-PCR indicated that tae-miR397 regulated wheat immunity by controlling pathogenesis-related gene expressions. Moreover, the transgenic plants overexpressing tae-miR397 exhibited more tillers than the wild-type plants. This work suggests that tae-miR397 is a negative regulator of resistance against powdery mildew and has great potential for breeding disease-resistant cultivars. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Basis of Disease Resistance in Plants)
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18 pages, 3097 KiB  
Article
The Expression of Triticum aestivum Cysteine-Rich Receptor-like Protein Kinase Genes during Leaf Rust Fungal Infection
by Ahmed M. Kamel, Khaled Metwally, Mostafa Sabry, Doha A. Albalawi, Zahid K. Abbas, Doaa B. E. Darwish, Salem M. Al-Qahtani, Nadi A. Al-Harbi, Fahad M. Alzuaibr and Hala B. Khalil
Plants 2023, 12(16), 2932; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12162932 - 14 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1531
Abstract
Understanding the role of cysteine-rich receptor-like kinases (CRKs) in plant defense mechanisms is crucial for enhancing wheat resistance to leaf rust fungus infection. Here, we identified and verified 164 members of the CRK gene family using the Triticum aestivum reference version 2 collected [...] Read more.
Understanding the role of cysteine-rich receptor-like kinases (CRKs) in plant defense mechanisms is crucial for enhancing wheat resistance to leaf rust fungus infection. Here, we identified and verified 164 members of the CRK gene family using the Triticum aestivum reference version 2 collected from the international wheat genome sequencing consortium (IWGSC). The proteins exhibited characteristic features of CRKs, including the presence of signal peptides, cysteine-rich/stress antifungal/DUF26 domains, transmembrane domains, and Pkinase domains. Phylogenetic analysis revealed extensive diversification within the wheat CRK gene family, indicating the development of distinct specific functional roles to wheat plants. When studying the expression of the CRK gene family in near-isogenic lines (NILs) carrying Lr57- and Lr14a-resistant genes, Puccinia triticina, the causal agent of leaf rust fungus, triggered temporal gene expression dynamics. The upregulation of specific CRK genes in the resistant interaction indicated their potential role in enhancing wheat resistance to leaf rust, while contrasting gene expression patterns in the susceptible interaction highlighted potential susceptibility associated CRK genes. The study uncovered certain CRK genes that exhibited expression upregulation upon leaf rust infection and the Lr14a-resistant gene. The findings suggest that targeting CRKs may present a promising strategy for improving wheat resistance to rust diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Basis of Disease Resistance in Plants)
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16 pages, 742 KiB  
Article
Quick Decline and Stem Pitting Citrus tristeza virus Isolates Induce a Distinct Metabolomic Profile and Antioxidant Enzyme Activity in the Phloem Sap of Two Citrus Species
by Susana A. Dandlen, José P. Da Silva, Maria Graça Miguel, Amílcar Duarte, Deborah M. Power and Natália Tomás Marques
Plants 2023, 12(6), 1394; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12061394 - 21 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1096
Abstract
Susceptibility to the severe Citrus tristeza virus (CTV), T36, is higher for Citrus macrophylla (CM) than for C. aurantium (CA). How host-virus interactions are reflected in host physiology is largely unknown. In this study, the profile of metabolites and the antioxidant activity in [...] Read more.
Susceptibility to the severe Citrus tristeza virus (CTV), T36, is higher for Citrus macrophylla (CM) than for C. aurantium (CA). How host-virus interactions are reflected in host physiology is largely unknown. In this study, the profile of metabolites and the antioxidant activity in the phloem sap of healthy and infected CA and CM plants were evaluated. The phloem sap of quick decline (T36) and stem pitting (T318A) infected citrus, and control plants was collected by centrifugation, and the enzymes and metabolites analyzed. The activity of the antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), in infected plants increased significantly in CM and decreased in CA, compared to the healthy controls. Using LC-HRMS2 a metabolic profile rich in secondary metabolites was assigned to healthy CA, compared to healthy CM. CTV infection of CA caused a drastic reduction in secondary metabolites, but not in CM. In conclusion, CA and CM have a different response to severe CTV isolates and we propose that the low susceptibility of CA to T36 may be related to the interaction of the virus with the host’s metabolism, which reduces significantly the synthesis of flavonoids and antioxidant enzyme activity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Basis of Disease Resistance in Plants)
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16 pages, 2948 KiB  
Article
The Streptomyces scabiei Pathogenicity Factor Thaxtomin A Induces the Production of Phenolic Compounds in Potato Tubers
by Iauhenia Isayenka and Nathalie Beaudoin
Plants 2022, 11(23), 3216; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11233216 - 24 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1658
Abstract
The phytotoxin thaxtomin A (TA) is the key pathogenicity factor synthesized by the bacteria Streptomyces scabiei, the main causal agent of common scab of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). TA treatment of potato tuber flesh produces a brown color that was attributed to [...] Read more.
The phytotoxin thaxtomin A (TA) is the key pathogenicity factor synthesized by the bacteria Streptomyces scabiei, the main causal agent of common scab of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). TA treatment of potato tuber flesh produces a brown color that was attributed to necrosis. The intensity of TA-induced browning was generally thought to correlate with potato sensitivity to the disease. In this study, we found that TA-induced browning was much more intense in the potato tuber flesh of the common scab moderately resistant variety Russet Burbank (RB) than that observed in tubers of the disease-susceptible variety Yukon Gold (YG). However, there was no significant difference in the level of TA-induced cell death detected in both varieties, suggesting that tubers response to TA does not correlate with the level of sensitivity to common scab. TA-treated potato tuber tissues accumulated significantly higher levels of phenolic compounds than untreated controls, with a higher phenol content detected in RB TA-treated tissues than in those of YG. Browning was associated with a significant induction of the expression of genes of the phenylpropanoid pathway in RB tubers, indicating that TA activated this metabolic pathway. These results suggest that tuber flesh browning induced by TA is due to the accumulation of phenolic compounds. These phenolics may play a role in the protection of potato tubers against S. scabiei. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Basis of Disease Resistance in Plants)
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18 pages, 3045 KiB  
Article
OsVTC1-1 Gene Silencing Promotes a Defense Response in Rice and Enhances Resistance to Magnaporthe oryzae
by Kanyanat Lamanchai, Nicholas Smirnoff, Deborah L. Salmon, Athipat Ngernmuen, Sittiruk Roytrakul, Kantinan Leetanasaksakul, Suthathip Kittisenachai and Chatchawan Jantasuriyarat
Plants 2022, 11(17), 2189; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11172189 - 24 Aug 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2066
Abstract
Rice blast disease is a serious disease in rice caused by Magnaporthe oryzae (M. oryzae). Ascorbic acid (AsA), or vitamin C, is a strong antioxidant that prevents oxidative damage to cellular components and plays an essential role in plant defense response. [...] Read more.
Rice blast disease is a serious disease in rice caused by Magnaporthe oryzae (M. oryzae). Ascorbic acid (AsA), or vitamin C, is a strong antioxidant that prevents oxidative damage to cellular components and plays an essential role in plant defense response. GDP-D-mannose pyrophosphorylase (GMP or VTC1) is an enzyme that generates GDP-D-mannose for AsA, cell wall, and glycoprotein synthesis. The OsVTC1 gene has three homologs in the rice genome: OsVTC1-1, OsVTC1-3, and OsVTC1-8. Using OsVTC1-1 RNAi lines, this study investigated the role of the OsVTC1-1 gene during rice blast fungus inoculation. The OsVTC1-1 RNAi inoculated with rice blast fungus induced changes to cell wall monosaccharides, photosynthetic efficiency, reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Additionally, the OsVTC1-1 RNAi lines were shown to be more resistant to rice blast fungus than the wild type. Genes and proteins related to defense response, plant hormone synthesis, and signaling pathways, especially salicylic acid and jasmonic acid, were up-regulated in the OsVTC1-1 RNAi lines after rice blast inoculation. These results suggest that the OsVTC1-1 gene regulates rice blast resistance through several defense mechanisms, including hormone synthesis and signaling pathways. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Basis of Disease Resistance in Plants)
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Review

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12 pages, 963 KiB  
Review
The Genetic Mechanism of the Immune Response to the Rice False Smut (RFS) Fungus Ustilaginoidea virens
by Dewei Yang, Niqing He, Fenghuang Huang, Yidan Jin and Shengping Li
Plants 2023, 12(4), 741; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12040741 - 07 Feb 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1965
Abstract
Rice false smut (RFS), which is caused by Ustilaginoidea virens (U. virens), has become one of the most devastating diseases in rice-growing regions worldwide. The disease results in a significant yield loss and poses health threats to humans and animals due [...] Read more.
Rice false smut (RFS), which is caused by Ustilaginoidea virens (U. virens), has become one of the most devastating diseases in rice-growing regions worldwide. The disease results in a significant yield loss and poses health threats to humans and animals due to producing mycotoxins. In this review, we update the understanding of the symptoms and resistance genes of RFS, as well as the genomics and effectors in U. virens. We also highlight the genetic mechanism of the immune response to RFS. Finally, we analyse and explore the identification method for RFS, breeding for resistance against the disease, and interactions between the effector proteins and resistance (R) proteins, which would be involved in the development of rice disease resistance materials for breeding programmes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Basis of Disease Resistance in Plants)
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59 pages, 32652 KiB  
Review
Advancement in the Breeding, Biotechnological and Genomic Tools towards Development of Durable Genetic Resistance against the Rice Blast Disease
by Parmeshwar K. Sahu, Richa Sao, Devendra K. Choudhary, Antra Thada, Vinay Kumar, Suvendu Mondal, Bikram K. Das, Ljupcho Jankuloski and Deepak Sharma
Plants 2022, 11(18), 2386; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11182386 - 13 Sep 2022
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4908
Abstract
Rice production needs to be sustained in the coming decades, as the changeable climatic conditions are becoming more conducive to disease outbreaks. The majority of rice diseases cause enormous economic damage and yield instability. Among them, rice blast caused by Magnaportheoryzae is a [...] Read more.
Rice production needs to be sustained in the coming decades, as the changeable climatic conditions are becoming more conducive to disease outbreaks. The majority of rice diseases cause enormous economic damage and yield instability. Among them, rice blast caused by Magnaportheoryzae is a serious fungal disease and is considered one of the major threats to world rice production. This pathogen can infect the above-ground tissues of rice plants at any growth stage and causes complete crop failure under favorable conditions. Therefore, management of blast disease is essentially required to sustain global food production. When looking at the drawback of chemical management strategy, the development of durable, resistant varieties is one of the most sustainable, economic, and environment-friendly approaches to counter the outbreaks of rice blasts. Interestingly, several blast-resistant rice cultivars have been developed with the help of breeding and biotechnological methods. In addition, 146 R genes have been identified, and 37 among them have been molecularly characterized to date. Further, more than 500 loci have been identified for blast resistance which enhances the resources for developing blast resistance through marker-assisted selection (MAS), marker-assisted backcross breeding (MABB), and genome editing tools. Apart from these, a better understanding of rice blast pathogens, the infection process of the pathogen, and the genetics of the immune response of the host plant are very important for the effective management of the blast disease. Further, high throughput phenotyping and disease screening protocols have played significant roles in easy comprehension of the mechanism of disease spread. The present review critically emphasizes the pathogenesis, pathogenomics, screening techniques, traditional and molecular breeding approaches, and transgenic and genome editing tools to develop a broad spectrum and durable resistance against blast disease in rice. The updated and comprehensive information presented in this review would be definitely helpful for the researchers, breeders, and students in the planning and execution of a resistance breeding program in rice against this pathogen. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Basis of Disease Resistance in Plants)
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