Dataset Information

Verticillium suppression is associated with the glucosinolate composition of Arabidopsis thaliana leaves.

ABSTRACT: The soil-borne fungal pathogen Verticillium longisporum is able to penetrate the root of a number of plant species and spread systemically via the xylem. Fumigation of Verticillium contaminated soil with Brassica green manure is used as an environmentally friendly method for crop protection. Here we present a study focused on the potential role of glucosinolates and their breakdown products of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana in suppressing growth of V. longisporum. For this purpose we analysed the glucosinolate composition of the leaves and roots of a set of 19 key accessions of A. thaliana. The effect of volatile glucosinolate hydrolysis products on the in vitro growth of the pathogen was tested by exposing the fungus to hydrated lyophilized plant tissue. Volatiles released from leaf tissue were more effective than from root tissue in suppressing mycelial growth of V. longisporum. The accessions varied in their efficacy, with the most effective suppressing mycelial growth by 90%. An analysis of glucosinolate profiles and their enzymatic degradation products revealed a correlation between fungal growth inhibition and the concentration of alkenyl glucosinolates, particularly 2-propenyl (2Prop) glucosinolate, respectively its hydrolysis products. Exposure of the fungus to purified 2Prop glucosinolate revealed that its suppressive activity was correlated with its concentration. Spiking of 2Prop glucosinolate to leaf material of one of the least effective A. thaliana accessions led to fungal growth suppression. It is suggested that much of the inhibitory effect observed for the tested accessions can be explained by the accumulation of 2Prop glucosinolate.

SUBMITTER: Witzel K

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3764120 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Verticillium suppression is associated with the glucosinolate composition of Arabidopsis thaliana leaves.

Witzel Katja K Hanschen Franziska S FS Schreiner Monika M Krumbein Angelika A Ruppel Silke S Grosch Rita R

PloS one 20130905 9

The soil-borne fungal pathogen Verticillium longisporum is able to penetrate the root of a number of plant species and spread systemically via the xylem. Fumigation of Verticillium contaminated soil with Brassica green manure is used as an environmentally friendly method for crop protection. Here we present a study focused on the potential role of glucosinolates and their breakdown products of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana in suppressing growth of V. longisporum. For this purpose we analy ...[more]

PMID: 24039726

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Project description:Glucosinolates are plant secondary metabolites present in Brassicaceae plants such as the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Intact glucosinolates are believed to be biologically inactive, whereas degradation products after hydrolysis have multiple roles in growth regulation and defense. The degradation of glucosinolates is catalyzed by thioglucosidases called myrosinases and leads by default to the formation of isothiocyanates. The interaction of a protein called epithiospecifier protein (ESP) with myrosinase diverts the reaction toward the production of epithionitriles or nitriles depending on the glucosinolate structure. Here we report the identification of a new group of nitrile-specifier proteins (AtNSPs) in A. thaliana able to generate nitriles in conjunction with myrosinase and a more detailed characterization of one member (AtNSP2). Recombinant AtNSP2 expressed in Escherichia coli was used to test its impact on the outcome of glucosinolate hydrolysis using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry approach. AtNSP proteins share 30-45% sequence homology with A. thaliana ESP. Although AtESP and AtNSP proteins can switch myrosinase-catalyzed degradation of 2-propenylglucosinolate from isothiocyanate to nitrile, only AtESP generates the corresponding epithionitrile. Using the aromatic benzylglucosinolate, recombinant AtNSP2 is also able to direct product formation to the nitrile. Analysis of glucosinolate hydrolysis profiles of transgenic A. thaliana plants overexpressing AtNSP2 confirms its nitrile-specifier activity in planta. In silico expression analysis reveals distinctive expression patterns of AtNSPs, which supports a biological role for these proteins. In conclusion, we show that AtNSPs belonging to a new family of A. thaliana proteins structurally related to AtESP divert product formation from myrosinase-catalyzed glucosinolate hydrolysis and, thereby, likely affect the biological consequences of glucosinolate degradation. We discuss similarities and properties of AtNSPs and related proteins and the biological implications.

Project description:BackgroundVerticillium spp. are major pathogens of dicotyledonous plants such as cotton, tomato, olive or oilseed rape. Verticillium symptoms are often ambiguous and influenced by development and environment. The aim of the present study was to define disease and resistance traits of the complex Verticillium longisporum syndrome in Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. A genetic approach was used to determine genetic, developmental and environmental factors controlling specific disease and resistance traits and to study their interrelations.ResultsA segregating F2/F3 population originating from ecotypes 'Burren' (Bur) and 'Landsberg erecta' (Ler) was established. Plants were root-dip inoculated and tested under greenhouse conditions. The Verticillium syndrome was dissected into components like systemic spread, stunting, development time and axillary branching. Systemic spread of V. longisporum via colonisation of the shoot was extensive in Ler; Bur showed a high degree of resistance against systemic spread. Fungal colonisation of the shoot apex was determined by (a) determining the percentage of plants from which the fungus could be re-isolated and (b) measuring fungal DNA content with quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Four quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling systemic spread were identified for the percentage of plants showing fungal outgrowth, two of these QTL were confirmed with qPCR data. The degree of colonisation by V. longisporum was negatively correlated with development time. QTL controlling development time showed some overlap with QTL for resistance to systemic spread. Stunting depended on host genotype, development time and seasonal effects. Five QTL controlling this trait were identified which did not co-localize with QTL controlling systemic spread. V. longisporum induced increased axillary branching in Bur; two QTL controlling this reaction were found.ConclusionsSystemic spread of V. longisporum in the host as well as resistance to this major disease trait are described for the first time in natural A. thaliana accessions. This creates the possibility to study a major resistance mechanism against vascular pathogens in this model plant and to clone relevant genes of the involved pathways. Stunting resistance and resistance to systemic spread were controlled by different QTL and should be treated as separate traits. Developmental and environmental effects on pathogenesis and resistance need to be considered when designing and interpreting experiments in research and breeding.

Dataset Information

Verticillium suppression is associated with the glucosinolate composition of Arabidopsis thaliana leaves.

Publications

Verticillium suppression is associated with the glucosinolate composition of Arabidopsis thaliana leaves.

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