Project description:Copper and iron are essential micronutrients for most living organisms because they participate as cofactors in biological processes including respiration, photosynthesis and oxidative stress protection. In many eukaryotic organisms, including yeast and mammals, copper and iron homeostases are highly interconnected; however such interdependence is not well established in higher plants. Here we propose that COPT2, a high-affinity copper transport protein, functions under copper and iron deficiencies in Arabidopsis thaliana. COPT2 is a plasma membrane protein that functions in copper acquisition and distribution. Characterization of the COPT2 expression pattern indicates a synergic response to copper and iron limitation in roots. We have characterized a knockout of COPT2, copt2-1, that leads to increased resistance to simultaneous copper and iron deficiencies, measured as reduced leaf chlorosis and improved maintenance of the photosynthetic apparatus. We propose that COPT2 expression could play a dual role under Fe deficiency. First, COPT2 participates in the attenuation of copper deficiency responses driven by iron limitation maybe aimed to minimize further iron consume. On the other hand, global expression analyses of copt2-1 mutants versus wild type Arabidopsis plants indicate that low phosphate responses are increased in copt2-1 plants. In this sense, COPT2 function under Fe deficiency counteracts low phosphate responses. These results open up new biotechnological approaches to fight iron deficiency in crops.
Project description:We performed small RNA-seq (sRNA-seq) study of Arabidopsis shoots under iron-sufficient (+Fe), iron deficient (-Fe) and iron resupply (Fe resupply) conditions to investigate and identify sRNAs whose expression is regulated by iron deficiency.
Project description:A whole transcriptome (RNA-seq) study of Arabidopsis shoots under iron sufficient, deficient and resupply conditions was carried out to determine the genes that are iron-regulated in the shoots.
Project description:• Selected soil-borne rhizobacteria can trigger an induced systemic resistance (ISR) that is effective against a broad spectrum of pathogens. In Arabidopsis thaliana, the root-specific transcription factor MYB72 is required for the onset of ISR, but is also associated with plant survival under conditions of iron deficiency. Here we investigated the role of MYB72 in both processes. • To identify MYB72 target genes, we analyzed the root transcriptomes of wild-type Col-0, mutant myb72, and complemented 35S:FLAG-MYB72/myb72 plants in response to ISR-inducing Pseudomonas fluorescens WCS417. • Five WCS417-inducible genes were misregulated in myb72 and complemented in 35S:FLAG-MYB72/myb72. Amongst these, we uncovered β-glucosidase BGLU42 as a novel component of the ISR signaling pathway. Overexpression of BGLU42 resulted in constitutive disease resistance, whereas bglu42 was defective in ISR. Furthermore, we found 195 genes to be constitutively upregulated in MYB72-overexpressing roots in the absence of WCS417. Many of these encode enzymes involved in the production of iron-mobilizing phenolic metabolites under conditions of iron deficiency. We provide evidence that BGLU42 is required for their release into the rhizosphere. • Together, this work highlights a thus far unidentified link between the ability of beneficial rhizobacteria to stimulate systemic immunity and mechanisms induced by iron deficiency in host plants.
Project description:High light stress in subtropical and tropical regions strongly limits agricultural production due to photo-oxidative damage, decreased growth and yield. Here, we investigated whether beneficial microbes can protect plants under high light stress. We show that Enterobacter sp. SA187 (SA187) assists Arabidopsis in maintaining growth under high light stress, reducing the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and maintaining photosynthesis. Under high light stress, SA187 induces dynamic transcriptional changes related to a fortified iron metabolism and redox system in Arabidopsis. A genetic analysis shows that SA187-induced plant high light stress tolerance is mediated by ethylene signaling via the transcription factor EIN3 to enhance iron metabolism. In summary, we show that Arabidopsis interaction with SA187 results in sustained photosynthesis under high light stress suggesting that beneficial microbes could be effective and cheap means for enhancing high light stress tolerance in crops.