Project description:BackgroundApple replant disease is a soilborne disease caused by Fusarium proliferatum f. sp. malus domestica strain MR5 (abbreviated hereafter as Fpmd MR5) in China. This pathogen causes root tissue rot and wilting leaves in apple seedlings, leading to plant death. A comparative transcriptome analysis was conducted using the Illumina Novaseq platform to identify the molecular defense mechanisms of the susceptible M.26 and the resistant M9T337 apple rootstocks to Fpmd MR5 infection.ResultsApproximately 518.1 million high-quality reads were generated using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). Comparative analysis between the mock-inoculated and Fpmd MR5 infected apple rootstocks revealed 28,196 significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including 14,572 up-regulated and 13,624 down-regulated genes. Among them, the transcriptomes in the roots of the susceptible genotype M.26 were reflected by overrepresented DEGs. MapMan analysis indicated that a large number of DEGs were involved in the response of apple plants to Fpmd MR5 stress. The important functional groups identified via gene ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment were responsible for fundamental biological regulation, secondary metabolism, plant-pathogen recognition, and plant hormone signal transduction (ethylene and jasmonate). Furthermore, the expression of 33 up-regulated candidate genes (12 related to WRKY DNA-binding proteins, one encoding endochitinase, two encoding beta-glucosidases, ten related to pathogenesis-related proteins, and eight encoding ethylene-responsive transcription factors) were validated by quantitative real-time PCR.ConclusionRNA-seq profiling was performed for the first time to analyze response of apple root to Fpmd MR5 infection. We found that the production of antimicrobial compounds and antioxidants enhanced plant resistance to pathogens, and pathogenesis-related protein (PR10 homologs, chitinase, and beta-glucosidase) may play unique roles in the defense response. These results provide new insights into the mechanisms of the apple root response to Fpmd MR5 infection.
Project description:Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis between long-term in vitro shoot culture and acclimatized apple plants DNA methylation is a process of epigenetic modification that can alter the functionality of a genome. Using whole-genome bisulfite sequencing, this study quantify the level of DNA methylation in the epigenomes of two diploid apple (Malus x domestica) scion cultivars ('McIntosh' and 'Húsvéti rozmaring') derived from three environmental conditions: in vivo mother plants in an orchard, in vitro culture, and acclimatized in vitro plants. The global DNA methylation levels were not dependent on the source of plant material. Significant differences in DNA methylation were identified in 586 out of 45,116 genes, including promoter and coding sequences, and classified as differentially methylated genes (DMGs). Differential methylation was visualised by an MA plot and functional genomic maps were established for biological processes, molecular functions and cellular components. Considering the DMGs, in vitro tissue culture resulted in the highest level of methylation, which decreased after acclimatization and tended to be similar to that in the mother tree. Methylation patterns of the two scions differed, indicating cultivar-specific epigenetic regulation of gene expression during adaptation to various environments. After selecting genes that displayed differences larger than ±10% in CpG and CHG contexts, or larger than ±1.35% in the CHH context from among the DMGs, they were annotated in Blast2GO v5.1.12 for Gene Ontology. These DNA methylation results suggest that epigenetic changes may contribute to the adaptation of apple to environmental changes by modifying gene expression.
Project description:Chloroplasts were purified by centrifugation in Percoll gradient from low temperature (4 C), control (22 C) and high temperature (30 C) grown Malus x domestica microshoots. The proteins were digested using filter aided sample processing (FASP) and analyzed using nano-LC MS/MS. Constant scan rate of 2 Hz and range from 100 to 2,200 m/z was used for the MS spectra acquisition. Data-dependent auto-MS/MS method (Compass 1.5 acquisition and processing software, Bruker Daltonics) was used for selecting the 10 most abundant precursor ions for fragmentation. The MS/MS summation time was adjusted based on precursor intensity within the range 1-10 Hz. Active exclusion of already analyzed precursors was used with a release time of 30 s. Precursor ion isolation window and the CID collision energy were adjusted between 3-9 Th and 34-55 eV as a function of the m/z value, respectively. The data files (9 low temperature samples, 12 control samples and 9 high temperature sampes) are described in the "metadata.txt" file.
Project description:The Alternaria alternata apple pathotype adversely affects apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) cultivation. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying enhanced resistance to this pathogen in apple remain poorly understood. We have previously reported that MdWRKY75 expression is upregulated by A. alternata infection in 'Sushuai' apples. In this study, we discovered that overexpression of MdWRKY75e increased the resistance of transgenic apple lines to A. alternata infection, whereas silencing this gene enhanced susceptibility to A. alternata infection. Furthermore, we found that MdWRKY75e directly binds to the MdLAC7 promoter to regulate the biosynthesis of laccase and increase the biosynthesis of lignin during A. alternata infection. Moreover, the thickening of the cell wall enhanced the mechanical defense capabilities of apple. In addition, we found that jasmonic acid remarkably induced MdWRKY75e expression, and its levels in transgenic apple lines were elevated. These results indicate that MdWRKY75e confers resistance to the A. alternata apple pathotype mainly via the jasmonic acid pathway and that pathogenesis-related genes and antioxidant-related enzyme activity are involved in the disease resistance of MdWRKY75e transgenic plants. In conclusion, our findings provide insights into the importance of MdWRKY75e for resistance to A. alternata infection in apples.
Project description:An understanding of the relationship between the cultivated apple (Malus domestica) and its primary wild progenitor species (M. sieversii) not only provides an understanding of how apples have been improved in the past, but may be useful for apple improvement in the future. We measured 10 phenotypes in over 1000 unique apple accessions belonging to M. domestica and M. sieversii from Canada's Apple Biodiversity Collection. Using principal components analysis (PCA), we determined that M. domestica and M. sieversii differ significantly in phenotypic space and are nearly completely distinguishable as two separate groups. We found that M. domestica had a shorter juvenile phase than M. sieversii and that cultivated trees produced flowers and ripe fruit later than their wild progenitors. Cultivated apples were also 3.6 times heavier, 43% less acidic, and had 68% less phenolic content than wild apples. Using historical records, we found that apple breeding over the past 200 years has resulted in a trend towards apples that have higher soluble solids, are less bitter, and soften less during storage. Our results quantify the significant changes in phenotype that have taken place since apple domestication, and provide evidence that apple breeding has led to continued phenotypic divergence of the cultivated apple from its wild progenitor species.
Project description:Carotenoid accumulation confers distinct colouration to plant tissues, with effects on plant response to light and as well as health benefits for consumers of plant products. The carotenoid pathway is controlled by flux of metabolites, rate-limiting enzyme steps, feed-back inhibition, and the strength of sink organelles, the plastids, in the cell. In apple (Malus × domestica Borkh), fruit carotenoid concentrations are low in comparison with those in other fruit species. The apple fruit flesh, in particular, begins development with high amounts of chlorophylls and carotenoids, but in all commercial cultivars a large proportion of this is lost by fruit maturity. To understand the control of carotenoid concentrations in apple fruit, metabolic and gene expression analysis of the carotenoid pathway were measured in genotypes with varying flesh and skin colour. Considerable variation in both carotenoid concentrations and compound profile was observed between tissues and genotypes, with carotenes and xanthophylls being found only in fruit accumulating high carotenoid concentrations. The study identified potential rate-limiting steps in carotenogenesis, which suggested that the expression of ZISO, CRTISO, and LCY-?, in particular, were significant in predicting final carotenoid accumulation in mature apple fruit.
Project description:Freezing tolerance is a significant trait in plants that grow in cold environments and survive through the winter. Apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) is a cold-tolerant fruit tree, and the cold tolerance of its bark is important for its survival at low temperatures. However, little is known about the gene activity related to its freezing tolerance. To better understand the gene expression and regulation properties of freezing tolerance in dormant apple trees, we analyzed the transcriptomic divergences in the bark from 1-year-old branches of two apple cultivars, "Golden Delicious" (G) and "Jinhong" (H), which have different levels of cold resistance, under chilling and freezing treatments. "H" can safely overwinter below -30?°C in extremely low-temperature regions, whereas "G" experiences severe freezing damage and death in similar environments. Based on 28 bark transcriptomes (from the epidermis, phloem, and cambium) from 1-year-old branches under seven temperature treatments (from 4 to -29?°C), we identified 4173 and 7734 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in "G" and "H", respectively, between the chilling and freezing treatments. A gene coexpression network was constructed according to this expression information using weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA), and seven biologically meaningful coexpression modules were identified from the network. The expression profiles of the genes from these modules suggested the gene regulatory pathways that are responsible for the chilling and freezing stress responses of "G" and/or "H." Module 7 was probably related to freezing acclimation and freezing damage in "H" at the lower temperatures. This module contained more interconnected hub transcription factors (TFs) and cold-responsive genes (CORs). Modules 6 and 7 contained C-repeat binding factor (CBF) TFs, and many CBF-dependent homologs were identified as hub genes. We also found that some hub TFs had higher intramodular connectivity (KME) and gene significance (GS) than CBFs. Specifically, most hub TFs in modules 6 and 7 were activated at the beginning of the early freezing stress phase and maintained upregulated expression during the whole freezing stress period in "G" and "H". The upregulation of DEGs related to methionine and carbohydrate biosynthetic processes in "H" under more severe freezing stress supported the maintenance of homeostasis in the cellular membrane. This study improves our understanding of the transcriptional regulation patterns underlying freezing tolerance in the bark of apple branches.
Project description:Boron is an important micronutrient for plants. However, boron is also toxic to cells at high concentrations, although the mechanism of this toxicity is not known. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of boron toxicity on Malus domestica pollen tube growth and its possible regulatory pathway. Our results showed that a high concentration of boron inhibited pollen germination and tube growth and led to the morphological abnormality of pollen tubes. Fluorescent labeling coupled with a scanning ion-selective electrode technique detected that boron toxicity could decrease [Ca(2+)]c and induce the disappearance of the [Ca(2+)]c gradient, which are critical for pollen tube polar growth. Actin filaments were therefore altered by boron toxicity. Immuno-localization and fluorescence labeling, together with fourier-transform infrared analysis, suggested that boron toxicity influenced the accumulation and distribution of callose, de-esterified pectins, esterified pectins, and arabinogalactan proteins in pollen tubes. All of the above results provide new insights into the regulatory role of boron in pollen tube development. In summary, boron likely plays a structural and regulatory role in relation to [Ca(2+)]c, actin cytoskeleton and cell wall components and thus regulates Malus domestica pollen germination and tube polar growth.
Project description:Color is an important trait for horticultural crops. Carotenoids are one of the main pigments for coloration and have important implications for photosynthesis in plants and benefits for human health. Here, we identified an APETALA2 (AP2)/ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR (ERF) transcription factor named MdAP2-34 in apple (Malus domestica Borkh.). MdAP2-34 expression exhibited a close correlation with carotenoid content in 'Benin Shogun' and 'Yanfu 3' fruit flesh. MdAP2-34 promotes carotenoid accumulation in MdAP2-34-OVX transgenic apple calli and fruits by participating in the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway. The major carotenoid contents of phytoene and β-carotene were much higher in overexpressing MdAP2-34 transgenic calli and fruit skin, yet the predominant compound of lutein showed no obvious difference, indicating that MdAP2-34 regulates phytoene and β-carotene accumulation but not lutein. MdPSY2-1 (phytoene synthase 2) is a major gene in the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway in apple fruit, and the MdPSY2-1 gene is directly bound and transcriptionally activated by MdAP2-34. In addition, overexpressing MdPSY2-1 in apple calli mainly increases phytoene and total carotenoid contents. Our findings will advance and extend our understanding of the complex molecular mechanisms of carotenoid biosynthesis in apple, and this research is valuable for accelerating the apple breeding process.