Transgenic plants that express the phytoplasma effector SAP11 show altered phosphate starvation and defense responses
Journal
Plant Physiology
Journal Volume
164
Journal Issue
3
Pages
1456-1469
Date Issued
2014
Author(s)
Lu, Yen-Ting
Li, Meng-Ying
Cheng, Kai-Tan
Tan, Choon Meng
Su, Li-Wen
Shih, Hsien-Tzung
Chiou, Tzyy-Jend
Yang, Jun-Yi
Abstract
Phytoplasmas have the smallest genome among bacteria and lack many essential genes required for biosynthetic and metabolic functions, making them unculturable, phloem-limited plant pathogens. In this study, we observed that transgenic Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) expressing the secreted Aster Yellows phytoplasma strain Witches' Broom protein11 shows an altered root architecture, similarly to the disease symptoms of phytoplasma-infected plants, by forming hairy roots. This morphological change is paralleled by an accumulation of cellular phosphate (Pi) and an increase in the expression levels of Pi starvation-induced genes and microRNAs. In addition to the Pi starvation responses, we found that secreted Aster Yellows phytoplasma strain Witches' Broom protein11 suppresses salicylic acid-mediated defense responses and enhances the growth of a bacterial pathogen. These results contribute to an improved understanding of the role of phytoplasma effector SAP11 and provide new insights for understanding the molecular basis of plant-pathogen interactions. © 2014 American Society of Plant Biologists. All rights reserved.
Other Subjects
anthocyanin; bacterial protein; indoleacetic acid derivative; messenger RNA; microRNA; phosphate; phytohormone
Arabidopsis; article; drug effect; gene expression profiling; gene expression regulation; genetics; histology; homeostasis; immunology; metabolism; microbiology; molecular genetics; nucleotide sequence; phenotype; physiology; Phytoplasma; plant disease; plant genome; plant immunity; plant leaf; plant root; Pseudomonas syringae; signal transduction; transgenic plant
Type
journal article