Verticillium-induced developmental reprogramming and resistance in Arabidopsis

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Volker Lipka
• Subject Area: Organismic Interactions, Chemical Ecology and Microbiomes of Plant Systems
• Term: from 2014 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 255316173

• Final Report Year: 2019

Final Report Abstract

We identified a lineage-specific effector, LSCE2, which triggers de novo xylem formation in eudicot host plants of haploid Verticillium dahliae and allodiploid Verticillium longisporum isolates. Plants infected by these isolates do not show classical Verticillium wilting phenotypes, but instead exhibit enhanced drought tolerance due to elevated water storage capacities. The complex developmental reprogramming patterns induced by LSCE2 are restricted to plant bundle sheath, xylem parenchyma and cambium cells, suggesting cell-type specific target(s) and mechanism(s). Moreover, we identified abscisic acid (ABA) as a plant susceptibility factor that contributes to establishment of late phenotypes induced by chlorosis class Verticillium isolates. Notably, LSCE2-dependent reprogramming does not require ABA biosynthesis or signaling.

Publications

• “Identification of Arabidopsis genes involved in differential interaction phenotype establishment by distinct Verticillium isolates”, 12th International Verticillium Symposium in Ljubljana, 6.10.2016
  D. Stepanets
  
• “A single Verticillium dahliae effector induces de novo xylem formation in Arabidopsis leaves”, International Plant Immunity Symposium in Göttingen, 14.06.2018
  L. Weber