Screens to identify genes and mutants determining Verticillium - Arabidopsis interaction
Final Report Abstract
Using Arabidopsis as a model for Verticillium longisporum induced early gene expression we screened a LUCIFERASE promoter trap collection and performed transcriptome analysis. Infected roots showed a rapid reprogramming of transcription in particular, an activation of transcription factor (TF), as well as stress- and defense related genes. Studying the impact of Verticillium induced gene expression, we focused on the highly coordinated transcription resulting in the production of tryptophan-derived secondary metabolites, such as camalexin and indole glucosinolates (IGS). Whereas genetic disruption of the individual pathways leading to either camalexin or IGS metabolites did not alter disease symptoms, cyp79b2/cyp79b3 mutants impaired in both branches exhibited a significantly enhanced susceptibility. Hence, these data define for the first time tryptophan-derived metabolites as active antifungal compounds against a root vascular fungus. By screening of the AtTORF-Ex (Arabidopsis thaliana Transcription factor ORF Over-Expression) collection, group IX ERF TFs (ERF#95/96, ERF#104/105/106/107) were identified to enhance resistance towards V. longisporum. Functional analyses were performed using gain- and loss-of-function approaches, however, further studies are needed to elucidate the impact of these TFs in resistance and to evaluate their potential for applications in biotechnology.
Publications
- (2007) In planta ORFeome analysis by large-scale over-expression of GATEWAY-compatible cDNA clones: screening of ERF transcription factors involved in abiotic stress defense. Plant J 52, 382-390
Weiste C, Iven T, Fischer U, Onate-Sanchez L, Dröge-Laser W
(See online at https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-313X.2007.03229.x) - (2009) Transkriptomanalyse der Arabidopsis-Wurzel nach Infektion mit dem pilzlichen Pathogen Verticillium longisporum und Identifizierung von transkriptionellen Regulatoren der Pathogenantwort. PhD thesis
Tim Iven
- (2011) Molecular Screening tools to study Arabidopsis Transcription Factors. Frontiers in Plant Physiology
Wehner N, Weiste C, Dröge-Laser
(See online at https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2011.00068) - (2012) Transcriptional activation and production of tryptophan-derived secondary metabolites in Arabidopsis roots contributes to the defense against the fungal vascular pathogen Verticillium longisporum. Mol Plant
Iven T, Konig S, Singh S, Braus-Stromeyer SA, Bischoff M, Tietze LF, Braus GH, Lipka V, Feussner F, Droge-Laser W
(See online at https://doi.org/10.1093/mp/sss044)
