Hordedane diterpenoid phytoalexins restrict Fusarium graminearum infection but enhance Bipolaris sorokiniana colonization of barley roots

Plant immunity is a multilayered process that includes recognition of patterns or effectors from pathogens to elicit defense responses.These include the induction of a cocktail of defense metabolites that typically restrict pathogen virulence.Here,we investigate the interaction between barley roots and the fungal pathogens Bipolaris sorokiniana(Bs)and Fusarium graminearum(Fg)at the metabolite level.We identify hordedanes,a previously undescribed set of labdane-related diterpenoids with antimicrobial properties,as critical players in these interactions.Infection of barley roots by Bs and Fg elicits hordedane synthesis from a 60o-kb gene cluster.Heterologous reconstruction of the biosynthesis pathway in yeast and Nicotiana benthamiana produced several hordedanes,including one of the most functionally decorated products 19-β-hydroxy-hordetrienoic acid(19-OH-HTA).Barley mutants in the diterpene synthase genes of this cluster are unable to produce hordedanes but,unexpectedly,show reduced Bs colonization.By contrast,colonization by Fusarium graminearum,another fungal pathogen of barley and wheat,is 4-fold higher in the mutants completely lacking hordedanes.Accordingly,19-OH-HTA enhances both germination and growth of Bs,whereas it inhibits other pathogenic fungi,including Fg.Analysis of microscopy and transcriptomics data suggest that hordedanes delay the necrotrophic phase of Bs.Taken together,these results show that adapted pathogens such as Bs can subvert plant metabolic defenses to facilitate root colonization.

RICE TRANSFORMATION WITH A PHYTOALEXIN GENE AND BIOASSAY OF THE TRANSGENIC PLANTS

Immature embryos, mature embryos and embryogenic calli of 6 rice (Oryza sativa L.) materials were transformed with particle bombardment. The plasmids pSSVstl and pVE5+ were used, both containing the phytoalexin gene from grapevine coding for stilbene synthase, but driven by 35S and its own promoter respectively. Through resistance selection for G418 (100 to 150 mg/L) or hygromycin (50 mg/L), 54 independent transgenic plants were isolated and further assessed by PCR, Southern blot and Dot blot analyses. The transgenic plants and their progenies were tested for resistance to blast ( Pyricularia oryzae ) and bacterial blight of rice ( Xanthomonas oryzae ). Preliminary results indicated that the stilbene synthase gene could enhance the resistance of transgenic plants and their progenies to both pathogens.

Indole phytoalexin derivatives induce mitochondrialmediated apoptosis in human colorectal carcinoma cells

To investigate the mechanism of the antiproliferative effect of synthetic indole phytoalexin derivatives on human colorectal cancer cell lines. METHODSChanges in cell proliferation and the cytotoxic effect of the tested compounds on human colorectal cancer cell lines and human fibroblasts were evaluated using MTS and BrdU assay, allowing us to choose the most potent substance. Cell cycle alterations were analyzed using flow cytometric analysis. The apoptosis-inducing effect of compound K-453 on the HCT116 cell line was examined with annexin V/PI double staining using flow cytometry, as well as acridine orange/propidium iodide (AO/PI) staining. The flow cytometry method also allowed us to measure changes in levels or activation states of other factors associated with apoptosis, such as poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), caspase-3 and -9, cytochrome c, Bcl-2 family proteins, and also the integrity of the mitochondrial membrane. To evaluate activity of the transcription factors and proteins involved in signaling pathways we used Western blot analysis together with flow cytometry. RESULTSAmong the ten tested compounds, compound K-453 {(±)-trans-1,2-dimethoxy-2’-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethylphenylamino)spiro{indoline-3,5’[4’,5’]dihydrothiazol} exhibited the most potent activity with IC50 = 32.22 ± 1.14 μmol/L in human colorectal HCT116 cells and was thus selected for further studies. Flow cytometric analysis revealed a K-453-induced increase in the population of cells with sub-G1 DNA content, which is considered as a marker of apoptotic cell death. The apoptosis-inducing effect of compound K453 was also confirmed by annexin V/PI double staining and AO/PI staining. The apoptosis was associated with the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, PARP cleavage, caspase-3 and caspase-9 activation, release of cytochrome c, as well as changes in the levels of Bcl-2 family members. Moreover, flow cytometry showed that compound K-453 stimulates phosphorylation of p38 MAPK but decreases phosphorylation of Akt and Erk 1/2. Activation of p38 MAPK was also confirmed using Western blot analysis. This analysis also revealed down-regulation of NF-κB1 (p50) and RelA (p65) proteins and the loss of their anti-apoptotic activity. CONCLUSIONIn our study compound K-453 exhibited an antiproliferative effect by induction of intrinsic apoptosis as well as modulation of several signaling pathways.

Comparative study on the mRNA expression of Pinus massoniana infected by Bursaphelenchus xylophilus

Pine wilt disease(PWD)is a devastating disease affecting the growth of Pinus massoniana,often leading to withering and death.To reveal the changes involved during disease progression,we investigated the mRNA expression profile of P.massoniana infested by Bursaphelenchus xylophilus.The infestation resulted in the downregulation of genes involved in interactions with pathogenic pathways such as disease resistance gene,CC-NBS-LRR resistancelike protein,and the gene encoding a putative nematode resistance protein.Increased infestation pressure(number of nematodes inoculated)caused a continuous decline in the gene expression of stem samples.An infestation of P.massoniana also resulted in a pathway enrichment of genes involved in phenylpropanoid metabolism and flavonoid biosynthesis,which in turn reduced the levels of total phenols and total flavonoids.A downregulation of auxin responsive family protein was observed in infested samples,which resulted in a suppression of plant growth.Thus,upon B.xylophilus infestation,a downregulation of genes associated with the recognition of pathogens,PWD resistance,and growth regulation was observed in P.massoniana,together with a decrease in the levels of phytoalexinlike secondary substances,all of which resulted in withering and ultimately death of P.massoniana.

Double-barreled defense: dual ent-miltiradiene synthases in most rice cultivars

Rice(Oryza sativa)produces numerous diterpenoid phytoalexins that are important in defense against pathogens.Surprisingly,despite extensive previous investigations,a major group of such phytoalexins,the abietoryzins,were only recently reported.These aromatic abietanes are presumably derived from ent-miltiradiene,but such biosynthetic capacity has not yet been reported in O.sativa.While wild rice has been reported to contain such an enzyme,specifically ent-kaurene synthase-like 10(KSL10),the only characterized ortholog from O.sativa(OsKSL10),specifically from the well-studied cultivar(cv.)Nipponbare,instead has been shown to make ent-sandaracopimaradiene,precursor to the oryzalexins.Notably,in many other cultivars,OsKSL10 is accompanied by a tandem duplicate,termed here OsKSL14.Biochemical characterization of OsKLS14 from cv.Kitaake demonstrates that this produces the expected abietoryzin precursor ent-miltiradiene.Strikingly,phylogenetic analysis of OsKSL10 across the rice pan-genome reveals that from cv.Nipponbare is an outlier,whereas the alleles from most other cultivars group with those from wild rice,suggesting that these also might produce ent-miltiradiene.Indeed,OsKSL10 from cv.Kitaake exhibits such activity as well,consistent with its production of abietoryzins but not oryzalexins.Similarly consistent with these results is the lack of abietoryzin production by cv.Nipponbare.Although their equivalent product outcome might suggest redundancy,OsKSL10 and OsKSL14 were observed to exhibit distinct expression patterns,indicating such differences may underlie retention of these duplicated genes.Regardless,the results reported here clarify abietoryzin biosynthesis and provide insight into the evolution of rice diterpenoid phytoalexins.

The MRE11–ATM–SOG1 DNA damage signaling pathway confers rice immunity to Xanthomonas oryzae

Plants are constantly exposed to microbial pathogens in the environment.One branch of innate plant immunity is mediated by cell-membrane-localized receptors,but less is known about associations between DNA damage and plant immune responses.Here,we show that rice(Oryza sativa)mesophyll cells are prone to DNA double-stranded breaks(DSBs)in response to ZJ173,a strain of Xanthomonas oryzae pv.oryzae(Xoo).The DSB signal transducer ataxia telangiectasia mutated(ATM),but not the ATM and Rad3-related branch,confers resistance against Xoo.Mechanistically,the MRE11–ATM module phosphorylates suppressor of gamma response 1(SOG1),which activates several phenylpropanoid pathway genes and prompts downstream phytoalexin biosynthesis during Xoo infection.Intriguingly,overexpression of the topoisomerase gene TOP6A3 causes a switch from the classic non-homologous end joining(NHEJ)pathway to the alternative NHEJ and homologous recombination pathways atXoo-induced DSBs.The enhanced ATM signaling of the alternative NHEJ pathway strengthens the SOG1-regulated phenylpropanoid pathway and thereby boosts Xoo-induced phytoalexin biosynthesis in TOP6A3-OE1 overexpression lines.Overall,the MRE11–ATM–SOG1 pathway serves as a prime example of plant–pathogen interactions that occur via host non-specific recognition.The function of TOP6-facilitated ATM signaling in the defense response makes it a promising target for breeding of rice germplasm that exhibits resistance to bacterial blight disease without a growth penalty.

Oryzalexin S biosynthesis:a cross-stitched disappearing pathway

Rice produces many diterpenoid phytoalexins and,reflecting the importance of these natural products in this important cereal crop plant,its genome contains three biosynthetic gene clusters(BGCs)for such metabolism.The chromosome 4 BGC(c4BGC)is largely associated with momilactone production,in part due to the presence of the initiating syn-copalyl diphosphate(CPP)synthase gene(OsCPS4).Oryzalexin S is also derived from syn-CPP.However,the relevant subsequently acting syn-stemarene synthase gene(OsKSL8)is not located in the c4BGC.Production of oryzalexin S further requires hydroxylation at carbons 2 and 19(C2 and C19),presumably catalyzed by cytochrome P450(CYP)monooxygenases.Here it is reported the closely related CYP99A2 and CYP99A3,whose genes are also found in the c4BGC catalyze the necessary C19-hydroxylation,while the closely related CYP71Z21 and CYP71Z22,whose genes are found in the recently reported chromosome 7 BGC(c7BGC),catalyze subsequent hydroxylation at C2α.Thus,oryzalexin S biosynthesis utilizes two distinct BGCs,in a pathway cross-stitched together by OsKSL8.Notably,in contrast to the widely conserved c4BGC,the c7BGC is subspecies(ssp.)specific,being prevalent in ssp.japonica and only rarely found in the other major ssp.indica.Moreover,while the closely related syn-stemodene synthase OsKSL11 was originally considered to be distinct from OsKSL8,it has now been reported to be a ssp.indica derived allele at the same genetic loci.Intriguingly,more detailed analysis indicates that OsKSL8(j)is being replaced by OsKSL11(OsKSL8i),suggesting introgression from ssp.indica to(sub)tropical japonica,with concurrent disappearance of oryzalexin S production.

An Oryza-specific hydroxycinnamoyl tyramine gene cluster contributes to enhanced disease resistance

Genomic clustering of non-homologous genes for the biosynthesis of plant defensive compounds is an emerging theme, but insights into their formation and physiological function remain limited. Here we report the identification of a newly discovered hydroxycinnamoyl tyramine(HT) gene cluster in rice.This cluster contains a pyridoxamine 50-phosphate oxidase(Os PDX3) producing the cofactor pyridoxal50-phosphate(PLP), a PLP-dependent tyrosine decarboxylase(Os Ty DC1), and two duplicated hydroxycinnamoyl transferases(Os THT1 and Os THT2). These members were combined to represent an enzymological innovation gene cluster. Natural variation analysis showed that the abundance of the toxic tyramine intermediate of the gene cluster among different rice accessions is mainly determined by the coordinated transcription of Os Ty DC1 and Os THT1. Further pathogen incubation assays demonstrated that the end products of the HT gene cluster displayed enhanced resistance to the bacterial pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv. Oryzae(Xoo) and fungal pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae(M. oryzae), and the enhanced resistance is associated with the boost of phytoalexins and the activation of defense response. The unique presence of the HT gene cluster in Oryza AA genome, together with the enrichment of transposon elements within this gene cluster region, provides an evolutionary background to accelerate cluster member combinations. Our study not only discovered a gene cluster involved in the phenylpropanoid metabolism but also addressed the key aspects of gene cluster formation. In addition, our results provide a new metabolic pool for plant defense against pathogens.