Exogenously applied methyl Jasmonate induces early defense related genes in response to Phytophthora infestans infection in potato plants

In order to elucidate the contributions of JA in orchestrating disease resistance in potato plants,the potato genotype‘SD20’,which exhibits strong resistance against the highly virulent Phytophthora infestans isolate CN152,while infected by the super virulent isolate 2013-18-306,was treated with exogenous JA and then challenged by inoculation with 2013-18-306.The results showed that exogenously applied JA significantly delayed the onset and alleviated the symptoms of late blight,indicating exogenous JA could induce resistance to P.infestans in the early biotrophic stage of infection in‘SD20’plants.To further clarify the role of JA in the early defense response and identify key genes involved in JA signal transduction,gene expression profiling via RNA sequencing(RNA-seq)in‘SD20’plants treated with exogenously applied JA was performed.A total of 2927 differentially expressed genes were specifically induced,the majority encoded transcription factors,protein kinases,secondary metabolites,defense enzymes and disease resistance related proteins.GO functional annotation and KEGG metabolic pathway analysis showed that exogenously applied JA rapidly induced the expression of genes related to immune response regulation,pathogen defense,and other biological processes,and stimulated endogenous JA synthesis and signal transduction,and the overall early pathogen defense response in‘SD20’.These results provide useful information in understanding the JA’s function involved in pathogen defense responses and a theoretical basis for the application of JA in potato production.

Functional Interaction of the SNARE Protein NtSyp121 in Ca^2＋ Channel Gating, Ca^2＋ Transientsand ABA Signalling of Stomatal Guard Cells

There is now growing evidence that membrane vesicle trafficking proteins, especially of the superfamily of SNAREs, are critical for cellular signalling in plants. Work from this laboratory first demonstrated that a soluble, inhibitory （dominant-negative） fragment of the SNARE NtSyp121 blocked K^＋ and CI^- channel responses to the stress-related hormone abscisic acid （ABA）, but left open a question about functional impacts on signal intermediates, especially on Ca^2＋-mediated signalling events. Here, we report one mode of action for the SNARE mediated directly through alterations in Ca^2＋ channel gating and its consequent effects on cytosolic-free [Ca^2＋] （[Ca^2＋]i） elevation. We find that expressing the same inhibitory fragment of NtSyp121 blocks ABA-evoked stomatal closure, but only partially suppresses stomatal closure in the presence of the NO donor, SNAP, which promotes [Ca^2＋]i elevation independently of the plasma membrane Ca^2＋ channels. Consistent with these observations, Ca^2＋ channel gating at the plasma membrane is altered by the SNARE fragment in a manner effective in reducing the potential for triggering a rise in [Ca^2＋]i, and we show directly that its expression in vivo leads to a pronounced suppression of evoked [Ca^2＋]i transients. These observations offer primary evidence for the functional coupling of the SNARE with Ca^2＋ channels at the plant cell plasma membrane and, because [Ca^2＋]i plays a key role in the control of K^＋ and CI^- channel currents in guard cells, they underscore an important mechanism for SNARE integration with ion channel regulation during stomatal closure.