Short oligogalacturonides induce pathogen resistance-associated gene expression in Arabidopsis thaliana. Issue 1 (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Davidsson, Pär; Broberg, Martin; Kariola, Tarja; Sipari, Nina; Pirhonen, Minna; Palva, E.
• Is Part Of: BMC plant biology. Volume 17:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 17
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: Plant signaling -- Arabidopsis thaliana -- Oligogalacturonides -- OG -- Trimers -- Transcriptomics -- Defense induction -- Growth inhibition -- Disease resistance -- Pectobacterium carotovorum -- Botrytis cinerea; Plant molecular biology -- Periodicals; Botany -- Periodicals; 580.5
• DOI: 10.1186/s12870-016-0959-1
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-2229

Abstract

Abstract Background Oligogalacturonides (OGs) are important components of damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) signaling and influence growth regulation in plants. Recent studies have focused on the impact of long OGs (degree of polymerization (DP) from 10–15), demonstrating the induction of plant defense signaling resulting in enhanced defenses to necrotrophic pathogens. To clarify the role of trimers (trimeric OGs, DP3) in DAMP signaling and their impact on plant growth regulation, we performed a transcriptomic analysis through the RNA sequencing ofArabidopsis thaliana exposed to trimers. Results The transcriptomic data from trimer-treated Arabidopsis seedlings indicate a clear activation of genes involved in defense signaling, phytohormone signaling and a down-regulation of genes involved in processes related to growth regulation and development. This is further accompanied with improved defenses against necrotrophic pathogens triggered by the trimer treatment, indicating that short OGs have a clear impact on plant responses, similar to those described for long OGs. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that trimers are indeed active elicitors of plant defenses. This is clearly indicated by the up-regulation of genes associated with plant defense signaling, accompanied with improved defenses against necrotrophic pathogens. Moreover, trimers simultaneously trigger a clear down-regulation of genes and gene sets associated with growth and development, leading to stunted seedling growth in Arabidopsis.