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Global changes in gene expression associated with plant pathogen tolerance
Author(s) -
Robb Jane,
Lee Barbara,
Nazar Ross N.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.6.a1044-c
Subject(s) - biology , pathogen , chlorosis , gene , plant disease resistance , genetics , host–pathogen interaction , verticillium wilt , gene expression , r gene , population , virulence , botany , demography , sociology
A plant can respond to the threat of a pathogen through resistance defenses or through tolerance. Resistance has been widely studied in many host pathogen systems but little is known about genetic changes which underlie a tolerant interaction; in many instances it is unclear if the pathogen is even detected. In this study we have used a recently developed model system for a tolerant tomato interaction with the fungal wilt pathogen, Verticillium dahliae . Amount of disease was estimated by a disease index and amount of pathogen by quantitative PCR. The objective was to use microarray technology to examine global changes in gene expression in a susceptible and tolerant interaction compared with uninoculated controls. The results indicate that genetic changes can be dramatically different and some genes that are strongly elevated in the susceptible interaction are actually down regulated in tolerance. Similar levels of fungal DNA and up regulation of many pathogenesis related genes in both interactions indicate the presence of fungus is clearly recognized by the plant but other changes correlate with the absence of symptoms in the tolerant interaction. For example, a gene encoding a known 14‐3‐3 regulatory protein and a number of genes normally affected by this protein are suppressed, including genes which may contribute to foliar necrosis and cell death in the susceptible interaction. This raises the possibility that the wilt symptoms, chlorosis and necrosis which are observed in the susceptible interaction are actually programmed to further limit the growth of the pathogen and protect the general tomato population. Supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.