Open AccessTranscriptional dynamics of Phytophthora infestans during sequential stages of hemibiotrophic infection of tomato
Author(s) -
Zuluaga Andrea P.,
VegaArreguín Julio C.,
Fei Zhangjun,
Ponnala Lalit,
Lee Sang Jik,
Matas Antonio J.,
Patev Sean,
Fry William E.,
Rose Jocelyn K. C.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
molecular plant pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.945
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1364-3703
pISSN - 1464-6722
DOI - 10.1111/mpp.12263
Subject(s) - phytophthora infestans , effector , oomycete , biology , nicotiana benthamiana , phytophthora , plant defense against herbivory , microbiology and biotechnology , apoplast , pathogen , solanum , botany , genetics , cell wall , gene
Summary Hemibiotrophic plant pathogens, such as the oomycete P hytophthora infestans , employ a biphasic infection strategy, initially behaving as biotrophs, where minimal symptoms are exhibited by the plant, and subsequently as necrotrophs, feeding on dead plant tissue. The regulation of this transition and the breadth of molecular mechanisms that modulate plant defences are not well understood, although effector proteins secreted by the pathogen are thought to play a key role. We examined the transcriptional dynamics of P . infestans in a compatible interaction with its host tomato ( S olanum lycopersicum ) at three infection stages: biotrophy; the transition from biotrophy to necrotrophy; and necrotrophy. The expression data suggest a tight temporal regulation of many pathways associated with the suppression of plant defence mechanisms and pathogenicity, including the induction of putative cytoplasmic and apoplastic effectors. Twelve of these were experimentally evaluated to determine their ability to suppress necrosis caused by the P . infestans necrosis‐inducing protein PiNPP1 .1 in N icotiana benthamiana . Four effectors suppressed necrosis, suggesting that they might prolong the biotrophic phase. This study suggests that a complex regulation of effector expression modulates the outcome of the interaction.