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Sub‐lethal UV‐C radiation induces callose, hydrogen peroxide and defence‐related gene expression in A rabidopsis thaliana
Author(s) -
Mintoff S. J. L.,
Rookes J. E.,
Cahill D. M.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
plant biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.871
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1438-8677
pISSN - 1435-8603
DOI - 10.1111/plb.12286
Subject(s) - callose , biology , hydrogen peroxide , arabidopsis thaliana , pathogen , botany , microbiology and biotechnology , gene , cell wall , biochemistry , mutant
Exposure of plants to UV‐C irradiation induces gene expression and cellular responses that are commonly associated with wounding and pathogen defence, and in some cases can lead to increased resistance against pathogen infection. We examined, at a physiological, molecular and biochemical level, the effects of and responses to, sub‐lethal UV‐C exposure on A rabidopsis plants when irradiated with increasing dosages of UV‐C radiation. Following UV‐C exposure plants had reduced leaf areas over time, with the severity of reduction increasing with dosage. Severe morphological changes that included leaf glazing, bronzing and curling were found to occur in plants treated with the 1000 J·m −2 dosage. Extensive damage to the mesophyll was observed, and cell death occurred in both a dosage‐ and time‐dependent manner. Analysis of H 2 O 2 activity and the pathogen defence marker genes PR 1 and PDF 1.2 demonstrated induction of these defence‐related responses at each UV‐C dosage tested. Interestingly, in response to UV‐C irradiation the production of callose (β‐1,3‐glucan) was identified at all dosages examined. Together, these results show plant responses to UV‐C irradiation at much lower doses than have previously been reported, and that there is potential for the use of UV‐C as an inducer of plant defence.