Transgenic Plants That Express the Phytoplasma Effector SAP11 Show Altered Phosphate Starvation and Defense Responses

Resource
Plant Physiology 164(3): 1456-1469
Journal
Plant Physiology
Journal Volume
164
Journal Issue
3
Pages
1456-1469
Date Issued
2014-03
Date
2014-03
Author(s)
Yen-Ting Lu
Meng-Ying Li
Kai-Tan Cheng
Choon Meng Tan
Li-Wen Su
Wei-Yi Lin
Tzyy-Jen Chiou
Jun-Yi Yang
DOI
URI
Abstract
Phytoplasmas have the smallest genome among bacteria and lack many essential genes required for biosynthetic and metabolic functions, making them unculturable, phloem-limited plant pathogens. In this study, we observed that transgenic Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) expressing the secreted Aster Yellows phytoplasma strain Witches' Broom protein11 shows an altered root architecture, similarly to the disease symptoms of phytoplasma-infected plants, by forming hairy roots. This morphological change is paralleled by an accumulation of cellular phosphate (Pi) and an increase in the expression levels of Pi starvation-induced genes and microRNAs. In addition to the Pi starvation responses, we found that secreted Aster Yellows phytoplasma strain Witches' Broom protein11 suppresses salicylic acid-mediated defense responses and enhances the growth of a bacterial pathogen. These results contribute to an improved understanding of the role of phytoplasma effector SAP11 and provide new insights for understanding the molecular basis of plant-pathogen interactions.
Subjects
ROOT-SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
COMPLEX REGULATION
LEAF DEVELOPMENT
CROSS-TALK
SMALL RNAS
ARABIDOPSIS
AUXIN
GENE
DEFICIENCY
MICRORNA
Publisher
American Society of Plant Physiologists
Type
journal article
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