Publikationen - Molekulare Signalverarbeitung

Coffea arabica is susceptible to several pests and diseases, some of which affect the leaves and roots. Systemic acquired resistance (SAR) is the main defence mechanism activated in plants in response to pathogen attack. Here, we report the effects of benzo(1,2,3)thiadiazole-7-carbothioic acid-s-methyl ester (BTH), a SAR chemical inducer, on the expression profile of C. arabica. Two cDNA libraries were constructed from the mRNA isolated from leaves and embryonic roots to create 1587 nonredundant expressed sequence tags (ESTs). We developed a cDNA microarray containing 1506 ESTs from the leaves and embryonic roots, and 48 NBS-LRR (nucleotide-binding site leucine-rich repeat) gene fragments derived from 2 specific genomic libraries. Competitive hybridization between untreated and BTH-treated leaves resulted in 55 genes that were significantly overexpressed and 16 genes that were significantly underexpressed. In the roots, 37 and 42 genes were over and underexpressed, respectively. A general shift in metabolism from housekeeping to defence occurred in the leaves and roots after BTH treatment. We observed a systemic increase in pathogenesis-related protein synthesis, in the oxidative burst, and in the cell wall strengthening processes. Moreover, responses in the roots and leaves varied significantly.

In this study, we report the cloning of the three‐member LePS2 gene family of acid phosphatases via subtractive screening of a cDNA library of Pi‐starved cultivated tomato cells (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Lukullus). As members of the plant Pi‐starvation response, LePS2 genes were tightly regulated in cultivated cells and tomato seedlings by Pi availability. The LePS2 enzymes which are most likely expressed in the cytoplasma could be involved in processes that are accompanied by degradation of phosphorylated organic substrates. Independently from exogenous phosphate supply LePS2 expression was detected in tomato endosperm during germination. LePS2 genes were differentially induced after infection with the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae and in the early stages of flower development. Using RT–PCR it was found that the gene LePS2B was the most abundant transcript in phosphate‐depleted cells, but a reduced expression was determined in floral buds and it was not found during pathogen interaction. In this respect, it is interesting that the promoter sequences of the LePS2 genes are also divergent. LePS2 gene products may have functions in developmental processes which are restricted to distinct plant tissues or cell types.

Phosphate (Pi) plays a central role as reactant and effector molecule in plant cell metabolism. However, Pi is the least accessible macronutrient in many ecosystems and its low availability often limits plant growth. Plants have evolved an array of molecular and morphological adaptations to cope with Pi limitation, which include dramatic changes in gene expression and root development to facilitate Pi acquisition and recycling. Although physiological responses to Pi starvation have been increasingly studied and understood, the initial molecular events that monitor and transmit information on external and internal Pi status remain to be elucidated in plants. This review summarizes molecular and developmental Pi starvation responses of higher plants and the evidence for coordinated regulation of gene expression, followed by a discussion of the potential involvement of plant hormones in Pi sensing and of molecular genetic approaches to elucidate plant signalling of low Pi availability. Complementary genetic strategies in Arabidopsis thaliana have been developed that are expected to identify components of plant signal transduction pathways involved in Pi sensing. Innovative screening methods utilize reporter gene constructs, conditional growth on organophosphates and the inhibitory properties of the Pi analogue phosphite, which hold the promise for significant advances in our understanding of the complex mechanisms by which plants regulate Pi‐starvation responses.

BarJey leaf segments treated with jasmonate respond with the synthesis of specific proseins, referred to as jasmonate‐induced proteins (JIPs). Application of abscisic acid (ABAl also induced JIP synthesis (Weidhase et al. 1987). In this study the effects of inhibitors on sorbitol‐induced increases of endogenous jasmonates and ABA were investigated. The promotion of jasmonates by sorbitol was inhibited by the growth retardant tetcyclacis at concentrations as low as 1 ftM. In parallel with the decrease of jasmonates, JIP gene expression was reduced as reflected by a decline in the level of a 23‐kDa protein UIP‐23) and mRNAs of JIP‐6 and JIP‐23. 12‐Oxo‐phytodienoic acid, an inlermediale in the lipoxygenase (LOX) pathway leading to jasmonic acid was able to overcome the inhibition by tetcyclacis and increases both the endogenous jasmonate content and transcript accumulation. This suggests that tetcyclacis acts upstream of 12‐oxo‐phytodienoic acid and in keeping with this proposal, an increase in relative LOX activity was detected after tetcyclacis treatment. Although tetcyclacis was shown to inhibit the degradation of ABA to phaseic acid, its effect on jasmonate synthesis is much more pronounced.