M.Sc. (Biochemistry) / Our comprehension of pathogen perception and defense response mechanisms that play key roles in the resistance of plants against pathogen attack have progressed substantially within the recent years. Recognizing the molecular mechanisms involved in pathogen perception is the basis of understanding the signalling networks that are involved, including the transcriptional regulation of plant defense genes. This has proven to be a great challenge in plant pathology and, as such, has attracted much attention. The receptor-like kinases (RLKs) constitute one of the largest classes of plant defense genes in Arabidopsis thaliana, and contains, inter alia, the well-known leucine-rich repeats-RLKs (LRR-RLK), as well as the S-domain receptor-like kinases (SD-RLKs) that have been shown to be involved in pathogen perception and not only self-incompatibility (SI) as originally discovered. Some members of these RLKs are able to detect pattern-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), which are conserved pathogen-derived molecules, and trigger a battery of basal defense responses. The transcriptional activation and expression levels of RLKs are dependent on the variation in promoter architecture as a result of the number, location, order and class of cis-elements found in a promoter sequence. It is hypothesized that candidate RLK genes involved in PAMP surveillance are triggered and transcriptionally regulated in response to perception of PAMPs, and that the intensity of response is relative to the promoter architecture. The primary objective was to identify SD-RLKs and LRR-RLKs which demonstrated up-regulation in response to PAMPs. The SD-RLKs (At1g11330, At1g61430 and At1g61610) and LRR-RLKs (At1g51850, At2g19190 and At5g45840) were selected on the basis of microarray data (Nürnberger - TAIR accession set 100808727) and the Genevestigator database, and characterized utilizing bioinformatics tools. Here, molecular techniques were used to show that the selected RLK genes were responsive to PAMP inductions. Furthermore, this study explored which cis-elements and their corresponding transcription factors (TFs) are found in the promoter of plant defense genes and that may be involved in transcriptional regulation thereof...

Investigations into plant-pathogen interactions have provided us with several models underlying the genetic basis of host resistance in plants. In the past decade, tens of resistance genes have been isolated from numerous crop and model plant species and these form a few distinct classes when classified by domain structure, the majority being nucleotide-bindingsite- leucine-rich-repeat (NBS-LRR) genes. The NBS-LRR family consists of two sub-families based on the N-terminal domain: the coiled-coil (CC) NBS-LRRs and the Toll Interleukin Receptor homology domain (TIR) NBS-LRRs. The potential of these genes for future and current agricultural breeding programs has driven a large number of studies exploring the members of these gene families in the genomes of a variety of crop species. In the present study I focused on the NBS-LRR family in the allohexaploid wheat genome and obtained a comprehensive set of Triticeae NBS-LRR homologues using a combination of data-mining approaches. As starting point I detected conserved motifs in the dataset, finding all six previously characterized in the core-NBS domain of other plant NBS-LRRs. Phylogenetic analysis was performed to study relationships between the Triticeae NBS-LRR family and the 25 CC-NBS-LRR (CNL) R genes identified to date. I found the Triticeae CNL family to be highly divergent, containing ancient clade lineages, as seen in all angiosperm 120 taxa previously studied, and found a number of “ancient” dicotyl R genes grouped with Triticeae clades. The evolution of recent NBS-LRR gene duplications in the Triticeae was studied at the hand of two modes of duplication - firstly individual gene duplications yielding paralogous loci and secondly gene duplication by allopolyploidy. Current models of NBS-LRR family evolution predict that functional divergence occurs after gene duplication. An alternative is that divergence takes place at allele level, followed by a locus duplication that fixes heterozygosity in a single haplotype by unequal recombination. I investigated this hypothesis by studying the evolution of gene duplicates in two different contexts – paralogous duplications in the diploid barley genome and homeologous duplications in the allohexaploid genome of wheat. Nonsynonymous to synonymous substitution rate ratios were estimated for paralogous gene duplications in three recently diverged NBS-LRR clades. All pairwise comparisons yielded Ka:Ks ratios strongly indicative of purifying selection. Given that R gene mediated resistance is inherited qualitatively rather than quantitatively, I interpret this as evidence that even closely related paralogous copies (90-95% identity) should have independent recognition specificities maintained by purifying selection. Homeologous duplications were studied in allohexaploid wheat (AABBDD) using a section of the go35 NBS-LRR gene (2L) of the B and D diploid donor species of wheat. Numerous synonymous substitutions distinguished the B and D genome copies, with an absence of nonsynonymous substitutions. In contrast, single unique nonsynonymous substitutions were found in four out of five polyploid wheat go35 alleles, indicating that selection pressure was indeed relaxed across the homeolocus. Recent studies on polyploid genomes have shown that duplicated resistance genes are far more likely to be eliminated than highly transcribed genes such as tRNAs and rRNAs. These results are in agreement with the view that functional divergence takes place before duplication for NBS-LRR genes, as the loci duplicated by polyploidy appear not to evolve under purifying selection, as I found for the paralogous loci investigated. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Genetics / unrestricted

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(農学) / 甲第21829号 / 農博第2342号 / 新制||農||1068(附属図書館) / 学位論文||H31||N5201(農学部図書室) / 京都大学大学院農学研究科地域環境科学専攻 / (主査)教授 田中 千尋, 教授 本田 与一, 准教授 刑部 正博 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Agricultural Science / Kyoto University / DGAM

Exserohilum turcicum is the hemibiotrophic causal agent of Northern leaf blight of maize and sorghum. Despite the global importance of this yield-limiting pathogen, knowledge regarding genes contributing to disease development and race-specificity is limited. Therefore, this study aimed to identify genes involved in host colonization during biotrophic and necrotrophic phases of infection, as well as race-specific differences in gene expression. RNAseq of maize seedlings inoculated with a race 13N or 23N E. turcicum isolate was conducted to identify genes contributing to fungal pathogenicity, and expression was validated for four effector candidates. A population genetic study was undertaken of isolates from maize and sorghum to select isolates for sequencing of three putative effectors. Fungal biomass positively correlated with the percentages of E. turcicum reads mapped and indicated a lifestyle switch from biotrophy to necrotrophy between 7 and 13 dpi. Transcriptome sequencing enabled identification of cell wall degrading enzymes, peptidase-encoding genes, secondary metabolite biosynthesis genes and candidate effectors likely contributing to the pathogenicity of E. turcicum. Profiling of Ecp6 and candidate effector SIX13-like revealed increased expression at 5 and 7 dpi compared to 2 and 13 dpi. Evidence of host specificity was obtained from microsatellite haplotypes and sequencing of SIX13-like. Identification of candidate effector SIX13-like is consistent with the colonization of E. turcicum through the xylem of susceptible hosts and possibly indicates specificity of E. turcicum to either maize or sorghum. This study identified E. turcicum genes putatively involved in pathogenicity and describes a hypothetical model of the E. turcicum – maize interaction. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2019. / The financial assistance of the National Research Foundation (NRF South Africa, grant unique numbers 85847, 88785, 92762 and 93671) toward this research is hereby acknowledged. Opinions expressed and conclusions arrived at, are those of the authors and are not necessarily to be attributed to the NRF. / Plant Science / PhD / Unrestricted

Aspergillus flavus exemplifies a pathogenic fungus that remains a significant contributor to the loss of corn (Zea mays) crops. The production of carcinogenic aflatoxins renders the crop hazardous for consumption and causes significant loss to farmers. Therefore, the prevention of A. flavus contamination continues to persist as a topic for research intervention. Host resistance to this pathogen provides a promising source of defense for the corn plant. Corn inbred line Mp313E was previously identified to exhibit significant resistance against the A. flavus fungal infection and aflatoxin contamination. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping has previously established four major QTL locations associated with aflatoxin resistance in the corn inbred line Mp313E. Near-isogenic lines were developed containing these previously identified QTLs from backcrossing of inbred lines Mp313E (resistant donor parent) and Va35 (susceptible recurrent parent). Quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to study gene expression patterns of 17 genes selected from plant-pathogen interaction pathways. Furthermore, genomic primer analysis was used for establishment of 15 candidate genes for marker- assisted breeding.

The interaction between Arabidopsis and its natural downy mildew pathogen, Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis (Hpa), provides a model for understanding how oomycetes colonize plants. Hpa is a model organism for many highly destructive oomycete pathogens and transcriptomics of this interaction have been well-documented. However, the material in these studies has been derived from infected leaves that contain a mix of pathogen-proximal and pathogen-distal plant cells. The most direct interactions between Arabidopsis and Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis occur in haustoriated cells- where the pathogen can secrete effectors and acquire nutrients needed for successful colonization and reproduction. These cells are difficult to isolate due to their limited number and ephemeral nature. I have developed a method to isolate the translatome (i.e., mRNAs associated with ribosomes) of pathogen-proximal cells. This method utilizes translating ribosome immuno-purification technology (TRAP), regulated by both pathogen-responsive and tissue-specific promoters, to isolate mRNAs that are being translated in pathogen-proximal cells. Compared to "bulk" transcriptomics of material isolated from homogenized leaves, this method will enrich for transcripts that are differentially expressed, and translated, in pathogen-proximal cells. From this method, RNA was isolated in amount and quality sufficient for sequencing. This sequencing data will enable the discovery of plant genes that may be manipulated by the pathogen to suppress defense responses and extract nutrients. / Ph. D. / The interactions between plants and the pathogens that feed on them are complex and at times difficult to study. Among the many different types of plant pathogens, oomycetes (a class of fungus-like organisms) are especially destructive. Using Arabidopsis and its natural downy mildew pathogen, Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis (Hpa) as model for understanding how oomycetes colonize plants, I hope to learn more about plant-pathogen interactions. Hpa is a model organism for many highly destructive oomycete pathogens and several aspects of this interaction have been well-documented. However, the material in these studies has been derived from infected leaves that contain a mix of plant cells that are both in direct contact with the pathogen, or from uninfected areas of the plant. The most direct interactions between Arabidopsis and Hpa occur in cells that have been invaginated with a pathogen feeding structure called a haustorium. These cells are difficult to isolate due to their limited number and ephemeral nature. I have developed a method to isolate the translatome (i.e., mRNAs that are being translated by and are associated with ribosomes) of pathogen-proximal cells. This method utilizes translating ribosome immuno-purification technology (TRAP), regulated by both pathogen-responsive and tissue-specific promoters, to isolate mRNAs that are being translated in pathogen-proximal cells. Compared to “bulk” transcriptomics of material isolated from homogenized leaves, this method will enrich for transcripts that are differentially expressed, and translated, in pathogen-proximal cells. From this method, RNA was isolated in amount and quality sufficient for sequencing. This sequencing data will enable the discovery of plant genes that may be manipulated by the pathogen to suppress defense responses and extract nutrients.

[No abstract available] / xi, 176 leaves : ill. (chiefly col.) ; 29 cm

BACKGROUND: Alternaria is considered one of the most common saprophytic fungal genera on the planet. It is comprised of many species that exhibit a necrotrophic phytopathogenic lifestyle. Several species are clinically associated with allergic respiratory disorders although rarely found to cause invasive infections in humans. Finally, Alternaria spp. are among the most well known producers of diverse fungal secondary metabolites, especially toxins. DESCRIPTION: We have recently sequenced and annotated the genomes of 25 Alternaria spp. including but not limited to many necrotrophic plant pathogens such as A. brassicicola (a pathogen of Brassicaceous crops like cabbage and canola) and A. solani (a major pathogen of Solanaceous plants like potato and tomato), and several saprophytes that cause allergy in human such as A. alternata isolates. These genomes were annotated and compared. Multiple genetic differences were found in the context of plant and human pathogenicity, notably the pro-inflammatory potential of A. alternata. The Alternaria genomes database was built to provide a public platform to access the whole genome sequences, genome annotations, and comparative genomics data of these species. Genome annotation and comparison were performed using a pipeline that integrated multiple computational and comparative genomics tools. Alternaria genome sequences together with their annotation and comparison data were ported to Ensembl database schemas using a self-developed tool (EnsImport). Collectively, data are currently hosted using a customized installation of the Ensembl genome browser platform. CONCLUSION: Recent efforts in fungal genome sequencing have facilitated the studies of the molecular basis of fungal pathogenicity as a whole system. The Alternaria genomes database provides a comprehensive resource of genomics and comparative data of an important saprophytic and plant/human pathogenic fungal genus. The database will be updated regularly with new genomes when they become available. The Alternaria genomes database is freely available for non-profit use at http://alternaria.vbi.vt.edu.

Zymoseptoria tritici is an ascomycete fungus that causes Septoria tritici leaf blotch disease, which is one of the most devastating diseases of wheat. The lack of molecular tools has withheld functional genomics and consequently has left extensive gaps in the knowledge of the biology of infection by Z. tritici. The current research was conducted to develop molecular tools in order to facilitate forward and reserves genetic screens in Z. tritici. These tools include an optimised genetic manipulation protocol, the Z. tritici strains that provide high frequency targeted genome manipulations, a strategy for gene overexpression and protein tagging, and regulatable promoters for controlled gene expression in Z. tritici. The regulatable promoters served to reveal that the Z. tritici β-(1,3)- glucan synthase (BGS1) gene encoded an essential protein, which regulated cell wall stress tolerance and was therefore, a potential drug target. In addition, these molecular tools revealed a virulence-associated role of the glyoxylate cycle in Z. tritici as inactivation of this pathway impeded pre-penetration morphogenesis, which was restored by exogenous glucose application. This result implied that Z. tritici engaged the glyoxylate cycle to produce energy though gluconeogenesis by channelling the by-products of lipolysis. This significance of the glyoxylate cycle during initiation of the bi-phasic infection cycle suggests that Z. tritici is not a hemibiotroph, but a necrotrophic pathogen with an extended asymptomatic phase of infection. Overall, the molecular tools developed in this study will facilitate large-scale functional genomic analyses to interrogate the biology of infection by Z. tritici. The resulting data will inform the development of durable control strategies to combat Z. tritici outbreaks.

No description available.