Die durch den obligat biotrophen Protisten Plasmodiophora brassicae hervorgerufene Pflanzenkrankheit Kohlhernie verursacht weltweit hohe ökonomische Verluste. Bis heute gibt es keine effektiven Möglichkeiten, diese Pflanzenkrankheit zu bekämpfen. Eine Analyse der Genexpression in infizierten Wurzeln im Vergleich zu nicht infizierten Wurzeln ergab, dass die Gene für Lipid-Transfer-Proteine während der gesamten Krankheitsentwicklung differentiell reguliert sind. Über die Funktionen von Lipid-Transfer-Proteinen in Pflanzen wird noch spekuliert. Diskutiert wird dabei eine Funktion bei der Anpassung an verschiedene abiotische Stressfaktoren, bei der Pathogenabwehr sowie bei dem Transfer von Lipiden. In dieser Arbeit wurden transgene Pflanzen generiert, in denen die pathogenbedingte LTP-Genregulation umgekehrt ist. Es wurden transgene A. thaliana Pflanzen erzeugt, die die Gene LTP1, LTP3, LTP4, AT1G12090 sowie AT2G18370 überexprimieren und die Genexpression von AT4G33550 sowie AT1G62510 reprimieren. Die Regulation der LTP-Genexpression erfolgte dabei durch den wurzel- und keimlingsspezifischen Promotor Pyk10. Zusätzlich wurden in dieser Arbeit auch T-DNA-Insertionsmutanten für die Gene AT1G12090, AT2G18370, AT3G22620, AT5G05960, LTP3 sowie LTP4 untersucht. Mittels semiquantitativer Expressionsanalyse konnte die Modulation der LTP-Genexpression in den LTP-Mutanten bestätigt werden. Darüber hinaus konnte gezeigt werden, dass die Modulation der Expression eines LTP-Gens auch die Expression anderer LTP-Gene beeinflusst. Die phytopathologischen Analysen der LTP-Mutanten hinsichtlich der Entwicklung der Pflanzenkrankheit Kohlhernie ergab, dass die Überexpression der Gene LTP1, LTP3 sowie AT2G18370 und die Repression der Expression von AT1G62510 eine verringerte Anfälligkeit für diese Krankheit bewirkt. Die verstärkte Expression der Gene LTP1, LTP3, LTP4, AT1G12090 sowie AT2G18370 resultiert außerdem in einer verringerten Symptomentwicklung infolge einer Pseudomonas syringae-Infektion. Die verringerte Expression des Gens AT4G33550 führt hingegen zu einer größeren Anfälligkeit für eine P. brassicae Infektion; die Infektion mit P. syringae wird dadurch aber nicht beeinflusst. Die physiologische Charakterisierung der LTP-Mutanten umfasste die Analyse des Pflanzenwachstums unter Salzstress bzw. osmotischem Stress sowie die Entwicklung der Seneszenz in abgetrennten Rosettenblättern. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass die Gene LTP1, LTP3, LTP4, AT4G33550 sowie AT1G62510 bei der Anpassung an Salzstress sowie die Gene LTP3, AT3G22620, AT4G33550 und AT1G62510 bei der Anpassung an osmotischen Stress eine Rolle spielen. Durch die Modulation der Expression der genannten Gene wird das Wachstum unter diesen Stressbedingungen sowohl positiv als auch negativ beeinflusst. Die Entwicklung der Seneszenz wird ebenfalls durch eine veränderte LTP-Genexpression (LTP1, LTP3, LTP4, AT3G22620 sowie AT4G33550) beeinflusst. Für die biochemische Charakterisierung wurden die LTP-Gene aus A. thaliana mit einem Fusionspartner in E. coli exprimiert und die resultierenden Fusionsproteine gereinigt. Diese wurden nach Abspalten des Fusionspartners hinsichtlich ihrer antimikrobiellen Aktivität und auf die Fähigkeit, Calmodulin zu binden, untersucht. Für die gereinigten Lipid-Transfer-Proteine LTP1, LTP3, LTP4, AT2G18370 sowie AT1G62510 konnte unter den bisher getesteten Versuchsbedingungen keine antimikrobielle Aktivität nachgewiesen werden. Für die Proteine LTP1, LTP3 und LTP4 konnte eine calciumunabhängige Calmodulin-Bindung nachgewiesen werden. Die Ergebnisse dieser Versuche ermöglichen keine Aussage bezüglich der genauen Funktion der einzelnen Lipid-Transfer-Proteine, geben aber Hinweise darauf, dass diese bei den entsprechenden Stress-Vorgängen eine Rolle spielen. Welche Funktion sie dabei genau erfüllen, muss in weiterführenden Analysen untersucht werden.

Plants are resilient organisms that are continually evolving and continue to withstand an adverse and dynamic world. SABP2-interacting protein (SIP)-470 is a non-specific lipid transfer protein (nsLTP) that was identified in tobacco. SIP470 was discovered during a yeast two-hybrid screening with SABP2, which is an important methyl esterase enzyme which catalyzes the conversion of immobile MeSA into active salicylic acid (SA) during pathogenic challenge. SA activation and mobility allows for immunity to be carried to other, non-infected parts of the plant. This induced responses is called systemic acquired resistance (SAR) and it is a broad spectrum defense. Like many nsLTPs, SIP470 is small and has a predicted characteristic hydrophobic cavity. nsLTPs are found in higher plants and have repeatedly demonstrated protection in biotic stress including disease resistance, and greater resistance to both bacterial and fungal pathogens in overexpressed transgenic lines. This diverse class is also significantly involved in plant adaptation to environmental changes, namely drought, salinity, and freezing, but also in osmotic stress and wounding. Furthermore, nsLTPs are involved in wax metabolism and seed development. Subcellular localization of nsLTPs varies considerably during in vitro and in recent in vivo studies. SIP470 was originally identified in tobacco plants, and therefore, it is important to study its role directly in tobacco plants. SIP470 and eGFP fusion construct has been generated to study the subcellular localization of SIP470 in tobacco cells. SIP470 localization has shown a discontinuous, punctate arrangement around the membrane periphery which is being further verified by subcellular fractionation. Transgenic tobacco lines that are silenced in SIP470 via RNAi have been generated, and these plants are being screened. Overexpressor transgenic lines of SIP470 have been generated and are under the control of an estradiol-inducible promoter. These transgenic lines will be tested for their response in basal resistance and SAR.

Systemic acquired resistance (SAR) is a defense response induced by an initial localized infection that leads to the generation of long-distance immune signals that travel to distant leaves to provide enhanced resistance to subsequent infections. The lipid transfer protein (LTP) DEFECTIVE IN INDUCED RESISTANCE1 (DIR1) travels via the phloem from induced to distant leaves during SAR and may chaperone several long-distance signal candidates. In this thesis, the role of DIR1 during SAR is explored by examining the route of DIR1 movement, investigating the conservation of DIR1 structure and function, and by identifying DIR1-interacting proteins. I demonstrate that Arabidopsis plant lines with restricted cell-to-cell movement through plasmodesmata are negatively impacted in long-distance DIR1 movement, suggesting that cell-to-cell movement is important for DIR1 to access distant leaves. To elucidate the molecular function of DIR1, orthology analysis was performed with putative DIR1 orthologs. Structurally important amino acid residues that contribute to the hydrophobicity of the LTP cavity were identified, supporting the idea that DIR1 binds a hydrophobic ligand during SAR. RNAi-mediated knockdown of the DIR1 paralog DIR1-like did not impact the SAR response, supporting the idea that DIR1- like plays a lesser role in SAR. In addition, targeted protein-protein interaction assays determined that LTP1 and LTP2 interact with DIR1, and SAR phenotypic analysis of an ltp2-1 mutant supported a role for LTP2 in SAR. Lastly, a comparative proteomics approach identified several proteins with differential abundance in phloem exudates collected during the induction of SAR. Of these proteins, m-type thioredoxins, a major latex protein-like protein, and the UV-B photoreceptor UVR8 were essential for the manifestation of SAR. Together, these data provide insight into DIR1 function by identifying the importance of cell-to-cell movement through plasmodesmata, the DIR1 hydrophobic cavity, and DIR1-interacting proteins for DIR1-mediated SAR. In addition, this work identifies new phloem-localized proteins that contribute to the SAR response, providing fundamental knowledge on protein composition within the phloem during biotic stress. / Dissertation / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Plants respond to pathogens both locally at the site of infection, as well as systemically in distant leaves. Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR) is an immune response that involves the long-distance transport of SAR signal via the phloem from the site of infection to distant, uninfected leaves to establish long-lasting resistance. The Arabidopsis thaliana Defective in Induced Resistance 1 (DIR1) protein, which is required for SAR, accesses the phloem during SAR for long-distance travel to systemic leaves, and is thought to be part of a SAR signal complex. However, many questions remain about the long-distance movement of DIR1 during SAR – including the cellular route travelled to reach the phloem and whether other proteins are required for DIR1 movement. Fluorescent fusion lines of DIR1 and the related protein DIR1-like were previously created were investigated as potential tools to trace the movement of DIR1/DIR1-like during SAR. Immunoblot analysis of leaf extracts from these DIR1/DIR1-like fluorescent fusion lines revealed no signal, indicating that no fusion protein was present in these lines and therefore, they were likely not useful as a tool for assessing the movement of DIR1/DIR1-like during SAR. Lipid Transfer Protein 2 (LTP2) is required for SAR and interacted with DIR1 in a yeast-two-hybrid assay. To investigate if LTP2 is required for DIR1 movement into the phloem and long-distance, DIR1 signal was investigated by immunoblotting of phloem exudates from SAR induced ltp2-1 mutant plants. The presence of DIR1 signal in phloem exudates of local ltp2-1 leaves but not distant ltp2-1 leaves suggested that LTP2 may be required for the long-distance movement of DIR1 during SAR, but not for DIR1 to enter the phloem in induced leaves. Gene expression changes in the systemic, uninfected leaves are associated with the establishment of SAR, however, it remains less clear if there is a core set of genes important for SAR induction upregulated at the initial site of infection. To investigate this question, SAR was induced through differing treatments that first activated the PAMP-triggered immunity (PTI) pathway or Effector-triggered immunity (ETI) pathway. Common genes upregulated between all three SAR-inducing treatments were identified, revealing genes previously and currently under investigation by the Cameron lab, as well as genes that represent candidates for possible future studies. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

Die durch den obligat biotrophen Protisten Plasmodiophora brassicae hervorgerufene Pflanzenkrankheit Kohlhernie verursacht weltweit hohe ökonomische Verluste. Bis heute gibt es keine effektiven Möglichkeiten, diese Pflanzenkrankheit zu bekämpfen. Eine Analyse der Genexpression in infizierten Wurzeln im Vergleich zu nicht infizierten Wurzeln ergab, dass die Gene für Lipid-Transfer-Proteine während der gesamten Krankheitsentwicklung differentiell reguliert sind. Über die Funktionen von Lipid-Transfer-Proteinen in Pflanzen wird noch spekuliert. Diskutiert wird dabei eine Funktion bei der Anpassung an verschiedene abiotische Stressfaktoren, bei der Pathogenabwehr sowie bei dem Transfer von Lipiden. In dieser Arbeit wurden transgene Pflanzen generiert, in denen die pathogenbedingte LTP-Genregulation umgekehrt ist. Es wurden transgene A. thaliana Pflanzen erzeugt, die die Gene LTP1, LTP3, LTP4, AT1G12090 sowie AT2G18370 überexprimieren und die Genexpression von AT4G33550 sowie AT1G62510 reprimieren. Die Regulation der LTP-Genexpression erfolgte dabei durch den wurzel- und keimlingsspezifischen Promotor Pyk10. Zusätzlich wurden in dieser Arbeit auch T-DNA-Insertionsmutanten für die Gene AT1G12090, AT2G18370, AT3G22620, AT5G05960, LTP3 sowie LTP4 untersucht. Mittels semiquantitativer Expressionsanalyse konnte die Modulation der LTP-Genexpression in den LTP-Mutanten bestätigt werden. Darüber hinaus konnte gezeigt werden, dass die Modulation der Expression eines LTP-Gens auch die Expression anderer LTP-Gene beeinflusst. Die phytopathologischen Analysen der LTP-Mutanten hinsichtlich der Entwicklung der Pflanzenkrankheit Kohlhernie ergab, dass die Überexpression der Gene LTP1, LTP3 sowie AT2G18370 und die Repression der Expression von AT1G62510 eine verringerte Anfälligkeit für diese Krankheit bewirkt. Die verstärkte Expression der Gene LTP1, LTP3, LTP4, AT1G12090 sowie AT2G18370 resultiert außerdem in einer verringerten Symptomentwicklung infolge einer Pseudomonas syringae-Infektion. Die verringerte Expression des Gens AT4G33550 führt hingegen zu einer größeren Anfälligkeit für eine P. brassicae Infektion; die Infektion mit P. syringae wird dadurch aber nicht beeinflusst. Die physiologische Charakterisierung der LTP-Mutanten umfasste die Analyse des Pflanzenwachstums unter Salzstress bzw. osmotischem Stress sowie die Entwicklung der Seneszenz in abgetrennten Rosettenblättern. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass die Gene LTP1, LTP3, LTP4, AT4G33550 sowie AT1G62510 bei der Anpassung an Salzstress sowie die Gene LTP3, AT3G22620, AT4G33550 und AT1G62510 bei der Anpassung an osmotischen Stress eine Rolle spielen. Durch die Modulation der Expression der genannten Gene wird das Wachstum unter diesen Stressbedingungen sowohl positiv als auch negativ beeinflusst. Die Entwicklung der Seneszenz wird ebenfalls durch eine veränderte LTP-Genexpression (LTP1, LTP3, LTP4, AT3G22620 sowie AT4G33550) beeinflusst. Für die biochemische Charakterisierung wurden die LTP-Gene aus A. thaliana mit einem Fusionspartner in E. coli exprimiert und die resultierenden Fusionsproteine gereinigt. Diese wurden nach Abspalten des Fusionspartners hinsichtlich ihrer antimikrobiellen Aktivität und auf die Fähigkeit, Calmodulin zu binden, untersucht. Für die gereinigten Lipid-Transfer-Proteine LTP1, LTP3, LTP4, AT2G18370 sowie AT1G62510 konnte unter den bisher getesteten Versuchsbedingungen keine antimikrobielle Aktivität nachgewiesen werden. Für die Proteine LTP1, LTP3 und LTP4 konnte eine calciumunabhängige Calmodulin-Bindung nachgewiesen werden. Die Ergebnisse dieser Versuche ermöglichen keine Aussage bezüglich der genauen Funktion der einzelnen Lipid-Transfer-Proteine, geben aber Hinweise darauf, dass diese bei den entsprechenden Stress-Vorgängen eine Rolle spielen. Welche Funktion sie dabei genau erfüllen, muss in weiterführenden Analysen untersucht werden.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Selection of raw materials for a consistent and high quality end product has been a challenge for brewers globally. Various different factors may influence quality and although a great number of methods for malt analysis exist today for the prediction of end product quality, some still do not accurately represent malt performance in beer. This research focussed on determining parameters in malts to predict two of the major beer quality determining factors namely, foam- and flavour stability. Specific biochemical markers in barley malt such as lipid transfer protein 1 (LTP1) lipoxygenase-1 (LOX-1), anti-radical/oxidant potential (AROP), free amino nitrogen and intact protein were determined and used in beer quality prediction from malt character. These biochemical quality predictions were then correlated with the end product beer quality as assessed in sensory analysis trials on micro-brewed beers. Being such a multi-faceted factor in beer, LTP1 have already become an attractive field of study. LTP1 is primarily associated with stable beer foam, as a foam protein in its own right, and acting as a lipid scavenger. This protein is also theorised to play a role in the stability of beer flavour by possibly acting as anti-oxidant. Lastly LTP1 is known to have anti-yeast activity, which could negatively impact fermentation. In this study LTP1 and its lipid bound isoform LTP1b were successfully purified in an economical and easy five step protocol. Both isoforms showed temperature stability at temperatures >90°C and prefer more neutral and basic pH environments. Although the reported antioxidant activity was not observed, both purified LTP1 and LTP1b inhibited lipoxygenase-1 (LOX-1) activity, which is responsible for the enzymatic breakdown of linoleic acid to form 2(E)-nonenal. This is a novel finding that links LTP1 also to flavour stability. LTP1 exhibited anti-yeast activity whereas LTP1b lost most if not all the activity. However, since most of the LTP1 is converted to LTP1b and glycosylated isoforms during the brewing process fermentation will not be greatly influenced, while foam and flavour stability could still be promoted by the presence of LTP1b. Flavour deterioration of the final packaged product is partially due to the enzymatic production of 2(E)-nonenal by LOX-1 and the presence of free oxygen radical species, limited anti-radical/oxidant potential (AROP) and LTP1. The development of two 96-well micro-assays based on the ferrous oxidation-xylenol orange (FOX) assay for the determination of LOX-1 and AROP was successfully accomplished and compared well with established assays. The LOXFOX and AROP-FOX assays were specifically developed for the on-site, high throughput comparative determination of LOX-1 and AROP in malt and other brewery samples. The AROP-FOX and LOX-FOX micro-assays and a number of established assays were used to categorise malts in different predicted quality groups, various biochemical markers were measured which included LOX activity, LTP1 content, FAN values, intact protein concentration and AROP. An excellent trend (R2=0.93) was found between FAN/LOX and LTP1/LOX which also correlated with the novel observation that LOX-1 activity is inhibited by LTP1 at various concentrations. These trends could assist brewers in optimal blending for not only high quality end products but also fermentation predictions. To determine whether these biochemical markers selected for screening in barley malt are predictive of shelf life potential of the end product, sensory trials were performed. Three barley malt cultivars were selected for LOX, AROP, LTP1, protein and FAN content and used in micro-brewery trials at 0 and 3 months and evaluated using sensory analysis. Good correlation was found between the biochemical predictors and sensory trial for the best quality malt and beer. These parameters were therefore highly relevant for predicting shelf life potential, although additional research is required to elucidate the effect of LTP1 and LOX-1 on each other during the brewing process, since it seems that high LOX-1 concentrations could be leading to LTP1 decreases. With this study it is proposed that if more detailed protein or FAN characterisation is used together with the screening of LOX-1, LTP1 and AROP, an more accurate shelf life prediction, based on malt analysis, is possible and with the help of these parameters brewers can simply blend malts accordingly. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die keuse van roumateriaal om 'n konstante eindproduk van goeie kwaliteit te lewer, was nog altyd 'n uitdaging vir brouers wêreldwyd aangesien verskeie faktore 'n invloed het op die kwaliteit van die produk. Alhoewel daar tans verskeie metodes vir moutanalise bestaan wat die eindproduk–kwaliteit voorspel, is daar min wat werklik die eindproduk kwaliteit soos voorspel deur moutanalise verteenwoordig. Hierdie navorsing fokus op die bepaling van mout-eienskappe om twee van die belangrikste bierkwaliteitvereistes, naamlik skuim- en geurstabiliteit te voorspel. Spesifieke biochemiese eienskappe in garsmout soos lipiedtransportproteien-1 (LTP1), lipoksigenase-1 (LOX-1), antioksidant-antiradikaal potensiaal (AROP), vry aminostikstof (FAN) is geïdentifiseer en gebruik in voorspelling van bierkwaliteit vanaf moutkarakter. Hierdie biochemiese kwaliteit voorspellings is dan gekorreleer met die eindproduk soos ge-evalueer d.m.v sensoriese analise op mikro-gebroude bier. Omdat LTP1 soveel fasette in bier beïnvloed, het dit reeds 'n aanloklike studiefokus geword. LTP1 word hoofsaaklik geassosieer met stabiele skuimkwaliteit in bier en tree op as 'n lipiedmop (“lipid scavenger”). Die proteien speel teoreties ook 'n rol in die stabiliteit van bier geur deur moontlik as 'n anti-oksidant op te tree. Laastens is LTP1 bekend vir sy antigis aktiwiteit wat moontlik 'n negatiewe uitwerking op fermentasies het. Gedurende hierdie navorsing is LTP1 en sy lipiedbinding isoform LTP1b suksesvol gesuiwer met 'n ekonomies en eenvoudige 5-stap protokol. Beide isoforme het stabiliteit by temperature >90°C en meer neutrale en basiese pH omgewings getoon. Alhoewel die voorheen gerapporteerde anti-oksidant aktiwiteit vir LTP1 nie bevestig kon word nie, is daar wel gevind dat beide LTP1 en LTP1b, LOX-1, wat verantwoordelik is vir die ensimatiese afbraak van linoleensuur na 2(E)-nonenal, se aktiwiteit inhibeer. Dit is 'n unieke bevinding wat LTP1 ook koppel aan geurstabiliteit. LTP1 het antigis aktiwiteit getoon, maar LTP1b het die meeste, indien nie alle antigis-aktiwiteit verloor. Omdat die meeste van die LTP1's omgeskakel word na LTP1b's en geglikosileerde isoforme tydens die brouproses, sal fermentasie nie beduidend beinvloed word nie, maar die skuim- en geurstabiliteit sal steeds bevorder word deur die blote teenwoordigheid van die LTP1b. Geurverval van die finale verpakte produk is gedeeltelik a.g.v die ensimatiese produksie van 2(E)-nonenal deur LOX-1 en die teenwoordigheid van vry suurstofradikaal spesies, beperkte AROP en LTP1. Die ontwikkeling van twee 96-putjie mikroessaïs, gebasseer op die yster oksidasie-xilenol oranje (FOX) essai vir die bepaling van LOX-1 en AROP, was suksesvol en het goed vergelyk met reeds gevestigde essaïs. Die LOX-FOX en AROP-FOX mikroessaïs is spesifiek ontwikkel vir die residente, hoë deurvloei vergelykende bepaling van LOX-1 en AROP in mout en ander brouery-monsters. Die AROP-FOX en LOX-FOX mikroessaïs en 'n paar gevestigde essaïs is gebruik om moute te kategoriseer in die verskillende voorspelde kwaliteitsgroepe. Die biochemiese merkers wat gemeet is het die volgende ingesluit: LOX aktiwiteit, LTP1 inhoud, FAN waardes, proteïen konsentrasie en AROP. 'n Merkwaardige korrelasie (R2=0.93) is gevind tussen FAN/LOX en LTP1/LOX wat ook ooreenstem met die waarneming dat LOX-1 aktiwiteit onderdruk word deur LTP1 by verskeie konsentrasies. Hierdie korrelasies kan brouers help met optimale versnitting van moute vir, nie net die hoogste kwaliteit eindproduk nie, maar ook vir fermentasie voorspellings. Om te bepaal of hierdie geselekteerde biochemiese merkers in mout die potensieële raklewe van die eindproduk verteenwoordig, is sensoriese evaluerings uitgevoer. Drie gars-mout kultivars is geselekteer o.g.v LOX-, AROP-, LTP1-, proteïen- en FAN-inhoud en gebruik in mikro-brouery proewe en op 0 en 3 maande en is ge-evalueer deur sensoriese analise. Goeie korrelasie is gevind tussen die biochemiese voorspellers en sensoriese evaluering vir die beste kwaliteit mout en bier. Hierdie maatstawwe is daarom uiters relevant vir voorspelling van die potensiele rakleeftyd, alhoewel addisionele navorsing nodig is om die effek van LTP1 en LOX-1 op mekaar gedurende die brouproses te bepaal. Dit blyk dat 'n hoë LOX-1 konsentrasies kan lei tot 'n afname in LTP1. Met hierdie studie word dit voorstel dat, as meer gedetaileerde proteien of FAN karakterisering saam met LOX-1, LTP1, en AROP analise uitgevoer word, 'n meer akkurate raklewe voorspelling moontlik is en met behulp van hierdie parameters kan brouers moute dienooreenkomstig versnit.

Oleic acid (18:1), a monounsaturated fatty acid (FA), is synthesized upon desaturation of stearic acid (18:0) and this reaction is catalyzed by the plastidal enzyme stearoyl-acyl carrier protein-desaturase (SACPD). A mutation in the SSI2/FAB2 encoded SACPD lowers 18:1 levels, which correlates with induction of various resistance (R) genes and increased resistance to pathogens. Genetic and molecular studies have identified several suppressors of ssi2 which restore altered defense signaling either by normalizing 18:1 levels or by affecting function(s) of a downstream component. Characterization of one such ssi2 suppressor mutant showed that it is required downstream of low 18:1-mediated constitutive signaling and partially restores altered defense signaling in the ssi2 mutant. Molecular and genetic studies showed that the second site mutation was in the Nitric Oxide Associated (NOA) 1 gene, which is thought to participate in NO biosynthesis. Consistent with this result, ssi2 plants accumulated high levels of NO and showed an altered transcriptional profile of NO-responsive genes. Interestingly, the partial defense phenotypes observed in ssi2 noa1 plants were completely restored by an additional mutation in either of the two nitrate reductases NIA1 or NIA2. This suggested that NOA1 and NIA proteins participated in NO biosynthesis in an additive manner. Biochemical studies showed that 18:1 physically bound NOA1, in turn leading to its degradation in a protease-dependent manner. In concurrence, overexpression of NOA1 did not promote NO-derived defense signaling in wild-type plants unless 18:1 levels were lowered. Subcellular localization showed that NOA1 and the 18:1-synthesizing SSI2 were present in close proximity within the nucleoids of chloroplasts. Indeed, pathogen- or low 18:1- induced accumulation of NO was primarily detected in the chloroplasts and their nucleoids. Together, these data suggested that 18:1 levels regulate NO synthesis and thereby NO-mediated retrograde signaling between the nucleoids and the nucleus. Since cellular pools of glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P) regulate 18:1 levels, I next analyzed the relationship between G3P and 18:1. Interestingly, unlike 18:1, an increased G3P pool was associated with enhanced systemic immunity in Arabidopsis. This was consistent with G3P-mediated transcriptional reprogramming in the distal tissues. To determine mechanism(s) underlying G3P-conferred systemic immunity, I analyzed the interaction between G3P and a lipid transfer protein (LTP), DIR1. In addition, I monitored localization of DIR1 in both Arabidopsis as well as tobacco. Contrary to its predicted apoplastic localization, DIR1 localized to endoplasmic reticulum and plasmodesmata. The symplastic localization of DIR1 was confirmed using several different assays, including co-localization with plasmodesmatal-localizing protein, plasmolysis and protoplast-based assays. Translocation assays showed that G3P increased DIR1 levels and translocated DIR1 to distal tissues. Together, these results showed that G3P and DIR1 are present in the symplast and their coordinated transport into distal tissues is likely essential for systemic immunity. In conclusion, this work showed that low 18:1-mediated signaling is mediated via NO, synthesis of which is likely initiated in the plastidal nucleoids. In addition, my work shows that G3P functions as an independent signal during systemic signaling by mediating translocation of the lipid transfer protein, DIR1.

Les cellules eucaryotes sont caractérisées par le cloisonnement des organelles par des membranes. La communication entre les différents compartiments cellulaires est assurée par deux voies de transport : le transport vésiculaire et transport non-vésiculaire. Le transport vésiculaire permet à la fois le trafic des protéines et des lipides d'un compartiment à un autre, alors que le transport non-vésiculaire permet uniquement le trafic des lipides. En effet, les lipides jouent un rôle essentiel dans l'organisation cellulaire. Au cours de ma thèse, je me suis intéressé au rôle des lipides dans le trafic intracellulaire, en utilisant la levure comme organisme modèle. Dans une première partie de ma thèse, j'ai étudié les hélices amphipathiques qui permettent le ciblage des protéines vers des compartiments cellulaires spécifiques. Dans une étude précédente, réalisé au laboratoire a montré que ces hélices amphipathiques interagissaient directement avec les lipides membranaires, ce qui permet un adressage spécifique des protéines en fonction des environnements lipidiques dans la cellule. Deux hélices amphipatiques ont fait l’objet de cette étude : le motif ALPS qui cible les vésicules de la voie sécrétoire précoce, et alpha-synucléine qui reconnaît et fixe les vésicules du compartiment trans-Golgi-membrane plasmique. Dans cette première partie de la thèse j’ai cherché à identifier des motifs similaires à celui d’alpha-synucléine dans les protéines de levure, et de déterminer leurs rôles dans la cellule. Dans une seconde partie de ma thèse, en collaboration avec le laboratoire du Dr Thierry Galli, j'ai étudié de nouveaux composants impliqués dans le métabolisme lipidique aux sites de contact entre le réticulum endoplasmique et la membrane plasmique. Les sites de contact membranaires sont des régions de proches appositions (de l'ordre de 10 à 30 nm) entre deux membranes, généralement entre la membrane du réticulum endoplasmique (RE) et une autre organelle. Ce sont principalement des sites de transfert des lipides et d'ions. Maja Petkovic dans le laboratoire de Thierry Galli a fait la découverte que la protéine SNARE du RE, Sec22, interagit avec une syntaxine (Stx1) de la membrane plasmique dans les neurones, ce qui permet un nouveau mécanisme de contact entre ces deux membranes. J’ai donc essayé de voir si ce mécanisme est conservé chez la levure. Les résultats que j'ai obtenus ont confirmé que la levure Sec22 est capable d'interagir avec une protéine SNARE SSO1 localisée à la membrane plasmatique et homologue de Stx1. J'ai trouvé par co-immunoprecipitation que Sec22 et SSO1 deux interagissent avec les protéines de transfert des lipides localisées aux sites de contact. L'utilisation d'une sonde spécifique au Phosphatidylinositol-4 phosphate (PI4P), nous a permis de montrer que Sec22 est impliquée dans la régulation du niveau de PI4P à la membrane plasmique. Pour disséquer les deux fonctions de Sec22, dans la voie sécrétoire et aux sites de contact, nous avons utilisé l'approche des suppresseurs multicopies dans la levure. Parmi les suppresseurs identifiés, nous avons trouvé le Sfh1, une protéine qui a un rôle potentiel dans le transfert des lipides. Ces résultats confirment bien ceux obtenus par l’équipe de Thierry Galli, montrant que Sec22 a un nouveau rôle aux sites de contact entre le RE et la membrane plasmique et suggèrent que ce complexe SNARE pourrait être impliqué dans transfert de lipides chez la levure. / Eukaryotic cells are characterized by their internal membrane compartmentalization, with the various specialized organelles of the cell bounded by lipid membranes. Communication between different cellular compartments occurs via two transport pathways: vesicular transport and non-vesicular transport. Vesicular transport carries both proteins and lipids from one compartment to another in cells, whereas non-vesicular transport carries only lipids. An emerging idea is the important role that lipids play in cellular organization. Lipid binding amphipathic helices such as the ALPS (amphipathic lipid packing sensor) motif are targeted to membranes of a specific lipid composition, and hence act to transfer information encoded in membrane lipids to the vesicle trafficking machinery. The lipid composition of the membranes of different organelles is therefore of great importance. One mechanism that cells use to maintain the distinct lipid compositions of organelles is lipid transport, which occurs preferentially at membrane contact sites (MCS). MCS are regions of close appositions, on the order of 10 to 30 nm, between two membranes, generally between the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and another organelle. In my thesis, I addressed two aspects of how lipids and their transport function in intracellular trafficking, using yeast as a model system. First, I studied amphipathic motifs that mediate targeting of proteins to specific compartments in cells. Lipid binding amphipathic helices were shown in a previous study in the laboratory to mediate specific targeting to distinct lipid environments via direct protein-lipid interactions, both in vitro and in cells. One of these, the ALPS motif, targets vesicles of the early secretory pathway. The other, alpha-synuclein, targets vesicles travelling between the late Golgi, the plasma membrane and endosomes. I studied new potential alpha-synuclein-like motifs in yeast proteins, and their roles in cells. In a second project, in collaboration with the laboratory of Dr. Thierry Galli, I studied new compenents involved in lipid metabolism at contact sites between the endoplasmic reticulum and the plasma membrane. Maja Petkovic in the laboratory of Thierry Galli made the important discovery that the ER-localized SNARE protein Sec22 interacts with a plasma membrane syntaxin in neurons, thus providing a novel mechanism for mediating close contact between these two membranes. I addressed the question of whether this mechanism is conserved in yeast. The results I obtained confirmed that yeast Sec22 is able to interact with a SNARE protein localized to the plasma membrane, Sso1. I found by co-immunoprecitation that Sec22 and Sso1 both interact with lipid transfer proteins localized to ER-plasma membrane contact sites. Using a specific probe for phosphatidylinositol-4 phosphate (PI4P), we showed that Sec22 was involved in regulating the level of PI4P at the plasma membrane. These results extend to yeast those obtained by Maja Petkovic, Thierry Galli and colleauges showing that Sec22 has a novel role at ER-plasma membrane contact sites, and suggest that this SNARE complex might be implicated in lipid transfer at these sites in yeast.

Non-specific lipid transfer proteins is a large and diverse protein family found in plants, with roles in biological systems ranging from long distance signaling to plant pathogen defense. Little is known about the roles of nsLTPs, but recent studies have cast some light on the issue, among other things proposing that they may be involved in the cutice formation on land-living liverworts, mosses and non-seedbearing plants. Increased cuticle formation is thought to be a part of a plants defense system against stress. In this experiment, the expression of nsLTPs type G in the moss Physcomitrella patens was examined by qRT-PCR on cDNA synthesized from already existing mRNA samples from moss under different abiotic stresses. The different stresses were UV-light, salt (ion toxicity), heavy metal, cold drought, plant hormone and osmosis. House-keeping gene P. patens beta-tubuline 1 was used as reference and relative expression analysis was performed. The study showed a general down-regulation of PpLTPg's in the abiotically stressed samples, and the possible coupled regulatory response of PpLTPg3 and PpLTPg5. The results imply that the PpLTPg's in Physcomitrella patens could be connected to biological processes that cease during stress, or that they worl through negative feedback to support plant defense against stress.

During the water-to-land transition, that occurred approximately 450 MYA, novel habitats wererevealed to the emerging plants. This terrestrial habitat was a harsh environment compared to theaquatic, with shifting substrate content, irregular supply of water, damaging UV-radiation andrapid fluctuating temperatures. Non-specific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTP) are today only foundin the land living plants and not in the green algae. This suggests that these genes might haveevolved to help the plants cope with the stressful conditions. In this study the expression patternhas been analysed of the nsLTPs in the moss Physcomitrella patens during the possible conditionsthat raised during the water-to-land transition. The moss was exposed to salt, UV-B, drought, copper, cold and osmotic stress. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to analyse the transcription levels. I found that six genes were upregulated during either cold, dehydration or UV-B stress. This suggest that these genes are involved in the plant defense against these abiotic stresse