-
Phytopathology May 2023Plants produce a high diversity of secondary metabolites that are involved in a wide range of different functions, including stress tolerance, signaling molecules for... (Review)
Review
Plants produce a high diversity of secondary metabolites that are involved in a wide range of different functions, including stress tolerance, signaling molecules for interactions with other species (allelopathy), and protecting plants against herbivores and pathogens. With the rise of more accessible, high-throughput mass spectrometry and new analytical tools, it becomes feasible to identify and validate new secondary metabolites involved in pathogen resistance or assign new roles to previously detected compounds. In this review, we provide a brief overview of the major pathogen defense-associated classes of secondary metabolites, with a focus on those with direct anti-pathogen function. For each class, we highlight one or more typical examples representing the class to give a comprehensive summary of some of the work done to date. In the second part of this review, we highlight how new technological advances and high-throughput experiments in combination with other sources of -omics data, such as genomics and transcriptomics, can accelerate the studies on secondary metabolites and help to link these compounds to genotypes. Employing such approaches will improve our understanding of chemical defenses against plant pathogens and allow for rapid development of markers for resistance breeding.
Topics: Plant Diseases; Plant Breeding; Metabolomics; Plants; Genomics
PubMed: 36856491
DOI: 10.1094/PHYTO-11-22-0415-FI -
Journal of Experimental Botany Nov 2013In the last few decades, micro- and nanomechanical methods have become increasingly important analytical techniques to gain deeper insight into the nanostructure and... (Review)
Review
In the last few decades, micro- and nanomechanical methods have become increasingly important analytical techniques to gain deeper insight into the nanostructure and mechanical design of plant cell walls. The objective of this article is to review the most common micro- and nanomechanical approaches that are utilized to study primary and secondary cell walls from a biomechanics perspective. In light of their quite disparate functions, the common and opposing structural features of primary and secondary cell walls are reviewed briefly. A significant part of the article is devoted to an overview of the methodological aspects of the mechanical characterization techniques with a particular focus on new developments and advancements in the field of nanomechanics. This is followed and complemented by a review of numerous studies on the mechanical role of cellulose fibrils and the various matrix components as well as the polymer interactions in the context of primary and secondary cell-wall function.
Topics: Biophysics; Cell Wall; Cellulose; Microscopy, Atomic Force; Plant Cells; Plant Physiological Phenomena; Plants
PubMed: 24064925
DOI: 10.1093/jxb/ert255 -
Journal of Agricultural and Food... Oct 2018Plant bioactive compounds consumed as part of our diet are able to influence human health. They include secondary metabolites like (poly)phenols, carotenoids,... (Review)
Review
Plant bioactive compounds consumed as part of our diet are able to influence human health. They include secondary metabolites like (poly)phenols, carotenoids, glucosinolates, alkaloids, and terpenes. Although much knowledge has been gained, there is still need for studies unravelling the effects of plant bioactives on cardiometabolic health at the individual level, using cutting-edge high-resolution and data-rich holistic approaches. The aim of this Perspective is to review the prospects of microbiomics, nutrigenomics and nutriepigenomics, and metabolomics to assess the response to plant bioactive consumption while considering interindividual variability. Insights for future research in the field toward personalized nutrition are discussed.
Topics: Animals; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Genomics; Humans; Metabolomics; Nutritive Value; Plant Extracts; Plants
PubMed: 30208704
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.8b03385 -
Annual Review of Phytopathology 2008Pathogen entry into host tissue is a critical first step in causing infection. For foliar bacterial plant pathogens, natural surface openings, such as stomata, are... (Review)
Review
Pathogen entry into host tissue is a critical first step in causing infection. For foliar bacterial plant pathogens, natural surface openings, such as stomata, are important entry sites. Historically, these surface openings have been considered as passive portals of entry for plant pathogenic bacteria. However, recent studies have shown that stomata can play an active role in limiting bacterial invasion as part of the plant innate immune system. As a counter-defense, the plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 uses the virulence factor coronatine to actively open stomata. In nature, many foliar bacterial disease outbreaks require high humidity, rain, or storms, which could favor stomatal opening and/or bypass stomatal defense by creating wounds as alternative entry sites. Further studies on microbial and environmental regulation of stomatal closure and opening could fill gaps in our understanding of bacterial pathogenesis, disease epidemiology, and microbiology of the phyllosphere.
Topics: Bacterial Infections; Immunity, Innate; Plant Diseases; Plant Stomata; Plants; Pseudomonas syringae
PubMed: 18422426
DOI: 10.1146/annurev.phyto.121107.104959 -
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta Nov 2013Recent studies suggest that plants secrete a large number of proteins and peptides into the extracellular space. Secreted proteins play a crucial role in stress... (Review)
Review
Recent studies suggest that plants secrete a large number of proteins and peptides into the extracellular space. Secreted proteins play a crucial role in stress response, communication and development of organisms. Here we review the current knowledge of the secretome of more than ten plant species, studied in natural conditions or during (a)biotic stress. This review not only deals with the classical secretory route via endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi followed by proteins containing a known N-terminal signal peptide, but also covers new findings about unconventional secretion of leaderless proteins. We describe alternative secretion pathways and the involved compartments like the recently discovered EXPO. The well characterized secreted peptides that function as ligands of receptor proteins exemplify the biological significance and activity of the secretome. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: An Updated Secretome.
Topics: Plant Physiological Phenomena; Plant Proteins; Plants; Protein Sorting Signals; Proteome; Reproduction; Secretory Pathway
PubMed: 23557863
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2013.03.024 -
International Journal of Molecular... Sep 2018In view of major economic problems caused by viruses, the development of genetically resistant crops is critical for breeders but remains limited by the evolution of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
In view of major economic problems caused by viruses, the development of genetically resistant crops is critical for breeders but remains limited by the evolution of resistance-breaking virus mutants. During the plant breeding process, the introgression of traits from Crop Wild Relatives results in a dramatic change of the genetic background that can alter the resistance efficiency or durability. Here, we conducted a meta-analysis on 19 Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) studies of resistance to viruses in plants. Frequent epistatic effects between resistance genes indicate that a large part of the resistance phenotype, conferred by a given QTL, depends on the genetic background. We next reviewed the different resistance mechanisms in plants to survey at which stage the genetic background could impact resistance or durability. We propose that the genetic background may impair effector-triggered dominant resistances at several stages by tinkering the NB-LRR (Nucleotide Binding-Leucine-Rich Repeats) response pathway. In contrast, effects on recessive resistances by loss-of-susceptibility-such as eIF4E-based resistances-are more likely to rely on gene redundancy among the multigene family of host susceptibility factors. Finally, we show how the genetic background is likely to shape the evolution of resistance-breaking isolates and propose how to take this into account in order to breed plants with increased resistance durability to viruses.
Topics: Disease Resistance; Epistasis, Genetic; Plant Diseases; Plant Viruses; Plants; Plants, Genetically Modified; Quantitative Trait Loci
PubMed: 30241370
DOI: 10.3390/ijms19102856 -
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta Feb 2012Abiotic stresses such as drought and high salinity adversely affect the growth and productivity of plants, including crops. The development of stress-tolerant crops will... (Review)
Review
Abiotic stresses such as drought and high salinity adversely affect the growth and productivity of plants, including crops. The development of stress-tolerant crops will be greatly advantageous for modern agriculture in areas that are prone to such stresses. In recent years, several advances have been made towards identifying potential stress related genes which are capable of increasing the tolerance of plants to abiotic stress. NAC proteins are plant-specific transcription factors and more than 100 NAC genes have been identified in Arabidopsis and rice to date. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that the six major groups were already established at least in an ancient moss lineage. NAC transcription factors have a variety of important functions not only in plant development but also in abiotic stress responses. Stress-inducible NAC genes have been shown to be involved in abiotic stress tolerance. Transgenic Arabidopsis and rice plants overexpressing stress-responsive NAC (SNAC) genes have exhibited improved drought tolerance. These studies indicate that SNAC factors have important roles for the control of abiotic stress tolerance and that their overexpression can improve stress tolerance via biotechnological approaches. Although these transcription factors can bind to the same core NAC recognition sequence, recent studies have demonstrated that the effects of NAC factors for growth are different. Moreover, the NAC proteins are capable of functioning as homo- or hetero-dimer forms. Thus, SNAC factors can be useful for improving stress tolerance in transgenic plants, although the mechanism for mediating the stress tolerance of these homologous factors is complex in plants. Recent studies also suggest that crosstalk may exist between stress responses and plant growth. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Plant gene regulation in response to abiotic stress.
Topics: Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Multigene Family; Phylogeny; Plant Physiological Phenomena; Plant Proteins; Plants; Stress, Physiological; Transcription Factors
PubMed: 22037288
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2011.10.005 -
International Journal of... 2022Treated wastewater can partly meet the requirements of water for irrigating tree crops in dry areas to better utilize, produce biomass and reduce land degradation....
Treated wastewater can partly meet the requirements of water for irrigating tree crops in dry areas to better utilize, produce biomass and reduce land degradation. Seedlings of , and were planted and irrigated with bore-well (BW) and treated wastewater (WW) at ½ET (Evaporation-transpiration) and ¾ET. Plants irrigated at BW1/2 attained less height and collar diameter, and showed low growth increments and dry biomass. These variables increased by 1.2-2.0-fold at WW3/4 irrigation. Plants produced 1.4-fold higher biomass with WW over BW, whereas it was 1.5-fold higher at ¾ET over ½ET. Responses of species to BW/WW irrigation differed in biomass allocation to roots and other parts as a mechanism to uptake water and nutrients. Conclusively, , , and had stronger preference to increased irrigation level, whereas , , and had preferred nutrients added through treated wastewater. , , and were best species in growth and biomass production and wastewater utilization. These can be replicated in urban afforestation to enhance bio-product and reduce degradation in environmental quality.
Topics: Biodegradation, Environmental; Biomass; Trees; Wastewater; Water
PubMed: 34694940
DOI: 10.1080/15226514.2021.1993784 -
Applied and Environmental Microbiology Aug 2018The late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) family is composed of a diverse collection of multidomain and multifunctional proteins found in all three domains of the tree of... (Review)
Review
The late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) family is composed of a diverse collection of multidomain and multifunctional proteins found in all three domains of the tree of life, but they are particularly common in plants. Most members of the family are known to play an important role in abiotic stress response and stress tolerance in plants but are also part of the plant hypersensitive response to pathogen infection. The mechanistic basis for LEA protein functionality is still poorly understood. The group of LEA 2 proteins harbor one or more copies of a unique domain, the ater stress and persensitive response (WHy) domain. This domain sequence has recently been identified as a unique open reading frame (ORF) in some bacterial genomes (mostly in the phylum ), and the recombinant bacterial WHy protein has been shown to exhibit a stress tolerance phenotype in and an protein denaturation protective function. Multidomain phylogenetic analyses suggest that the WHy protein gene sequence may have ancestral origins in the domain , with subsequent acquisition in and eukaryotes via endosymbiont or horizontal gene transfer mechanisms. Here, we review the structure, function, and nomenclature of LEA proteins, with a focus on the WHy domain as an integral component of the LEA constructs and as an independent protein.
Topics: Bacteria; Bacterial Proteins; Evolution, Molecular; Phylogeny; Plant Proteins; Plants; Protein Domains
PubMed: 29802195
DOI: 10.1128/AEM.00539-18 -
Plant, Cell & Environment May 2016Mitochondria play a central role in plant metabolism as they are a major source of ATP through synthesis by the oxidative phosphorylation pathway and harbour key... (Review)
Review
Mitochondria play a central role in plant metabolism as they are a major source of ATP through synthesis by the oxidative phosphorylation pathway and harbour key metabolic reactions such as the TCA cycle. The energy and building blocks produced by mitochondria are essential to drive plant growth and development as well as to provide fuel for responses to abiotic and biotic stresses. The majority of mitochondrial proteins are encoded in the nuclear genome and have to be imported into the organelle. For the regulation of the corresponding genes intricate signalling pathways exist to adjust their expression. Signals directly regulate nuclear gene expression (anterograde signalling) to adjust the protein composition of the mitochondria to the needs of the cell. In parallel, mitochondria communicate back their functional status to the nucleus (retrograde signalling) to prompt transcriptional regulation of responsive genes via largely unknown signalling mechanisms. Plant hormones are the major signalling components regulating all layers of plant development and cellular functions. Increasing evidence is now becoming available that plant hormones are also part of signalling networks controlling mitochondrial function and their biogenesis. This review summarizes recent advances in understanding the interaction of mitochondrial and hormonal signalling pathways.
Topics: Crops, Agricultural; Mitochondria; Plant Development; Plant Growth Regulators; Plants; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 26763171
DOI: 10.1111/pce.12712