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Suppression of the maize phytoglobin ZmPgb1.1 promotes plant tolerance against Clavibacter nebraskensis

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Abstract

Main conclusion

Suppression of the maize phytoglobin ZmPgb1.1 enhances tolerance against Clavibacter nebraskensis by promoting hypersensitive response mechanisms mediated by ethylene and reactive oxygen species.

Abstract

Suppression of the maize phytoglobin, ZmPgb1.1, reduced lesion size and disease severity in leaves following inoculation with Clavibacter nebraskensis, the causal agent of Goss’s bacterial wilt disease of corn. These effects were associated with an increase of the transcriptional levels of ethylene biosynthetic and responsive genes, which resulted in the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and TUNEL-positive nuclei in the proximity of the inoculation site. An in vitro system, in which maize cells were treated with induced xylem sap, was employed to define the cause–effect relationship of these events. Phytoglobins (Pgbs) are hemoglobins able to scavenge nitric oxide (NO). Suppression of ZmPgb1.1 elevated the level of NO in cells exposed to the induced xylem sap causing a rise in the transcript levels of ethylene biosynthesis and response genes, as well as ethylene. Accumulation of ethylene in the same cells was sufficient to elevate the amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS), through the activation of the respiratory burst oxidase homologs (Rboh) genes, and trigger programmed cell death (PCD). The sequence of these events was demonstrated by manipulating the content of NO and ethylene in culture through pharmacological treatments. Collectively, our results illustrated that suppression of ZmPgb1.1 evokes tolerance against C. nebraskensis culminating in the execution of PCD, a key step of the hypersensitive response.

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Abbreviations

AOA:

Aminooxyacetic acid

cPTIO:

2-(4-Carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide

ETH:

Ethephon

Pgb:

Phytoglobin

NO:

Nitric oxide

PCD:

Programmed cell death

ROS:

Reactive oxygen species

SNP:

Sodium nitroprusside

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by a NSERC Discovery Grant to CS. The authors thank the valuable technical assistance of Mr. Durnin.

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Author notes

  1. V. Owusu and M. Mira contributed equally to the work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2, Canada

    V. Owusu, L. R. Adam, F. Daayf, R. D. Hill & C. Stasolla

  2. Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt

    M. Mira

  3. Department of Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt

    A. Soliman

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  1. V. Owusu
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Owusu, V., Mira, M., Soliman, A. et al. Suppression of the maize phytoglobin ZmPgb1.1 promotes plant tolerance against Clavibacter nebraskensis. Planta 250, 1803–1818 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-019-03263-7

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