Dataset Information

RNA-Seq and secondary metabolite analyses reveal a putative defence-transcriptome in Norway spruce (Picea abies) against needle bladder rust (Chrysomyxa rhododendri) infection.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Norway spruce trees in subalpine forests frequently face infections by the needle rust fungus Chrysomyxa rhododendri, which causes significant growth decline and increased mortality of young trees. Yet, it is unknown whether trees actively respond to fungal attack by activating molecular defence responses and/or respective gene expression.

Results

Here, we report results from an infection experiment, in which the transcriptomes (via RNA-Seq analysis) and phenolic profiles (via UHPLC-MS) of control and infected trees were compared over a period of 39?days. Gene expression between infected and uninfected ramets significantly differed after 21?days of infection and revealed already known, but also novel candidate genes involved in spruce molecular defence against pathogens.

Conclusions

Combined RNA-Seq and biochemical data suggest that Norway spruce response to infection by C. rhododendri is restricted locally and primarily activated between 9 and 21?days after infestation, involving a potential isolation of the fungus by a hypersensitive response (HR) associated with an activation of phenolic pathways. Identified key regulatory genes represent a solid basis for further specific analyses in spruce varieties with varying susceptibility, to better characterise resistant clones and to elucidate the resistance mechanism.

SUBMITTER: Trujillo-Moya C

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7195740 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

RNA-Seq and secondary metabolite analyses reveal a putative defence-transcriptome in Norway spruce (Picea abies) against needle bladder rust (Chrysomyxa rhododendri) infection.

Trujillo-Moya Carlos C Ganthaler Andrea A Stöggl Wolfgang W Kranner Ilse I Schüler Silvio S Ertl Reinhard R Schlosser Sarah S George Jan-Peter JP Mayr Stefan S

BMC genomics 20200501 1

<h4>Background</h4>Norway spruce trees in subalpine forests frequently face infections by the needle rust fungus Chrysomyxa rhododendri, which causes significant growth decline and increased mortality of young trees. Yet, it is unknown whether trees actively respond to fungal attack by activating molecular defence responses and/or respective gene expression.<h4>Results</h4>Here, we report results from an infection experiment, in which the transcriptomes (via RNA-Seq analysis) and phenolic profil ...[more]

PMID: 32357832

Similar Datasets

Project description:Nitrogen availability limits growth in most boreal forests. However, parts of the boreal zone receive significant levels of nitrogen deposition. At the same time, forests are fertilized to increase volume growth and carbon sequestration. No matter the source, increasing nitrogen in the boreal forest ecosystem will influence the resource situation for its primary producers, the plants, with possible implications for their defensive chemistry. In general, fertilization reduces phenolic compound concentrations in trees, but existing evidence mainly comes from studies on young plants. Given the role of the phenolic compounds in protection against herbivores and other forest pests, it is important to know if phenolics are reduced with fertilization also in mature trees. The evergreen Norway spruce is long-lived, and it is reasonable that defensive strategies could change from the juvenile to the reproductive and mature phases. In addition, as the needles are kept for several years, defense could also change with needle age. We sampled current and previous year needles from an N fertilization experiment in a Norway spruce forest landscape in south-central Norway to which N had been added annually for 13 years. We analyzed total nitrogen (N) and carbon (C), as well as low-molecular phenolics and condensed tannins. Needles from fertilized trees had higher N than those from controls plots, and fertilization decreased concentrations of many flavonoids, as well as condensed tannins in current year needles. In previous year needles, some stilbenes and condensed tannins were higher in fertilized trees. In control trees, the total phenolic concentration was almost five times as high in previous year needles compared with those from the current year, and there were great compositional differences. Previous year needles contained highest concentrations of acetophenone and stilbenes, while in the current year needles the flavonoids, and especially coumaroyl-astragalins dominated. Condensed tannins did not differ between current and previous year needles from control trees. In conclusion, the phenolic defense of current year needles of mature P.abies trees was strongly changed upon fertilization. This may imply that nitrogen deposition and forest fertilization leave forests less robust in a time when pests may take advantages of a changing climate.

Dataset Information

RNA-Seq and secondary metabolite analyses reveal a putative defence-transcriptome in Norway spruce (Picea abies) against needle bladder rust (Chrysomyxa rhododendri) infection.

Background

Results

Conclusions

Publications

RNA-Seq and secondary metabolite analyses reveal a putative defence-transcriptome in Norway spruce (Picea abies) against needle bladder rust (Chrysomyxa rhododendri) infection.

Similar Datasets

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