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Single cell transcriptome analysis of Arabidopsis roots inoculated by Plasmodiophora brassicae indicates a role for brassinosteroids in clubroot formation.

ABSTRACT: The clubroot disease caused by the obligate biotrophic protist Plasmodiophora brassicae on host plants of the Brassicaceae family is characterized by enhanced cell division and cell expansion. Since a typical root section of an infected plant always includes different stages of the pathogen as well as uninfected cells, we were interested to investigate specific developmental stages of the pathogen and their effect on host transcriptional changes. We extended previous microarray studies on whole roots by using Laser Microdissection and Pressure Catapulting (LMPC) to isolate individual cells harboring defined developmental stages of the pathogen. In addition, we compared the central cylinder of infected to contol plants. We were especially interested to elucidate the stage-specific hormonal network. The upregulation of genes involved in auxin and cytokinin metabolism and signaling was confirmed. In addition, we found evidence that brassinosteroid (BR) synthesis and signal perception was in many cases upregulated in enlarged cells and the central cylinder. This was confirmed by qPCR and mutant analysis of the BR receptor mutant bri1-6, which exhibited less severe gall formation than the respective wild type. Our results identify novel hormone pathways involved in clubroot development. Using this method of single cell preparation combined with transcriptome analysis has been very useful to elucidate the regulation of gall growth by this obligate biotropic pathogen in a cell- and stage-specific manner.

ORGANISM(S): Arabidopsis thaliana

PROVIDER: GSE44676 | GEO | 2014/02/23

SECONDARY ACCESSION(S): PRJNA190889

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:The clubroot disease caused by the obligate biotrophic protist Plasmodiophora brassicae on host plants of the Brassicaceae family is characterized by enhanced cell division and cell expansion. Since a typical root section of an infected plant always includes different stages of the pathogen as well as uninfected cells, we were interested to investigate specific developmental stages of the pathogen and their effect on host transcriptional changes. We extended previous microarray studies on whole roots by using Laser Microdissection and Pressure Catapulting (LMPC) to isolate individual cells harboring defined developmental stages of the pathogen. In addition, we compared the central cylinder of infected to contol plants. We were especially interested to elucidate the stage-specific hormonal network. The upregulation of genes involved in auxin and cytokinin metabolism and signaling was confirmed. In addition, we found evidence that brassinosteroid (BR) synthesis and signal perception was in many cases upregulated in enlarged cells and the central cylinder. This was confirmed by qPCR and mutant analysis of the BR receptor mutant bri1-6, which exhibited less severe gall formation than the respective wild type. Our results identify novel hormone pathways involved in clubroot development. Using this method of single cell preparation combined with transcriptome analysis has been very useful to elucidate the regulation of gall growth by this obligate biotropic pathogen in a cell- and stage-specific manner. Transcription profiling was performed in isolated Arabidopsis thaliana root cells harboring different developmental stages of Plasmodiophora brassicae at two time points after inoculation (dai) (14 and 21 dai), as well as in infected central cylinder tissue from roots at 14 dai (days after inoculation). Control samples were taken from uninfected roots. Host cells were dissected from paraffin embedded roots using Laser Microdissection and Pressure Catapulting (LMPC). 8 samples have been analyzed.

Project description:Gall formation on the belowground parts of plants infected with Plasmodiophora brassicae is the result of extensive host cellular reprogramming. The development of these structures is a consequence of increased cell proliferation followed by massive enlargement of cells colonised with the pathogen. Drastic changes in cellular growth patterns create local deformities in the roots and hypocotyl giving rise to mechanical tensions within the tissue of these organs. Host cell wall extensibility and recomposition accompanies growth of the gall, influences pathogen spread and also pathogen life cycle progression. Demethylation of pectin within the extracellular matrix may play an important role in P. brassicae-driven hypertrophy of host underground organs. Through proteomic analysis of the cell wall we identified proteins accumulating in the galls developing on the underground parts of Arabidopsis thaliana plants infected with P. brassicae. One of the key proteins identified was the pectin methylesterase PME18; we further characterised its expression and conducted functional and anatomic studies in the knock-out mutant and used Raman spectroscopy to study the status of pectin in P. brassicae infected galls. We found that late stages of gall formation are accompanied with increased levels of Pectin Methylesterase 18 (PME18). We have also shown, that the massive enlargement of cells colonised with P. brassicae coincides with decreases in pectin methylation. In pme18-1 knock-out mutants P. brassicae could still induce demethylation; however, the galls in this line were smaller and cellular expansion was less pronounced. Alteration in pectin demethylation in the host resulted in changes in pathogen distribution and slowed down disease progression. To conclude, P. brassicae driven host organ hypertrophy observed during clubroot disease is accompanied by pectin demethylation in the extracellular matrix. The pathogen hijacks endogenous host mechanisms involved in cell wall loosening to create an optimal cellular environment for completion of its life cycle and eventual release of resting spores facilitated by degradation of demethylated pectin polymers.

Project description:Clubroot of Brassicaceae, an economically important soil borne disease, is caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae Woronin, an obligate, biotrophic protist. This disease poses a serious threat to canola and related crops in Canada and around the globe causing significant loss to seed yield. The pathogen is continuously evolving and new pathotypes are emerging, this necessitates the development of novel resistant canola cultivars to manage the disease effectively. Given that proteins play a crucial role in majority of biological processes and molecular functions, the identification of differentially abundant proteins (DAP) using proteomics information is an attractive approach to understand the plant-pathogen interactions as well as in the future development of gene specific markers for developing clubroot resistant (CR) cultivars. In this study, P. brassicae pathotype 3 (P3H) was used to challenge CR and clubroot susceptible (CS) canola lines. Root samples were collected at three distinct stages of pathogenesis, 7-, 14-, and 21-days post inoculation (DPI), protein samples were isolated, digested with trypsin and subjected to LC-MS/MS analysis. A total of 937 proteins demonstrated a significant (q < 0.05) change in abundance in at least in one of the time points when compared between control and inoculated CR-parent, CR-progeny, CS-parent, CS-progeny and 784 proteins were significantly (q < 0.05) changed in abundance in at least in one of the time points when compared between the inoculated- CR and CS root proteomes of parent and progeny across the three time points tested. Functional annotation of the differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) revealed several proteins related to calcium dependent signaling pathways in response to the pathogen. In addition, proteins related to reactive oxygen species (ROS) biochemistry, dehydrins, lignin, thaumatin, and phytohormones were identified. Among the DAPs, 74 putative proteins orthologous to CR proteins and quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with eight CR loci in four chromosomes including chromosomes A3 and A8 were identified. In conclusion, these results have contributed to an improved understanding of the mechanisms that are involved in mediating response to P. brassicae in canola at the protein level.

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Single cell transcriptome analysis of Arabidopsis roots inoculated by Plasmodiophora brassicae indicates a role for brassinosteroids in clubroot formation.

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