Project description:RNA interference (RNAi) is a widely-used approach to generate virus-resistant transgenic crops. However, durability of RNAi-mediated resistance under extreme field conditions and side-effects of stable RNAi expression have not been thoroughly investigated. Here we performed field trials and molecular characterization of two RNAi-transgenic Solanum lycopersicum lines resistant to Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) disease, the major constraint for tomato cultivation in Cuba and worldwide. In order to determine potential impact of the hairpin RNA transgene expression on tomato genome expression and development, differences in the phenotypes and the transcriptome profiles between the transgenic and non-transgenic plants were examined. Transcriptome profiling revealed a common set of up- and down-regulated tomato genes, which correlated with slight developmental abnormalities in both transgenic lines.
Project description:Transcriptional changes triggered by the systemic infection of the tospovirus Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV) in roots and shoots of tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum) mycorrhized by Glomus mosseae
Project description:Tomato fruit ripening is under the control of ethylene as well as a group of ethylene-independent transcription factors, including NON-RIPENING (NOR) and RIPENING INHIBITOR (RIN). During ripening, the linear carotene lycopene accumulates at the expense of cyclic carotenoids. Fruit-specific overexpression of LYCOPENE β-CYCLASE (LCYb) under the control of the PHYTOENE DESATURASE (PDS) promoter resulted in increased levels of β-carotene and ABA and in decreased ethylene levels. Genes regulated by ABA, or involved in its synthesis and signaling, were overexpressed, while those associated with ethylene and cell wall remodeling were repressed. In agreement with the transcriptional data, LCYb-overexpressing fruits exhibited increased density of cell wall material containing linear, under-methylated pectins and displayed an array of additional ripening phenotypes, including delayed softening, increased turgor, enhanced shelf life and a thicker cuticle with a higher content of cutin monomers and triterpenoids. The levels of several primary metabolites and phenylpropanoids also changed in the transgenics, which could be attributed to delayed fruit ripening and to ABA respectively. Network correlation analysis suggests that ABA, acting through NOR and RIN, is responsible for many of the above phenotypes. These data reinforce suggestions that ABA plays an important role in tomato fruit ripening and provide clues that fruit b-carotene, acting as a precursor for ABA, actively participates in controlling the ripening process rather than merely being an output thereof. Overexpression of a LCYb gene from Arabidopsis under the control of the ripening-associated PDS promoter leads to ripe tomato fruits accumulating high β-carotene levels. Using several independent transgenic lines, we conducted a system-wide study of the effect of increased β-carotene levels on tomato fruit ripening and shelf life. Our data suggest that β-carotene, acting through ABA, is involved in a regulatory loop within the network controlling tomato fruit ripening.
Project description:This study aimed to investigate the physiological and molecular responses of Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) to Phytophthora cinnamomi infection. The initial defense response in tomato seeds included the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and callose deposition. Screening of commercial tomato varieties revealed varying levels of susceptibility, with the variety Marmande exhibiting heightened vulnerability. Three days post-inoculation, Marmande showed increased expression of genes associated with ROS generation, and biosynthesis pathways for phenylpropanoids and flavonoids. Additionally, 850 genes related to cell wall remodeling, including those involved in lignin biosynthesis and pectin methyl esterase inhibitors (PMEIs), were significantly upregulated. Seven days post-inoculation, a stronger transcriptional response was observed, with activation of ethylene (ET) and jasmonic acid (JA) signaling pathways, while salicylic acid (SA) showed minimal activity. Metabolomic analysis of infected roots revealed elevated levels of metabolites linked to lycopene, flavonoids, and phenylpropanoids. Furthermore, infected roots exhibited a significant reduction in pectin levels, which was corroborated by in vitro assays showing zoospore-mediated pectin degradation. These results suggest that degradation of root pectin is a key mechanism facilitating zoospore invasion in susceptible tomato hosts. This study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying host-pathogen interactions and identifies potential targets for managing Phytophthora cinnamomi-induced diseases in crops.
Project description:The biocontrol agent Pythium oligandrum, which is a member of phylum Oomycota, can control diseases caused by a taxonomically wide range of plant pathogens, including fungi, bacteria, and oomycetes. However, whether P. oligandrum could control diseases caused by plant root-knot nematodes (RKNs) was unknown. We investigated a recently isolated P. oligandrum strain GAQ1, and the P. oligandrum CBS530.74 strain, for the control of RKN Meloidogyne incognita infection of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Initially, P. oligandrum culture filtrates were found to be lethal to M. incognita second-stage juveniles (J2s) with up to 84% mortality at 24 h after treatment compared to 14% in the control group. Consistent with the lethality to M. incognita J2s, tomato roots treated with P. oligandrum culture filtrates reduced the attraction of nematodes, and the number of nematodes penetrating the roots was reduced by up to 78%. In a greenhouse pot trial, P. oligandrum GAQ1 inoculation of tomato plants significantly reduced the gall number by 58% in plants infected with M. incognita. Notably, P. oligandrum GAQ1 mycelial treatment significantly increased tomato plant height (by 36%), weight (by 27%), and root weight (by 48%). Transcriptome analysis of tomato seedling roots inoculated with the P. oligandrum GAQ1 strain identified ~2,500 differentially expressed genes. The enriched GO terms and annotations in the up-regulated genes suggested modulation of plant hormone-signaling and defense-related pathways in response to P. oligandrum. In conclusion, our results support that P. oligandrum GAQ1 can serve as a potential biocontrol agent for M. incognita control in tomato. Multiple mechanisms appear to contribute to the biocontrol effect involving direct inhibition of M. incognita, potential priming of tomato plant defenses, and plant growth promotion.