Disentangling transcriptional responses in plant defense against arthropod herbivores

Abstract

The success in the response of a plant to a pest depends on the regulatory networks that connect plant perception and plant response. Meta-analyses of transcriptomic responses are valuable tools to discover novel mechanisms in the plant/herbivore interplay. Considering the quantity and quality of available transcriptomic analyses, Arabidopsis thaliana was selected to test the ability of comprehensive meta-analyses to disentangle plant responses. The analysis of the transcriptomic data showed a general induction of biological processes commonly associated with the response to herbivory, like jasmonate signaling or glucosinolate biosynthesis. However, an uneven induction of many genes belonging to these biological categories was found, which was likely associated with the particularities of each specific Arabidopsis-herbivore interaction. A thorough analysis of the responses to the lepidopteran Pieris rapae and the spider mite Tetranychus urticae highlighted specificities in the perception and signaling pathways associated with the expression of receptors and transcription factors. This information was translated to a variable alteration of secondary metabolic pathways. In conclusion, transcriptomic meta-analysis has been revealed as a potent way to sort out relevant physiological processes in the plant response to herbivores. Translation of these transcriptomic-based analyses to crop species will permit a more appropriate design of biotechnological programs.

Contrasting plant transcriptome responses between a pierce-sucking and a chewing herbivore go beyond the infestation site

“…Sixteen-day-old plants were infested with 20 synchronized T. urticae adult female or 5 synchronized freshly neonate P. brassicae caterpillar per plant. Number of phytophagous was selected from a previous characterization to achieve a moderate infestation in both treatments [ 25 ]. They were carefully transferred with a brush to the leaf surface.…”

Stomata, a vulnerability in the plant defence against phytophagous mites that ABA can overcome

“…Successful plant defence starts in part with the molecular recognition of Herbivore Associated Molecular Patterns (HAMPs) and Damage-Associated Molecular Patterns (DAMPs). Through these early warning cues, plants prompt signal transduction pathways and transcriptional reprogramming that result in the production of chemical and physical defences (Stahl et al, 2018; Garcia et al, 2021). This cascade of events requires fine-tuned control mediated by multiple regulatory factors to induce defence regimes appropriate to herbivore species, plant host and environment conditions.…”

Opposite roles of MAPKKK17 and MAPKKK21 against Tetranychus urticae in Arabidopsis

“…Regarding final defences, the role in mite-infested Arabidopsis plants has been reported for two genes encoding Kunitz trypsin inhibitors, several genes involved in the production of glucosinolates, and a gene encoding a hydroxynitrile lyase ( HNL ) involved in the production of free cyanide ( Arnaiz et al., 2018 ; Arnaiz et al., 2022 ). Furthermore, using a transcriptomic meta-analysis typical common responses to herbivory were found, such as jasmonate signalling or glucosinolate biosynthesis, as well as particularities in the Arabidopsis- T. urticae interaction leading to the biosynthesis of anthocyanins and tocopherols ( Garcia et al., 2021 ; Santamaria et al., 2021 ; Widemann et al., 2021 ).…”