Evaluation of the significance of cell wall polymers in flax infected with a pathogenic strain of Fusarium oxysporum

Abstract

BackgroundFusarium oxysporum infection leads to Fusarium-derived wilt, which is responsible for the greatest losses in flax (Linum usitatissimum) crop yield. Plants infected by Fusarium oxysporum show severe symptoms of dehydration due to the growth of the fungus in vascular tissues. As the disease develops, vascular browning and leaf yellowing can be observed. In the case of more virulent strains, plants die. The pathogen’s attack starts with secretion of enzymes degrading the host cell wall. The main aim of the study was to evaluate the role of the cell wall polymers in the flax plant response to the infection in order to better understand the process of resistance and develop new ways to protect plants against infection. For this purpose, the expression of genes involved in cell wall polymer metabolism and corresponding polymer levels were investigated in flax seedlings after incubation with Fusarium oxysporum.ResultsThis analysis was facilitated by selecting two groups of genes responding differently to the infection. The first group comprised genes strongly affected by the infection and activated later (phenylalanine ammonia lyase and glucosyltransferase). The second group comprised genes which are slightly affected (up to five times) and their expression vary as the infection progresses. Fusarium oxysporum infection did not affect the contents of cell wall polymers, but changed their structure.ConclusionThe results suggest that the role of the cell wall polymers in the plant response to Fusarium oxysporum infection is manifested through changes in expression of their genes and rearrangement of the cell wall polymers. Our studies provided new information about the role of cellulose and hemicelluloses in the infection process, the change of their structure and the expression of genes participating in their metabolism during the pathogen infection. We also confirmed the role of pectin and lignin in this process, indicating the major changes at the mRNA level of lignin metabolism genes and the loosening of the pectin structure.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12870-016-0762-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Combined De Novo Transcriptome and Metabolome Analysis of Common Bean Response to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli Infection

“…The higher expression of 3deoxy-d-arabino-heptulosonate-7-phosphate synthase and polyphenol oxidase highlighted the timely recognition of FOP invasion and induction of the defense system [9,18]. These results confirmed that upon infection and establishment of FOP in common bean root tissues, the FOP secreted enzymes loosen and degrade the cell-wall i.e., pectin, cellulose, and hemicellulose [34].…”

RNA-seq Transcriptome Response of Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) to the Pathogenic Fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lini

“…Others have used transgenics to modulate secondary metabolites (carotenoid and flavonoid biosynthesis) to increase resistance of flax to the pathogen, using the antioxidant action of these compounds against the reactive oxygen species produced upon infection (Lorenc-Kukuła et al, 2007, 2009; Boba et al, 2011). Likewise, studies of the behavior of cell wall modification genes and the metabolism of lignin production upon fusarium inoculation showed that some genes are modulated to increase resistance while others might be manipulated by the pathogen (Hano et al, 2006; Wojtasik et al, 2011, 2016). Techniques that have been applied to study these processes include: transformation (Wróbel-Kwiatkowska et al, 2004; Lorenc-Kukuła et al, 2007, 2009; Boba et al, 2011), tissue culture (Rutkowska-Krause et al, 2003), and QTL analysis (Spielmeyer et al, 1998).…”

Cloning, Characterization and Expression of the Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase Gene (PaPAL) from Spruce Picea asperata

“…In addition, a number of studies have found that the PAL gene exhibits a rapid response in the early stages of pathogen infection [4]. However, expression of the PAL gene in flax showed a pattern of continuous increase during pathogen infection [81]. In brief, the PaPAL gene can be induced by Lophodermium piceae, and we speculated that PaPAL plays an active role in the defense against needle cast disease.…”