Tuning the Wavelength: Manipulation of Light Signaling to Control Plant Defense

Abstract

The growth–defense trade-off in plants is a phenomenon whereby plants must balance the allocation of their resources between developmental growth and defense against attack by pests and pathogens. Consequently, there are a series of points where growth signaling can negatively regulate defenses and where defense signaling can inhibit growth. Light perception by various photoreceptors has a major role in the control of growth and thus many points where it can influence defense. Plant pathogens secrete effector proteins to manipulate defense signaling in their hosts. Evidence is emerging that some of these effectors target light signaling pathways. Several effectors from different kingdoms of life have converged on key chloroplast processes to take advantage of regulatory crosstalk. Moreover, plant pathogens also perceive and react to light in complex ways to regulate their own growth, development, and virulence. Recent work has shown that varying light wavelengths may provide a novel way of controlling or preventing disease outbreaks in plants.

‘Candidatus Phytoplasma mali’ SAP11-Like protein modulates expression of genes involved in energy production, photosynthesis, and defense in Nicotiana occidentalis leaves

“…Since in A. thaliana ptf1 mutants the expression of psbD is reduced [ 81 ], it can be assumed that SAP11 binding to TCP13 has a similar effect.Even though psbD was not downregulated in this study, two other genes encoding proteins from PSII were downregulated upon SAP11 CaPm expression, namely the oxygen-evolving enhancer proteins 1 (OEE1/PsbO) and OEE2 (PsbP). Interestingly, OEE2/PsbP is directly targeted by a Plasmopara viticola RXLR effector protein [ 82 , 83 ], while OEE1/PsbO binds to HIPM (HrpN-interacting protein from Malus spp. ), a susceptibility gene for Erwinia amylovora infection in apple [ 84 ].…”

Red and Blue Light Induce Soybean Resistance to Soybean Mosaic Virus Infection through the Coordination of Salicylic Acid and Jasmonic Acid Defense Pathways

“…Near-infrared light and PIF4 promote plant antiviral defense by enhancing RNA interference [17]. Thus, manipulating light signals can regulate plant defenses [18]. It has also been reported that light affects the behavior of insects, which, in turn, affects infection caused by insect-borne viruses [19].…”

'Candidatus Phytoplasma mali' SAP11-Like protein modulates expression of genes involved in metabolic pathways, photosynthesis, and defense in Nicotiana occidentalis leaves.

“…(OEE1/PsbO) and OEE2 (PsbP). Interestingly, OEE2/PsbP is directly targeted by a Plasmopara viticola RXLR effector protein[78,79], while OEE1/PsbO binds to HIPM (HrpN-interacting protein from Malus spp. ), a susceptibility gene for Erwinia amylovora infection in apple[80].…”