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Insights Into the Mechanisms Implicated in Pinus pinaster Resistance to Pinewood Nematode

Authors :
Inês Modesto
Lieven Sterck
Vicent Arbona
Aurelio Gómez-Cadenas
Isabel Carrasquinho
Yves Van de Peer
Célia M. Miguel
Source :
Frontiers in Plant Science, Vol 12 (2021)
Publication Year :
2021
Publisher :
Frontiers Media S.A., 2021.

Abstract

Pine wilt disease (PWD), caused by the plant–parasitic nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, has become a severe environmental problem in the Iberian Peninsula with devastating effects in Pinus pinaster forests. Despite the high levels of this species' susceptibility, previous studies reported heritable resistance in P. pinaster trees. Understanding the basis of this resistance can be of extreme relevance for future programs aiming at reducing the disease impact on P. pinaster forests. In this study, we highlighted the mechanisms possibly involved in P. pinaster resistance to PWD, by comparing the transcriptional changes between resistant and susceptible plants after infection. Our analysis revealed a higher number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in resistant plants (1,916) when compared with susceptible plants (1,226). Resistance to PWN is mediated by the induction of the jasmonic acid (JA) defense pathway, secondary metabolism pathways, lignin synthesis, oxidative stress response genes, and resistance genes. Quantification of the acetyl bromide-soluble lignin confirmed a significant increase of cell wall lignification of stem tissues around the inoculation zone in resistant plants. In addition to less lignified cell walls, susceptibility to the pine wood nematode seems associated with the activation of the salicylic acid (SA) defense pathway at 72 hpi, as revealed by the higher SA levels in the tissues of susceptible plants. Cell wall reinforcement and hormone signaling mechanisms seem therefore essential for a resistance response.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1664462X
Volume :
12
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Frontiers in Plant Science
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.6ed4e4b33d7d4078bc871476086e2f18
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2021.690857