Abstract
BackgroundPlant-microbe interactions feature complex signal interplay between pathogens and their hosts. Phytophthora species comprise a destructive group of fungus-like plant pathogens, collectively affecting a wide range of plants important to agriculture and natural ecosystems. Despite the availability of genome sequences of both hosts and microbes, little is known about the signal interplay between them during infection. In particular, accurate descriptions of coordinate relationships between host and microbe transcriptional programs are lacking.ResultsHere, we explore the molecular interaction between the hemi-biotrophic broad host range pathogen Phytophthora capsici and tomato. Infection assays and use of a composite microarray allowed us to unveil distinct changes in both P. capsici and tomato transcriptomes, associated with biotrophy and the subsequent switch to necrotrophy. These included two distinct transcriptional changes associated with early infection and the biotrophy to necrotrophy transition that may contribute to infection and completion of the P. capsici lifecycleConclusionsOur results suggest dynamic but highly regulated transcriptional programming in both host and pathogen that underpin P. capsici disease and hemi-biotrophy. Dynamic expression changes of both effector-coding genes and host factors involved in immunity, suggests modulation of host immune signaling by both host and pathogen. With new unprecedented detail on transcriptional reprogramming, we can now explore the coordinate relationships that drive host-microbe interactions and the basic processes that underpin pathogen lifestyles. Deliberate alteration of lifestyle-associated transcriptional changes may allow prevention or perhaps disruption of hemi-biotrophic disease cycles and limit damage caused by epidemics.
Highlights
Plant-microbe interactions feature complex signal interplay between pathogens and their hosts
These results are similar to observations made in other Phytophthora species [30,37,38], we note that P. capsici has a relatively short infection cycle compared with related organisms such as P. infestans [27]
Besides genes expressed in the early infection stages, we found RXLR-coding genes that were upregulated in biotrophy, most of which were downregulated in necrotrophy, and some that remained highly expressed in the late stages
Summary
Plant-microbe interactions feature complex signal interplay between pathogens and their hosts. Plants lack an adaptive immune system, they carry pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that recognize microbe or pathogen-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs or PAMPs) and initiate effective defense responses. This form of innate immunity, termed PAMP-triggered immunity (PTI), ensures an early response to a broad range of potential pathogens, and generates systemic signals that. Despite the availability of multiple Phytophthora genome sequences [7,14,15], little is known about the signal interplay between organisms that occurs during infection, or which processes in the plant contribute to the Phytophthora hemi-biotrophic lifestyle
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
