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Defense-Related Proteins of Higher Plants
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Defense-Related Proteins of Higher Plants

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Molecular Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2023) | Viewed by 18908

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Maria Fátima Grossi-de-Sa

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, PqEB, Final W5 Norte, Biotechnology Sector, CP 02372, Brasília 70770-917, DF, Brazil
Interests: plant-nematode and insect interactions; transgenic crops; biotic and abiotic stresses; plant genome editing; gene silencing; insect nanobiotechnology; recombinant proteins
Dr. Patricia Messenberg Guimarães

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, PqEB, Final W5 Norte, Biotechnology Sector, CP 02372, Brasília 70770-917, DF, Brazil
Interests: Structural and functional genomics of legumes; Arachis genomics; plant pest resistance; plant tolerance to water stress and plant molecular characterization
Prof. Dr. Octávio L. Franco

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Proteomics and Biochemical Analysis Center, Brasília Catholic University, Brasília 70790-160, DF, Brazil
2. S-Inova Biotech, Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande 79117-900, MS, Brazil
Interests: plant peptides; antimicrobials; proteomics; biotechnology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We have been invited to organize a Special Issue on the theme “Defense-Related Proteins of Higher Plants” by the international journal Plants published by MDPI.

The aim of this Special Issue is to provide a worldwide overview of the research on plant defense genes in different species and their contribution to pest management control. We would like to invite you and your colleagues to submit original research and/or review articles that addresses this important subject. This constitutes an important opportunity to disclose recent advances in bioprospection, validation, and utilization of defense-related genes using biotechnology and genetic tools in both crop and model plants.

The final submission deadline is the 30th July 2022, and as an invited author, you will be entitled to a 20% discount in the Article Processing Charge.

We look forward to hearing from you and hope you can join us in this effort to produce a broad overview on plant-defense genes for agriculture.

Sincerely yours,

Dr. Maria Fátima Grossi-de-Sa
Dr. Patricia Messenberg Guimarães
Prof. Dr. Octávio L. Franco
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Plants is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Resistance genes
  • Transgenic plants
  • Biotechnology
  • NLRs

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 3687 KiB  
Article
Proteomic Insights of Cowpea Response to Combined Biotic and Abiotic Stresses
by Daiane Gonzaga Ribeiro, Ana Carolina Mendes Bezerra, Ivonaldo Reis Santos, Priscila Grynberg, Wagner Fontes, Mariana de Souza Castro, Marcelo Valle de Sousa, Maria Eugênia Lisei-de-Sá, Maria Fatima Grossi-de-Sá, Octávio Luiz Franco and Angela Mehta
Plants 2023, 12(9), 1900; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12091900 - 6 May 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1661
Abstract
The co-occurrence of biotic and abiotic stresses in agricultural areas severely affects crop performance and productivity. Drought is one of the most adverse environmental stresses, and its association with root-knot nematodes further limits the development of several economically important crops, such as cowpea. [...] Read more.
The co-occurrence of biotic and abiotic stresses in agricultural areas severely affects crop performance and productivity. Drought is one of the most adverse environmental stresses, and its association with root-knot nematodes further limits the development of several economically important crops, such as cowpea. Plant responses to combined stresses are complex and require novel adaptive mechanisms through the induction of specific biotic and abiotic signaling pathways. Therefore, the present work aimed to identify proteins involved in the resistance of cowpea to nematode and drought stresses individually and combined. We used the genotype CE 31, which is resistant to the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne spp. And tolerant to drought. Three biological replicates of roots and shoots were submitted to protein extraction, and the peptides were evaluated by LC-MS/MS. Shotgun proteomics revealed 2345 proteins, of which 1040 were differentially abundant. Proteins involved in essential biological processes, such as transcriptional regulation, cell signaling, oxidative processes, and photosynthesis, were identified. However, the main defense strategies in cowpea against cross-stress are focused on the regulation of hormonal signaling, the intense production of pathogenesis-related proteins, and the downregulation of photosynthetic activity. These are key processes that can culminate in the adaptation of cowpea challenged by multiple stresses. Furthermore, the candidate proteins identified in this study will strongly contribute to cowpea genetic improvement programs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Defense-Related Proteins of Higher Plants)
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24 pages, 2963 KiB  
Article
Characterization of microRNAs and Target Genes in Musa acuminata subsp. burmannicoides, var. Calcutta 4 during Interaction with Pseudocercospora musae
by Erica Cristina Silva Rego, Tatiana David Miranda Pinheiro, Fernando Campos de Assis Fonseca, Taísa Godoy Gomes, Erica de Castro Costa, Lucas Santos Bastos, Gabriel Sergio Costa Alves, Michelle Guitton Cotta, Edson Perito Amorim, Claudia Fortes Ferreira, Roberto Coiti Togawa, Marcos Mota Do Carmo Costa, Priscila Grynberg and Robert Neil Gerard Miller
Plants 2023, 12(7), 1473; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12071473 - 28 Mar 2023
Viewed by 1683
Abstract
Endogenous microRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that perform post-transcriptional regulatory roles across diverse cellular processes, including defence responses to biotic stresses. Pseudocercospora musae, the causal agent of Sigatoka leaf spot disease in banana (Musa spp.), is an important fungal pathogen [...] Read more.
Endogenous microRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that perform post-transcriptional regulatory roles across diverse cellular processes, including defence responses to biotic stresses. Pseudocercospora musae, the causal agent of Sigatoka leaf spot disease in banana (Musa spp.), is an important fungal pathogen of the plant. Illumina HiSeq 2500 sequencing of small RNA libraries derived from leaf material in Musa acuminata subsp. burmannicoides, var. Calcutta 4 (resistant) after inoculation with fungal conidiospores and equivalent non-inoculated controls revealed 202 conserved miRNAs from 30 miR-families together with 24 predicted novel miRNAs. Conserved members included those from families miRNA156, miRNA166, miRNA171, miRNA396, miRNA167, miRNA172, miRNA160, miRNA164, miRNA168, miRNA159, miRNA169, miRNA393, miRNA535, miRNA482, miRNA2118, and miRNA397, all known to be involved in plant immune responses. Gene ontology (GO) analysis of gene targets indicated molecular activity terms related to defence responses that included nucleotide binding, oxidoreductase activity, and protein kinase activity. Biological process terms associated with defence included response to hormone and response to oxidative stress. DNA binding and transcription factor activity also indicated the involvement of miRNA target genes in the regulation of gene expression during defence responses. sRNA-seq expression data for miRNAs and RNAseq data for target genes were validated using stem-loop quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). For the 11 conserved miRNAs selected based on family abundance and known involvement in plant defence responses, the data revealed a frequent negative correlation of expression between miRNAs and target host genes. This examination provides novel information on miRNA-mediated host defence responses, applicable in genetic engineering for the control of Sigatoka leaf spot disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Defense-Related Proteins of Higher Plants)
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24 pages, 3629 KiB  
Article
Engineering Resistance against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Using a Truncated NLR (TNx) and a Defense-Priming Gene
by Patricia Messenberg Guimaraes, Andressa Cunha Quintana, Ana Paula Zotta Mota, Pedro Souza Berbert, Deziany da Silva Ferreira, Matheus Nascimento de Aguiar, Bruna Medeiros Pereira, Ana Claudia Guerra de Araújo and Ana Cristina Miranda Brasileiro
Plants 2022, 11(24), 3483; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11243483 - 13 Dec 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2059
Abstract
The association of both cell-surface PRRs (Pattern Recognition Receptors) and intracellular receptor NLRs (Nucleotide-Binding Leucine-Rich Repeat) in engineered plants have the potential to activate strong defenses against a broad range of pathogens. Here, we describe the identification, characterization, and in planta functional analysis [...] Read more.
The association of both cell-surface PRRs (Pattern Recognition Receptors) and intracellular receptor NLRs (Nucleotide-Binding Leucine-Rich Repeat) in engineered plants have the potential to activate strong defenses against a broad range of pathogens. Here, we describe the identification, characterization, and in planta functional analysis of a novel truncated NLR (TNx) gene from the wild species Arachis stenosperma (AsTIR19), with a protein structure lacking the C-terminal LRR (Leucine Rich Repeat) domain involved in pathogen perception. Overexpression of AsTIR19 in tobacco plants led to a significant reduction in infection caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, with a further reduction in pyramid lines containing an expansin-like B gene (AdEXLB8) potentially involved in defense priming. Transcription analysis of tobacco transgenic lines revealed induction of hormone defense pathways (SA; JA-ET) and PRs (Pathogenesis-Related proteins) production. The strong upregulation of the respiratory burst oxidase homolog D (RbohD) gene in the pyramid lines suggests its central role in mediating immune responses in plants co-expressing the two transgenes, with reactive oxygen species (ROS) production enhanced by AdEXLB8 cues leading to stronger defense response. Here, we demonstrate that the association of potential priming elicitors and truncated NLRs can produce a synergistic effect on fungal resistance, constituting a promising strategy for improved, non-specific resistance to plant pathogens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Defense-Related Proteins of Higher Plants)
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22 pages, 4525 KiB  
Article
Time Course RNA-seq Reveals Soybean Responses against Root-Lesion Nematode and Resistance Players
by Valéria Stefania Lopes-Caitar, Rafael Bruno Guayato Nomura, Suellen Mika Hishinuma-Silva, Mayra Costa da Cruz Gallo de Carvalho, Ricardo Vilela Abdelnoor, Waldir Pereira Dias and Francismar Corrêa Marcelino-Guimarães
Plants 2022, 11(21), 2983; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11212983 - 4 Nov 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2215
Abstract
Pratylenchus brachyurus causes serious damage to soybean production and other crops worldwide. Plant molecular responses to RLN infection remain largely unknown and no resistance genes have been identified in soybean. In this study, we analyzed molecular responses to RLN infection in moderately resistant [...] Read more.
Pratylenchus brachyurus causes serious damage to soybean production and other crops worldwide. Plant molecular responses to RLN infection remain largely unknown and no resistance genes have been identified in soybean. In this study, we analyzed molecular responses to RLN infection in moderately resistant BRSGO (Chapadões—BRS) and susceptible TMG115 RR (TMG) Glycine max genotypes. Differential expression analysis revealed two stages of response to RLN infection and a set of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the first stage suggested a pattern-triggered immunity (PTI) in both genotypes. The divergent time-point of DEGs between genotypes was observed four days post-infection, which included the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and plant–pathogen interaction genes in the BRS, suggesting the occurrence of an effector-triggered immunity response (ETI) in BRS. The co-expression analyses combined with single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) uncovered a key element, a transcription factor phytochrome-interacting factor (PIF7) that is a potential regulator of moderate resistance to RLN infection. Two genes for resistance-related leucine-rich repeat (LRR) proteins were found as BRS-specific expressed genes. In addition, alternative splicing analysis revealed an intron retention in a myo-inositol oxygenase (MIOX) transcript, a gene related to susceptibility, may cause a loss of function in BRS. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Defense-Related Proteins of Higher Plants)
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38 pages, 6880 KiB  
Article
Integrated Omic Approaches Reveal Molecular Mechanisms of Tolerance during Soybean and Meloidogyne incognita Interactions
by Fabricio B. M. Arraes, Daniel D. N. Vasquez, Muhammed Tahir, Daniele H. Pinheiro, Muhammed Faheem, Nayara S. Freitas-Alves, Clídia E. Moreira-Pinto, Valdeir J. V. Moreira, Bruno Paes-de-Melo, Maria E. Lisei-de-Sa, Carolina V. Morgante, Ana P. Z. Mota, Isabela T. Lourenço-Tessutti, Roberto C. Togawa, Priscila Grynberg, Rodrigo R. Fragoso, Janice de Almeida-Engler, Martin R. Larsen and Maria F. Grossi-de-Sa
Plants 2022, 11(20), 2744; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11202744 - 17 Oct 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2632
Abstract
The root-knot nematode (RKN), Meloidogyne incognita, is a devastating soybean pathogen worldwide. The use of resistant cultivars is the most effective method to prevent economic losses caused by RKNs. To elucidate the mechanisms involved in resistance to RKN, we determined the proteome [...] Read more.
The root-knot nematode (RKN), Meloidogyne incognita, is a devastating soybean pathogen worldwide. The use of resistant cultivars is the most effective method to prevent economic losses caused by RKNs. To elucidate the mechanisms involved in resistance to RKN, we determined the proteome and transcriptome profiles from roots of susceptible (BRS133) and highly tolerant (PI 595099) Glycine max genotypes 4, 12, and 30 days after RKN infestation. After in silico analysis, we described major defense molecules and mechanisms considered constitutive responses to nematode infestation, such as mTOR, PI3K-Akt, relaxin, and thermogenesis. The integrated data allowed us to identify protein families and metabolic pathways exclusively regulated in tolerant soybean genotypes. Among them, we highlighted the phenylpropanoid pathway as an early, robust, and systemic defense process capable of controlling M. incognita reproduction. Associated with this metabolic pathway, 29 differentially expressed genes encoding 11 different enzymes were identified, mainly from the flavonoid and derivative pathways. Based on differential expression in transcriptomic and proteomic data, as well as in the expression profile by RT–qPCR, and previous studies, we selected and overexpressed the GmPR10 gene in transgenic tobacco to assess its protective effect against M. incognita. Transgenic plants of the T2 generation showed up to 58% reduction in the M. incognita reproduction factor. Finally, data suggest that GmPR10 overexpression can be effective against the plant parasitic nematode M. incognita, but its mechanism of action remains unclear. These findings will help develop new engineered soybean genotypes with higher performance in response to RKN infections. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Defense-Related Proteins of Higher Plants)
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Review

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13 pages, 727 KiB  
Review
Pathogenesis-Related Proteins (PRs) with Enzyme Activity Activating Plant Defense Responses
by Cristiane dos Santos and Octávio Luiz Franco
Plants 2023, 12(11), 2226; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12112226 - 5 Jun 2023
Cited by 32 | Viewed by 5661
Abstract
Throughout evolution, plants have developed a highly complex defense system against different threats, including phytopathogens. Plant defense depends on constitutive and induced factors combined as defense mechanisms. These mechanisms involve a complex signaling network linking structural and biochemical defense. Antimicrobial and pathogenesis-related (PR) [...] Read more.
Throughout evolution, plants have developed a highly complex defense system against different threats, including phytopathogens. Plant defense depends on constitutive and induced factors combined as defense mechanisms. These mechanisms involve a complex signaling network linking structural and biochemical defense. Antimicrobial and pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins are examples of this mechanism, which can accumulate extra- and intracellular space after infection. However, despite their name, some PR proteins are present at low levels even in healthy plant tissues. When they face a pathogen, these PRs can increase in abundance, acting as the first line of plant defense. Thus, PRs play a key role in early defense events, which can reduce the damage and mortality caused by pathogens. In this context, the present review will discuss defense response proteins, which have been identified as PRs, with enzymatic action, including constitutive enzymes, β-1,3 glucanase, chitinase, peroxidase and ribonucleases. From the technological perspective, we discuss the advances of the last decade applied to the study of these enzymes, which are important in the early events of higher plant defense against phytopathogens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Defense-Related Proteins of Higher Plants)
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13 pages, 1089 KiB  
Review
The Ubiquitin–Proteasome System (UPS) and Viral Infection in Plants
by Dania P. Lobaina, Roberto Tarazi, Tamara Castorino and Maite F. S. Vaslin
Plants 2022, 11(19), 2476; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11192476 - 22 Sep 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2212
Abstract
The ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS) is crucial in maintaining cellular physiological balance. The UPS performs quality control and degrades proteins that have already fulfilled their regulatory purpose. The UPS is essential for cellular and organic homeostasis, and its functions regulate DNA repair, gene transcription, [...] Read more.
The ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS) is crucial in maintaining cellular physiological balance. The UPS performs quality control and degrades proteins that have already fulfilled their regulatory purpose. The UPS is essential for cellular and organic homeostasis, and its functions regulate DNA repair, gene transcription, protein activation, and receptor trafficking. Besides that, the UPS protects cellular immunity and acts on the host’s defense system. In order to produce successful infections, viruses frequently need to manipulate the UPS to maintain the proper level of viral proteins and hijack defense mechanisms. This review highlights and updates the mechanisms and strategies used by plant viruses to subvert the defenses of their hosts. Proteins involved in these mechanisms are important clues for biotechnological approaches in viral resistance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Defense-Related Proteins of Higher Plants)
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