1. Programmed cell death occurs asymmetrically during abscission in tomatoTal Bar-Dror, Marina Dermastia, Aleš Kladnik, Magda Tušek-Žnidarič, Maruša Pompe Novak, Shimon Meir, Shaul Burd, Sonia Philosoph-Hadas, Naomi Ori, Lilian Sonego, Martin B. Dickman, Amnon Lers, 2011, original scientific article Abstract: Abscission occurs specifically in the abscission zone (AZ) tissue as a natural stage of plant development. Previously, we observed delay of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) leaf abscission when the LX ribonuclease (LX) was inhibited. The known association between LX expression and programmed cell death (PCD) suggested involvement of PCD in abscission. In this study, hallmarks of PCD were identified in the tomato leaf and flower AZs during the late stage of abscission. These included loss of cell viability, altered nuclear morphology, DNA fragmentation, elevated levels of reactive oxygen species and enzymatic activities, and expression of PCD-associated genes. Overexpression of antiapoptotic proteins resulted in retarded abscission, indicating PCD requirement. PCD, LX, and nuclease gene expression were visualized primarily in the AZ distal tissue, demonstrating an asymmetry between the two AZ sides. Asymmetric expression was observed for genes associated with cell wall hydrolysis, leading to AZ, or associated with ethylene biosynthesis, which induces abscission. These results suggest that different abscission-related processes occur asymmetrically between the AZ proximal and distal sides. Taken together, our findings identify PCD as a key mechanism that occurs asymmetrically during normal progression of abscission and suggest an important role for LX in this PCD process. Keywords: plant cell, cell death, abscission Published in DiRROS: 05.08.2024; Views: 101; Downloads: 71
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2. Salicylic acid is an indispensable component of the Ny-1 resistance-gene-mediated response against Potato virus Y infection in potatoŠpela Baebler, Kamil Witek, Marko Petek, Katja Stare, Magda Tušek-Žnidarič, Maruša Pompe Novak, Jenny Renaut, K. Szajko, D. Strzelczyk-Żyta, W. Marczewski, Karolina Morgiewicz, Kristina Gruden, Jacek Hennig, 2014, original scientific article Abstract: The purpose of the study was to investigate the role of salicylic acid (SA) signalling in Ny-1-mediated hypersensitive resistance (HR) of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) to Potato virus Y (PVY). The responses of the Ny-1 allele in the Rywal potato cultivar and transgenic NahG-Rywal potato plants that do not accumulate SA were characterized at the cytological, biochemical, transcriptome, and proteome levels. Analysis of noninoculated and inoculated leaves revealed that HR lesions started to develop from 3 d post inoculation and completely restricted the virus spread. At the cytological level, features of programmed cell death in combination with reactive oxygen species burst were observed. In response to PVY infection, SA was synthesized de novo. The lack of SA accumulation in the NahG plants led to the disease phenotype due to unrestricted viral spreading. Grafting experiments show that SA has a critical role in the inhibition of PVY spreading in parenchymal tissue, but not in vascular veins. The whole transcriptome analysis confirmed the central role of SA in orchestrating Ny-1-mediated responses and showed that the absence of SA leads to significant changes at the transcriptome level, including a delay in activation of expression of genes known to participate in defence responses. Moreover, perturbations in the expression of hormonal signalling genes were detected, shown as a switch from SA to jasmonic acid/ethylene signalling. Viral multiplication in the NahG plants was accompanied by downregulation of photosynthesis genes and activation of multiple energy-producing pathways. Keywords: plant-pathogen interactions, Potato virus Y, salicylic acid, whole transcriptome analysis Published in DiRROS: 01.08.2024; Views: 126; Downloads: 122
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3. The titre of the virus in the inoculum affects the titre of the viral RNA in the host plant and the occurrence of the disease symptomsMaruša Pompe Novak, Maja Križnik, Kristina Gruden, 2019, original scientific article Abstract: Potato virus Y (PVY) is the most economically important potato virus, therefore extensive research is focusing on elucidation of its interaction with the host. To obtain repeatable results, strict standardization of research methods is crucial. Mechanical inoculation by rubbing sap from a PVY infected plant onto the leaf surface together with a fine abrasive powder is the most convenient way of experimental transmission of PVY to host plants. However, factors determining reproducibility of this process need to be determined. In the present study, it was shown that higher titre of the virus in the inoculum resulted in faster increase of PVYNTN RNA titre in the inoculated leaves, as well as in faster translocation of PVYNTN from inoculated leaves into upper non-inoculated leaves. The final titre of PVYNTN RNA in upper non-inoculated leaves was independent of the virus titre in the inoculum. In addition, the occurrence of the disease symptoms was followed and the dependence to the titre of the virus in the inoculum was observed. Keywords: krompir, virus krompirja Y, mehanska inokulacija, titer virusa, inokulum, Potato virus Y, PVY, potato, mechanical inoculation, inoculum, virus titre, symptoms Published in DiRROS: 31.07.2024; Views: 115; Downloads: 83
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4. Primary metabolism, phenylpropanoids and antioxidant pathways are regulated in potato as a response to Potato virus Y infectionPolona Kogovšek, Maruša Pompe Novak, Marko Petek, Lena Fragner, Wolfram Weckwerth, Kristina Gruden, 2016, original scientific article Abstract: Potato production is one of the most important agricultural sectors, and it is challenged by various detrimental factors, including virus infections. To control losses in potato production, knowledge about the virus—plant interactions is crucial. Here, we investigated the molecular processes in potato plants as a result of Potato virus Y (PVY) infection, the most economically important potato viral pathogen. We performed an integrative study that links changes in the metabolome and gene expression in potato leaves inoculated with the mild PVYN and aggressive PVYNTN isolates, for different times through disease development. At the beginning of infection (1 day post-inoculation), virus-infected plants showed an initial decrease in the concentrations of metabolites connected to sugar and amino-acid metabolism, the TCA cycle, the GABA shunt, ROS scavangers, and phenylpropanoids, relative to the control plants. A pronounced increase in those metabolites was detected at the start of the strong viral multiplication in infected leaves. The alterations in these metabolic pathways were also seen at the gene expression level, as analysed by quantitative PCR. In addition, the systemic response in the metabolome to PVY infection was analysed. Systemic leaves showed a less-pronounced response with fewer metabolites altered, while phenylpropanoid-associated metabolites were strongly accumulated. There was a more rapid onset of accumulation of ROS scavengers in leaves inoculated with PVYN than those inoculated with PVYNTN. This appears to be related to the lower damage observed for leaves of potato infected with the milder PVYN strain, and at least partially explains the differences between the phenotypes observed. Published in DiRROS: 25.07.2024; Views: 141; Downloads: 151
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5. quantGenius : implementation of a decision support system for qPCR-based gene quantificationŠpela Baebler, Miha Svalina, Marko Petek, Katja Stare, Ana Rotter, Maruša Pompe Novak, Kristina Gruden, 2017, original scientific article Abstract: Background
Quantitative molecular biology remains a challenge for researchers due to inconsistent approaches for control of errors in the final results. Due to several factors that can influence the final result, quantitative analysis and interpretation of qPCR data are still not trivial. Together with the development of high-throughput qPCR platforms, there is a need for a tool allowing for robust, reliable and fast nucleic acid quantification.
Results
We have developed “quantGenius” (http://quantgenius.nib.si), an open-access web application for a reliable qPCR-based quantification of nucleic acids. The quantGenius workflow interactively guides the user through data import, quality control (QC) and calculation steps. The input is machine- and chemistry–independent. Quantification is performed using the standard curve approach, with normalization to one or several reference genes. The special feature of the application is the implementation of user-guided QC-based decision support system, based on qPCR standards, that takes into account pipetting errors, assay amplification efficiencies, limits of detection and quantification of the assays as well as the control of PCR inhibition in individual samples. The intermediate calculations and final results are exportable in a data matrix suitable for further statistical analysis or visualization. We additionally compare the most important features of quantGenius with similar advanced software tools and illustrate the importance of proper QC system in the analysis of qPCR data in two use cases.
Conclusions
To our knowledge, quantGenius is the only qPCR data analysis tool that integrates QC-based decision support and will help scientists to obtain reliable results which are the basis for biologically meaningful data interpretation. Keywords: quantitative molecular biology, quantitative PCR, nucleic acid quantification, web application, decision support system Published in DiRROS: 24.07.2024; Views: 117; Downloads: 124
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6. Cell death is not sufficient for the restriction of potato virus Y spread in hypersensitive response-conferred resistance in potatoTjaša Lukan, Špela Baebler, Maruša Pompe Novak, Katja Guček, Maja Zagorščak, Anna Coll Rius, Kristina Gruden, 2018, original scientific article Abstract: Hypersensitive response (HR)-conferred resistance to viral infection restricts the virus spread and is accompanied by the induction of cell death, manifested as the formation of necrotic lesions. While it is known that salicylic acid is the key component in the orchestration of the events restricting viral spread in HR, the exact function of the cell death in resistance is still unknown. We show that potato virus Y (PVY) can be detected outside the cell death zone in Ny-1-mediated HR in potato plants (cv. Rywal), observed as individual infected cells or small clusters of infected cells outside the cell death zone. By exploiting the features of temperature dependent Ny-1-mediated resistance, we confirmed that the cells at the border of the cell death zone are alive and harbor viable PVY that is able to reinitiate infection. To get additional insights into this phenomenon we further studied the dynamics of both cell death zone expansion and occurrence of viral infected cell islands outside it. We compared the response of Rywal plants to their transgenic counterparts, impaired in SA accumulation (NahG-Rywal), where the lesions occur but the spread of the virus is not restricted. We show that the virus is detected outside the cell death zone in all lesion developmental stages of HR lesions. We also measured the dynamics of lesions expansion in both genotypes. We show that while rapid lesion expansion is observed in SA-depleted plants, virus spread is even faster. On the other hand the majority of analyzed lesions slowly expand also in HR-conferred resistance opening the possibility that the infected cells are eventually engulfed by cell death zone. Taken altogether, we suggest that the HR cell death is separated from the resistance mechanisms which lead to PVY restriction in Ny-1 genetic background. We propose that HR should be regarded as a process where the dynamics of events is crucial for effectiveness of viral arrest albeit the exact mechanism conferring this resistance remains unknown. Keywords: potato virus Y, salicylic acid, hypersensitive response, programmed cell death, callose deposits, necrotic lesion Published in DiRROS: 24.07.2024; Views: 107; Downloads: 115
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8. Precision transcriptomics of viral foci reveals the spatial regulation of immune-signaling genes and identifies RBOHD as an important player in the incompatible interaction between potato virus Y and potatoTjaša Lukan, Maruša Pompe Novak, Špela Baebler, Magda Tušek-Žnidarič, Aleš Kladnik, Maja Križnik, Andrej Blejec, Maja Zagorščak, Katja Stare, Barbara Dušak, Anna Coll Rius, Stephan Pollmann, Karolina Morgiewicz, Jacek Hennig, Kristina Gruden, 2020, original scientific article Abstract: Whereas the activation of resistance (R) proteins has been intensively studied, the downstream signaling mechanisms leading to the restriction of the pathogen remain mostly unknown. We studied the immunity network response conditioned by the potato Ny-1 gene against potato virus Y. We analyzed the processes in the cell death zone and surrounding tissue on the biochemical and gene expression levels in order to reveal the spatiotemporal regulation of the immune response. We show that the transcriptional response in the cell death zone and surrounding tissue is dependent on salicylic acid (SA). For some genes the spatiotemporal regulation is completely lost in the SA-deficient line, whereas other genes show a different response, indicating multiple connections between hormonal signaling modules. The induction of NADPH oxidase RBOHD expression occurs specifically on the lesion border during the resistance response. In plants with silenced RBOHD, the functionality of the resistance response is perturbed and the spread of the virus is not arrested at the site of infection. RBOHD is required for the spatial accumulation of SA, and conversely RBOHD is under the transcriptional regulation of SA. Using spatially resolved RNA-seq, we also identified spatial regulation of an UDP-glucosyltransferase, another component in feedback activation of SA biosynthesis, thus deciphering a novel aspect of resistance signaling. Keywords: immune signaling network, NADPH oxidase RBOHD, reactive oxygen species, salicylic acid, Sola-num tuberosum (potato), spatiotemporal response analysis, virus resistance, Potyvirus Published in DiRROS: 22.07.2024; Views: 135; Downloads: 115
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9. A mini-TGA protein modulates gene expression through heterogeneous association with transcription factorsŠpela Tomaž, Marko Petek, Tjaša Lukan, Karmen Pogačar, Katja Stare, Erica Teixeira Prates, Daniel A. Jacobson, Jan Zrimec, Gregor Bajc, Matej Butala, Maruša Pompe Novak, Ajda Taler-Verčič, Aleksandra Usenik, Dušan Turk, Anna Coll Rius, Kristina Gruden, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: TGA (TGACG-binding) transcription factors, which bind their target DNA through a conserved basic region leucine zipper (bZIP) domain, are vital regulators of gene expression in salicylic acid (SA)-mediated plant immunity. Here, we investigated the role of StTGA2.1, a potato (Solanum tuberosum) TGA lacking the full bZIP, which we named a mini-TGA. Such truncated proteins have been widely assigned as loss-of-function mutants. We, however, confirmed that StTGA2.1 overexpression compensates for SA-deficiency, indicating a distinct mechanism of action compared with model plant species. To understand the underlying mechanisms, we showed that StTGA2.1 can physically interact with StTGA2.2 and StTGA2.3, while its interaction with DNA was not detected. We investigated the changes in transcriptional regulation due to StTGA2.1 overexpression, identifying direct and indirect target genes. Using in planta transactivation assays, we confirmed that StTGA2.1 interacts with StTGA2.3 to activate StPRX07, a member of class III peroxidases (StPRX), which are known to play role in immune response. Finally, via structural modeling and molecular dynamics simulations, we hypothesized that the compact molecular architecture of StTGA2.1 distorts DNA conformation upon heterodimer binding to enable transcriptional activation. This study demonstrates how protein truncation can lead to distinct functions and that such events should be studied carefully in other protein families. Published in DiRROS: 18.07.2024; Views: 153; Downloads: 75
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10. Physiological and transcriptional responses to saline irrigation of young ‘Tempranillo’ vines grafted onto different rootstocksIgnacio Buesa, Juan G. Pérez-Pérez, Fernando Visconti, Rebeka Strah, Diego S. Intrigliolo, Luis Bonet, Kristina Gruden, Maruša Pompe Novak, Jose M. de Paz, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: The use of more salt stress-tolerant vine rootstocks can be a sustainable strategy for adapting traditional grapevine cultivars to future conditions. However, how the new M1 and M4 rootstocks perform against salinity compared to conventional ones, such as the 1103-Paulsen, had not been previously assessed under real field conditions. Therefore, a field trial was carried out in a young ‘Tempranillo’ (Vitis vinifera L.) vineyard grafted onto all three rootstocks under a semi-arid and hot-summer Mediterranean climate. The vines were irrigated with two kinds of water: a non-saline Control with EC of 0.8 dS m–1 and a Saline treatment with 3.5 dS m–1. Then, various physiological parameters were assessed in the scion, and, additionally, gene expression was studied by high throughput sequencing in leaf and berry tissues. Plant water relations evidenced the osmotic effect of water quality, but not that of the rootstock. Accordingly, leaf-level gas exchange rates were also reduced in all three rootstocks, with M1 inducing significantly lower net photosynthesis rates than 1103-Paulsen. Nevertheless, the expression of groups of genes involved in photosynthesis and amino acid metabolism pathways were not significantly and differentially expressed. The irrigation with saline water significantly increased leaf chloride contents in the scion onto the M-rootstocks, but not onto the 1103P. The limitation for leaf Cl– and Na+ accumulation on the scion was conferred by rootstock. Few processes were differentially regulated in the scion in response to the saline treatment, mainly, in the groups of genes involved in the flavonoids and phenylpropanoids metabolic pathways. However, these transcriptomic effects were not fully reflected in grape phenolic ripeness, with M4 being the only one that did not cause reductions in these compounds in response to salinity, and 1103-Paulsen having the highest overall concentrations. These results suggest that all three rootstocks confer short-term salinity tolerance to the scion. The lower transcriptomic changes and the lower accumulation of potentially phytotoxic ions in the scion grafted onto 1103-Paulsen compared to M-rootstocks point to the former being able to maintain this physiological response in the longer term. Further agronomic trials should be conducted to confirm these effects on vine physiology and transcriptomics in mature vineyards. Keywords: osmotic adjustment, gas exchange, gene expression, water relations, Vitis vinifera L. (grapevine), salinity tolerance Published in DiRROS: 17.07.2024; Views: 134; Downloads: 106
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