Ectopic expression of Arabidopsis L-type lectin receptor kinase genes LecRK-I.9 and LecRK-IX.1 in Nicotiana benthamiana confers Phytophthora resistance

Abstract

Key messageTransgenicNicotiana benthamianalines with constitutive expression of an Arabidopsis lectin receptor kinase gene (LecRK-I.9orLecRK-IX.1) show enhanced resistance toPhytophthorapathogens, demonstrating conserved gene functionality after interfamily transfer.AbstractIn plants, cell surface receptors mediate the first layer of innate immunity against pathogenic microbes. In Arabidopsis several L-type lectin receptor kinases (LecRKs) were previously found to function as Phytophthora resistance components. In this study, we determined the functionality of Arabidopsis LecRK-I.9 or LecRK-IX.1 in Phytophthora resistance when transferred into the Solanaceous plant Nicotiana benthamiana. Multiple transgenic lines were generated for each LecRK gene and molecular analyses revealed variation in transgene copy number, transgene expression levels and LecRK protein accumulation. Infection assays showed that transgenic N. benthamiana plants expressing either Arabidopsis LecRK-I.9 or LecRK-IX.1 are more resistant to Phytophthora capsici and to Phytophthora infestans. These results demonstrate that Arabidopsis LecRK-I.9 and LecRK-IX.1 retained their Phytophthora resistance function when transferred into N. benthamiana. Therefore, these LecRKs have the potential to function as a complementary Phytophthora resistance resource in distantly related plant species next to the canonical Phytophthora resistance genes encoding nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat proteins.

LecRK‐V, an L‐type lectin receptor kinase in Haynaldia villosa, plays positive role in resistance to wheat powdery mildew

“…NbLRK1, interacting with INF1 in Nicotiana benthamiana via its 31 amino acid region of VIb subdomain of kinase domain, mediated INF1‐induced cell death. A most recent study showed that ectopic expression of Arabidopsis L‐type lectin receptor kinase genes LecRK‐I.9 and LecRK‐IX.1 in Nicotiana benthamiana confers Phytophthora resistance (Wang et al ., ). Lrk10, which encoded an L‐type LecRK, was cloned as candidate of the disease resistance locus Lr10 in wheat (Feuillet et al ., ).…”

Nonredundant functions of Arabidopsis LecRK‐V.2 and LecRK‐VII.1 in controlling stomatal immunity and jasmonate‐mediated stomatal closure

“…Interestingly, ectopic expression of Arabidopsis LecRK‐VI.2 in Nicotiana benthamiana leads to enhanced resistance to bacteria (Huang et al ., ). Similarly, ectopic expression of Arabidopsis LecRK‐I.9 or LecRK‐IX.1 in N. benthamiana induces resistance to Phytophthora pathogens (Wang et al ., ). By contrast, LecRK‐V.5 negatively regulates stomatal immunity upstream of ROS biosynthesis and its function in stomatal immunity is mechanistically linked to ABA signaling (Desclos‐Theveniau et al ., ).…”

Transfer of tomato immune receptor Ve1 confers Ave1‐dependent Verticillium resistance in tobacco and cotton

“…To date, several examples of transgenic expression of cell surface immune receptor genes resulting in enhanced disease resistance have been reported (Rodriguez‐Moreno et al ., ). Although transgenic expression of such receptors enhanced disease resistance, in some cases it also has adverse effects on plant fitness, such as growth retardation or leaf necrosis (Bouwmeester et al ., , ; Wang et al ., ). In this study, we observed that expression of tomato Ve1 in tobacco caused stunted growth (Figures and S1).…”

“…Samsun. Transformation was performed by the leaf disc method as previously described (Wang et al ., ). The generated plantlets were transferred to half‐strength MS medium containing 200 mg/L kanamycin to allow root development.…”