Grapevine NAC1 transcription factor as a convergent node in developmental processes, abiotic stresses, and necrotrophic/biotrophic pathogen tolerance

Abstract

Transcription factors of the NAC family are known to be involved in various developmental processes and in response to environmental stresses. Whereas NAC genes have been widely studied in response to abiotic stresses, little is known about their role in response to biotic stresses, especially in crops. Here, the first characterization of a Vitis vinifera L. NAC member, named VvNAC1, and involved in organ development and defence towards pathogens is reported. Expression profile analysis of VvNAC1 showed that its expression is closely associated with later stages of leaf, flower, and berry development, suggesting a role in plant senescence. Moreover, VvNAC1 expression is stimulated in Botrytis cinerea- or microbe-associated molecular pattern (MAMP)-infected berries or leaves. Furthermore, cold, wounding, and defence-related hormones such as salicylic acid, methyl jasmonate, ethylene, and abscisic acid are all able to induce VvNAC1 expression in grapevine leaves. VvNAC1-overexpressing Arabidopsis plants exhibit enhanced tolerance to osmotic, salt, and cold stresses and to B. cinerea and Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis pathogens. These plants present a modified pattern of defence gene markers (AtPR-1, AtPDF1.2, and AtVSP1) after stress application, suggesting that VvNAC1 is an important regulatory component of the plant signalling defence cascade. Collectively, these results provide evidence that VvNAC1 could represent a node of convergence regulating grapevine development and stress responses, including defence against necrotrophic and biotrophic pathogens.

Modifications of sphingolipid content affect tolerance to hemibiotrophic and necrotrophic pathogens by modulating plant defense responses in Arabidopsis

“…Isolation of total RNA and real-time PCR were performed as described by Le Hénanff et al (2013). Gene-specific primers are described in Supplemental Table S1.…”

“…cinerea infections were performed as described previously (Le Hénanff et al, 2013). Plants were placed in translucent boxes under high humidity at 150 mE m 22 s 21 .…”

The overexpression of an Amaranthus hypochondriacus NF-YC gene modifies growth and confers water deficit stress resistance in Arabidopsis

“…It is calculated that approximately 7% of plant genome sequences code for TFs, which is indicative both of their importance and the complexity of transcriptional regulation process [11,12]. They control intrinsic developmental processes; additionally, various TF families, including the AREB/ ABF, AP2/ EREBP, MYC, HSF, DREB1/ CBF, NAC, HB, WRKY, b-ZIP, and MYB families regulate responses to external stimuli, including stressful environmental conditions [13][14][15]. Due to their central regulatory role in various stress responses, TFs have become attractive targets for engineering stressresistance in plants [16,17].…”

Tomato NAC Transcription Factor SlSRN1 Positively Regulates Defense Response against Biotic Stress but Negatively Regulates Abiotic Stress Response

“…hordei , respectively [38], [39]. Grapevine VvNAC1 and pepper CaNAC1 were also involved in regulation of disease resistance response [40], [41]. Interestingly, the potato and Nicotiana benthamiana NTP1 and NTP2 were found to be targeted by an RxLR effector Pi03192 from Phytophthora infestans [42].…”