Naringenin Induces Pathogen Resistance Against Pseudomonas syringae Through the Activation of NPR1 in Arabidopsis

Abstract

Flavonoids are well known for the coloration of plant organs to protect UV and ROS and to attract pollinators as well. Flavonoids also play roles in many aspects of physiological processes including pathogen resistance. However, the molecular mechanism to explain how flavonoids play roles in pathogen resistance was not extensively studied. In this study, we investigated how naringenin, the first intermediate molecule of the flavonoid biosynthesis, functions as an activator of pathogen resistances. The transcript levels of two pathogenesis-related (PR) genes were increased by the treatment with naringenin in Arabidopsis. Interestingly, we found that naringenin triggers the monomerization and nuclear translocation of non-expressor of pathogenesis-related genes 1 (NPR1) that is a transcriptional coactivator of PR gene expression. Naringenin can induce the accumulation of salicylic acid (SA) that is required for the monomerization of NPR1. Furthermore, naringenin activates MPK6 and MPK3 in ROS-dependent, but SA-independent manners. By using a MEK inhibitor, we showed that the activation of a MAPK cascade by naringenin is also required for the monomerization of NPR1. These results suggest that the pathogen resistance by naringenin is mediated by the MAPK- and SA-dependent activation of NPR1 in Arabidopsis.

Naringenin confers defence against Phytophthora nicotianae through antimicrobial activity and induction of pathogen resistance in tobacco

“…However, we did not detect significant accumulation of naringenin in tobacco after infection with P. nicotianae by metabolite analysis. Interestingly, naringenin has been shown to induce pathogen resistance against P. syringae through the activation of NPR1 in Arabidopsis 2021, but did not show any antimicrobial activity against P. syringae even at high concentrations in vitro (An et al, 2021). Our results demonstrate that naringenin confers plant defence against P. nicotianae through induction of plant-pathogen resistance in addition to its antimicrobial activity.…”

“…In this study, we showed that naringenin induced the accumulation of ROS, which suggests that naringenin might act as a pro‐oxidant. An et al also showed that naringenin induced an ROS burst in plants as a defence against P. syringae (An et al, 2021). SA has been shown to induce pathogen resistance through ROS accumulation and increased expression of PR genes.…”

“…nicotianae by metabolite analysis. Interestingly, naringenin has been shown to induce pathogen resistance against P. syringae through the activation of NPR1 in Arabidopsis 2021, but did not show any antimicrobial activity against P. syringae even at high concentrations in vitro (An et al, 2021). Our results demonstrate that naringenin confers plant defence against P .…”

Transcriptome Responses of Wild Arachis to UV-C Exposure Reveal Genes Involved in General Plant Defense and Priming

“…Most of these candidates were also induced by other stresses, with only two genes being more activated by drought (N8DT2) or nematode infection (IRL) than by UV exposure. N8DT2 is responsible for the prenylation of the flavonoid naringenin and is involved in pathogen resistance mediated by the MAPK- and SA-dependent activation of NPR1 [ 93 ]. Likewise, IRL catalyzes the production of isoflavonoid phytoalexins, which are potent antifungal agents and have recently been associated with maintaining redox homeostasis under stress conditions [ 94 ].…”

Physiological and Differential Proteomic Analysis at Seedling Stage by Induction of Heavy-Ion Beam Radiation in Wheat Seeds

“…In addition, UV-B, heat stress, etc. can activate MPK3/6 signaling, act on the downstream transcription factor EIN3 to induce the accumulation of chitinase or activate the expression of disease process-related proteins (PR) and CAT-encoding genes ( Rakwal et al, 2004 ; Yoo et al, 2008 ; Bethke et al, 2009 ; An et al, 2010 ; An et al, 2021 ; Kumar et al, 2021 ). 12 C ion beam radiation treatment resulted in differential upregulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase 3 (MPK3), mitogen-activated protein kinase 5 (MKK5), disease process-related protein (PR1), chitinase (ChiB) and CAT, while 7 Li PR1 and ChiB were differentially downregulated in the ion beam treated group.…”