Target-site EPSPS Pro-106-Ser mutation in Conyza canadensis biotypes with extreme resistance to glyphosate in Ohio and Iowa, USA.

Documenting the diversity of mechanisms for herbicide resistance in agricultural weeds is helpful for understanding evolutionary processes that contribute to weed management problems. More than 40 species have evolved resistance to glyphosate, and at least 13 species have a target-site mutation at position 106 of EPSPS. In horseweed (Conyza canadensis), this p106 mutation has only been reported in Canada. Here, we sampled seeds from one plant (= biotype) at 24 sites in Ohio and 20 in Iowa, screened these biotypes for levels of resistance, and sequenced their DNA to detect the p106 mutation. Resistance categories were based on 80% survival at five glyphosate doses: S (0×), R1 (1×), R2 (8×), R3 (20×), or R4 (40×). The p106 mutation was not found in the19 biotypes scored as S, R1, or R2, while all 25 biotypes scored as R3 or R4 had the same proline-to-serine substitution at p106. These findings represent the first documented case of target-site mediated glyphosate resistance in horseweed in the United States, and the first to show that this mutation was associated with very strong resistance. We hypothesize that the p106 mutation has occurred multiple times in horseweed and may be spreading rapidly, further complicating weed management efforts.

AvrRpm1 Functions as an ADP-Ribosyl Transferase to Modify NOI-domain Containing Proteins, Including Arabidopsis and Soybean RPM1-interacting Protein 4.

The Pseudomonas syringae effector protein AvrRpm1 activates the Arabidopsis intracellular innate immune receptor protein RPM1 via modification of a second Arabidopsis protein, RIN4. Prior work has shown that AvrRpm1 induces phosphorylation of AtRIN4, but homology modeling indicated that AvrRpm1 may be an ADP-ribosyl transferase. Here we show that AvrRpm1 induces ADP-ribosylation of RIN4 proteins from both Arabidopsis and soybean within two highly conserved nitrate-induced (NOI) domains. It also ADP-ribosylates at least ten additional Arabidopsis NOI domain-containing proteins. The ADP-ribosylation activity of AvrRpm1 is required for subsequent phosphorylation on threonine 166 of Arabidopsis RIN4, an event that is necessary and sufficient for RPM1 activation. We also show that the C-terminal NOI domain of AtRIN4 interacts with the exocyst subunits EXO70B1, EXO70E1, EXO70E2 and EXO70F1. Mutation of either EXO70B1 or EXO70E2 inhibited secretion of callose induced by the bacterial flagellin-derived peptide flg22. Substitution of RIN4 threonine 166 with aspartate enhanced the association of AtRIN4 with EXO70E2, which we posit inhibits its callose deposition function. Collectively, these data indicate that AvrRpm1 ADP-ribosyl transferase activity contributes to virulence by promoting phosphorylation of RIN4 threonine 166, which inhibits the secretion of defense compounds by promoting the inhibitory association of RIN4 with EXO70 proteins.

Measuring Callose Deposition, an Indicator of Cell Wall Reinforcement, During Bacterial Infection in Arabidopsis.

The plant cell wall responds dynamically during interaction with various pathogens. Upon recognition of "nonself" components, plant cells deploy a variety of immune responses including cell wall fortification. Callose, a ß-(1, 3)-D-glucan polymer, is a component of the material deposited at the site of infection between the plasma membrane and the preexisting cell wall that is hypothesized to serve as a physical barrier and platform for directed antimicrobial compound deposition. The defense-associated function of callose deposition is supported by its induction during pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMP)-triggered immunity (PTI) and its inhibition by defense suppressing virulence effectors. Thus, callose deposition is a commonly monitored read-out in plant defense. This protocol describes the use of aniline blue staining and fluorescent microscopy to measure callose deposition in bacteria-infected or elicitor-challenged Arabidopsis leaf tissues.

WtsE, an AvrE-family effector protein from Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii, causes disease-associated cell death in corn and requires a chaperone protein for stability.

The pathogenicity of Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii to sweet corn and maize requires a Hrp type III secretion system. In this study, we genetically and functionally characterized a disease-specific (Dsp) effector locus, composed of wtsE and wtsF, that is adjacent to the hrp gene cluster. WtsE, a member of the AvrE family of effector proteins, was essential for pathogenesis on corn and was complemented by DspA/E from Erwinia amylovora. An intact C-terminus of WtsE, which contained a putative endoplasmic reticulum membrane retention signal, was important for function of WtsE. Delivery of WtsE into sweet corn leaves by an Escherichia coli strain carrying the hrp cluster of Erwinia chrysanthemi caused water-soaking and necrosis. WtsE-induced cell death was not inhibited by cycloheximide treatment, unlike the hypersensitive response caused by a known Avr protein, AvrRxol. WtsF, the putative chaperone of WtsE, was not required for secretion of WtsE from P. stewartii, and the virulence of wtsF mutants was reduced only at low inoculum concentrations. However, WtsF was required for full accumulation of WtsE within the bacteria at low temperatures. In contrast, WtsF was needed for efficient delivery of WtsE from E. coli via the Erwinia chrysanthemi Hrp system.