Detached Leaf Assays to Simplify Gene Expression Studies in Potato During Infestation by Chewing Insect Manduca sexta.

The multitrophic nature of gene expression studies of insect herbivory demands large numbers of biological replicates, creating the need for simpler, more streamlined herbivory protocols. Perturbations of chewing insects are usually studied in whole plant systems. While this whole organism strategy is popular, it is not necessary if similar observations can be replicated in a single detached leaf. The assumption is that basic elements required for signal transduction are present within the leaf itself. In the case of early events in signal transduction, cells need only to receive the signal from the perturbation and transmit that signal to neighboring cells which are assayed for gene expression. The proposed method simply changes the timing of the detachment. In whole plant experiments, larvae are confined to a single leaf which is eventually detached from the plant and assayed for gene expression. If the order of excision is reversed, from last in whole plant studies, to first in the detached study, the feeding experiment is simplified. Solanum tuberosum var. Kennebec is propagated by nodal transfer in a simple tissue culture medium and transferred to soil for further growth if desired. Leaves are excised from the parent plant and relocated to Petri dishes where the feeding assay is conducted with the larval stages of M. sexta. Damaged leaf tissue is assayed for the expression of relatively early events in signal transduction. Gene expression analysis identified infestation-specific Cys2-His2 (C2H2) transcription factors, confirming the success of using detached leaves in early response studies. The method is easier to perform than whole plant infestations and uses less space.

A Small Cellulose-Binding-Domain Protein (CBD1) in Phytophthora is Highly Variable in the Non-binding Amino Terminus.

The small cellulose-binding-domain protein CBD1 is tightly bound to the cellulosic cell wall of the plant pathogenic stramenopile Phytophthora infestans. Transgene expression of the protein in potato plants also demonstrated binding to plant cell walls. A study was undertaken using 47 isolates of P. infestans from a worldwide collection, along with 17 other Phytophthora species and a related pathogen Plasmopara halstedii, to determine if the critical cell wall protein is subject to amino acid variability. Within the amino acid sequence of the secreted portion of CBD 1, encoded by the P. infestans isolates, 30 were identical with each other, and with P. mirabilis. Four isolates had one amino acid difference, each in a different location, while one isolate had two amino acid substitutions. The remaining 13 isolates had five amino acid changes that were each in identical locations (D17/G, D31/G, I32/S, T43/A, and G50/A), suggesting a single origin. Comparison of P. infestans CBD1 with other Phytophthora species identified extensive amino acid variation among the 60 amino acids at the amino terminus of the protein, and a high level of conservation from G61, where the critical cellulose-binding domain sequences begin, to the end of the protein (L110). While the region needed to bind to cellulose is conserved, the region that is available to interact with other cell wall components is subject to considerable variation, a feature that is evident even in the related genus Plasmopara. Specific changes can be used in determining intra- and inter-species relatedness. Application of this information allowed for the design of species-specific primers for PCR detection of P. infestans and P. sojae, by combining primers from the highly conserved and variable regions of the CBD1 gene.

A cellulose binding domain protein restores female fertility when expressed in transgenic Bintje potato.

BACKGROUND: Expression of a gene encoding the family 1 cellulose binding domain protein CBD1, identified in the cellulosic cell wall of the potato late blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans, was tested in transgenic potato to determine if it had an influence on plant cell walls and resistance to late blight. RESULTS: Multiple regenerants of potato (cv. Bintje) were developed and selected for high expression of CBD 1 transcripts. Tests with detached leaflets showed no evidence of increased or decreased resistance to P. infestans, in comparison with the blight susceptible Bintje controls, however, changes in plant morphology were evident in CBD 1 transgenics. Plant height increases were evident, and most importantly, the ability to produce seed berries from a previously sterile cultivar. Immunolocalization of CBD 1 in seed berries revealed the presence throughout the tissue. While Bintje control plants are male and female sterile, CBD 1 transgenics were female fertile. Crosses made using pollen from the late blight resistant Sarpo Mira and transgenic CBD1 Bintje as the female parent demonstrated the ability to introgress P. infestans targeted resistance genes, as well as genes responsible for color and tuber shape, into Bintje germplasm. CONCLUSIONS: A family 1 cellulose-binding domain (CBD 1) encoding gene from the potato late blight pathogen P. infestans was used to develop transgenic Bintje potato plants. Transgenic plants became female fertile, allowing for a previously sterile cultivar to be used in breeding improvement. Selection for the absence of the CBD transgene in progeny should allow for immediate use of a genetically enhanced material. Potential for use in other Solanaceous crops is proposed.

Recent Genotypes of Phytophthora infestans in the Eastern United States Reveal Clonal Populations and Reappearance of Mefenoxam Sensitivity.

Isolates of Phytophthora infestans (n = 178) were collected in 2002 to 2009 from the eastern United States, Midwestern United States, and eastern Canada. Multilocus genotypes were defined using allozyme genotyping, and DNA fingerprinting with the RG-57 probe. Several previously described and three new mulitilocus genotypes were detected. The US-8 genotype was found commonly on commercial potato crops but not on tomato. US-20 was found on tomato in North Carolina from 2002 through 2007 and in Florida in 2005. US-21 was found on tomato in North Carolina in 2005 and Florida in 2006 and 2007. US-22 was detected on tomato in 2007 in Tennessee and New York and became widespread in 2009. US-22 was found in 12 states on tomato and potato and was spread on tomato transplants. This genotype accounted for about 60% of all the isolates genotyped. The US-23 genotype was found in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Delaware on both tomato and potato in 2009. The US-24 genotype was found only in North Dakota in 2009. A1 and A2 mating types were found in close proximity on potato and tomato crops in Pennsylvania and Virginia; therefore, the possibility of sexual reproduction should be monitored. Whereas most individuals of US-8 and US-20 were resistant to mefenoxam, US-21 appeared to be intermediately sensitive, and isolates of US-22, US-23, and US-24 were largely sensitive to mefenoxam. On the basis of sequence analysis of the ras gene, these latter three genotypes appear to have been derived from a common ancestor. Further field and laboratory studies are underway using simple sequence repeat genotyping to monitor current changes in the population structure of P. infestans causing late blight in North America.

Aqueous speciation studies of europium(III) phosphotungstate.

The incorporation of lanthanide ions into polyoxometalates may be a unique approach to generate new luminescent, magnetic, and catalytic functional materials. To realize these new applications of lanthanide polyoxometalates, it is imperative to understand the solution speciation chemistry and its impact on solid-state materials. In this study we find that the aqueous speciation of europium(III) and the trivacant polyoxometalate, PW9O34 9-, is a function of pH, countercation, and stoichiometry. For example, at low pH, the lacunary (PW11O39)7- predominates and the 1:1 Eu(PW11O39)4-, 2, forms. As the pH is increased, the 1:2 complex, Eu(PW11O39)2 11- species, 3, and (NH4)22[(Eu2PW10O38)4(W3O8(H2O)2(OH)4].44H2O, a Eu8 hydroxo/oxo cluster, 1, form. Countercations modulate this effect; large countercations, such as K+ and Cs+, promote the formation of species 3 and 1. Addition of Al(III) as a counterion results in low pH and formation of [Eu(H2O)3(alpha-2-P2W17O61)]2, 4, with Al(III) counterions bound to terminal W-O bonds. The four species observed in these speciation studies have been isolated, crystallized, and characterized by X-ray crystallography, solution multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, and other appropriate tech-niques. These species are 1, (NH4)22[(Eu2PW10O38)4(W3O8(H2O)2(OH)4].44H2O (P; a=20.2000(0), b=22.6951(6), c=25.3200(7) A; alpha=65.6760(10), beta=88.5240(10), gamma=86.0369(10) degrees; V=10550.0(5) A3; Z=2), 2, Al(H3O)[Eu(H2O)2PW11O34].20H2O (P, a=11.4280(23), b=11.5930(23), c=19.754(4) A; alpha=103.66(3), beta=95.29(3), gamma=102.31(3) degrees; V =2456.4(9) A3; Z=2), 3, Cs11Eu(PW11O34)2.28H2O (P; a=12.8663(14), b=19.8235(22), c=21.7060(23) A; alpha=114.57(0), beta=91.86(0), gamma=102.91(0) degrees ; V=4858.3(9) A3; Z=2), 4, Al2(H3O)8[Eu(H2O)3(alpha-2-P2W17O61)]2.29H2O (P; a=12.649(6), b=16.230(8), c=21.518(9) A; alpha=111.223(16), beta=94.182(18), gamma=107.581(17) degrees ; V=3842(3) A3; Z=1).

A New Type of Heteropolyoxometalates formed from Lacunary Polyoxotungstate Ions and Europium or Yttrium Cations.

Four lacunary PW9 O349- ions (blue polyhedra) are held together by eight MIII (M = Y, Eu) ions and seven W atoms that form a [M8 W7 O30 ]6+ network (center) in the novel heteropolyoxometalates [(PM2 W10 O38 )4 (W3 O14 )]30- . In the solid state, the anions interact strongly with K+ countercations, which thus play a role in the formation of this particular structure.