Integrated transcriptomic and transgenic analyses reveal potential mechanisms of poplar resistance to Alternaria alternata infection.

BACKGROUND: Populus davidiana × P. bollena is a species of poplar from northeastern China that is characterized by cold resistance and fast growth but now suffers from pathogen infections. Leaf blight caused by Alternaria alternata has become a common poplar disease that causes serious economic impacts, but the molecular mechanisms of resistance to A. alternata in P. davidiana × P. bollena are still unclear. RESULTS: In this study, the transcriptomic response of P. davidiana × P. bollena to A. alternata infection was determined via RNA-Seq. Twelve cDNA libraries were generated from RNA isolated from three biological replicates at four time points (0, 2, 3, and 4 d post inoculation), and a total of 5,930 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected (| log2 fold change |≥ 1 and FDR values < 0.05). Functional analysis revealed that the DEGs were mainly enriched for the "plant hormone signal transduction" pathway, followed by the "phenylpropanoid biosynthesis" pathway. In addition, DEGs that encode defense-related proteins and are related to ROS metabolism were also identified. Numerous transcription factors, such as the bHLH, WRKY and MYB families, were also induced by A. alternata infection. Among these DEGs, those related to JA biosynthesis and JA signal transduction were consistently activated. Therefore, the lipoxygenase gene PdbLOX2, which is involved in JA biosynthesis, was selected for functional characterization. Overexpression of PdbLOX2 enhanced the resistance of P. davidiana × P. bollena to A. alternata, whereas silencing this gene enhanced susceptibility to A. alternata infection. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide new insight into the molecular mechanisms of poplar resistance to A. alternata infection and provide candidate genes for breeding resistant cultivars using genetic engineering.

Comprehensive analysis of the stress associated protein (SAP) gene family in Tamarix hispida and the function of ThSAP6 in salt tolerance.

Stress associated proteins (SAPs), a class of A20/AN1 zinc finger domain-containing proteins, are involved in a variety of biotic and abiotic stress responses in plants. However, little is known about the SAP gene family and their functions in Tamarix hispida. In this study, we isolated and characterized 11 SAPs from T. hispida. The expression patterns of ThSAPs were analyzed under various stresses (salt and drought) and phytohormone treatment (SA, ABA and MeJA) using real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Most ThSAPs exhibited transcriptional responses to abiotic stresses and phytohormones. Among these ThSAPs, ThSAP6 was significantly induced by salt stress. Gain-and loss-of-function analyses revealed that ThSAP6 was a positive regulator of salt stress response. Overexpression of ThSAP6 in T. hispida increased antioxidant enzymes activity and proline content and decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and cell membrane damage under salt stress, while the opposite physiological changes were observed in ThSAP6-RNAi (RNA interference) lines. This study provides a comprehensive description of the SAP gene family in T. hispida, and demonstrates that ThSAP6 is a potential candidate for biotechnological approaches to improve salt tolerance in plants.

Photophysical properties of sol-gel derived luminescent silicone hybrids synthesized via facile amino-ene reaction.

Novel luminescent silicone hybrids (LSHs) containing lanthanide ions were prepared via different sol-gel processes. The precursor, dimethyl ester-functionalized silane, was synthesized via a facile amino-ene reaction. The coordinated assembly of the ester ligands and lanthanide ions (Eu(3+), Tb(3+) and Dy(3+)) occurred. The ester ligands were immobilized onto the Si-O network backbone during the preparation of the silicone hybrid materials. The particle size can be controlled to ca 50 nm by adjusting the solvent ratio. The obtained materials were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), (13)C NMR, (28)Si NMR, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, high-resolution scanning electronic microscopy and luminescent (excitation and emission) spectroscopy. The coordination state and photophysical performance of the compounds were studied in detail. The terbium- and europium-containing materials show sharp green and red emissions, respectively, which indicate that efficient intramolecular energy transfer took place in these LSHs.