Infection of tobacco with different Pseudomonas syringae pathovars leads to distinct morphotypes of programmed cell death.
Tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum cv. Xanthi-nc) infiltrated with either of two pathovars of Pseudomonas syringae- an avirulent strain of P. syringae pv. tabaci (Pst) or the non-host pathogen P. syringae pv. maculicola M2 (Psm) - developed a hypersensitive response (HR). There were considerable differences in HR phenotype, timing and sequence of cell dismantling between the two pathosystems. Following Psm infiltration, the first macroscopic signs were visible at 4.5 h post-infiltration (hpi). Simultaneously, increased plasma membrane permeability was observed, suggesting that the loss of cell membrane integrity initiates the macroscopic HR evoked by Psm. In contrast, after Pst treatment there was a distinct time lapse between the first signs of tissue collapse (9 hpi) and the occurrence of plasma membrane discontinuity (12 hpi). Ultrastructural studies of cells undergoing the HR triggered by Psm and Pst revealed distinct patterns of alterations in morphology of organelles. Moreover, while different forms of nuclear degeneration were observed in leaf zones infiltrated with Pst, we failed to detect any abnormalities in the nuclei of Psm-treated tissue. In addition, application of synthetic caspase inhibitors (Ac-DEVD-CHO, Ac-YVAD-CMK) abolished HR induced by Pst, but not Psm. Our observations suggest that different cell death mechanisms are executed in response to Psm and Pst. Interestingly, pre-inoculation with Pst, but not with Psm, induced a long-distance acquired resistance (LDAR) response, even though locally a typical set of defense responses, including acquired resistance, was activated locally in response to Psm. The failure of Psm to induce LDAR may be due to the rapid degeneration of bundle sheath cells resulting from Psm infection.
Krzymowska
Magdalena
M
Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics PAS, Pawinskiego 5a, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland.
Konopka-Postupolska
Dorota
D
Sobczak
Miroslaw
M
Macioszek
Violetta
V
Ellis
Brian E
BE
Hennig
Jacek
J
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D061945:Caspase Inhibitors; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002736:Chloroplasts / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000382:microbiology; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000382:microbiology; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D044224:Pseudomonas syringae / Q000254:growth & development*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D013045:Species Specificity; D013997:Time Factors; D014026:Nicotiana / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000382:microbiology
D061945:Caspase Inhibitors; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D010940:Plant Proteins