AtWRKY22 promotes susceptibility to aphids and modulates salicylic acid and jasmonic acid signalling.
Aphids induce many transcriptional perturbations in their host plants, but the signalling cascades responsible and the effects on plant resistance are largely unknown. Through a genome-wide association (GWA) mapping study in Arabidopsis thaliana, we identified WRKY22 as a candidate gene associated with feeding behaviour of the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae The transcription factor WRKY22 is known to be involved in pathogen-triggered immunity, and WRKY22 gene expression has been shown to be induced by aphids. Assessment of aphid population development and feeding behaviour on knockout mutants and overexpression lines showed that WRKY22 increases susceptibility to M. persicae via a mesophyll-located mechanism. mRNA sequencing analysis of aphid-infested wrky22 knockout plants revealed the up-regulation of genes involved in salicylic acid (SA) signalling and down-regulation of genes involved in plant growth and cell-wall loosening. In addition, mechanostimulation of knockout plants by clip cages up-regulated jasmonic acid (JA)-responsive genes, resulting in substantial negative JA-SA crosstalk. Based on this and previous studies, WRKY22 is considered to modulate the interplay between the SA and JA pathways in response to a wide range of biotic and abiotic stimuli. Its induction by aphids and its role in suppressing SA and JA signalling make WRKY22 a potential target for aphids to manipulate host plant defences.
Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research Centre, PO Box 16, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands Laboratory of Plant Physiology, Wageningen University and Research Centre, PO Box 16, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands Plant Research International, Business Unit Bioscience, Wageningen University and Research Centre, PO Box 16, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands klothkj@gmail.com.
Karen J
KJ
Kloth
Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research Centre, PO Box 16, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands Plant Research International, Business Unit Biointeractions & Plant Health, Wageningen University and Research Centre, PO Box 16, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Gerrie L
GL
Wiegers
Laboratory of Plant Physiology, Wageningen University and Research Centre, PO Box 16, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands Plant Research International, Business Unit Bioscience, Wageningen University and Research Centre, PO Box 16, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Jacqueline
J
Busscher-Lange
Plant Research International, Business Unit Bioscience, Wageningen University and Research Centre, PO Box 16, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Jan C
JC
van Haarst
Biometris, Wageningen University and Research Centre, PO Box 16, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Willem
W
Kruijer
Laboratory of Plant Physiology, Wageningen University and Research Centre, PO Box 16, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Harro J
HJ
Bouwmeester
Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research Centre, PO Box 16, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Marcel
M
Dicke
Plant Research International, Business Unit Bioscience, Wageningen University and Research Centre, PO Box 16, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Maarten A
MA
Jongsma
D000818:Animals; D001042:Aphids / Q000502:physiology*; D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D003517:Cyclopentanes / Q000378:metabolism; D055106:Genome-Wide Association Study; D060434:Herbivory; D054883:Oxylipins / Q000378:metabolism; D020156:Salicylic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; D003517:Cyclopentanes; D054883:Oxylipins; D014157:Transcription Factors; C560925:WRKY22 protein, Arabidopsis; C011006:jasmonic acid; D020156:Salicylic Acid
Arabidopsis thaliana; Myzus persicae; mechanostimulation; plant resistance to aphids; plant–insect interaction; touch; transcription factors.