RNA-Seq of Arabidopsis thaliana Col-0 shoots and roots treated with chitin soil amendment with or without Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 Infection
Chitin triggers localised and well as systemic plant immune responses, making it a promising treatment for sustainable disease resistance. However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying chitin-induced systemic effects in plants remain unknown. To clarify these mechanisms, we performed RNA-seq analysis on Arabidopsis thaliana Col-0 shoots and roots following chitin soil amendment, with or without Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 (Pst DC3000) infection. We observed that genes involved in plant hormone biosynthesis and signaling - including ethylene, jasmonic acid, and salicylic acid - as well as genes related to pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs), co-receptors, and PTI regulators were transcriptionally altered in response to chitin soil amendment, either alone or in combination with Pst DC3000 infection. The findings contribute to a better understanding of chitin-triggered systemic immunity, from active chitin perception in roots to the potentiation of PTI in the leaves, ultimately priming plants to mount enhanced defense responses against pathogen attacks. Our study provides valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms of chitin soil amendment and resulting induced immunity, and highlights its potential use for sustainable crop protection strategies.