Metal hyperaccumulation armors plants against disease
Helen Fones1, Calum A R Davis, Arantza Rico
1Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
Plos Pathogens
|September 15, 2010
Summary
Metal hyperaccumulation in plants like Thlaspi caerulescens provides defense against bacterial pathogens. This elemental defense hypothesis is supported by evidence showing metals directly inhibit pathogen growth and lead to local bacterial adaptation.
Area of Science:
- Plant biology
- Ecology
- Evolutionary biology
Background:
- Metal hyperaccumulation is a plant trait with debated evolutionary and ecological significance.
- The 'elemental defense' hypothesis proposes hyperaccumulation protects plants from herbivores and pathogens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the 'elemental defense' hypothesis in the context of plant-bacterial pathogen interactions.
- To determine if metal hyperaccumulation in Thlaspi caerulescens confers resistance to Pseudomonas syringae pv. maculicola (Psm).
Main Methods:
- Leaf inoculation assays with Psm on Thlaspi caerulescens.
- Quantification of metal concentrations in plant tissues and apoplast.
- Analysis of Psm mutants with altered metal tolerance.
- Isolation and characterization of bacteria from metalliferous soils.
Main Results:
- Hyperaccumulation of zinc, nickel, and cadmium inhibited Psm growth in planta.
- Metal concentrations were sufficient to explain the observed defensive effect.
- Psm mutants showed altered growth in high-metal plants, indicating direct metal toxicity.
- Bacteria from high-metal environments exhibited increased zinc tolerance, suggesting local adaptation.
Conclusions:
- Metal hyperaccumulation in Thlaspi caerulescens directly confers disease resistance against Psm.
- The findings support the 'elemental defense' hypothesis, showing a functional analogy to antimicrobial metabolites.
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