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Enriched HeK4me3 marks at Pm-0 resistance-related genes prime courgette against Podosphaera xanthii

Theoni Margaritopoulou1, Dimosthenis Kizis1, Dimitris Kotopoulis1

  • 1Scientific Directorate of Phytopathology, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, Athens 14561, Greece.

Plant Physiology
|October 1, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Powdery mildew resistance in courgette involves an epigenetic priming mechanism. Intermediate resistant varieties exhibit enhanced defense responses and altered histone marks on key genes, leading to induced systemic acquired resistance (SAR).

Area of Science:

  • Plant Pathology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • Powdery mildew (PM), caused by Podosphaera xanthii, is a major destructive disease in Cucurbita species.
  • Aggressive P. xanthii isolates cause outbreaks even in resistant crops, complicating disease management.
  • Genetic resistance is a key breeding strategy for controlling PM.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanisms underlying intermediate resistance to powdery mildew in courgette (Cucurbita pepo L. var. cylindrica).
  • To analyze the cytological, molecular, and biochemical basis of PM resistance in commercially available varieties.
  • To explore the role of epigenetics in mediating plant defense responses against P. xanthii.

Main Methods:

  • Cytological, molecular, and biochemical analyses of intermediate resistant courgette varieties.
  • Analysis of systemic acquired resistance (SAR) responses, including callose production and salicylic acid (SA) pathway gene expression.
  • Investigation of epigenetic modifications, specifically histone marks (H3K4me3), on SA-BINDING PROTEIN 2 and YODA (YDA) genes.

Main Results:

  • Intermediate resistant courgette varieties exhibited a primed state and induced SAR responses.
  • Enhanced callose production, SA pathway gene upregulation, and SA accumulation were observed.
  • Altered epigenetic landscape with enriched H3K4me3 marks on SA-BINDING PROTEIN 2 and YDA genes within the Pm-0 introgression region was identified.
  • Open chromatin status of these genes correlated with differential expression, induced SA pathway, altered stomata, and activated SAR.

Conclusions:

  • Intermediate resistance to powdery mildew in courgette is mediated by an epigenetic mechanism.
  • Altered epigenetic landscape modulates the activation of SA-BINDING PROTEIN 2 and YDA genes.
  • This epigenetic modulation leads to induced gene transcription, priming plants for enhanced defense against P. xanthii.

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