Epichloë sibirica enhanced the pathogen resistance of Achnatherum
sibiricum by activating jasmonic acid and ethylene transduction pathway
Abstract
Epichloë endophytes can improve the resistance of host grasses to
pathogenic fungi. However, little is known about the mechanisms
involved. We studied the effect of Epichloë sibirica on the resistance
of Achnatherum sibiricum to Curvularia lunata. Then, the global gene
expression between endophyte-infected and endophyte-free leaves was
compared. Finally, exogenous hormones were applied to verify the action
mechanism of the endophyte. The endophyte improved pathogen resistance
of host. Before pathogen inoculation, the endophyte had activated the
host’s immunity by increasing jasmonic acid (JA) accumulation, and
upregulating the expression of genes encoding pathogenesis-related
proteins and EIN3/ERF1 transcription factors. After pathogen
inoculation, the endophyte increased the accumulation of both JA and
ethylene (ET), and amplified the gene response in the EIN3/ERF1
transduction pathway. Moreover, the endophyte altered the expression of
genes encoding putative WRKY transcription factors and
glutathione-S-transferase, which are related to disease resistance.
Overall, this work first revealed that E. sibirica enhanced the
resistance of A. sibiricum to C. lunata by inducing the response of
EIN3/ERF1 transduction pathway regulated jointly by JA/ET. Before
pathogen inoculation, the endophyte induced JA accumulation to improve
constitutive resistance in the host. After pathogen inoculation, the
endophyte enhanced the induced systemic resistance by promoting ET
synthesis.