Stabilization of Cytokinin Levels Enhances Arabidopsis Resistance Against Verticillium longisporum

• DOI: 10.1094/mpmi-12-12-0287-r
• Publication Date: 2013-04-17T20:45:10Z
• Authors: Michael Reusche; Jana Klásková; Karin Thole; Jekaterina Truskina; Ondřej Novák; Dennis Janz; Miroslav Strnad; Lukáš Spíchal; Volker Lipka; Thomas Teichmann
• Keywords: Verticillium; Chlorosis; Verticillium wilt; Verticillium dahliae

Verticillium longisporum is a vascular pathogen that infects the Brassicaceae host plants Arabidopsis thaliana and Brassica napus. The soilborne fungus enters plant via roots colonizes xylem of roots, stems, leaves. During late stages infections, spp. spread into senescing tissue switch from biotrophic to necrotrophic life style. Typical symptoms V. longisporum-induced disease are stunted growth leaf chlorosis. Expression analyses senescence marker genes SENESCENCE-ASSOCIATED GENE12, GENE13, WRKY53 revealed observed chlorosis consequence premature triggered by infection. Our show that, concomitant with development chlorosis, levels trans-zeatin decrease in infected plants. Potentially, induction cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase expression infection contributes decreases levels. Stabilization both pharmacological genetic approaches inhibits proliferation coincides reduced symptom development. In summary, our results indicate triggers for efficient colonization.