Potato CDPK7 expression could differ according to pathogens attacks

FANTINO ELISA; RITA MARÍA ULLOA; GROSSI CECILIA EUGENIA MARÍA; QUINTANA ARRÚA ANDRÉS

Córdoba

Congreso; Reunión Argentina de Fisiología Vegetal; 2018

Sociedad Argentina de Fisiología Vegetal

Calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) are key components of calcium-regulated signaling cascades in plants. The potato isoform StCDPK7 is induced in systemic leaves of green-house plants challenged with Phytophthora infestans and this kinase was able to phosphorylate proteins such as phenyl ammonia lyase (PAL) that are involved in the plant defense response. To further characterize this kinase, in silico analysis of its promoter sequence was performed. A high number of cis-regulatory elements involved in defense responses, and related to root expression were encountered. We generated potato transgenic lines harboring reporter gene beta-glucuronidase (GUS) under the control of CDPK7 promoter(StCDPK7pro::GUS plants). Histochemical GUS activity was restricted to root tips and branching points of in vitro plants suggesting a very defined expression pattern. When these plants were challenged with P. infestans or with the soil necrotroph, Rhizoctonia solani, in vitro, GUS activity increased in root tips upon R. solani infection. However. we did not observe GUS activity in the systemic leaves of plants treated with P. infestans. At the moment our resultssuggest that StCDPK7 response to pathogens is varied. StCDPK7pro::GUS plants will be grown in the greenhouse to further study StCDPK7 role in potato- P. infestans interaction.