CROSS-TALK BETWEEN BIOTIC AND ABIOTIC STRESS IN ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA

SCARPECI, TELMA E., ZANOR, MARÍA INÉS, CARRILLO, NÉSTORAND VALLE, ESTELA M.

Rosario, Santa Fe

Congreso; SAIB 2006; 2006

Oxidative stress, arising from an imbalance in the generation and removal of reactive oxygen species (ROS), is a challenge faced by all aerobic organisms. In this study we used the GeneChip technology in order to monitor gene expression of the entire genome of A. thaliana under oxidative stress generated by MV. Using MapMan software genes were categorized according to their function in the plant cell. Among the highly induced genes were a number of genes related with receptor kinases, calcium regulation, protein modification and transcription factors. The WRKY family of transcription factors was significantly up regulated during MV treatment. We further studied WRKY30 which was highly expressed under this MV treatment. Its expression profile was studied in silico using Genevestigator database and in vivo with the reporter gene GUS fused to the WRKY30 promoter. WRKY30 was clearly induced under biotic or abiotic oxidative stress conditions. The convergence of these stresses was also analysed by cross tolerance experiments carried out with Arabidopsis plants. Results showed that there are multiple stress perception and signalling pathways, some of which are specific, but others may cross-talk at various steps. WRKY30 could be a node of convergence for integrating biotic and abiotic signalling events, regulating downstream genes involved in the defense against ROS damage