The WRKY30 transcription factor: a node of convergence for abiotic and biotic signals in plant defence

SCARPECI TE; ZANOR MI; VALLE EM

Honolulu, USA

Congreso; Plant Biology 2009; 2009

ASPB

In plants, oxidative stress is one of the major causes of damage as a result of variousenvironmental stresses. Oxidative stress arises from an imbalance in the generation andremoval of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Despite the deleterious effects of ROS,recent studies indicate that ROS act as signalling molecules. We used the GeneChiptechnology in order to monitor gene expression of the entire genome of A. thalianaunder oxidative stress generated by MV. WRKY30 transcription factor was highlyexpressed under this MV treatment. Its expression profile was studied in silico usingGenevestigator database and in vivo with the reporter gene GUS fused to the WRKY30promoter. WRKY30 was clearly induced under biotic or abiotic oxidative stressconditions. The convergence of these stresses was also analysed by cross toleranceexperiments carried out with Arabidopsis plants. Results showed that there are multiplestress perception and signalling pathways, some of which are specific, but others maycross-talk at various steps. WRKY30 could be a node of convergence for integratingbiotic and abiotic signalling events, regulating downstream genes involved in thedefence against ROS damage.