Analysis of the interaction Moniliophthora perniciosa x 'Micro-Tom' tomato: non-host type resistance, effects on the development and role of phytohormones in pathogenesis

• Grant number: 17/17000-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: September 01, 2017
• End date: November 30, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Plant Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Antonio Vargas de Oliveira Figueira
• Grantee: Eder Marques da Silva
• Host Institution: Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura (CENA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 16/10498-4 - Investigation of strategies of adaptation to the pathogenic life style of fungi from the Moniliophthora genus at various levels of biological organizations: species, biotypes, and geographic lineages, AP.TEM
• Associated scholarship(s): 20/16411-3 - Uncovering the roles of small RNA pathways during Moniliophthora perniciosa x host interaction using tomato (cv. Micro-tom) as a proxy: integrating functional and genomic approach, BE.EP.PD

Abstract

The analysis of the Moniliophthora perniciosa x MT interaction showed some evidences to be a case of a broken non-host resistance (NHR) by the S-biotype in tomato, but not by the C-biotype. The limited rate of MT penetration by basidiospores with emerging mycelia suggest a little developed pathogenic interaction between the S-biotype and MT. Molecular features of NHR will be evaluated by RNA-seq and NHR candidate gene expression analysis in the S- and C-biotype x MT interactions, together with histological observations of early penetration events. Recent reports in other pathosystems suggest that, besides effector proteins, pathogens can employ small RNAs (sRNAs) to directly manipulate the plant defense system, and, therefore, identification and expression analysis of sRNAs will be conducted during MT infection by M. perniciosa. sRNAs expression will be followed by RNA-seq during infection to investigate if this mechanism is also employed by M. perniciosa. The molecular analysis of non-host resistance (NHR), the potential involvement of small RNAs in the host x pathogen interaction and hormones in the defense response will be evaluated using the interaction ' Micro-Tom' (MT) tomato x basidiomycete Moniliophthora perniciosa (S-Biotype) as a model of the cacao (Theobroma cacao) witches´ broom pathosystem.

Scientific publications

(4)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

DA SILVA, EDER M.; NOGUEIRA, FABIO T. S.. Guarding tomato fruit setting in adverse temperatures through the miRNA166-SIHB15A regulatory module. MOLECULAR PLANT, v. 14, n. 7, p. 3-pg., 2021-07-05. (17/17000-4, 18/17441-3)

COSTA, JULIANA L.; PASCHOAL, DANIELE; DA SILVA, EDER M.; SILVA, JAMILLE S.; DO CARMO, RAFAEL M.; CARRERA, ESTHER; LOPEZ-DIAZ, ISABEL; ROSSI, MONICA L.; FRESCHI, LUCIANO; MIECZKOWSKI, PIOTR; et al. Moniliophthora perniciosa, the causal agent of witches' broom disease of cacao, interferes with cytokinin metabolism during infection of Micro-Tom tomato and promotes symptom development. NEW PHYTOLOGIST, v. 231, n. 1, p. 365-381, JUL 2021. (16/10524-5, 13/04309-6, 19/12188-0, 16/10498-4, 15/00060-9, 17/17000-4)

BARSOTTINI, MARIO R. O.; PIRES, BARBARA A.; VIEIRA, MARIA L.; PEREIRA, JOSE G. C.; COSTA, PAULO C. S.; SANITA, JAQUELINE; CORADINI, ALESSANDRO; MELLO, FELLIPE; MARSCHALK, CIDNEI; SILVA, EDER M.; et al. Synthesis and testing of novel alternative oxidase (AOX) inhibitors with antifungal activity against Moniliophthora perniciosa (Stahel), the causal agent of witches' broom disease of cocoa, and other phytopathogens. Pest Management Science, v. 75, n. 5, p. 1295-1303, MAY 2019. (15/09870-3, 14/15339-6, 15/07653-5, 16/10498-4, 17/17000-4, 15/06677-8)

PASCHOAL, DANIELE; COSTA, JULIANA L.; DA SILVA, EDER M.; DA SILVA, FABIA B.; CAPELIN, DIOGO; OMETTO, VITOR; ARICETTI, JULIANA A.; CARVALHO, GABRIEL G.; PIMPINATO, RODRIGO F.; DE OLIVEIRA, RICARDO F.; et al. Infection by Moniliophthora perniciosa reprograms tomato Micro-Tom physiology, establishes a sink, and increases secondary cell wall synthesis. Journal of Experimental Botany, v. 73, n. 11, p. 20-pg., 2022-02-21. (13/04309-6, 17/17000-4, 16/10498-4, 16/10524-5, 18/18711-4)