The Apoplast: A Key Player in Plant Survival

The apoplast comprises the intercellular space, the cell walls, and the xylem. Important functions for the plant, such as nutrient and water transport, cellulose synthesis, and the synthesis of molecules involved in plant defense against both biotic and abiotic stresses, take place in it. The most important molecules are ROS, antioxidants, proteins, and hormones. Even though only a small quantity of ROS is localized within the apoplast, apoplastic ROS have an important role in plant development and plant responses to various stress conditions. In the apoplast, like in the intracellular cell compartments, a specific set of antioxidants can be found that can detoxify the different types of ROS produced in it. These scavenging ROS components confer stress tolerance and avoid cellular damage. Moreover, the production and accumulation of proteins and peptides in the apoplast take place in response to various stresses. Hormones are also present in the apoplast where they perform important functions. In addition, the apoplast is also the space where microbe-associated molecular Patterns (MAMPs) are secreted by pathogens. In summary, the diversity of molecules found in the apoplast highlights its importance in the survival of plant cells

Exploring the Multifaceted Powers of Solanum lycopersicum Heme-Binding Protein 2 (SlHBP2): A Dynamic Investigation into Antimicrobial, plant Immune-Boosting, and Anticancer Potential

Compendi d'articles.This research investigated the mechanisms of action of Solanum lycopersicum heme-binding protein (SlHBP2) against the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 (Pst) and SlHBP2 potential for boosting plant defense and clinical applications. In vitro experiments demonstrated that SlHBP2, derived from tomato plants treated with the resistance inducer 1-Methyl tryptophan, exhibits potent antimicrobial effects against Pst, producing cell death by disruption of the cell wall. SlHBP2 is also effective against other plant microorganisms. Additionally, SlHBP2-treated tomato plants show reduced disease symptoms and bacterial population compared to controls when infected with Pst. Interestingly, SlHBP2 induces the production of 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid which triggers systemic resistance in plants. This OPDA-mediated response enhances resistance to Pst by activating antioxidant machinery, leading to decreased ROS production post-inoculation. Furthermore, SlHBP2 demonstrated effectiveness against clinical pathogens and significant anticancer effects, including apoptosis induction in breast cancer cells and autophagy triggering in colon cancer cells. These findings highlighted SlHBP2's multifaceted roles in enhancing plant defense and clinical applications.Programa de Doctorat en Cièncie

Effects of growth regulators on callus induction and secondary metabolite production in <i>Cuminum cyminum</i>

<p>Cumin (<i>Cuminum cyminum</i>) is an annual plant from <i>Apiaceae</i> family that is cultivated in Iran as landraces. The most important chemical composition of the cumin essential oil was cuminaldehyde. In this research, the effect of different landraces and growth regulators was evaluated on callus induction, and best callus was used for amount of cuminaldehyde content. Node, root, leaf and hypocotyl explant from seedlings of Birjand and Qaen landraces were cultured on MS and MS5 medium supplemented with different concentrations of 2, 4-D and Kin. This experiment has been carried out in a completely randomised design with 3 replications. Percentage of callogenesis, callus volume, fresh and dry weight were measured. The best treatment for callus induction was 2.5 mg/L 2, 4-D and 0.5 mg/L Kin in MS5 medium. The best callus result was evaluated for cuminaldehyde content. An amount of 5.7% cuminaldehyde was measured using hydrodistillation method.</p

Empowering plant protection with HBP2: a new era of plant disease control

Pòster presentat al XVIII Portuguese Spanish Congress of Plant Biology i XXV Meeting of the Spanish Society of Plant Biology, Braga, 9-12, july, (2023)The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of the novel antimicrobial protein HBP2 as a vaccine

The Apoplast: A Key Player in Plant Survival

The apoplast comprises the intercellular space, the cell walls, and the xylem. Important functions for the plant, such as nutrient and water transport, cellulose synthesis, and the synthesis of molecules involved in plant defense against both biotic and abiotic stresses, take place in it. The most important molecules are ROS, antioxidants, proteins, and hormones. Even though only a small quantity of ROS is localized within the apoplast, apoplastic ROS have an important role in plant development and plant responses to various stress conditions. In the apoplast, like in the intracellular cell compartments, a specific set of antioxidants can be found that can detoxify the different types of ROS produced in it. These scavenging ROS components confer stress tolerance and avoid cellular damage. Moreover, the production and accumulation of proteins and peptides in the apoplast take place in response to various stresses. Hormones are also present in the apoplast where they perform important functions. In addition, the apoplast is also the space where microbe-associated molecular Patterns (MAMPs) are secreted by pathogens. In summary, the diversity of molecules found in the apoplast highlights its importance in the survival of plant cells

Xanthomonas vesicatoria disease control in tomato plants using natural compounds as resistance inductors

Pòster presentat al XVIII Portuguese Spanish Congress of Plant Biology i XXV Meeting of the Spanish Society of Plant Biology, Braga, 9-12, july, (2023)Resistance‐inducing agents are compounds that can activate the natural defenses of the plants, protecting them through the induction of stress responses that are effective against a wide spectrum of pathogens

Solanum lycopersicum heme-binding protein 2 as a potent antimicrobial weapon against plant pathogens

Abstract The rise in antibiotic-resistant bacteria caused by the excessive use of antibiotics has led to the urgent exploration of alternative antimicrobial solutions. Among these alternatives, antimicrobial proteins, and peptides (Apps) have garnered attention due to their wide-ranging antimicrobial effects. This study focuses on evaluating the antimicrobial properties of Solanum lycopersicum heme-binding protein 2 (SlHBP2), an apoplastic protein extracted from tomato plants treated with 1-Methyl tryptophan (1-MT), against Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 (Pst). Computational studies indicate that SlHBP2 is annotated as a SOUL heme-binding family protein. Remarkably, recombinant SlHBP2 demonstrated significant efficacy in inhibiting the growth of Pst within a concentration range of 3–25 μg/mL. Moreover, SlHBP2 exhibited potent antimicrobial effects against other microorganisms, including Xanthomonas vesicatoria (Xv), Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis (Cmm), and Botrytis cinerea. To understand the mechanism of action employed by SlHBP2 against Pst, various techniques such as microscopy and fluorescence assays were employed. The results revealed that SlHBP2 disrupts the bacterial cell wall and causes leakage of intracellular contents. To summarize, the findings suggest that SlHBP2 has significant antimicrobial properties, making it a potential antimicrobial agent against a wide range of pathogens. Although further studies are warranted to explore the full potential of SlHBP2 and its suitability in various applications

Nitrogen‐fixing bacteria, a new challenge for a sustainable agriculture

Pòster presentat al XVIII Portuguese Spanish Congress of Plant Biology i XXV Meeting of the Spanish Society of Plant Biology, Braga, 9-12, july, (2023)In modern agriculture, the shortage of nitrogen in the soil is amended by the application of chemical fertilizers that are usually associated with soil, water and environment contamination