Genome-wide identification and characterization of the bZIP gene family in potato (Solanum tuberosum)

The basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factors, as members of the family of transcription regulators, play a role in multiple developmental and biological processes such as organ and tissue development and responses to diverse stresses. However, knowledge of the bZIP genes in potato, which is one of the most valuable crops, is still limited. In this study, 56 bZIP genes in total were identified from the Solanum tuberosum genome and classified into 10 main groups. The classification of potato bZIP genes into ten groups was endorsed by the sets of conserved motifs present and gene structure of bZIP genes. The locations of the bZIP genes on the chromosomes were unevenly scattered over the potato genome, as in other studied plants. Investigation of promoter sequences revealed that Solanum tuberosum bZIP genes possessed variable sets of cis-regulatory elements, such as MYB, MYC, and ABRE elements, which may play roles in response to various stresses. Expression analyses of the potato bZIP genes based on transcriptome data showed that these genes have broad expression patterns in different tissues. Three distinct gene expression patterns observed for potato bZIP genes were similar to other plant species. Overall, this first and broad investigation of bZIP genes in the potato will provide useful insights into stress-responsive potato genes and pave the way for high-stress tolerance potato breeding

Antivirulence effects of cell-free culture supernatant of endophytic bacteria against grapevine crown gall agent, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, and induction of defense responses in plantlets via intact bacterial cells

Abstract Background Crown gall disease caused by Agrobacterium tumefaciens is a very destructive affliction that affects grapevines. Endophytic bacteria have been discovered to control plant diseases via the use of several mechanisms. This research examined the potential for controlling crown gall by three endophytic bacteria that were previously isolated from healthy cultivated and wild grapevines including Pseudomonas kilonensis Ba35, Pseudomonas chlororaphis Ba47, and Serratia liquefaciens Ou55. Result At various degrees, three endophytic bacteria suppressed the populations of A. tumefaciens Gh1 and greatly decreased the symptoms of crown gall. Furthermore, biofilm production and motility behaviors of A. tumefaciens Gh1were greatly inhibited by the Cell-free Culture Supernatant (CFCS) of endophytic bacteria. According to our findings, CFCS may reduce the adhesion of A. tumefaciens Gh1 cells to grapevine cv. Rashe root tissues as well as their chemotaxis motility toward the extract of the roots. When compared to the untreated control, statistical analysis showed that CFCS significantly reduced the swimming, twitching, and swarming motility of A. tumefaciens Gh1. The findings demonstrated that the endophytic bacteria effectively stimulated the production of plant defensive enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase (POD), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), and total soluble phenols at different time intervals in grapevine inoculated with A. tumefaciens Gh1. The Ba47 strain markedly increased the expression levels of defense genes associated with plant resistance. The up-regulation of PR1, PR2, VvACO1, and GAD1 genes in grapevine leaves indicates the activation of SA and JA pathways, which play a role in enhancing resistance to pathogen invasion. The results showed that treating grapevine with Ba47 increased antioxidant defense activities and defense-related gene expression, which reduced oxidative damage caused by A. tumefaciens and decreased the incidence of crown gall disease. Conclusion This is the first study on how A. tumefaciens, the grapevine crown gall agent, is affected by CFCS generated by endophytic bacteria in terms of growth and virulence features. To create safer plant disease management techniques, knowledge of the biocontrol processes mediated by CFCS during microbial interactions is crucial

Additional file 1 of Antivirulence effects of cell-free culture supernatant of endophytic bacteria against grapevine crown gall agent, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, and induction of defense responses in plantlets via intact bacterial cells

Additional file 1: Supplementary Table 1. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) of relative defense enzymes activity in leaves of grapevine plantlets inoculated with endophytic bacteria and A. tumefaciens Gh1 after 0, 24, 48, and 72 h. Supplementary Table 2. Relative defense enzymes activity in leaves of grapevine after endophytic bacteria and A. tumefaciens Gh1 inoculation