A novel methyltransferase from the intracellular pathogen Plasmodiophora brassicae methylates salicylic acid

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Jutta Ludwig-Müller - , Institute of Botany, Technische Universität Dresden (Author)
  • Sabine Jülke - , Institute of Botany, Technische Universität Dresden (Author)
  • Kathleen Geiß - , TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Franziska Richter - , TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Axel Mithöfer - , Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology (Author)
  • Ivana Šola - , TUD Dresden University of Technology, University of Zagreb (Author)
  • Gordana Rusak - , University of Zagreb (Author)
  • Sandi Keenan - , Plant and Food Research, New Zealand (Author)
  • Simon Bulman - , Plant and Food Research, New Zealand (Author)

Abstract

The obligate biotrophic pathogen Plasmodiophora brassicae causes clubroot disease in Arabidopsis thaliana, which is characterized by large root galls. Salicylic acid (SA) production is a defence response in plants, and its methyl ester is involved in systemic signalling. Plasmodiophora brassicae seems to suppress plant defence reactions, but information on how this is achieved is scarce. Here, we profile the changes in SA metabolism during Arabidopsis clubroot disease. The accumulation of SA and the emission of methylated SA (methyl salicylate, MeSA) were observed in P.brassicae-infected Arabidopsis 28 days after inoculation. There is evidence that MeSA is transported from infected roots to the upper plant. Analysis of the mutant Atbsmt1, deficient in the methylation of SA, indicated that the Arabidopsis SA methyltransferase was not responsible for alterations in clubroot symptoms. We found that P.brassicae possesses a methyltransferase (PbBSMT) with homology to plant methyltransferases. The PbBSMT gene is maximally transcribed when SA production is highest. By heterologous expression and enzymatic analyses, we showed that PbBSMT can methylate SA, benzoic and anthranilic acids.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)349-364
Number of pages16
JournalMolecular Plant Pathology
Volume16
Issue number4
Publication statusPublished - 1 May 2015
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 25135243

Keywords

Keywords

  • Arabidopsis thaliana, Clubroot disease, Methyltransferase, Plasmodiophora brassicae, Salicylic acid

Library keywords