You are here

Analysis of KED-mediated wound response to biotic stress and mechanical damage in tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum)

Download pdf | Full Screen View

Date Issued:
2022
Abstract/Description:
Lysine-rich KED was previously identified from wounded tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) leaves before the alignment of protein sequences between NtKED (Nicotiana tabacum KED) and SlKED (Solanum lycopersicum KED) were discovered to display 55.1% identity. Using previously generated SlKED knockout plants by CRISPR/Cas9, we performed biological assays, to investigate the role of KED in wound response to biotic and abiotic stress. Previous studies implied that the KED gene functions as a role in the wound-induced mechanism, as well as suggested that it may also function in the plant defense system against biotic stress and insect herbivory. The results from bioassays using tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta) have proven inconclusive thus far. Expression of KED is induced not only by mechanical wounding but also by touching such as brushing the leaves, indicating that this gene is sensitive to subtle environmental signal and may be involved in defense response against abiotic stress. To further investigate the KED gene’s role in the plant defense system, biological assays using both specialist and generalist herbivores, transcription analysis using various phytohormone mutant plants, and Evans blue cellular damage assays were performed. Our findings imply that the KED gene does not seem to have a long-term effect on insect herbivory but may have a shortterm anti-feeding effect against insect herbivores. Results from the Evans blue membrane damage assay indicate the KED gene may provide some benefit to mechanically damaged plants in a short-term period post-wounding of leaf tissues. Using the SlKED knockout as genetic tool, we conclude that this gene does not confer resistance to insect herbivores over a long-term but seems to provide a beneficial defense response in the short-term. Our membrane damage assay results also imply that this gene may be involved in membrane stabilization and repair of cellular damage after mechanical wounding.
Title: Analysis of KED-mediated wound response to biotic stress and mechanical damage in tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum).
44 views
22 downloads
Name(s): Nifakos, Nicholas, author
Zhang, Xing-Hai, Thesis advisor
Florida Atlantic University, Degree grantor
Department of Biological Sciences
Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Date Created: 2022
Date Issued: 2022
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 59 p.
Language(s): English
Abstract/Description: Lysine-rich KED was previously identified from wounded tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) leaves before the alignment of protein sequences between NtKED (Nicotiana tabacum KED) and SlKED (Solanum lycopersicum KED) were discovered to display 55.1% identity. Using previously generated SlKED knockout plants by CRISPR/Cas9, we performed biological assays, to investigate the role of KED in wound response to biotic and abiotic stress. Previous studies implied that the KED gene functions as a role in the wound-induced mechanism, as well as suggested that it may also function in the plant defense system against biotic stress and insect herbivory. The results from bioassays using tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta) have proven inconclusive thus far. Expression of KED is induced not only by mechanical wounding but also by touching such as brushing the leaves, indicating that this gene is sensitive to subtle environmental signal and may be involved in defense response against abiotic stress. To further investigate the KED gene’s role in the plant defense system, biological assays using both specialist and generalist herbivores, transcription analysis using various phytohormone mutant plants, and Evans blue cellular damage assays were performed. Our findings imply that the KED gene does not seem to have a long-term effect on insect herbivory but may have a shortterm anti-feeding effect against insect herbivores. Results from the Evans blue membrane damage assay indicate the KED gene may provide some benefit to mechanically damaged plants in a short-term period post-wounding of leaf tissues. Using the SlKED knockout as genetic tool, we conclude that this gene does not confer resistance to insect herbivores over a long-term but seems to provide a beneficial defense response in the short-term. Our membrane damage assay results also imply that this gene may be involved in membrane stabilization and repair of cellular damage after mechanical wounding.
Identifier: FA00014001 (IID)
Degree granted: Thesis (MS)--Florida Atlantic University, 2022.
Collection: FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Note(s): Includes bibliography.
Subject(s): Plant gene expression
Solanum lycopersicum
Tomatoes--Effect of stress on
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014001
Use and Reproduction: Copyright © is held by the author with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
Use and Reproduction: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Host Institution: FAU
Is Part of Series: Florida Atlantic University Digital Library Collections.