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Mechanisms of thaxtomin A-induced root toxicity revealed by a thaxtomin A sensitive Arabidopsis mutant (ucu2-2/gi-2)

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The Arabidopsis mutant ( ucu2 - 2/gi - 2 ) is thaxtomin A, isoxaben and NPA-sensitive indicated by root growth and ion flux responses providing new insights into these compounds mode of action and interactions.

Abstract

Thaxtomin A (TA) is a cellulose biosynthetic inhibitor (CBI) that promotes plant cell hypertrophy and cell death. Electrophysiological analysis of steady-state K+ and Ca2+ fluxes in Arabidopsis thaliana roots pretreated with TA for 24 h indicated a disturbance in the regulation of ion movement across the plant cell membrane. The observed inability to control solute movement, recorded in rapidly growing meristematic and elongation root zones, may partly explain typical root toxicity responses to TA treatment. Of note, the TA-sensitive mutant (ucu2-2/gi-2) was more susceptible with K+ and Ca2+ fluxes altered between 1.3 and eightfold compared to the wild-type control where fluxes altered between 1.2 and threefold. Root growth inhibition assays showed that the ucu2-2/gi-2 mutant had an increased sensitivity to the auxin 2,4-D, but not IAA or NAA; it also had increased sensitivity to the auxin efflux transport inhibitor, 1-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA), but not 2,3,5- Triiodobenzoic acid (TIBA), when compared to the WT. The NPA sensitivity data were supported by electrophysiological analysis of H+ fluxes in the mature (but not elongation) root zone. Increased sensitivity to the CBI, isoxaben (IXB), but not dichlobenil was recorded. Increased sensitivity to both TA and IXB corresponded with higher levels of accumulation of these toxins in the root tissue, compared to the WT. Further root growth inhibition assays showed no altered sensitivity of ucu2-2/gi-2 to two other plant pathogen toxins, alternariol and fusaric acid. Identification of a TA-sensitive Arabidopsis mutant provides further insight into how this CBI toxin interacts with plant cells.

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Acknowledgments

For assistance with statistical analyses we thank D. Ratkowsky and R. Corkrey. For assistance with quantification of toxins from plant tissues we thank N. Davies. This work was supported by a postgraduate scholarship award from the University of Tasmania (to R.T.) and financial support from Horticulture Australia Limited (HAL) and the potato levy in partnership with the Potato Processing Association of Australia (to C.W.). The Australian Government provides matched funding for all HAL’s R&D activities. The work was also supported by a grant from the Australian Research Council (to S.S.).

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Correspondence to Robert S. Tegg.

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Communicated by C.-H. Dong.

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Tegg, R.S., Shabala, S., Cuin, T.A. et al. Mechanisms of thaxtomin A-induced root toxicity revealed by a thaxtomin A sensitive Arabidopsis mutant (ucu2-2/gi-2). Plant Cell Rep 35, 347–356 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-015-1888-4

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