ARS | Publication request: Expression of Two Defense-Response Genes, Hfr-1 and Wci-1, under Biotic and Abiotic Stresses

Submitted to: Annual International Plant & Animal Genome Conference
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: November 3, 2003
Publication Date: January 10, 2004
Publisher's URL: http://www.intl-pag.org/pag/12/abstracts/P7b_PAG12_902.html
Citation: Subramanyam, S., Williams, C.E. 2004. Expression of two defense-response genes, hfr-1 and wci-1, under biotic and abiotic stresses. In: Proceedings of the Annual International Plant & Animal Genome Conference. Plant and Animal Genomes XII Symposium, January 10-14, 2004, San Diego, California. Available: http://www.intl-pag.org/pag/12/abstracts/P7b_PAG12_902.html

Technical Abstract: Two related defense-response genes (68% amino acid and 88% mRNA sequence identity), Hfr-1 (Hessian fly-response gene 1) and Wci-1 (Wheat chemically-induced gene 1) have been previously identified in wheat as responsive to Hessian fly infestation and SAR-inducer BTH (benzothiadiazole) treatment, respectively. Using Northern analyses and quantitative real-time PCR, we have compared the expression profiles of Hfr-1 and Wci-1 under biotic and abiotic stresses, and treatment with chemical elicitors of signaling pathways. Hessian fly infestation increased the expression of both Hfr-1 and Wci-1 at the larval feeding site (tissue between the root-shoot junction and the first ligule), with some systemic induction in leaf tissue. Results revealed similar expression profiles for both the genes, however, the transcript level of Hfr-1 was much higher as compared to that of Wci-1. In response to bird-cherry-oat aphid infestation, vector for barley yellow dwarf virus and cereal yellow dwarf virus infection, Wci-1 was up-regulated, while Hfr-1 did not show differential regulation. Wounding resulted in increased accumulation of Wci-1 mRNA but not of Hfr-1, whereas water stress increased Hfr-1 but not Wci-1. Known global signaling molecules salicylic acid, abscisic acid and methyl jasmonate increased Wci-1 but not Hfr-1 expression, though both the genes were up-regulated by BTH treatments. Thus, despite high sequence similarity, it appears that Hfr-1 and Wci-1 are up-regulated through different signaling pathways. The expression analyses indicate that Hfr-1 regulation is specific to the defense mechanisms elicited by feeding of first-instar Hessian fly larvae, while Wci-1 is probably a general defense-response gene up-regulated by most of the biotic and abiotic stresses investigated.