ARS | Publication request: Role of AtPep6 as a signal in Arabidopsis plants

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: June 4, 2012
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: The peptide signal AtPep1 has been shown to regulate innate immunity in Arabidopsis thaliana. AtPep1 is derived from a precursor, AtPROPEP1, which is encoded by one member of an eight gene family. None of the other gene family members have been fully characterized. Here we examine the role of AtPep6, the bioactive peptide derived from AtPROPEP6 through studies of transgenic plants (background Col) constitutively expressing the AtPROPEP6 gene and treatment of wild type plants with synthetic peptide. To identify transcriptional markers of AtPep6-regulated responses, we analyzed global gene expression in the transgenic plants by microarray. Potential metabolic markers such as hormones and secondary metabolites were observed using chemical derivatization and vapor-phase extraction coupled with GC-MS analysis. Phenotypic effects of AtPROPEP6 over-expression were also measured, including root growth, trichome number and leaf permeability. The effects of AtPep6-treatment and constitutive expression of AtPROPEP6 on resistance to biotic attack were observed in both Col and Ws ecotypes.