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Local and systemic transcriptome responses to herbivory and jasmonic acid in Populus

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Abstract

We used DNA microarrays to examine local and systemic transcriptional responses to herbivory by gypsy moth larvae (GM) and exogenous jasmonic acid (JAtrt) in leaves of Populus nigra L. to identify candidate signaling and defense genes and also to examine primary metabolism, as might relate to tolerance of damage. GM and JAtrt altered expression of over 800 genes, most of which have putative roles in defense signaling, secondary metabolism, and primary metabolism. Additionally, numerous uncharacterized genes responded to herbivory, providing a rich resource for future studies. There was limited overlap (14%) between the responses to GM and JAtrt. GM did, however, result in strong upregulation of genes involved not only in JA biosynthesis but also abscisic acid biosynthesis and other signaling pathways. GM induced known resistance transcripts, including polyphenolic biosynthetic genes, proteinase inhibitors, and amino acid deaminases. According to GOStats pathway level analysis, GM altered primary metabolism, including aromatic amino acid biosynthesis, fatty acid β-oxidation, and carbohydrate and organic acid metabolism. These alterations may be related to increased demands for substrate for secondary metabolites or may serve a tolerance-related role. Responses were more intense locally in treated leaves than in untreated (systemic) leaves and systemic responses were mostly a subset of the genes induced locally. A stronger local response might be needed to cope with localized stresses and wound healing. Since Populus in general and this clone in particular are known for their systemic induced resistance, genes induced both locally and systemically may be the highest quality candidates for resistance.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Biology Department at Brookhaven National Laboratory for use of the greenhouse. This research was funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation (to CMO) and an NSF DDIG grant IBN-0408078 (to BAB), Swedish Research Council (to SJ), the Arabis Fund (Frances Chew), and the Tufts University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Graduate Student Council, and Department of Biology (BAB). We thank Dr. John Tanner of USDA-APHIS for supplying gypsy moth eggs and Dr. Kenneth Raffa of the University of Wisconsin for supplying cuttings of the P. nigra clone.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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  1. Andreas Sjödin

    Present address: CBRN Defence and Security, FOI—Swedish Defence Research Agency, Cementvägen 20, 901 82, Umeå, Sweden

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA

    Benjamin A. Babst

  2. Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155, USA

    Colin M. Orians

  3. Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Plant Physiology, Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden

    Andreas Sjödin & Stefan Jansson

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  1. Benjamin A. Babst
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Correspondence to Benjamin A. Babst.

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Communicated by W. Boerjan.

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S1 Table 1

Full gene lists (XLS 662 kb)

S2 Table 2

Significantly changed Gene Ontology categories (XLS 35.0 kb)

S3 Table 3

Transcription factor and protein kinase lists (XLS 53.5 kb)

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Babst, B.A., Sjödin, A., Jansson, S. et al. Local and systemic transcriptome responses to herbivory and jasmonic acid in Populus . Tree Genetics & Genomes 5, 459–474 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11295-009-0200-6

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