EXPRESSION PATTERNS OF SCOTS PINE DEFENSIN GENES UNDER ENVIRONMENTAL STRESSES
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30970/sbi.1904.854
Abstract
Background. Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) is a highly adaptable forest species, yet it faces increasing threats from climate-induced droughts despite its natural stress tolerance. To cope with environmental stressors, plants deploy defense mechanisms, such as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). However, the role of defensins, a key AMP class, in pine stress responses remains insufficiently explored.
Materials and Methods. To investigate the responsiveness of PsDef1–4 genes to environmental stimuli, Scots pine seedlings were exposed to biotic stress (phytopathogenic fungi Fusarium verticillioides F3 and Ophiostoma clavatum B0922, and a beneficial endophytic bacterium Pseudomonas putida P57) and various abiotic stressors, including acidification, cold, heat, drought, salinity, flooding, and heavy metals. Gene expression was analyzed via quantitative RT-PCR. Orthologs of PsDef1–4 were identified in the genome assemblies of Pinus tabuliformis and Pinus taeda. Promoter regions (2 kb upstream) were analyzed for cis-acting regulatory elements using the PlantCARE database.
Results and Discussion. In silico analysis of the promoter regions of PtbDef1–4 and PtaDef1,2,4 (orthologs of PsDef1–4) revealed a high proportion (44–57 %) of cis-acting regulatory elements associated with stress responsiveness, suggesting their involvement in plant protection. In vivo gene expression analysis showed that both pathogenic fungi and the endophytic bacterium induced upregulation of PsDef1–4 at 48 h post-inoculation. The responses to abiotic stress varied: drought and flooding increased expression of all four defensin genes, while zinc treatment and cold stress caused strong downregulation. Expression responses to heat, salinity, acidification, and cadmium were gene-specific.
Conclusion. Overall, Scots pine defensin genes are responsive not only to pathogenic and beneficial microbes but also to a wide range of abiotic stresses, indicating their broader role in adaptive responses to environmental challenges. These findings highlight defensins as promising candidate genes for breeding programs aimed at developing climate-resilient pine genotypes.
Keywords
Pinus sylvestris L., defensin gene expression, cis-acting regulatory elements, biotic and abiotic stress
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