Arabidopsis thaliana phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C 2 is required for Botrytis cinerea proliferation

• Published in: Plant science (Limerick) 2024-03, Vol.340, p.111971-111971, Article 111971
• Main Authors: Robuschi, Luciana, Mariani, Oriana, Perk, Enzo A., Cerrudo, Ignacio, Villarreal, Fernando, Laxalt, Ana M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Arabidopsis thaliana; Botrytis cinerea; fungi; gene expression; host range; immunity; Lipid signaling; lipids; mutants; NAD(P)H oxidase (H2O2-forming); pathogens; Phospholipase C; Plant defense; plant development; pseudogenes; Reactive oxygen species
• ISSN: 0168-9452; 1873-2259
• DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2023.111971

Phospholipase C (PLC) plays a key role in lipid signaling during plant development and stress responses. PLC activation is one of the earliest responses during pathogen perception. Arabidopsis thaliana contains seven PLC encoding genes (AtPLC1 to AtPLC7) and two pseudogenes (AtPLC8 and AtPLC9), being AtPLC2 the most abundant isoform with constitutive expression in all plant organs. PLC has been linked to plant defense signaling, in particular to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Previously, we demonstrated that AtPLC2 is involved in ROS production via the NADPH oxidase isoforms RBOHD activation during stomata plant immunity. Here we studied the role of AtPLC2 on plant resistance against the necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea, a broad host-range and serious agricultural pathogen. We show that the AtPLC2-silenced (amiR PLC2) or null mutant (plc2–1) plants developed smaller B. cinerea lesions. Moreover, plc2–1 showed less ROS production and an intensified SA-dependent signaling upon infection, indicating that B. cinerea uses AtPLC2-triggered responses for a successful proliferation. Therefore, AtPLC2 is a susceptibility (S) gene that facilitates B. cinerea infection and proliferation. •AtPLC2 is required for the ROS burst induced by Botrytis cinerea.•Absence of AtPLC2 intensifies the B. cinerea-induction of SA-dependent genes.•Absence of AtPLC2 does not affect the B. cinerea-induction of JA/ET-dependent genes.•B. cinerea uses AtPLC2-triggered responses for a successful proliferation.