CITRX thioredoxin interacts with the tomato Cf-9 resistance protein and negatively regulates defence

EMBO J. 2004 May 19;23(10):2156-65. doi: 10.1038/sj.emboj.7600224. Epub 2004 May 6.

Abstract

To identify proteins involved in tomato Cf-9 resistance protein function, a yeast two-hybrid screen was undertaken using the cytoplasmic C-terminus of Cf-9 as bait. A thioredoxin-homologous clone, interacting specifically with Cf-9, was identified and called CITRX (Cf-9-interacting thioredoxin). Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) of CITRX resulted in an accelerated Cf-9/Avr9-triggered hypersensitive response in both tomato and Nicotiana benthamiana, accompanied by enhanced accumulation of reactive oxygen species, alteration of protein kinase activity and induction of defence-related genes. VIGS of CITRX also conferred increased resistance to the fungal pathogen Cladosporium fulvum in the otherwise susceptible Cf0 tomato. CITRX acts as a negative regulator of the cell death and defence responses induced through Cf-9, but not Cf-2. Recognition of the Cf-9 C-terminus by CITRX is necessary and sufficient for this negative regulation. This is the first study that implicates thioredoxin activity in the regulation of plant disease resistance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Retracted Publication

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Base Sequence
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
  • Gene Silencing
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / metabolism
  • Immunity, Innate / genetics
  • Immunity, Innate / physiology*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nicotiana / genetics
  • Nicotiana / metabolism
  • Oxidants / metabolism
  • Phylogeny
  • Plant Leaves / anatomy & histology
  • Plant Leaves / metabolism
  • Plant Proteins / classification
  • Plant Proteins / genetics
  • Plant Proteins / metabolism*
  • Plant Viruses / genetics
  • Plant Viruses / metabolism
  • Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Solanum lycopersicum / chemistry*
  • Solanum lycopersicum / genetics
  • Thioredoxins / classification
  • Thioredoxins / genetics
  • Thioredoxins / metabolism*
  • Two-Hybrid System Techniques

Substances

  • Cf protein, Lycopersicon esculentum
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Oxidants
  • Plant Proteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Thioredoxins
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Protein Kinases

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AY500242
  • GENBANK/AY500243