Cold stress activates disease resistance in Arabidopsis thaliana through a salicylic acid dependent pathway
Zhenjiang Wu, Shiming Han, Hedan Zhou, Za Khai Tuang, Yizhong Wang, Ye Jin, Huazhong Shi, Wannian Yang
Plant, Cell & Environment, 42(9), 2645-2663. Published: May. 2019.
This study shows that short-term cold stress in Arabidopsis thaliana activates disease resistance through a salicylic acid (SA)-dependent pathway. A 10-hour cold exposure triggered immunity, Hâ‚‚Oâ‚‚ accumulation, and callose deposition, with transcriptome changes similar to those from pathogen infection. Cold treatment increased expression of SA pathway marker genes (PR2, PR5) while reducing jasmonic acid (JA) pathway markers. These findings reveal that cold stress can cross-activate innate immune responses in plants.
Preliminary analysis reveals that RCF1 confers resistance to Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 but impairs Botrytis cinerea infection
Za Khai Tuang, & Ling, Tial C.
Physiol. Mol. Plant Pathol., 125, 102002. Published: May. 2023.
This study investigates the role of the RCF1 gene, which encodes an RNA helicase with DEAD-box domains, in plant responses to pathogen infection. Using a loss-of-function mutant (rcf1-407), RCF1 was found to confer resistance to Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 through salicylic acid (SA) and NPR1-dependent pathways, while repressing SNI1 and jasmonic acid (JA) signaling. The mutant was more susceptible to bacterial infection but more tolerant to Botrytis cinerea, with lower free and conjugated SA levels and reduced expression of SA biosynthetic genes. These findings suggest RCF1 plays a dual role in modulating plant defense against bacterial and fungal pathogens.
Traditional knowledge of textile dyeing plants: A case study in the Chin ethnic group of western Myanmar
Ling, Tial C., Angkhana Inta, Kate E. Armstrong, Damon P. Little, Pimonrat Tiansawat, Yong-Ping Yang, Patcharin Phokasem, Za Khai Tuang, Chainarong Sinpoo & Terd Disayathanoowat
Diversity, 14(12), 1065. Published: Dec. 2022.
This study documents traditional knowledge of textile dyeing plants among 14 Chin communities in Myanmar, based on interviews with 2,070 informants. A total of 32 plant species from 29 genera and 24 families were recorded, with Chromolaena odorata, Lithocarpus fenestratus, and L. pachyphyllus being the most important. Most dyes were red, leaf-derived, collected from the wild, and fixed with firewood ash. The findings aim to revive natural dye use, strengthen cultural integrity, and guide preservation of traditional plant-based textile knowledge.
Potential roles for pattern molecule of PAMP-triggered immunity in improving crop cold tolerance
Ye Jin, Za Khai Tuang, Yizhong Wang, Zhenjiang Wu & Wannian Yang
Plant Cell Reports, 41(2), 337–345. Published: Dec. 2019.
This study shows that flagellin 22 (flg22), a well-known pathogen-associated molecular pattern, can mimic pathogen infection to enhance cold tolerance in Arabidopsis, oilseed, and tobacco. Flg22 activated immunity and cold-related genes, and its protective effect was lost in salicylic acid (SA)-deficient or SA-pathway mutant plants. These findings indicate that flg22 enhances cold tolerance through an SA-dependent pathway.
