Defense induced by a bis-aryl methanone compound leads to resistance in potato against Phytophthora infestans

Abstract

Plants recognize certain microbial compounds as elicitors of their active defense mechanisms. In the present study, NUBS-4190, a synthetic bis-aryl-methanone compound elicited NO and ROS generation in potato suspension cultured cells and intact potato leaves. Hypersensitive cell death was found in these cultured cells and in potato leaves without the accumulation of phytoalexins in the tubers. Defense-related genes such as StrbohB, StrbohC, StNR1, StNR5, Sthsr203J and StPR1 were expressed in potato suspension cultured cells treated with NUBS-4190. Resistance against Phytophthora infestans also increased in NUBS-4190-treated potato leaves. © 2013 The Author(s).