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Figure 3 | BMC Plant Biology

Figure 3

From: A fungal endophyte induces transcription of genes encoding a redundant fungicide pathway in its host plant

Figure 3

Endogenous fungi contribute to plant Taxol yield in (A-G) young plantlets and (H-K) mature Taxus wood by eliciting plant Taxol pathway gene expression. (A-D) Effect of injecting T.x media plantlets with Maxim fungicide. (A) Fungicide-injected plantlets showed systemic fungicide spread (red colour) from the injection site (arrow). (B) Taxane spectrum TLC for: Lane 1, standard Taxol and baccatin III (B III); Lane 2, buffer-injected plantlet; Lane 3, fungicide-injected plantlet. (C) Corresponding TLC quantification of plant Taxol. (D) Corresponding effects on endophytic fungal activity and expression of rate-limiting enzymes in the plant terpenoid and Taxol pathways: Lane 1, buffer-injected plantlet; Lane 2, fungicide-injected plantlet. (E-G) Effect of injecting two additional T.x media plantlets with fungicide and HPLC confirmation of Taxol. (E) Taxane spectrum TLC for: Lane 1, buffer injected plantlets, and Lane 2, fungicide-injected plantlet. (F) Corresponding HPLC quantification of plant Taxol. (G) Corresponding effects on endophytic fungal activity and expression of rate-limiting enzymes in the plant terpenoid and Taxol pathways: Lanes 1 and 2, two buffer-injected plantlets; Lanes 3 and 4, two fungicide-injected plantlets; Lane F, pure Paraconiothyrium SSM001 mycelia. (H-K) Effect of fungicide or herbicide on pools of T.x media mature cultured wood. For each of two biological replicates, 4–6 pieces were treated, pooled, and the data normalized by mass. (H) Cultured T.x media wood showing endophytic fungal growth. (I) TLC for cultured wood previously treated for 24 h with either herbicide (Lane 1, isoxaben, cellulose inhibitor), buffer (Lane 2) or fungicide (Lane 3, Maxim). (J) Corresponding Taxol HPLC quantification. (K) Corresponding effects on expression of endophytic fungal and plant 18S rRNA, and rate-limiting enzymes in the plant Taxol pathway (plant TS, taxadiene synthase) and plant terpenoid pathways (plant DXR, non-mevalonate pathway; plant HMGR, mevalonate pathway) (unit expression/plant fresh weight) [See Additional file 4 for statistics].

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