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Poster

Session: Session 1 Presenting Authors at Posters (Odds)

P-349 - An ERF transcription factor StPTI5, a novel regulator of endophyte community maintenance in potato

Monday, July 14, 2025
13:30 - 15:15  
Location: Confex Hall 3
Subcellular dynamics and signaling in host-microbe interactions

    Presenting Author(s)

  • KG

    Kristina Gruden

    PI
    National Institute of Biology, Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology
    Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    • Author(s)

  • TL

    Tjaša Lukan

    National Institute of Biology, Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology
    Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia

  • BK

    Barbara Kraigher

    Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana
    Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia

  • KP

    Karmen Pogačar

    National Institute of Biology, Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology
    Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia

  • KS

    Katja Stare

    National Institute of Biology, Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology
    Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia

  • MZ

    Maja Zagorščak

    National Institute of Biology,Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology
    Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia

  • MP

    Marko Petek

    National Institute of Biology, Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology
    Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia

  • PS

    Polonca Stefanic

    Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana
    Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia

  • AV

    Anže Vozelj

    National Institute of Biology, Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology
    Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia

  • MP

    Maria J. Pozo

    Estación Experimental del Zaidín (CSIC)
    Granada, Andalucia, Spain

As potato is exceptionally sensitive to a wide range of stresses, studying its interaction with beneficial symbionts is crucial to pave the way for environmentally friendly plant protection. We investigated the processes involved in potato - Bacillus subtilis beneficial interaction. RNA-seq analysis showed that at the time of biofilm establishment, immune responses in interacting roots were attenuated, and complex transcriptional network was triggered, including ERF, MYB, NAC and WRKY transcription factors. The response is dependent on bacterial surfactin production and intensified if plants are inoculated by two antagonistic B. subtilis strains. We further focused on the role of ERF transcription factor PTI5 as it was strongly induced in roots and shoots of bacteria-inoculated plants. While PTI5 is not involved in the establishment of biofilm on roots, we show that bacterial abundance increases in PTI5 silenced plants. Remarkably, root colonization by the mutualistic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Rhizophagus irregularis was also higher in the PTI5 silenced plants. The results suggest that PTi5 is involved in limiting endophytic colonization by beneficial microbes.  A deeper understanding of the regulation of endophytic colonization by beneficial microbes will pave the way to improve their biotechnological applications in sustainable crop management.