Influences of Ipomoea batatas Anti-Cancer Peptide on Tomato Defense Genes

Hsin-Hung Lin; Kuan-Hung Lin; Yung-Lin Tsai; Rong-Jane Chen; Yen-Chang Lin; Yu-Chi Chen

doi:10.2174/0113892037299818240408053000

Influences of Ipomoea batatas Anti-Cancer Peptide on Tomato Defense Genes

Curr Protein Pept Sci. 2024 May 2. doi: 10.2174/0113892037299818240408053000. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Hsin-Hung Lin¹, Kuan-Hung Lin², Yung-Lin Tsai³, Rong-Jane Chen⁴, Yen-Chang Lin⁵, Yu-Chi Chen³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Agronomy, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung City 40227, Taiwan.
² Department of Horticulture and Biotechnology, Chinese Culture University, Taipei11114, Taiwan.
³ Department of Biotechnology, National Kaohsiung Normal University, Kaohsiung82444, Taiwan.
⁴ Department of Food Safety/Hygiene and Risk Management, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan70101, Taiwan.
⁵ Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, Chinese Culture University, Taipei, 11114, Taiwan.

PMID: 38698748
DOI: 10.2174/0113892037299818240408053000

Abstract

Aims: This study investigates the impact of IbACP (Ipomoea batatas anti-cancer peptide) on defense-related gene expression in tomato leaves, focusing on its role in plant defense mechanisms.

Background: Previously, IbACP was isolated from sweet potato leaves, and it was identified as a peptide capable of inducing an alkalinization response in tomato suspension culture media. Additionally, IbACP was found to regulate the proliferation of human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells.

Objective: Elucidate IbACP's molecular influence on defense-related gene expression in tomato leaves using next-generation sequencing analysis.

Method: To assess the impact of IbACP on defense-related gene expression, transcriptome data were analyzed, encompassing various functional categories such as photosynthesis, metabolic processes, and plant defense. Semi-quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis was employed to verify transcription levels of defense-related genes in tomato leaves treated with IbACP for durations ranging from 0 h (control) to 24 h.

Results: IbACP induced jasmonic acid-related genes (LoxD and AOS) at 2 h, with a significant up-regulation of salicylic acid-dependent gene NPR1 at 24 h. This suggested a temporal antagonistic effect between jasmonic acid and salicylic acid during the early hours of IbACP treatment. Downstream ethylene-responsive regulator genes (ACO1, ETR4, and ERF1) were consistently down-regulated by IbACP at all times. Additionally, IbACP significantly up-regulated the gene expressions of suberization-associated anionic peroxidases (TMP1 and TAP2) at all time points, indicating enhanced suberization of the plant cell wall to prevent pathogen invasion.

Conclusion: IbACP enhances the synthesis of defense hormones and up-regulates downstream defense genes, improving the plant's resistance to biotic stresses.

Keywords: Ipomoea batatas anti-cancer peptide; Solanum lycopersicum; plant defense; plant peptides; transcriptomic analysis..