Author ORCID Identifier
Date Available
3-18-2026
Year of Publication
2024
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Document Type
Doctoral Dissertation
College
Agriculture, Food and Environment
Department/School/Program
Plant Pathology
First Advisor
Dr. Pradeep Kachroo
Abstract
Systemic acquired resistance (SAR) is a form of broad-spectrum resistance induced in response to local infection that protects uninfected parts against subsequent secondary infections. Several diverse chemical signals contributing to SAR have been isolated and characterized, including glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P) and pipecolic acid (Pip), both of which play an important role in human and plant disease physiologies. In addition to these, salicylic acid (SA) also regulates SAR and normal transport of SA and G3P is required for de novo biosynthesis of Pip in the distal leaves. Pip is catabolized via multiple pathways, and this in turn regulates vitamin homeostasis. A normal SAR also requires a normal cuticle, which in turn regulates water potential and thereby apoplastic transport of SA. Both SA and G3P regulate the stability of trans-acting small interfering RNA (tasi-RNA), which function as an early mobile signal in SAR. Conversely, knock-out mutations in tasi�RNA or RNA silencing components required for tasi-RNA biogenesis compromise SAR without altering levels of SA or G3P. Together, these results highlight a novel relationship between plant cuticle, SA, G3P, Pip vitamins and RNA-mediated signaling in SAR.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2024.50
Funding Information
- National Science Foundation
- United States Department of Agriculture
- United Soybean Export Council
- v Phytolabs LLC
- China Scholarship Council
- Altria Graduate Fellowship
Recommended Citation
Liu, Huazhen, "Systemic signaling in plants: Role of cuticle, salicylic acid, RNA, and vitamins" (2024). Theses and Dissertations--Plant Pathology. 44.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/plantpath_etds/44
