Biology subjects

Sanchez-Lucas, R.

Publications and source records attributed to Sanchez-Lucas, R..

6 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Elevated CO2 enhances tomato tolerance to Botrytis cinerea through transcriptional and metabolic defence reprogramming

Atmospheric CO2 concentration is projected to rise substantially over the coming decades, yet its impact on the molecular mechanisms governing plant immunity remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated how elevated CO2 (eCO2; 650 ppm) combined with increased temperature (+5 {degrees}C) influences tomato responses to Botrytis cinerea through integrated phenotypic, metabolomic, transcriptomic, and gene regulatory network (GRN) analyses across eight cultivars. Although cultivars displayed contrasting susceptibility under ambient conditions, eCO2 consistently enhanced tolerance across all genetic backgrounds. Multi-omics analyses revealed a partial uncoupling between transcriptional and metabolic responses during infection, with repression of photosynthesis- and carbon metabolism- related genes contrasting with the accumulation of carbon- and amino acid-derived metabolites. Under eCO2, this metabolic disruption was attenuated, preserving metabolic homeostasis during infection. GRN reconstruction identified a conserved WRKY-ERF regulatory module underlying the growth-defence trade-off, while functional perturbation demonstrated that its contribution to resistance depends on both genotype and environmental context, highlighting the importance of basal defence mechanisms. Targeted metabolomics further revealed that eCO2 promotes a metabolically primed state characterized by reinforcement of structural and chemical defence barriers rather than stronger activation of inducible immune responses. Together, our findings show that enhanced tolerance under eCO2 emerges from coordinated reorganization across regulatory and metabolic networks, providing a systems- level framework for understanding plant immunity and improving crop resilience under future climate scenarios.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2026

Morphological and molecular diversity of rice blast isolates from Terai foothills of the Himalayas

Rice blast disease, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae (formerly as Pyricularia grisea), is a major threat to rice production globally, causing devastating yield losses up to 30-50% of rice production annually. Here, we analysed 48 isolates collected from rice fields in the Terai foothills of the Himalayas, India, to assess pathogen occurrence in a new agroecological zone, potentially influenced by climate change and favourable environmental conditions. All isolates were screened for virulence and pathogenicity, and two highly virulent isolates (UBKV1 and UBKV2) were selected for detailed characterization of their morphological, growth, and genetic variability. Significant differences (p-value=4.16 x 10-) were observed in conidial dimensions, with UBKV2 producing larger spores (33.61 {micro}m) compared to UBKV1 (28.07 {micro}m). In terms of growth, mycelial biomass (fresh weight) and sporulation intensity was also higher in UBKV2 (22.98 g and 2315.5) than UBKV1 (15.82 g, and 1812.3) when they grew under the same conditions. Distinct colony growth patterns were observed on different media, particularly on Mathurs medium and Rice Straw Extract Dextrose Oatmeal Agar, where UBKV2 exhibited suppressed growth and unique pigmentation. Phylogenetic analysis of the ITS region revealed sequence similarities ranging from 95.11% to 100% among the isolates. UBKV2 showed closer genetic relatedness to isolates from Odisha (96.95-97.23%) than to UBKV1 (95.57%), highlighting significant genetic differentiation. These findings demonstrate substantial morphological, cultural, and genetic variation within M. oryzae populations in the Terai foothills, providing important insights into pathogen evolution, virulence mechanisms, and implications for region-specific resistance breeding strategies.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Epigenomic Landscape of Oak (Quercus robur) across Seasons and Generations

O_LISeasonal fluctuations strongly shape the physiology of long-lived trees by coordinating growth, dormancy, and stress responses. Increasing evidence points to epigenetic mechanisms, particularly DNA methylation, as regulators of these processes, yet their role in long-lived trees across seasons and generations remains poorly understood. C_LIO_LIWe generated single-base resolution maps of cytosine methylation exploring the epigenetic landscape of 180 year-old mature oak (Quercus robur) trees (genetically homogeneous) along spring, summer and autumn, and in their progeny. C_LIO_LIGenome-wide DNA-methylation revealed a progressive increase in the CHH context (H = A, T or C) from Spring to Summer and Autumn, suggesting epigenetic reprogramming is happening over season. Differentially Methylated Regions (DMRs) were concentrated in promoter regions and terminal inverted repeat (TIR). Differentially methylated transposable elements (TEs) and genes were involved in leaf development and hormonal signalling. By contrast, generational differences (parents versus offspring) were most prominent in CG and CHG contexts and were concentrated in genic regions. C_LIO_LIOaks exhibit distinct seasonal and generational DNA methylation signatures, highlighting the plasticity and developmental specificity of epigenetic regulation. These findings provide a genomic foundation for understanding how epigenetic memory contributes to phenology, developmental programming and long-term adaptation in long-lived plants. C_LI

genetics↗

bioRxiv2025

Multi-year study on the effects of elevated CO2 in mature oaks unravels subtle metabolic adjustments but stable biotic stress resistance

O_LIRising atmospheric CO2 levels are predicted to influence forest health directly and indirectly, yet the long-term effects of elevated CO2 (eCO2) on mature trees in natural ecosystems remain poorly understood. Understanding how eCO2 affects susceptibility to biotic stress and alters leaf metabolism is critical for predicting forest responses to climate change. C_LIO_LIWe examined the effects of eCO2 (+150 ppm) on 180-year-old Quercus robur at the Birmingham Institute of Forest Research (BIFoR) Free Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE) facility. From 2016 (pre-treatment) to 2024 (year 8 of enrichment), we monitored natural powdery mildew infection and insect herbivory, alongside targeted and untargeted metabolomic profiling of leaf material collected across the growing season. C_LIO_LIWhile seasonal patterns and an overall decline in PM and herbivory were observed, no consistent differences in biotic stress incidence emerged due to eCO2. Metabolomic data revealed subtle but widespread shifts, especially in amino acid, CoenzymeA, and redox pathways. C_LIO_LIThese results suggest that although eCO2 drives extensive metabolic changes, it does not alter biotic stress resistance in mature oaks. Instead, eCO2 appears to promote physiological plasticity that may shape future responses to combined environmental stressors. These insights offer a valuable reference point for interpreting long-term ecosystem dynamics. C_LI

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Elicitor specific mechanisms of defence priming in oak seedlings against powdery mildew

Defence priming sensitises plant defences to enable a faster and/or stronger response to subsequent stress. Various chemicals can trigger priming; however, the response remains unexplored in oak. Here, we characterise salicylic acid (SA)-, jasmonic acid (JA)-, and {beta}-aminobutyric acid (BABA)-induced priming of oak seedlings against the causal agent of powdery mildew (Erysiphe alphitoides, PM). Whilst JA had no effects, BABA and SA enhanced resistance by priming callose deposition and SA-dependent gene expression, respectively. Untargeted transcriptome and metabolome analyses revealed genes and metabolites uniquely primed by BABA, SA, and JA. Enrichment analyses demonstrated a limited number of pathways differentiating the three treatments or the resistance-inducing elicitors BABA and SA. However, a similar mode of action between BABA and JA was identified. Moreover, our analyses revealed a lack of crosstalk between SA and JA. Interestingly, priming by BABA was linked to alkaloid, lignan, phenylpropanoid, and indolitic compounds biosynthesis. Moreover, integration of the omics analyses revealed the role of ubiquitination and protein degradation in priming by BABA. Our results confirm the existence of chemical-induced priming in oak and has identified specific molecular markers associated with well-characterised elicitor.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2023

Elevated CO2 alters photosynthesis, growth and susceptibility to powdery mildew of oak seedlings

Elevated CO2 (eCO2) is a determinant factor of climate change and is known to alter plant processes such as physiology, growth and resistance to pathogens. Quercus robur, a tree species integrated in most forest regeneration strategies, shows high vulnerability to powdery mildew (PM) disease at the seedling stage. PM is present in most oak forests and it is considered a bottleneck for oak woodland regeneration. Our study aims to decipher the effect of eCO2 on plant responses to PM. Oak seedlings were grown in controlled environment at ambient (aCO2, ~ 400 ppm) and eCO2 (~ 1000 ppm), and infected with Erysiphe alphitoides, the causal agent of oak PM. Plant growth, physiological parameters and disease progression were monitored. In addition, to evaluate the effect of eCO2 on induced resistance (IR), these parameters were assessed after treatments with IR elicitor {beta}-aminobutyric acid (BABA). Our results show that eCO2 increases photosynthetic rates and aerial growth but in contrast reduces root length. Importantly, under eCO2 seedlings were more susceptible to PM. Treatments with BABA protected seedlings against PM, however, this effect was less pronounced under eCO2. Moreover, irrespectively of the concentration of CO2, BABA did not significantly change aerial growth but resulted in longer radicular systems, thus mitigating the effect of eCO2 in root shortening. Our results demonstrate the impact of eCO2 in plant physiology, growth and defence, and warrant further biomolecular studies to unravel the mechanisms by which eCO2 increases oak seedling susceptibility to PM.

plant biology↗