Integrated metabolomic, lipidomic and proteomic analysis define the
metabolic changes occurring in curled areas in leaves with leaf peach
curl disease
Abstract
Peach Leaf Curl Disease, caused by the fungus Taphrina deformans,
is characterized by reddish hypertrophic and hyperplasic leaf areas. To
comprehend the biochemical imbalances caused by the disease an
integrated approach including metabolomics, lipidomics, proteomics and
complementary biochemical techniques was undertaken. Symptomatic and
asymptomatic areas were dissected from leaves with increasing extension
of the disease. A differential metabolic behaviour was identified in
symptomatic areas with respect to either asymptomatic areas or healthy
leaves. Symptomatic areas showed an altered chloroplastic functioning
and composition which includes decrease in the photosynthetic machinery,
alteration in plastidic lipids, and decreased starch, carotenoid and
chlorophyll biosynthesis. In symptomatic areas, decreases in chloroplast
redox-homeostasis proteins and in triacylglycerols double bond index
were observed. Proteomic data revealed an up-regulation of
phenylpropanoid and mevalonate pathways and down-regulation of the
plastidic methylerythritol phosphate route. Amino acid pools were
affected, with up-regulation of proteins involved in asparagine
synthesis. Curled areas exhibited a metabolic shift towards functioning
as a sink tissue importing sugars and producing energy through
fermentation and respiration and reductive power via the pentose
phosphate route. As the disease progresses, reduced asymptomatic areas
and healthy leaves diminishes photosynthates production thereby limiting
fruit production and ultimately tree survival.