PAMP-mediated pathogen defense in Solanum tuberosum

The oomycete Phytophthora infestans is the causal agent of late blight disease of potato. Enhanced resistance
can be achieved in susceptible potato plants by treatment with the PAMP (pathogen-associated
molecular pattern) Pep-13. Our previous work revealed that both salicylic acid and jasmonic acid are required
for the activation of efficient defense responses. Pep-13-activated genes, identified in microarray
analyses, will be functionally analyzed for their importance for defense against P. infestans. The expression
of genes encoding signal transduction components or defense proteins will be reduced in transgenic
plants by RNA interference. The analysis of potential alterations in the pathogen response of plants with
reduced expression of candidate genes will contribute to the identification of components of the defense
response in potato.