Secreted Peptide SpPIP1 Modulates Disease Resistance and Salt Tolerance in Tomato

Tomato is a globally important horticultural and economiccrop,but its productivity is severely affected by various stresses. Plantsmall secretory peptides have been identified as crucial mediatorsin plant resistance. Here, we conducted a comparative transcriptomeanalysis and identified the prePIP1 gene from Solanum pimpinellifolium (SpprePIP1), as an ortholog of Arabidopsis prePIP1 encoding the precursor protein of PAMP-induced SSP1. The expression level of SpprePIP1 is transcriptionallyinduced in tomato upon infection with Phytophthorainfestans (P. infestans), the pathogen responsible for late blight. Overexpression of SpprePIP1 resulted in enhanced tomato resistance to P. infestans. In addition, exogenous applicationof SpPIP1, whether through spraying or irrigation, improved tomatoresistance by enhancing the transcript accumulations of pathogenesis-relatedproteins, as well as reactive oxygen species and the jasmonic acid(JA) levels. Integrated analysis of transcriptomics and metabolomicsrevealed the potential contributions of JA and phenylpropanoid biosynthesisto SpPIP1-induced tomato immunity. Additionally, SpPIP1 may strengthentomato resistance to salt stress through the ABA signaling pathway.Overall, our findings demonstrate that SpPIP1 positively regulatestomato tolerance to P. infestans andsalt stress, making it a potential plant elicitor for crop protectionin an environmentally friendly way.

Automated summary

Tomato, a globally important crop, is severely affected by various stresses. SpprePIP1, identified as an ortholog of Arabidopsis prePIP1, was found to enhance tomato resistance to Phytophthorainfestans (P. infestans) and salt stress through transcriptional induction and exogenous application. Transcriptomics and metabolomics analysis revealed the potential contributions of JA and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis to SpPIP1-induced tomato immunity. Overall, SpPIP1 shows promise as a plant elicitor for environmentally friendly crop protection.