Elongator is a multitasking protein complex involved in diverse cellular
processes, including histone modification, DNA methylation, and tRNA
modification. In recent years, the Elongator protein emerged as a key
regulator of plant immune responses. However, characterization of its
function in plant immunity has been conducted only in the model plant
Arabidopsis thaliana. Thus, it is unclear if its role in plant immunity is
conserved in higher plants.

The team of Katchen Julliany P. Silva from the University of Florida
characterized the transgenic woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca L.)
overexpressing two Arabidopsis Elongator (AtELP) genes, AtELP3 and AtELP4,
and determined whether strawberry carries a functional Elongator gene.

Overexpression of AtELP3 and AtELP4 in strawberry conferred enhanced
resistance to anthracnose crown rot, powdery mildew, and angular leaf spot.
Further analysis showed that the strawberry genome has six Elongator protein
subunits, including the FvELP4 subunit, which is encoded by two homologous
genes. Expressed FvELP4-1 in an Arabidopsis mutant also proved that FvELP4
is biologically functional.

Elongator genes may hold potential in lessening disease severity and
reducing fungicide application in strawberry industry.

[bmcplantbiol.biomedcentral.com]