Fig. 4
The suppression of PCD by AvrPtoB in non-silenced (TRV) and group III E2 genes-silenced (TRV-III) N. benthamiana plants. a Silencing the group III E2 genes diminishes the suppression of AvrPto + Pto, BAX, and Avr9 + Cf9-elicited PCD by AvrPtoB in N. benthamiana. Transient co-expression of AvrPtoB and PCD elicitors in fully expanded N. benthamiana leaves was performed by Agro-infiltration. Transient co-expression of the empty pBTEX vector (EV) and the PCD elicitors was used as control. Reduced suppression of PCD by AvrPtoB on group III E2 genes-silenced plants compared to TRV control plants are marked by red and black dash-line circles, respectively. Photographs were taken on day four after infiltration. The experiment was repeated at least two times with similar results. b–d Examination of the suppression of PCD by AvrPtoB in non-silenced (TRV) and group III E2 genes-silenced (TRV-III) N. benthamiana plants using electrolyte leakage assays. Transient co-expression of AvrPtoB and the PCD elicitor (AvrPto + Pto, BAX, or Avr9 + Cf9) in fully expanded N. benthamiana leaves was performed as described in a. The percentage of conductivity measured on the third and fourth day compared to the total conductivity was shown. Asterisks mark significant difference between the two treatments based on one-way ANOVA (P < 0.01). The experiment was repeated at least three times with similar results