IIB
URI permanente para esta comunidad
El Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas (IIB), está ubicado en el Complejo Gral. Belgrano de la Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. En el año 2006, el CONICET y la UNMDP (Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata) firmaron un convenio de complementación recíproca en la promoción y ejecución de tareas de investigación En el marco de dicho convenio se aprobó la creación del IIB como Unidad Ejecutora de doble dependencia, CONICET-UNMdP. Desde el año 2016 es también un Centro Asociado CIC.
Las líneas de investigación desarrolladas en el IIB son las siguientes:
Bioquímica y Biología Molecular de plantas.
Fisiología Vegetal, Bioquímica.
Biología Molecular de microorganismos y espermatozoides.
Metabolismo de proteínas en hígado de ratón, hoja de trigo y en arqueas haloalcalófilas.
La labor docente del Instituto se ve reflejada en la formación de jóvenes investigadores que realizan sus tesis de grado y doctorales, y en el dictado de varias asignaturas correspondientes a las Licenciaturas y Profesorados en Ciencias Biológicas, Ciencias Químicas y a la carrera de Bioquímica.
Director: Dr. Daleo, Gustavo Raúl
Las líneas de investigación desarrolladas en el IIB son las siguientes:
Bioquímica y Biología Molecular de plantas.
Fisiología Vegetal, Bioquímica.
Biología Molecular de microorganismos y espermatozoides.
Metabolismo de proteínas en hígado de ratón, hoja de trigo y en arqueas haloalcalófilas.
La labor docente del Instituto se ve reflejada en la formación de jóvenes investigadores que realizan sus tesis de grado y doctorales, y en el dictado de varias asignaturas correspondientes a las Licenciaturas y Profesorados en Ciencias Biológicas, Ciencias Químicas y a la carrera de Bioquímica.
Director: Dr. Daleo, Gustavo Raúl
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Examinando IIB por Autor "Daleo, Gustavo Raúl"
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Acceso Abierto BABA effects on the behaviour of potato cultivars infected by Phytophthora infestans and Fusarium solani(2009) Olivieri, F.P; González Altamiranda, E.; Lobato, M.C.; Huarte, M.A.; Daleo, Gustavo Raúl; Guevara, M.G.; Andreu, A.B.Since most plants possess resistance mechanisms which can be induced upon pre-treatment with a variety of chemical compounds, the use of β-aminobutyric acid (BABA) as a defence inducer without reported toxic effect on the environment was studied. The aim of this work was to analyse the effectiveness of BABA to induce resistance againstPhytophthora infestansandFusarium solaniin potato cultivars differing in their level of resistance to late blight. The behaviour of some components of biochemical mechanisms by which BABA increases resistance againstP. infestans, as well as the effect of BABA on the activity of a potential pathogenic factor ofF. solani, were studied. Plants with four applications of BABA throughout the crop cycle produced tubers more resistant toP. infestansandF. solanithan non-treated plants. In addition, tuber slices from treated plants, inoculated withP. infestans,showed an increase in phenol and phytoalexin content. The aspartyl proteaseStAP1 accumulation was also higher in tubers obtained from treated plants and inoculated withP. infestans. This result was observed only in the more resistant potato cv. Pampeana, early after infection. In the potato–F. solaniinteraction, infected tubers coming from BABA-treated plants showed minor fungal proteolytic activity than infected, non-treated ones. For potato cvs Pampeana and Bintje, the BABA treatment improved the yield of harvested tubers. The number of tubers per plant and total weight of harvested tubers was greater for those obtained from treated plants with two early or four applications of BABA. The results show that the BABA treatment increases the resistance of potatoes but the degree of increase depends on the original level of resistance present in each cultivar. - Artículo
Embargado Calcium-dependent Protein Kinases are Involved in Potato Signal Transduction.(2008) Blanco, F.A.; Zanetti, M.E.; Daleo, Gustavo RaúlPlant response to pathogens involves an intricate network of signal transduction pathways. Here, potato cell cultures were used to study signal transduction in response to elicitors fromPhytophthora infestans. Pretreatment of cells with Ser/Thr protein kinase inhibitors, EGTA, calmodulin antagonists or a channel blocker abolished the induction of two enzymes involved in defence responses, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and peroxidase. Phosphatase inhibitors caused an increase of these activities in the absence of elicitors. Hyphal cell wall components (HWC) from an incompatible race (HWC 0) produced a rapid and transient increment of histone phosphorylation, whereas induction by HWC from a compatible race (HWC C) was less pronounced and more sustained. As activities were calcium-dependent, a fraction enriched in calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) was obtained by DEAE chromatography. Fractions from HWC 0- and HWC C-treated cells presented higher kinase activity than that from untreated cells. Moreover, total activity was higher in the incompatible than in the compatible interaction. Activity was calcium-dependent, partially inhibited by calmodulin antagonists and able to phosphorylate syntide-2, a specific substrate of CDPKs. An in-gel kinase assay showed the presence of a band of approximately 50kDa whose activity was higher in HWC 0- than in HWC C-treated cells and was not detected in control extracts. This report presents evidences of the differential activation of CDPKs in response to elicitors from different races ofP. infestans, revealing that these protein kinases participate in the defence response to oomycete. - Artículo
Acceso Abierto Cytotoxic effect of potato aspartic proteases (StAPs) on Jurkat T cells(2010) Mendieta, Julieta Renée; Fimognari, Carmela; Daleo, Gustavo Raúl; Hrelia, Patrizia; Guevara, María G.StAPs are potato aspartic proteases with cytotoxic activity against plant pathogens and spermatozoa.StAPs cytotoxic activity is selective, since these proteins do not exert toxic effect on plant cells and erythrocytes. In this work, we investigated the capacity ofStAPs to exert cytotoxicity on human leukaemia cells. Obtained results show thatStAPs induce apoptosis on Jurkat T cells after a short time of incubation in a dose-dependent manner. However, no significative effect on the T lymphocytes viability was observed at allStAPs incubation times and concentrations tested. These results suggest thatStAPs can be conceptually promising leads for cancer therapy. - Documento de conferencia
Acceso Abierto Expression of plant specific domain of potato aspartic proteases (StAP-PSI) restricts P. infestans spread in potato leaves.(2015) Frey, María Eugenia; Pepe, Alfonso; Daleo, Gustavo Raúl; Guevara, María GabrielaPlant specific insert (PSI) is a domain present in the precursors and mature atypical plant aspartic proteases (APs). Several plant APs have been associated with the plant mechanism of defence against pathogens. However, only two (StAP1 and StAP3, for Solanum tuberosum APs) of these proteases, contain the PSI domain into the mature form. We have previously reported the cytotoxic activity of the recombinant StAP-PSI towards plant pathogens. However the role of PSI domain of StAPs in the plant mechanism defense is still unknown. The aim of this work was to analyze the effect of transient expression of StAP-PSI in potato leaves infected by P. infestans. Results obtained show that StAP-PSI expression reduces the P. infestans affected area in a 60 % compared with the control ones. Analysis by qPCR shows an increase of the transcript level of the hypersensitive response marker (hsr203J) in potato leaves that express StAP-PSI, independent of the P. infestans infection; however the highest increase of this gene was detected in leaves at 6 h. after infection. Additionally, an increase of the WRKI1 transcript level was detected in potato leaves that express StAP-PSI. Results obtained here indicate that, PSI domain of StAPs could have a direct (as antimicrobial compound) and indirect (as an inductor molecule) role in the plant mechanism to restrict the pathogen spread. - Artículo
Acceso Abierto Fibrin(ogen)olytic and antiplatelet activities of a subtilisin-like protease from Solanum tuberosum (StSBTc-3)(2016) Pepe, Alfonso; Frey, María Eugenia; Muñoz, Fernando; Fernández, María Belén; Pedraza, Anabela; Galbán, Gustavo; García, Diana Noemí; Daleo, Gustavo Raúl; Guevara, María GabrielaPlant serine proteases have been widely used in food science and technology as well as in medicine. In this sense, several plant serine proteases have been proposed as potential anti-coagulants and antiplatelet agents. Previously, we have reported the purification and identification of a plant serine protease from Solanum tuberosum leaves. This potato enzyme, named as StSBTc-3, has a molecular weight of 72 kDa and it was characterized as a subtilisin like protease. In this work we determine and characterize the biochemical and medicinal properties of StSBTc-3. Results obtained show that, like the reported to other plant serine proteases, StSBTc-3 is able to degrade all chains of human fibrinogen and to produces fibrin clot lysis in a dose dependent manner. The enzyme efficiently hydrolyzes b subunit followed by partially hydrolyzed a and g subunits of human fibrinogen. Assays performed to determine StSBTc-3 substrate specificity using oxidized insulin b-chain as substrate, show seven cleavage sites: Asn3-Gln4; Cys7-Gly8; Glu13-Ala14; Leu15-Tyr16; Tyr16-Leu17; Arg22-Gly23 and Phe25-Tyr26, all of them were previously reported for other serine proteases with fibrinogenolytic activity. The maximum StSBTc-3 fibrinogenolytic activity was determined at pH 8.0 and at 37 C. Additionally, we demonstrate that StSBTc- 3 is able to inhibit platelet aggregation and is unable to exert cytotoxic activity on human erythrocytes in vitro at all concentrations assayed. These results suggest that StSBTc-3 could be evaluated as a new agent to be used in the treatment of thromboembolic disorders such as strokes, pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis. - Informe de investigador
Acceso Abierto Informe científico de investigador: Daleo, Gustavo Raúl (2011-2012)(2012) Daleo, Gustavo RaúlSe estudia, en forma integrada, los diferentes mecanismos de defensa frente a patógenos desarrollados por la planta de papa a partir del tratamiento con inductores, organismos biocontroladores o agentes químicos no contaminantes. Se pretende contribuir al conocimiento básico de estos mecanismos y al diseño de estrategias de control basadas en procesos naturales, en lugar de depender, casi exclusivamente, de agentes químicos costosos y contaminantes. Además, se ha comenzado a estudiar los efectos de ciertos componentes de la respuesta de defensa de las plantas de papa sobre microorganismos patógenos humanos, espermatozoides y sobre células tumorales, abriéndose así una línea de posibles aplicaciones terapéuticas. - Informe de investigador
Acceso Abierto Informe científico de investigador: Daleo, Gustavo Raúl (2013-2014)(2014) Daleo, Gustavo RaúlSe estudian, en forma integrada, los diferentes mecanismos de defensa frente a patógenos desarrollados por la planta de papa a partir del tratamiento con inductores, organismos biocontroladores o agentes químicos no contaminantes. Se pretende contribuir al conocimiento básico de estos mecanismos y al diseño de estrategias de control basadas en procesos naturales, en lugar de depender, casi exclusivamente, de agentes químicos costosos y contaminantes. Además, se ha comenzado a estudiar los efectos de ciertos componentes de la respuesta de defensa de las plantas de papa sobre microorganismos patógenos humanos, espermatozoides y sobre células tumorales, abriéndose así una línea de posibles aplicaciones terapéuticas. A-Con respecto al estudio de mecanismos de defensa de la papa contra patógenos, se ha profundizado en el estudio del inhibidor de serin proteasas (PLPKI) que muestra especificidad hacia proteasas microbianas. Se lo ha secuenciado y comprobado su actividad inhibitoria sobre proteasas de dos patógenos de la papa, P. infestans y R. solani. Además, la actividad en distintos cultivares y clones de papa se correlaicona con el grado de resistencia horizontal de dichos clones, de modo que podría utilizarse como marcador de resistencia (7.1.1). Se continuó el estudio de los fosfitos como estimuladores de las reacciones de defensa de la papa frente a diversos tipos de estrés. Se comprobó que la plantas tratadas con CaPhi resisten mejor el déficit hídrico y se recuperan más rápido luego de irrigación; muestran además cambios anatómicos y fisiológicos coherentes con este mejor comportamiento ante el estrés hídrico (7.5.1). En el mismo sentido, las plantas tratadas con KPhi exhibieron incrementos en la expresión de genes vinculados a la resistencia a la radiación UV-B (7.5.2, 7.5.3). B- Se ha avanzado en el estudio del mecanismo por el cual el Inserto Específico de Plantas incluido en Aspartil Proteasas de papa (StAsp-PSI) desestabiliza membranas de células microbianas y tumorales. Los resultados muestran que en el proceso intervienen la difusión lateral previa a la agregación del PSI y formación de poros. Esta agregación viene precedida por cambios conformacionales y la penetración en bicapas fosfolipídicasse produce principalmente en presencia de fosfolípidos negativamente cargados (7.1.3). La ya informada actividad citotóxica de las Aspartil Proteasas de papa sobre células de patógenos y célula tumorales hacen que estas proteínas puedan utilizarse como agentes terapéuticos. Con esta perspectiva, se conjugó StAP3 con polietilen glicol (PEG) y se estudiaron sus propiedades comparadas con las de la proteína nativa, comprobándose que que la actividad antifúngica se incrementaba, sin modificar la selectividad, puesto que no mostró ctividad hemolítica. Dado que este tipo de derivatización mejora propiedades farmacocinéticas y farmacodinámicas de potenciales agentes terapéuticos, estos resultados constituyen un avance hacia la posible aplicación de estas proteínas en este sentido (7.1.2). Por último, se ha caracterizado la proteína de papa con actividad de caspasa 3 en cuanto a masa molecular, carácter monomérico y secuenciación, que reveló identidad de secuencia con una proteína de papa tipo subtilisina, razón por la cual se la nombró StSBTc-3. Con respecto a su función en la interacción con patógenos, se mostró que se comporta como caspasa ejecutora durante la interacción con P. infestans, contribuyendo a restringir la diseminación del patógeno (7.2.1, 7.5.4). Se avanzó en su caracterización funcional, mostrando que ejerce regulación positiva sobre genes marcadores de la vía de señalización de salicílico (SA) y que actuaría corriente abajo o en forma independeiente de la vía del etileno/jasmónico (7.5.6). Se ha reportado además una serin proteasa de papa con actividad anticoagulante y fibrinogenolítica con posibles aplicaciones biotecnológicas (7.5.5). - Artículo
Acceso Abierto Isolation and characterization of a Solanum tuberosum subtilisin-like protein with caspase-3 activity (StSBTc-3)(2015) Fernandez, María Belén; Daleo, Gustavo Raúl; GuevaRA, María GabrielaPlant proteases with caspase-like enzymatic activity have been widely studied during the last decade. Previously, we have reported the presence and induction of caspase-3 like activity in the apoplast of potato leaves during Solanum tuberosum- Phytophthora infestans interaction. In this work we have purified and identified a potato extracellular protease with caspase-3 like enzymatic activity from potato leaves infected with P. infestans. Results obtained from the size exclusion chromatography show that the isolated protease is a monomeric enzyme with an estimated molecular weight of 70 kDa approximately. Purified protease was analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS, showing a 100% of sequence identity with the deduced amino acid sequence of a putative subtilisin-like protease from S. tuberosum (Solgenomics protein ID: PGSC0003DMP400018521). For this reason the isolated protease was named as StSBTc-3. This report constitutes the first evidence of isolation and identification of a plant subtilisin-like protease with caspase-3 like enzymatic activity. In order to elucidate the possible function of StSBTc-3 during plant pathogen interaction, we demonstrate that like animal caspase-3, StSBTc-3 is able to produce in vitro cytoplasm shrinkage in plant cells and to induce plant cell death. This result suggest that, StSBTc-3 could exert a caspase executer function during potato- P. infestans interaction, resulting in the restriction of the pathogen spread during plantepathogen interaction. - Parte de libro
Embargado Isolation of a New Antimicrobial/Antitumor Plant Peptide: Biotechnology Prospects for its Use in Cancer and Infectious Diseases Therapies(2011) Guevara, M.G.; Muñoz, F.F.; Fernández, M.B; Mendieta, Julieta Renée; Daleo, Gustavo RaúlThe immune system of multi-cellular organisms comprises a vast arsenal of mechanisms to protect the host from the continuous interactions with infectious microorganisms. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are peptides which protect their hosts against a vast array of microorganisms. These peptides are produced by several species including bacteria, insects, plants, vertebrates and they have been recognized as ancient evolved molecules that have been effectively preserved in mammals. AMPs are expressed on the primary barriers of the organism such as skin and mucosal epithelia, preventing the colonization of host tissues by pathogens. We have previously reported the induction after infection and the cytotoxic activity of potato aspartic proteases (StAPs) towards plant pathogens. Here we show results on the antimicrobial/antitumor activities of these enzymes and of a domain of these enzymes named as StAsp-PSI. StAsp-PSI has structural homology with a family of proteins with antimicrobial/antitumor activity named as SAPLIPs family. Ours results show that StAsp-PSI is able to kill spores of two potato pathogens but not plant cells, in a dose dependent manner. As reported for StAPs (Solanum tuberosum aspartic proteases), StAsp-PSI ability to kill microbial pathogens is dependent on the direct interaction of the protein with the microbial cell wall/or membrane, leading to increased permeability and lysis. Additionally, we demonstrated that, like proteins of SAPLIP family, StAsp-PSI and StAPs are cytotoxic for Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria in a dose dependent manner. The amino acid residues conserved in SP_B (pulmonary surfactant protein B) and StAsp-PSI could explain the cytotoxic activity exerted by StAsp-PSI and StAPs against Gram positive bacteria. On the other hand, results obtained show that StAPs induce apoptosis on Jurkat T cells at short time of incubation in a dose dependent manner. However, not significative effect on the T lymphocytes viability was observed at any time and StAPs concentration assay. StAsp-PSI was able to induce DNA fragmentation, ROS induction and cell cytotoxicity on human breast cancer cells in a dose dependent manner. These results open a new perspective to test these proteins as possible candidates to develop new drugs that would be active against microbes but not against mammalian cells and considerer these proteins as conceptually promising agent in cancer therapy. - Artículo
Acceso Abierto Potassium phosphite increases tolerance to UV-B in potato(2015) Oyarburo, Natalia Soledad; Machinandiarena, Milagros; Feldman, Mariana; Daleo, Gustavo Raúl; Andreu, Adriana B.; Olivieri, Florencia PThe use of biocompatible chemical compounds that enhance plant disease resistance through Induced Resistance (IR) is an innovative strategy to improve the yield and quality of crops. Phosphites (Phi), inorganic salts of phosphorous acid, are environment friendly, and have been described to induce disease control. Phi, similar to other plant inductors, are thought to be effective against different types of biotic and abiotic stress, and it is assumed that the underlying signaling pathways probably overlap and interact. The signaling pathways triggered by UV-B radiation, for instance, are known to crosstalk with other signaling routes that respond that biotic stress. In the present work, the effect of potassium phosphite (KPhi) pre-treatment on UV-B stress tolerance was evaluated in potato leaves. Plants were treated with KPhi and, after 3 days, exposed to 2 h/day of UV-B (1.5 Watt m(-2)) for 0, 3 and 6 days. KPhi pre-treatment had a beneficial effect on two photosynthetic parameters, specifically chlorophyll content and expression of the psbA gene. Oxidative stress caused by UV-B was also prevented by KPhi. A decrease in the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in leaves and an increase in guaiacol peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were also observed. In addition, the expression levels of a gene involved in flavonoid synthesis increased in UV-B-stressed plants only when pre-treated with KPhi. Finally, accumulation of glucanases and chitinases was induced by UV-B stress and markedly potentiated by KPhi pre-treatment. Altogether, this is the first report that shows a contribution of KPhi in UV-B stress tolerance in potato plants. - Parte de libro
Acceso Abierto StSBTC-3: una serín proteasa de Solanum tuberosum con actividad antiplaquetaria y fibrin(ogen) olítica(Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala; Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco, 2016) Pepe, Alfonso; Frey, María Eugenia; Muñoz, Fernando; Fernández, Belén; Daleo, Gustavo Raúl; Guevara, Gabriela; de la Cruz Leyva, María Concepción; González Cortés, Nicolás; González de la Cruz, José Ulises; Durán Mendoza, Temani; Perera García, Martha Alicia; Benítez Mandujano, Mario AlfredoLas serín proteasas están ampliamente distribuidas y pueden ser encontradas en todos los reinos. Se han propuesto serín proteasas de plantas como agentes anticoagulantes y antiplaquetarios. En el presente trabajo reportamos la actividad fibrinogenolítica y antiplaquetaria de una proteasa del tipo subtilisina de Solanum tuberosum (StSBTc-3), previamente identificada y purificada en nuestro laboratorio. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que StSBTc-3 es capaz de degradar todas las cadenas del fibrinógeno y redisolver el coagulo de fibrina en forma dosis dependiente. También se realizó una caracterización bioquímica de la proteasa en estudio. El pH óptimo para la actividad fibrinogenolítica fue 8 y la temperatura óptima fue de 37 C. StSBTc-3 presentó un amplio rango de actividad en función del pH (5 a 12). En cuanto a la temperatura, presentó actividad entre 30 C 60 C. También se determinaron siete sitios de clivado de la cadena B de la insulina. Se realizaron ensayos para determinar la actividad antiplaquetaria. Estos muestran que StSBTc-3 es capaz de inhibir la agregación plaquetaria. StSBTc-3 no produce hemólisis a las concentraciones utilizadas. Los resultados sugieren que StSBTc-3 puede ser evaluada para ser utilizada en el tratamiento de enfermedades cardiovasculares con desórdenes trombóticos. - Artículo
Acceso Abierto Swaposin domain of potato aspartic protease (StAsp-PSI) exerts antimicrobial activity on plant and human pathogens(2010) Muñoz, Fernando F.; Mendieta, Julieta Renée; Pagano, Mariana R.; Paggi, Roberto A.; Daleo, Gustavo Raúl; Guevara, María G.Plant-specific insert domain (PSI) is a region of approximately 100 amino acid residues present in most plant aspartic protease (AP) precursors. PSI is not a true saposin domain; it is the exchange of the N- and C-terminal portions of the saposin like domain. Hence, PSI is called a swaposin domain. Here, we report the cloned, heterologous expression and purification of PSI from StAsp 1 (Solanum tuberosum aspartic protease 1), called StAsp-PSI. Results obtained here show that StAsp-PSI is able to kill spores of two potato pathogens in a dose-dependent manner without any deleterious effect on plant cells. As reported for StAPs (S. tuberosum aspartic proteases), the StAsp-PSI ability to kill microbial pathogens is dependent on the direct interaction of the protein with the microbial cell wall/or membrane, leading to increased permeability and lysis. Additionally, we demonstrated that, like proteins of the SAPLIP family, StAsp-PSI and StAPs are cytotoxic to Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria in a dose dependent manner. The amino acid residues conserved in SP_B (pulmonary surfactant protein B) and StAsp-PSI could explain the cytotoxic activity exerted by StAsp-PSI and StAPs against Gram-positive bacteria. These results and data previously reported suggest that the presence of the PSI domain in mature StAPs could be related to their antimicrobial activity - Parte de libro
Acceso Abierto Transient expression of plant specific domain of potato aspartic proteases (Stap-Psi) restricts P. Infestans spread in potato leaves(Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala; Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco, 2016) Frey, María Eugenia; Pepe, Alfonso; Daleo, Gustavo Raúl; Guevara, María Gabriela; de la Cruz Leyva, María Concepción; González Cortés, Nicolás; González de la Cruz, José Ulises; Durán Mendoza, Temani; Perera García, Martha Alicia; Benítez Mandujano, Mario AlfredoPlant specific insert (PSI) is a domain present in the precursors and mature atypical plant aspartic proteases (APs). Several plant APs have been associated with the plant mechanism of defence against pathogens. However, only two (StAP1 and StAP3, for Solanum tuberosum APs) of these proteases, contain the PSI domain into the mature form. We have previously reported the cytotoxic activity of the recombinant StAP-PSI towards plant pathogens. However the role of PSI domain of StAPs in the plant mechanism defense is still unknown. The aim of this work was to analyze the effect of transient expression of StAP-PSI in potato leaves infected by P. infestans. Results obtained show that StAP-PSI expression reduces the P. infestans affected area in a 60 % compared with the control ones. Analysis by qPCR shows an increase of the transcript level of the hypersensitive response marker (hsr203J) in potato leaves that express StAP-PSI, independent of the P. infestans infection; however the highest increase of this gene was detected in leaves at 6 h. after infection. Additionally, an increase of the WRKI1 transcript level was detected in potato leaves that express StAP-PSI. Results obtained here indicate that, PSI domain of StAPs could have a direct (as antimicrobial compound) and indirect (as an inductor molecule) role in the plant mechanism to restrict the pathogen spread.