Catalase, glutathione and protein phosphatase 2A-dependent organellar redox signalling regulate aphid fecundity under moderate and high irradiance.

Redox processes regulate plant/insect responses but the precise roles of environmental triggers and specific molecular components remain poorly defined. Aphid fecundity and plant responses were therefore measured in Arabidopsis thaliana mutants deficient in either catalase 2 (cat2), different protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) subunits or glutathione (cad2, pad2, clt1) under either moderate (250 μmol m-2 s-1 ) or high (800 μmol m-2 s-1 ) light. Aphid fecundity was decreased in pp2a-b'γ, cat2 and the cat2 pp2a-b'γ double mutants relative to the wild type under moderate irradiance. High light decreased aphid numbers in all genotypes except for cat2. Aphid fecundity was similar in the cat2 and glutathione-, phytoalexin- and glucosinolate-deficient cat2cad2 double mutants under both irradiances. Aphid-induced increases in transcripts encoding the abscisic acid-related ARABIDOPSIS ZINC-FINGER PROTEIN 1 (AZF1) transcription factor were observed only under moderate light. Conversely, aphid induced increases in transcripts encoding the jasmonate-synthesis enzyme ALLENE OXIDE CYCLASE 3 (AOC3) was observed in all genotypes only under high light. Aphid-induced increases in REDOX RESPONSIVE TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR 1 (RRTF1) mRNAs were observed in all genotypes except pp2a-b'ζ1-1 under both irradiances. Aphid fecundity is therefore regulated by cellular redox signalling that is mediated, at least in part, through PP2A-dependent mitochondria to nucleus signalling pathways.