Expression Analysis of Small Heat Shock Proteins During Compatible and Incompatible Plant-Pathogen Interactions

The study of small heat shock proteins in plant-pathogen interactions is a subject that has to be further investigated. While Hsp70 and Hsp90 participate in the defense response, the role of this small Hsps remains elusive. In this work we analyzed the expression of small Hsps in citrus canker and the bacterial spot of pepper as well as in the incompatible interactions of the bacterial pathogens that cause these diseases, Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri and Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria, with non-host plants. Our results show that although with different expression profiles, small Hsps are induced during both compatible and incompatible interactions giving light to the idea that these chaperones are components of the basal immune plant response.