Figure 2. Silencing of SGT1 restrained the defense response triggered by PcINF1/SRC2-1 complex in pepper plants.

(a) Trypan blue and DAB staining of SGT1-silenced and unsilenced pepper leaves transiently expressing PcINF1/SRC2-1 vector. Trypan blue and DAB staining were performed 48 h after Agro-infiltration to detect the cell death and H₂O₂ content. (b) Electrolyte leakage measurement of SGT1-silenced pepper leaves transiently expressing PcINF1/SRC2-1. The transcript level of SGT1 in pepper leaves was first silenced using the VIGS technology. The GV3101 cells harboring the constructs of PcINF1/SRC2-1 or empty vector were infiltrated into the leaves of SGT1-silenced and unsilenced pepper leaves. The leaves were collected 48 h after Agro-infiltration for the electrolyte leakage measurement. (c) Relative expression levels of defense-related marker genes in pepper leaves 48 h after Agro-infiltration with GV3101 cells harboring the PcINF1/SRC2-1 fusion vector, compared to empty vector, which was set to a relative expression level of “1”. CaActin and 18S ribosomal RNA were used to normalize the transcript level. (b,c) Experiments were repeated with at least four independent biological repetitions. Error bars indicate SD. Asterisks indicate a significant difference using an LSD test. *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01.