Overexpression of Withania somnifera SGTL1 gene resists the interaction of fungus Alternaria brassicicola in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Heterologus transformed Arabidopsis plants improved tolerance against abiotic stress by the modulation of glycosylation of sterols and sterol glycosides. It is due to enhanced activity of Ws SGTL1 enzyme in different stresses. Presently, the effect of WsSGTL1 gene was investigated, focusing on interaction of A. brassicicola fungus on transgenic lines. Overexpressed lines showed restricted lesion, less spore counts and few electrolyte leakages. Biochemical study suggested that the transgenic lines had more glycosylated sterol/phenolic compounds. Relative expression of JA biosynthesis gene and phenylalanine ammonia lyase ( PAL) showed enhanced expression. Photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence imaging revealed that transgenic plants had minimum damage of photosynthetic apparatus because of minimum PSII destruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]