Shunyuan Xiao

Biography: 

Shunyuan Xiao is a professor of the Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research (IBBR) and the Department of Plant Sciences and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland College Park. He received his Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Plant Genetics from Huazhong Agricultural University, China. After postdoctoral research at University of Florida, USA and University East Anglia, UK, he became an assistant professor of the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute in 2003 and joined the University of Maryland College Park as an associate professor in 2010. Dr. Xiao’s research interest is focused on elucidating the molecular mechanisms of plant resistance against fungal pathogens and engineering novel resistance.

https://www.ibbr.umd.edu/profiles/shunyuan-xiao

https://www.ibbr.umd.edu/groups/xiao

Education: 

B.S. Huazhong Agricultural University, Horticultural Sciences

M.S. Huazhong Agricultural University, Plant Genetics

Ph.D. Huazhong Agricultural University, Plant Genetics

Professional Positions Held:

Areas of Interest: 

• Broad-spectrum disease resistance

• Plant-fungal interaction

• Powdery mildew pathogenesis

Current Research: 

Research in the Xiao Lab is focused on understanding molecular mechanisms of plant broad-spectrum resistance mediated by RPW8 against powdery mildew fungi. RPW8 is an atypical resistance protein identified in Arabidopsis that is specifically targeted to the extra-haustorial membrane—the enigmatic host-pathogen interface, where RPW8 activates defenses to constrain the fungal feeding structure, i.e. the haustorium. Ongoing research projects address  (i) how RPW8 is targeted to and activates defenses at the host-pathogen interface; (ii) the origin & biogenesis of the extra-haustorial membrane and its role in host defense and fungal pathogenesis; (iii) pathogenicity mechanisms of powdery mildew fungi; and (iv) development of novel & host-pathogen-interface–focused resistance against haustorium-forming pathogens in plants.

For more details, see https://www.ibbr.umd.edu/groups/xiao

Courses Taught: 

Selected Publications: 

(*corresponding author; # co-first author)

Berkey R, Zhang Y, Ma X, Zhang Q, King, H, Wang W, and Xiao S*. (2016). Homologues of the RPW8 resistance protein are localized to the extra-haustorial membrane that is likely synthesized de novo. Plant Physiology online published (dx.doi.org/10.1104/pp.16.01539)

Ma XF, Wang W, Bittner F, Schmidt N, Berkey R, Zhang L, King H, Zhang Y, Feng J, Wen YQ, Tan TL, Deng Z, Xiong XY, Xiao S*. (2016). Dual and opposing roles of xanthine dehydrogenase in defense-associated reactive oxygen species metabolism in Arabidopsis. Plant Cell 28: 1108–1126 (Featured Article) (dx.doi.org/10.1105/tpc.15.00880)

Song F, Pan ZY*, Bai F, An JY, Liu, JH, Guo WW, Bisseling T, Deng XX and Xiao S. (2015). The scion/rootstock genotypes and habitats affect arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community in Citrus. Frontier in Microbiology 2015; 6: 1372 (DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.01372. eCollection 2015. PMID:26648932)

Zeng YL, Du JB, Wang L, Pan, ZY, Xu, Q, Xiao S, Deng XX*. (2015). A comprehensive analysis of chromoplast differentiation reveals complex protein changes associated with plastoglobule biogenesis and remodeling of protein systems in sweet orange flesh. Plant Physiology 168:1648-1665. (DOI: 10.1104/pp.15.00645. Epub 2015 Jun 8. PMID: 26056088)

Helliwell EE, Vega-Arreguin J, Shi Z, Bailey B, Xiao S, Maximova SN, Tyler BM*, and Guiltinan MJ*. (2015). Enhanced resistance in Theobroma cacao against oomycete and fungal pathogens by secretion of phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate-binding proteins. Plant Biotechnology Journal(DOI: 10.1111/pbi.12436. Epub 2015 Jul 27. PMID: 26214158)

Li F#, Cheng C#, Cui F#, de Oliveira M#, Yu X, Meng X, Intorne AC, Babilonia K, Li M, Li B, Chen S, Ma X, Xiao S, Zheng Y, Fei Z, Metz RP, Johnson CD, Koiwa H, Sun W, Li Z, de Souza Filho GA, Shan L*, He P* (2014). Modulation of RNA polymerase II phosphorylation downstream of pathogen perception orchestrates plant Immunity. Cell Host & Microbe 16: 748–758 (DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2014.10.018. Epub 2014 Nov 26. PMID: 25464831)

Ma X#, Li Y#, Sun JL, Wang TT, Fan J, Lei Y, Huang YY, Xu YJ, Zhao JQ, Xiao S, Wang WM*. (2014). Ectopic Expression of RESISTANCE TO POWDERY MILDEW8.1 Confers Resistance to Fungal and Oomycete Pathogens in Arabidopsis. Plant & cell Physiology  55:1484-96 (DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcu080. Epub 2014 Jun 4. PMID: 24899552)

Huang Y, Shi Y, Lei Y, Li Y, Fan J, Xu Y, Ma X, Zhao J, Xiao S, Wang W*. (2014). Functional identification of multiple nucleocytoplasmic trafficking signals in the broad-spectrum resistance protein RPW8.2. Planta 239(2):455-68 (DOI: 10.1007/s00425-013-1994-x. Epub 2013 Nov 12. PMID: 24218059).

Pan Z#, Li Y#, Deng X, Xiao S*. (2014). Non-targeted metabolomic analysis of orange (Citrus sinensis [L.] Osbeck) wild type and bud mutant fruits by direct analysis in real-time and HPLC-electrospray mass spectrometry. Metabolomics 10:508-523 (DOI: 10.1007/s11306-013-0597-7).

Wang W#, Zhang Y#, Wen Y, Berkey R, Ma X, Pan Z, Bendigeri D, King H, Zhang Q, and Xiao S*. (2013). A comprehensive mutational analysis of the Arabidopsis resistance protein RPW8.2 reveals key amino acids for defense activation and protein targeting. Plant Cell 25:4242-61 (Featured Article) (DOI: 10.1105/tpc.113.117226. Epub 2013 Oct 22. PMID:24151293)

Wang W, Ma X, Zhang Y, Luo MC, Wang G, Bellizzic M, Xiong X and Xiao S*. (2012). PAPP2C interacts with the atypical disease resistance protein RPW8.2 and negatively regulates salicylic acid-dependent defense responses in Arabidopsis. Molecular Plant 5:1125-1137 (DOI: 10.1093/mp/sss008. Epub 2012 Feb 14. PMID: 22334594)

Wen Y, Wang W, Feng J, Luo MC, Tsuda K, Katagiri F, Bauchan G and Xiao S*. (2011). Identification and utilization of a sow thistle powdery mildew as a nonhost pathogen to dissect post-invasion resistance mechanisms in Arabidopsis. Journal of Experimental Botany  62: 2117-2129 (DOI: doi: 10.1093/jxb/erq406. Epub 2010 Dec 30. PMID: 21193574)

Wang W, Wen Y, Berkey R and Xiao S*. (2009). Specific targeting of Arabidopsis protein RPW8 to the interfacial membrane encasing the fungal haustorium renders broad-spectrum resistance. Plant Cell 21: 2898-2913 (Featured Article) (DOI: 10.1105/tpc.109.067587. Epub 2009 Sep 11. PMID: 19749153)

Yang X#, Wang W#, Coleman M, Feng J, Ma X, Ferl R, Turner JG and Xiao S*. (2009). Arabidopsis 14-3-3 lambda is a positive regulator of RPW8-mediated disease resistance Plant Journal 60:539-50 (DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-313X.2009.03978.x. Epub 2009 Jul 16. PMID: 19624472)

Wang W#, Yang Y#, Tangchaiburana S, Ndeh R, Markham JE, Tsegaye Y, Dunn TM, Wang GL, Bellizzi M, Parsons, JF, Morrissey D, Bravo JE, Lynch DV and Xiao S*. (2008). An inositolphosphorylceramide synthase is involved in regulation of plant programmed cell death associated with defense. Plant Cell  20: 3165-3179 (DOI: 10.1105/tpc.108.060053. Epub 2008 Nov 11. PMID: 19001565)

Orgil U, Araki H, Tangchaiburana S, Berkey R, Xiao S*. (2007). Intraspecific genetic variations, fitness cost and benefit of RPW8, a disease resistance locus in Arabidopsis thaliana. Genetics176: 2317-2333. (DOI: 10.1534/genetics.107.070565. Epub 2007 Jun 11.PMID: 17565954)

Wang W, Devoto A, Turner JG, Xiao S*. (2007). Expression of the membrane-associated resistance protein RPW8 enhances basal defense against biotrophic pathogens. Molecular Plant Microbe Interaction 20: 966-976. (DOI: 10.1094/ MPMI -20-8-0966. PMID: 17722700)

Xiao S, Calis O, Patrick E, Zhang G, Charoenwattana P, Muskett P, Parker JE, Turner JG*. (2005). The atypical resistance gene, RPW8, recruits components of basal defence for powdery mildew resistance in Arabidopsis. Plant Journal 42: 95-110. (DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-313X.2005.02356.x. Epub: 2005 Mar 17. PMID: 15773856)

Xiao S, Emerson B, Ratanasut K, Patrick E, O'Neill C, Bancroft I, Turner JG*. (2004). Origin and maintenance of a broad-spectrum disease resistance locus in Arabidopsis. Molecular Biology Evolution 21:1661-1672. (DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msh165. Epub 2004 May 21. PMID: 15155802)

Xiao S, Brown S, Patrick E, Brearley C, Turner JG*. (2003). Enhanced transcription of the Arabidopsis disease resistance genes RPW8.1 and RPW8.2 via a salicylic acid-dependent amplification circuit is required for hypersensitive cell death. Plant Cell 15: 33-45. (DOI: 10.1105/tpc.006940. Epub 2001 Dec 19. PMID: 12509520)

Xiao S#, Charoenwattana P#, Holcombe L, Turner JG*. (2003). The Arabidopsis genes RPW8.1 and RPW8.2 confer induced resistance to powdery mildew diseases in tobacco. Molecular Plant Microbe Interaction 16: 289-294. (DOI: 10.1094/MPMI.2003.16.4.289. PMID: 12744457)

Peart JR, Lu R, Sadanandom A, Malcuit I, Moffett P, Brice DC, Schauser L, Jaggard DA, Xiao S, Coleman MJ, Dow M, Jones JD, Shirasu K, Baulcombe DC*. (2002). Ubiquitin ligase-associated protein SGT1 is required for host and nonhost disease resistance in plants. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 99: 10865-10869. (DOI: 10.1073/pnas.152330599. Epub 2002 Jul 15. PMID: 12119413)

Xiao S, Ellwood S, Calis O, Patrick E, Li T, Coleman M, Turner JG*. (2001). Broad-spectrum mildew resistance in Arabidopsis thaliana mediated by RPW8. Science 291: 118-120. (DOI: 10.1126/science. 291.5501.118. PMID: 11141561)

Xiao S, Ellwood S, Findlay K, Oliver RP, Turner JG*. (1997). Characterization of three loci controlling resistance of Arabidopsis thaliana accession Ms-0 to two powdery mildew diseases. Plant Journal 12: 757-768. (DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-313X.1997.12040757.x. PMID: 9375391)

Patents:

Xiao S, Turner JG, Coleman M, and Ellwood S (2001). Plant resistance gene, Patent number WO0198479-A/7, 27-DEC-2001. Plant Bioscience Limited (GB), UK.

Xiao S and Wang W (2011). Plants with reduced expression of phosphatase type 2C gene for enhanced pathogen resistance (PCT/US05/ 450001; U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 11/762,989)

Xiao S and Wang W (2015). Engineering broad-spectrum disease resistance against haustorium-forming pathogens using RPW8 as a delivery vehicle. (US9057077 B2; 6/16/2015)

Xiao S, Yang X, and Wang W (2015). Enhancing drought tolerance and bacterial resistance by functional interference of 14-3-3. (US20120198585 A1, 8/4/2015)