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Pei T, Zhan M, Niu D, Liu Y, Deng J, Jing Y, Li P, Liu C, Ma F. CERK1 compromises Fusarium solani resistance by reducing jasmonate level and undergoes a negative feedback regulation via the MMK2-WRKY71 module in apple. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2024; 47:2491-2509. [PMID: 38515330 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Fusarium spp., a necrotrophic soil-borne pathogen, causes root rot disease on many crops. CERK1, as a typical pattern recognition receptor, has been widely studied. However, the function of CERK1 during plant-Fusarium interaction has not been well described. We determined that MdCERK1 is a susceptibility gene in the apple-Fusarium solani (Fs) interaction, and jasmonic acid (JA) plays a crucial role in this process. MdCERK1 directly targets and phosphorylates the lipoxygenase MdLOX2.1, an enzyme initiating the JA biosynthesis, at positions Ser326 and Thr327. These phosphorylations inhibit its translocation from the cytosol to the chloroplasts, leading to a compromised JA biosynthesis. Fs upregulates MdCERK1 expression during infection. In turn, when the JA level is low, the apple MdWRKY71, a transcriptional repressor of MdCERK1, is markedly upregulated and phosphorylated at Thr99 and Thr102 residues by the MAP kinase MdMMK2. The phosphorylation of MdWRKY71 enhances its transcription inhibition on MdCERK1. Taken together, MdCERK1 plays a novel role in limiting JA biosynthesis. There seems to be an arms race between apple and Fs, in which Fs activates MdCERK1 expression to reduce the JA level, while apple senses the low JA level and activates the MdMMK2-MdWRKY71 module to elevate JA level by inhibiting MdCERK1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Pei
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production/Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Apple, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Minghui Zhan
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production/Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Apple, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Dongshan Niu
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production/Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Apple, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yuerong Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production/Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Apple, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jie Deng
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production/Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Apple, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yuanyuan Jing
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production/Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Apple, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Pengmin Li
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production/Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Apple, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Changhai Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production/Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Apple, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Fengwang Ma
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production/Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Apple, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
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Wang Z, Zhang J, Gao M, Deng Q, Zhang Y, Pei M, Zhao Y, Guo YD, Zhang H. SlWRKY37 targets SlLEA2 and SlABI5-like7 to regulate seed germination vigor in tomato. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2024; 214:108881. [PMID: 38968842 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.108881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
Seed germination is a critical phase for the life cycle and propagation of higher plants. This study explores the role of SlWRKY37, a WRKY transcription factor in tomato, in modulating seed germination. We discovered that SlWRKY37 expression is markedly downregulated during tomato seed germination. Through CRISPR/Cas9-mediated editing, we demonstrate that SlWRKY37 knockout enhances germination, while its overexpression results in a delay compared to the wild type. Transcriptome analysis revealed 679 up-regulated and 627 down-regulated genes in Slwrky37-CRISPR deletion mutants relative to the wild type. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis indicated these differentially expressed genes are linked to seed dormancy, abscisic acid homeostasis, and protein phosphorylation pathways. Bioinformatics and biochemical assays identified SlABI5-like7 and SlLEA2 as key transcriptional targets of SlWRKY37, integral to tomato seed dormancy regulation. Additionally, SlWRKY37 was found to be post-translationally phosphorylated at Ser65, a modification crucial for its transcriptional activation. Our findings elucidate the regulatory role of SlWRKY37 in seed dormancy, suggesting its potential as a target for gene editing to reduce seed dormancy in tomato breeding programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhirong Wang
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China; Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Jialong Zhang
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China; Supervision, Inspection and Test Center of Vegetable Seed Quality of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100097, China
| | - Ming Gao
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Qilin Deng
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China; Supervision, Inspection and Test Center of Vegetable Seed Quality of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100097, China
| | - Yumeng Zhang
- Supervision, Inspection and Test Center of Vegetable Seed Quality of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100097, China
| | - Manying Pei
- Supervision, Inspection and Test Center of Vegetable Seed Quality of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100097, China
| | - Yinling Zhao
- Supervision, Inspection and Test Center of Vegetable Seed Quality of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100097, China
| | - Yang-Dong Guo
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
| | - Haijun Zhang
- Supervision, Inspection and Test Center of Vegetable Seed Quality of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100097, China; State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Beijing Vegetable Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Science (BAAFS), Beijing, 100097, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Vegetable Germplasms Improvement, Beijing, 100097, China; National Engineering Research Center for Vegetables, Beijing, 100097, China.
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3
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Liu X, Dai H, Zhang F, Wang J, Shi J, Chen J, He P, Wang F, Ma Y. The miR7125-MdARF1 module enhances the resistance of apple to Colletotrichum gloeosporioides by promoting lignin synthesis in response to salicylic acid signalling. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2024. [PMID: 38852059 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
Apple is an important cash crop in China, and it is susceptible to fungal infections that have deleterious effects on its yield. Apple bitter rot caused by Colletorichum gloeosporioides is one of the most severe fungal diseases of apple. Salicylic acid (SA) is a key signalling molecule in the plant disease resistance signalling pathways. Lignin synthesis also plays a key role in conferring disease resistance. However, few studies have clarified the relationship between the SA disease resistance signalling pathway and the lignin disease resistance pathway in apple. MdMYB46 has previously been shown to promote lignin accumulation in apple and enhance salt and osmotic stress tolerance. Here, we investigated the relationship between MdMYB46 and biological stress; we found that MdMYB46 overexpression enhances the resistance of apple to C. gloeosporioides. We also identified MdARF1, a transcription factor upstream of MdMYB46, via yeast library screening and determined that MdARF1 was regulated by miR7125 through psRNATarget prediction. This regulatory relationship was confirmed through LUC and qRT-PCR experiments, demonstrating that miR7125 negatively regulates MdARF1. Analysis of the miR7125 promoter revealed that miR7125 responds to SA signals. The accumulation of SA level will result in the decrease of miR7125 expression level. In sum, the results of our study provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the resistance of apple to C. gloeosporioides and reveal a new pathway that enhances lignin accumulation in apple in response to SA signals. These findings provide valuable information for future studies aimed at breeding apple for disease resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinmei Liu
- College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Hongyan Dai
- College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Wang
- College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jiajun Shi
- College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Junqin Chen
- College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Protected Horticulture of Education of Ministry and Liaoning Province/National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Northern Horticultural Facilities Design & Application Technology, Shenyang, China
| | - Ping He
- Shandong Institute of Pomology, Taian, Shandong, China
| | - Feng Wang
- College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yue Ma
- College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
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4
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Li W, Wang M, Liu Y, Zhan Q, Jing R, Song A, Zhao S, Wang L, Jiang J, Chen S, Chen F, Guan Z. A pattern for the early, middle, and late phase of tea chrysanthemum response to Fusarium oxysporum. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2024; 176:e14373. [PMID: 38894555 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.14373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Chrysanthemum morifolium is cultivated worldwide and has high ornamental, tea, and medicinal value. With the increasing area of chrysanthemum cultivation and years of continuous cropping, Fusarium wilt disease frequently occurs in various production areas, seriously affecting the quality and yield and causing huge economic losses. However, the molecular response mechanism of Fusarium wilt infection remains unclear, which limits the molecular breeding process for disease resistance in chrysanthemums. In the present study, we analyzed the molecular response mechanisms of 'Huangju,' one of the tea chrysanthemum cultivars severely infested with Fusarium wilt in the field at the early, middle, and late phases of F. oxysporum infestation. 'Huangju' responded to the infestation mainly through galactose metabolism, plant-pathogen interaction, auxin, abscisic acid, and ethylene signalling in the early phase; galactose metabolism, plant-pathogen interaction, auxin, salicylic acid signal, and certain transcription factors (e.g., CmWRKY48) in the middle phase; and galactose metabolism in the late phase. Notably, the galactose metabolism was important in the early, middle, and late phases of 'Huangju' response to F. oxysporum. Meanwhile, the phytohormone auxin was involved in the early and middle responses. Furthermore, silencing of CmWRKY48 in 'Huangju' resulted in resistance to F. oxysporum. Our results revealed a new molecular pattern for chrysanthemum in response to Fusarium wilt in the early, middle, and late phases, providing a foundation for the molecular breeding of chrysanthemum for disease resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Key Laboratory of Landscaping, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Biology of Ornamental Plants in East China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Mengqi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Key Laboratory of Landscaping, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Biology of Ornamental Plants in East China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ye Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Key Laboratory of Landscaping, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Biology of Ornamental Plants in East China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qingling Zhan
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Key Laboratory of Landscaping, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Biology of Ornamental Plants in East China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ruyue Jing
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Key Laboratory of Landscaping, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Biology of Ornamental Plants in East China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Aiping Song
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Key Laboratory of Landscaping, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Biology of Ornamental Plants in East China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shuang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Key Laboratory of Landscaping, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Biology of Ornamental Plants in East China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Likai Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Key Laboratory of Landscaping, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Biology of Ornamental Plants in East China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiafu Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Key Laboratory of Landscaping, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Biology of Ornamental Plants in East China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Sumei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Key Laboratory of Landscaping, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Biology of Ornamental Plants in East China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Fadi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Key Laboratory of Landscaping, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Biology of Ornamental Plants in East China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhiyong Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Key Laboratory of Landscaping, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Biology of Ornamental Plants in East China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
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5
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Dong Q, Duan D, Wang F, Yang K, Song Y, Wang Y, Wang D, Ji Z, Xu C, Jia P, Luan H, Guo S, Qi G, Mao K, Zhang X, Tian Y, Ma Y, Ma F. The MdVQ37-MdWRKY100 complex regulates salicylic acid content and MdRPM1 expression to modulate resistance to Glomerella leaf spot in apples. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2024. [PMID: 38683692 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Glomerella leaf spot (GLS), caused by the fungus Colletotrichum fructicola, is considered one of the most destructive diseases affecting apples. The VQ-WRKY complex plays a crucial role in the response of plants to biotic stresses. However, our understanding of the defensive role of the VQ-WRKY complex on woody plants, particularly apples, under biotic stress, remains limited. In this study, we elucidated the molecular mechanisms underlying the defensive role of the apple MdVQ37-MdWRKY100 module in response to GLS infection. The overexpression of MdWRKY100 enhanced resistance to C. fructicola, whereas MdWRKY100 RNA interference in apple plants reduced resistance to C. fructicola by affecting salicylic acid (SA) content and the expression level of the CC-NBS-LRR resistance gene MdRPM1. DAP-seq, Y1H, EMSA, and RT-qPCR assays indicated that MdWRKY100 inhibited the expression of MdWRKY17, a positive regulatory factor gene of SA degradation, upregulated the expression of MdPAL1, a key enzyme gene of SA biosynthesis, and promoted MdRPM1 expression by directly binding to their promotors. Transient overexpression and silencing experiments showed that MdPAL1 and MdRPM1 positively regulated GLS resistance in apples. Furthermore, the overexpression of MdVQ37 increased the susceptibility to C. fructicola by reducing the SA content and expression level of MdRPM1. Additionally, MdVQ37 interacted with MdWRKY100, which repressed the transcriptional activity of MdWRKY100. In summary, these results revealed the molecular mechanism through which the apple MdVQ37-MdWRKY100 module responds to GLS infection by regulating SA content and MdRPM1 expression, providing novel insights into the involvement of the VQ-WRKY complex in plant pathogen defence responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinglong Dong
- College of Forestry, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas/Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Apple, College of Horticulture, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, China
| | - Dingyue Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas/Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Apple, College of Horticulture, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, China
| | - Feng Wang
- College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Kaiyu Yang
- College of Forestry, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Yang Song
- College of Forestry, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Yongxu Wang
- College of Forestry, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Dajiang Wang
- Research Institute of Pomology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xingcheng, China
| | - Zhirui Ji
- Research Institute of Pomology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xingcheng, China
| | - Chengnan Xu
- College of Life Sciences, Yan'an University, Yan'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Peng Jia
- College of Forestry, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Haoan Luan
- College of Forestry, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Suping Guo
- College of Forestry, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Guohui Qi
- College of Forestry, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Ke Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas/Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Apple, College of Horticulture, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, China
| | - Xuemei Zhang
- College of Forestry, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Yi Tian
- College of Horticulture, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Yue Ma
- College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Fengwang Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas/Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Apple, College of Horticulture, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, China
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6
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Pei T, Niu D, Ma Y, Zhan M, Deng J, Li P, Ma F, Liu C. MdWRKY71 promotes the susceptibility of apple to Glomerella leaf spot by controlling salicylic acid degradation. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2024; 25:e13457. [PMID: 38619873 PMCID: PMC11018250 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.13457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Glomerella leaf spot (GLS), a fungal disease caused by Colletotrichum fructicola, severely affects apple (Malus domestica) quality and yield. In this study, we found that the transcription factor MdWRKY71 was significantly induced by C. fructicola infection in the GLS-susceptible apple cultivar Royal Gala. The overexpression of MdWRKY71 in apple leaves resulted in increased susceptibility to C. fructicola, whereas RNA interference of MdWRKY71 in leaves showed the opposite phenotypes. These findings suggest that MdWRKY71 functions as a susceptibility factor for the apple-C. fructicola interaction. Furthermore, MdWRKY71 directly bound to the promoter of the salicylic acid (SA) degradation gene Downy Mildew Resistant 6 (DMR6)-Like Oxygenase 1 (DLO1) and promoted its expression, resulting in a reduced SA level. The sensitivity of 35S:MdWRKY71 leaves to C. fructicola can be effectively alleviated by knocking down MdDLO1 expression, confirming the critical role of MdWRKY71-mediated SA degradation via regulating MdDLO1 expression in GLS susceptibility. In summary, we identified a GLS susceptibility factor, MdWRKY71, that targets the apple SA degradation pathway to promote fungal infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Pei
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Resistance and High‐Efficiency Production/Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Apple, College of HorticultureNorthwest A&F UniversityYanglingShaanxiChina
| | - Dongshan Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Resistance and High‐Efficiency Production/Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Apple, College of HorticultureNorthwest A&F UniversityYanglingShaanxiChina
| | - Yongxin Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Resistance and High‐Efficiency Production/Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Apple, College of HorticultureNorthwest A&F UniversityYanglingShaanxiChina
| | - Minghui Zhan
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Resistance and High‐Efficiency Production/Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Apple, College of HorticultureNorthwest A&F UniversityYanglingShaanxiChina
| | - Jie Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Resistance and High‐Efficiency Production/Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Apple, College of HorticultureNorthwest A&F UniversityYanglingShaanxiChina
| | - Pengmin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Resistance and High‐Efficiency Production/Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Apple, College of HorticultureNorthwest A&F UniversityYanglingShaanxiChina
| | - Fengwang Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Resistance and High‐Efficiency Production/Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Apple, College of HorticultureNorthwest A&F UniversityYanglingShaanxiChina
| | - Changhai Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Resistance and High‐Efficiency Production/Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Apple, College of HorticultureNorthwest A&F UniversityYanglingShaanxiChina
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7
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Bai Y, Shi K, Shan D, Wang C, Yan T, Hu Z, Zheng X, Zhang T, Song H, Li R, Zhao Y, Deng Q, Dai C, Zhou Z, Guo Y, Kong J. The WRKY17-WRKY50 complex modulates anthocyanin biosynthesis to improve drought tolerance in apple. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 340:111965. [PMID: 38142750 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2023.111965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Drought stress is increasing worldwide due to global warming, which severely reduces apple (Malus domestica) yield. Clarifying the basis of drought tolerance in apple could accelerate the molecular breeding of drought-tolerant cultivars to maintain apple production. We identified a transcription factor MdWRKY50 by yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) assays as an interactor of the drought-tolerant protein MdWRKY17, and confirmed their interaction by bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) and pull-down assays. MdWRKY50 was induced by drought and when overexpressed in apple, conferred transgenic apple plants enhanced drought tolerance by directly binding to the promoter of anthocyanin synthetic gene Chalcone synthase (MdCHS) to upregulate its expression for higher anthocyanin. Increased anthocyanin relieves apple plants from oxidative damage under drought stress. MdWRKY50 RNA-interference transgenic apple plants showed opposite phenotypes. The dimerization of MdWRKY50 with mutated MdWRKY17DP mimicking drought-induced phosphorylation by the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 2 (MEK2)-MPK6 cascade, compared with MdWRKY17AP and MdWRKY17, further promoted anthocyanin biosynthesis, suggesting dimerization with MdWRKY17 makes MdWRKY50 more powerful in promoting anthocyanin biosynthesis under drought stress. Taken together, we isolated an entire MEK2-MAPK6-MdWRKY17-MdWRKY50-MdCHS pathway for drought tolerance and generated transgenic apple germplasm with enhanced drought tolerance and higher anthocyanin levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixue Bai
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Kun Shi
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Dongqian Shan
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Chanyu Wang
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Tianci Yan
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Zehui Hu
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiaodong Zheng
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Handong Song
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Ruoxue Li
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yixuan Zhao
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Qian Deng
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Changjian Dai
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Zhaoyang Zhou
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yan Guo
- College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jin Kong
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
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8
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Wang Y, Chen B, Cheng C, Fu B, Qi M, Du H, Geng S, Zhang X. Comparative Transcriptomics Analysis Reveals the Differences in Transcription between Resistant and Susceptible Pepper ( Capsicum annuum L.) Varieties in Response to Anthracnose. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:527. [PMID: 38498545 PMCID: PMC10892400 DOI: 10.3390/plants13040527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is a herbaceous plant species in the family Solanaceae. Capsicum anthracnose is caused by the genus Colletotrichum. spp., which decreases pepper production by about 50% each year due to anthracnose. In this study, we evaluated the resistance of red ripe fruits from 17 pepper varieties against anthracnose fungus Colletotrichum capsici. We assessed the size of the lesion diameter and conducted significance analysis to identify the resistant variety of B158 and susceptible variety of B161. We selected a resistant cultivar B158 and a susceptible cultivar B161 of pepper and used a transcription to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the plant's resistance to C. capsici, of which little is known. The inoculated fruit from these two varieties were used for the comparative transcription analysis, which revealed the anthracnose-induced differential transcription in the resistant and susceptible pepper samples. In the environment of an anthrax infection, we found that there were more differentially expressed genes in resistant varieties compared to susceptible varieties. Moreover, the response to stimulus and stress ability was stronger in the KANG. The transcription analysis revealed the activation of plant hormone signaling pathways, phenylpropanoid synthesis, and metabolic processes in the defense response of peppers against anthracnose. In addition, ARR-B, AP2-EREBP, bHLH, WRKY, and NAC are associated with disease resistance to anthracnose. Notably, WRKY and NAC were found to have a potentially positive regulatory role in the defense response against anthracnose. These findings contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the resistance mechanisms of red pepper fruit to anthracnose infection, providing valuable molecular insights for further research on the resistance mechanisms and genetic regulations during this developmental stage of pepper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixin Wang
- Beijing Vegetable Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China; (Y.W.); (B.C.); (C.C.); (H.D.); (S.G.)
| | - Bin Chen
- Beijing Vegetable Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China; (Y.W.); (B.C.); (C.C.); (H.D.); (S.G.)
| | - Chunyuan Cheng
- Beijing Vegetable Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China; (Y.W.); (B.C.); (C.C.); (H.D.); (S.G.)
| | - Bingkun Fu
- College of Horticultural, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100097, China; (B.F.); (M.Q.)
| | - Meixia Qi
- College of Horticultural, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100097, China; (B.F.); (M.Q.)
| | - Heshan Du
- Beijing Vegetable Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China; (Y.W.); (B.C.); (C.C.); (H.D.); (S.G.)
| | - Sansheng Geng
- Beijing Vegetable Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China; (Y.W.); (B.C.); (C.C.); (H.D.); (S.G.)
| | - Xiaofen Zhang
- Beijing Vegetable Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China; (Y.W.); (B.C.); (C.C.); (H.D.); (S.G.)
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9
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Zhu S, Mo Y, Yang Y, Liang S, Xian S, Deng Z, Zhao M, Liu S, Liu K. Genome-wide identification of MAPK family in papaya (Carica papaya) and their involvement in fruit postharvest ripening. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 24:68. [PMID: 38262956 PMCID: PMC10807106 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-04742-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Papaya (Carica papaya) is an economically important fruit cultivated in the tropical and subtropical regions of China. However, the rapid softening rate after postharvest leads to a short shelf-life and considerable economic losses. Accordingly, understanding the mechanisms underlying fruit postharvest softening will be a reasonable way to maintain fruit quality and extend its shelf-life. RESULTS Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are conserved and play essential roles in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the MAPK family remain poorly studied in papaya. Here, a total of nine putative CpMAPK members were identified within papaya genome, and a comprehensive genome-wide characterization of the CpMAPKs was performed, including evolutionary relationships, conserved domains, gene structures, chromosomal locations, cis-regulatory elements and expression profiles in response to phytohormone and antioxidant organic compound treatments during fruit postharvest ripening. Our findings showed that nearly all CpMAPKs harbored the conserved P-loop, C-loop and activation loop domains. Phylogenetic analysis showed that CpMAPK members could be categorized into four groups (A-D), with the members within the same groups displaying high similarity in protein domains and intron-exon organizations. Moreover, a number of cis-acting elements related to hormone signaling, circadian rhythm, or low-temperature stresses were identified in the promoters of CpMAPKs. Notably, gene expression profiles demonstrated that CpMAPKs exhibited various responses to 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (ethephon), 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and the combined ascorbic acid (AsA) and chitosan (CTS) treatments during papaya postharvest ripening. Among them, both CpMAPK9 and CpMAPK20 displayed significant induction in papaya flesh by ethephon treatment, and were pronounced inhibition after AsA and CTS treatments at 16 d compared to those of natural ripening control, suggesting that they potentially involve in fruit postharvest ripening through ethylene signaling pathway or modulating cell wall metabolism. CONCLUSION This study will provide some valuable insights into future functional characterization of CpMAPKs, and hold great potential for further understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying papaya fruit postharvest ripening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengnan Zhu
- Life Science and Technology School, Lingnan Normal University, Zhanjiang, 524048, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yuxing Mo
- Life Science and Technology School, Lingnan Normal University, Zhanjiang, 524048, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuyao Yang
- Life Science and Technology School, Lingnan Normal University, Zhanjiang, 524048, People's Republic of China
| | - Shiqi Liang
- Life Science and Technology School, Lingnan Normal University, Zhanjiang, 524048, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuqi Xian
- Life Science and Technology School, Lingnan Normal University, Zhanjiang, 524048, People's Republic of China
| | - Zixin Deng
- Life Science and Technology School, Lingnan Normal University, Zhanjiang, 524048, People's Republic of China
| | - Miaoyu Zhao
- Life Science and Technology School, Lingnan Normal University, Zhanjiang, 524048, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuyi Liu
- Life Science and Technology School, Lingnan Normal University, Zhanjiang, 524048, People's Republic of China
| | - Kaidong Liu
- Life Science and Technology School, Lingnan Normal University, Zhanjiang, 524048, People's Republic of China.
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10
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Shang S, Liu G, Zhang S, Liang X, Zhang R, Sun G. A fungal CFEM-containing effector targets NPR1 regulator NIMIN2 to suppress plant immunity. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2024; 22:82-97. [PMID: 37596985 PMCID: PMC10754009 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
Colletotrichum fructicola causes a broad range of plant diseases worldwide and secretes many candidate proteinous effectors during infection, but it remains largely unknown regarding their effects in conquering plant immunity. Here, we characterized a novel effector CfEC12 that is required for the virulence of C. fructicola. CfEC12 contains a CFEM domain and is highly expressed during the early stage of host infection. Overexpression of CfEC12 suppressed BAX-triggered cell death, callose deposition and ROS burst in Nicotiana benthamiana. CfEC12 interacted with apple MdNIMIN2, a NIM1-interacting (NIMIN) protein that putatively modulates NPR1 activity in response to SA signal. Transient expression and transgenic analyses showed that MdNIMIN2 was required for apple resistance to C. fructicola infection and rescued the defence reduction in NbNIMIN2-silenced N. benthamiana, supporting a positive role in plant immunity. CfEC12 and MdNPR1 interacted with a common region of MdNIMIN2, indicating that CfEC12 suppresses the interaction between MdNIMIN2 and MdNPR1 by competitive target binding. In sum, we identified a fungal effector that targets the plant salicylic acid defence pathway to promote fungal infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengping Shang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology in Arid Areas, Key Laboratory of Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on the Loess Plateau of Minishtry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and College of Plant ProtectionNorthwest A&F UniversityYanglingChina
| | - Guangli Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology in Arid Areas, Key Laboratory of Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on the Loess Plateau of Minishtry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and College of Plant ProtectionNorthwest A&F UniversityYanglingChina
| | - Song Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology in Arid Areas, Key Laboratory of Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on the Loess Plateau of Minishtry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and College of Plant ProtectionNorthwest A&F UniversityYanglingChina
| | - Xiaofei Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology in Arid Areas, Key Laboratory of Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on the Loess Plateau of Minishtry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and College of Plant ProtectionNorthwest A&F UniversityYanglingChina
| | - Rong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology in Arid Areas, Key Laboratory of Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on the Loess Plateau of Minishtry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and College of Plant ProtectionNorthwest A&F UniversityYanglingChina
| | - Guangyu Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology in Arid Areas, Key Laboratory of Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on the Loess Plateau of Minishtry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and College of Plant ProtectionNorthwest A&F UniversityYanglingChina
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11
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Lin L, Yuan K, Xing C, Qiao Q, Chen Q, Dong H, Qi K, Xie Z, Chen X, Huang X, Zhang S. Transcription factor PbbZIP4 is targeted for proteasome-mediated degradation by the ubiquitin ligase PbATL18 to influence pear's resistance to Colletotrichum fructicola by regulating the expression of PbNPR3. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 116:903-920. [PMID: 37549222 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.16417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Pear anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum fructicola is one of the main fungal diseases in all pear-producing areas. The degradation of ubiquitinated proteins by the 26S proteasome is a regulatory mechanism of eukaryotes. E3 ubiquitin ligase is substrate specific and is one of the most diversified and abundant enzymes in the regulation mechanism of plant ubiquitination. Although numerous studies in other plants have shown that the degradation of ubiquitinated proteins by the 26S proteasome is closely related to plant immunity, there are limited studies on them in pear trees. Here, we found that an E3 ubiquitin ligase, PbATL18, interacts with and ubiquitinates the transcription factor PbbZIP4, and this process is enhanced by C. fructicola infection. PbATL18 overexpression in pear callus enhanced resistance to C. fructicola infection, whereas PbbZIP4 overexpression increased sensitivity to C. fructicola infection. Silencing PbATL18 and PbbZIP4 in Pyrus betulaefolia seedlings resulted in opposite effects, with PbbZIP4 silencing enhancing resistance to C. fructicola infection and PbATL18 silencing increasing sensitivity to C. fructicola infection. Using yeast one-hybrid screens, an electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and dual-luciferase assays, we demonstrated that the transcription factor PbbZIP4 upregulated the expression of PbNPR3 by directly binding to its promoter. PbNPR3 is one of the key genes in the salicylic acid (SA) signal transduction pathway that can inhibit SA signal transduction. Here, we proposed a PbATL18-PbbZIP4-PbNPR3-SA model for plant response to C. fructicola infection. PbbZIP4 was ubiquitinated by PbATL18 and degraded by the 26S proteasome, which decreased the expression of PbNPR3 and promoted SA signal transduction, thereby enhancing plant C. fructicola resistance. Our study provides new insights into the molecular mechanism of pear response to C. fructicola infection, which can serve as a theoretical basis for breeding superior disease-resistant pear varieties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Likun Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Kaili Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Caihua Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Qinghai Qiao
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Qiming Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Huizhen Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Kaijie Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Zhihua Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Xianchu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Xiaosan Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Shaoling Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
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12
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Zhang Y, Fu Y, Liu X, Francis F, Fan J, Liu H, Wang Q, Sun Y, Zhang Y, Chen J. SmCSP4 from aphid saliva stimulates salicylic acid-mediated defence responses in wheat by interacting with transcription factor TaWKRY76. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2023; 21:2389-2407. [PMID: 37540474 PMCID: PMC10579719 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Aphid salivary proteins are critical in modulating plant defence responses. Grain aphid Sitobion miscanthi is an important wheat pest worldwide. However, the molecular basis for the regulation of the plant resistance to cereal aphids remains largely unknown. Here, we show that SmCSP4, a chemosensory protein from S. miscanthi saliva, is secreted into wheat plants during aphid feeding. Delivery of SmCSP4 into wheat leaves activates salicylic acid (SA)-mediated plant defence responses and subsequently reduces aphid performance by deterring aphid feeding behaviour. In contrast, silencing SmCSP4 gene via nanocarrier-mediated RNAi significantly decreases the ability of aphids to activate SA defence pathway. Protein-protein interaction assays showed that SmCSP4 directly interacts with wheat transcriptional factor TaWRKY76 in plant nucleus. Furthermore, TaWRKY76 directly binds to the promoter of SA degradation gene Downy Mildew Resistant 6 (DMR6) and regulates its gene expression as transcriptional activator. SmCSP4 secreted by aphids reduces the transcriptional activation activity of TaWRKY76 on DMR6 gene expression, which is proposed to result in increases of SA accumulation and enhanced plant immunity. This study demonstrated that SmCSP4 acts as salivary elicitor that is involved in activating SA signalling defence pathway of wheat by interacting with TaWRKY76, which provide novel insights into aphid-cereal crops interactions and the molecular mechanism on induced plant immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant ProtectionChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Yu Fu
- PHIM Plant Health InstituteUniv Montpellier, INRAE, CIRAD, Institut Agro, IRDMontpellierFrance
| | - Xiaobei Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant ProtectionChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Frédéric Francis
- Functional and Evolutionary Entomology, Gembloux Agro‐Bio TechUniversity of LiègeGemblouxBelgium
| | - Jia Fan
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant ProtectionChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Huan Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant ProtectionChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Qian Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant ProtectionChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant ProtectionChina Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Yu Sun
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant ProtectionChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Yumeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant ProtectionChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
- College of Plant Health and MedicineQingdao Agricultural UniversityQingdaoChina
| | - Julian Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant ProtectionChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
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13
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Zhang Z, Jiang C, Chen C, Su K, Lin H, Zhao Y, Guo Y. VvWRKY5 enhances white rot resistance in grape by promoting the jasmonic acid pathway. HORTICULTURE RESEARCH 2023; 10:uhad172. [PMID: 37841502 PMCID: PMC10569242 DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhad172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Grape white rot is a disease caused by Coniella diplodiella (Speg.) Sacc. (Cd) can drastically reduce the production and quality of grape (Vitis vinifera). WRKY transcription factors play a vital role in the regulation of plant resistance to pathogens, but their functions in grape white rot need to be further explored. Here, we found that the expression of the WRKY IIe subfamily member VvWRKY5 was highly induced by Cd infection and jasmonic acid (JA) treatment. Transient injection and stable overexpression (in grape calli and Arabidopsis) demonstrated that VvWRKY5 positively regulated grape resistance to white rot. We also determined that VvWRKY5 regulated the JA response by directly binding to the promoters of VvJAZ2 (a JA signaling suppressor) and VvMYC2 (a JA signaling activator), thereby inhibiting and activating the transcription of VvJAZ2 and VvMYC2, respectively. Furthermore, the interaction between VvJAZ2 and VvWRKY5 enhanced the suppression and promotion of VvJAZ2 and VvMYC2 activities by VvWRKY5, respectively. When VvWRKY5 was overexpressed in grape, JA content was also increased. Overall, our results suggested that VvWRKY5 played a key role in regulating JA biosynthesis and signal transduction as well as enhancing white rot resistance in grape. Our results also provide theoretical guidance for the development of elite grape cultivars with enhanced pathogen resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Zhang
- College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang, Liaoning 110866, China
| | - Changyue Jiang
- College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang, Liaoning 110866, China
| | - Cui Chen
- College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang, Liaoning 110866, China
| | - Kai Su
- College of Horticulture Science and Technology, Hebei Normal University of Science and Technology, Qinhuangdao 066004, China
| | - Hong Lin
- College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang, Liaoning 110866, China
| | - Yuhui Zhao
- College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang, Liaoning 110866, China
| | - Yinshan Guo
- College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang, Liaoning 110866, China
- National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Northern Horticultural Facilities Design and Application Technology (Liaoning), Shenyang 110866, China
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14
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Guo T, Bao R, Yang Z, Fu X, Hu L, Wang N, Liu C, Ma F. The m 6 A reader MhYTP2 negatively modulates apple Glomerella leaf spot resistance by binding to and degrading MdRGA2L mRNA. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2023; 24:1287-1299. [PMID: 37366340 PMCID: PMC10502827 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.13370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Revised: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Glomerella leaf spot (GLS), caused by the fungal pathogen Colletotrichum fructicola, significantly threatens apple production. Some resistances to plant disease are mediated by the accumulation of nucleotide-binding site and leucine-rich repeat (NBS-LRR) proteins that are encoded by a major class of plant disease resistance genes (R genes). However, the R genes that confer resistance to GLS in apple remain largely unclear. Malus hupehensis YT521-B homology domain-containing protein 2 (MhYTP2) was identified as an N6 -methyladenosine RNA methylation (m6 A) modified RNA reader in our previous study. However, whether MhYTP2 binds to mRNAs without m6 A RNA modifications remains unknown. In this study, we discovered that MhYTP2 exerts both m6 A-dependent and -independent functions by analysing previously obtained RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing results. The overexpression of MhYTP2 significantly reduced the resistance of apple to GLS and down-regulated the transcript levels of some R genes whose transcripts do not contain m6 A modifications. Further analysis indicated that MhYTP2 binds to and reduces the stability of MdRGA2L mRNA. MdRGA2L positively regulates resistance to GLS by activating salicylic acid signalling. Our findings revealed that MhYTP2 plays an essential role in the regulation of resistance to GLS and identified a promising R gene, MdRGA2L, for use in developing apple cultivars with GLS resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianli Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas/Shaanxi Key Laboratory of AppleCollege of Horticulture, Northwest A&F UniversityYanglingChina
| | - Ru Bao
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas/Shaanxi Key Laboratory of AppleCollege of Horticulture, Northwest A&F UniversityYanglingChina
| | - Zehua Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas/Shaanxi Key Laboratory of AppleCollege of Horticulture, Northwest A&F UniversityYanglingChina
| | - Xiaomin Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas/Shaanxi Key Laboratory of AppleCollege of Horticulture, Northwest A&F UniversityYanglingChina
| | - Liu Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas/Shaanxi Key Laboratory of AppleCollege of Horticulture, Northwest A&F UniversityYanglingChina
| | - Na Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas/Shaanxi Key Laboratory of AppleCollege of Horticulture, Northwest A&F UniversityYanglingChina
| | - Changhai Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas/Shaanxi Key Laboratory of AppleCollege of Horticulture, Northwest A&F UniversityYanglingChina
| | - Fengwang Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas/Shaanxi Key Laboratory of AppleCollege of Horticulture, Northwest A&F UniversityYanglingChina
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15
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Javed T, Gao SJ. WRKY transcription factors in plant defense. Trends Genet 2023; 39:787-801. [PMID: 37633768 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2023.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
Environmental stressors caused by climate change are fundamental barriers to agricultural sustainability. Enhancing the stress resilience of crops is a key strategy in achieving global food security. Plants perceive adverse environmental conditions and initiate signaling pathways to activate precise responses that contribute to their survival. WRKY transcription factors (TFs) are essential players in several signaling cascades and regulatory networks that have crucial implications for defense responses in plants. This review summarizes advances in research concerning how WRKY TFs mediate various signaling cascades and metabolic adjustments as well as how epigenetic modifications involved in environmental stress responses in plants can modulate WRKYs and/or their downstream genes. Emerging research shows that clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein (Cas)-mediated genome editing of WRKYs could be used to improve crop resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talha Javed
- National Engineering Research Center for Sugarcane, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - San-Ji Gao
- National Engineering Research Center for Sugarcane, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
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16
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Xing C, Chen Q, Qiao Q, Gu S, Cheng X, Dong H, Lin L, Zhang F, Han C, Zhang Z, Yin H, Qi K, Xie Z, Huang X, Zhang S. PbrWRKY70 increases pear (Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd) black spot disease tolerance by negatively regulating ethylene synthesis via PbrERF1B-2. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 334:111773. [PMID: 37328074 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2023.111773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Various pear plant cultivars exhibit diverse abilities to resist pear black spot disease (BSD), while the precise molecular mechanisms of resistance against pear BSD remain unclear. This study proposed a profound expression of a WRKY gene, namely PbrWRKY70, derived from Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd, within a BSD-resistant pear cultivar. Comparative analysis against the wild-type revealed that the overexpression of PbrWRKY70 engendered augmented BSD resistance of transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana and pear calli. Notably, the transgenic plants exhibited higher activities of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase, along with an elevated capacity to counteract superoxide anions via increased anti-O2-. Additionally, these plants displayed diminished lesion diameter, as well as reduced levels of hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) contents. We subsequently demonstrated that PbrWRKY70 selectively bound to the promoter region of ethylene-responsive transcription factor 1B-2 (PbrERF1B-2), a potential negative regulator of ACC, thereby downregulating the expression of ACC synthase gene (PbrACS3). Consequently, we confirmed that PbrWRKY70 could enhance pear resistance against BSD by reducing ethylene production via modulation of the PbrERF1B-2-PbrACS3 pathway. This study established the pivotal relationship among PbrWRKY70, ethylene synthesis and pear BSD resistance, fostering the development of novel BSD-resistant cultivars. Furthermore, this breakthrough holds the potential to enhance pear fruit yield and optimize storage and processing during the later stages of fruit maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caihua Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Centre of Pear Engineering Technology Research, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiming Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Centre of Pear Engineering Technology Research, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qinghai Qiao
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Centre of Pear Engineering Technology Research, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shenao Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Centre of Pear Engineering Technology Research, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiangyu Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Centre of Pear Engineering Technology Research, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Huizhen Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Centre of Pear Engineering Technology Research, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Likun Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Centre of Pear Engineering Technology Research, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Centre of Pear Engineering Technology Research, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chenyang Han
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Centre of Pear Engineering Technology Research, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Centre of Pear Engineering Technology Research, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hao Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Centre of Pear Engineering Technology Research, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Kaijie Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Centre of Pear Engineering Technology Research, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China; The Sanya Institute of Nanjing Agricultural University, China
| | - Zhihua Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Centre of Pear Engineering Technology Research, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China; The Sanya Institute of Nanjing Agricultural University, China
| | - Xiaosan Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Centre of Pear Engineering Technology Research, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Shaoling Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Centre of Pear Engineering Technology Research, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China; The Sanya Institute of Nanjing Agricultural University, China.
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17
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Wu C, Deng W, Shan W, Liu X, Zhu L, Cai D, Wei W, Yang Y, Chen J, Lu W, Kuang J. Banana MKK1 modulates fruit ripening via the MKK1-MPK6-3/11-4-bZIP21 module. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112832. [PMID: 37498740 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade consisting of MKKK, MKK, and MPK plays an indispensable role in various plant physiological processes. Previously, we showed that phosphorylation of MabZIP21 by MaMPK6-3 is involved in banana fruit ripening, but the regulatory mechanism by which MKK controls banana fruit ripening remains unclear. Here, ripening-induced MaMKK1 from banana fruit is characterized, and transiently overexpressing and silencing of MaMKK1 in banana fruit accelerates and inhibits fruit ripening, respectively, possibly by influencing phosphorylation and activity of MPK. MaMKK1 interacts with and phosphorylates MaMPK6-3 and MaMPK11-4 mainly at the pTEpY residues, resulting in MPK activation. MaMPK11-4 phosphorylates MabZIP21 to elevate its transcriptional activation ability. Transgenic tomato fruit expressing MabZIP21 ripen quickly with a concomitant increase in MabZIP21 phosphorylation. Additionally, MabZIP21 activates MaMPK11-4 and MaMKK1 transcription to form a regulatory feedback loop. Collectively, here we report a regulatory pathway of the MaMPK6-3/11-4-MabZIP21 module in controlling banana fruit ripening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaojie Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Postharvest Science of Fruits and Vegetables/Engineering Research Center of Southern Horticultural Products Preservation, Ministry of Education, College of Horticultural Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Wei Deng
- Key Laboratory of Plant Hormones and Development Regulation of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Wei Shan
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Postharvest Science of Fruits and Vegetables/Engineering Research Center of Southern Horticultural Products Preservation, Ministry of Education, College of Horticultural Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Xuncheng Liu
- Key Laboratory of South China Agricultural Plant Molecular Analysis and Genetic Improvement, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China
| | - Lisha Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Postharvest Science of Fruits and Vegetables/Engineering Research Center of Southern Horticultural Products Preservation, Ministry of Education, College of Horticultural Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Danling Cai
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Postharvest Science of Fruits and Vegetables/Engineering Research Center of Southern Horticultural Products Preservation, Ministry of Education, College of Horticultural Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Wei Wei
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Postharvest Science of Fruits and Vegetables/Engineering Research Center of Southern Horticultural Products Preservation, Ministry of Education, College of Horticultural Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yingying Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Postharvest Science of Fruits and Vegetables/Engineering Research Center of Southern Horticultural Products Preservation, Ministry of Education, College of Horticultural Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Jianye Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Postharvest Science of Fruits and Vegetables/Engineering Research Center of Southern Horticultural Products Preservation, Ministry of Education, College of Horticultural Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Wangjin Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Postharvest Science of Fruits and Vegetables/Engineering Research Center of Southern Horticultural Products Preservation, Ministry of Education, College of Horticultural Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
| | - Jianfei Kuang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Postharvest Science of Fruits and Vegetables/Engineering Research Center of Southern Horticultural Products Preservation, Ministry of Education, College of Horticultural Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
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18
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Giacomelli L, Zeilmaker T, Giovannini O, Salvagnin U, Masuero D, Franceschi P, Vrhovsek U, Scintilla S, Rouppe van der Voort J, Moser C. Simultaneous editing of two DMR6 genes in grapevine results in reduced susceptibility to downy mildew. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1242240. [PMID: 37692430 PMCID: PMC10486898 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1242240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
The reduction of pesticide treatments is of paramount importance for the sustainability of viticulture, and it can be achieved through a combination of strategies, including the cultivation of vines (Vitis vinifera) that are resistant or tolerant to diseases such as downy mildew (DM). In many crops, the knock-out of Downy Mildew Resistant 6 (DMR6) proved successful in controlling DM-resistance, but the effect of mutations in DMR6 genes is not yet known in grapevine. Today, gene editing serves crop improvement with small and specific mutations while maintaining the genetic background of commercially important clones. Moreover, recent technological advances allowed to produce non-transgenic grapevine clones by regeneration of protoplasts edited with the CRISPR/Cas9 ribonucleoprotein. This approach may revolutionize the production of new grapevine varieties and clones, but it requires knowledge about the targets and the impact of editing on plant phenotype and fitness in different cultivars. In this work we generated single and double knock-out mutants by editing DMR6 susceptibility (S) genes using CRISPR/Cas9, and showed that only the combined mutations in VviDMR6-1 and VviDMR6-2 are effective in reducing susceptibility to DM in two table-grape cultivars by increasing the levels of endogenous salicylic acid. Therefore, editing both genes may be necessary for effective DM control in real-world agricultural settings, which could potentially lead to unwanted phenotypes. Additional research, including trials conducted in experimental vineyards, is required to gain a deeper understanding of DMR6-based resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Giacomelli
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all’Adige, Italy
| | - Tieme Zeilmaker
- Enza Zaden Research & Development B.V., Enkhuizen, Netherlands
| | - Oscar Giovannini
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all’Adige, Italy
| | - Umberto Salvagnin
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all’Adige, Italy
| | - Domenico Masuero
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all’Adige, Italy
| | - Pietro Franceschi
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all’Adige, Italy
| | - Urska Vrhovsek
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all’Adige, Italy
| | - Simone Scintilla
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all’Adige, Italy
| | | | - Claudio Moser
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all’Adige, Italy
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19
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Liu W, Yan C, Li R, Chen G, Wang X, Wen Y, Zhang C, Wang X, Xu Y, Wang Y. VqMAPK3/VqMAPK6, VqWRKY33, and VqNSTS3 constitute a regulatory node in enhancing resistance to powdery mildew in grapevine. HORTICULTURE RESEARCH 2023; 10:uhad116. [PMID: 37786728 PMCID: PMC10541564 DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhad116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Grapevine powdery mildew is caused by Erysiphe necator, which seriously harms grape production in the world. Stilbene synthase makes phytoalexins that contribute to the resistance of grapevine against powdery mildew. A novel VqNSTS3 was identified and cloned from Chinese wild Vitis quinquangularis accession Danfeng-2. The novel VqNSTS3 was transferred into susceptible 'Thompson Seedless' by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The transgenic plants showed resistance to the disease and activated other resistance-related genes. VqNSTS3 expression in grapevine is regulated by VqWRKY33, and which binds to TTGACC in the VqNSTS3 promoter. Furthermore, VqWRKY33 was phosphorylated by VqMAPK3/VqMAPK6 and thus led to enhanced signal transduction and increased VqNSTS3 expression. ProVqNSTS3::VqNSTS3-GFP of transgenic VqNSTS3 in Arabidopsis thaliana was observed to move to and wrap the pathogen's haustoria and block invasion by Golovinomyces cichoracearum. These results demonstrate that stilbene accumulation of novel VqNSTS3 of the Chinese wild Vitis quinquangularis accession Danfeng-2 prevented pathogen invasion and enhanced resistance to powdery mildew. Therefore, VqNSTS3 can be used in generating powdery mildew-resistant grapevines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wandi Liu
- College of Horticulture, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology and Germplasm Innovation in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology in Arid Areas, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Chaohui Yan
- College of Horticulture, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology and Germplasm Innovation in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology in Arid Areas, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Ruimin Li
- College of Horticulture, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology and Germplasm Innovation in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology in Arid Areas, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Guanyu Chen
- College of Horticulture, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology and Germplasm Innovation in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology in Arid Areas, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Xinqi Wang
- College of Horticulture, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology and Germplasm Innovation in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology in Arid Areas, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Yingqiang Wen
- College of Horticulture, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology and Germplasm Innovation in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology in Arid Areas, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Chaohong Zhang
- College of Horticulture, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology and Germplasm Innovation in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology in Arid Areas, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Xiping Wang
- College of Horticulture, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology and Germplasm Innovation in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology in Arid Areas, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Yan Xu
- College of Horticulture, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology and Germplasm Innovation in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology in Arid Areas, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Yuejin Wang
- College of Horticulture, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology and Germplasm Innovation in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology in Arid Areas, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
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20
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Laura M, Forti C, Barberini S, Ciorba R, Mascarello C, Giovannini A, Pistelli L, Pieracci Y, Lanteri AP, Ronca A, Minuto A, Ruffoni B, Cardi T, Savona M. Highly Efficient CRISPR/Cas9 Mediated Gene Editing in Ocimum basilicum 'FT Italiko' to Induce Resistance to Peronospora belbahrii. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:2395. [PMID: 37446956 DOI: 10.3390/plants12132395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Ocimum basilicum (sweet basil) is an economically important aromatic herb; in Italy, approximately 1000 ha of "Genovese-type" basil are grown annually in greenhouses and open fields and are subjected to Downy Mildew (DM) disease, caused by Peronospora belbahrii, leading to huge crop losses. Mutation of the Susceptibility (S) gene DMR6 (Downy Mildew Resistant 6) has been proven to confer a broad-spectrum resistance to DM. In this work, an effective Genome Editing (GE) approach mediated by CRISPR/Cas9 in O. basilicum 'Italiko', the élite cultivar used to produce "Pesto Genovese D.O.P", was developed. A highly efficient genetic transformation method mediated by A. tumefaciens has been optimized from cotyledonary nodes, obtaining 82.2% of regenerated shoots, 84.6% of which resulted in Cas9+ plants. Eleven T0 lines presented different type of mutations in ObDMR6; 60% were indel frameshift mutations with knock-out of ObDMR6 of 'FT Italiko'. Analysis of six T1 transgene-free seedlings revealed that the mutations of T0 plants were inherited and segregated. Based on infection trials conducted on T0 plants, clone 22B showed a very low percentage of disease incidence after 14 days post infection. The aromatic profile of all in vitro edited plants was also reported; all of them showed oxygenated monoterpenes as the major fraction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Laura
- CREA, Research Centre for Vegetable and Ornamental Crops, Corso degli Inglesi 508, 18038 Sanremo, Italy
| | - Chiara Forti
- CREA, Research Centre for Vegetable and Ornamental Crops, Corso degli Inglesi 508, 18038 Sanremo, Italy
- CNR-IBBA, Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology, Via Bassini 12, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Sara Barberini
- CREA, Research Centre for Vegetable and Ornamental Crops, Corso degli Inglesi 508, 18038 Sanremo, Italy
- CNR-IPSP, Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Roberto Ciorba
- CREA, Research Centre for Vegetable and Ornamental Crops, Corso degli Inglesi 508, 18038 Sanremo, Italy
- CREA, Research Centre for Olive, Fruit and Citrus Crops, Via di Fioranello 52, 00134 Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Mascarello
- CREA, Research Centre for Vegetable and Ornamental Crops, Corso degli Inglesi 508, 18038 Sanremo, Italy
| | - Annalisa Giovannini
- CREA, Research Centre for Vegetable and Ornamental Crops, Corso degli Inglesi 508, 18038 Sanremo, Italy
| | - Luisa Pistelli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 33, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Ylenia Pieracci
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 33, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Anna Paola Lanteri
- CeRSAA, Center for Agricultural Experimentation and Assistance, Regione Rollo 98, 17031 Albenga, Italy
| | - Agostina Ronca
- CeRSAA, Center for Agricultural Experimentation and Assistance, Regione Rollo 98, 17031 Albenga, Italy
| | - Andrea Minuto
- CeRSAA, Center for Agricultural Experimentation and Assistance, Regione Rollo 98, 17031 Albenga, Italy
| | - Barbara Ruffoni
- CREA, Research Centre for Vegetable and Ornamental Crops, Corso degli Inglesi 508, 18038 Sanremo, Italy
| | - Teodoro Cardi
- CREA, Research Centre for Vegetable and Ornamental Crops, Corso degli Inglesi 508, 18038 Sanremo, Italy
- CNR-IBBR, Institute of Biosciences and Bioresources, 80055 Portici, Italy
| | - Marco Savona
- CREA, Research Centre for Vegetable and Ornamental Crops, Corso degli Inglesi 508, 18038 Sanremo, Italy
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21
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Ji Z, Wang M, Zhang S, Du Y, Cong J, Yan H, Guo H, Xu B, Zhou Z. GDSL Esterase/Lipase GELP1 Involved in the Defense of Apple Leaves against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Infection. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10343. [PMID: 37373491 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241210343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
GDSL esterases/lipases are a subclass of lipolytic enzymes that play critical roles in plant growth and development, stress response, and pathogen defense. However, the GDSL esterase/lipase genes involved in the pathogen response of apple remain to be identified and characterized. Thus, in this study, we aimed to analyze the phenotypic difference between the resistant variety, Fuji, and susceptible variety, Gala, during infection with C. gloeosporioides, screen for anti-disease-associated proteins in Fuji leaves, and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. The results showed that GDSL esterase/lipase protein GELP1 contributed to C. gloeosporioides infection defense in apple. During C. gloeosporioides infection, GELP1 expression was significantly upregulated in Fuji. Fuji leaves exhibited a highly resistant phenotype compared with Gala leaves. The formation of infection hyphae of C. gloeosporioides was inhibited in Fuji. Moreover, recombinant His:GELP1 protein suppressed hyphal formation during infection in vitro. Transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana showed that GELP1-eGFP localized to the endoplasmic reticulum and chloroplasts. GELP1 overexpression in GL-3 plants increased resistance to C. gloeosporioides. MdWRKY15 expression was upregulated in the transgenic lines. Notably, GELP1 transcript levels were elevated in GL-3 after salicylic acid treatment. These results suggest that GELP1 increases apple resistance to C. gloeosporioides by indirectly regulating salicylic acid biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhirui Ji
- College of Plant Protection, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
- Research Institute of Pomology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xingcheng 125100, China
| | - Meiyu Wang
- Research Institute of Pomology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xingcheng 125100, China
| | - Shuwu Zhang
- College of Plant Protection, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Yinan Du
- Research Institute of Pomology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xingcheng 125100, China
| | - Jialin Cong
- Research Institute of Pomology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xingcheng 125100, China
| | - Haifeng Yan
- Research Institute of Pomology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xingcheng 125100, China
| | - Haimeng Guo
- Research Institute of Pomology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xingcheng 125100, China
| | - Bingliang Xu
- College of Plant Protection, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Zongshan Zhou
- Research Institute of Pomology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xingcheng 125100, China
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22
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Li Y, Cui Y, Liu B, Xu R, Shi Y, Lv L, Wang H, Shang Y, Liang W, Ma F, Li C. γ-Aminobutyric acid plays a key role in alleviating Glomerella leaf spot in apples. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2023; 24:588-601. [PMID: 36932866 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.13325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The fungal disease Glomerella leaf spot (GLS) seriously impacts apple production. As a nonprotein amino acid, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is widely involved in biotic and abiotic stresses. However, it is not clear whether GABA is involved in a plant's response to GLS, nor is its molecular mechanism understood. Here, we found that exogenous GABA could significantly alleviate GLS, reduce lesion lengths, and increase antioxidant capacity. MdGAD1 was identified as a possible key gene for GABA synthesis in apple. Further analysis indicated that MdGAD1 promoted antioxidant capacity to improve apple GLS resistance in transgenic apple calli and leaves. Yeast one-hybrid analysis identified the transcription factor MdWRKY33 upstream of MdGAD1. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay, β-glucuronidase activity, and luciferase activity further supported that MdWRKY33 bound directly to the promoter of MdGAD1. The content of GABA and the transcription level of MdGAD1 in the MdWRKY33 transgenic calli were higher than that of the wild type. When MdWRKY33 transgenic calli and leaves were inoculated with GLS, MdWKRY33 positively regulated resistance to GLS. These results explained the positive regulatory effects of GABA on apple GLS and provided insight into the metabolic regulatory network of GABA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas/Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Apple, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Yinglian Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas/Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Apple, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Boyang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas/Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Apple, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Ruixuan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas/Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Apple, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Yanjiao Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas/Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Apple, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Lingling Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas/Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Apple, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Hongtao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas/Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Apple, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Yueming Shang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas/Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Apple, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Wei Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas/Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Apple, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Fengwang Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas/Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Apple, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Cuiying Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas/Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Apple, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
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23
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Wang S, Han S, Zhou X, Zhao C, Guo L, Zhang J, Liu F, Huo Q, Zhao W, Guo Z, Chen X. Phosphorylation and ubiquitination of OsWRKY31 are integral to OsMKK10-2-mediated defense responses in rice. THE PLANT CELL 2023; 35:2391-2412. [PMID: 36869655 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koad064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MPK) cascades play vital roles in plant innate immunity, growth, and development. Here, we report that the rice (Oryza sativa) transcription factor gene OsWRKY31 is a key component in a MPK signaling pathway involved in plant disease resistance in rice. We found that the activation of OsMKK10-2 enhances resistance against the rice blast pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae and suppresses growth through an increase in jasmonic acid and salicylic acid accumulation and a decrease of indole-3-acetic acid levels. Knockout of OsWRKY31 compromises the defense responses mediated by OsMKK10-2. OsMKK10-2 and OsWRKY31 physically interact, and OsWRKY31 is phosphorylated by OsMPK3, OsMPK4, and OsMPK6. Phosphomimetic OsWRKY31 has elevated DNA-binding activity and confers enhanced resistance to M. oryzae. In addition, OsWRKY31 stability is regulated by phosphorylation and ubiquitination via RING-finger E3 ubiquitin ligases interacting with WRKY 1 (OsREIW1). Taken together, our findings indicate that modification of OsWRKY31 by phosphorylation and ubiquitination functions in the OsMKK10-2-mediated defense signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, MOA, Joint Laboratory for International Cooperation in Crop Molecular Breeding, Department of Plant Pathology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Shuying Han
- Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, MOA, Joint Laboratory for International Cooperation in Crop Molecular Breeding, Department of Plant Pathology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiangui Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, MOA, Joint Laboratory for International Cooperation in Crop Molecular Breeding, Department of Plant Pathology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Changjiang Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, MOA, Joint Laboratory for International Cooperation in Crop Molecular Breeding, Department of Plant Pathology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Lina Guo
- Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, MOA, Joint Laboratory for International Cooperation in Crop Molecular Breeding, Department of Plant Pathology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Junqi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, MOA, Joint Laboratory for International Cooperation in Crop Molecular Breeding, Department of Plant Pathology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Fei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, MOA, Joint Laboratory for International Cooperation in Crop Molecular Breeding, Department of Plant Pathology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Qixin Huo
- Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, MOA, Joint Laboratory for International Cooperation in Crop Molecular Breeding, Department of Plant Pathology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Wensheng Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, MOA, Joint Laboratory for International Cooperation in Crop Molecular Breeding, Department of Plant Pathology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Zejian Guo
- Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, MOA, Joint Laboratory for International Cooperation in Crop Molecular Breeding, Department of Plant Pathology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xujun Chen
- Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, MOA, Joint Laboratory for International Cooperation in Crop Molecular Breeding, Department of Plant Pathology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
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Li Y, Ma X, Xiao LD, Yu YN, Yan HL, Gong ZH. CaWRKY50 Acts as a Negative Regulator in Response to Colletotrichum scovillei Infection in Pepper. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:1962. [PMID: 37653879 PMCID: PMC10221478 DOI: 10.3390/plants12101962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Chili anthracnose is one of the most common and destructive fungal pathogens that affects the yield and quality of pepper. Although WRKY proteins play crucial roles in pepper resistance to a variety of pathogens, the mechanism of their resistance to anthracnose is still unknown. In this study, we found that CaWRKY50 expression was obviously induced by Colletotrichum scovillei infection and salicylic acid (SA) treatments. CaWRKY50-silencing enhanced pepper resistance to C. scovillei, while transient overexpression of CaWRKY50 in pepper increased susceptibility to C. scovillei. We further found that overexpression of CaWRKY50 in tomatoes significantly decreased resistance to C. scovillei by SA and reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling pathways. Moreover, CaWRKY50 suppressed the expression of two SA-related genes, CaEDS1 (enhanced disease susceptibility 1) and CaSAMT1 (salicylate carboxymethyltransferase 1), by directly binding to the W-box motif in their promoters. Additionally, we demonstrated that CaWRKY50 interacts with CaWRKY42 and CaMIEL1 in the nucleus. Thus, our findings revealed that CaWRKY50 plays a negative role in pepper resistance to C. scovillei through the SA-mediated signaling pathway and the antioxidant defense system. These results provide a theoretical foundation for molecular breeding of pepper varieties resistant to anthracnose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Li
- College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China; (Y.L.); (X.M.); (Y.-N.Y.)
| | - Xiao Ma
- College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China; (Y.L.); (X.M.); (Y.-N.Y.)
| | - Luo-Dan Xiao
- Yibin Research Institute of Tea Industry, Yibin 644000, China;
| | - Ya-Nan Yu
- College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China; (Y.L.); (X.M.); (Y.-N.Y.)
| | - Hui-Ling Yan
- Institute of Cash Crops, Hebei Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050051, China
| | - Zhen-Hui Gong
- College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China; (Y.L.); (X.M.); (Y.-N.Y.)
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25
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Wang L, Wu X, Xing Q, Zhao Y, Yu B, Ma Y, Wang F, Qi H. PIF8-WRKY42-mediated salicylic acid synthesis modulates red light induced powdery mildew resistance in oriental melon. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2023; 46:1726-1742. [PMID: 36759948 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Light signals and plant hormones are involved in regulating the growth, development and stress resistance of plants; however, it remains unclear whether light affects hormones and thus pathogen resistance in oriental melon. Here, we found that red light promoted salicylic acid (SA) accumulation and powdery mildew resistance by activating the transcription of CmICS, the key gene for SA biosynthesis, and silencing CmICS seriously weakened the induction effect of red light on powdery mildew resistance in oriental melon leaves. Further studies showed that red light induced the expression of CmWRKY42 under powdery mildew stress, and CmWRKY42 directly bound to the CmICS promoter to activate its expression and promote the accumulation of SA under red light. Furthermore, we found that PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR 8 (PIF8), as a negative regulator of SA biosynthesis, inhibits CmWRKY42 transcriptional activation by binding to the CmWRKY42 promoter, and thus inhibits transcriptional activation of CmICS by CmWRKY42. Also, CmPIF8 binds to the CmICS promoter and directly inhibits its transcription. In conclusion, our study revealed a new molecular mechanism of the relationship between red light-SA-powdery mildew resistance and provided a theoretical basis for resistance breeding of oriental melon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixia Wang
- College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Protected Horticulture of Education of Ministry and Liaoning Province/National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Northern Horticultural Facilities Design & Application Technology, Shenyang, China
| | - Xutong Wu
- College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Protected Horticulture of Education of Ministry and Liaoning Province/National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Northern Horticultural Facilities Design & Application Technology, Shenyang, China
| | - Qiaojuan Xing
- College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yaping Zhao
- College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Protected Horticulture of Education of Ministry and Liaoning Province/National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Northern Horticultural Facilities Design & Application Technology, Shenyang, China
| | - Bo Yu
- College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yue Ma
- College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Feng Wang
- College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Hongyan Qi
- College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Protected Horticulture of Education of Ministry and Liaoning Province/National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Northern Horticultural Facilities Design & Application Technology, Shenyang, China
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26
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Shu P, Li Y, Sheng J, Shen L. SlMAPK3 Positively Regulates the Ethylene Production of Postharvest Tomato Fruits and Is Involved in Ethylene-Mediated Cold Tolerance. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2023. [PMID: 37023258 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.2c08723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades and ethylene are crucial for plant growth, development, and stress responses, but their potential mechanisms in cold resistance remain unclear. We revealed that SlMAPK3 transcript levels were dramatically induced by cold treatment in an ethylene-dependent manner. Under cold stress, the proline content of SlMAPK3-overexpression fruit was 96.5 and 115.9% higher than that of wild-type fruit (WT), respectively, while the ion leakage was 37.3 and 32.5% lower than that of WT. RNA sequencing revealed that overexpression of SlMAPK3 caused upregulation of genes that are enriched in the ethylene-activated signaling pathway (GO:0009873), cold signaling pathway (GO:0009409), and heat signaling pathway (GO:0009408). RT-qPCR demonstrated that the expression levels of SlACS2, SlACS4, SlSAHH, SlCBF1, SlDREB, SlGolS1, and SlHSP17.7 in the OE.MAPK3 fruits were consistent with the RNA sequencing results. Meanwhile, the knockout of SlMAPK3 reduced the ethylene content, ACC content, and ACS activity. Moreover, the knockout of SlMAPK3 reduced the positive effect of ethylene in cold stress, while suppressing the expression of SlICE1 and SlCBF1. In conclusion, our study demonstrated a novel mechanism by which SlMAPK3 positively regulates the ethylene production of postharvest tomato fruits and is involved in ethylene-mediated cold tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Shu
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Yujing Li
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Jiping Sheng
- School of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, China
| | - Lin Shen
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
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27
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Wang X, Miao J, Kang W, Shi S. Exogenous application of salicylic acid improves freezing stress tolerance in alfalfa. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1091077. [PMID: 36968407 PMCID: PMC10034032 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1091077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Freezing stress is one of the most detrimental environmental factors that can seriously impact the growth, development, and distribution of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Exogenous salicylic acid (SA) has been revealed as a cost-effective method of improving defense against freezing stress due to its predominant role in biotic and abiotic stress resistance. However, how the molecular mechanisms of SA improve freezing stress resistance in alfalfa is still unclear. Therefore, in this study, we used leaf samples of alfalfa seedlings pretreatment with 200 μM and 0 μM SA, which were exposed to freezing stress (-10°C) for 0, 0.5, 1, and 2h and allowed to recover at normal temperature in a growth chamber for 2 days, after which we detect the changes in the phenotypical, physiological, hormone content, and performed a transcriptome analysis to explain SA influence alfalfa in freezing stress. The results demonstrated that exogenous SA could improve the accumulation of free SA in alfalfa leaves primarily through the phenylalanine ammonia-lyase pathway. Moreover, the results of transcriptome analysis revealed that the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway-plant play a critical role in SA alleviating freezing stress. In addition, the weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) found that MPK3, MPK9, WRKY22 (downstream target gene of MPK3), and TGACG-binding factor 1 (TGA1) are candidate hub genes involved in freezing stress defense, all of which are involved in the SA signaling pathway. Therefore, we conclude that SA could possibly induce MPK3 to regulate WRKY22 to participate in freezing stress to induced gene expression related to SA signaling pathway (NPR1-dependent pathway and NPR1-independent pathway), including the genes of non-expresser of pathogenesis-related gene 1 (NPR1), TGA1, pathogenesis-related 1 (PR1), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and heat shock protein (HSP). This enhanced the production of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, POD, and APX, which increases the freezing stress tolerance of alfalfa plants.
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Wang L, Guo D, Zhao G, Wang J, Zhang S, Wang C, Guo X. Group IIc WRKY transcription factors regulate cotton resistance to Fusarium oxysporum by promoting GhMKK2-mediated flavonoid biosynthesis. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2022; 236:249-265. [PMID: 35727190 DOI: 10.1111/nph.18329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
WRKY transcription factors (TFs) are crucial regulators in response to pathogen infection. However, the regulatory mechanisms of WRKY TFs in response to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum (Fov), the most devastating pathogen of cotton, remain unclear. Here, transcriptome sequencing indicated that the group IIc WRKY TF subfamily was the most important TF subfamily in response to Fov. Gain-of-function and loss-of-function analyses showed that group IIc WRKY TFs positively regulated cotton resistance to Fov. A series of chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing, yeast one-hybrid assay and electrophoresis mobility shift assay experiments indicated that group IIc WRKY TFs directly bound to the promoter of GhMKK2 and regulated its expression. Importantly, a novel mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade composed of GhMKK2, GhNTF6 and GhMYC2 was identified. The functional analysis indicated that group IIc WRKY TFs induced the GhMKK2-GhNTF6 pathway to increase resistance to Fov by upregulating the GhMYC2-mediated expression of several flavonoid biosynthesis-related genes, which led to flavonoid accumulation. In conclusion, our study demonstrated a novel disease defense mechanism by which the WRKY-MAPK pathway promotes flavonoid biosynthesis to defend against pathogen infection. This pathway improves our understanding of the interaction mode between WRKY TFs and MAPK cascades in plant immunity and the vital role of plant flavonoids in pathogen defense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong, 271018, China
| | - Dezheng Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong, 271018, China
| | - Guangdong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong, 271018, China
| | - Jiayu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong, 271018, China
| | - Shuxin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong, 271018, China
| | - Chen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong, 271018, China
| | - Xingqi Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong, 271018, China
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29
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Wang L, Zhou F, Liu X, Zhang H, Yan T, Sun Y, Shi K, Zheng X, Zhu Y, Shan D, Bai Y, Guo Y, Kong J. ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL 5-mediated suppression of melatonin biosynthesis is alleviated by darkness and promotes cotyledon opening. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2022; 73:4941-4953. [PMID: 35580847 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erac176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) biosynthesis in plants is induced by darkness and high-intensity light; however, the underlying transcriptional mechanisms and upstream signalling pathways are unknown. We identified a dark-induced and highly expressed melatonin synthetase in Arabidopsis thaliana, AtSNAT6, encoding serotonin N-acetyltransferase. We assessed melatonin content and AtSNAT6 expression in mutants lacking key regulators of light/dark signalling. AtCOP1 (CONSTITUTIVE PHOTOMORPHOGENIC 1) and AtHY5 (ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL 5), which control light/dark transition and photomorphogenesis, promoted and suppressed melatonin biosynthesis, respectively. Using EMSA and ChIP-qPCR analysis, we showed that AtHY5 inhibits AtSNAT6 expression directly. An analysis of melatonin content in snat6 hy5 double mutant and AtHY5+AtSNAT6-overexpressing plants confirmed the regulatory function of AtHY5 and AtSNAT6 in melatonin biosynthesis. Exogenous melatonin further inhibited cotyledon opening in hy5 mutant and AtSNAT6-overexpressing seedlings, but partially reversed the promotion of cotyledon opening in AtHY5-overexpressing seedlings and snat6. Additionally, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutation of AtSNAT6 increased cotyledon opening in hy5 mutant, and overexpression of AtSNAT6 decreased cotyledon opening in AtHY5-overexpressing seedlings via changing melatonin biosynthesis, confirming that AtHY5 decreased melatonin-mediated inhibition of cotyledon opening. Our data provide new insights into the regulation of melatonin biosynthesis and its function in cotyledon opening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Wang
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Fangfang Zhou
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xuan Liu
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Haixia Zhang
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Tianci Yan
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Yanzhao Sun
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Kun Shi
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaodong Zheng
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Yunpeng Zhu
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Dongqian Shan
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Yixue Bai
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Guo
- College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Jin Kong
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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30
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A TIR-NBS-LRR Gene MdTNL1 Regulates Resistance to Glomerella Leaf Spot in Apple. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23116323. [PMID: 35683002 PMCID: PMC9181576 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Glomerella leaf spot (GLS), caused by the fungus Colletotrichum fructicola, is one of the most devastating apple diseases. Our previous study reported that the GLS resistance locus was defined on the chromosome 15 region. Here, we further found a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) site (SNP7309212) in the GLS resistance that was able to distinguish resistant cultivars (lines) from susceptible ones. On the basis of the SNP site, we cloned a TNL gene from the GLS resistant locus and named it MdTNL1 (NCBI Accession Number: ON402514). This gene contains a toll/interleukin-1 receptor transmembrane domain (TIR), nucleotide-binding sites (NBS), and leucine-rich repeat (LRR) domain. Subcellular location indicated that MdTNL1 was expressed in the nucleus and cell membrane. Ectopic overexpression of MdTNL1 in Nicotiana benthamiana caused cell death. We further demonstrated allelic polymorphisms in MdTNL1. It is noteworthy that NBS and LRR domains of the MdTNL1 protein serve as the repository for generating allelic diversity. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) assay revealed that MdTNL1 was highly expressed in resistant apple cultivar ‘Fuji’ after inoculation with C. fructicola, whereas susceptible cultivar ‘Golden Delicious’ exhibited low expression after inoculation. Over-expression of MdTNL1-1 in susceptible apple fruits and leaves improved disease resistance, while in ‘Orin’ calli, silencing the MdTNL1-1 gene conversely decreased GLS resistance. In conclusion, we identified a GLS associated with SNP7309212 and demonstrated that a TIR-NBS-LRR gene MdTNL1-1 positively regulates GLS resistance in apple.
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31
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Wang N, Liu Y, Dong C, Zhang Y, Bai S. MdMAPKKK1 Regulates Apple Resistance to Botryosphaeria dothidea by Interacting with MdBSK1. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23084415. [PMID: 35457232 PMCID: PMC9030329 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23084415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Plant MAPK cascade performs a critical role in the regulation of plant immunity and disease resistance. Although the function of MAPK cascade in immunity regulation is partially conserved between different species, the mechanism varies in different host and pathogen combinations. To date, the MAPK cascade function of woody plants in the regulation of disease resistance has seldom been reported. Here, we present evidence to show that apple MdMAPKKK1 performed an important role in the regulation of apple resistance to Botryosphaeria dothidea, the causal agent of apple ring rot. B. dothidea infection leads to enhanced MdMAPKKK1 expression and MAPK cascade activation, indicating that the MAPK cascade is involved in the defense against B. dothidea. MdMAPKKK1 overexpression-induced pathogen-independent cell death. MdMAPKKK1 silencing decreases the resistance of apple calli and fruits to B. dothidea. Further analysis indicates that MdMAPKKK1 can bind MdBSK1 and is likely phosphorylated by it. The MdBSK1-mediated phosphorylation of MdMAPKKK1 is important for resistance to B. dothidea. These results collectively indicate that apple resistance to B. dothidea is regulated by the interaction between MAPKKK1 and MdBSK1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Plant Biotechnology of Shandong Province, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China; (N.W.); (C.D.)
| | - Yingshuang Liu
- College of Horticulture, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China; (Y.L.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Chaohua Dong
- Key Laboratory of Plant Biotechnology of Shandong Province, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China; (N.W.); (C.D.)
- Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Applied Mycology, Qing Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Yugang Zhang
- College of Horticulture, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China; (Y.L.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Suhua Bai
- Key Laboratory of Plant Biotechnology of Shandong Province, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China; (N.W.); (C.D.)
- Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Applied Mycology, Qing Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
- Correspondence:
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32
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Sun T, Zhang Y. MAP kinase cascades in plant development and immune signaling. EMBO Rep 2022; 23:e53817. [PMID: 35041234 PMCID: PMC8811656 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202153817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades are important signaling modules regulating diverse biological processes. During the past 20 years, much progress has been made on the functions of MAPK cascades in plants. This review summarizes the roles of MAPKs, known MAPK substrates, and our current understanding of MAPK cascades in plant development and innate immunity. In addition, recent findings on the molecular links connecting surface receptors to MAPK cascades and the mechanisms underlying MAPK signaling specificity are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tongjun Sun
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at ShenzhenChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesShenzhenChina
| | - Yuelin Zhang
- Department of BotanyUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
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Jiang L, Zhang S, Su J, Peck SC, Luo L. Protein Kinase Signaling Pathways in Plant- Colletotrichum Interaction. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 12:829645. [PMID: 35126439 PMCID: PMC8811371 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.829645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Anthracnose is a fungal disease caused by members of Colletotrichum that affect a wide range of crop plants. Strategies to improve crop resistance are needed to reduce the yield losses; and one strategy is to manipulate protein kinases that catalyze reversible phosphorylation of proteins regulating both plant immune responses and fungal pathogenesis. Hence, in this review, we present a summary of the current knowledge of protein kinase signaling pathways in plant-Colletotrichum interaction as well as the relation to a more general understanding of protein kinases that contribute to plant immunity and pathogen virulence. We highlight the potential of combining genomic resources and phosphoproteomics research to unravel the key molecular components of plant-Colletotrichum interactions. Understanding the molecular interactions between plants and Colletotrichum would not only facilitate molecular breeding of resistant cultivars but also help the development of novel strategies for controlling the anthracnose disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingyan Jiang
- Hainan Key Laboratory for Sustainable Utilization of Tropical Bioresource, College of Tropical Crops, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Shizi Zhang
- Hainan Key Laboratory for Sustainable Utilization of Tropical Bioresource, College of Tropical Crops, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Jianbin Su
- Division of Plant Sciences, Interdisciplinary Plant Group, Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Scott C. Peck
- Division of Biochemistry, Interdisciplinary Plant Group, Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Lijuan Luo
- Hainan Key Laboratory for Sustainable Utilization of Tropical Bioresource, College of Tropical Crops, Hainan University, Haikou, China
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Shan D, Wang C, Song H, Bai Y, Zhang H, Hu Z, Wang L, Shi K, Zheng X, Yan T, Sun Y, Zhu Y, Zhang T, Zhou Z, Guo Y, Kong J. The MdMEK2-MdMPK6-MdWRKY17 pathway stabilizes chlorophyll levels by directly regulating MdSUFB in apple under drought stress. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 108:814-828. [PMID: 34469599 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.15480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Drought stress severely limits plant growth and production in apple (Malus domestica Borkh.). To breed water-deficit-tolerant apple cultivars that maintain high yields under slight or moderate drought stress, it is important to uncover the mechanisms underlying the transcriptional regulation of chlorophyll metabolism in apple. To explore this mechanism, we generated transgenic 'Gala3' apple plants with overexpression or knockdown of MdWRKY17, which encodes a transcription factor whose expression is significantly induced by water deficit. Under moderate drought stress, we observed significantly higher chlorophyll contents and photosynthesis rates in overexpression transgenic plants than in controls, whereas these were dramatically lower in the knockdown lines. MdWRKY17 directly regulates MdSUFB expression, as demonstrated by in vitro and in vivo experiments. MdSUFB, a key component of the sulfur mobilization (SUF) system that assembles Fe-S clusters, is essential for inhibiting chlorophyll degradation and stabilizing electron transport during photosynthesis, leading to higher chlorophyll levels in transgenic apple plants overexpressing MdWRKY17. The activated MdMEK2-MdMPK6 cascade by water-deficit stress fine-tunes the MdWRKY17-MdSUFB pathway by phosphorylating MdWRKY17 under water-deficit stress. This fine-tuning of the MdWRKY17-MdSUFB regulatory pathway is important for balancing plant survival and yield losses (chlorophyll degradation and reduced photosynthesis) under slight or moderate drought stress. The phosphorylation by MdMEK2-MdMPK6 activates the MdWRKY17-MdSUFB pathway at S66 (identified by LC-MS), as demonstrated by in vitro and in vivo experiments. Our findings reveal that the MdMEK2-MdMPK6-MdWRKY17-MdSUFB pathway stabilizes chlorophyll levels under moderate drought stress, which could facilitate the breeding of apple varieties that maintain high yields under drought stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongqian Shan
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Chanyu Wang
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Handong Song
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yixue Bai
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Haixia Zhang
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Zehui Hu
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Lin Wang
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Kun Shi
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Xiaodong Zheng
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Tianci Yan
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yanzhao Sun
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yunpeng Zhu
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Zhaoyang Zhou
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yan Guo
- College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Jin Kong
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
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