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Lee MB, Han H, Lee S. The role of WRKY transcription factors, FaWRKY29 and FaWRKY64, for regulating Botrytis fruit rot resistance in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.). BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 23:420. [PMID: 37691125 PMCID: PMC10494375 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-023-04426-1] [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: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The cultivated strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) is one of the most economically important horticultural crops worldwide. Botrytis fruit rot (BFR) caused by the necrotrophic fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea is the most devasting disease of cultivated strawberries. Most commercially grown strawberry varieties are susceptible to BFR, and controlling BFR relies on repeated applications of various fungicides. Despite extensive efforts, breeding for BFR resistance has been unsuccessful, primarily due to lack of information regarding the mechanisms of disease resistance and genetic resources available in strawberry. RESULTS Using a reverse genetics approach, we identified candidate genes associated with BFR resistance and screened Arabidopsis mutants using strawberry isolates of B. cinerea. Among the five Arabidopsis T-DNA knockout lines tested, the mutant line with AtWRKY53 showed the greatest reduction in disease symptoms of BFR against the pathogen. Two genes, FaWRKY29 and FaWRKY64, were identified as orthologs in the latest octoploid strawberry genome, 'Florida Brilliance'. We performed RNAi-mediated transient assay and found that the disease frequencies were significantly decreased in both FaWRKY29- and FaWRKY64-RNAi fruits of the strawberry cultivar, 'Florida Brilliance'. Furthermore, our transcriptomic data analysis revealed significant regulation of genes associated with ABA and JA signaling, plant cell wall composition, and ROS in FaWRKY29 or FaWRKY64 knockdown strawberry fruits in response to the pathogen. CONCLUSION Our study uncovered the foundational role of WRKY transcription factor genes, FaWRKY29 and FaWRKY64, in conferring resistance against B. cinerea. The discovery of susceptibility genes involved in BFR presents significant potential for developing resistance breeding strategies in cultivated strawberries, potentially leveraging CRISPR-based gene editing techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Bo Lee
- Department of Plant Resources, College of Industrial Science, Kongju National University, Yesan, 32439, Korea
- Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, Institute of Food and Agricultural Science, University of Florida, Wimauma, FL, 33598, USA
| | - Hyeondae Han
- Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, Institute of Food and Agricultural Science, University of Florida, Wimauma, FL, 33598, USA
| | - Seonghee Lee
- Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, Institute of Food and Agricultural Science, University of Florida, Wimauma, FL, 33598, USA.
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Chen Y, Liu L, Feng Q, Liu C, Bao Y, Zhang N, Sun R, Yin Z, Zhong C, Wang Y, Li Q, Li B. FvWRKY50 is an important gene that regulates both vegetative growth and reproductive growth in strawberry. HORTICULTURE RESEARCH 2023; 10:uhad115. [PMID: 37577404 PMCID: PMC10419500 DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhad115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
The WRKY transcription factors play important roles in plant growth and resistance, but only a few members have been identified in strawberry. Here we identified a WRKY transcription factor, FvWRKY50, in diploid strawberry which played essential roles in strawberry vegetative growth, and reproductive growth. Knocking out FvWRKY50 by genome editing accelerated flowering time and leaf senescence but delayed anthocyanin accumulation in fruit. Further analysis showed that FvWRKY50 acted as a transcriptional repressor to negatively regulate the expression of flowering- and leaf senescence-related genes, including FvFT2, FvCO, FvFT3, and FvSAUR36. Notably, FvWRKY50 directly upregulated the expression of FvCHI and FvDFR by binding their promoter under normal conditions, but at low temperature FvWRKY50 was phosphorylated by FvMAPK3 and then induced protein degradation by ubiquitination, delaying anthocyanin accumulation. In addition, the homozygous mutant of FvWRKY50 was smaller while the biallelic mutant showed normal size. These new findings provide important clues for us to further reveal the regulatory mechanisms of strawberry growth and fruit ripening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yating Chen
- Department of Pomology, College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 10093, China
| | - Liping Liu
- Department of Pomology, College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 10093, China
| | - Qianqian Feng
- Department of Pomology, College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 10093, China
| | - Chuang Liu
- Department of Pomology, College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 10093, China
| | - Yujuan Bao
- Department of Pomology, College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 10093, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Department of Pomology, College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 10093, China
| | - Ronghui Sun
- Department of Pomology, College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 10093, China
| | - Zhaonan Yin
- Department of Pomology, College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 10093, China
| | - Chuanfei Zhong
- Beijing Engineering Research Center for Strawberry, Institute of Forestry and Pomology, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China
| | - Yuanhua Wang
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, Jiangsu Vocational College of Agriculture and Forestry, Jiangsu, 212400, China
- Engineering and Technical Center for Modern Horticulture, Jiangsu, 212400, China
| | - Qian Li
- Department of Pomology, College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 10093, China
| | - Bingbing Li
- Department of Pomology, College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 10093, China
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Li J, Xiong C, Ruan D, Du W, Li H, Ruan C. Identification of Camellia oleifera WRKY transcription factor genes and functional characterization of CoWRKY78. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1110366. [PMID: 36968410 PMCID: PMC10036053 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1110366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Camellia oleifera Abel is a highly valued woody edible oil tree, which is endemic to China. It has great economic value because C. oleifera seed oil contains a high proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids. C. oleifera anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum fructicola, poses a serious threat to C. oleifera growth and yield and causes the benefit of the C. oleifera industry to suffer directly. The WRKY transcription factor family members have been widely characterized as vital regulators in plant response to pathogen infection. Until now, the number, type and biological function of C. oleifera WRKY genes are remains unknown. Here, we identified 90 C. oleifera WRKY members, which were distributed across 15 chromosomes. C. oleifera WRKY gene expansion was mainly attributed to segmental duplication. We performed transcriptomic analyses to verify the expression patterns of CoWRKYs between anthracnose-resistant and -susceptible cultivars of C. oleifera. These results demonstrated that multiple candidate CoWRKYs can be induced by anthracnose and provide useful clues for their functional studies. CoWRKY78, an anthracnose-induced WRKY gene, was isolated from C. oleifera. It was significantly down-regulated in anthracnose-resistant cultivars. Overexpression of CoWRKY78 in tobacco markedly reduced resistance to anthracnose than WT plants, as evidenced by more cell death, higher malonaldehyde content and reactive oxygen species (ROS), but lower activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), as well as phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL). Furthermore, the expression of multiple stress-related genes, which are associated with ROS-homeostasis (NtSOD and NtPOD), pathogen challenge (NtPAL), and pathogen defense (NtPR1, NtNPR1, and NtPDF1.2) were altered in the CoWRKY78-overexpressing plants. These findings increase our understanding of the CoWRKY genes and lay the foundation for the exploration of anthracnose resistance mechanisms and expedite the breeding of anthracnose-resistant C. oleifera cultivars.
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Ehsan A, Naqvi RZ, Azhar M, Awan MJA, Amin I, Mansoor S, Asif M. Genome-Wide Analysis of WRKY Gene Family and Negative Regulation of GhWRKY25 and GhWRKY33 Reveal Their Role in Whitefly and Drought Stress Tolerance in Cotton. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:171. [PMID: 36672912 PMCID: PMC9859137 DOI: 10.3390/genes14010171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The WRKY transcription factor family is marked by its significant responsiveness to both biotic and abiotic plant stresses. In the present study, the WRKY family of Gossypium hirsutum has been identified and classified into three groups based on the number of conserved WRKY domains and the type of zinc finger motif. This classification is further validated by conserved domain and phylogenetic analysis. Two members of the WRKY family, WRKY25 and WRKY33, have been targeted through VIGS in G. hirsutum. VIGS-infiltrated plants were evaluated under drought stress and whitefly infestation. It was observed that GhWRKY33-downregulated plants showed a decrease in whitefly egg and nymph population, and GhWRKY33 was found to be a strong negative regulator of whitefly and drought stress, while GhWRKY25 was found to be a moderate negative regulator of whitefly and drought stress. As the targeted genes are transcription factors influencing the expression of other genes, the relative expression of other stress-responsive genes, namely MPK6, WRKY40, HSP, ERF1, and JAZ1, was also analyzed through qRT-PCR. It was found elevated in GhWRKY33-downregulated plants, while GhWRKY25-downregulated plants through VIGS showed the elevated expression of ERF1 and WRKY40, a slightly increased expression of HSP, and a lower expression level of MPK6. Overall, this study provides an important insight into the WRKY TF family and the role of two WRKY TFs in G. hirsutum under drought stress and whitefly infestation. The findings will help to develop crops resilient to drought and whitefly stress.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Muhammad Asif
- Agricultural Biotechnology Division, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), College of Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Jhang Road, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
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Vuong UT, Iswanto ABB, Nguyen Q, Kang H, Lee J, Moon J, Kim SH. Engineering plant immune circuit: walking to the bright future with a novel toolbox. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2023; 21:17-45. [PMID: 36036862 PMCID: PMC9829404 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Plant pathogens destroy crops and cause severe yield losses, leading to an insufficient food supply to sustain the human population. Apart from relying on natural plant immune systems to combat biological agents or waiting for the appropriate evolutionary steps to occur over time, researchers are currently seeking new breakthrough methods to boost disease resistance in plants through genetic engineering. Here, we summarize the past two decades of research in disease resistance engineering against an assortment of pathogens through modifying the plant immune components (internal and external) with several biotechnological techniques. We also discuss potential strategies and provide perspectives on engineering plant immune systems for enhanced pathogen resistance and plant fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uyen Thi Vuong
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four Program), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research CenterGyeongsang National UniversityJinjuRepublic of Korea
| | - Arya Bagus Boedi Iswanto
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four Program), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research CenterGyeongsang National UniversityJinjuRepublic of Korea
| | - Quang‐Minh Nguyen
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four Program), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research CenterGyeongsang National UniversityJinjuRepublic of Korea
| | - Hobin Kang
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four Program), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research CenterGyeongsang National UniversityJinjuRepublic of Korea
| | - Jihyun Lee
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four Program), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research CenterGyeongsang National UniversityJinjuRepublic of Korea
| | - Jiyun Moon
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four Program), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research CenterGyeongsang National UniversityJinjuRepublic of Korea
| | - Sang Hee Kim
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four Program), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research CenterGyeongsang National UniversityJinjuRepublic of Korea
- Division of Life ScienceGyeongsang National UniversityJinjuRepublic of Korea
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Ma L, Haile ZM, Sabbadini S, Mezzetti B, Negrini F, Baraldi E. Functional characterization of MANNOSE-BINDING LECTIN 1, a G-type lectin gene family member, in response to fungal pathogens of strawberry. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2023; 74:149-161. [PMID: 36219205 PMCID: PMC9786840 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erac396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The mannose-binding lectin gene MANNOSE-BINDING LECTIN 1 (MBL1) is a member of the G-type lectin family and is involved in defense in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa). Genome-wide identification of the G-type lectin family was carried out in woodland strawberry, F. vesca, and 133 G-lectin genes were found. Their expression profiles were retrieved from available databases and indicated that many are actively expressed during plant development or interaction with pathogens. We selected MBL1 for further investigation and generated stable transgenic FaMBL1-overexpressing plants of F. ×ananassa to examine the role of this gene in defense. Plants were selected and evaluated for their contents of disease-related phytohormones and their reaction to biotic stresses, and this revealed that jasmonic acid decreased in the overexpressing lines compared with the wild-type (WT). Petioles of the overexpressing lines inoculated with Colletotrichum fioriniae had lower disease incidence than the WT, and leaves of these lines challenged by Botrytis cinerea showed significantly smaller lesion diameters than the WT and higher expression of CLASS II CHITINASE 2-1. Our results indicate that FaMBL1 plays important roles in strawberry response to fungal diseases caused by C. fioriniae and B. cinerea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijing Ma
- Department of Agricultural and Food Science, DISTAL, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Zeraye Mehari Haile
- Department of Agricultural and Food Science, DISTAL, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Plant Protection Research Division of Melkasa Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Silvia Sabbadini
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Bruno Mezzetti
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
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Sánchez-Gómez C, Posé D, Martín-Pizarro C. Insights into transcription factors controlling strawberry fruit development and ripening. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:1022369. [PMID: 36299782 PMCID: PMC9589285 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1022369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Fruit ripening is a highly regulated and complex process involving a series of physiological and biochemical changes aiming to maximize fruit organoleptic traits to attract herbivores, maximizing therefore seed dispersal. Furthermore, this process is of key importance for fruit quality and therefore consumer acceptance. In fleshy fruits, ripening involves an alteration in color, in the content of sugars, organic acids and secondary metabolites, such as volatile compounds, which influence flavor and aroma, and the remodeling of cell walls, resulting in the softening of the fruit. The mechanisms underlying these processes rely on the action of phytohormones, transcription factors and epigenetic modifications. Strawberry fruit is considered a model of non-climacteric species, as its ripening is mainly controlled by abscisic acid. Besides the role of phytohormones in the regulation of strawberry fruit ripening, a number of transcription factors have been identified as important regulators of these processes to date. In this review, we present a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge on the role of transcription factors in the regulation of strawberry fruit ripening, as well as in compiling candidate regulators that might play an important role but that have not been functionally studied to date.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David Posé
- *Correspondence: David Posé, ; Carmen Martín-Pizarro,
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