Abstract
WRKYs, a large family of transcription factors, are involved in plant response to biotic and abiotic stresses, but the role of them in tomato resistance to Oidium neolycopersici is still unclear. In this study, we evaluate the role of WRKYs in powdery mildew-resistant wild tomato (Solanum habrochaites) LA1777 defense against O. neolycopersici strain lz (On-lz) using a combination of omics, classical plant pathology- and cell biology-based approaches. A total of 27 WRKYs, belonging to group I, II, and III, were identified as differentially expressed genes in LA1777 against On-lz. It was found that expression of ShWRKY41 was increased after Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst) DC3000, On-lz and Botrytis cinerea B05 inoculation or ethylene precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) treatment. GUS staining of ShWRKY41 promoter indicated that the expression of ShWRKY41 could be induced by SA and ethylene. Furthermore, ShWRKY41 gene silencing reduced the resistance to On-lz infection by decreasing the generation of H2O2 and HR in LA1777 seedlings. Overall, our research suggests that ShWRKY41 plays a positive role in defense activation and host resistance to O. neolycopersici in wild tomato (S. habrochaites) LA1777.
Highlights
27 WRKYs were identified as differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (Figure 1A) in wild tomato S. habrochaites LA1777 under O. neolycopersici strain lz (On-lz) infection
We found that eight WRKYs were differentially expressed in LA1777 at 12 hpi, and 15 WRKYs were differentially expressed in LA1777 at 36 hpi, and 19 WRKYs were differentially expressed in LA1777 at 72 hpi (Figure 1B)
To further demonstrate the function of ShWRKY41 in wild tomato LA1777 resistance to On-lz infection, we evaluated the induction of early defense signaling processes, such as the accumulation of H2 O2 and the induction of hypersensitive response (HR)
Summary
Mainly caused by the obligate biotrophic fungus Oidium neolycopersici [1], is a fungal disease that commonly occurs in tomato leaves, characterized by chlorosis, white plaque and occasional necrosis [2,3]. This disease causes up to 50% yield (fruit) losses in heavily infected fields. After O. neolycopersici infection, defense responses, including increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and hypersensitive response (HR) are activated in resistant wild tomato S. habrochaites or S. hirsutum, but not in the susceptible S. lycopersicum cultivar tomato [5,6,7]. Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations
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