Abstract

APETALA2/ETHYLENE RESPONSIVE FACTOR (AP2/ERF) transcription factors play important roles in plant development and stress response. Although AP2/ERF genes have been extensively investigated in model plants such as Arabidopsis thaliana, little is known about their role in biotic stress response in perennial fruit tree crops such as apple (Malus × domestica). Here, we investigated the role of MdERF100 in powdery mildew resistance in apple. MdERF100 localized to the nucleus but showed no transcriptional activation activity. The heterologous expression of MdERF100 in Arabidopsis not only enhanced powdery mildew resistance but also increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and cell death. Furthermore, MdERF100-overexpressing Arabidopsis plants exhibited differential expressions of genes involved in jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA) signaling when infected with the powdery mildew pathogen. Additionally, yeast two-hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays confirmed that MdERF100 physically interacts with the basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) protein MdbHLH92. These results suggest that MdERF100 mediates powdery mildew resistance by regulating the JA and SA signaling pathways, and MdbHLH92 is involved in plant defense against powdery mildew. Overall, this study enhances our understanding of the role of MdERF genes in disease resistance, and provides novel insights into the molecular mechanisms of powdery mildew resistance in apple.

Highlights

  • Introduction iationsApple (Malus × domestica) is one of the most widely cultivated and economically valuable fruit crops worldwide [1]

  • We showed that MdERF100 physically interacts with MdbHLH92, and plays a positive role in salicylic acid (SA)-mediated defense against powdery mildew

  • To evaluate the potential role of MdERF100 in disease resistance in apple, we analyzed its expression in the leaves of apple seedlings inoculated with Podosphaera leucotricha

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Summary

Introduction

Apple (Malus × domestica) is one of the most widely cultivated and economically valuable fruit crops worldwide [1]. In China, improvements in apple production technology have led to its cultivation in new areas. Apple powdery mildew, caused by the obligate vegetative fungus Podosphaera leucotricha, is one of the most ubiquitous and devastating diseases in apple worldwide [2]. This fungus damages various tissues and organs of apple trees, including new buds, leaves, flowers and young fruits. Apple producers commonly use fungicides to reduce the losses caused by powdery mildew, but the continuous use of fungicides has negative impacts on fruit production and the environment [4].

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