Improved Disease Resistance Research Articles

BZR1-NAC29-NAC31 signaling promotes the sheath blight resistance and tillering in rice

Improving disease resistance is a primary objective in crop breeding. However, the signaling mechanisms governing disease resistance and yield are frequently controlled antagonistically, posing challenges in balancing crop productivity and disease resistance. Prior research has shown that Brassinazole resistant 1 (BZR1) enhances resistance to rice sheath blight (ShB) and increases tillering in rice. Here, we found that BZR1 interacts with NAC29 and NAC31, the primary transcription factors responsible for regulating the formation of the secondary cell wall. The interaction between NAC29 and NAC31 was demonstrated by yeast two-hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation tests. The expression of NAC29 and NAC31 increased significantly in response to Rhizoctonia solani infection. The susceptibility of the nac29nac31 double mutant to ShB was increased, but the overexpression of NAC29 and NAC31 reduced susceptibility to ShB compared with the single mutants or wild-type plants. Like the bzr1-D, a BZR1 dominant negative mutant, NAC29 and NAC31 overexpressors increased tiller numbers. Co-expression of BZR1 and NAC29 or NAC31 enhanced cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase 8B (CAD8B) expression while inhibiting teosinte branched 1 (TB1) expression to a greater extent than the expression of BZR1 alone. Furthermore, the expression level of CAD8B was elevated in NAC29-OX and NAC31-OX plants, but the expression level of TB1 was reduced in NAC29-OX and NAC31-OX plants compared to the wild-type plants. The results showed that BZR1-NAC29-NAC31 improves rice resistance and tillering by controlling the expression of CAD8B and TB1, respectively. These findings offer valuable targets for breeding that can avoid the trade-off between growth and defense.

Feed enriched by autochthonous probiotic bacteria and its effect on growth and immune response under different feeding regimes and immune response after Aeromonas salmonicida infection in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

This study examined the impact of a newly developed probiotic feed using the autochthonous probiotic strain Lactobacillus plantarum R2 Biocenol™ on the immune response of healthy rainbow trout, particularly after infection with Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida. A probiotic feed was tested using different application strategies—continuous and cyclic feeding—to assess its influence on immune function. In the first phase, a non-infectious experiment was conducted to compare these feeding approaches and their effects on immune-related gene expression over time. The second phase involved an infection trial in which fish previously supplemented with probiotics were exposed to a bacterial pathogen to evaluate potential protective effects. Results indicated that while continuous probiotic feeding did not significantly alter immune function, cyclic feeding was associated with a temporary boost in immune response, as evidenced by changes in the expression of key immune-related genes (cd8, igm, il-8, tnf-α). Furthermore, the body length and weight improved in fish fed with probiotics increased over the study period. One week post-infection, pro-inflammatory cytokine expressions (il-1, il-8, tnf-α) were reduced in the probiotic group, with a similar trend observed for other pro-inflammatory molecules. The second infectious sampling indicated increased expression of cd4 and cd8 genes, suggesting heightened acquired immunity in the probiotic group. These findings suggest that probiotics can influence immune function and may contribute to improved disease resistance in aquaculture.

ToIκB and ToIKK genes from golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus): Molecular characterization, expression, and association with tolerance to Streptococcus agalactiae infection.

ToIκB and ToIKK genes from golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus): Molecular characterization, expression, and association with tolerance to Streptococcus agalactiae infection.

Evaluation of Quality Characteristics and Cultivar Candidate Potentials of Hybrid Genotypes Obtained from Different Vitis Species

Table grape breeding programmes are ongoing in different countries to develop new grape cultivars suitable for rapidly changing consumer demands. Although Türkiye is among the world’s leading countries in table grape production, it does not have quality grape cultivars that can compete in foreign markets. Different breeding programmes are conducted in the country to develop new quality table grape cultivars. These breeding studies’ primary goals are to achieve table grapes that are seedless, with crispy flesh, a large berry size, unique aromas, higher phenolic contents, and improved disease resistance. This study evaluated the basic quality characteristics of 89 hybrid genotypes with different parents obtained from crossbreeding studies and passing the preliminary screening stage. The hybrid genotypes were evaluated comprehensively for many quality criteria. In particular, the hybrid genotypes that received the desired score according to tasting panel results were determined. Among these, genotypes 22BY-097, 14KS-03, 18BK-02, and 22BY-044, which are seedless and have different parents, were the highest-scoring hybrid genotypes, due to their different superior characteristics. High-scoring hybrid genotypes will be registered after these quality characteristics are evaluated in different locations in the next stage. Consequently, the accuracy and consistency of the results obtained will be confirmed, and new cultivars will be transferred to table grape growers in the future. With these high-quality new cultivars, table grape growers can earn more income.

Selenium‐Chitosan Reduces Postharvest Decay of Red Globe Grapes by Improving Disease Resistance During Cold Storage

ABSTRACTThe preservation of grapes during storage and transportation has long been a challenge due to the presence of Botrytis cinerea. Studies have shown that chitosan and selenium are effective in preserving fruits and vegetables during storage. This study investigated the effect of selenium‐chitosan (25 mg L−1 selenium and 1.0% chitosan) treatment on Red Globe grapes' disease resistance during storage at 0°C. The results indicated that treatment with selenium‐chitosan significantly reduced the decay rate of grapes from 41.79% to 4.93% at 60 days of storage. Additionally, the treatment increased the activities of POD and CAT and decreased the activity of PPO. The application of selenium‐chitosan resulted in increased activity of PAL, C4H, and 4CL which was related to the phenylalanine pathway, leading to the accumulation of phenolic compounds and improved disease resistance in grapes. RT‐qPCR analysis revealed that the upregulation of VvPAL, VvC4H, and Vv4CL was delayed in grapes treated with selenium‐chitosan. Their expression levels were significantly lower than those of the control grapes, with reductions to 2.37%, 2.02% and 10.60 at 60 days of storage, respectively. After inoculation with Botrytis cinerea, grapes treated with selenium‐chitosan effectively limited the growth of Botrytis cinerea mycelium. These results suggest that selenium‐chitosan treatment significantly improves resistance to microbial infestation and limits fungal growth after exposure.

Characterization of a G. max × G. soja nested association mapping population and identification of loci controlling seed composition traits from wild soybean.

Wild soybean (Glycine soja Siebold & Zucc.) has valuable genetic diversity for improved disease resistance, stress tolerance, seed protein content and seed sulfur-containing amino acid concentrations. Many studies have reported loci controlling seed composition traits based on cultivated soybean populations, but wild soybean has been largely overlooked. In this study, a nested association mapping (NAM) population consisting of 10 families and 1107 recombinant inbred lines was developed by crossing 10 wild accessions with the common cultivar NC-Raleigh. Seed composition of the F6 generation grown at two locations was phenotyped, and genetic markers were identified for each line. The average number of recombination events in the wild soybean-derived population was significantly higher than that in the cultivated soybean-derived population, which resulted in a higher resolution for QTL mapping. Segregation bias in almost all NAM families was significantly biased toward the alleles of the wild soybean parent. Through single-family linkage mapping and association analysis of the entire NAM population, new QTLs with positive allele effects were identified from wild parents, including 5, 6, 18, 9, 16, 17 and 20 for protein content, oil content, total protein and oil content, methionine content, cysteine content, lysine content and threonine content, respectively. Candidate genes associated with these traits were identified based on gene annotations and gene expression levels in different tissues. This is the first study to reveal the genetic characteristics of wild soybean-derived populations, landscapes and the extent of effects of QTLs and candidate genes controlling traits from different wild soybean parents.

Modular mechanisms of immune priming and growth inhibition mediated by plant effector-triggered immunity.

Modular mechanisms of immune priming and growth inhibition mediated by plant effector-triggered immunity.

Precise genome editing of Dense and Erect Panicle 1 promotes rice sheath blight resistance and yield production in japonica rice.

The primary goals of crop breeding are to enhance yield and improve disease resistance. However, the "trade-off" mechanism, in which signalling pathways for resistance and yield are antagonistically regulated, poses challenges for achieving both simultaneously. Previously, we demonstrated that knock-out mutants of the Dense and Erect Panicle 1 (DEP1) gene can significantly enhance rice resistance to sheath blight (ShB), and we mapped DEP1's association with panicle length. In this study, we discovered that dep1 mutants significantly reduced rice yield. Nonetheless, truncated DEP1 was able to achieve both ShB resistance and yield increase in japonica rice. To further explore the function of truncated DEP1 in promoting yield and ShB resistance, we generated CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing mutants, including a full-length deletion mutant of DEP1, named dep1, and a truncated version, dep1-cys. Upon inoculation with Rhizoctonia solani, the dep1-cys mutant demonstrated stronger ShB resistance than the dep1 mutant. Additionally, dep1-cys increased yield per plant, whereas dep1 reduced it. Compared to the full DEP1 protein, the truncated DEP1 (dep1-cys) demonstrated a decreased interaction affinity with IDD14 and increased affinity with IDD10, which are known to positively and negatively regulate ShB resistance through the activation of PIN1a and ETR2, respectively. The dep1-cys mutant exhibited higher PIN1a and lower ETR2 expression than wild-type plants, suggesting that dep1-cys modulated IDD14 and IDD10 interactions to regulate PIN1a and ETR2, thereby enhancing ShB resistance. Overall, these data indicate that precise genome editing of DEP1 could simultaneously improve both ShB resistance and yield, effectively mitigating trade-off regulation in rice.

Epichlöe festucae endophyte mediated maternal inheritance of dollar spot disease resistance in hard fescue

AbstractHard fescue (Festuca brevipila) is a fine‐leaved cool‐season turfgrass and is well adapted for low‐maintenance areas, such as home lawns, parks, and roadsides. Breeding for improved disease resistance is a major objective in utilizing hard fescue under low‐input management. The Epichlöe festucae endophyte‐mediated dollar spot (Clarireedia jacksonii) resistance and its mechanism have been well‐documented in strong creeping red fescue (F. rubra subsp. rubra). However, little is known about dollar spot resistance in hard fescue. The objectives of this research were to (1) understand the inheritance of dollar spot resistance in hard fescue and determine the reciprocal effects by performing a diallel cross between three resistant endophyte‐containing and three susceptible endophyte‐free parents and (2) confirm the role of E. festucae endophyte in dollar spot resistance by artificially inoculating hard fescue with the endophyte (ME+) and comparing ME+ plants to their genetically identical counterparts without the endophyte (E‒) under dollar spot pressure. The highly significant maternal effect from the diallel cross experiment demonstrated that the dollar disease resistance is maternally inherited in hard fescue and linked with the maternal inheritance of the E. festucae endophyte. The greenhouse study further confirmed that the presence of E. festucae endophyte significantly reduced dollar spot in hard fescue. Understanding this endophyte effect on maternal inheritance of dollar spot resistance will enable more efficient breeding and selection of plant materials to use in the development of improved dollar spot resistant cultivars in hard fescue.

Genomic and transcriptomic analyses reveal the genetic basis of leg diseases in laying hens.

Genomic and transcriptomic analyses reveal the genetic basis of leg diseases in laying hens.

Probiotic modulation of key immune macromolecules in shrimp.

Probiotic modulation of key immune macromolecules in shrimp.

Analysis of the Transcriptional Control of Bcl11b in Chicken: IRF1 and GATA1 as Negative Regulators.

B-cell lymphoma/leukemia 11B (Bcl11b) plays roles in cell proliferation and apoptosis and holds a pivotal position within the immune system. Our previous studies have demonstrated that Bcl11b can promote cell apoptosis to curb ALV-J infection. To gain insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying Bcl11b expression regulation in chickens, we constructed various truncated dual luciferase reporter vectors and analyzed the promoter region of Bcl11b. We employed promoter-binding TF profiling assay and the dual luciferase assay of site-directed mutagenesis and the expression level of interfering or overexpressing transcription factors were used to study their transcriptional regulation mechanism of chicken Bcl11b and functions in ALV-J infection. Our findings revealed core regulatory regions of the chicken Bcl11b promoter. By examining the -606~-363 bp region, we identified several transcription factors and their binding sites. Mutational and functional analysis further revealed interferon regulatory factor-1 (IRF1) and GATA-binding protein 1 (GATA1) as critical factors for the repression of chicken Bcl11b, thereby affecting cell apoptosis and ALV-J replication. Furthermore, DNA methylation analysis indicated that methylation may also contribute to changes in Bcl11b promoter activity. These findings offer valuable insights into the regulatory mechanisms of chicken Bcl11b and provide promising targets for molecular breeding and genetic improvement of disease resistance in chickens.

CRISPR-mediated genome editing of wheat for enhancing disease resistance.

Wheat is cultivated across diverse global environments, and its productivity is significantly impacted by various biotic stresses, most importantly but not limited to rust diseases, Fusarium head blight, wheat blast, and powdery mildew. The genetic diversity of modern cultivars has been eroded by domestication and selection, increasing their vulnerability to biotic stress due to uniformity. The rapid spread of new highly virulent and aggressive pathogen strains has exacerbated this situation. Three strategies can be used for enhancing disease resistance through genome editing: introducing resistance (R) gene-mediated resistance, engineering nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat receptors (NLRs), and manipulating susceptibility (S) genes to stop pathogens from exploiting these factors to support infection. Utilizing R gene-mediated resistance is the most common strategy for traditional breeding approaches, but the continuous evolution of pathogen effectors can eventually overcome this resistance. Moreover, modifying S genes can confer pleiotropic effects that hinder their use in agriculture. Enhancing disease resistance is paramount for sustainable wheat production and food security, and new tools and strategies are of great importance to the research community. The application of CRISPR-based genome editing provides promise to improve disease resistance, allowing access to a broader range of solutions beyond random mutagenesis or intraspecific variation, unlocking new ways to improve crops, and speeding up resistance breeding. Here, we first summarize the major disease resistance strategies in the context of important wheat diseases and their limitations. Next, we turn our attention to the powerful applications of genome editing technology in creating new wheat varieties against important wheat diseases.

Enhancing poultry health and productivity through the liver-gut axis with integrated nutritional and immunological approaches: a mini-review.

The liver-gut axis plays a central role in maintaining the health and productivity of poultry. In addition, the liver-gut axis serves as a key regulator of digestion, metabolism, immunity, and detoxification. The gut, with its diverse microbiota, is the primary site for nutrient absorption and immune modulation, while the liver metabolizes nutrients, detoxifies harmful substances, and acts as a frontline defense against pathogens translocated from the gut. Disruptions in this interconnected system, including gut dysbiosis or liver inflammation, can lead to compromised immunity and reduced productivity. This mini-review explores integrated nutritional and immunological strategies aimed at optimizing the liver-gut axis to enhance poultry performance. Nutritional interventions, such as the use of flavonoids, vitamins, amino acids, micronutrients, probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics, have demonstrated their potential to support liver and gut health. Dietary components such as phytogenic additives, fiber, and fatty acids further contribute to immune modulation and systemic health. Immunological approaches, such as beta-glucans and in ovo stimulation, and molecular approaches, including advanced genetic techniques, offer additional avenues for improving disease resistance and organ function. Despite notable advancements, challenges including antibiotic resistance, environmental stressors, and implementation costs persist. Emerging technologies like metagenomics, metabolomics, and precision breeding offer innovative solutions to enhance liver-gut interactions. This review underscores recent advancements in understanding the liver-gut axis and calls for holistic strategies to improve sustainable poultry production. Future research should integrate these approaches to enhance resilience, productivity, and sustainability in the poultry industry.

Fatty Acid ABCG Transporter GhSTR1 Mediates Resistance to Verticillium dahliae and Fusarium oxysporum in Cotton.

Verticillium wilt and Fusarium wilt cause significant losses in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) production and have a significant economic impact. This study determined the functional role of GhSTR1, a member of the ABCG subfamily of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, that mediates cotton defense responses against various plant pathogens. We identified GhSTR1 as a homolog of STR1 from Medicago truncatula and highlighted its evolutionary conservation and potential role in plant defense mechanisms. Expression profiling revealed that GhSTR1 displays tissue-specific and spatiotemporal dynamics under stress conditions caused by Verticillium dahliae and Fusarium oxysporum. Functional validation using virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) showed that silencing GhSTR1 improved disease resistance, resulting in milder symptoms, less vascular browning, and reduced fungal growth. Furthermore, the AtSTR1 loss-of-function mutant in Arabidopsis thaliana exhibited similar resistance phenotypes, highlighting the conserved regulatory role of STR1 in pathogen defense. In addition to its role in disease resistance, the mutation of AtSTR1 in Arabidopsis also enhanced the vegetative and reproductive growth of the plant, including increased root length, rosette leaf number, and plant height without compromising drought tolerance. These findings suggest that GhSTR1 mediates a trade-off between defense and growth, offering a potential target for optimizing both traits for crop improvement. This study identifies GhSTR1 as a key regulator of plant-pathogen interactions and growth dynamics, providing a foundation for developing durable strategies to enhance cotton's resistance and yield under biotic and abiotic stress conditions.

Systemic protection through enhanced immunity and antioxidant defenses in immune-primed Mytilus coruscus: Insights from cell/tissue-specific analyses.

Systemic protection through enhanced immunity and antioxidant defenses in immune-primed Mytilus coruscus: Insights from cell/tissue-specific analyses.

Modern and historical uses of plant grafting to engineer development, stress tolerance, chimeras, and hybrids.

For millennia, people have grafted plants to propagate them and to improve their traits. By cutting and joining different species or cultivars together, the best properties of shoot and roots are combined in one plant to increase yields, improve disease resistance, modify plant growth or enhance abiotic stress tolerance. Today, grafting has evolved from what originated as an early form of trait engineering. The fundamental technique remains the same, but new species are being grafted, new techniques have developed and new applications for modifying development and stress tolerance are appearing. In addition, engineering possibilities such as graft chimeras, graft hybrids and the use of mobile RNAs are emerging. Here, we summarize advances in plant grafting with a focus on engineering novel traits. We discuss traditional uses of grafting to engineer traits but also focus on recent developments, challenges and opportunities for plant improvement through grafting.

Precision breeding and genome editing of wine and table grape cultivars for improving disease resistance

Precision breeding and genome editing of wine and table grape cultivars for improving disease resistance

γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) treatment improves disease resistance and preserves fresh-cut Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L

γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) treatment improves disease resistance and preserves fresh-cut Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L

CRISPR/Cas genome editing: Innovations and impacts on animal protein production

Abstract Food security has become an urgent global challenge as global population growth and climate change intensify. Livestock production systems must adapt to meet the growing demand for high-quality animal protein while minimizing environmental impacts. CRISPR/Cas genome editing has emerged as a transformative technology, enabling precise genetic modifications that enhance productivity, improve disease resistance, and promote animal welfare. In this context, this review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the current advancements in CRISPR/Cas genome editing tools for animal protein production, while addressing the challenges and future prospects of applying genome editing in livestock farming. Several studies have targeted genes associated with meat production, milk improvement, disease susceptibility, and animal welfare. The results have shown success in developing edited animals that increase meat production and milk quality and make animals more resilient to various infections, thereby reducing the economic losses associated with disease outbreaks. However, this advance still faces challenges, including technical, regulatory and ethical issues, and public acceptance. Even so, some of these edited animals are in the advanced stages of the regulatory approval process in some countries, including cattle with heat tolerance, pigs with resistance against PRRS-virus, and some fish that present an increase in meat production. In this context, this review consolidates current knowledge on CRISPR/Cas applications in animal protein production, highlights significant achievements, and addresses challenges related to the regulatory landscape, public perception, and ethical concerns. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of adaptable regulatory frameworks to ensure the responsible and sustainable advancement of genome editing in livestock.