Rice Blast Resistance Gene Research Articles

Identification and Mapping of a Blast Disease Resistance Gene in Rice Line IR65482

Rice line IR65482 has broad-spectrum resistance to Magnaporthe oryzae from different areas, and it has been known that there is a blast resistance gene Pi40 ( t ) on its chromosome 6. In the present study, using a bulked segregant analysis sequencing strategy, we identified another rice blast resistance gene on chromosome 11 of IR65482. The F 2 population derived from a cross between IR65482 and Nipponbare was further used for gene mapping, and the IR65482 blast resistance gene was mapped in a 425 kb region between InDel markers OSL3-2 and OSL3-5 at the end of chromosome 11. The results could provide guidance for application of IR65482 in breeding rice varieties with blast resistance and theoretical reference for the cloning of IR65482 blast resistance gene in the future.

Divergent evolution of rice blast resistance Pi54 locus in the genus Oryza

BackgroundThe rice blast resistance gene Pi54 was cloned from Oryza sativa ssp. indica cv. Tetep, which conferred broad-spectrum resistance against Magnaporthe oryzae. Pi54 allelic variants have been identified in not only domesticates but also wild rice species, but the majority of japonica and some indica cultivars lost the function.ResultsWe here found that Pi54 (Os11g0639100) and its homolog Os11g0640600 (named as #11) were closely located on a 25 kbp region in japonica cv. Sasanishiki compared to a 99 kbp region in japonica cv. Nipponbare. Sasanishiki lost at least six genes containing one other R-gene cluster (Os11g0639600, Os11g0640000, and Os11g0640300). Eight AA-genome species including five wild rice species were classified into either Nipponbare or Sasanishiki type. The BB-genome wild rice species O. punctata was Sasanishiki type. The FF-genome wild rice species O. brachyantha (the basal lineage of Oryza) was neither, because Pi54 was absent and the orientation of the R-gene cluster was reversed in comparison with Nipponbare-type species. The phylogenetic analysis showed that #11gene of O. brachyantha was on the root of both Pi54 and #11 alleles. All Nipponbare-type Pi54 alleles were specifically disrupted by 143 and 37/44 bp insertions compared to Tetep and Sasanishiki type. In addition, Pi54 of japonica cv. Sasanishiki lost nucleotide-binding site and leucine-rich repeat (NBS–LRR) domains owing to additional mutations.ConclusionsThese results suggest that Pi54 might be derived from a tandem duplication of the ancestor #11 gene in progenitor FF-genome species. Two divergent structures of Pi54 locus caused by a mobile unit containing the nearby R-gene cluster could be developed before domestication. This study provides a potential genetic resource of rice breeding for blast resistance in modern cultivars sustainability.

Identification and characterization of rice blast resistance gene Pid4 by a combination of transcriptomic profiling and genome analysis

Map-based cloning of plant disease resistance (R) genes is time-consuming. Here, we reported the isolation of blast R gene Pid4 using comparative transcriptomic profiling and genome-wide sequence analysis. Pid4 encodes a coiled-coil nucleotide-binding site leucine-rich repeat (CC-NBS-LRR) protein and is constitutively expressed at diverse developmental stages in the rice variety Digu. The Pid4 protein is localized in both the nucleus and cytoplasm. Introduction of Pid4 into susceptible rice cultivars confers race-specific resistance to leaf and neck blast. Amino acid sequence comparison and blast resistance spectrum tests showed that Pid4 is a novel R gene, different from the previously reported R genes located in the same gene cluster. A Pid4 Indel marker was developed to facilitate the identification of Pid4 in different rice varieties. We demonstrated that a plant R gene can be quickly isolated using transcriptomic profiling coupled with genome-wide sequence analysis.

Detection and allele identification of rice blast resistance gene, Pik, in Thai rice germplasm

The objectives of this study were to detect the rice blast resistance gene, Pik, in Thai rice germplasm and to identify their alleles. Rice blast resistance gene specific primers were designed and used to screen for the presence of the Pik resistance gene in 373 Thai rice varieties. The results showed that 29 out of the 373 Thai rice varieties contained the Pik gene. All 29 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products were digested by the PstI restriction enzyme. PCR products from 25 rice varieties could be digested by the PstI enzyme, indicating that they contained the Pikp resistance group, which has a narrow disease spectrum. The PCR products from four rice varieties could not be digested by the PstI enzyme, suggesting that they contained the desirable Pikm resistance group, which has a broad disease spectrum. The nucleotide sequences of these four rice varieties in the Pikm resistance group revealed that the Khaw reng rice variety had the Pikm allele and the other three rice varieties had the Piks allele. Khaw reng can be used as an elite resistant donor in conventional and molecular breeding programs for blast disease resistance in Thailand.

The rice blast resistance gene Ptr encodes an atypical protein required for broad-spectrum disease resistance

Plant resistance genes typically encode proteins with nucleotide binding site-leucine rich repeat (NLR) domains. Here we show that Ptr is an atypical resistance gene encoding a protein with four Armadillo repeats. Ptr is required for broad-spectrum blast resistance mediated by the NLR R gene Pi-ta and by the associated R gene Pi-ta2. Ptr is expressed constitutively and encodes two isoforms that are mainly localized in the cytoplasm. A two base pair deletion within the Ptr coding region in the fast neutron-generated mutant line M2354 creates a truncated protein, resulting in susceptibility to M. oryzae. Targeted mutation of Ptr in a resistant cultivar using CRISPR/Cas9 leads to blast susceptibility, further confirming its resistance function. The cloning of Ptr may aid in the development of broad spectrum blast resistant rice.

Identification of a specific molecular marker for the rice blast-resistant gene Pigm and molecular breeding of thermo-sensitive genic male sterile leaf-color marker lines

Rice blast is a damaging disease caused by Magnaportheoryzae. Marker-assisted selection of blast resistance genes could help develop cultivars with blast resistance. Pigm is a broad-spectrum blast-resistant gene. However, few rice resources contain Pigm. In this study, the Pigm gene donor Gumei4 (GM4) was investigated. By analyzing different regions of Pigm sequences, we found that marker G8900 was a specific molecular marker of Pigm gene in GM4. Correlation analysis between molecular marker detection and identification of rice blast disease nursery revealed that G8900 could be used in marker-assisted selection (MAS) of Pigm. Furthermore, we introduced Pigm gene into the KT27S line (a blast-susceptible yellow-green-leaf-color mutant) in G8900-assisted breeding and identified three new yellow-green-leaf-color marker lines that are resistant to blast. The agronomic and economic traits of the three new lines are similar to those of their parental lines. The identification and application of Pigm-specific molecular marker in breeding of yellow-green-leaf-color marker line could play an important role in the production of disease-resistant hybrid rice.

Development and Application of Functional Markers for Rice Blast Resistance Gene Bsr-d1 in Rice

Development and Application of Functional Markers for Rice Blast Resistance Gene <i>Bsr-d1</i> in Rice

Fine Mapping and Candidate Gene Analysis of Rice Blast Resistance Gene Pi47

Fine Mapping and Candidate Gene Analysis of Rice Blast Resistance Gene Pi47

Rice (&lt;em&gt;Oryza sativa&lt;/em&gt; L.) blast resistance genes bioinformatic analysis

Purpose. To investigate rice blast resistance genes polymorphism by using bioinformatic methods. Methods. Global and local nucleotide alignment, phylogenetic analysis, HyPhy test. Results. For Pib gene, numerous single nucleotide substitutions and deletions of 1–3 bp were established. The phylo­geny of this gene has been studied and homologues have been found both in various rice species and in other cereals. These sequences can encode proteins that «recognize» the phytopathogens effectors, and can also be associated with resistance to phytopathogens. The Pi4 gene is characterized by single nucleotide substitutions, insertions and deletions; the number of non-synonymous substitutions exceeds the number of sy­nonymous ones. The Pi54 gene variability is significantly lower than that of the Pi4 and Pib genes. The predominant types of polymorphism were single nucleotide substitutions and small-sized indels. It was found that non-synonymous substitutions in Pi54, Pi4 and Pib genes were in close proximity, sometimes forming clusters, while some coding regions were either superconservative or contained predominantly synonymous substitutions. On philodendrograms, cultivated rice samples were clustered with samples of ancestral wild-growing species. Conclusions. Evolution of the rice blast resistance genes Pi4, Pib and Pi54 is characterized by diversification selection. Considering that tense coevolution and significant rate of adaptation and creation of new pathogen races are typical for a plant and a parasite, these genes are subjected to intensive selection aimed at increasing diversity for obtaining the resistance to new races of the pathogen.

Combination of rice blast resistance genes in the genotypes of russian rice varieties with the use of marker assisted selection

Grain productivity of rice is significantly reduced by dangerous disease blast. Therefore, the development of resistant high yielding rice varieties with the Pi group of genes is important. Use of molecular markers linked with the loci of resistance significantly optimizes the breeding process.&#x0D; The purpose of the research is to develop rice lines combining 2-6 loci of resistance to blast: Pi-1, Pi-2, Pi-33, Pi-ta, Pi-b, Pi-40 by molecular marking.&#x0D; Materials and Methods. As donors of resistance genes foreign samples were used, recipient Russian varieties. In the studies we used micro-satellites markers and PCR analysis.&#x0D; Results. In the first stage of the research as a result of hybridization domestic lines with genes Pi-l, Pi-2, Pi-33 were obtained. At the second stage hybrids with all 3 genes were developed. In the third stage genes Pi-b and Pi-ta and on the fourth Pi-40 were introduced.&#x0D; Conclusion. As a result, rice genotypes, combining 6 loci of blast resistance were developed with use of marker assisted selection.

Allelic variation of the rice blast resistance gene Pid3 in cultivated rice worldwide

In this study, the re-sequencing data from 3,000 rice genomes project (3 K RGP) was used to analyze the allelic variation at the rice blast resistance (R) Pid3 locus. A total of 40 haplotypes were identified based on 71 nucleotide polymorphic sites among 2621 Pid3 homozygous alleles in the 3k genomes. Pid3 alleles in most japonica rice accessions were pseudogenes due to premature stop mutations, while those in most indica rice accessions were identical to the functional haplotype Hap_6, which had a similar resistance spectrum as the previously reported Pid3 gene. By sequencing and CAPS marker analyzing the Pid3 alleles in widespread cultivars in China, we verified that Hap_6 had been widely deployed in indica rice breeding of China. Thus, we suggest that the priority for utilization of the Pid3 locus in rice breeding should be on introducing the functional Pid3 alleles into japonica rice cultivars and the functional alleles of non-Hap_6 haplotypes into indica rice cultivars for increasing genetic diversity.

Analysis of a major rice blast resistance gene in the rice restorer line Hanghui 1179

Rice blast, caused by the fungal pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae, is one of the most devastating diseases of rice (Oryza sativa) worldwide. Identification and utilization of resistance genes in rice breeding is considered to be an effective and economical method to control this disease. Hanghui 1179 (HH1179) is a new native rice restorer line developed in South China. The hybrids derived from HH1179 show broad-spectrum resistance against rice blast in South China, and a further understanding of the genetic resistance in HH1179 will provide useful information for breeding resistant cultivars. In the present study, we used bulked segregant analysis combined with specific-length amplified fragment sequencing to identify a dominant gene from HH1179 that provides resistance against the rice blast isolate GD13-14. Association analysis indicated that the resistance gene is located on chromosome 6 and we mapped the target gene to a 100.8 kb region (between markers InDel-8 and RM19818) that contains the Pi2/Pi9/Piz/Piz-t/Pi50 gene cluster. Candidate gene prediction and cDNA sequencing indicated that the target resistance gene in HH1179 is Pi2. Our findings will be valuable for resistance breeding with restorer line HH1179.

Understanding Host-Pathogen Interactions with Expression Profiling of NILs Carrying Rice-Blast Resistance Pi9 Gene.

Magnaporthe oryzae infection causes rice blast, a destructive disease that is responsible for considerable decrease in rice yield. Development of resistant varieties via introgressing resistance genes with marker-assisted breeding can eliminate pesticide use and minimize crop losses. Here, resistant near-isogenic line (NIL) of Pusa Basmati-1(PB1) carrying broad spectrum rice blast resistance gene Pi9 was used to investigate Pi9-mediated resistance response. Infected and uninfected resistant NIL and susceptible control line were subjected to RNA-Seq. With the exception of one gene (Pi9), transcriptional signatures between the two lines were alike, reflecting basal similarities in their profiles. Resistant and susceptible lines possessed 1043 (727 up-regulated and 316 down-regulated) and 568 (341 up-regulated and 227 down-regulated) unique and significant differentially expressed loci (SDEL), respectively. Pathway analysis revealed higher transcriptional activation of kinases, WRKY, MYB, and ERF transcription factors, JA-ET hormones, chitinases, glycosyl hydrolases, lipid biosynthesis, pathogenesis and secondary metabolism related genes in resistant NIL than susceptible line. Singular enrichment analysis demonstrated that blast resistant NIL is significantly enriched with genes for primary and secondary metabolism, response to biotic stimulus and transcriptional regulation. The co-expression network showed proteins of genes in response to biotic stimulus interacted in a manner unique to resistant NIL upon M. oryzae infection. These data suggest that Pi9 modulates genome-wide transcriptional regulation in resistant NIL but not in susceptible PB1. We successfully used transcriptome profiling to understand the molecular basis of Pi9-mediated resistance mechanisms, identified potential candidate genes involved in early pathogen response and revealed the sophisticated transcriptional reprogramming during rice-M. oryzae interactions.

Identification of SNP for rice blast resistance gene Pike and development of the gene-specific markers

Rice blast disease caused by Magnaporthe oryzae is an important limiting factor to rice production in the world. Introgression of blast resistance genes into improved germplasm by marker-assisted selection has been considered as an effective and environmentally beneficial means to control this disease. Pike, a broad-spectrum blast resistance gene, was cloned by map-based strategy recently in our laboratory. Two adjacent CC-NBS-LRR genes (designated as Pike-1 and Pike-2) were required for Pike-mediated resistance. In the current study, sequence alignment of the SNP G1328C and the SNP-surrounding region let us find that the Pik DNA variants of the studied rice lines appear to be divided into G-, C-, T- and G’-types. Based on the four genotypes, a Pike-specific marker system consisting of three PCR-based markers CP-G1328C, CP-G1328T and CP-G1328G’ was developed and used to effectively differentiate G-type allele from each of the others. Using this marker system, we investigated distribution of the Pik DNA variants in a set of 326 rice varieties or breeding lines and found that there were 2, 130, 135 and 59 rice lines identified to carry G-, C-, T- and G’-type alleles, respectively. In addition, with sequence data of the SNP G1328C-containing genomic region derived from 56 rice lines, we constructed a phylogenetic tree with three major clades which just corresponded to the types of the Pik DNA variants described above.

Expression-based genotyping of the rice blast resistance genes in the elite maintainer line Yixiang1B

Rice blast caused by Magnaporthe oryzae poses a major threat to rice production worldwide. Utilization of resistance is the most effective and economic means to control the disease. An elite maintainer line Yixiang1B (Y1B) has been widely exploited in three-line hybrid rice breeding. However, it remains unclear which blast resistance gene or genes contribute to its resistant phenotype. In this work, we found that a novel functional Pid2 allele is critical for the Y1B’s resistance against rice blast pathogen. First, we confirmed that Y1B is resistant to a number of M. oryzae isolates, with a resistance frequency of 65%. Then, we exploited expression-based approach to genotype the cloned rice blast resistance genes. Transcripts from Pid2, Pid3, Pib, Pi36, Pi5 and Pia were readily detected in Y1B upon M. oryzae infection. Sequencing analyses detected many SNPs in these genes, except that Pib had no substitution and Pid2 contained two tandem base-pair mutations at the nucleotide positions 1997 and 1998 leading to the H666R substitution. Knocking-down Pid2_Y1B via RNAi in Y1B resulted in susceptibility. In contrast, over-expression of Pid2_Y1B in a blast-susceptible accession led to enhanced resistance to M. oryzae. Therefore, Pid2_Y1B is the main contributor to the rice blast resistance in Y1B. Taken together, we identified a functional resistance allele of Pid2 that can be utilized as a resource in rice blast resistant breeding programs.

Screening of Rice Germplasm for the Distribution of Rice Blast Resistance Genes and Identification of Resistant Sources

Rice blast, caused by a fungus Magnaporthe oryzae, is one of the most devastating diseases of rice worldwide. Analyzing the valuable genetic resources is important in making progress towards blast resistance. Molecular screening of major rice blast resistance (R) genes was determined in 2,509 accessions of rice germplasm from different geographic regions of Asia and Europe using PCR based markers which showed linkage to twelve major blast R genes, Pik-p, Pi39, Pit, Pik-m, Pi-d(t)2, Pii, Pib, Pik, Pita, Pita/Pita-2, Pi5, and Piz-t. Out of 2,509 accessions, only two accessions had maximum nine blast resistance genes followed by eighteen accessions each with eight R genes. The polygenic combination of three genes was possessed by maximum number of accessions (824), while among others 48 accessions possessed seven genes, 119 accessions had six genes, 267 accessions had five genes, 487 accessions had four genes, 646 accessions had two genes, and 98 accessions had single R gene. The Pik-p gene appeared to be omnipresent and was detected in all germplasm. Furthermore, principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that Pita, Pita/Pita-2, Pi-d(t)2, Pib and Pit were the major genes responsible for resistance in the germplasm. The present investigation revealed that a set of 68 elite germplasm accessions would have a competitive edge over the current resistance donors being utilized in the breeding programs. Overall, these results might be useful to identify and incorporate the resistance genes from germplasm into elite cultivars through marker assisted selection in rice breeding.

Marker‐assisted selection for rice blast resistance genes Pi2 and Pi9 through high‐resolution melting of a gene‐targeted amplicon

AbstractThe use of host resistance (R) genes is considered the most cost‐effective option to control the rice blast disease. The two allelic R genes Pi2 and Pi9 confer very broad‐spectrum resistance against blast isolates collected worldwide. However, the two genes have not yet been widely deployed in rice breeding programmes. Availability of specific markers for them would facilitate incorporating the two R genes into new rice lines through marker‐assisted selection. Herein, we report the development and utilization of a robust and specific marker for the Pi2 and Pi9. This marker was derived from polymorphisms within the target gene, and achieved simultaneously distinguish Pi2 and Pi9 from other alleles through high‐resolution melting of a small amplicon. With the marker, we were able to transfer the Pi2 into an elite restorer line through marker‐assisted backcrossing, successfully obtained effective resistance to blast disease, and we were also able to, respectively, incorporate the Pi2 and Pi9 with two other R genes. As the additive effect, blast resistance in these stacking lines harbouring three R genes were significantly improved.

Identification of blast resistance genes in 358 rice germplasms (Oryza sativa L.) using functional molecular markers

Rice blast, caused by the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae, is one of the most devastating diseases of rice (Oryza sativa L.), and neck blast is the most destructive phase of this disease. Although neck blast causes tremendous yield loss, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying the neck blast resistance. To address this issue, we collected 358 rice varieties from different ecotypes in China and assessed them for the neck blast resistance under natural conditions favoring disease development in Jining, Shandong Province. Our results showed that 124 (34.6%) and 234 (65.4%) varieties were resistant and susceptible to M. oryzae under natural field conditions, respectively. Among the 358 rice varieties that were screened for the presence of 13 major blast resistance (R) genes against M. oryzae by using functional markers, 259 varieties contained one to seven R genes. In addition, the relationship between the presence of R genes and the disease reactions was also investigated by integrative analysis of phenotyping and genotyping based on functional markers. Our results showed that the rice blast resistance gene Pi2 was significantly correlated with neck blast resistance. Furthermore, any of the 13 major blast R genes was absent from 32 rice varieties exhibited obvious neck blast resistance, which would be the potential materials for identifying novel neck blast R genes. Taken together, our findings provide insight into the distribution of the 13 major blast R genes in the tested Chinese rice germplasm resources, which will serve as a basis for developing rice blast resistant. Furthermore, 32 rice varieties exhibited neck blast resistance, but they did not harbor any of the 13 major blast R genes. In the future, these varieties may be used to identify novel neck blast R genes.

Analysis of the diversity and function of the alleles of the rice blast resistance genes Piz-t, Pita and Pik in 24 rice cultivars

Understanding the sequence diversity of rice blast resistance genes is important for breeding new resistant rice cultivars against the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae. In this study, we selected 24 rice cultivars with different genetic backgrounds to study the allelic diversity of rice blast resistance genes Piz-t, Pita and Pik. For Piz-t, a total of 17 allelic types were found within the 24 cultivars. Blast inoculations showed that most of the mutations can affect the function of the resistance gene. For Pita, except for the difference at the 918th amino acid, a majority of the 21 mutations were detected among the cultivars. Inoculations with blast isolates carrying Avr-Pita revealed that cultivars with mutations in other sites except for the 918th amino acid did not affect the function of the Pita gene. For Pik, a total of six allelic types were found within the 24 cultivars, but five of them lost the function of the resistance gene. In addition, we found that Piz-t, Pita and Pik were expressed constitutively in the 24 rice cultivars and the expression level was not related to resistance. Our results have provided the sequence diversity information of the resistance genes Piz-t, Pita and Pik among the popular rice cultivars grown in the northeast region of China.

Geographically Distinct and Domain-Specific Sequence Variations in the Alleles of Rice Blast Resistance Gene Pib.

Rice blast is caused by Magnaporthe oryzae, which is the most destructive fungal pathogen affecting rice growing regions worldwide. The rice blast resistance gene Pib confers broad-spectrum resistance against Southeast Asian M. oryzae races. We investigated the allelic diversity of Pib in rice germplasm originating from 12 major rice growing countries. Twenty-five new Pib alleles were identified that have unique single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), insertions and/or deletions, in addition to the polymorphic nucleotides that are shared between the different alleles. These partially or completely shared polymorphic nucleotides indicate frequent sequence exchange events between the Pib alleles. In some of the new Pib alleles, nucleotide diversity is high in the LRR domain, whereas, in others it is distributed among the NB-ARC and LRR domains. Most of the polymorphic amino acids in LRR and NB-ARC2 domains are predicted as solvent-exposed. Several of the alleles and the unique SNPs are country specific, suggesting a diversifying selection of alleles in various geographical locations in response to the locally prevalent M. oryzae population. Together, the new Pib alleles are an important genetic resource for rice blast resistance breeding programs and provide new information on rice-M. oryzae interactions at the molecular level.