TaCAD12 Gene Contributes to Resistance to Sharp Eyespot Disease in Wheat
November 3, 2016Sharp eyespot, caused by Rhizoctonia cerealis, is a destructive disease in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). In Arabidopsis, certain cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenases (CADs) are known to be related to monolignol synthesis and in plant response to bacterial pathogens. However, little is known about CADs in wheat defense. A research team from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, led by Wei Rong, isolated a wheat CAD gene, TaCAD12 and studied its defense role in wheat.
Transcript levels of TaCAD12 in sharp eyespot-resistant wheat lines were significantly higher compared to the gene's transcript levels in susceptible lines. Analysis revealed that TaCAD12 protein is an authentic CAD enzyme and possesses catalytic efficiencies towards both coniferyl aldehyde and sinapyl aldehyde.
A TaCAD12 knockdown in wheat plants significantly repressed the plants' resistance to sharp eyespot, while TaCAD12 overexpression enhanced resistance of the transgenic wheat. Furthermore, certain defense genes and monolignol biosynthesis-related genes were also upregulated in the TaCAD12-overexpressing wheat plants, but down-regulated in TaCAD12-silencing plants.
These results suggest that TaCAD12 positively contributes to resistance against sharp eyespot through regulation of the expression of certain defense genes.
For more information, read the full article in Frontiers of Plant Science.
The Crop Biotech Update is a weekly newsletter of ISAAA, a not-for-profit organization. The CBU is distributed for free to over 23,000 subscribers worldwide to inform them about the key developments in biosciences, especially in agricultural biotechnology. Your support will help us in our mission to feed the world with knowledge. You can help by donating as little as $10.
-
See more articles:
-
News from Around the World
- FAO Report Promotes Biotechnology as Key Tool in Facing Climate Change
- African Party State Delegates Converge for COP/MOP 8 Preparatory Workshop
- Kenyan Editors Urged to Rely on National Biosafety Authority for GMO Safety Matters
- Scientists Trace Evolution of Abscisic Acid
- Non-bruising GE Potato Cleared for Sale by USDA
- Meta-analysis in Mexico Confirms There are No Additional Risks in GM Maize Compared with Conventional Maize
- Scientists Find SGR Gene Induces Color Changes in Leaves
- Philippines Research Shows Bt Eggplant Does Not Harm Non-target Insects
- Research Team Develops Technique that Quickly Identifies Chemicals Affecting Plant Growth
- GM Crops Could Soon be Grown in UK After Brexit, Says Ag Minister
-
Research Highlights
- Overexpression of HvPAPhy_a Gene Increases Phytase Activity in Mature Barley Straw and Grains
- TaCAD12 Gene Contributes to Resistance to Sharp Eyespot Disease in Wheat
-
Plant Breeding Innovations
- Researchers Review Opportunities Presented by CRISPR-Based Tools in Understanding Plant–Pathogen Interactions
- New Gene Editing Technology Cures Blood Disorder in Mice
-
Resources
- ISAAA Infographic: Approved Transgenic Plant Events
-
Read the latest: - Crop Biotech Update (August 10, 2022)
- Genome Editing Supplement (August 10, 2022)
- Gene Drive Supplement (July 27, 2022)
-
Subscribe to CBU: - Share
- Tweet