RPW8.1 Gene Boosts Pattern-Triggered Immunity against Multiple Pathogens
August 2, 2017| |
The Arabidopsis gene RESISTANCE TO POWDERY MILDEW8.1 (RPW8.1) confers resistance to virulent fungal pathogens. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Yan Li and a team of researchers from Sichuan Agricultural University studied the gene by ectopic expression of RPW8.1 in Arabidopsis and rice. This boosted pattern-triggered immunity (PTI), resulting in enhanced resistance against different pathogens in both crops.
In Arabidopsis, analysis revealed that ectopic expression of RPW8.1-YFP upregulated expression of many pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP-)-inducible genes. The transgenic line exhibited pronounced PTI responses such as callose deposition, production of reactive oxygen species, expression of defense-related genes and hypersensitive response such as cell death.
Hence, the growth of a virulent bacterial pathogen was significantly inhibited in transgenic lines expressing RPW8.1-YFP. In rice, expression of RPW8.1-YFP led to enhanced resistance to the blast fungus Pyricularia oryzae and the bacterial pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae.
These results suggest a connection between RPW8.1 function and PTI, and demonstrate the potential of RPW8.1 as a transgene for engineering disease resistance across crops.
For more information, read the article in Plant Biotechnology Journal.
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