Transcriptomic Evidence of a Link between Cell Wall Biogenesis, Pathogenesis, and Vigor in Walnut Root and Trunk Diseases
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Published:2024-01-11
Issue:2
Volume:25
Page:931
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ISSN:1422-0067
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Container-title:International Journal of Molecular Sciences
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language:en
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Short-container-title:IJMS
Author:
Saxe Houston J.1ORCID, Walawage Sriema L.1, Balan Bipin1, Leslie Charles A.1, Brown Patrick J.1, Browne Gregory T.2, Kluepfel Daniel A.2, Westphal Andreas3ORCID, Dandekar Abhaya M.1ORCID
Affiliation:
1. Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA 2. United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service Crops Pathology and Genetics Research Unit, Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA 3. Department of Nematology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
Abstract
Crown gall disease (Agrobacterium tumefaciens), crown/root rot disease (Phytophthora spp.), root lesion disease (Pratylenchus vulnus) and tree vigor are key traits affecting the productivity and quality of walnuts in California. Unchallenged hybrid rootstocks were analyzed by RNA-seq to examine pre-formed factors affecting these traits. Enrichment analysis of the differentially expressed genes revealed that the increased expression of cell wall biogenesis-related genes plays a key role in susceptibility to A. tumefaciens, susceptibility to Phytophthora spp. and increased vigor. Analysis of the predicted subcellular loci of the encoded proteins revealed that many gene products associated with vigor and susceptibility were targeted to the plasma membrane and extracellular space, connecting these traits to sustaining barrier function. We observed that RNA processing and splicing, along with predicted nuclear targeting, were associated with resistance to A. tumefaciens, resistance to Phytophthora spp. and low vigor. Four genes within the J. microcarpa QTL region for resistance to A. tumefaciens and Phytophthora spp. were represented among our transcripts, with two of the genes being differentially expressed in association with resistance to A. tumefaciens and decreased vigor. No differential expression related to Phytophthora spp. or P. vulnus resistance was observed in this region. Additionally, the J. microcarpa haplotype expressed more transcripts associated with resistance to A. tumefaciens, Phytophthora spp. and low vigor, but not P. vulnus, than the J. regia haplotype. We also report unique and shared hormone and defense responses associated with each trait. This research suggests a link between cell wall biogenesis, vigor and critical root diseases of walnut.
Funder
USDA NIFA-SCRI California Walnut Board
Subject
Inorganic Chemistry,Organic Chemistry,Physical and Theoretical Chemistry,Computer Science Applications,Spectroscopy,Molecular Biology,General Medicine,Catalysis
Reference69 articles.
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