Abstract
AbstractPathogenesis-related (PR) genes are key regulators of plant adaptation responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Family 10 PRs (PR10s, also known as major latex proteins) are usually induced by pathogens and environmental stresses. However, the evolutionary trajectory and functional divergence of the PR10 gene family in Chinese white pear (Pyrus bretschneideri ‘Dangshan Suli’) remain uncharacterized. The presence of 61 PR10s was detected across six Rosaceae species. The PR10 gene family was classified into two distinct groups by employing phylogenetic analysis and the taxonomic criteria of model plants. Interspecies synchrony revealed an ancient origin of the PR10 family in the six Rosaceae species, with 18 synchronic gene pairs. The expansion and evolution of the PR10 family were driven by various types of gene duplication events, with whole-genome duplication (WGD) being the primary mechanism. A candidate Colletotrichum fructicola (C. fructicola) resistance gene Pyrusbretschneiderimajor latex-like proteins (PbrMLP) belonging to the PR10 family was screened through transcriptomics and qRT-PCR. In addition, PbrMLP-silenced pear seedlings were more sensitive to C. fructicola than the controls. These results showed that PbrMLP is a candidate gene vital for anthracnose resistance in pears. These findings offer novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the resistance to pear anthracnose infection in Rosaceae species and identify potential target genes for developing disease-resistant cultivars through genetic engineering.
Funder
the National Key Research and Development Program of China
Innovative Research Group Project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China
the Jiangsu Agriculture Science and Technology Innovation Fund
the Seed Industry Promotion Project of Jiangsu
the Guidance Foundation of the Hainan Institute of Nanjing Agricultural University
the Project Funded by the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, and the Earmarked Fund for China Agriculture Research System
Jiangsu Provincial Agricultural Science and Technology Independent Innovation Fund
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC