Comparative proteomics combined with analyses of transgenic plants reveal ZmREM1.3 mediates maize resistance to southern corn rust

Abstract

Summary Southern corn rust (SCR), which is a destructive disease caused by Puccinia polysora Underw. (P. polysora), commonly occurs in warm‐temperate and tropical regions. To identify candidate proteins related to SCR resistance and characterize the molecular mechanisms underlying the maize–P. polysora interaction, a comparative proteomic analysis of susceptible and resistant maize lines was performed. Statistical analyses revealed 1489 differentially abundant proteins in the resistant line, as well as 1035 differentially abundant proteins in the susceptible line. After the P. polysora infection, the abundance of one remorin protein (ZmREM1.3) increased in the resistant genotype, but decreased in the susceptible genotype. Plant‐specific remorins are important for responses to microbial infections as well as plant signalling processes. In this study, transgenic maize plants overexpressing ZmREM1.3 exhibited enhanced resistance to the biotrophic P. polysora. In contrast, homozygous ZmREM1.3 UniformMu mutant plants were significantly more susceptible to P. polysora than wild‐type plants. Additionally, the ZmREM1.3‐overexpressing plants accumulated more salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA). Moreover, the expression levels of defence‐related genes were higher in ZmREM1.3‐overexpressing maize plants than in non‐transgenic control plants in response to the P. polysora infection. Overall, our results provide evidence that ZmREM1.3 positively regulates maize defences against P. polysora likely via SA/JA‐mediated defence signalling pathways. This study represents the first large‐scale proteomic analysis of the molecular mechanisms underlying the maize–P. polysora interaction. This is also the first report confirming the remorin protein family affects plant resistance to SCR.

Identification and Fine Mapping of RppM, a Southern Corn Rust Resistance Gene in Maize

“…SCR has become one of the most destructive plant diseases in the tropics and subtropics. In China, SCR has gradually spread to high-latitude regions following global warming, where it causes significant yield losses in maize production areas every year ( Wang et al., 2019 ). A few inbred lines from tropical germplasm are resistant to SCR, whereas almost all temperate germplasm resources are susceptible ( Zhao et al., 2013 ).…”

“…In recent years, SCR has become the major disease in maize-producing regions of the world, resulting in significant crop losses ( Ali and Yan, 2012 ). In China, SCR was first identified in Sanya and Ledong, Hainan Province, in the early 1970s ( Duan and He, 1984 ) and has gradually spread to high-latitude areas because of global climate change ( Wang et al., 2019 ). In 1998, an outbreak and epidemic of SCR in northern China resulted in yield losses of 42% to 53% ( Zhou et al., 2008 ).…”

Comparative analysis of protein and differential responses of defense-related gene and enzyme activity reveals the long-term molecular responses of sugarcane inoculated with Sporisorium scitamineum

“…Chlorophyll-a/ b-binding protein participates in the light protection process and adaptation to diverse environments (Bassi et al 1990). Proteins involved in photosystem I and II subunits and the chlorophyll a/b-binding antenna complex decreased in response to P. polysora infection in the susceptible maize genotype (Wang et al 2019). It is proposed that the reduction in photosynthetic activities is part of the plant strategy to channel new assimilates to respiration in the infected plants (Su et al 2013).…”

Digging for Stress-Responsive Cell Wall Proteins for Developing Stress-Resistant Maize

“…Stress-responsive CWPs may have direct roles in stress resistance, such as anti-pathogen (chitinases), ROS scavenging (peroxidases), glycoside hydrolase family proteins, and oxidoreductases. Glycoside hydrolase family proteins (e.g., chitinase) hydrolyze chitin (a primary component of a fungus cell wall) to confer crops resistant toward fungi (Wang et al, 2019). Oxidoreductases (e.g., peroxidase, L-ascorbate oxidase, malate dehydrogenase, and polyamine oxidase) can maintain cell redox homeostasis that may change under stress conditions (Passardi et al, 2004;Zhu et al, 2007).…”

“…Maize aspartyl protease AED3 (B4FMW6) may be involved in the systemic acquired resistance against fungal invasion, and its transcript ( Zm00001d027965 ) was increased by a log 2 -fold change of 4.3 in maize infected with Ustilago maydis . A few studies have proved that maize ECA has a key role in several biotic stresses due to fungi, bacteria and insect herbivory ( Huynh et al, 1992 ; Moore et al, 2004 ; Doehlemann et al, 2008 ; Peethambaran et al, 2010 ; Mohammadi et al, 2011 ; Ray et al, 2016 ), particularly having direct antifungal activity via the degradation of fungal cell walls ( Wang et al, 2019 ).…”