The Gossypium hirsutum WRKY gene GhWRKY39-1 promotes pathogen infection defense responses and mediates salt stress tolerance in transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana

Abstract

WRKY transcription factor genes play significant roles in the response to biotic and abiotic stresses. Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) is an important fiber and oil crop worldwide. We isolated and characterized GhWRKY39-1, which is a group IId WRKY gene that is present as a single copy in the cotton genome. Quantitative PCR analyses indicated that GhWRKY39-1 was induced by pathogen infection, defense-related signaling molecules, and abiotic stresses, such as NaCl and methyl viologen. An analysis of the subcellular localization of the GhWRKY39-1 protein indicated that it localized to the nucleus. Furthermore, constitutive overexpression of GhWRKY39-1 in Nicotiana benthamiana conferred a greater resistance to infection by both the bacterial pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum and the fungal pathogen Rhizoctonia solani. The transgenic plants also exhibited elevated mRNA levels of several pathogen-related (PR) genes, including PR1c, PR2 and PR4. Moreover, transgenic plants displayed an enhanced tolerance to salt and oxidative stress and elevated expression of several oxidation-related genes, including APX, CAT, GST and SOD. Overall, these results indicate that GhWRKY39-1 functions as a positive regulator of plant defense against pathogen infection and responses to salt stress and reactive oxygen species.

Genetic Stability and Disease Resistance Analysis of Hrpzpsta Gene in Transgenic Soybean Lines

“…The activity level was significantly higher than non-transgenic varieties, but the activity change rates of PAL, PPO and POD in the transgenic line was not significantly higher than in the untransformed variety which indicated that transformed hrpZpsta gene soybean had the ability to respond quickly to pathogen infection. This is consistent with reports of other plants on enzyme activity (Shi et al, 2014;Lei et al, 2010).…”

Comparative analysis of BABA and Piriformospora indica mediated priming of defence-related genes in tomato against early blight

“…SlWRKY39 expression was significantly up regulated in both BABA-treated and P. indica-colonized plants in response to pathogen attack suggesting the role of BABA and P. indica in modulating both SA-and MeJA-dependent defence pathways. Recently it is reported that constitutive overexpression of GhWRKY39-1 in Nicotiana benthamiana conferred a greater resistance to infection by both the bacterial pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum and the fungal pathogen Rhizoctonia solani through SAdependent/MeJA-dependent defence pathways [30].…”

Overexpression of a Pathogenesis-Related Protein 10 Enhances Biotic and Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Rice

“…Previous studies have shown that overexpression of stress responsive genes in plant may improve its adaption to various stresses and increase the yield (Li et al, 2014; Shi et al, 2014). Previously, JIOsPR10 was reported to be involved in the biotic stress tolerance, such as M. oryzae infections (Kim et al, 2004).…”