Transcriptomic insights into the molecular mechanism for response of wild emmer wheat to stripe rust fungus

• Published in: Frontiers in plant science Vol. 14; p. 1320976
• Main Authors: Ren, Jing, Chen, Liang, Liu, Jian, Zhou, Bailing, Sha, Yujie, Hu, Guodong, Peng, Junhua
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland Frontiers Media S.A 03.01.2024
• Subjects: molecular mechanism; Plant Science; stripe rust; transcription factor; transcriptome; wild emmer wheat; transcription factor; molecular mechanism; wild emmer wheat; stripe rust; transcriptome
• ISSN: 1664-462X; 1664-462X
• DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1320976

Continuous identification and application of novel resistance genes against stripe rust are of great importance for wheat breeding. Wild emmer wheat, , has adapted to a broad range of environments and is a valuable genetic resource that harbors important beneficial traits, including resistance to stripe rust caused by f. sp. ( ). However, there has been a lack of systematic exploration of genes against Pst races in wild emmer wheat. Genome-wide transcriptome profiles were conducted on two wild emmer wheat genotypes with different levels of resistance to ( (DR3 exhibiting moderate ( resistance, and D7 displaying high ( resistance). qRT-PCR was performed to verify findings by RNA-seq. A higher number of DEGs were identified in the moderately ( -resistant genotype, while the highly ( -resistant genotype exhibited a greater enrichment of pathways. Nonetheless, there were consistent patterns in the enrichment of pathways between the two genotypes at the same time of inoculation. At 24 hpi, a majority of pathways such as the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, phenylalanine metabolism, and alpha-Linolenic acid metabolism exhibited significant enrichment in both genotypes. At 72 hpi, the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and circadian rhythm-plant pathways were notably and consistently enriched in both genotypes. The majority of ( , and families were found to be involved in the initial stage of response to invasion (24 hpi), while the , and families played a role in defense during the later stage of infection (72 hpi). In this present study, we identified numerous crucial genes, transcription factors, and pathways associated with the response and regulation of wild emmer wheat to infection. Our findings offer valuable information for understanding the function of crucial -responsive genes, and will deepen the understanding of the complex resistance mechanisms against in wheat.