PAL1 gene of the phenylpropanoid pathway increases resistance to the Cassava brown streak virus in cassava

• Published in: Virology journal Vol. 18; no. 1; p. 184
• Main Authors: Kavil, Siji, Otti, Gerald, Bouvaine, Sophie, Armitage, Andrew, Maruthi, Midatharahally N
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 09.09.2021; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Acibenzolar-S-methyl; Ammonia; Cassava; CBSD; Chalcone synthase; Cinnamic acid; Disease resistance; Disease Resistance - genetics; Diseases and pests; Gene expression; Genetic aspects; Genetic engineering; Genomes; Genotype; Hardiness; Identification and classification; Induction; Infections; Manihot - genetics; Manihot - virology; PAL1; Pal1 gene; Pathogens; Phenylalanine; Plant Diseases - genetics; Plant Diseases - virology; Plant virus diseases; Plants; Potyviridae - pathogenicity; Resistance; RNA-mediated interference; Transcriptomes; United Kingdom; United Kingdom > UK; United States > US; Africa; Resistance; PAL1; Induction; CBSD; Cassava
• ISSN: 1743-422X; 1743-422X
• DOI: 10.1186/s12985-021-01649-2

The phenylalanine ammonia lyase genes play crucial role in plant response to biotic and abiotic stresses. In this study, we characterized the role of PAL genes in increasing resistance to the Cassava brown streak virus that causes the economically important cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) on cassava in Africa. The whole transcriptomes of eight cassava varieties differing in resistance to CBSD were obtained at 1, 5 and 8 weeks after CBSV infection. Analysis of RNA-Seq data identified the overexpression of PAL1, PAL2, cinnamic acid and two chalcone synthase genes in CBSD-resistant cassava varieties, which was subsequently confirmed by RT-qPCR. The exogenous application of Acibenzolar-S-Methyl induced PAL1 gene expression to enhance resistance in the susceptible var. Kalawe. In contrast, the silencing of PAL1 by RNA interference led to increased susceptibility of the resistant var. Kaleso to CBSD. PAL1 gene of the phenylpropanoid pathway has a major role in inducing resistance to CBSD in cassava plants and its early induction is key for CBSD resistance.