Plant Molecular Biology (2020) 104, 339-357

Samuel A. Santos, Pedro M.P. Vidigal, Lúcio M.S. Guimarães, Reginaldo G. Mafia, Matthew D. Templeton and Acelino C. Alfenas (2020)
Transcriptome analysis of Eucalyptus grandis genotypes reveals constitutive overexpression of genes related to rust (Austropuccinia psidii) resistance
Plant Molecular Biology 104 (4-5), 339-357
Abstract: Abstract Myrtle rust caused by Austropuccinia psidii is considered one of the most important fungal diseases affecting Eucalyptus spp. plantations in Brazil. Although the selection and planting of resistant eucalypt genotypes have been the major strategies to manage the disease in Brazil, the molecular mechanisms involved in resistance are still unclear. In this study, we evaluated the gene expression profile of two contrasting Eucalyptus grandis genotypes in resistance level to rust by RNA-Seq. The two genotypes showed a very different background gene expression level even without A. psidii infection. The resistant genotype had a constitutive overexpression of a large number of protein-coding genes compared to the susceptible genotype. These genes were mainly associated with signal transduction, photosynthesis, regulation and response to salicylic acid (SA), and protein kinase leucine-rich receptors (PK-LRR). PK-LRR and SA mediated disease resistance are well known to be effective against obligate biotroph pathogens, such as A. psidii. In addition, at 24 h after infection, the susceptible genotype was able to activate some response, however, several resistance-related proteins had their expression level reduced with A. psidii infection. Here, we present the first analysis of E. grandis genotypes transcriptomes infected by A. psidii and it reveals a constitutive overexpression of several resistance-related genes in the resistant genotype compared to the susceptible one. Our findings have the potential to be used as candidate molecular markers for resistance to myrtle rust.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Full text of article
Database assignments for author(s): Matthew D. Templeton, Acelino C. Alfenas

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
resistance/tolerance/defence of host

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Austropuccinia psidii	Eucalypt (Eucalyptus)