Expression Analysis of MaTGA8 Transcription Factor in Banana and Its Defence Functional Analysis by Overexpression in Arabidopsis.

TGA transcription factor is a member of the D subfamily of the basic region-leucine zippers (bZIP) family. It is a type of transcription factor that was first identified in plants and is the main regulator in plant development and physiological processes, including morphogenesis and seed formation in response to abiotic and biotic stress and maintaining plant growth. The present study examined the sequence of the transcription factor, the sequence of which belonged to subfamily D of the bZIP and had multiple cis-acting elements such as the G-box, TCA-element, TGACG-element, and P-box. Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analyses showed that was significantly down-regulated by the soil-borne fungus f. sp. race 4 (Foc TR4). Under the induction of salicylic acid (SA), was down-regulated, while different members of the family responded significantly differently. Among them, and showed an overall upward trend, and the expression level of , and was higher than other members. is a nuclear-localized transcription factor through strong interaction with or weaker interaction with , and it is implied that the gene can be activated. In addition, the transgenic has obvious disease resistance and higher chlorophyll content than the wild-type with the infection of Foc TR4. These results indicate that may enhance the resistance of bananas to Foc TR4 by interacting with or . This study provides a basis for further research on the application of banana TGA transcription factors in Foc TR4 stress and disease resistance and molecular breeding programs.