Li Manqiao, Che Xiaoli, Liang Qiwen, Li Kuixiu, Xiang Guisheng, Liu Xuyan, Zhao Yan, Wei Fugang, Yang Shengchao, Liu Guanze
College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio- Resources in Yunnan, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center on Germplasms Innovation & Utilization of Chinese Medicinal Materials in Southwest China, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan, 650201, China.
Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan, 650201, China.
BMC Genomics. 2025 Feb 3;26(1):104. doi: 10.1186/s12864-025-11280-y.
WRKY transcription factors (TFs) are key regulators of plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Previous studies demonstrated that the role of WRKY TFs play in the disease resistance of Panax notoginseng, the causal agent of root rot disease. However, comprehensive genome-wide analyses of WRKY genes in this species remain scarce.
We identified 79 WRKY genes in the P. notoginseng genome, classifing them into three groups based on structural features and phylogenetic relationships: Class I (14 genes), Class II (55 genes), and Class III (10 genes). Of these, 58 PnWRKY genes were mapped to the P. notoginseng chromosomes and showed collinearity with Arabidopsis thaliana, Daucus carota, and three Solanaceae species. Expression analysis revealed that 53 PnWRKY genes were actively transcribed across various tissues, including roots, flowers, stems, rhizomes, and different root parts. Furthermore, PnWRKY genes responded to Cylindrocarpon destructans infection and were induced by jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA). Notably, the ectopic expression of PnWRKY35 in tobacco enhanced resistance to C. destructans, accompanied by increased levels of gibberellins (GA, GA, GA), JA, SA, and brassinolide. KEGG enrichment analysis of 547 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) indicated their involvement pathways related to disease resistance, including the biosynthesis of sesquiterpenes and triterpenes, JA biosynthesis, plant-pathogen interactions and the MAPK signaling pathway.
This study demonstrated that the WRKY family in P. notoginseng plays a significant role in resistance to root rot disease. PnWRKY genes are responsive to MeJA and SA induction as well as C. destructans infection. Moreover, ectopic expression of PnWRKY35 activates multiple plant disease resistance pathways, increases phytohormone levels, and enhance resistance to C. destructans. These findings provide a foundation for future exploration of the mechanism underlying P. notoginseng resistance to root rot disease.
WRKY转录因子是植物对生物和非生物胁迫响应的关键调节因子。先前的研究表明了WRKY转录因子在三七根腐病抗病性中所起的作用，根腐病的病原体。然而，对该物种WRKY基因进行全面的全基因组分析仍然很少。
我们在三七基因组中鉴定出79个WRKY基因，根据结构特征和系统发育关系将它们分为三组：第一类（14个基因）、第二类（55个基因）和第三类（10个基因）。其中，58个PnWRKY基因被定位到三七染色体上，并与拟南芥、胡萝卜和三种茄科植物表现出共线性。表达分析表明，53个PnWRKY基因在包括根、花、茎、根茎和不同根部位在内的各种组织中都有活跃转录。此外，PnWRKY基因对毁灭柱孢菌感染有反应，并受茉莉酸（JA）和水杨酸（SA）诱导。值得注意的是，PnWRKY35在烟草中的异位表达增强了对毁灭柱孢菌的抗性，同时伴随着赤霉素（GA1、GA3、GA4）、JA、SA和油菜素内酯水平的增加。对547个差异表达基因（DEG）的KEGG富集分析表明它们参与了与抗病性相关的途径，包括倍半萜和三萜的生物合成、JA生物合成、植物-病原体相互作用和MAPK信号通路。
本研究表明三七中的WRKY家族在抗根腐病中起重要作用。PnWRKY基因对茉莉酸甲酯和水杨酸诱导以及毁灭柱孢菌感染有反应。此外，PnWRKY35的异位表达激活了多种植物抗病途径；增加了植物激素水平，并增强了对毁灭柱孢菌的抗性。这些发现为未来探索三七抗根腐病的潜在机制奠定了基础。
