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A gene encoding maize caffeoyl-CoA O-methyltransferase confers quantitative resistance to multiple pathogens
Qin Yang1, Yijian He1, Mercy Kabahuma2
1Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.
Nature Genetics
|July 26, 2017
Summary
Multiple disease resistance (MDR) alleles in maize are crucial for crop improvement. Researchers identified ZmCCoAOMT2 as a key gene conferring resistance to southern leaf blight and gray leaf spot, impacting lignin and phenylpropanoid pathways.
Area of Science:
- Plant Genetics
- Molecular Biology
- Crop Science
Background:
- Multiple disease resistance (MDR) alleles are valuable for crop improvement but their molecular mechanisms are often unknown.
- Identifying genes underlying MDR is critical for understanding plant defense pathways and enhancing crop resilience.
- Maize (Zea mays) faces significant yield losses due to foliar diseases like southern leaf blight and gray leaf spot.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize the gene responsible for quantitative trait locus qMdr9.02, which confers resistance to multiple maize foliar diseases.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanism by which the identified gene confers disease resistance.
- To validate the role of the candidate gene in disease resistance through genetic and molecular approaches.
Main Methods:
- Fine-mapping and association analysis to pinpoint the quantitative trait locus (QTL) qMdr9.02 on maize chromosome 9.
- Expression analysis, insertional mutagenesis, and transgenic validation to confirm the function of the candidate gene.
- Analysis of phenylpropanoid pathway metabolites, including lignin, and programmed cell death regulation.
Main Results:
- The gene ZmCCoAOMT2, encoding a caffeoyl-CoA O-methyltransferase, was identified as the causal gene within the qMdr9.02 locus.
- ZmCCoAOMT2 confers quantitative resistance to southern leaf blight and gray leaf spot in maize.
- Allelic variation in ZmCCoAOMT2 affects gene expression and amino acid sequence, leading to altered lignin levels and phenylpropanoid metabolite profiles.
Conclusions:
- ZmCCoAOMT2 is a key gene conferring multiple disease resistance in maize, specifically against southern leaf blight and gray leaf spot.
- The resistance mechanism involves allelic variations influencing gene expression and protein function, impacting lignin biosynthesis and programmed cell death.
- Understanding ZmCCoAOMT2's role provides insights into plant defense strategies and offers targets for breeding disease-resistant maize varieties.
