Transcriptome and miRNA analyses of the response to Corynespora cassiicola in cucumber

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) target leaf spot (TLS), which is caused by the fungus Corynespora cassiicola (C. cassiicola), seriously endangers the production of cucumber. In this assay, we performed comprehensive sequencing of the transcriptome and microRNAs (miRNAs) of a resistant cucumber (Jinyou 38) during C. cassiicola inoculation using the Illumina NextSeq 500 platform. The possible genes related to the response to C. cassiicola were associated with plant hormones, transcription factors, primary metabolism, Ca²⁺ signaling pathways, secondary metabolism and defense genes. In total, 150 target genes of these differentially expressed miRNAs were predicted by the bioinformatic analysis. By analyzing the function of the target genes, several candidate miRNAs that may be related to the response to C. cassiicola stress were selected. We also predicted 7 novel miRNAs and predicted their target genes. Moreover, the expression patterns of the candidate genes and miRNAs were tested by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. According to the analysis, genes and miRNAs associated with secondary metabolism, particularly the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway, may play a major role in the resistance to C. cassiicola stress in cucumber. These results offer a foundation for future studies exploring the mechanism and key genes of resistance to cucumber TLS.