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Evolutionary conservation of MLO gene promoter signatures

Giuseppe Andolfo1, Paolo Iovieno1, Luigi Ricciardi2

  • 1Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Università 100, 80055, Portici (Naples), Italy.

BMC Plant Biology
|April 19, 2019
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Researchers identified key DNA motifs in MLO genes that increase susceptibility to powdery mildew (PM). These findings help identify MLO susceptibility genes in plants, aiding in developing disease resistance strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Plant pathology
  • Molecular biology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Powdery mildew (PM) is a significant fungal disease causing economic losses in agriculture.
  • MLO gene family members act as susceptibility factors for PM, with loss-of-function conferring resistance.
  • MLO susceptibility genes are upregulated upon PM infection, but their precise role remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the regulatory elements and motifs within MLO gene promoter regions.
  • To understand the genomic relationships and phylogenetic patterns of MLO homologs.
  • To identify diagnostic features for MLO susceptibility genes in plants.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 414 Putative Promoter Regions (PPRs) of MLO genes.
  • Identification of overrepresented motifs in MLO genes upregulated by PM infection.
  • Expression analysis of a candidate melon MLO gene upon Podosphaera xanthii infection.

Main Results:

  • Specific motifs, including a TC box-like and a thymine-rich motif, were overrepresented in MLO genes upregulated by PM.
  • These motifs are associated with genomic relationships and phylogenetic distances among MLO homologs.
  • A melon MLO gene containing these motifs showed strong upregulation after PM infection.

Conclusions:

  • Identified a candidate MLO susceptibility gene in melon (Cucumis melo L.).
  • Provided insights into the transcriptional control mechanisms of MLO genes.
  • Indicated diagnostic features for identifying MLO susceptibility genes across plant species affected by PM.
Keywords:
Cis-acting regulatory elementMLOMotifPowdery mildew resistanceTranscription

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