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Transcriptome and DNA Methylome Reveal Insights Into Phytoplasma Infection Responses in Mulberry (Morus multicaulis
Chaorui Liu1,2, Xiaonan Dong2, Yuqi Xu2
1State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, China.
Abstract:
To reveal whether the response of mulberry to phytoplasma infection is associated with genome-wide DNA methylation changes, the methylome and transcriptome patterns of mulberry in response to phytoplasma infection were explored. Though the average methylation level of the infected leaves showed no significant difference from that of healthy leaves, there were 1,253 differentially methylated genes (DMGs) and 1,168 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the infected leaves, and 51 genes were found simultaneously to be differently methylated and expressed. It was found that the expression of G-type lectin S-receptor-like serine/threonine protein kinase gene (Mu-GsSRK) was increased, but its methylation level was decreased in the pathogen-infected or salicylic acid (SA)-treated leaves. Overexpression of Mu-GsSRK in Arabidopsis and in the hairy roots of mulberry enhanced transgenic plant resistance to the phytoplasma. Moreover, overexpression of Mu-GsSRK enhanced the expressions of pathogenesis-related protein 1, plant defensin, and cytochrome P450 protein CYP82C2 genes in transgenic plants inoculated with pathogens, which may contribute to the enhanced disease resistance against various pathogens. Finally, the DNA methylation dynamic patterns and functions of the differentially expressed and methylated genes were discussed. The results suggested that DNA methylation has important roles in mulberry responses to phytoplasma infection.
Insights
Mulberry plants alter DNA methylation patterns in response to phytoplasma infection, with specific genes like Mu-GsSRK enhancing disease resistance. This highlights DNA methylation
Area of Science:
- Plant pathology
- Epigenetics
- Molecular biology
Background:
- Phytoplasma infections pose a significant threat to mulberry production.
- Understanding plant responses to pathogens involves investigating molecular mechanisms like DNA methylation.
- Genome-wide methylation and expression patterns are crucial for deciphering plant-pathogen interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between genome-wide DNA methylation changes and mulberry's response to phytoplasma infection.
- To identify differentially methylated genes (DMGs) and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in infected mulberry.
- To explore the role of specific genes, such as Mu-GsSRK, in plant defense.
Main Methods:
- Methylome and transcriptome sequencing of mulberry leaves under phytoplasma infection.
- Identification and analysis of differentially methylated and expressed genes.
- Gene overexpression studies in *Arabidopsis* and mulberry hairy roots.
- Analysis of downstream gene expression in response to Mu-GsSRK overexpression.
Main Results:
- While average methylation levels showed no significant difference, 1,253 DMGs and 1,168 DEGs were identified in infected mulberry.
- The gene Mu-GsSRK showed increased expression and decreased methylation upon infection or salicylic acid treatment.
- Overexpression of Mu-GsSRK enhanced resistance to phytoplasma in transgenic plants and boosted defense-related gene expression.
Conclusions:
- DNA methylation plays a crucial role in the response of mulberry to phytoplasma infection.
- Mu-GsSRK is a key gene involved in enhancing plant disease resistance.
- Epigenetic modifications, particularly DNA methylation, are vital components of plant immunity.
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