Transcription factor VlPAT2 enhances the resistance of grapevine to Botrytis cinerea by promoting ROS accumulation

The overexpression of VlPAT2 enhances the resistance of grapevine and Arabidopsis thaliana to Botrytis cinerea, and promotes the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, as well as the expression of multiple PR genes and R genes. Grape grey mould caused by the necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea causes severe economic losses to the grape industry. Identifying disease resistance genes and elucidating their mechanisms provide critical insights for molecular breeding. Here, we report a GRAS family transcription factor VlPAT2 from the grapevine cultivar 'Beta' (Vitis labrusca) that exhibits high resistance to B. cinerea, which is involved in positively regulating grape resistance to this fungal pathogen. The VlPAT2 expression is responsive to treatments of salicylic acid, ethephon, bacterial flagellin peptide flg22, and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Overexpression of VlPAT2 in grapes and Arabidopsis thaliana can enhance resistance to B. cinerea, accompanied by the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In addition, the transcriptional levels of salicylic acid signalling-associated defence genes (PR1 and PR5) and multiple resistance genes (R genes) were significantly upregulated in VlPAT2-overexpressing grape leaves. In conclusion, our findings indicate that the transcription factor VlPAT2 enhances disease resistance in grapevines and provides a gene source for the molecular breeding of grape varieties resistant to B. cinerea.