Project description:Phytophthora root and stem rot (PRR) caused by oomycete pathogens in the Phytophthora genus poses a significant threat to soybean productivity. While resistance mechanisms against Phytophthora sojae have been extensively studied, the molecular basis underlying immune responses to the newly recognized pathogen, Phytophthora sansomeana, remains largely unknown. In this study, we investigated transcriptomic and epigenetic responses of two resistant (Colfax and NE2701) and two susceptible (Williams 82 and Senaki) soybean lines at four time points (2, 4, 8, and 16 hours post inoculation, hpi) after P. sansomeana inoculation. Through comparative transcriptomic analyses, we identified a greater number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) upon pathogen inoculation in the resistant lines compared to the susceptible lines, predominantly at 8 and 16 hpi. These DEGs were associated with multiple phytohormones, including ethylene, salicylic acid, and jasmonic acid, along with various transcription factors and signaling cascade proteins. Moreover, DE transposable elements (TEs) were predominantly up-regulated after inoculation, and we found that TEs differentially transcribed in a resistant line were enriched near genes. Notably, we identified a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) that was significantly differentially transcribed after inoculation exclusively in the resistant lines, potentially regulating two flanking LURP-one-related genes, known as key defense mediators in Arabidopsis against oomycete pathogens. Furthermore, DNA methylation analysis revealed increased CHH (H = A, T, or C) methylation levels in lncRNAs after inoculation, with delayed responses in the resistant line compared to the susceptible line. Overall, our results provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying resistance to P. sansomeana in soybean and underscore the potential role of lncRNAs and epigenetic regulation in plant defense responses.
Project description:Phytophthora root and stem rot (PRR) caused by oomycete pathogens in the Phytophthora genus poses a significant threat to soybean productivity. While resistance mechanisms against Phytophthora sojae have been extensively studied, the molecular basis underlying immune responses to the newly recognized pathogen, Phytophthora sansomeana, remains largely unknown. In this study, we investigated transcriptomic and epigenetic responses of two resistant (Colfax and NE2701) and two susceptible (Williams 82 and Senaki) soybean lines at four time points (2, 4, 8, and 16 hours post inoculation, hpi) after P. sansomeana inoculation. Through comparative transcriptomic analyses, we identified a greater number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) upon pathogen inoculation in the resistant lines compared to the susceptible lines, predominantly at 8 and 16 hpi. These DEGs were associated with multiple phytohormones, including ethylene, salicylic acid, and jasmonic acid, along with various transcription factors and signaling cascade proteins. Moreover, DE transposable elements (TEs) were predominantly up-regulated after inoculation, and we found that TEs differentially transcribed in a resistant line were enriched near genes. Notably, we identified a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) that was significantly differentially transcribed after inoculation exclusively in the resistant lines, potentially regulating two flanking LURP-one-related genes, known as key defense mediators in Arabidopsis against oomycete pathogens. Furthermore, DNA methylation analysis revealed increased CHH (H = A, T, or C) methylation levels in lncRNAs after inoculation, with delayed responses in the resistant line compared to the susceptible line. Overall, our results provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying resistance to P. sansomeana in soybean and underscore the potential role of lncRNAs and epigenetic regulation in plant defense responses.
Project description:Phytophthora sansomeana infects soybean and causes root rot. It was recently separated from the species complex P. megasperma sensu lato. In this study, we sequenced and annotated its complete mitochondrial genome and compared it to that of nine other Phytophthora species. The genome was assembled into a circular molecule of 39,618 bp with a 22.03% G+C content. Forty-two protein coding genes, 25 tRNA genes and two rRNA genes were annotated in this genome. The protein coding genes include 14 genes in the respiratory complexes, four ATP synthase genes, 16 ribosomal proteins genes, a tatC translocase gene, six conserved ORFs and a unique orf402. The tRNA genes encode tRNAs for 19 amino acids. Comparison among mitochondrial genomes of 10 Phytophthora species revealed three inversions, each covering multiple genes. These genomes were conserved in gene content with few exceptions. A 3' truncated atp9 gene was found in P. nicotianae. All 10 Phytophthora species, as well as other oomycetes and stramenopiles, lacked tRNA genes for threonine in their mitochondria. Phylogenomic analysis using the mitochondrial genomes supported or enhanced previous findings of the phylogeny of Phytophthora spp.