The Grapevine E3 Ubiquitin Ligase VriATL156 Confers Resistance against the Downy Mildew Pathogen <i>Plasmopara viticola</i>
Downy mildew, caused by <i>Plasmopara viticola</i>, is one of the most severe diseases of grapevine (<i>Vitis vinifera</i> L.). Genetic resistance is an effective and sustainable control strategy, but major resistance genes (encoding receptors for specific pathogen effectors)...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2021-01-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/2/940 |
| Summary: | Downy mildew, caused by <i>Plasmopara viticola</i>, is one of the most severe diseases of grapevine (<i>Vitis vinifera</i> L.). Genetic resistance is an effective and sustainable control strategy, but major resistance genes (encoding receptors for specific pathogen effectors) introgressed from wild <i>Vitis</i> species, although effective, may be non-durable because the pathogen can evolve to avoid specific recognition. Previous transcriptomic studies in the resistant species <i>Vitis riparia</i> highlighted the activation of signal transduction components during infection. The transfer of such components to <i>V. vinifera</i> might confer less specific and therefore more durable resistance. Here, we describe the generation of transgenic <i>V. vinifera</i> lines constitutively expressing the <i>V. riparia</i> E3 ubiquitin ligase gene <i>VriATL156</i>. Phenotypic and molecular analysis revealed that the transgenic plants were less susceptible to <i>P. viticola</i> than vector-only controls, confirming the role of this E3 ubiquitin ligase in the innate immune response. Two independent transgenic lines were selected for detailed analysis of the resistance phenotype by RNA-Seq and microscopy, revealing the profound reprogramming of transcription to achieve resistance that operates from the earliest stages of pathogen infection. The introduction of <i>VriATL156</i> into elite grapevine cultivars could therefore provide an effective and sustainable control measure against downy mildew. |
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| ISSN: | 1661-6596 1422-0067 |