Early and Late Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Responses of <i>Rhododendron</i> ‘Xiaotaohong’ Petals to Infection with <i>Alternaria</i> sp.
In recent years, petal blight disease caused by pathogens has become increasingly epidemic in <i>Rhododendron</i>. Breeding disease-resistant rhododendron is considered to be a more environmentally friendly strategy than is the use of chemical reagents. In this study, we aimed to investi...
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MDPI AG
2023-08-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/16/12695 |
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| author | Xi-Min Zhang Jie-Ting Li Ying Xia Xiao-Qian Shi Xian-Lun Liu Ming Tang Jing Tang Wei Sun Yin Yi |
| author_facet | Xi-Min Zhang Jie-Ting Li Ying Xia Xiao-Qian Shi Xian-Lun Liu Ming Tang Jing Tang Wei Sun Yin Yi |
| author_sort | Xi-Min Zhang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In recent years, petal blight disease caused by pathogens has become increasingly epidemic in <i>Rhododendron</i>. Breeding disease-resistant rhododendron is considered to be a more environmentally friendly strategy than is the use of chemical reagents. In this study, we aimed to investigate the response mechanisms of rhododendron varieties to petal blight, using transcriptomics and metabolomics analyses. Specifically, we monitored changes in gene expression and metabolite accumulation in <i>Rhododendron</i> ‘Xiaotaohong’ petals infected with the <i>Alternaria</i> sp. strain (MR-9). The infection of MR-9 led to the development of petal blight and induced significant changes in gene transcription. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were predominantly enriched in the plant–pathogen interaction pathway. These DEGs were involved in carrying out stress responses, with genes associated with H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> production being up-regulated during the early and late stages of infection. Correspondingly, H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> accumulation was detected in the vicinity of the blight lesions. In addition, defense-related genes, including PR and FRK, exhibited significant up-regulated expression during the infection by MR-9. In the late stage of the infection, we also observed significant changes in differentially abundant metabolites (DAMs), including flavonoids, alkaloids, phenols, and terpenes. Notably, the levels of euscaphic acid, ganoderol A, (−)-cinchonidine, and theophylline in infected petals were 21.8, 8.5, 4.5, and 4.3 times higher, respectively, compared to the control. Our results suggest that H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>, defense-related genes, and DAM accumulation are involved in the complex response mechanisms of <i>Rhododendron</i> ‘Xiaotaohong’ petals to MR-9 infection. These insights provide a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of petal blight disease and may have practical implications for developing disease-resistant rhododendron varieties. |
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| id | doaj.art-da2cd9efe78f424ea2d07e5838bb85d6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1661-6596 1422-0067 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T23:52:49Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
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| series | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-da2cd9efe78f424ea2d07e5838bb85d62023-11-19T01:27:35ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences1661-65961422-00672023-08-0124161269510.3390/ijms241612695Early and Late Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Responses of <i>Rhododendron</i> ‘Xiaotaohong’ Petals to Infection with <i>Alternaria</i> sp.Xi-Min Zhang0Jie-Ting Li1Ying Xia2Xiao-Qian Shi3Xian-Lun Liu4Ming Tang5Jing Tang6Wei Sun7Yin Yi8Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Development Regulation, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550025, ChinaKey Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Development Regulation, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550025, ChinaKey Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Development Regulation, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550025, ChinaKey Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Development Regulation, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550025, ChinaKey Laboratory of Environment Friendly Management on Alpine Rhododendron Diseases and Pests of Institutions of Higher Learning in Guizhou Province, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550025, ChinaSchool of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550025, ChinaKey Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Development Regulation, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550025, ChinaKey Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Development Regulation, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550025, ChinaKey Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Development Regulation, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550025, ChinaIn recent years, petal blight disease caused by pathogens has become increasingly epidemic in <i>Rhododendron</i>. Breeding disease-resistant rhododendron is considered to be a more environmentally friendly strategy than is the use of chemical reagents. In this study, we aimed to investigate the response mechanisms of rhododendron varieties to petal blight, using transcriptomics and metabolomics analyses. Specifically, we monitored changes in gene expression and metabolite accumulation in <i>Rhododendron</i> ‘Xiaotaohong’ petals infected with the <i>Alternaria</i> sp. strain (MR-9). The infection of MR-9 led to the development of petal blight and induced significant changes in gene transcription. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were predominantly enriched in the plant–pathogen interaction pathway. These DEGs were involved in carrying out stress responses, with genes associated with H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> production being up-regulated during the early and late stages of infection. Correspondingly, H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> accumulation was detected in the vicinity of the blight lesions. In addition, defense-related genes, including PR and FRK, exhibited significant up-regulated expression during the infection by MR-9. In the late stage of the infection, we also observed significant changes in differentially abundant metabolites (DAMs), including flavonoids, alkaloids, phenols, and terpenes. Notably, the levels of euscaphic acid, ganoderol A, (−)-cinchonidine, and theophylline in infected petals were 21.8, 8.5, 4.5, and 4.3 times higher, respectively, compared to the control. Our results suggest that H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>, defense-related genes, and DAM accumulation are involved in the complex response mechanisms of <i>Rhododendron</i> ‘Xiaotaohong’ petals to MR-9 infection. These insights provide a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of petal blight disease and may have practical implications for developing disease-resistant rhododendron varieties.https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/16/12695rhododendron varietyfunguspetal blight diseasehydrogen peroxidedefense-related genesphytoalexin |
| spellingShingle | Xi-Min Zhang Jie-Ting Li Ying Xia Xiao-Qian Shi Xian-Lun Liu Ming Tang Jing Tang Wei Sun Yin Yi Early and Late Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Responses of <i>Rhododendron</i> ‘Xiaotaohong’ Petals to Infection with <i>Alternaria</i> sp. International Journal of Molecular Sciences rhododendron variety fungus petal blight disease hydrogen peroxide defense-related genes phytoalexin |
| title | Early and Late Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Responses of <i>Rhododendron</i> ‘Xiaotaohong’ Petals to Infection with <i>Alternaria</i> sp. |
| title_full | Early and Late Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Responses of <i>Rhododendron</i> ‘Xiaotaohong’ Petals to Infection with <i>Alternaria</i> sp. |
| title_fullStr | Early and Late Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Responses of <i>Rhododendron</i> ‘Xiaotaohong’ Petals to Infection with <i>Alternaria</i> sp. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Early and Late Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Responses of <i>Rhododendron</i> ‘Xiaotaohong’ Petals to Infection with <i>Alternaria</i> sp. |
| title_short | Early and Late Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Responses of <i>Rhododendron</i> ‘Xiaotaohong’ Petals to Infection with <i>Alternaria</i> sp. |
| title_sort | early and late transcriptomic and metabolomic responses of i rhododendron i xiaotaohong petals to infection with i alternaria i sp |
| topic | rhododendron variety fungus petal blight disease hydrogen peroxide defense-related genes phytoalexin |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/16/12695 |
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