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SlWRKY45 Interacts with Jasmonate-ZIM Domain Proteins to Negatively Regulate Defense Against Root Knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita in Tomato
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  • Huang Huang,
  • Wenchao Zhao,
  • Hui Qiao,
  • Chonghua Li,
  • Xuechun Ma,
  • Jilin Ma,
  • Shaohui Wang
Huang Huang
Beijing University of Agriculture

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Wenchao Zhao
Beijing University of Agriculture
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Hui Qiao
Beijing University of Agriculture
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Chonghua Li
Beijing University of Agriculture
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Xuechun Ma
Beijing University of Agriculture
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Jilin Ma
Beijing University of Agriculture
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Shaohui Wang
Beijing University of Agriculture
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Abstract

Root knot nematode (RKN), a kind of plant parasitic nematodes, leads to large reduction of crop yield, and seriously damages the agricultural production. The phytohormone jasmonates (JAs) act as important signals to regulate resistance against multiple abiotic and biotic stresses. However, little is known about the mechanism of JA-mediated defense responses against RKN in tomato. In this study, we found that the WRKY transcription factor SlWRKY45 interacts with most of the Jasmonate-ZIM domain proteins (JAZs) in yeast and plant. Overexpression of SlWRKY45 decreased plant resistance to RKN Meloidogyne incognita with increased gall index. We further generated slwrky45 mutants using the CRISPR/Cas9 technology, and discovered that the gall index and the number of nematodes and females in slwrky45 mutants are significantly reduced compared with wild type, as inoculated with RKN Meloidogyne incognita. Moreover, the contents of jasmonic acid and JA-isoleucine (JA-Ile) were highly increased in slwrky45 mutants with RKN Meloidogyne incognita infection compared with wild type. Furthermore, EMSA, and Dual-LUC assays demonstrated that SlWRKY45 directly binds and represses jasmonate biosynthesis gene ALLENE OXIDE CYCLASE ( AOC). Overall, our findings reveled that JAZ-interaction protein SlWRKY45 negatively controls plant defense against RKN Meloidogyne incognita by the regulation of JA biosynthesis in tomato.
05 Jan 2022Published in Horticulture Research volume 9. 10.1093/hr/uhac197