Open AccessThe cotton MAPK kinase GhMPK20 negatively regulates resistance to Fusarium oxysporum by mediating the MKK4–MPK20–WRKY40 cascade
Author(s) -
Wang Chen,
He Xiaowen,
Li Yuzhen,
Wang Lijun,
Guo Xulei,
Guo Xingqi
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
molecular plant pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.945
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1364-3703
pISSN - 1464-6722
DOI - 10.1111/mpp.12635
Subject(s) - fusarium oxysporum , nicotiana benthamiana , biology , fusarium wilt , mapk cascade , plant disease resistance , gene silencing , ectopic expression , mapk/erk pathway , kinase , microbiology and biotechnology , gene expression , gene , genetics
Summary Fusarium wilt is one of the most serious diseases affecting cotton. However, the pathogenesis and mechanism by which Fusarium oxysporum overcomes plant defence responses are unclear. Here, a new group D mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) gene, GhMPK20 , was identified and functionally analysed in cotton. GhMPK20 expression was significantly induced by F. oxysporum . Virus‐induced gene silencing (VIGS) of GhMPK20 in cotton increased the tolerance to F. oxysporum , whereas ectopic GhMPK20 overexpression in Nicotiana benthamiana reduced F. oxysporum resistance via disruption of the salicylic acid (SA)‐mediated defence pathway. More importantly, an F. oxysporum ‐induced MAPK cascade pathway composed of GhMKK4 , GhMPK20 and GhWRKY40 was identified. VIGS of GhMKK4 and GhWRKY40 also enhanced F. oxysporum resistance in cotton, and the function of GhMKK4–GhMPK20 was shown to be essential for F. oxysporum ‐induced GhWRKY40 expression. Together, our results indicate that the GhMKK4–GhMPK20–GhWRKY40 cascade in cotton plays an important role in the pathogenesis of F. oxysporum . This research broadens our knowledge of the negative role of the MAPK cascade in disease resistance in cotton and provides an important scientific basis for the formulation of Fusarium wilt prevention strategies.