Open AccessHeat shock transcription factor 3 regulates plant immune response through modulation of salicylic acid accumulation and signalling in cassava
Author(s) -
Wei Yunxie,
Liu Guoyin,
Chang Yanli,
He Chaozu,
Shi Haitao
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.12691
Subject(s) - nicotiana benthamiana , biology , salicylic acid , npr1 , transcription factor , heat shock factor , gene , gene silencing , plant disease resistance , microbiology and biotechnology , hypersensitive response , gene expression , signal transduction , systemic acquired resistance , xanthomonas oryzae , biotic stress , heat shock protein , heat shock , genetics , abiotic stress , hsp70 , arabidopsis , medicine , heart failure , natriuretic peptide , mutant
Summary As the terminal components of signal transduction, heat stress transcription factors (Hsfs) mediate the activation of multiple genes responsive to various stresses. However, the information and functional analysis are very limited in non‐model plants, especially in cassava ( Manihot esculenta ), one of the most important crops in tropical areas. In this study, 32 MeHsf s were identified from the cassava genome; the evolutionary tree, gene structures and motifs were also analysed. Gene expression analysis found that MeHsf s were commonly regulated by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. manihotis ( Xam ). Amongst these MeHsfs, MeHsf3 was specifically located in the cell nucleus and showed transcriptionally activated activity on heat stress elements (HSEs). Through transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves and virus‐induced gene silencing (VIGS) in cassava, we identified the essential role of MeHsf3 in plant disease resistance, by regulating the transcripts of Enhanced Disease Susceptibility 1 ( EDS1 ) and pathogen‐related gene 4 ( PR4 ). Notably, as regulators of defence susceptibility, MeEDS1 and MePR4 were identified as direct targets of MeHsf3. Moreover, the disease sensitivity of MeHsf3‐ and MeEDS1‐ silenced plants could be restored by exogenous salicylic acid (SA) treatment. Taken together, this study highlights the involvement of MeHsf3 in defence resistance through the transcriptional activation of MeEDS1 and MePR4 .