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DNA methylation dynamics during the interaction of wheat progenitor Aegilops tauschii with the obligate biotrophic fungus Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici
Author(s) -
Geng Shuaifeng,
Kong Xingchen,
Song Gaoyuan,
Jia Meiling,
Guan Jiantao,
Wang Fang,
Qin Zhengrui,
Wu Liang,
Lan Xiujin,
Li Aili,
Mao Long
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/nph.15432
Subject(s) - blumeria graminis , biology , aegilops tauschii , dna methylation , genetics , bisulfite sequencing , powdery mildew , gene , plant disease resistance , genome , gene expression , botany
SummaryDNA methylation is dynamically involved in plant immunity, but little information is known about its roles in plant interactions with biotrophic fungi, especially in temperate grasses such as wheat ( Triticum aestivum ). Using wheat diploid progenitor Aegilops tauschii accession AL 8/78, the genome of which has been sequenced, we assessed the extent of DNA methylation in response to infection with Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici ( Bgt ), which causes powdery mildew. Upon Bgt infection, ARGONAUTE 4a ( AGO 4a ) was significantly downregulated in A. tauschii , which was accompanied by a substantial reduction in AGO 4a‐sorted 24‐nt si RNA levels, especially for genes near transposable elements ( TAG s). Bisulfite sequencing revealed abundant differentially methylated regions ( DMR s) with CHH hypomethylation. TAG s bearing CHH ‐hypomethylated DMR s were enriched for ‘response to stress’ functions, including receptor kinase, peroxidase, and pathogenesis‐related genes. Virus‐induced gene silencing ( VIGS ) of a DOMAINS REARRANGED METHYLASE 2 ( DRM 2 ) homolog enhanced plant resistance to Bgt . The effect of CHH hypomethylation was exemplified by the upregulation of a pathogenesis‐related β‐1,3‐glucanse gene implicated in Bgt defense. These findings support the idea that dynamic DNA methylation represents a regulatory layer in the complex mechanism of plant immunity, which could be exploited to improve disease resistance in common wheat.