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Wheat gene Sr60 encodes a protein with two putative kinase domains that confers resistance to stem rust
Author(s) -
Chen Shisheng,
Rouse Matthew N.,
Zhang Wenjun,
Zhang Xiaoqin,
Guo Yan,
Briggs Jordan,
Dubcovsky Jorge
Publication year - 2020
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.16169
Subject(s) - stem rust , biology , gene , common wheat , genetics , plant disease resistance , transformation (genetics) , polyploid , r gene , ploidy , chromosome
Summary Wheat stem rust, caused by Puccinia graminis Pers. f. sp. tritici ( Pgt ), is a devastating fungal disease threatening global wheat production. The present paper reports the identification of stem rust resistance gene Sr60 , a race‐specific gene from diploid wheat Triticum monococcum L. that encodes a protein with two putative kinase domains. This gene, designated as WHEAT TANDEM KINASE 2 ( WTK 2 ), confers intermediate levels of resistance to Pgt . WTK 2 was identified by map‐based cloning and validated by transformation of a c. 10‐kb genomic sequence including WTK 2 into susceptible common wheat variety Fielder ( Triticum aestivum L.). Transformation of Fielder with WTK 2 was sufficient to confer Pgt resistance. Sr60 transcripts were transiently upregulated 1 d post‐inoculation with Pgt , but not in mock‐inoculated plants. The upregulation of Sr60 was associated with stable upregulation of several pathogenesis‐related genes. The Sr60 ‐resistant haplotype found in T. monococcum was not found in polyploid wheat, suggesting an opportunity to introduce a novel resistance gene. Sr60 was successfully introgressed into hexaploid wheat, and we developed a diagnostic molecular marker to accelerate its deployment and pyramiding with other resistance genes. The cloned Sr60 also can be a useful component of transgenic cassettes including other resistance genes with complementary resistance profiles.