BrMYB108 confers resistance to Verticillium wilt by activating ROS generation in Brassica rapa

Cell Rep. 2023 Aug 29;42(8):112938. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112938. Epub 2023 Aug 6.

Abstract

Increasing plant resistance to Verticillium wilt (VW), which causes massive losses of Brassica rapa crops, is a challenge worldwide. However, few causal genes for VW resistance have been identified by forward genetic approaches, resulting in limited application in breeding. We combine a genome-wide association study in a natural population and quantitative trait locus mapping in an F2 population and identify that the MYB transcription factor BrMYB108 regulates plant resistance to VW. A 179 bp insertion in the BrMYB108 promoter alters its expression pattern during Verticillium longisporum (VL) infection. High BrMYB108 expression leads to high VL resistance, which is confirmed by disease resistance tests using BrMYB108 overexpression and loss-of-function mutants. Furthermore, we verify that BrMYB108 confers VL resistance by regulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation through binding to the promoters of respiratory burst oxidase genes (Rboh). A loss-of-function mutant of AtRbohF in Arabidopsis shows significant susceptibility to VL. Thus, BrMYB108 and its target ROS genes could be used as targets for genetic engineering for VL resistance of B. rapa.

Keywords: BrMYB108; Brassica rapa; CP: Plants; ROS; Rboh; Verticillium.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Brassica rapa* / genetics
  • Disease Resistance / genetics
  • Genome-Wide Association Study
  • Plant Breeding
  • Plant Diseases / genetics
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Verticillium* / genetics

Substances

  • Reactive Oxygen Species

Supplementary concepts

  • Verticillium longisporum