A transcriptomic-guided strategy used in identification of a wheat rust pathogen target and modification of the target enhanced host resistance to rust pathogens

Authors: NYAMESORTO, BERNARD - Montana State University; ZHANG, HONGTAO - Montana State University; Rouse, Matthew; WANG, MEINAN - Washington State University; Chen, Xianming; HUANG, LI - (NCE, CECR)networks Of Centres Of Exellence Of Canada, Centres Of Excellence For Commercilization A

Submitted to: Frontiers in Plant Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/15/2022
Publication Date: 9/2/2022
Citation: Nyamesorto, B., Zhang, H., Rouse, M.N., Wang, M., Chen, X., Huang, L. 2022. A transcriptomic-guided strategy used in identification of a wheat rust pathogen target and modification of the target enhanced host resistance to rust pathogens. Frontiers in Plant Science. 13. Article e962973. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.962973.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.962973

Interpretive Summary: Wheat is grown on over 37 million acres in the United States. The rust diseases of wheat can cause devastating yield losses. In order to mitigate wheat stem, leaf, and stripe rust, disease-resistant wheat varieties need to be developed. We identified the wheat MYC4 transcription factor (TF) located on chromosome 1B (TaMYC4-1B) as a rust pathogen target. The gene was upregulated only in susceptible lines in the presence of the three wheat rust pathogens. Down-regulation of TaMYC4-1B using barley stripe mosaic virus-induced gene silencing (BSMV-VIGS) in a susceptible wheat line enhanced its resistance to the stem rust pathogen. Knockout of the TaMYC4 -1BL in Cadenza rendered new resistance to races of stem, leaf, and stripe rust pathogens. We developed new wheat-rust-resistant germplasm in wheat via modifications of the wheat TaMYC4 -1BL transcription factor. The wheat lines developed with resistance to the three rust diseases can be used in wheat breeding to develop rust-resistant wheat varieties for the United States.

Technical Abstract: Transcriptional reprogramming is an essential feature of plant immunity and is governed by transcription factors (TFs) and co-regulatory proteins associated with discrete transcriptional complexes. On the other hand, effector proteins from pathogens have been shown to hijack these vast repertoires of plant TFs. Studies have begun targeting and editing host genes that benefit pathogens in order to enhance plants' immunity to pathogens. However, our current knowledge of host genes' role (including TFs) involved in host colonization is based on research employing model plants such as Arabidopsis and rice with minimal efforts in wheat rust interactions. In this study, we identified the wheat MYC4 transcription factor (TF) located on chromosome 1B (TaMYC4-1B) as a rust pathogen target. The gene was upregulated only in susceptible lines in the presence of the pathogens. Down-regulation of TaMYC4-1B using barley stripe mosaic virus-induced gene silencing (BSMV-VIGS) in the susceptible cultivar Chinese Spring enhanced its resistance to the stem rust pathogen. Knockout of the TaMYC4 -1BL in Cadenza rendered new resistance to races of stem, leaf, and stripe rust pathogens. We developed new germplasm in wheat via modifications of the wheat TaMYC4 -1BL transcription factor.