MiRNA expression profiling reveals the regulators of kiwifruit response to Botrytis cinerea. (July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Zhexin; Yang, Shuai; Wang, Xu; Tang, Jianmin; Song, Hongyuan
• Is Part Of: Physiological and molecular plant pathology. Volume 120(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-07
• Subjects: Kiwifruit -- Botrytis cinerea -- miRNA -- sRNA-sequencing -- Resistence; Plant diseases -- Periodicals; Diseased plants -- Physiology -- Periodicals; Phytopathogenic microorganisms -- Host plants -- Periodicals; 632
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pmpp.2022.101851
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0885-5765

Abstract

Abstract: Gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea leads to widespread rot and substantial economic losses in kiwifruit production. However, the molecular basis of compatible host–pathogen interactions remains unestablished. We adopted a next-generation sequencing approach to determine the differential expression of miRNAs during B. cinerea -induced stress in kiwifruit. Nineteen known and 325 novel miRNAs, of which 155 were differentially expressed, showed at least 1.5-fold changes in expression, with a majority being upregulated. Expression of miRNAs most pertinent to the kiwifruit response to B. cinerea was concentrated mainly in the first 3 days post-infection. Target gene prediction based on database screens revealed 2156, 2864, and 288 targets of 155 miRNAs differentially expressed on post-infection days 1, 2, and 3, respectively. GO and KEGG enrichment-based categorization of gene functions revealed significant associations between these genes and Plant–pathogen interaction; secondary-like Steroid, Phenylpropanoid, and Flavonoid biosynthesis; and Plant hormone signal transduction pathways. We thus identified key miRNA regulators of the B. cinerea stress response in kiwifruit and a putative subset of genes that are potentially post-transcriptionally silenced during infection. These findings could provide new insights regarding the regulatory mechanisms underlying disease resistance in kiwifruit and contribute genetic resources for molecular breeding of disease-resistant kiwifruit. Highlights: Key miRNA regulators of the B. cinerea stress response in kiwifruit during infection were identified. Genes that are potentially posttranscriptionally silenced by miRNA regulators were identified.