AP2/ERF Transcription Factors Involved in Response to Tomato Yellow Leaf Curly Virus in Tomato

Abstract

Tomato yellow leaf curly virus (TYLCV), transmitted by the whitefly (Bemisia tabaci), causes leaf curling and yellowing, plant dwarfism, and growth inhibition in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). The APETALA2 (AP2) and ethylene response factor (ERF) transcription factor (TF) family, the largest plant-specific TF family, was identified to function in plant development and pathogen defense. Our study aimed to analyze the mechanism underlying the function of S. lycopersicum ERF (SlERF) TFs in response to TYLCV infection and improve useful information to increase the resistance to TYLCV in tomato. A total of 22 tomato AP2/ERF TFs in response to TYLCV were identified according to transcriptome database. Five ERF-B3 TFs were identified in cultivars Hongbeibei (highly resistant), Zheza-301, Zhefen-702 (both resistant), Jinpeng-1, and Xianke-6 (both susceptible). Interaction network indicated that SlERF TFs could interact with mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Expression profiles of five ERF-B3 genes (Soly19, Soly36, Soly66, Soly67, and Soly106) were detected by quantitative real-time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) after TYLCV infection in five tomato cultivars. Soly106 expression was upregulated in five tomato cultivars. The expressions of three genes (Soly19, Soly67, and Soly36) were upregulated in Zheza-301 and Zhefen-702. Soly66 and Soly36 expressions were downregulated in Hongbeibei and Xianke-6, respectively. Yeast one-hybrid showed that the GCC-box binding ability of ERF-B3 TFs differed in resistant and susceptible tomato cultivars. Expression profiles were related to the GCC-box binding ability of SlERF TFs in resistant and susceptible tomato cultivars. The defense mechanism underlying the tomato's response to TYLCV involved a complicated network, which provided important information for us in breeding and genetic analysis.

Members of WRKY Group III transcription factors are important in TYLCV defense signaling pathway in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)

“…Orthologous genes of SolyWRKY80, SolyWRKY81, SolyWRKY53, and SolyWRKY54, AtWRKY53 (At4g23810) and AtWRKY70 (At3g56400) were important in plant-pathogen interaction [ 19 ]. In addition to WRKY TFs, AP2/ERF TFs could respond to TYLCV infection, and 5 different SolyERF genes ( Soly19 , Soly36 , Soly106 , Soly67 , and Soly66 ) are involved in TYLCV defense with a complex network through positive and negative expression [ 77 ]. Negative and positive regulations were both important for gene expression [ 78 ].…”

Transcription Factors in Plant Stress Responses: Challenges and Potential for Sugarcane Improvement

“…Function and Expression Pattern of AP2/ERF TFs under Biotic Stresses AP2/ERF TFs were associated with the regulation of disease resistance in plants. Overexpression of TaPIE1 [157], OsEREBP1 [158], Soly106 [159], GmERF113 [160] and OsERF83 [161] genes, in response to JA, SA or ET mediated signal transduction pathways, were believed to be effective against pathogen infection. HvRAF, a novel AP2/ERF TF in barley, had dual regulatory functions under biotic (R. solanacearum) and abiotic (salinity) stresses [162].…”

Comparative Analysis of MicroRNA Expression in Three Paulownia Species with Phytoplasma Infection

“…In Arabidopsis thaliana, an AP2/ERF transcription factor (MACD1), was found to be involved in phytotoxin-triggered programmed cell death [44]. Huang, et al [45] reported that AP2/ERF transcription factors were reported to interact with the MAPK, and jasmonic acid, salicylic acid, ethene, and H 2 O 2 pathways to improve the ability of tomato plants to respond to yellow leaf curly virus. GPX is a redox sensor protein that maintains a steady-state of H 2 O 2 in plant cells and has a pivotal role in peroxide detoxification in eukaryotic organisms [46].…”