Isolation and characterization of the GbVIP1 gene and response to Verticillium wilt in cotton and tobacco

Abstract

Background: Verticillium wilt is a serious soil-borne vascular disease that causes major losses to upland cotton (Gossypium hirutum L.) worldwidely every year. The protein VIP1 (VirE2 interaction protein 1), a bZIP transcription factor, is involved in plant response to many stress conditions, especially pathogenic bacteria. However, its roles in cotton response to Verticillium wilt are poorly understood. Results: The GbVIP1 gene was cloned from resistant sea-island cotton (G. barbadense) cv. Hai 7124. Expression of GbVIP1 was up-regulated by inoculation with Verticillium dahliae and exogenous treatment with ethylene. Results of virus-induced gene silencing suggested that silencing of GbVIP1 weakened cotton resistance to Verticillium wilt. The heterologous expression of GbVIP1 in tobacco showed enhanced resistance to Verticillium wilt. The PR1, PR1-like and HSP70 genes were up-regulated in GbVIP1 transgenic tobacco after Verticillium wilt infection. Conclusion: Our results suggested that GbVIP1 increased plant resistance to Verticillium wilt through up-regulating expressions of PR1, PR1-like, and HSP70. These results provide new approaches to improving resistance to Verticillium wilt in upland cotton and also have great potential for disease-resistance breeding of cotton.

Antagonistic Potential of Novel Endophytic Bacillus Strains and Mediation of Plant Defense against Verticillium Wilt in Upland Cotton

“…Cotton is an important cash crop worldwide, but the crop is vulnerable to the attack of Verticillium dahliae, affecting the quality and quantity of the produce. V. dahliae associated with verticillium wilt is considered as the most destructive pathogen of cotton, causing a loss of 2.5 million hectares annually in China [1,2]. Although a few tolerant cotton varieties are available, they do not possess sufficient ability to protect the crop from economic damage.…”

Defense Mechanisms of Cotton Fusarium and Verticillium Wilt and Comparison of Pathogenic Response in Cotton and Humans

“…The bZIP transcription factor GbVIP1 (VirE2 interacting protein 1) is induced by V. dahliae and ET, and its silencing reduces Verticillium cotton wilt resistance, whereas its ectopic expression in tobacco enhances resistance to Verticillium wilt in tobacco by positively regulating the expression of PR1 , PR1 -like, and HSP70 genes [ 55 ]. JA induces the expression of BEL1 -like transcription factor GhBLH7-D06 in vascular tissues, acting on secondary cell formation and negatively regulating resistance to Verticillium cotton wilt [ 56 ].…”

Regulatory Network of Cotton Genes in Response to Salt, Drought and Wilt Diseases (Verticillium and Fusarium): Progress and Perspective

“…Inoculation with V. dahliae and exogenous ET treatment both increased GbVIP1 expression. VIGS showed that silencing of GbVIP1 decreased cotton resistance to Verticillium wilt, while ectopic expression of GbVIP1 in tobacco improved resistance to Verticillium wilt by up-regulating PR1 , PR1-like , and HSP70 genes ( Zhang K. et al, 2019 ). The BEL1-Like TF GhBLH7-D06 , which is commonly expressed in vascular tissues, functions in formation of secondary cells and also responds to V. dahliae infection, is induced by phytohormone JA treatment.…”