Transcriptome Sequencing and WGCNA Reveal Key Genes in Response to Leaf Blight in Poplar

Abstract

Leaf blight is a fungal disease that mainly affects the growth and development of leaves in plants. To investigate the molecular mechanisms of leaf blight defense in poplar, we performed RNA-Seq and enzyme activity assays on the Populus simonii × Populus nigra leaves inoculated with Alternaria alternate fungus. Through weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), we obtained co-expression gene modules significantly associated with SOD and POD activities, containing 183 and 275 genes, respectively. We then constructed a co-expression network of poplar genes related to leaf blight resistance based on weight values. Additionally, we identified hub transcription factors (TFs) and structural genes in the network. The network was dominated by 15 TFs, and four out of them, including ATWRKY75, ANAC062, ATMYB23 and ATEBP, had high connectivity in the network, which might play important functions in leaf blight defense. In addition, GO enrichment analysis revealed a total of 44 structural genes involved in biotic stress, resistance, cell wall and immune-related biological processes in the network. Among them, there were 16 highly linked structural genes in the central part, which may be directly involved in poplar resistance to leaf blight. The study explores key genes associated with leaf blight defense in poplar, which further gains an understanding of the molecular mechanisms of biotic stress response in plants.

Transcriptome and coexpression network analysis reveals properties and candidate genes associated with grape (Vitis vinifera L.) heat tolerance

“…This analysis helps us identify candidate genes closely associated with our research (Langfelder and Horvath, 2008). Using WGCNA, 15 TFs related to poplar leaf blight, including ATWRKY75, ANAC062, ATMYB23 and ATEBP, were identified, and these TFs exhibited high connectivity in the network (Wang et al, 2023). In potatoes, WGCNA identified 40 key candidate genes associated with development (Wei et al, 2023).…”

Comprehensive Overview of <i>Populus</i> <i>simonii</i> Research in the Recent Years

“…Ruiqi Wang identified four transcription factors related to disease resistance, including AtWRKY75, ANAC062, AtMYB23 and AtEBP, through the leaves of poplar (P. simonii × P. nigra) [39]. Further studies have shown that PsnWRKY70 enhances poplar resistance to Rhizoctonia allochthonii by activating genes related to pathogen-related molecular patterns (PTI) and effector-induced immunity (ETI) [40].…”