| Authors: | Bencke-Malato, M., Cabreira, C., Wiebke-Strohm, Bucker-Neto, L., Mancini, E., Osorio, M.B., Homrich, M.S., Turchetto-Zolet, A.C., De Carvalho, M.C., Stolf, R., Weber, R.L.M., Westergaard, G., Castagnaro, A.P., Abdelnoor, R.V., Marcelino-Guimaraes, F.C., Margis-Pinheiro, M., Bodanese-Zanettini, M.L. |
| Abstract: | Background Many previous studies have shown that soybean WRKY transcription factors are involved in the plant response to biotic and abiotic stresses.Phakopsora pachyrhiziis the causal agent of Asian Soybean Rust, one of the most important soybean diseases. There are evidences that WRKYs are involved in the resistance of some soybean genotypes against that fungus. The number ofWRKYgenes already annotated in soybean genome was underrepresented. In the present study, a genome-wide annotation of the soybean WRKY family was carried out and members involved in the response toP. pachyrhiziwere identified. Results As a result of a soybean genomic databases search, 182WRKY-encoding genes were annotated and 33 putative pseudogenes identified. Genes involved in the response toP. pachyrhiziinfection were identifiedusingsuperSAGE, RNA-Seq of microdissected lesions and microarray experiments. Seventy-five genes were differentially expressed during fungal infection. The expression of eightWRKYgenes was validated by RT-qPCR. The expression of these genes in a resistant genotype was earlier and/or stronger compared with a susceptible genotype in response toP. pachyrhiziinfection. Soybean somatic embryos were transformed in order to overexpress or silenceWRKYgenes. Embryos overexpressing aWRKYgene were obtained, but they were unable to convert into plants. When infected withP. pachyrhizi, the leaves of the silenced transgenic line showed a higher number of lesions than the wild-type plants. Conclusions The present study reports a genome-wide annotation of soybean WRKY family. The participation of some members in response toP. pachyrhiziinfection was demonstrated. The results contribute to the elucidation of gene function and suggest the manipulation of WRKYs as a strategy to increase fungal resistance in soybean plants. |
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