Identification of the DOG1 Gene Family in Cultivated Peanut and Negative Regulation of Ralstonia solanacearum Infection by AhDOG1-L4

Abstract

Simple Summary Bacterial wilt, caused by the pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum, is a serious soilborne disease that threatens peanut production worldwide, leading to significant yield losses. Identifying plant genes that influence disease resistance is essential for developing more resilient peanut varieties. In this study, we identified 37 members of the DOG1 gene family in the peanut genome. Among them, we focused on a gene called AhDOG1-L4, which is highly active in roots—the main entry point for the pathogen. When we introduced this gene into the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, the transgenic plants became more vulnerable to bacterial wilt and showed reduced activity of several defense-related genes. Our findings suggest that AhDOG1-L4 acts as a negative regulator of disease resistance. This discovery provides new insights into how plants interact with pathogens and may offer a potential target for breeding peanut varieties with improved resistance to bacterial wilt.