Transcriptomic analysis reveals SnTox8-mediated reprogramming of wheat defence signalling

Integrated transcriptome and hormone dynamics uncover biphasic defense responses in sugar beet infected by Cercospora beticola

Cercospora leaf spot (CLS), caused by the hemibiotrophic fungus Cercospora beticola , is a destructive foliar disease that threatens sugar beet production worldwide. Despite its economic significance, the molecular interaction between sugar beet and C. beticola is poorly understood. We report integrated time-resolved transcriptomics and hormone profiling of CLS infection spanning the asymptomatic and symptomatic phases. Our data revealed broad transcriptional changes, with defense and hormone-related processes being most altered. We detected transcriptional signatures consistent with activation of pathogen-associated molecular pattern- and effector-triggered immunity, along with differential expression of genes encoding putative receptor-like kinases and receptor-like proteins as well as nucleotide-binding (NB) leucine‑rich repeat (LRR) receptors (NLRs). Defense activation was evident as early as 3 days post-inoculation (dpi), including upregulation of pathogenesis-related proteins, genes related to systemic acquired resistance, and the hypersensitive response (HR). At 7 dpi, several biological processes, including defense response, showed overall downregulation, suggesting a pathogen-mediated suppression of transcriptional responses. During the symptomatic phase, defense-related genes—particularly those associated with HR and numerous putative NLRs—were induced again, illustrating a bi-phasic regulation pattern. Cis-element enrichment analysis showed significant overrepresentation of defense-related WRKY and AT-hook motif nuclear-localized protein binding motifs within the protomers of genes upregulated from 11 to 25 dpi. Parallel quantification of major phytohormones demonstrated stage-dependent modulation of infection-related hormone groups across the infection cycle. Our analysis revealed that a susceptible sugar beet genotype mounts an early and transient defense response against C. beticola , which appears to be pathogen-suppressed but later reactivated during symptom development. By integrating time-resolved transcriptome analysis and hormone profiling, our study links major defense transcriptional programs and phytohormone dynamics, providing a comprehensive view of sugar beet responses to CLS that complements and extends previous genotype-focused work.

Transcriptomic and Hormonal Regulation of Rice Defence Against Brown Planthopper

The bZIP transcription factor PnAda1 functions as a regulator of virulence, fungicide tolerance and necrotrophy in the wheat pathogen Parastagonospora nodorum

It is shown that the understudied bZIP transcription factor PnAda1 is an important downstream component of this PnPf2-regulatory network, and current understanding of the transcriptional network underlying virulence, metabolism and stress adaptation in an important fungal wheat pathogen is expanded.

A comprehensive exploration of molecular aspects of rice-Ustilaginoidea virens interactions

Molecular insights of host–pathogen interactions offer decoding of sustainable strategies for developing resilient cultivars and effective management of false smut disease, highlighting stage-specific pathogenicity genes and rice defense mechanisms that control false smut disease development.

Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic dynamics reveal mechanisms of tobacco resistance to Phytophthora nicotianae.

Tobacco is a model plant as well as an important economic crop. Black shank disease, caused by Phytophthora nicotianae, severely undermines tobacco yield and quality, yet the molecular basis of differential cultivar resistance remains incompletely understood. Here, we compared the resistant cultivar, 'Xiangyan 7' (X7) and the susceptible cultivar 'Honghuadajinyuan' (HD), after inoculation with P. nicotianae race 0. Disease evaluation showed that X7 had a significantly lower disease index than HD. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses were performed on leaves collected at 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 days post-inoculation (dpi). RNA-seq identified extensive transcriptional responses in both cultivars; the inter-cultivar differentially expressed gene (DEG) number peaked at 8 dpi with 14,160 DEGs (7057 up-regulated and 7103 down-regulated). Widely targeted metabolomics detected 1092 metabolites, and the inter-cultivar differentially accumulated metabolite (DAM) number peaked at 12 dpi with 355 DAMs (95 up-regulated and 260 down-regulated). Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) identified 593 hub genes from three resistance-associated modules (Coral3, Lightblue3, and Lavender). Integrated Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) co-enrichment analysis revealed that phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, and plant hormone signal transduction were common transcriptional-metabolic pathways enriched in X7, together with early calcium-related signaling in the plant-pathogen interaction pathway. These results suggest that the stronger resistance to P. nicotianae by X7 is associated with rapid coordination of defense-related transcription, phenylpropanoid and flavonoid metabolism, hormone signaling, and suppression of photosynthesis and primary metabolism. Our study provides multi-omics resources and candidate genes, including Nitab4.5_0000101g0110, Nitab4.5_0000101g0120, Nitab4.5_0001915g0140, and Nitab4.5_0002942g0040, for improving tobacco resistance to black shank disease.

Distinct lipid and hormonal signatures reveal divergent responses to Erysiphe necator in resistant and susceptible grapevine genotypes

Powdery mildew, caused by the obligate biotroph Erysiphe necator , represents a major threat to grapevine production worldwide. Host-mediated resistance offers a sustainable alternative to chemical fungicides. To elucidate the role of plant membrane lipid modifications and oxylipin accumulation in pathogen perception and response, a controlled infection experiment was conducted comparing a resistant hybrid (NY_39) from the Edmund Mach Foundation germplasm collection with a susceptible variety (cv. ‘Teroldego’). A lipidomic approach was integrated with hormone profiling and lipoxygenase (LOX) gene expression analysis. Significant lipid modulation was observed following E. necator inoculation, highlighting the plasticity of membrane and storage lipids metabolism. A rapid decrease in triacylglycerol content was measured in NY_39 at 12 h post-inoculation (hpi), whereas the opposite trend occurred in ‘Teroldego’, suggesting divergent metabolic rearrangements. A fast galactolipids peroxidation occurred in NY_39, while a delayed accumulation of phosphatidic acid was observed in ‘Teroldego’ at 48 hpi. The resistant genotype exhibited higher constitutive levels of salicylic acid as well as the expression of the VviAMP1 defensin, a small cysteine-rich protein with broad-spectrum antifungal activity. VviPR10-s11 and VviWRKY51 , related to the synthesis of lignin and stilbenoid phytoalexins, were induced at 12 hpi in both genotypes. Within the LOX family, significant up-regulation of the 9-LOX VviLOX1a and the 13-LOXs VviLOX9 and VviLOXO was specific to ‘Teroldego’ at 12 hpi, despite a higher constitutive level of VviLOX9 in NY_39. This work identifies key metabolic, signalling and gene expression features in the selected hybrid that may be relevant for resistance. These include rapid triacylglycerols degradation, galactolipid peroxidation, constitutive higher SA level and expression of the defensin VviAMP1 .