Transcriptome analysis reveals defense responses of alfalfa seedling roots to Sclerotium rolfsii
IntroductionSclerotium rolfsii is a major pathogen responsible for root rot in various plants, including alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Additionally, this pathogen can also cause root diseases in alfalfa relatives, such as Medicago truncatula, soybean (Glycine max), and mung bean (Vigna radiata). This s...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-04-01
|
| Series: | Frontiers in Plant Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1561723/full |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850187160651563008 |
|---|---|
| author | Shizhen Jia Shizhen Jia Zhencuo Dan Zhencuo Dan He Li He Li Yuhan Guo Yuhan Guo Lei Jia Lei Jia Ailing Yu Ailing Yu Huitong Zhan Huitong Zhan Xiangjun Liu Xiangjun Liu Teng Gao Teng Gao Yun Shi Yun Shi Zeng-Yu Wang Zeng-Yu Wang Lili Cong Lili Cong Lili Cong |
| author_facet | Shizhen Jia Shizhen Jia Zhencuo Dan Zhencuo Dan He Li He Li Yuhan Guo Yuhan Guo Lei Jia Lei Jia Ailing Yu Ailing Yu Huitong Zhan Huitong Zhan Xiangjun Liu Xiangjun Liu Teng Gao Teng Gao Yun Shi Yun Shi Zeng-Yu Wang Zeng-Yu Wang Lili Cong Lili Cong Lili Cong |
| author_sort | Shizhen Jia |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionSclerotium rolfsii is a major pathogen responsible for root rot in various plants, including alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Additionally, this pathogen can also cause root diseases in alfalfa relatives, such as Medicago truncatula, soybean (Glycine max), and mung bean (Vigna radiata). This study aims to explore the interaction mechanisms between alfalfa and S. rolfsii, identify key regulatory factors involved in disease resistance, and provide insights for improving alfalfa's resistance to root rot. MethodsIn this study, the S. rolfsii strain CZL1 was isolated and identified as the primary pathogen responsible for root rot outbreaks in Qingdao, Shandong Province. M. sativa cv. WuDi was used as the experimental material. After inoculating the plants with strain CZL1, root samples were collected at 24 hours post-inoculation (hpi) and 4 days post-inoculation (dpi) for transcriptome sequencing.ResultsA total of 11,433 and 12,063 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified at CK (Control, non-inoculated) versus T24 h (24 hpi) and CK versus T4 d (4 dpi), respectively. Plant hormone signal transduction pathways exhibited the highest number of DEGs at 24 hpi, while plant-pathogen interaction pathways were dominant at 4 dpi. Key genes in these pathways include PR-1 (Pathogenesis-Related protein 1), PPR (Pentatricopeptide Repeat protein), and F-box (F-box Kelch-repeat protein). Additionally, the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway, which is involved in lignin and flavonoid synthesis, plays a crucial role in disease resistance. Important genes involved in this pathway, such as PAL, C4H, 4CL, CHS, and CHI, were found to be significantly enriched. Furthermore, the WRKY transcription factor family was identified as a key regulator of multiple metabolic pathways related to disease resistance.ConclusionThe findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the key molecular factors involved in alfalfa’s response to S. rolfsii infection, laying a theoretical foundation for future research on disease resistance mechanisms in alfalfa. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-22840387ef3c45d3bc790a449cd22f72 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1664-462X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Plant Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-22840387ef3c45d3bc790a449cd22f722025-08-20T02:16:10ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Plant Science1664-462X2025-04-011610.3389/fpls.2025.15617231561723Transcriptome analysis reveals defense responses of alfalfa seedling roots to Sclerotium rolfsiiShizhen Jia0Shizhen Jia1Zhencuo Dan2Zhencuo Dan3He Li4He Li5Yuhan Guo6Yuhan Guo7Lei Jia8Lei Jia9Ailing Yu10Ailing Yu11Huitong Zhan12Huitong Zhan13Xiangjun Liu14Xiangjun Liu15Teng Gao16Teng Gao17Yun Shi18Yun Shi19Zeng-Yu Wang20Zeng-Yu Wang21Lili Cong22Lili Cong23Lili Cong24College of Grassland Science, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, ChinaKey Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Grassland Resources and Ecology in Yellow River Delta, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, ChinaCollege of Grassland Science, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, ChinaKey Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Grassland Resources and Ecology in Yellow River Delta, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, ChinaHinggan League Institute of Agricultural and Husbandry Sciences, Ulanhot, ChinaInner Mongolia Innovation Center of Biological Breeding Technology, Ulanhot, ChinaCollege of Grassland Science, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, ChinaKey Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Grassland Resources and Ecology in Yellow River Delta, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, ChinaCollege of Grassland Science, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, ChinaKey Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Grassland Resources and Ecology in Yellow River Delta, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, ChinaCollege of Grassland Science, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, ChinaKey Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Grassland Resources and Ecology in Yellow River Delta, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, ChinaCollege of Grassland Science, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, ChinaKey Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Grassland Resources and Ecology in Yellow River Delta, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, ChinaCollege of Grassland Science, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, ChinaKey Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Grassland Resources and Ecology in Yellow River Delta, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, ChinaCollege of Grassland Science, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, ChinaKey Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Grassland Resources and Ecology in Yellow River Delta, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, ChinaCollege of Grassland Science, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, ChinaKey Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Grassland Resources and Ecology in Yellow River Delta, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, ChinaCollege of Grassland Science, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, ChinaKey Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Grassland Resources and Ecology in Yellow River Delta, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, ChinaCollege of Grassland Science, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, ChinaKey Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Grassland Resources and Ecology in Yellow River Delta, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, ChinaInner Mongolia Innovation Center of Biological Breeding Technology, Ulanhot, ChinaIntroductionSclerotium rolfsii is a major pathogen responsible for root rot in various plants, including alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Additionally, this pathogen can also cause root diseases in alfalfa relatives, such as Medicago truncatula, soybean (Glycine max), and mung bean (Vigna radiata). This study aims to explore the interaction mechanisms between alfalfa and S. rolfsii, identify key regulatory factors involved in disease resistance, and provide insights for improving alfalfa's resistance to root rot. MethodsIn this study, the S. rolfsii strain CZL1 was isolated and identified as the primary pathogen responsible for root rot outbreaks in Qingdao, Shandong Province. M. sativa cv. WuDi was used as the experimental material. After inoculating the plants with strain CZL1, root samples were collected at 24 hours post-inoculation (hpi) and 4 days post-inoculation (dpi) for transcriptome sequencing.ResultsA total of 11,433 and 12,063 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified at CK (Control, non-inoculated) versus T24 h (24 hpi) and CK versus T4 d (4 dpi), respectively. Plant hormone signal transduction pathways exhibited the highest number of DEGs at 24 hpi, while plant-pathogen interaction pathways were dominant at 4 dpi. Key genes in these pathways include PR-1 (Pathogenesis-Related protein 1), PPR (Pentatricopeptide Repeat protein), and F-box (F-box Kelch-repeat protein). Additionally, the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway, which is involved in lignin and flavonoid synthesis, plays a crucial role in disease resistance. Important genes involved in this pathway, such as PAL, C4H, 4CL, CHS, and CHI, were found to be significantly enriched. Furthermore, the WRKY transcription factor family was identified as a key regulator of multiple metabolic pathways related to disease resistance.ConclusionThe findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the key molecular factors involved in alfalfa’s response to S. rolfsii infection, laying a theoretical foundation for future research on disease resistance mechanisms in alfalfa.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1561723/fullalfalfaSclerotium rolfsiitranscriptome sequencingWGCNAresponse mechanism |
| spellingShingle | Shizhen Jia Shizhen Jia Zhencuo Dan Zhencuo Dan He Li He Li Yuhan Guo Yuhan Guo Lei Jia Lei Jia Ailing Yu Ailing Yu Huitong Zhan Huitong Zhan Xiangjun Liu Xiangjun Liu Teng Gao Teng Gao Yun Shi Yun Shi Zeng-Yu Wang Zeng-Yu Wang Lili Cong Lili Cong Lili Cong Transcriptome analysis reveals defense responses of alfalfa seedling roots to Sclerotium rolfsii Frontiers in Plant Science alfalfa Sclerotium rolfsii transcriptome sequencing WGCNA response mechanism |
| title | Transcriptome analysis reveals defense responses of alfalfa seedling roots to Sclerotium rolfsii |
| title_full | Transcriptome analysis reveals defense responses of alfalfa seedling roots to Sclerotium rolfsii |
| title_fullStr | Transcriptome analysis reveals defense responses of alfalfa seedling roots to Sclerotium rolfsii |
| title_full_unstemmed | Transcriptome analysis reveals defense responses of alfalfa seedling roots to Sclerotium rolfsii |
| title_short | Transcriptome analysis reveals defense responses of alfalfa seedling roots to Sclerotium rolfsii |
| title_sort | transcriptome analysis reveals defense responses of alfalfa seedling roots to sclerotium rolfsii |
| topic | alfalfa Sclerotium rolfsii transcriptome sequencing WGCNA response mechanism |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1561723/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT shizhenjia transcriptomeanalysisrevealsdefenseresponsesofalfalfaseedlingrootstosclerotiumrolfsii AT shizhenjia transcriptomeanalysisrevealsdefenseresponsesofalfalfaseedlingrootstosclerotiumrolfsii AT zhencuodan transcriptomeanalysisrevealsdefenseresponsesofalfalfaseedlingrootstosclerotiumrolfsii AT zhencuodan transcriptomeanalysisrevealsdefenseresponsesofalfalfaseedlingrootstosclerotiumrolfsii AT heli transcriptomeanalysisrevealsdefenseresponsesofalfalfaseedlingrootstosclerotiumrolfsii AT heli transcriptomeanalysisrevealsdefenseresponsesofalfalfaseedlingrootstosclerotiumrolfsii AT yuhanguo transcriptomeanalysisrevealsdefenseresponsesofalfalfaseedlingrootstosclerotiumrolfsii AT yuhanguo transcriptomeanalysisrevealsdefenseresponsesofalfalfaseedlingrootstosclerotiumrolfsii AT leijia transcriptomeanalysisrevealsdefenseresponsesofalfalfaseedlingrootstosclerotiumrolfsii AT leijia transcriptomeanalysisrevealsdefenseresponsesofalfalfaseedlingrootstosclerotiumrolfsii AT ailingyu transcriptomeanalysisrevealsdefenseresponsesofalfalfaseedlingrootstosclerotiumrolfsii AT ailingyu transcriptomeanalysisrevealsdefenseresponsesofalfalfaseedlingrootstosclerotiumrolfsii AT huitongzhan transcriptomeanalysisrevealsdefenseresponsesofalfalfaseedlingrootstosclerotiumrolfsii AT huitongzhan transcriptomeanalysisrevealsdefenseresponsesofalfalfaseedlingrootstosclerotiumrolfsii AT xiangjunliu transcriptomeanalysisrevealsdefenseresponsesofalfalfaseedlingrootstosclerotiumrolfsii AT xiangjunliu transcriptomeanalysisrevealsdefenseresponsesofalfalfaseedlingrootstosclerotiumrolfsii AT tenggao transcriptomeanalysisrevealsdefenseresponsesofalfalfaseedlingrootstosclerotiumrolfsii AT tenggao transcriptomeanalysisrevealsdefenseresponsesofalfalfaseedlingrootstosclerotiumrolfsii AT yunshi transcriptomeanalysisrevealsdefenseresponsesofalfalfaseedlingrootstosclerotiumrolfsii AT yunshi transcriptomeanalysisrevealsdefenseresponsesofalfalfaseedlingrootstosclerotiumrolfsii AT zengyuwang transcriptomeanalysisrevealsdefenseresponsesofalfalfaseedlingrootstosclerotiumrolfsii AT zengyuwang transcriptomeanalysisrevealsdefenseresponsesofalfalfaseedlingrootstosclerotiumrolfsii AT lilicong transcriptomeanalysisrevealsdefenseresponsesofalfalfaseedlingrootstosclerotiumrolfsii AT lilicong transcriptomeanalysisrevealsdefenseresponsesofalfalfaseedlingrootstosclerotiumrolfsii AT lilicong transcriptomeanalysisrevealsdefenseresponsesofalfalfaseedlingrootstosclerotiumrolfsii |