Identification and Characterization of NAC Transcription Factors Involved in Pine Wilt Nematode Resistance in <i>Pinus massoniana</i>

Identification and Characterization of NAC Transcription Factors Involved in Pine Wilt Nematode Resistance in <i>Pinus massoniana</i>

<i>Pinus massoniana</i> Lamb. is an economically important conifer native to China. However, it is highly susceptible to the pine wood nematode (<i>Bursaphelenchus xylophilus</i>, PWN), the causal agent of pine wilt disease (PWD), resulting in substantial ecological and econo...

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Main Authors: Zhengping Zhao, Jieyun Lei, Min Zhang, Jiale Li, Chungeng Pi, Jinxiu Yu, Xuewu Yan, Kun Luo, Yonggang Xia
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-08-01
Series:Plants
Subjects:
NAC family
<i>Bursaphelenchus xylophilus</i>
pine wilt disease
transcription factor
subcellular localization
hormones
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/15/2399
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Summary:<i>Pinus massoniana</i> Lamb. is an economically important conifer native to China. However, it is highly susceptible to the pine wood nematode (<i>Bursaphelenchus xylophilus</i>, PWN), the causal agent of pine wilt disease (PWD), resulting in substantial ecological and economic losses. To elucidate potential molecular defense mechanisms, 50 NAC (NAM, ATAF1/2, and CUC2) transcription factors (PmNACs) were identified in the <i>P. massoniana</i> genome. Phylogenetic analysis divided these PmNACs into seven subfamilies, and motif analysis identified ten conserved motifs associated with stress responses. Twenty-three genes were selected for expression analysis in various tissues and under exogenous salicylic acid (SA), methyl jasmonate (MeJA), and PWN infection. Six genes (<i>PmNAC1</i>, <i>PmNAC8</i>, <i>PmNAC9</i>, <i>PmNAC17</i>, <i>PmNAC18</i>, and <i>PmNAC20</i>) were significantly up-regulated by both hormonal treatment and PWN infection, implying their involvement in JA/SA-mediated immune pathways. Functional characterization showed <i>PmNAC8</i> is a nuclear-localized transcription factor with autoactivation activity. Furthermore, transient overexpression of <i>PmNAC8</i> in <i>Nicotiana benthamiana</i> induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and necrotic lesions. Collectively, these results elucidate NAC-mediated defense responses to PWN infection in <i>P. massoniana</i> and identify candidate genes for developing PWD-resistant pine varieties.
ISSN:2223-7747

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