Characterization and expression of the wall-associated kinase/wall-associated kinase-like (WAK/WAKL) family in response to Botrytis cinerea infection in strawberry (Fragaria×ananassa)

Characterization and expression of the wall-associated kinase/wall-associated kinase-like (WAK/WAKL) family in response to Botrytis cinerea infection in strawberry (Fragaria×ananassa)

Abstract Background Gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea is a major threat to the production of strawberry. An increasing number of studies have reported that wall-associated kinase/wall-associated kinase-like (WAK/WAKL) played an important role in the recognition of oligogalacturonic acids (OGs) an...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Chenyang Xu, Zhimin He, Xiaoru Kang, Yanwei Zhao, Qingqing Peng, Min Wen, Jiaqi Yan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:BMC Plant Biology
Subjects:
Fragaria×ananassa
Botrytis cinerea
Plant-pathogen interaction
WAK/WAKL
Oligogalacturonic acids
Expression analysis
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-06405-0
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Summary:Abstract Background Gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea is a major threat to the production of strawberry. An increasing number of studies have reported that wall-associated kinase/wall-associated kinase-like (WAK/WAKL) played an important role in the recognition of oligogalacturonic acids (OGs) and the induction of plant defense, but there have been no systematic studies of FaWAK/FaWAKL in strawberry. Results In this study, we identified 167 FaWAK/FaWAKL gene family members within the strawberry (Fragaria×ananassa) genome. The phylogenetic analysis showed the FaWAK/FaWAKL gene family has been divided into five groups, and they were unevenly distributed on 46 chromosomes. An analysis of the cis-regulatory elements suggested the FaWAK/FaWAKL gene family was more sensitive to abscisic acid and methyl jasmonate. A total of 36 FaWAK/FaWAKL genes were activated by B. cinerea according to an RNA-seq analysis, and 8 of them strongly responded to B. cinerea and exogenous treatment with OGs, particularly FaWAK35. Transient overexpression of FaWAK35 increased the strawberry resistance to B. cinerea. Conclusion This study conducted a comprehensive analysis of FaWAK/FaWAKL and provides foundational insights for further exploration of FaWAK/FaWAKL genes in strawberry resistance to B. cinerea.
ISSN:1471-2229

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