Large-scale genomic deletion in spl39 activates immune responses and confers resistance to rice bacterial blight

Lesion mimic mutants (LMMs) are invaluable for uncovering the molecular mechanisms of programmed cell death (PCD) and plant immunity and identifying more LMMs expands our understanding of these complex processes. In this study, we characterized a novel rice LMM, spl39, identified through heavy-ion b...

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Main Authors: Cheng Fang, Wei Ma, Xiaotong Zhu, Lingling Peng, Liangzhi Tao, Zhiqiang Zhao, Fengbin Wang, Yafeng Ye, Bojun Ma, Yuejin Wu, Jie Yuan, Binmei Liu, Xifeng Chen, Weimin Cheng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Plant Science
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1639365/full
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author Cheng Fang
Wei Ma
Xiaotong Zhu
Xiaotong Zhu
Lingling Peng
Lingling Peng
Liangzhi Tao
Zhiqiang Zhao
Fengbin Wang
Yafeng Ye
Bojun Ma
Yuejin Wu
Jie Yuan
Binmei Liu
Xifeng Chen
Weimin Cheng
author_facet Cheng Fang
Wei Ma
Xiaotong Zhu
Xiaotong Zhu
Lingling Peng
Lingling Peng
Liangzhi Tao
Zhiqiang Zhao
Fengbin Wang
Yafeng Ye
Bojun Ma
Yuejin Wu
Jie Yuan
Binmei Liu
Xifeng Chen
Weimin Cheng
author_sort Cheng Fang
collection DOAJ
description Lesion mimic mutants (LMMs) are invaluable for uncovering the molecular mechanisms of programmed cell death (PCD) and plant immunity and identifying more LMMs expands our understanding of these complex processes. In this study, we characterized a novel rice LMM, spl39, identified through heavy-ion beam irradiation. The spl39 mutant exhibits reddish-brown lesions from the tillering stage, reduced plant height, grain size, and fertility. Chloroplast ultrastructure analysis revealed thylakoid disruption and membrane damage, contributing to reduced photosynthetic capacity. Excessive ROS accumulation and reduced antioxidative enzyme activities triggered PCD. Genetic mapping identified a 306-kb deletion in spl39, encompassing 33 genes, including 12 from the diterpenoid biosynthesis gene cluster. Transcriptomic analysis revealed upregulation of hormone signaling and defense-related pathways, consistent with elevated levels of SA, JA, auxins, and cytokinins. The spl39 mutant exhibited enhanced resistance to bacterial blight with reduced lesion lengths and increased expression of defense-related genes. These findings highlight the role of large genomic deletions in reprogramming plant metabolism and immunity, providing new insights into the mechanisms underlying lesion mimic phenotypes and disease resistance in rice.
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institution Kabale University
issn 1664-462X
language English
publishDate 2025-08-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Plant Science
spelling doaj-art-8d1d84a3c4b843fbbbad2e8f8b01113a2025-08-20T03:40:44ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Plant Science1664-462X2025-08-011610.3389/fpls.2025.16393651639365Large-scale genomic deletion in spl39 activates immune responses and confers resistance to rice bacterial blightCheng Fang0Wei Ma1Xiaotong Zhu2Xiaotong Zhu3Lingling Peng4Lingling Peng5Liangzhi Tao6Zhiqiang Zhao7Fengbin Wang8Yafeng Ye9Bojun Ma10Yuejin Wu11Jie Yuan12Binmei Liu13Xifeng Chen14Weimin Cheng15Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, ChinaHuaihe River Basin Eco-Environmental Monitoring and Scientific Research Center of Huaihe River Basin Ecological Environmental Supervision and Administration Bureau, Bengbu, ChinaKey Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, ChinaCollege of and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, ChinaKey Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, ChinaCollege of and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, ChinaKey Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, ChinaInstitute of Crop Sciences, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Urumqi, ChinaInstitute of Crop Sciences, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Urumqi, ChinaKey Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, ChinaCollege of and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, ChinaKey Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, ChinaInstitute of Crop Sciences, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Urumqi, ChinaKey Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, ChinaCollege of and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, ChinaKey Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, ChinaLesion mimic mutants (LMMs) are invaluable for uncovering the molecular mechanisms of programmed cell death (PCD) and plant immunity and identifying more LMMs expands our understanding of these complex processes. In this study, we characterized a novel rice LMM, spl39, identified through heavy-ion beam irradiation. The spl39 mutant exhibits reddish-brown lesions from the tillering stage, reduced plant height, grain size, and fertility. Chloroplast ultrastructure analysis revealed thylakoid disruption and membrane damage, contributing to reduced photosynthetic capacity. Excessive ROS accumulation and reduced antioxidative enzyme activities triggered PCD. Genetic mapping identified a 306-kb deletion in spl39, encompassing 33 genes, including 12 from the diterpenoid biosynthesis gene cluster. Transcriptomic analysis revealed upregulation of hormone signaling and defense-related pathways, consistent with elevated levels of SA, JA, auxins, and cytokinins. The spl39 mutant exhibited enhanced resistance to bacterial blight with reduced lesion lengths and increased expression of defense-related genes. These findings highlight the role of large genomic deletions in reprogramming plant metabolism and immunity, providing new insights into the mechanisms underlying lesion mimic phenotypes and disease resistance in rice.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1639365/fullricespl39lesion-mimic mutantreactive oxygen speciesgenomic deletiondisease resistance
spellingShingle Cheng Fang
Wei Ma
Xiaotong Zhu
Xiaotong Zhu
Lingling Peng
Lingling Peng
Liangzhi Tao
Zhiqiang Zhao
Fengbin Wang
Yafeng Ye
Bojun Ma
Yuejin Wu
Jie Yuan
Binmei Liu
Xifeng Chen
Weimin Cheng
Large-scale genomic deletion in spl39 activates immune responses and confers resistance to rice bacterial blight
Frontiers in Plant Science
rice
spl39
lesion-mimic mutant
reactive oxygen species
genomic deletion
disease resistance
title Large-scale genomic deletion in spl39 activates immune responses and confers resistance to rice bacterial blight
title_full Large-scale genomic deletion in spl39 activates immune responses and confers resistance to rice bacterial blight
title_fullStr Large-scale genomic deletion in spl39 activates immune responses and confers resistance to rice bacterial blight
title_full_unstemmed Large-scale genomic deletion in spl39 activates immune responses and confers resistance to rice bacterial blight
title_short Large-scale genomic deletion in spl39 activates immune responses and confers resistance to rice bacterial blight
title_sort large scale genomic deletion in spl39 activates immune responses and confers resistance to rice bacterial blight
topic rice
spl39
lesion-mimic mutant
reactive oxygen species
genomic deletion
disease resistance
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1639365/full
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