Resolving Intergenotypic Striga Resistance in Sorghum
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Date
2023-09
Authors
Mutinda, Sylvia
Mobegi, Fredrick M.
Hale, Brett
Dayou, Olivier
Ateka, Elijah
Wijeratne, Asela
Wicke, Susann
Bellis, Emily S.
Runo, Steven
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of Experimental Botany
Abstract
Genetic underpinnings of host–pathogen interactions in the parasitic plant Striga hermonthica, a root parasitic plant
that ravages cereals in sub-Saharan Africa, are unclear. We performed a comparative transcriptome study on five
genotypes of sorghum exhibiting diverse resistance responses to S. hermonthica using weighted gene co-expression
network analysis (WGCNA). We found that S. hermonthica elicits both basal and effector-triggered immunity—like a
bona fide pathogen. The resistance response was genotype specific. Some resistance responses followed the salicylic acid-dependent signaling pathway for systemic acquired resistance characterized by cell wall reinforcements,
lignification, and callose deposition, while in others the WRKY-dependent signaling pathway was activated, leading to
a hypersensitive response. In some genotypes, both modes of resistance were activated, while in others either mode
dominated the resistance response. Cell wall-based resistance was common to all sorghum genotypes but strongest
in IS2814, while a hypersensitive response was specific to N13, IS9830, and IS41724. WGCNA further allowed for
pinpointing of S. hermonthica resistance causative genes in sorghum, including glucan synthase-like 10 gene, a
pathogenesis-related thaumatin-like family gene, and a phosphoinositide phosphatase gene. Such candidate genes
will form a good basis for subsequent functional validation and possibly future resistance breeding.
Description
Article
Keywords
Cell wall-based resistance, comparative transcriptomics, lignin-based resistance, parasitic plants, pathogenassociated molecular patterns, programmed cell death, weighted gene co-expression networks
Citation
Mutinda, S., Mobegi, F. M., Hale, B., Dayou, O., Ateka, E., Wijeratne, A., ... & Runo, S. (2023). Resolving intergenotypic Striga resistance in sorghum. Journal of Experimental Botany, 74(17), 5294-5306.