Characterization of MPK family members in the genus Citrus (Rutaceae) and analysis of the function of AbMPK13 in the response to citrus canker in Atalantia buxifolia

Lijuan Chen; Minliang Bin; Jue Lin; Wenzhong Shen; Xinxin Zhang

doi:10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.109418

Characterization of MPK family members in the genus Citrus (Rutaceae) and analysis of the function of AbMPK13 in the response to citrus canker in Atalantia buxifolia

Plant Physiol Biochem. 2024 Dec 16:219:109418. doi: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.109418. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Lijuan Chen¹, Minliang Bin², Jue Lin¹, Wenzhong Shen¹, Xinxin Zhang³

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Fruit Tree Research, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of South Subtropical Fruit Biology and Genetic Resource Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Science and Technology Research on Fruit Tree, Guangzhou, 510640, China.
² Institute of Fruit Tree Research, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of South Subtropical Fruit Biology and Genetic Resource Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Science and Technology Research on Fruit Tree, Guangzhou, 510640, China; College of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.
³ Institute of Fruit Tree Research, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of South Subtropical Fruit Biology and Genetic Resource Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Science and Technology Research on Fruit Tree, Guangzhou, 510640, China. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 39708698
DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.109418

Abstract

Citrus bacterial canker has deleterious effects on global citrus production. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascade regulates plant defense against pathogen infection. Here, we identified 11 MAPKs in Atalantia buxifolia, a wild citrus species with high stress tolerance. Phylogenetic and gene structure analysis of the identified MAP kinases (MPKs) was conducted, and conserved motifs were identified. MPK expression was altered in Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xcc)-resistant Atalantia buxifolia and Xcc-sensitive sweet orange after Xcc infection. AbMPK13 expression was significantly up-regulated after Xcc infection. AbMPK13 was localized to the cytoplasm, and its overexpression enhanced the resistance of sweet orange to Xcc and activated the salicylic acid (SA) signaling pathway. These findings clarify the role of MPKs in the citrus canker resistance of A. buxifolia.

Keywords: Atalantia buxifolia; Citrus; Citrus canker; MPK; Resistance.