Identification and Characterization of the <i>ROP GTPase</i> Gene Family in Strawberry and the Positive Role of <i>FveROP4</i> in Fruit Resistance to Gray Mold
ROP small GTPases function as signaling hubs that mediate various physiological processes, including plant defense. Their specific roles in strawberry resistance against gray mold remain uncharacterized. In this study, we identified 53 <i>ROP</i> genes across the genomes of six Rosaceae...
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2024-12-01
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| author | Shuai Zhao Baode Zhu Zhijun Zou Yushan Zhai Sufeng Liao Ming Xu Kunyang Li Nasir Mehmood Xiong Liao |
| author_facet | Shuai Zhao Baode Zhu Zhijun Zou Yushan Zhai Sufeng Liao Ming Xu Kunyang Li Nasir Mehmood Xiong Liao |
| author_sort | Shuai Zhao |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ROP small GTPases function as signaling hubs that mediate various physiological processes, including plant defense. Their specific roles in strawberry resistance against gray mold remain uncharacterized. In this study, we identified 53 <i>ROP</i> genes across the genomes of six Rosaceae species. Based on sequence homology, they were classified into three distinct phylogenetic clades. Detailed analysis of FveROP proteins revealed the presence of highly conserved catalytic G-domains, which are essential for their GTPase activity. By conducting transient overexpression experiments in strawberry fruits challenged with the gray mold pathogen <i>Botrytis cinerea</i>, we investigated the impact of the <i>FveROP4</i> gene on disease resistance. The overexpression of both wild-type and constitutively active forms of <i>FveROP4</i> enhanced resistance against <i>B. cinerea</i> infection. Subsequent analysis revealed that overexpression of <i>FveROP4</i> and <i>FveCAROP4</i> genes led to increased accumulation of reactive oxygen species. Moreover, FveROP4 was localized on the plasma membrane, where it interacted directly with FveRBOHF1, corroborating the results obtained through yeast two-hybrid and luciferase complementation imaging assays. The study findings may provide valuable insights for investigating the mechanisms of ROP signaling in regulating the immune response in strawberries and could significantly contribute to strawberry breeding programs aimed at developing new cultivars with enhanced fruit shelf life. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b236770792234bcaa1dd8b2af42a9091 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2073-4395 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Agronomy |
| spelling | doaj-art-b236770792234bcaa1dd8b2af42a90912025-01-24T13:16:41ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952024-12-011519210.3390/agronomy15010092Identification and Characterization of the <i>ROP GTPase</i> Gene Family in Strawberry and the Positive Role of <i>FveROP4</i> in Fruit Resistance to Gray MoldShuai Zhao0Baode Zhu1Zhijun Zou2Yushan Zhai3Sufeng Liao4Ming Xu5Kunyang Li6Nasir Mehmood7Xiong Liao8College of Life Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, ChinaSchool of Chemistry and Environmental Science, Xiangnan University, Chenzhou 423000, ChinaCollege of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, ChinaCollege of Life Sciences, Anqing Normal University, Anqing 246133, ChinaCross-straits Agricultural Technology Cooperation Center, College of Agriculture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, ChinaEngineering Technology Research Center of Fujian Special Crop Breeding and Utilization, College of Agriculture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, ChinaCollege of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, ChinaCollege of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, ChinaCollege of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, ChinaROP small GTPases function as signaling hubs that mediate various physiological processes, including plant defense. Their specific roles in strawberry resistance against gray mold remain uncharacterized. In this study, we identified 53 <i>ROP</i> genes across the genomes of six Rosaceae species. Based on sequence homology, they were classified into three distinct phylogenetic clades. Detailed analysis of FveROP proteins revealed the presence of highly conserved catalytic G-domains, which are essential for their GTPase activity. By conducting transient overexpression experiments in strawberry fruits challenged with the gray mold pathogen <i>Botrytis cinerea</i>, we investigated the impact of the <i>FveROP4</i> gene on disease resistance. The overexpression of both wild-type and constitutively active forms of <i>FveROP4</i> enhanced resistance against <i>B. cinerea</i> infection. Subsequent analysis revealed that overexpression of <i>FveROP4</i> and <i>FveCAROP4</i> genes led to increased accumulation of reactive oxygen species. Moreover, FveROP4 was localized on the plasma membrane, where it interacted directly with FveRBOHF1, corroborating the results obtained through yeast two-hybrid and luciferase complementation imaging assays. The study findings may provide valuable insights for investigating the mechanisms of ROP signaling in regulating the immune response in strawberries and could significantly contribute to strawberry breeding programs aimed at developing new cultivars with enhanced fruit shelf life.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/1/92<i>Fragaria vesca</i>ROP GTPasegray moldreactive oxygen species |
| spellingShingle | Shuai Zhao Baode Zhu Zhijun Zou Yushan Zhai Sufeng Liao Ming Xu Kunyang Li Nasir Mehmood Xiong Liao Identification and Characterization of the <i>ROP GTPase</i> Gene Family in Strawberry and the Positive Role of <i>FveROP4</i> in Fruit Resistance to Gray Mold Agronomy <i>Fragaria vesca</i> ROP GTPase gray mold reactive oxygen species |
| title | Identification and Characterization of the <i>ROP GTPase</i> Gene Family in Strawberry and the Positive Role of <i>FveROP4</i> in Fruit Resistance to Gray Mold |
| title_full | Identification and Characterization of the <i>ROP GTPase</i> Gene Family in Strawberry and the Positive Role of <i>FveROP4</i> in Fruit Resistance to Gray Mold |
| title_fullStr | Identification and Characterization of the <i>ROP GTPase</i> Gene Family in Strawberry and the Positive Role of <i>FveROP4</i> in Fruit Resistance to Gray Mold |
| title_full_unstemmed | Identification and Characterization of the <i>ROP GTPase</i> Gene Family in Strawberry and the Positive Role of <i>FveROP4</i> in Fruit Resistance to Gray Mold |
| title_short | Identification and Characterization of the <i>ROP GTPase</i> Gene Family in Strawberry and the Positive Role of <i>FveROP4</i> in Fruit Resistance to Gray Mold |
| title_sort | identification and characterization of the i rop gtpase i gene family in strawberry and the positive role of i fverop4 i in fruit resistance to gray mold |
| topic | <i>Fragaria vesca</i> ROP GTPase gray mold reactive oxygen species |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/1/92 |
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