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Ling Y, Xiong X, Yang W, Liu B, Shen Y, Xu L, Lu F, Li M, Guo Y, Zhang X. Comparative Analysis of Transcriptomics and Metabolomics Reveals Defense Mechanisms in Melon Cultivars against Pseudoperonospora cubensis Infection. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17552. [PMID: 38139381 PMCID: PMC10743968 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Melon (Cucumis melo L.) represents an agriculturally significant horticultural crop that is widely grown for its flavorful fruits. Downy mildew (DM), a pervasive foliar disease, poses a significant threat to global melon production. Although several quantitative trait loci related to DM resistance have been identified, the comprehensive genetic underpinnings of this resistance remain largely uncharted. In this study, we utilized integrative transcriptomics and metabolomics approaches to identify potential resistance-associated genes and delineate the strategies involved in the defense against DM in two melon cultivars: the resistant 'PI442177' ('K10-1') and the susceptible 'Huangdanzi' ('K10-9'), post-P. cubensis infection. Even in the absence of the pathogen, there were distinctive differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between 'K10-1' and 'K10-9'. When P. cubensis was infected, certain genes, including flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO), receptor-like protein kinase FERONIA (FER), and the HD-ZIP transcription factor member, AtHB7, displayed pronounced expression differences between the cultivars. Notably, our data suggest that following P. cubensis infection, both cultivars suppressed flavonoid biosynthesis via the down-regulation of associated genes whilst concurrently promoting lignin production. The complex interplay of transcriptomic and metabolic responses elucidated by this study provides foundational insights into melon's defense mechanisms against DM. The robust resilience of 'K10-1' to DM is attributed to the synergistic interaction of its inherent transcriptomic and metabolic reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueming Ling
- Hami-Melon Research Center, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Urumqi 830091, China; (Y.L.); (W.Y.); (B.L.); (Y.S.); (L.X.); (M.L.)
| | - Xianpeng Xiong
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China;
| | - Wenli Yang
- Hami-Melon Research Center, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Urumqi 830091, China; (Y.L.); (W.Y.); (B.L.); (Y.S.); (L.X.); (M.L.)
| | - Bin Liu
- Hami-Melon Research Center, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Urumqi 830091, China; (Y.L.); (W.Y.); (B.L.); (Y.S.); (L.X.); (M.L.)
| | - Yue Shen
- Hami-Melon Research Center, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Urumqi 830091, China; (Y.L.); (W.Y.); (B.L.); (Y.S.); (L.X.); (M.L.)
- College of Horticulture, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830091, China
| | - Lirong Xu
- Hami-Melon Research Center, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Urumqi 830091, China; (Y.L.); (W.Y.); (B.L.); (Y.S.); (L.X.); (M.L.)
- College of Horticulture, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830091, China
| | - Fuyuan Lu
- College of Agriculture, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, China;
| | - Meihua Li
- Hami-Melon Research Center, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Urumqi 830091, China; (Y.L.); (W.Y.); (B.L.); (Y.S.); (L.X.); (M.L.)
| | - Yangdong Guo
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xuejun Zhang
- Hami-Melon Research Center, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Urumqi 830091, China; (Y.L.); (W.Y.); (B.L.); (Y.S.); (L.X.); (M.L.)
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
- Hainan Sanya Experimental Center for Crop Breeding, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sanya 572019, China
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