Potential roles of WRKY transcription factors in regulating host defense responses during Aspergillus flavus infection of immature maize kernels

Authors

Jake C. Fountain, LSU Agricultural Center
Yenjit Raruang, LSU Agricultural Center
Meng Luo, Louisiana State University
Robert L. Brown, USDA ARS Southern Regional Research Center
Baozhu Guo, USDA Agricultural Research Service
Zhi Yuan Chen, LSU Agricultural Center

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2015

Abstract

The mechanisms regulating the expression of maize resistance genes against Aspergillus flavus are poorly understood. This study examined the potential roles of six WRKY transcription factors and the expression of three pathway indicator genes in response to A.flavus inoculation in B73 (susceptible) and TZAR101 (resistant). The genes ZmWRKY19, ZmWRKY53, and ZmWRKY67 were found to possess elevated expression in TZAR101. ZmNPR1 expression was induced by inoculation in TZAR101 without concurrent induction of ZmPR-1, possibly due to the induction of ZmERF1. These findings indicate that WRKY transcription factors are involved in resistance and that salicylic acid and ethylene signaling may coordinate defense responses.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology

First Page

31

Last Page

40

Recommended Citation

Fountain, J., Raruang, Y., Luo, M., Brown, R., Guo, B., & Chen, Z. (2015). Potential roles of WRKY transcription factors in regulating host defense responses during Aspergillus flavus infection of immature maize kernels. Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology, 89 (1), 31-40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmpp.2014.11.005