Summary
Long
non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have several known functions in plant development,
but their possible roles in responding to plant disease remain largely
unresolved. In this study, we described a comprehensive disease-responding
lncRNA profiles in defense against a cotton fungal disease Verticillium dahliae. We further revealed the conserved
and specific characters of disease responding process between two cotton
species. Conservatively for two cotton species, we found the expression
dominance of induced lncRNAs in the Dt subgenome, indicating a biased induction
pattern in the co-existing subgenomes of allotetraploid cotton. Comparative
analysis of lncRNA expression and their proposed functions in resistant Gossypium barbadense cv. ‘7124′ versus susceptible G. hirsutum cv. ‘YZ1′ revealed their distinct
disease response mechanisms. Species-specific (LS) lncRNAs containing more SNPs
displayed a fiercer inducing level post infection than the species-conserved
(core) lncRNAs. Gene Ontology enrichment of LS lncRNAs and core lncRNAs
indicates distinct roles in the process of biotic stimulus. Further functional
analysis showed that two core lncRNAs GhlncNAT-ANX2- and GhlncNAT-RLP7- silenced seedlings displayed an
enhanced resistance towards V. dahliae and Botrytis cinerea, possibly associated with the
increased expression of LOX1 and LOX2. This study represents the first characterization
of lncRNAs involved in resistance to fungal disease and provides new clues to
elucidate cotton disease response mechanism.
DOI: 10.1111/pbi.12861 IF=7.443