Frontiers in Plant Science (Mar 2024)

Combined miRNA and mRNA sequencing reveals the defensive strategies of resistant YHY15 rice against differentially virulent brown planthoppers

  • Bin Yu,
  • Mengjia Geng,
  • Yu Xue,
  • Qingqing Yu,
  • Bojie Lu,
  • Miao Liu,
  • Yuhan Shao,
  • Chenxi Li,
  • Jingang Xu,
  • Jintao Li,
  • Wei Hu,
  • Hengmin Tang,
  • Peng Li,
  • Qingsong Liu,
  • Qingsong Liu,
  • Shengli Jing

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2024.1366515
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15

Abstract

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IntroductionThe brown planthopper (BPH) poses a significant threat to rice production in Asia. The use of resistant rice varieties has been effective in managing this pest. However, the adaptability of BPH to resistant rice varieties has led to the emergence of virulent populations, such as biotype Y BPH. YHY15 rice, which carries the BPH resistance gene Bph15, exhibits notable resistance to biotype 1 BPH but is susceptible to biotype Y BPH. Limited information exists regarding how resistant rice plants defend against BPH populations with varying levels of virulence.MethodsIn this study, we integrated miRNA and mRNA expression profiling analyses to study the differential responses of YHY15 rice to both avirulent (biotype 1) and virulent (biotype Y) BPH.ResultsYHY15 rice demonstrated a rapid response to biotype Y BPH infestation, with significant transcriptional changes occurring within 6 hours. The biotype Y-responsive genes were notably enriched in photosynthetic processes. Accordingly, biotype Y BPH infestation induced more intense transcriptional responses, affecting miRNA expression, defenserelated metabolic pathways, phytohormone signaling, and multiple transcription factors. Additionally, callose deposition was enhanced in biotype Y BPH-infested rice seedlings.DiscussionThese findings provide comprehensive insights into the defense mechanisms of resistant rice plants against virulent BPH, and may potentially guide the development of insect-resistant rice varieties.

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