Genomic insights into assembly of α-β hydrolase superfamily genes involved in blast resistance in rice

Abstract

The α-β hydrolase (ABH) gene encodes growth, development, and stress-associated enzymes in various plants; however, its evolution and function in cereal crops remain largely unexplored. In this study, bioinformatics analysis was performed to define and predict OsABH superfamily evolution and function in Oryza indica. Then transgenic rice plants overexpressing the OsABH superfamily gene BGIOSGA016507 were generated, and the expression dynamics of disease resistance factors in response to Magnaporthe oryzae infection were assessed using RT-qPCR. Meanwhile, endogenous hormones levels were quantitatively determined through ELISA. Results indicated that 41 ABHs were identified in O. indica. Interspecies synteny analysis revealed that OsABH shared the highest number of syntenic gene pairs with TaABH (86 pairs), compared to only 10 pairs with AtABH, suggesting the closest evolutionary relationship between the OsABH superfamily in O. indica and Triticum aestivum. These findings also indicated that the OsABH superfamily amplification is linked to segmental duplications. Besides, the OsABH promoter exhibited multiple biotic and abiotic stress and tolerance-associated cis-acting elements. BGIOSGA016507 haplotypes analysis showed an obvious indica bias. Additionally, BGIOSGA016507 responded to rice blast stress. Compared to wild-type Nipponbare, the OE-016507 showed significantly smaller lesion areas post M. oryzae inoculation (P < 0.001). Concurrently, significant differences were observed in PRs expression and endogenous hormones levels, with salicylic acid reaching a peak concentration of 228.75 pmol/L at 36 hpi, approximately twice the level detected in NPB. This study sheds light on the understanding of ABH superfamily evolution in rice and validates OsABH involvement in blast-resistant response.