Characterization and functions of Caffeic acid O-methyltransferase genes in Cucumis sativus against Corynespora cassiicola infection

IF 4.1 2区生物学 Q2 BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Plant Science Pub Date : 2025-09-29 DOI:10.1016/j.plantsci.2025.112792

Shaoqin Chen , Shuo Zhang , Weili Wang , Yingze Zhou , Haiyan Fan , Xiangnan Meng , Wenyang Cai

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Lignin is a crucial structural component of plant cell walls and serves as an essential weapon in plant defense responses. Caffeic acid O-methyltransferase (COMT) is a key enzyme in the lignin biosynthetic pathway and also plays a pivotal role in plant disease resistance. However, the sequence and structural characteristics and defense functions of COMT family members in Cucumis sativus have not been extensively studied. In this study, six CsCOMT family genes were identified in C. sativus. Molecular phylogeny and sequence analyses revealed functional similarities and distinct characteristics among the CsCOMT family members. Expression profiles under Corynespora cassiicola infection demonstrated significant upregulation of CsCOMT1, and downregulation of CsCOMT2 and CsCOMT4, indicating their potential involvement in the response to pathogen attack. Functional analyses revealed that CsCOMT1 positively regulated cucumber defense against C. cassiicola, whereas CsCOMT2 and CsCOMT4 negatively regulated this defense, with CsCOMT2 exerting the strongest suppressive effect. Further investigations showed that CsCOMT1 promotes and CsCOMT2 suppresses lignin biosynthesis during plant defense. This study has revealed the unique involvement of different CsCOMT family members in response to C. cassiicola stress and provides strategic targets for breeding disease-resistant cucumber cultivars.

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黄瓜抗黑弧菌感染咖啡酸o -甲基转移酶基因的特征及功能研究

木质素是植物细胞壁的重要结构成分，是植物防御反应的重要武器。咖啡酸o -甲基转移酶（COMT）是木质素生物合成途径中的关键酶，在植物抗病过程中起着关键作用。然而，目前对黄瓜COMT家族成员的序列、结构特征及防御功能的研究尚不广泛。本研究鉴定了6个ccomt家族基因。分子系统发育和序列分析揭示了CsCOMT家族成员的功能相似性和不同的特征。cassiicola感染下的表达谱显示，CsCOMT1显著上调，CsCOMT2和CsCOMT4下调，表明它们可能参与了对病原体攻击的反应。功能分析显示，CsCOMT1正调控黄瓜对cassiicola的防御，而CsCOMT2和CsCOMT4负调控黄瓜对cassiicola的防御，其中CsCOMT2的抑制作用最强。进一步的研究表明，在植物防御过程中，CsCOMT1促进和CsCOMT2抑制木质素的生物合成。本研究揭示了不同CsCOMT家族成员对cassiicola胁迫的独特参与，为培育抗病黄瓜品种提供了战略靶点。

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来源期刊

Plant Science 生物-生化与分子生物学

CiteScore

9.10

自引率

1.90%

发文量

322

审稿时长

33 days

期刊介绍： Plant Science will publish in the minimum of time, research manuscripts as well as commissioned reviews and commentaries recommended by its referees in all areas of experimental plant biology with emphasis in the broad areas of genomics, proteomics, biochemistry (including enzymology), physiology, cell biology, development, genetics, functional plant breeding, systems biology and the interaction of plants with the environment. Manuscripts for full consideration should be written concisely and essentially as a final report. The main criterion for publication is that the manuscript must contain original and significant insights that lead to a better understanding of fundamental plant biology. Papers centering on plant cell culture should be of interest to a wide audience and methods employed result in a substantial improvement over existing established techniques and approaches. Methods papers are welcome only when the technique(s) described is novel or provides a major advancement of established protocols.