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A new class of plant virus resistance gene published by Prof. Zhang Mingfang group in current volume of The Plant Journal

Date:2017-04-06 Hits:341

   The current volume of The Plant Journal recently published a scientific article entitled "Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2B-beta (eIF2BB), a new class of plant virus resistance gene" by Prof. Zhang Mingfang group from Institute of Vegetable, College of Agriculture & Biotechnology.

  Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) is a member of the Potyvirus genus and has a very broad host range of plant species, including not only many species in the Brassicaceae, but also legumes, ornamentals and weed plants. In this study, we report that natural, monogenic recessive resistance to the potyvirus Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) has been found in a number of mustard (Brassica juncea) accessions. We indicated the resistance is controlled by a single recessive gene, recessive TuMV resistance03 (retr03), an allele of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2B-beta (eIF2Bβ). Silencing of eIF2Bβ in a TuMV-susceptible mustard plant line and expression of eIF2Bβ from a TuMV-susceptible linein a TuMV-resistant mustard plant line confirmed the new resistance mechanism. A functional copy of a specific allele of eIF2Bβ is required for efficient TuMV infection. eIF2Bβ represents a new class of virus resistance gene conferring resistance to any pathogen. Further genotyping indicated that a single non-synonymous substitution (A120G) in the N-terminal region of eIF2Bβ was responsible for the TuMV resistance. A reproducible marker has been developed, facilitating marker-assisted selection for TuMV resistance in B. juncea. Our findings provide a new target for seeking natural resistance to potyviruses and new opportunities for the control of potyviruses using genome editing techniques targeted on eIF2Bβ.

    Article line: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/tpj.13519/epdf