Enhancing maize resistance to Fusarium verticillioides through modulation of cell wall structure and components by ZmXYXT2

作者：Yufang Xu, Yudong Fan, Lujie Liu, Jiansheng Cao, Junzhe Zhou, Enpeng Liu, Ruiqi Li, Peipei Ma, Wen Yao, Jianyu Wu, Tao Li, Huiyong Zhang · 发表于：Journal of Advanced Research · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1016/j.jare.2025.02.023 · 被引用次数：14 · 研究领域：Polysaccharides and Plant Cell Walls、Plant-Microbe Interactions and Immunity、Plant Pathogens and Fungal Diseases

INTRODUCTION: Fusarium verticillioides (F. verticillioides) is a prevalent phytopathogen that incites severe diseases in maize, resulting in substantial reductions in grain yield and quality. Despite its widespread impact, the genetic mechanisms underlying resistance to this pathogen remain elusive, with only a limited of resistant genes having been identified to date. OBJECTIVES: Characterize the function of ZmXYXT2 encoding a putative xylan xylosyltransferase in maize defense against F. verticillioides-induced diseases. METHODS: Real-time quantitative PCR and transitory transformation of maize protoplasts were conducted to analyze the expression pattern and subcellular localization of ZmXYXT2. The zmxyxt2 mutant, sourced from an ethyl methanesulfonate mutagenesis library, and the ZmXYXT2-overexpressing plants, generated via Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation, were utilized for artificial inoculation with F. verticillioides followed by disease severity assessments. Phenotypic assessments, cytological observations, analysis of cell wall components, and histochemical staining were performed to elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of ZmXYXT2. RESULTS: The absence of ZmXYXT2 renders maize vulnerable to F. verticillioides-caused seedling blight, stalk rot, ear rot and seed rot, along with a notable increase in fumonisin B1 accumulation. Conversely, maize plants overexpressing ZmXYXT2 exhibited significantly heightened immunity to these diseases. Moreover, overexpres...