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<p>The plant AT-rich sequence and zinc-binding (PLATZ) family, a group of plant-specific zinc finger transcription factors, regulates growth, development, and stress responses, yet their role in biotic stress defense remains poorly understood. Here, we report a genome-wide analysis of <i>PLATZ</i> genes in <i>Cucurbita pepo</i> and characterize their function in powdery mildew resistance. Genomic screening identified 17 PLATZ loci, which clustered into four subfamilies distributed across 13 chromosomes, with conserved gene structures and motifs within each subfamily. Promoter cis-element analysis revealed enrichment of light-, hormone-, and stress-responsive regulatory motifs. qRT-PCR profiling under powdery mildew infection showed that <i>CpPLATZ4</i> was specifically upregulated in the resistant line R1 and downregulated in the susceptible line S1, thereby linking its expression to disease resistance. Subcellular localization confirmed the nuclear localization of <i>CpPLATZ4</i>. Yeast two-hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays demonstrated that <i>CpPLATZ4</i> interacts with Dehydration Responsive Element Binding protein 2 (<i>CpDREB2</i>), suggesting a potential protein complex involved in defense regulation. Transient overexpression of <i>CpPLATZ4</i> enhanced resistance by triggering the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (H₂O₂ and O₂⁻), activating antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, POD) and reducing malondialdehyde (MDA), thereby maintaining cell integrity and suppressing fungal hyphal growth. Conversely, silencing of <i>CpPLATZ4</i> showed the opposite effect, with decreased ROS accumulation, reduced antioxidant enzyme activity, increased MDA content, and enhanced fungal colonization. These findings establish PLATZ genes as key regulators of plant defense against powdery mildew, highlighting <i>CpPLATZ4</i> as a potential target for molecular breeding of disease-resistant cucurbit crops.</p>

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Identification of the PLATZ gene family in Cucurbita pepo and functional analysis of CpPLATZ4 in powdery mildew stress response

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年10月27日

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  • Ke Xu,
  • Ping Wang

摘要

The plant AT-rich sequence and zinc-binding (PLATZ) family, a group of plant-specific zinc finger transcription factors, regulates growth, development, and stress responses, yet their role in biotic stress defense remains poorly understood. Here, we report a genome-wide analysis of PLATZ genes in Cucurbita pepo and characterize their function in powdery mildew resistance. Genomic screening identified 17 PLATZ loci, which clustered into four subfamilies distributed across 13 chromosomes, with conserved gene structures and motifs within each subfamily. Promoter cis-element analysis revealed enrichment of light-, hormone-, and stress-responsive regulatory motifs. qRT-PCR profiling under powdery mildew infection showed that CpPLATZ4 was specifically upregulated in the resistant line R1 and downregulated in the susceptible line S1, thereby linking its expression to disease resistance. Subcellular localization confirmed the nuclear localization of CpPLATZ4. Yeast two-hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays demonstrated that CpPLATZ4 interacts with Dehydration Responsive Element Binding protein 2 (CpDREB2), suggesting a potential protein complex involved in defense regulation. Transient overexpression of CpPLATZ4 enhanced resistance by triggering the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (H₂O₂ and O₂⁻), activating antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, POD) and reducing malondialdehyde (MDA), thereby maintaining cell integrity and suppressing fungal hyphal growth. Conversely, silencing of CpPLATZ4 showed the opposite effect, with decreased ROS accumulation, reduced antioxidant enzyme activity, increased MDA content, and enhanced fungal colonization. These findings establish PLATZ genes as key regulators of plant defense against powdery mildew, highlighting CpPLATZ4 as a potential target for molecular breeding of disease-resistant cucurbit crops.