Deciphering the Genetic Response: Differential Gene Expression Profiling in Citrus aurantifolia (Chrism.) and Citrus limon (L.) Burm Infected with Xanthomonas citri pv. citri
摘要
This study aims to elucidate the genetic mechanisms that differentiate genotypes that are resistant and susceptible to citrus canker disease. In this study, the highly susceptible acid lime ALC-35 and resistant lemon variety Kagzi Kalan, being contrasted genotypes for citrus canker (Xanthomonas citri pv. citri) disease, were studied to understand the regulation of defense-related genes (PR1, PAL1, NPR3, NDR1, JAR1, CHI, and EDS1), along with the housekeeping gene GAPC2 at various time points, i.e., 0, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h post-inoculation (hpi) after Xcc inoculation under controlled environmental conditions. Simultaneously, we investigated how Xcc-induced stress is managed in contrasting citrus genotypes at 0, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hpi. Of the different genes, the up-regulation of PAL1, JAR1, NPR3, NDR1, and CHI was registered higher in resistant Kagzi Kalan, while the EDS1 and PR1 genes were up-regulated more in the susceptible ALC-35 citrus genotype. The PAL1 gene was expressed the most at 24 hpi, while most genes, including EDS1, CHI, JAR1, NPR3, NDR1, and PR1, were expressed most at 48 hpi. Out of the various defense-related enzymes studied, the highest activities of peroxidase (POX), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) were studied in resistant Kagzi Kalan lemon at 48 hpi as compared to susceptible ALC-35 at different time points. The current study clearly revealed how defense genes and associated enzymes contribute to Kagzi Kalan lemon resistance. These genes could be utilized as markers to study canker tolerance in citrus genotypes at the seedling stage.