A receptor-like protein provides broad-spectrum resistance in soybean
M. BHATTACHARYYA (1), M. Ngaki (1), D. Sahoo (2), B. Wang (2), S. Swaminathan (2) (1) Iowa State University, U.S.A.; (2) Iowa State University, U.S.A.; (3) Iowa State University, U.S.A.

Through a transcriptomic study we identified a novel disease susceptible soybean gene, GmDS1, transcript levels of which declined immediately following infection of soybean roots with Fusarium virguliforme. The pathogen remains in infected roots and produces toxins to cause foliar sudden death syndrome (SDS). We hypothesized that the pathogen suppressed the expression of this gene to overcome a defense mechanism controlled by this gene. To test the hypothesis, we expressed the gene during F. virguliforme infection by replacing its promoter with three infection-inducible promoters, two of which are strong root-specific. We were able to demonstrate that under both growth chamber and field conditions most of the transgenic lines carrying the GmDS1 fusion genes were SDS resistant. The SDS resistant transgenic plants were also resistant to spider mites, soybean aphids and soybean cyst nematodes. The gene encodes a small plasma membrane protein (7.9 kDa) containing two membrane-spanning domains. The protein was localized to plasma membrane using a GFP-tagged protein in Nicotiana benthamiana. Our data indicate that GmDS1 is most likely a receptor-like protein and it recognizes pathogen and pest-associated molecular patterns (PAMP) and induces PAMP-triggered immunity against multiple pests and a fungal pathogen.

Abstract Number: P17-495
Session Type: Poster