Characterization, Expression, and Functional Analysis of a Novel NAC Gene Associated with Resistance to Verticillium Wilt and Abiotic Stress in Cotton

• Published in: G3 : genes - genomes - genetics 2016-12, Vol.6 (12), p.3951-3961
• Main Authors: Wang, Weina, Yuan, Youlu, Yang, Can, Geng, Shuaipeng, Sun, Quan, Long, Lu, Cai, Chaowei, Chu, Zongyan, Liu, Xin, Wang, Guanghao, Du, Xiongming, Miao, Chen, Zhang, Xiao, Cai, Yingfan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amino Acid Sequence; Arabidopsis - genetics; biotic and abiotic stress; cotton; Disease Resistance - genetics; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Gene Silencing; Gossypium - classification; Gossypium - microbiology; Gossypium - physiology; Investigations; NAC transcription factor; Organ Specificity - genetics; Phenotype; Phylogeny; Plant Diseases - genetics; Plant Diseases - microbiology; Plant Proteins - chemistry; Plant Proteins - genetics; Plant Proteins - metabolism; Promoter Regions, Genetic; Protein Transport; Stress, Physiological - genetics; Verticillium; Verticillium wilt; VIGS
• ISSN: 2160-1836; 2160-1836
• DOI: 10.1534/g3.116.034512

Abstract Elucidating the mechanism of resistance to biotic and abiotic stress is of great importance in cotton. In this study, a gene containing the NAC domain, designated GbNAC1, was identified from Gossypium barbadense L. Homologous sequence alignment indicated that GbNAC1 belongs to the TERN subgroup. GbNAC1 protein localized to the cell nucleus. GbNAC1 was expressed in roots, stems, and leaves, and was especially highly expressed in vascular bundles. Functional analysis showed that cotton resistance to Verticillium wilt was reduced when the GbNAC1 gene was silenced using the virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) method. GbNAC1-overexpressing Arabidopsis showed enhanced resistance to Verticillium dahliae compared to wild-type. Thus, GbNAC1 is involved in the positive regulation of resistance to Verticillium wilt. In addition, analysis of GbNAC1-overexpressing Arabidopsis under different stress treatments indicated that it is involved in plant growth, development, and response to various abiotic stresses (ABA, mannitol, and NaCl). This suggests that GbNAC1 plays an important role in resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses in cotton. This study provides a foundation for further study of the function of NAC genes in cotton and other plants.