Genetic architecture of the metabolic pathway of salicylic acid biosynthesis in Populus

Salicylic acid (SA) is a vital hormone for adaptive responses to biotic and abiotic stresses, which facilitates growth-immunity trade-offs in plants. However, the genetic regulatory networks underlying the metabolic pathway of SA biosynthesis in perennial species remain unclear. Here, we integrated...

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Published in:Tree physiology 2021-11, Vol.41 (11), p.2198-2215
Main Authors: Xiao, Liang, Du, Qingzhang, Fang, Yuanyuan, Quan, Mingyang, Lu, Wenjie, Wang, Dan, Si, Jingna, El-Kassaby, Yousry A, Zhang, Deqiang
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
Gene Regulatory Networks
Genome-Wide Association Study
Metabolic Networks and Pathways - genetics
Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
Populus - genetics
Populus - metabolism
Salicylic Acid - metabolism
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Summary:Salicylic acid (SA) is a vital hormone for adaptive responses to biotic and abiotic stresses, which facilitates growth-immunity trade-offs in plants. However, the genetic regulatory networks underlying the metabolic pathway of SA biosynthesis in perennial species remain unclear. Here, we integrated genome-wide association study (GWAS) with metabolite and expression profiling methodologies to dissect the genetic architecture of SA biosynthesis in Populus. First, we quantified nine intermediate metabolites of SA biosynthesis in 300 unrelated Populus tomentosa Carr. individuals. Then, we used a systematic genetic strategy to identify candidate genes for constructing the genetic regulatory network of SA biosynthesis. We focused on WRKY70, an efficient transcription factor, as the key causal gene in the regulatory network, and combined the novel genes coordinating the accumulation of SA. Finally, we identified eight GWAS signals and eight expression quantitative trait loci situated in a selective sweep, and showed the presence of large allele frequency differences among the three geographic populations, revealing that candidate genes subject to selection were involved in SA biosynthesis. This study provides an integrated strategy for dissecting the genetic architecture of the metabolic pathway of SA biosynthesis in Populus, thereby enhancing our understanding of genetic regulation of SA biosynthesis in trees, and accelerating marker-assisted breeding efforts toward high-resistance elite varieties of Populus.
ISSN:1758-4469
1758-4469
DOI:10.1093/treephys/tpab068