The wall-associated receptor-like kinase CsWAKL01, positively regulated by the transcription factor CsWRKY53, confers resistance to citrus bacterial canker via regulation of phytohormone signaling.

Citrus bacterial canker (CBC) is a disease that poses a major threat to global citrus production and is caused by infection with Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xcc). Wall-associated receptor-like kinase (WAKL) proteins play an important role in shaping plant resistance to various bacterial and fungal pathogens. In a prior report, CsWAKL01 was identified as a candidate Xcc-inducible gene found to be upregulated in CBC-resistant citrus plants. However, the functional role of CsWAKL01 and the mechanisms whereby it may influence resistance to CBC have yet to be clarified. Here, CsWAKL01 was found to localize to the plasma membrane, and the overexpression of the corresponding gene in transgenic sweet oranges resulted in the pronounced enhancement of CBC resistance, whereas its knockdown had the opposite effect. Mechanistically, the ability of CsWAKL01 was linked to its ability to reprogram jasmonic acid, salicylic acid, and abscisic acid signaling activity. CsWRKY53 was further identified as a transcription factor capable of directly binding the CsWAKL01 promoter and inducing its transcriptional upregulation. CsWRKY53 silencing conferred greater CBC susceptibility to infected plants. Overall, these data support a model wherein CsWRKY53 functions as a positive regulator of CsWAKL01 to enhance resistance to CBC via the reprogramming of phytohormone signaling. Together these results offer new insight into the mechanisms whereby WAKLs shape phytopathogen resistance while underscoring the potential value of targeting the CsWRKY53-CsWAKL01 axis when seeking to breed CBC-resistant citrus plant varieties.

Genome-wide identification and characterization of the sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) family reveals a role for CsbHLH085 as a regulator of citrus bacterial canker resistance.

Citrus bacterial canker (CBC) is a harmful bacterial disease caused by Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xcc), negatively impacting citrus production worldwide. The basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor family plays crucial roles in plant development and stress responses. This study aimed to identify and annotate bHLH proteins encoded in the Citrus sinensis genome and explore their involvement and functional importance in regulating CBC resistance. A total of 135 putative CsbHLHs TFs were identified and categorized into 16 subfamilies. Their chromosomal locations, collinearity, and phylogenetic relationships were comprehensively analyzed. Upon Xcc strain YN1 infection, certain CsbHLHs were differentially regulated in CBC-resistant and CBC-sensitive citrus varieties. Among these, CsbHLH085 was selected for further functional characterization. CsbHLH085 was upregulated in the CBC-resistant citrus variety, was localized in the nucleus, and had a transcriptional activation activity. CsbHLH085 overexpression in Citrus significantly enhanced CBC resistance, accompanied by increased levels of salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and decreased levels of abscisic acid (ABA) and antioxidant enzymes. Conversely, CsbHLH085 virus-induced gene silencing resulted in opposite phenotypic and biochemical responses. CsbHLH085 silencing also affected the expression of phytohormone biosynthesis and signaling genes involved in SA, JA, and ABA signaling. These findings highlight the crucial role of CsbHLH085 in regulating CBC resistance, suggesting its potential as a target for biotechnological-assisted breeding citrus varieties with improved resistance against phytopathogens.

The CsAP2-09-CsWRKY25-CsRBOH2 cascade confers resistance against citrus bacterial canker by regulating ROS homeostasis.

Citrus bacterial canker (CBC) is a serious bacterial disease caused by Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xcc) that adversely impacts the global citrus industry. In a previous study, we demonstrated that overexpression of an Xcc-inducible apetala 2/ethylene response factor encoded by Citrus sinensis, CsAP2-09, enhances CBC resistance. The mechanism responsible for this effect, however, is not known. In the present study, we showed that CsAP2-09 targeted the promoter of the Xcc-inducible WRKY transcription factor coding gene CsWRKY25 directly, activating its transcription. CsWRKY25 was found to localize to the nucleus and to activate transcriptional activity. Plants overexpressing CsWRKY25 were more resistant to CBC and showed higher expression of the respiratory burst oxidase homolog (RBOH) CsRBOH2, in addition to exhibiting increased RBOH activity. Transient overexpression assays in citrus confirmed that CsWRKY25 and CsRBOH2 participated in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) bursts, which were able to restore the ROS degradation caused by CsAP2-09 knockdown. Moreover, CsWRKY25 was found to bind directly to W-box elements within the CsRBOH2 promoter. Notably, CsRBOH2 knockdown had been reported previously to reduce the CBC resistance, while demonstrated in this study, CsRBOH2 transient overexpression can enhance the CBC resistance. Overall, our results outline a pathway through which CsAP2-09-CsWRKY25 transcriptionally reprograms CsRBOH2-mediated ROS homeostasis in a manner conducive to CBC resistance. These data offer new insight into the mechanisms and regulatory pathways through which CsAP2-09 regulates CBC resistance, highlighting its potential utility as a target for the breeding of CBC-resistant citrus varieties.