Literature Sharing | Identifcation of a ubiquitin-protein ligase MaUPL6 modulating the response to Fusarium wilt in banana
Release time:
2025-02-11
Bananas (Musa spp.) are among the most produced, traded, and consumed fruits globally. However, the destructive disease, caused by the soil-borne fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Tropical Race 4 (FocTR4), poses a serious threat due to its wide host range and ability to cause extensive banana losses .Despite ongoing research, the molecular mechanisms underlying banana resistance to Fusarium wilt remain poorly understood, necessitating further eforts to enhance the resistance of banana cultivars to this devastating pathogen.

This study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying MpICE1-mediated responses to Fusarium wilt. We employed a yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) library screening assay using MpICE1 and identified the HECT ubiquitin-protein ligase (UPL) MaUPL6, which is homologous to AtUPL6 in Arabidopsis (Fig. 1A). Given the challenges associated with the genetic transformation of banana plants, we utilized a transient silencing approach to investigate the role of MaUPL6 following Foc TR4 infection. Specifically, MaUPL6-dsRNAs were injected into banana leaves to assess the gene's function in response to Fusarium wilt. The expression level of MaUPL6 was significantly reduced in dsRNA-treated leaves compared to water-treated controls (Fig. 1B). After Foc-TR4 injection, banana leaves treated with MaUPL6-dsRNA exhibited smaller necrotic areas than those treated with water (Fig.1C, D). These results suggest that MaUPL6 negatively regulates Fusarium wilt resistance in bananas.
Next, we confirmed the interaction between MaUPL6 and MpICE1 by yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) assay (Fig. 1E). Furthermore, the subcellular localization analysis revealed that MpICE1 was exclusively localized to the nucleus, whereas MaUPL6 was present in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm (Fig. 1F), suggesting the potential for interaction between MpICE1 and MaUPL6 within the nucleus. To validate this interaction in vivo, we performed the bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assays in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. Strong YFP fluorescence signals were observed across epidermal cells co-expressing MaUPL6 and MpICE1 (Fig. 1G). These observations suggest that MaUPL6 physically interacts with MpICE1 in vivo and in vitro.

Fig. 1 MaUPL6 modulates MpICE1 stability via a ubiquitination pathway, regulating the response to Fusarium wilt in banana
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