Altered NtERF gene expression and resistance to Rhizoctonia solani in TEIL(Tobacco EIN3-like)-suppressed or overexpressed transgenic tobacco plants

Abstract

Tobacco EIN3 like (TEIL) is a homolog of the Arabidopsis EIN3, which encodes a transcriptional factor in ethylene signaling. TEIL has been reported to binds the promoter sequence of acidic tobacco PR1 gene (Kosugi and Ohashi, 2000), and was presumed to regulate basic PR gene expression and flower formation (Hibi et. al, 2007). We have indicated that ethylene emission in wounded leaves was altered in TEIL-suppressed tobacco plants. Here, we report that altered expression of NtERFs in TEIL-suppressed plants especially the decrease of ACC-induced ERF2 expression. In the study to analyze the function of TEIL on disease resistance, a time-course observation showed the tendency that the resistance to a fungal pathogen R. solani was increased in TEIL-overexpressors and decreased in TEIL-suppressed tobacco plants. These results indicate that TEIL contribute on ethylene signaling via expression of NtERF genes and on disease resistance to a kind of pathogens.