PlantView Support Poplar Rust Resistance Research: Regulation of poplar rust resistance through the interaction between transcription factor PsERF117 and PR10.18

New progress has been made in the molecular regulatory mechanisms of poplar resistance to rust fungi.

Professor Yu Zhongdong from Northwest A&F University published relevant findings in the internationally recognized journal “ Industrial Crops & Products” (IF = 6.2, Q1 journal).

This study provides new insights into the molecular interaction mechanisms between poplar and rust fungi (Melampsora spp.) and identifies key regulatory networks and candidate genes underlying poplar disease resistance, offering theoretical support for resistance breeding.

Plants defend against biotic stresses through a coordinated immune network composed of pattern-triggered immunity (PTI) and effector-triggered immunity (ETI). While these defense mechanisms have been well studied in model plants such as Arabidopsis, the resistance genes and signaling pathways underlying poplar resistance to rust fungi (Melampsora spp.) remain largely unclear. Poplar is widely cultivated due to its strong adaptability and fast growth; however, it is highly susceptible to leaf rust infection, which reduces photosynthetic efficiency, impairs growth, and severely affects the development of the poplar industry. China, as the country with the largest area of planted forests globally, is particularly impacted by this issue. In addition, AP2/ERF transcription factors can regulate the expression of pathogenesis-related (PR) genes by binding to cis-acting elements and play key roles in plant stress resistance. PR10 family proteins, with ribonuclease activity, are also closely associated with plant disease resistance, providing important targets for elucidating poplar rust resistance mechanisms. Based on this, the present study investigates the molecular mechanisms of poplar–rust fungus interactions to provide theoretical support for poplar resistance breeding.

In this study, transcriptome analyses were performed on rust-compatible Populus cathayana and incompatible Populus deltoides, leading to the systematic identification of 13 defense-related gene families and 17 PR gene families in poplar. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to identify key regulatory modules involved in rust resistance, revealing that ERF and WRKY transcription factors are core regulators. Among them, PsERF117 specifically binds to the GCC-box in the promoter region of PsPR10.18 and activates its expression. Downregulation of PsPR10.18 reduces ribonuclease activity and consequently weakens poplar rust resistance. Knockout of PsERF117 in Populus deltoides weakens hypersensitive responses and reduces reactive oxygen species production, whereas overexpression of PsERF117 in rust-susceptible 84K poplar significantly enhances resistance. In addition, PsERF117 can also regulate other defense-related genes such as 4CL2, DOX1, and WRKY46, thereby modulating rust resistance through multiple pathways. This study clarifies the central role of the PsERF117–PsPR10.18 regulatory module in poplar rust resistance, elucidates the molecular regulatory network of poplar–rust fungus interactions, and provides important candidate genes and theoretical foundations for molecular breeding of disease-resistant poplar.

Experiments using Aniview

In the study, the research team used the PlantView in vivo plant imaging system from Guangzhou Biolight Biotechnology Co., Ltd. to verify whether the transcription factor PsERF117 can directly bind to and activate the promoter of PsPR10.18.

DOI:10.1016/j.indcrop.2026.122769