Genome-wide Identification, characterization and expression analysis of the effector-triggered immunity (ETI) pathway-mediated defense responsive genes in grapes against powdery and downy mildew infections

Abstract Grapevine productivity is severely affected by fungal diseases worldwide and for the diseases control in eco-friendly way, it is essential to understand the molecular mechanisms of fungal resistance in grapes. Therefore, we performed genome-wide identification of various Resistance (R) genes expressed during PM and DM infection in grapevine. Consequently, we identified 6, 21, 2, 5, 3 and 48 EDS1, NDR1, PAD4, NPR, RAR and PR genes respectively in the grapevine genome. Further, differential expression analysis resulted in identification of 2, 4, 7, 2, 4, 1 and 7 differentially expressed PM-responsive Resistance (R) genes (NBS-LRR, EDS1, NDR1, PAD4, NPR, RAR1 and PR) and 28, 2, 5, 4, 1 and 19 differentially expressed DM-responsive Resistance (R) genes (NBS-LRR, EDS1, NDR1, NPR, RAR1 and PR) in V. vinifera. These genes are involved in salicylic acid mediated Effector-triggered immunity (ETI) pathway, therefore, we examined their co-expression to determine the sequence of events that occurs during a signaling cascade in order to respond against PM and DM-infection. Altogether, the PM and DM responsive R genes of ETI pathway found in this study can be used in future to produce new and improved grape varieties that are immune to biotic stresses.