Genetic Interactions and Disease Resistance in Rice-Xanthomonas Systems

Research from Nature Portfolio

Researchers have implemented CRISPR–Cas9 in both model and elite rice cultivars to introduce targeted mutations in the promoters of SWEET11, SWEET13 and SWEET14. By editing multiple EBEs simultaneously, the resultant lines exhibit robust, broad-spectrum resistance to diverse X. oryzae pv. oryzae strains under paddy-field conditions while retaining agronomic performance. Complementary work uncovered that many X. oryzae isolates produce truncated TALE variants lacking activation domains. These iTALEs competitively bind to the same host targets and suppress Xa1-mediated immune activation, effectively neutralising a major R-gene defence and illustrating the pathogen’s capacity to subvert engineered resistance.

Genetic Interactions and Disease Resistance in Rice-Xanthomonas Systems publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in genetic interactions and disease resistance in rice-xanthomonas systems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Transcription activator-like effector (TALE): A sequence-specific type III secretion protein from Xanthomonas that binds host DNA to modulate gene transcription.

Effector-binding element (EBE): A discrete promoter motif recognised by a TALE, dictating which host genes are induced during infection.

Susceptibility gene (S gene): A plant gene co-opted by pathogen effectors to facilitate infection, often encoding nutrient transporters.

Resistance gene (R gene): A host locus whose product recognises pathogen effectors or their actions and triggers immune responses.

CRISPR–Cas9 genome editing: A targeted genetic engineering method that introduces precise mutations to disrupt or alter gene function.

References

1. Tal6b/AvrXa27A, a hidden TALE targeting the susceptibility gene OsSWEET11a and the resistance gene Xa27 in rice. Plant Communications (2023).
2. CRISPRi in Xanthomonas demonstrates functional convergence of transcription activator‐like effectors in two divergent pathogens. New Phytologist (2023).
3. Broad-spectrum resistance to bacterial blight in rice using genome editing. Nature Biotechnology (2019).
4. Interfering TAL effectors of Xanthomonas oryzae neutralize R-gene-mediated plant disease resistance. Nature Communications (2016).
5. Resistance Genes and their Interactions with Bacterial Blight/Leaf Streak Pathogens (Xanthomonas oryzae) in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)—an Updated Review. Rice (2020).