Genome-wide identification and co-expression network analysis of the Os NF-Y gene family in rice

Nuclear factor Y(NF-Y) is a ubiquitous transcription factor that regulates important physiological and developmental processes. In this study, we identified 34 Os NF-Y genes in rice, including 6 newly identified genes. Expression profile analysis covering the whole life cycle revealed that transcripts of Os NF-Y differentially accumulated in a tissue-specific,preferential or constitutive manner. In addition, gene duplication studies and expression analyses were performed to determine the evolutionary origins of the Os NF-Y gene family.Nine Os NF-Y genes were differentially expressed after treatment of seedlings with one or more abiotic stresses such as drought, salt and cold. Analysis of expression correlation and Gene Ontology annotation suggested that Os NF-Y genes were co-expressed with genes that participated in stress, accumulation of seed storage reserves, and plant development.Co-expression analysis also revealed that Os NF-Y genes might interact with each other,suggesting that NF-Y subunits formed complexes that take part in transcriptional regulation. These results provide useful information for further elucidating the function of the NF-Y family and their regulatory pathways.

The genetic arms race between plant and Xanthomonas:lessons learned from TALE biology

The pathogenic bacterial genus Xanthomonas infects a wide variety of host plants and causes devastating diseases in many crops.Transcription activator-like effectors(TALEs)are important virulence factors secreted by Xanthomonas with the ability to directly bind to the promoters of target genes in plant hosts and activate their expression,which often facilitates the proliferation of pathogens.Understanding how plants cope with TALEs will provide mechanistic insights into crop breeding for Xanthomonas defense.Over the past 30 years,numerous studies have revealed the modes of action of TALEs in plant cells and plant defense strategies to overcome TALE attack.Based on these findings,new technologies were adopted for disease management to optimize crop production.In this article,we will review the most recent advances in the evolutionary arms race between plant resistance and TALEs from Xanthomonas,with a specific focus on TALE applications in the development of novel breeding strategies for durable and broad-spectrum resistance.