Functional analysis of the SlERF01 gene in disease resistance to S. lycopersici

Background Tomato gray leaf spot caused byStemphylium lycopersici(S. lycopersici) is a serious disease that can severely hinder tomato production. To date, onlySmhas been reported to provide resistance against this disease, and the molecular mechanism underlying resistance to this disease in tomato remains unclear. To better understand the mechanism of tomato resistance toS. lycopersici, real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR)-based analysis, physiological indexes, microscopy observations and transgenic technology were used in this study. Results Our results showed that the expression ofSlERF01was strongly induced byS. lycopersiciand by exogenous applications of the hormones salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA). Furthermore, overexpression ofSlERF01enhanced the hypersensitive response (HR) toS. lycopersiciand elevated the expression of defense genes in tomato. Furthermore, the accumulation of lignin, callose and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) increased in the transgenic lines after inoculation withS. lycopersici.Taken together, our results showed thatSlERF01played an indispensable role in multiple SA, JA and reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling pathways to provide resistance toS. lycopersiciinvasion. Our findings also indicated thatSlERF01could activate the expression of thePR1gene and enhance resistance toS. lycopersici. Conclusions We identified theSlERF01gene, which encodes a novel tomato AP2/ERF transcription factor (TF). Functional analysis revealed thatSlERF01positively regulates tomato resistance toS. lycopersici. Our findings indicate thatSlERF01plays a key role in multiple SA, JA and ROS signaling pathways to provide resistance to invasion byS. lycopersici.The findings of this study not only help to better understand the mechanisms of response to pathogens but also enable targeted breeding strategies for tomato resistance toS. lycopersici.