Turnip mosaic virus induces expression of the LRR II subfamily genes and regulates the salicylic acid signaling pathway in non-heading Chinese cabbage

In order to study the defense response to turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) infection in non-heading Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris ssp. chinensis Makino), we cloned the LRR II subfamily genes which comprises six members. They were high homologous to the function-known LRR II genes of Arabidopsis. We investigated their expression through quantitative real-time PCR analysis. TuMV infection induced the expression of these genes locally and systematically, and regulated the endogenous accumulation of salicylic acid (SA). Exogenous SA spraying was able to induce resistance to the susceptibility of the TuMV-infected plants, which might function via inhibiting the viral duplication. Though TuMV-induced SA accumulation was not the determinant in regulating gene expression, it mediated the reaction oxygen species (ROS) burst as a channel of defense.

► We cloned the LRR II subfamily genes from non-heading Chinese cabbage. ► TuMV induces the expression of these genes and regulates SA accumulation in plants. ► SA treatment induces resistance to TuMV via inhibiting the viral duplication. ► TuMV-induced SA accumulation mediates ROS burst as a putative channel of defense.