Expression pattern analysis of four Mlo genes from rose

Abstract

Rose (Rosa hybrida) is one of the most economically important ornamentals worldwide. Powdery mildew (Podosphaera pannosa) is a major disease in cut and potted roses. In dicots such as arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), pea (Pisum sativum), and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), loss-of-function mutations in mildew resistance locus o (Mlo) genes confer high levels of broad-spectrum resistance to powdery mildew. Here, we present spatiotemporal expression patterns of four Mlo genes from R. hybrida based on real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Phylogenetically closely related R. hybrida mildew resistance locus o (RhMLO) genes showed similar or overlapping tissue specificity and analogous responsiveness to external stimuli. RhMLO1 and RhMLO2 transcriptional levels were upregulated more than 2-fold by external stimuli, especially by inoculation with powdery mildew fungus P. pannosa at early time points. This phenomenon was not found for RhMLO3 or RhMLO4. The results indicated that RhMLO1 and RhMLO2 might play important roles in rose-powdery mildew pathogen interactions. Our findings may provide useful information for the study of mechanisms of powdery mildew susceptibility in rose.