Molecular Pathogens 2024, Vol.15, No.3, 142-154 http://microbescipublisher.com/index.php/mp 142 Review and Progress Open Access Collection and Functional Verification of Pine Disease Resistance Gene Resources Minghui Zhao, Zonghui Liu, Xiazhen Huang Animal Science Research Center, Hainan Institute of Tropical Agricultural Resources, Sanya, 572024, Hainan, China Corresponding author: xiazhen.huang@hitar.org Molecular Pathogens, 2024, Vol.15, No.3 doi: 10.5376/mp.2024.15.0014 Received: 28 Apr., 2024 Accepted: 02 Jun., 2024 Published: 15 Jun., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Zhao et al., This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Zhao M.H., Liu Z.H., and Huang X.Z., 2024, Collection and functional verification of pine disease resistance gene resources, Molecular Pathogens, 15(3): 142-154 (doi: 10.5376/mp.2024.15.0014) Abstract This study explores the latest advancements in research on the disease resistance mechanisms of pine trees, emphasizing the significance of genes in pine disease resistance. Pines are susceptible to a variety of diseases caused by fungi and nematodes, such as needle blight and pine wilt disease. This paper presents the pathogens involved in different pine diseases and their infection mechanisms, analyzing the impacts of these diseases on pine forests and ecosystems. By identifying and utilizing resistance genes, the disease resistance of pine trees can be enhanced. The article also discusses the application of molecular biology and genomics techniques in the identification of resistance genes, such as SNP mapping and transcriptomic analysis, and explores methods for gene cloning, expression, and functional verification. Finally, the paper highlights the impact of environmental and ecological factors on transgenic pines, noting the importance of integrated approaches in forest management and breeding programs. Keywords Pine diseases; Genomics; Transcriptomic analysis; Molecular mechanisms 1 Introduction Pine species are susceptible to a variety of diseases, many of which are caused by fungal pathogens. Some of the most common diseases affecting pines include Dothistroma needle blight, Brown spot needle blight, Lophodermium needle cast, Scots pine blister rust, Scleroderris canker, and pitch canker. These diseases can lead to defoliation, increased susceptibility to other diseases and pests, and, in severe cases, tree mortality. Another significant disease is pine wilt disease (PWD), caused by the pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus), which is a major concern for pine forests globally (Raitelaitytė et al., 2017). The identification and utilization of disease resistance genes are crucial for the sustainable management of pine forests. These genes provide a natural defense mechanism against pathogens by triggering immune responses that inhibit pathogen development and spread. Genetic resistance can be categorized into major gene resistance (MGR), which involves single genes conferring high resistance, and quantitative resistance, which involves multiple genes providing moderate resistance. Advances in genomic technologies, such as SNP mapping and transcriptomic analyses, have facilitated the identification of resistance genes in pine species. For instance, the Cr1 gene in sugar pine and the NLR gene family in various pine species have been associated with resistance to WPBR (Weiss et al., 2020; Liu et al., 2021). This review aims to summarize the current knowledge on pine disease resistance mechanisms and the genetic basis of resistance, highlight recent advances in identifying and characterizing disease resistance genes in pine species, and discuss the implications of these findings for forest management and breeding programs aimed at enhancing disease resistance in pine populations. 2 Overview of Pine Diseases 2.1 Common pine diseases Pine species are susceptible to various diseases, primarily caused by fungal pathogens and nematodes. Among the most prevalent diseases affecting pines are Dothistroma needle blight, brown spot needle blight, Lophodermium needle cast, Scots pine blister rust, Scleroderris canker, and pitch canker. These diseases often lead to defoliation,
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