Unveiling the dynamic expression of PR-1 during Musa spp. infection by Fusarium oxysporum fsp. Cubense : a cloning and characterization study

Background Pathogen-related proteins (PR) are pivotal in plant defense, combating diverse biotic and abiotic stresses. While multiple gene families contribute to banana resistance against Fusarium oxysporum f sp. cubense (Foc), Pseudocercospora eumusae , and Pratylenchus coffeae , the significance of PR-1 genes in defense is paramount. Methods Three PR-1 genes, up-regulated under diverse biotic stresses, were cloned from both resistant and susceptible cultivars of Foc, P. eumusae , and P. coffeae . Molecular characterization, phylogenetic analysis, and docking studies with the Foc TR4 CP gene were conducted. Results Through transcriptomic and real-time studies, three PR-1 genes (Ma02_g15050, Ma02_g15060, and Ma04_g34800) from Musa spp. were identified. These genes exhibited significant up-regulation in resistant cultivars when exposed to Foc, P. eumusae , and P. coffeae . Cloning of these genes was successfully performed from both resistant and susceptible cultivars of Foc race 1 and TR4, P. eumusae , and P. coffeae . Distinct characteristics were observed among the PR-1 genes, with groups 1 and 2 being acidic with signal peptides, and group 3 being basic without signal peptides. All cloned PR-1 proteins belonged to the CAP superfamily (PF00188). Phylogenetic analysis revealed clustering patterns for acidic PR-1 proteins, and KEGG orthology showed associations with vital pathways, including MAPK signaling, plant hormone signal transduction, and plant-pathogen interaction. Secondary and tertiary structure analyses confirmed sequence conservation across studied species. Docking studies explored interactions between the cerato-platanin (CP) gene from Foc TR4 and Ma02_g15060 from banana, suggesting the potential hindrance of PR-1 antifungal activity through direct interaction. Conclusions The findings underscore the crucial role of cloned PR-1 genes in banana plant defense mechanisms against a broad spectrum of biotic stresses. These genes, especially those in groups 1 and 2, hold promise as candidates for developing stress-tolerant banana cultivars. The study provides valuable insights into the molecular aspects of banana defense strategies, emphasizing the potential applications of PR-1 genes in enhancing banana resilience.