3.8 CsTPS1-AS affects the expression of defense-related genes in the SA pathway in infected tea leaves
In plants, SA plays a crucial signaling role in activating defense pathways in plants, including systemic acquired resistance (SAR) and related immune responses. To verify the role ofCsTPS1-AS -mediated disease resistance via activation of the expression of downstream-related defense genes in the SA pathway, we characterized the expression of defense-related genes in the SA pathway in CsTPS1 -AS -silenced tea plants and control tea plants. The expression of PR1 and PR2 in CsTPS1-AS- silenced tea leaves was significantly lower than that in control plants (Figure 6D).
PAD4 (Phytoalexin-deficient 4 ) is an important signaling gene involved in activating the expression of downstream-related defense genes in the plant immune system. The expression of PAD4 was not detected in control tea plants; however, its expression was significantly increased in infected tea plants (Figure 6E). The expression of PR1 and PR2 in tea plants infected withC . gloeosporioides was approximately 2-fold higher than that in uninfected control tea plants (Figure 6D and 6E). When tea leaves were infected with C. gloeosporioides , the expression ofPR1 , PR2 , and PAD4 was significantly reduced inCsTPS1-AS -silenced tea leaves compared with control plants (Figure 6E). Overall, these findings indicate that CsTPS1-AS can affect the expression of genes in the SA pathway in infected tea leaves.