Molecular Identification and Antifungal Properties of Four Thaumatin-like Proteins in Spruce (Picea likiangensis)

Thaumatin-like proteins (TLPs) are involved in the plant defense response against pathogens, and most of them exhibit antifungal activity. However, role TLPs pathogen-induced responses spruce is not fully understood. In this study, four TLP genes encoding thaumatin-like protein, designated as PlTLP1–4, were isolated identified from Picea likiangensis needles. Sequence analysis showed that PlTLP1, PlTLP3, PlTLP4 contained 16 conserved cysteine residues, while PlTLP2 had only 10 residues. qPCR PlTLPs expressed all tissues tested, highest expression levels young fruits, roots. addition, significantly upregulated during infection by Lophodermium piceae. Four recombinant Escherichia coli exhibited obvious ?-1,3-glucanase The activity assay significant inhibitory effects on mycelial growth L. piceae, Fusarium proliferatum, Botrytis cinerea, Roussoella doimaesalongensis. Microscopic observation revealed PlTLP1–4 induced morphological changes mycelia PlTLP3 F. proliferatum R. doimaesalongensis, no negative effect morphology B. cinerea mycelium. These results suggest PlTLP may play an important P. piceae invasion.