Overexpression of DUF538 from Wild Arachis Enhances Plant Resistance to Meloidogyne spp.

DUF538 proteins belong to a large group of uncharacterized protein families sharing the highly conserved Domain Unknown Function (DUF). Attention has been given domain-containing due changes in their gene expression behavior and abundance during plant development responses stress. Putative roles attributed plants under abiotic biotic constraints include involvement cell redox balance, chlorophyll breakdown pectin degradation. Our previous transcriptome studies suggested that is also involved resistance wild Arachis species against hazardous root-knot nematodes (RKNs). To clarify role AsDUF538 from peanut relative stenosperma this interaction, we analyzed effect its overexpression on RKN infection soybean hairy roots Arabidopsis transgenic plants. significantly reduced all three heterologous systems respective counterparts. The distribution transcripts RKN-infected effects hormonal pathways system were evaluated. This first time functionally validated earliest report defense RKNs.