Examination of the Expression Profile of Resistance Genes in Yuanjiang Common Wild Rice (Oryza rufipogon)

The rice blight poses a significant threat to the rice industry, and the discovery of disease-resistant genes is a crucial strategy for its control. By exploring the rich genetic resources of Yuanjiang common wild rice (Oryza rufipogon) and analyzing their expression patterns, genetic resources can be provided for molecular rice breeding. The target genes’ expression patterns, subcellular localization, and interaction networks were analyzed based on the annotated disease-resistant genes on the 9th and 10th chromosomes in the rice genome database using fluorescent quantitative PCR technology and bioinformatics tools. Thirty-three disease-resistant genes were identified from the database, including 20 on the 9th and 13 on the 10th. These genes were categorized into seven subfamilies of the NLR family, such as CNL and the G subfamily of the ABC family. Four genes were not expressed under the induction of the pathogen Y8, two genes were significantly down-regulated, and the majority were up-regulated. Notably, the expression levels of nine genes belonging to the ABCG, CN, and CNL classes were significantly up-regulated, yet the expression levels varied among roots, stems, and leaves; one was significantly expressed in the roots, one in the stems, and the remaining seven were primarily highly expressed in the leaves. Two interaction network diagrams were predicted based on the seven highly expressed genes in the leaves: complex networks regulated by CNL proteins and specific networks controlled by ABCG proteins. The disease-resistant genes on the 9th chromosome are actively expressed in response to the induction of rice blight, forming a critical gene pool for the resistance of Yuanjiang common wild rice (O. rufipogon) to rice blight. Meanwhile, the disease-resistant genes on the 10th chromosome not only participate in resisting the rice blight pathogen but may also be involved in the defense against other stem diseases.