Nicotiana benthamiana AP2/ERF transcription factor NbERF-IX-33 is involved in the regulation of phytoalexin production for the resistance of Nicotiana benthamiana to Phytophthora infestans

Elicitins are secretory proteins produced by the plant pathogenic oomycete genera including Phytophthora and Pythium. Treatment of INF1, an elicitin produced by P. infestans, induces a series of defense responses in Nicotiana species. In Nicotiana species, the major phytoalexin produced during the defense response against Phytophthora infestans is a sesquiterpenoid, capsidiol. In this study, we analyzed the expression profiles of N. benthamiana genes after INF1 treatment by RNAseq analysis and identified the INF1-inducible gene clusters.