Infiltration-RNAseq reveals enhanced defense responses in Nicothiana benthamiana leaves overexpressing the banana MaWRKY45 gene

Members of the WRKY transcription factor (TF) family play a crucial role in regulating plant defense responses to biotic stress. Here, we report that the constitutive overexpression of the banana MaWRKY45 gene in the leaves of the model plant Nicotiana benthamiana enhances the transcript levels of immune response genes. Among the genes that were up-regulated, we identified those involved in PAMP-triggered immunity, effector-trigger immunity and systemic acquired resistance, among others. These results provide insights into the molecular mechanisms triggered downstream of a single TF such as the banana MaWRKY45. Our findings suggest that MaWRKY45 is a promising candidate for banana breeding programs focused on enhancing disease resistance. Overall design: 1. To investigate the mechanism triggered downstream of the banana MaWRKY45 transcription factor, we overexpressed the cDNA coding secuence of the gene in leaves of Nicothiana benthamiana via agroinfiltration and then performed RNAseq. 2. We then performed gene expression analysis using data obtained from the mock treatment samples and the overexpression of MaWRKY45 samples after three days of agroinfintration. 3. Comparative gene expression analysis of RNAseq data from mock and MaWRKY45 overexpression samples.