Table_3_Comparative transcriptome provides insights into gene regulation network associated with the resistance to Fusarium wilt in grafted wax gourd Benincasa hispida.xlsx

IntroductionWilt is a soil-borne disease caused by Fusarium that has become a serious threat to wax gourd production. Disease-resistant graft wax gourds are an effective treatment for Fusarium wilt. However, there are few reports on the defense mechanism of graft wax gourd against wilt diseases.
MethodsIn the present study, disease and growth indices were compared between grafted and original wax gourds after infection with Fusarium. High level of disease resistance was observed in the grafted wax gourd, with a lower disease index and low impacts on growth after infection. RNA-seq was performed to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the adjacent treatment time points in the grafted and original wax gourds, respectively. Then a comparative temporal analysis was performed and a total of 1,190 genes were identified to show different gene expression patterns between the two wax gourd groups during Fusarium infection.
Result and discussionHere, high level of disease resistance was observed in the grafted wax gourd, with a lower disease index and low impacts on growth after infection. The DEG number was higher in grafted group than original group, and the enriched functional categories and pathways of DEGs were largely inconsistent between the two groups. These genes were enriched in multiple pathways, of which the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway enhanced the early defense response, and cutin, suberin, and wax biosynthesis signaling pathways enhanced surface resistance in grafted wax gourd in comparison to original group. Our study provides insights into the gene regulatory mechanisms underlying the resistance of grafted wax gourds to Fusarium wilt infection, which will facilitate the breeding and production of wilt-resistant rootstocks.

引言
枯萎病是由镰刀菌（Fusarium）引发的土传病害，已对冬瓜生产构成严重威胁。采用抗病嫁接冬瓜是应对镰刀菌枯萎病的有效手段，但目前关于嫁接冬瓜抗枯萎病的防御机制的研究报道仍较为匮乏。

材料与方法
本研究对接种镰刀菌后的嫁接冬瓜与原种冬瓜的病害及生长指标进行了比较。观测结果显示，嫁接冬瓜表现出较高的抗病性，接种后病害指数更低，且对生长的负面影响较小。本研究通过RNA测序（RNA-seq）分别鉴定了嫁接冬瓜与原种冬瓜在相邻处理时间点间的差异表达基因（differentially expressed genes, DEGs）；随后开展了比较时间序列分析，最终共鉴定出1190个基因，在镰刀菌侵染过程中，这两类冬瓜群体的基因表达模式存在显著差异。

结果与讨论
本研究再次观测到嫁接冬瓜具有较高的抗病性，接种后病害指数更低且对生长的负面影响较小。嫁接组的差异表达基因数量多于原种组，且两组间差异表达基因的富集功能类别与通路存在显著差异。富集分析显示，这些基因参与了多条通路：其中丝裂原活化蛋白激酶（MAPK）信号通路增强了嫁接冬瓜的早期防御响应，而角质、木栓质与蜡质生物合成通路则提升了其相较于原种冬瓜的表皮抗性。本研究揭示了嫁接冬瓜抗镰刀菌枯萎病的基因调控机制，可为抗枯萎病砧木的育种与生产应用提供理论参考。