Cloning and characterization of a Mimulus lewisii NPR1 gene involved in regulating plant resistance to Rhizoctonia solani.

The monkey flower Mimulus lewisii is a new emerging model plant for the study in corolla tube formation, pigmentation patterns and pollinator selection, etc. However, the cultivation and management of this plant are difficult due to its susceptibility to a wide range of pathogens and the lack of rigid varieties with high levels of resistance to pathogens. In this regard, genetic engineering is a promising tool that may possibly allow us to enhance the M. lewisii disease resistance against pathogens. Here, we reported the isolation and characterization of non-expressor of pathogenesis related gene 1 (NPR1) gene from M. lewisii. The phylogenetic tree constructed based on the deduced sequence of MlNPR1 with homologs from other species revealed that MlNPR1 grouped together with other known NPR1 proteins of Scrophulariaceae family, and was nearest to Mimulus guttatus. Furthermore, expression analysis showed that MlNPR1 was upregulated after SA treatment and fungal infection. To understand the defensive role of this gene, we overexpressed MlNPR1 in M. lewisii. The transgenic lines showed slight phenotypic abnormalities, but constitutive expression of MlNPR1 activates defense signaling pathways by priming the expression of antifungal PR genes. Moreover, MlNPR1 transgenic lines showed enhanced resistance to Rhizoctonia solani there was delay in symptoms and reduced disease severity than non-transgenic plants. Altogether, the present study suggests that increasing the expression level of MlNPR1 may be a promising approach for development of monkey flower cultivars with enhanced resistance to diseases.