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Dr. Abid Khan
Department of Horticulture, The University of Haripur, 22620, Pakistan

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Research Keywords & Expertise

0 Abiotic Stress Tolerance mechanisms
0 Biotic stress response mechanisms
0 Pepper breeding
0 "Improving the genetic of pepper against biotic (especially Phytophthora capsici) and abiotic threats"
0 Development of abiotic stress tolerance through manipulation of Heat Shock proteins

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Abiotic Stress Tolerance mechanisms

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Journal article
Published: 28 June 2021 in International Journal of Molecular Sciences
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Harsh environmental factors have continuous negative effects on plant growth and development, leading to metabolic disruption and reduced plant productivity and quality. However, filamentation temperature-sensitive H protease (FtsH) plays a prominent role in helping plants to cope with these negative impacts. In the current study, we examined the transcriptional regulation of the CaFtsH06 gene in the R9 thermo-tolerant pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) line. The results of qRT-PCR revealed that CaFtsH06 expression was rapidly induced by abiotic stress treatments, including heat, salt, and drought. The CaFtsH06 protein was localized to the mitochondria and cell membrane. Additionally, silencing CaFtsH06 increased the accumulation of malonaldehyde content, conductivity, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content, and the activity levels of superoxide dismutase and superoxide (·O2), while total chlorophyll content decreased under these abiotic stresses. Furthermore, CaFtsH06 ectopic expression enhanced tolerance to heat, salt, and drought stresses, thus decreasing malondialdehyde, proline, H2O2, and ·O2 contents while superoxide dismutase activity and total chlorophyll content were increased in transgenic Arabidopsis. Similarly, the expression levels of other defense-related genes were much higher in the transgenic ectopic expression lines than WT plants. These results suggest that CaFtsH06 confers abiotic stress tolerance in peppers by interfering with the physiological indices through reducing the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, inducing the activities of stress-related enzymes and regulating the transcription of defense-related genes, among other mechanisms. The results of this study suggest that CaFtsH06 plays a very crucial role in the defense mechanisms of pepper plants to unfavorable environmental conditions and its regulatory network with other CaFtsH genes should be examined across variable environments.

ACS Style

Jing-Jing Xiao; Rui-Xing Zhang; Abid Khan; Saeed Ul Haq; Wen-Xian Gai; Zhen-Hui Gong. CaFtsH06, A Novel Filamentous Thermosensitive Protease Gene, Is Involved in Heat, Salt, and Drought Stress Tolerance of Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2021, 22, 6953 .

AMA Style

Jing-Jing Xiao, Rui-Xing Zhang, Abid Khan, Saeed Ul Haq, Wen-Xian Gai, Zhen-Hui Gong. CaFtsH06, A Novel Filamentous Thermosensitive Protease Gene, Is Involved in Heat, Salt, and Drought Stress Tolerance of Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2021; 22 (13):6953.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jing-Jing Xiao; Rui-Xing Zhang; Abid Khan; Saeed Ul Haq; Wen-Xian Gai; Zhen-Hui Gong. 2021. "CaFtsH06, A Novel Filamentous Thermosensitive Protease Gene, Is Involved in Heat, Salt, and Drought Stress Tolerance of Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)." International Journal of Molecular Sciences 22, no. 13: 6953.

Journal article
Published: 06 June 2021 in Scientia Horticulturae
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Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is one of the widely cultivated vegetable crops in the world. The color formation of pepper fruit is closely related to the carotenoid composition and content. In order to understand the regulatory mechanism of red and orange pepper formation, comprehensive transcriptome and carotenoid content determination were carried out at 25, 40 and 55 days after flower. At the mature stage (55 DAF), the contents of zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, β-carotene and capsanthin in red chili pepper(R) were significantly higher than those in orange pepper (O), while the content of lutein in orange pepper(O) was higher than that in red pepper(R). Moreover, it was found that many differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were involved in the biosynthesis of carotenoids, phenylpropanoids, flavonoids and metabolism of phenylalanine. A total of 23 DEGs were found to be involved in carotenoid biosynthesis, among which β-carotene hydroxylase 1(CHYB1) and capsanthin-capsorubin synthase(CCS)were significantly different during fruit development. Further analysis showed that there were complete CCS genes in both red and orange pepper fruits. However, the expression level in orange pepper fruits was maintained at a very low level, on the contrary, the red fruits exhibited a remarkable upward trend and extremely high transcript level. Through weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), transcription factors F-box protein SKIP23, GATA transcription factor 26, U-box domain-containing protein 52, zinc finger family FYVE/PHD-type, RING/FYVE/PHD-type and CONSTANS-LIKE 9 might be involved in the regulation of CCS gene. This study will lay a base to further analyze the regulation mechanism of carotenoid metabolism pathway in the process of pepper fruit color formation.

ACS Style

Quan-Hui Li; Shi-Peng Yang; Ya-Nan Yu; Abid Khan; Peng-Long Feng; Muhammad Ali; Deng-Kui Shao; Ya-Yi Wang; Rui-Xing Zhang; Wen-Xian Gai; Rui Han; Xiao Ma; Quan-Gang Hou; Zhen-Hui Gong. Comprehensive transcriptome-based characterization of differentially expressed genes involved in carotenoid biosynthesis of different ripening stages of Capsicum. Scientia Horticulturae 2021, 288, 110311 .

AMA Style

Quan-Hui Li, Shi-Peng Yang, Ya-Nan Yu, Abid Khan, Peng-Long Feng, Muhammad Ali, Deng-Kui Shao, Ya-Yi Wang, Rui-Xing Zhang, Wen-Xian Gai, Rui Han, Xiao Ma, Quan-Gang Hou, Zhen-Hui Gong. Comprehensive transcriptome-based characterization of differentially expressed genes involved in carotenoid biosynthesis of different ripening stages of Capsicum. Scientia Horticulturae. 2021; 288 ():110311.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Quan-Hui Li; Shi-Peng Yang; Ya-Nan Yu; Abid Khan; Peng-Long Feng; Muhammad Ali; Deng-Kui Shao; Ya-Yi Wang; Rui-Xing Zhang; Wen-Xian Gai; Rui Han; Xiao Ma; Quan-Gang Hou; Zhen-Hui Gong. 2021. "Comprehensive transcriptome-based characterization of differentially expressed genes involved in carotenoid biosynthesis of different ripening stages of Capsicum." Scientia Horticulturae 288, no. : 110311.

Journal article
Published: 22 March 2021 in International Journal of Molecular Sciences
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Dehydrins (DHNs) play an important role in abiotic stress tolerance in a large number of plants, but very little is known about the function of DHNs in pepper plants. Here, we isolated a Y1SK2-type DHN gene “CaDHN3” from pepper. To authenticate the function of CaDHN3 in salt and drought stresses, it was overexpressed in Arabidopsis and silenced in pepper through virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS). Sub-cellular localization showed that CaDHN3 was located in the nucleus and cell membrane. It was found that CaDHN3-overexpressed (OE) in Arabidopsis plants showed salt and drought tolerance phenotypic characteristics, i.e., increased the initial rooting length and germination rate, enhanced chlorophyll content, lowered the relative electrolyte leakage (REL) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content than the wild-type (WT) plants. Moreover, a substantial increase in the activities of antioxidant enzymes; including the superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and lower hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) contents and higher O2 •− contents in the transgenic Arabidopsis plants. Silencing of CaDHN3 in pepper decreased the salt- and drought-stress tolerance, through a higher REL and MDA content, and there was more accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the CaDHN3-silenced pepper plants than the control plants. Based on the yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) screening and Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation (BiFC) results, we found that CaDHN3 interacts with CaHIRD11 protein in the plasma membrane. Correspondingly, the expressions of four osmotic-related genes were significantly up-regulated in the CaDHN3-overexpressed lines. In brief, our results manifested that CaDHN3 may play an important role in regulating the relative osmotic stress responses in plants through the ROS signaling pathway. The results of this study will provide a basis for further analyses of the function of DHN genes in pepper.

ACS Style

Yuan-Cheng Meng; Hua-Feng Zhang; Xiao-Xiao Pan; Nan Chen; Hui-Fang Hu; Saeed Haq; Abid Khan; Ru-Gang Chen. CaDHN3, a Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Dehydrin Gene Enhances the Tolerance against Salt and Drought Stresses by Reducing ROS Accumulation. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2021, 22, 3205 .

AMA Style

Yuan-Cheng Meng, Hua-Feng Zhang, Xiao-Xiao Pan, Nan Chen, Hui-Fang Hu, Saeed Haq, Abid Khan, Ru-Gang Chen. CaDHN3, a Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Dehydrin Gene Enhances the Tolerance against Salt and Drought Stresses by Reducing ROS Accumulation. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2021; 22 (6):3205.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Yuan-Cheng Meng; Hua-Feng Zhang; Xiao-Xiao Pan; Nan Chen; Hui-Fang Hu; Saeed Haq; Abid Khan; Ru-Gang Chen. 2021. "CaDHN3, a Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Dehydrin Gene Enhances the Tolerance against Salt and Drought Stresses by Reducing ROS Accumulation." International Journal of Molecular Sciences 22, no. 6: 3205.

Journal article
Published: 23 December 2020 in Antioxidants
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Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, is one of the most damaging pepper (Capsicum annum L.) disease. Melatonin induces transcription of defense-related genes that enhance resistance to pathogens and mediate physiological activities in plants. To study whether the melatonin-mediated pathogen resistance is associated with chitinase gene (CaChiIII2), pepper plants and Arabidopsis seeds were treated with melatonin, then CaChiIII2 activation, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels, and antioxidant enzymes activity during plant–pathogen interactions were investigated. Melatonin pretreatment uncoupled the knockdown of CaChiIII2 and transiently activated its expression level in both control and CaChiIII2-silenced pepper plants and enhanced plant resistance. Suppression of CaChiIII2 in pepper plants showed a significant decreased in the induction of defense-related genes and resistance to pathogens compared with control plants. Moreover, melatonin efficiently enabled plants to maintain intracellular H2O2 concentrations at steady-state levels and enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes, which possibly improved disease resistance. The activation of the chitinase gene CaChiIII2 in transgenic Arabidopsis lines was elevated under C. gloeosporioides infection and exhibited resistance through decreasing H2O2 biosynthesis and maintaining H2O2 at a steady-state level. Whereas melatonin primed CaChiIII2-overexpressed (OE) and wild-type (WT) Arabidopsis seedlings displayed a remarkable increase in root-length compared to the unprimed WT plants. Using an array of CaChiIII2 knockdown and OE, we found that melatonin efficiently induced CaChiIII2 and other pathogenesis-related genes expressions, responsible for the innate immunity response of pepper against anthracnose disease.

ACS Style

Muhammad Ali; Anthony Tumbeh Lamin-Samu; Izhar Muhammad; Mohamed Farghal; Abdul Mateen Khattak; Ibadullah Jan; Saeed Ul Haq; Abid Khan; Zhen-Hui Gong; Gang Lu. Melatonin Mitigates the Infection of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides via Modulation of the Chitinase Gene and Antioxidant Activity in Capsicum annuum L. Antioxidants 2020, 10, 7 .

AMA Style

Muhammad Ali, Anthony Tumbeh Lamin-Samu, Izhar Muhammad, Mohamed Farghal, Abdul Mateen Khattak, Ibadullah Jan, Saeed Ul Haq, Abid Khan, Zhen-Hui Gong, Gang Lu. Melatonin Mitigates the Infection of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides via Modulation of the Chitinase Gene and Antioxidant Activity in Capsicum annuum L. Antioxidants. 2020; 10 (1):7.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Muhammad Ali; Anthony Tumbeh Lamin-Samu; Izhar Muhammad; Mohamed Farghal; Abdul Mateen Khattak; Ibadullah Jan; Saeed Ul Haq; Abid Khan; Zhen-Hui Gong; Gang Lu. 2020. "Melatonin Mitigates the Infection of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides via Modulation of the Chitinase Gene and Antioxidant Activity in Capsicum annuum L." Antioxidants 10, no. 1: 7.

Journal article
Published: 28 November 2020 in International Journal of Molecular Sciences
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Squamosa promoter binding protein (SBP)-box genes are plant-specific transcription factors involved in plant growth and development, morphogenesis and biotic and abiotic stress responses. However, these genes have been understudied in pepper, especially with respect to defense responses to Phytophthora capsici infection. CaSBP11 is a SBP-box family gene in pepper that was identified in our previous research. Silencing CaSBP11 enhanced the defense response of pepper plants to Phytophthora capsici. Without treatment, the expression of defense-related genes (CaBPR1,CaPO1,CaSAR8.2 and CaDEF1) increased in CaSBP11-silenced plants. However, the expression levels of these genes were inhibited under transient CaSBP11 expression. CaSBP11 overexpression in transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana decreased defense responses, while in Arabidopsis, it induced or inhibited the expression of genes in the salicylic acid and jasmonic acid signaling pathways. CaSBP11 overexpression in sid2-2 mutants induced AtNPR1, AtNPR3, AtNPR4, AtPAD4, AtEDS1, AtEDS5, AtMPK4 and AtNDR1 expression, while AtSARD1 and AtTGA6 expression was inhibited. CaSBP11 overexpression in coi1-21 and coi1-22 mutants, respectively, inhibited AtPDF1.2 expression and induced AtPR1 expression. These results indicate CaSBP11 has a negative regulatory effect on defense responses to Phytophthora capsici. Moreover, it may participate in the defense response of pepper to Phytophthora capsici by regulating defense-related genes and the salicylic and jasmonic acid-mediated disease resistance signaling pathways.

ACS Style

Huai-Xia Zhang; Xiao-Hui Feng; Jing-Hao Jin; Abid Khan; Wei-Li Guo; Xiao-Hua Du; Zhen-Hui Gong. CaSBP11 Participates in the Defense Response of Pepper to Phytophthora capsici through Regulating the Expression of Defense-Related Genes. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2020, 21, 9065 .

AMA Style

Huai-Xia Zhang, Xiao-Hui Feng, Jing-Hao Jin, Abid Khan, Wei-Li Guo, Xiao-Hua Du, Zhen-Hui Gong. CaSBP11 Participates in the Defense Response of Pepper to Phytophthora capsici through Regulating the Expression of Defense-Related Genes. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2020; 21 (23):9065.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Huai-Xia Zhang; Xiao-Hui Feng; Jing-Hao Jin; Abid Khan; Wei-Li Guo; Xiao-Hua Du; Zhen-Hui Gong. 2020. "CaSBP11 Participates in the Defense Response of Pepper to Phytophthora capsici through Regulating the Expression of Defense-Related Genes." International Journal of Molecular Sciences 21, no. 23: 9065.

Journal article
Published: 08 November 2020 in International Journal of Molecular Sciences
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Heat shock transcription factor (Hsf) plays an important role in regulating plant thermotolerance. The function and regulatory mechanism of CaHsfA1d in heat stress tolerance of pepper have not been reported yet. In this study, phylogenetic tree and sequence analyses confirmed that CaHsfA1d is a class A Hsf. CaHsfA1d harbored transcriptional function and predicted the aromatic, hydrophobic, and acidic (AHA) motif mediated function of CaHsfA1d as a transcription activator. Subcellular localization assay showed that CaHsfA1d protein is localized in the nucleus. The CaHsfA1d was transcriptionally up-regulated at high temperatures and its expression in the thermotolerant pepper line R9 was more sensitive than that in thermosensitive pepper line B6. The function of CaHsfA1d under heat stress was characterized in CaHsfA1d-silenced pepper plants and CaHsfA1d-overexpression Arabidopsis plants. Silencing of the CaHsfA1d reduced the thermotolerance of the pepper, while CaHsfA1d-overexpression Arabidopsis plants exhibited an increased insensitivity to high temperatures. Moreover, the CaHsfA1d maintained the H2O2 dynamic balance under heat stress and increased the expression of Hsfs, Hsps (heat shock protein), and antioxidant gene AtGSTU5 (glutathione S-transferase class tau 5) in transgenic lines. Our findings clearly indicate that CaHsfA1d improved the plant thermotolerance via regulating the expression of stress- and antioxidant-related genes.

ACS Style

Wen-Xian Gai; Xiao Ma; Yang Li; Jing-Jing Xiao; Abid Khan; Quan-Hui Li; Zhen-Hui Gong. CaHsfA1d Improves Plant Thermotolerance via Regulating the Expression of Stress- and Antioxidant-Related Genes. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2020, 21, 8374 .

AMA Style

Wen-Xian Gai, Xiao Ma, Yang Li, Jing-Jing Xiao, Abid Khan, Quan-Hui Li, Zhen-Hui Gong. CaHsfA1d Improves Plant Thermotolerance via Regulating the Expression of Stress- and Antioxidant-Related Genes. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2020; 21 (21):8374.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Wen-Xian Gai; Xiao Ma; Yang Li; Jing-Jing Xiao; Abid Khan; Quan-Hui Li; Zhen-Hui Gong. 2020. "CaHsfA1d Improves Plant Thermotolerance via Regulating the Expression of Stress- and Antioxidant-Related Genes." International Journal of Molecular Sciences 21, no. 21: 8374.

Journal article
Published: 04 June 2020 in Scientia Horticulturae
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Anthocyanin as secondary metabolites exits wildly in the plant kingdom, and its accumulation is regulated by transcription factors. However, little is known about role of CaMYB in fruit color of pepper. In this study, a purple-fruited pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) was selected and observed at 8 different stages (Z1−1–Z1−8) during fruit ripening (18, 23, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, and 55 days after flowering). The results showed that higher accumulation of anthocyanin content was observed at 3 different stages (Z1−1– Z1−3) of fruit ripening and decreased in the following stage during fruit ripening, which primarily reflected in change of fruit color (from purple to yellow, and then to red). Expression of genes, especially CaMYB, in the biosynthetic pathway of anthocyanin was responsible for fruit color at 3 different stages (Z1−1– Z1−3) of fruit ripening. Further analysis showed that silencing of CaMYB resulted in poor accumulation of anthocyanin, suggesting the positive role of CaMYB in the metabolism of anthocyanin in pepper fruit. Our study will provide a basic insight for anthocyanin synthesis in fruit color formation.

ACS Style

Rui-Xing Zhang; Guo-Xin Cheng; Gui-Ting Liu; Si-Yu Chen; Saeed Ul Haq; Abid Khan; Quan-Hui Li; Zhen-Hui Gong. Assessing the functional role of color-related CaMYB gene under cold stress using virus-induced gene silencing in the fruit of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Scientia Horticulturae 2020, 272, 109504 .

AMA Style

Rui-Xing Zhang, Guo-Xin Cheng, Gui-Ting Liu, Si-Yu Chen, Saeed Ul Haq, Abid Khan, Quan-Hui Li, Zhen-Hui Gong. Assessing the functional role of color-related CaMYB gene under cold stress using virus-induced gene silencing in the fruit of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Scientia Horticulturae. 2020; 272 ():109504.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Rui-Xing Zhang; Guo-Xin Cheng; Gui-Ting Liu; Si-Yu Chen; Saeed Ul Haq; Abid Khan; Quan-Hui Li; Zhen-Hui Gong. 2020. "Assessing the functional role of color-related CaMYB gene under cold stress using virus-induced gene silencing in the fruit of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)." Scientia Horticulturae 272, no. : 109504.

Original research article
Published: 26 February 2020 in Frontiers in Plant Science
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Extreme environmental conditions seriously affect crop growth and development, resulting in substantial reduction in yield and quality. However, chitin-binding proteins (CBP) family member CaChiVI2 plays a crucial role in eliminating the impact of adverse environmental conditions, such as cold and salt stress. Here, for the first time it was discovered that CaChiVI2 (Capana08g001237) gene of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) had a role in resistance to heat stress and physiological processes. The full-length open-reading frame (ORF) of CaChiVI2 (606-bp, encoding 201-amino acids), was cloned into TRV2:CaChiVI2 vector for silencing. The CaChiVI2 gene carries heat shock elements (HSE, AAAAAATTTC) in the upstream region, and thereby shows sensitivity to heat stress at the transcriptional level. The silencing effect of CaChiVI2 in pepper resulted in increased susceptibility to heat and Phytophthora capsici infection. This was evident from the severe symptoms on leaves, the increase in superoxide (O2–) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) accumulation, higher malondialdehyde (MDA), relative electrolyte leakage (REL) and lower proline contents compared with control plants. Furthermore, the transcript level of other resistance responsive genes was also altered. In addition, the CaChiIV2-overexpression in Arabidopsis thaliana showed mild heat and drought stress symptoms and increased transcript level of a defense-related gene (AtHSA32), indicating its role in the co-regulation network of the plant. The CaChiVI2-overexpressed plants also showed a decrease in MDA contents and an increase in antioxidant enzyme activity and proline accumulation. In conclusion, the results suggest that CaChiVI2 gene plays a decisive role in heat and drought stress tolerance, as well as, provides resistance against P. capsici by reducing the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and modulating the expression of defense-related genes. The outcomes obtained here suggest that further studies should be conducted on plants adaptation mechanisms in variable environments.

ACS Style

Muhammad Ali; Izhar Muhammad; Saeed Ul Haq; Mukhtar Alam; Abdul Mateen Khattak; Kashif Akhtar; Hidayat Ullah; Abid Khan; Gang Lu; Zhen-Hui Gong. The CaChiVI2 Gene of Capsicum annuum L. Confers Resistance Against Heat Stress and Infection of Phytophthora capsici. Frontiers in Plant Science 2020, 11, 1 .

AMA Style

Muhammad Ali, Izhar Muhammad, Saeed Ul Haq, Mukhtar Alam, Abdul Mateen Khattak, Kashif Akhtar, Hidayat Ullah, Abid Khan, Gang Lu, Zhen-Hui Gong. The CaChiVI2 Gene of Capsicum annuum L. Confers Resistance Against Heat Stress and Infection of Phytophthora capsici. Frontiers in Plant Science. 2020; 11 ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Muhammad Ali; Izhar Muhammad; Saeed Ul Haq; Mukhtar Alam; Abdul Mateen Khattak; Kashif Akhtar; Hidayat Ullah; Abid Khan; Gang Lu; Zhen-Hui Gong. 2020. "The CaChiVI2 Gene of Capsicum annuum L. Confers Resistance Against Heat Stress and Infection of Phytophthora capsici." Frontiers in Plant Science 11, no. : 1.

Original research article
Published: 04 February 2020 in Frontiers in Plant Science
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NAC (NAM, ATAF1/2, and CUC2) proteins are the plant-specific transcription factors (TFs) which are important in plant response to abiotic stresses. However, knowledge about the functional role that NACs play in pepper abiotic stress tolerance is limited. In this study, we isolated a NAC TF gene, CaNAC035, from pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), where the protein is localized in the nucleus and functions as a transcriptional activator. CaNAC035 expression is induced by low and high temperatures, osmotic stress, salt, gibberellic acid (GA), methyl-jasmonic acid (MeJA), salicylic acid (SA), and abscisic acid (ABA). To understand the function of CaNAC035 in the abiotic stress responsep, we used virus-induced gene silencing in pepper to knockdown the CaNAC035 and overexpressed the CaNAC035 in Arabidopsis. The results showed that pepper seedlings in which CaNAC035 was silenced, showed more damage than the control pepper plants after cold, NaCl, and mannitol treatments. Correspondingly increased electrolyte leakage, a higher level of malondialdehyde (MDA), H2O2, and superoxide radicals were found after cold treatments. CaNAC035-silenced seedlings exhibited lower chlorophyll content while CaNAC035-overexpressed Arabidopsis plants had higher germination rate and fresh weight after mannitol and NaCl treatments. We also reported 18 proteins that potentially interact with CaNAC035 and may participate in processes such as the stress response, resistance, and photosynthesis. Our results suggest that CaNAC035 is a positive regulator of abiotic stress tolerance in pepper which acts through multiple signaling pathways.

ACS Style

Huafeng Zhang; Fang Ma; Xinke Wang; Suya Liu; Ul Haq Saeed; XiaoMing Hou; Yumeng Zhang; Dan Luo; Yuancheng Meng; Wei Zhang; Abid Khan; Rugang Chen. Molecular and Functional Characterization of CaNAC035, an NAC Transcription Factor From Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Frontiers in Plant Science 2020, 11, 14 .

AMA Style

Huafeng Zhang, Fang Ma, Xinke Wang, Suya Liu, Ul Haq Saeed, XiaoMing Hou, Yumeng Zhang, Dan Luo, Yuancheng Meng, Wei Zhang, Abid Khan, Rugang Chen. Molecular and Functional Characterization of CaNAC035, an NAC Transcription Factor From Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Frontiers in Plant Science. 2020; 11 ():14.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Huafeng Zhang; Fang Ma; Xinke Wang; Suya Liu; Ul Haq Saeed; XiaoMing Hou; Yumeng Zhang; Dan Luo; Yuancheng Meng; Wei Zhang; Abid Khan; Rugang Chen. 2020. "Molecular and Functional Characterization of CaNAC035, an NAC Transcription Factor From Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)." Frontiers in Plant Science 11, no. : 14.

Review
Published: 25 October 2019 in International Journal of Molecular Sciences
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Due to the present scenario of climate change, plants have to evolve strategies to survive and perform under a plethora of biotic and abiotic stresses, which restrict plant productivity. Maintenance of plant protein functional conformation and preventing non-native proteins from aggregation, which leads to metabolic disruption, are of prime importance. Plant heat shock proteins (HSPs), as chaperones, play a pivotal role in conferring biotic and abiotic stress tolerance. Moreover, HSP also enhances membrane stability and detoxifies the reactive oxygen species (ROS) by positively regulating the antioxidant enzymes system. Additionally, it uses ROS as a signal to molecules to induce HSP production. HSP also enhances plant immunity by the accumulation and stability of pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins under various biotic stresses. Thus, to unravel the entire plant defense system, the role of HSPs are discussed with a special focus on plant response to biotic and abiotic stresses, which will be helpful in the development of stress tolerance in plant crops.

ACS Style

Saeed Ul Haq; Abid Khan; Muhammad Ali; Abdul Mateen Khattak; Wen-Xian Gai; Huai-Xia Zhang; Ai-Min Wei; Zhen-Hui Gong. Heat Shock Proteins: Dynamic Biomolecules to Counter Plant Biotic and Abiotic Stresses. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2019, 20, 5321 .

AMA Style

Saeed Ul Haq, Abid Khan, Muhammad Ali, Abdul Mateen Khattak, Wen-Xian Gai, Huai-Xia Zhang, Ai-Min Wei, Zhen-Hui Gong. Heat Shock Proteins: Dynamic Biomolecules to Counter Plant Biotic and Abiotic Stresses. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2019; 20 (21):5321.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Saeed Ul Haq; Abid Khan; Muhammad Ali; Abdul Mateen Khattak; Wen-Xian Gai; Huai-Xia Zhang; Ai-Min Wei; Zhen-Hui Gong. 2019. "Heat Shock Proteins: Dynamic Biomolecules to Counter Plant Biotic and Abiotic Stresses." International Journal of Molecular Sciences 20, no. 21: 5321.

Original article
Published: 12 October 2019 in Planta
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HSP60 gene family in pepper was analyzed through bioinformatics along with transcriptional regulation against multiple abiotic and hormonal stresses. Furthermore, the knockdown of CaHSP60-6 increased sensitivity to heat stress. The 60 kDa heat shock protein (HSP60) also known as chaperonin (cpn60) is encoded by multi-gene family that plays an important role in plant growth, development and in stress response as a molecular chaperone. However, little is known about the HSP60 gene family in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). In this study, 16 putative pepper HSP60 genes were identified through bioinformatic tools. The phylogenetic tree revealed that eight of the pepper HSP60 genes (50%) clustered into group I, three (19%) into group II, and five (31%) into group III. Twelve (75%) CaHSP60 genes have more than 10 introns, while only a single gene contained no introns. Chromosomal mapping revealed that the tandem and segmental duplication events occurred in the process of evolution. Gene ontology enrichment analysis predicted that CaHSP60 genes were responsible for protein folding and refolding in an ATP-dependent manner in response to various stresses in the biological processes category. Multiple stress-related cis-regulatory elements were found in the promoter region of these CaHSP60 genes, which indicated that these genes were regulated in response to multiple stresses. Tissue-specific expression was studied under normal conditions and induced under 2 h of heat stress measured by RNA-Seq data and qRT-PCR in different tissues (roots, stems, leaves, and flowers). The data implied that HSP60 genes play a crucial role in pepper growth, development, and stress responses. Fifteen (93%) CaHSP60 genes were induced in both, thermo-sensitive B6 and thermo-tolerant R9 lines under heat treatment. The relative expression of nine representative CaHSP60 genes in response to other abiotic stresses (cold, NaCl, and mannitol) and hormonal applications [ABA, methyl jasmonate (MeJA), and salicylic acid (SA)] was also evaluated. Knockdown of CaHSP60-6 increased the sensitivity to heat shock treatment as documented by a higher relative electrolyte leakage, lipid peroxidation, and reactive oxygen species accumulation in silenced pepper plants along with a substantial lower chlorophyll content and antioxidant enzyme activity. These results suggested that HSP60 might act as a positive regulator in pepper defense against heat and other abiotic stresses. Our results provide a basis for further functional analysis of HSP60 genes in pepper.

ACS Style

Saeed Ul Haq; Abid Khan; Muhammad Ali; Wen-Xian Gai; Huai-Xia Zhang; Qing-Hui Yu; Sheng-Bao Yang; Ai-Min Wei; Zhen-Hui Gong. Knockdown of CaHSP60-6 confers enhanced sensitivity to heat stress in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Planta 2019, 250, 2127 -2145.

AMA Style

Saeed Ul Haq, Abid Khan, Muhammad Ali, Wen-Xian Gai, Huai-Xia Zhang, Qing-Hui Yu, Sheng-Bao Yang, Ai-Min Wei, Zhen-Hui Gong. Knockdown of CaHSP60-6 confers enhanced sensitivity to heat stress in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Planta. 2019; 250 (6):2127-2145.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Saeed Ul Haq; Abid Khan; Muhammad Ali; Wen-Xian Gai; Huai-Xia Zhang; Qing-Hui Yu; Sheng-Bao Yang; Ai-Min Wei; Zhen-Hui Gong. 2019. "Knockdown of CaHSP60-6 confers enhanced sensitivity to heat stress in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)." Planta 250, no. 6: 2127-2145.

Original article
Published: 07 June 2019 in Molecular Genetics and Genomics
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Phytophthora capsici has been the most destructive pathogen of pepper plants (Capsicum annuum L.), possessing the ability to quickly overcome the host defense system. In this context, the chitin-binding protein (CBP) family member CaChiIV1 regulates the response to P. capsici and abiotic stresses. The relevance of functional characterization and regulation of CaChiIV1 has not been explored in horticultural crops, especially pepper plants. The target gene (CaChiIV1) was isolated from pepper plants and cloned; the encoded protein carries a chitin-binding domain (CBD) that is rich in cysteine residues and has a hinge region with an abundance of proline and glycine residues. Additionally, the conserved regions in the promoter have a remarkable motif, “TTGACC”. The expression of CaChiIV1 was markedly regulated by methyl-jasmonate (MeJA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), melatonin, mannitol and P. capsici (PC and HX-9) infection. Knockdown of CaChiIV1 in pepper plants increased sensitivity to P. capsici (PC strain). Higher malondialdehyde (MDA) content and relative electrolyte leakage (REL) but lower antioxidant enzyme activities, chlorophyll content, root activity, and proline content were observed in CaChiIV1-silenced plants than in control plants. In conclusion, CaChiIV1-silenced pepper plants displayed increased susceptibility to P. capsici infection due to changes in expression of defense-related genes, thus showing its coregulation affect in particular conditions. Furthermore, antioxidant enzymes and proline content were largely diminished in CaChiIV1-silenced plants. Therefore, this evidence suggests that the CaChiIV1 gene plays a prominent role in the defense mechanism of pepper plants against P. capsici infection. In the future, the potential role of the CaChiIV1 gene in defense regulatory pathways and its coregulation with other pathogen-related genes should be identified.

ACS Style

Muhammad Ali; Wen-Xian Gai; Abdul Mateen Khattak; Abid Khan; Saeed Ul Haq; Xiao Ma; Ai-Min Wei; Izhar Muhammad; Ibadullah Jan; Zhen-Hui Gong. Knockdown of the chitin-binding protein family gene CaChiIV1 increased sensitivity to Phytophthora capsici and drought stress in pepper plants. Molecular Genetics and Genomics 2019, 294, 1311 -1326.

AMA Style

Muhammad Ali, Wen-Xian Gai, Abdul Mateen Khattak, Abid Khan, Saeed Ul Haq, Xiao Ma, Ai-Min Wei, Izhar Muhammad, Ibadullah Jan, Zhen-Hui Gong. Knockdown of the chitin-binding protein family gene CaChiIV1 increased sensitivity to Phytophthora capsici and drought stress in pepper plants. Molecular Genetics and Genomics. 2019; 294 (5):1311-1326.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Muhammad Ali; Wen-Xian Gai; Abdul Mateen Khattak; Abid Khan; Saeed Ul Haq; Xiao Ma; Ai-Min Wei; Izhar Muhammad; Ibadullah Jan; Zhen-Hui Gong. 2019. "Knockdown of the chitin-binding protein family gene CaChiIV1 increased sensitivity to Phytophthora capsici and drought stress in pepper plants." Molecular Genetics and Genomics 294, no. 5: 1311-1326.

Journal article
Published: 11 February 2019 in Scientia Horticulturae
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Small heat shock proteins (sHSPs) are ubiquitous and diverse molecular chaperones. However, the contribution of sHSPs in pepper response to stress is controversial. In the study, we characterized a small heat shock protein gene CaHSP22.0 from pepper sHSP20s family, and found that the deduced amino acid sequence of CaHSP22.0 gene contained the conserved necessary domains and residue for sHSPs functions. Under normal condition, CaHSP22.0 was detected in all pepper organs, but its transcript level was up-regulated under high temperature and salt stress. CaHSP22.0-silenced pepper exhibits more sensitive to heat and salt stress, which was primarily reflected by aggravated chlorophyll degradation, increased leaf conductivity, level of superoxide anion free radical and malondialdehyde content. Interestingly, CaHSP22.0 overexpression also resulted in Arabidopsis sensitivity to high temperature and salt stress by inhibiting normal growth of leaves and roots, increasing superoxide anion free radical, decreasing activities of antioxidant enzymes and chlorophyll content, increasing malondialdehyde content, and disturbing low expression of genes involved in environment stress. Our results suggested that modified expression of CaHSP22.0 conferred peppers more sensitivity to high temperature and salt stress. The possible mechanism for CaHSP22.0 silencing is speculated to the damage to cell membrane; as for gene over-expression, the mechanism was complexed and might be the disruption of ROS caused by the improper levels of CaHSP22.0 with its substrates.

ACS Style

Jian-Tian Sun; Guo-Xin Cheng; Liu-Jun Huang; Shuai Liu; Muhammad Ali; Abid Khan; Qing-Hui Yu; Sheng-Bao Yang; De-Xu Luo; Zhen-Hui Gong. Modified expression of a heat shock protein gene, CaHSP22.0, results in high sensitivity to heat and salt stress in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Scientia Horticulturae 2019, 249, 364 -373.

AMA Style

Jian-Tian Sun, Guo-Xin Cheng, Liu-Jun Huang, Shuai Liu, Muhammad Ali, Abid Khan, Qing-Hui Yu, Sheng-Bao Yang, De-Xu Luo, Zhen-Hui Gong. Modified expression of a heat shock protein gene, CaHSP22.0, results in high sensitivity to heat and salt stress in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Scientia Horticulturae. 2019; 249 ():364-373.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jian-Tian Sun; Guo-Xin Cheng; Liu-Jun Huang; Shuai Liu; Muhammad Ali; Abid Khan; Qing-Hui Yu; Sheng-Bao Yang; De-Xu Luo; Zhen-Hui Gong. 2019. "Modified expression of a heat shock protein gene, CaHSP22.0, results in high sensitivity to heat and salt stress in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)." Scientia Horticulturae 249, no. : 364-373.

Journal article
Published: 22 December 2018 in International Journal of Molecular Sciences
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SBP-box (Squamosa-promoter binding protein) genes are a type of plant-specific transcription factor and play important roles in plant growth, signal transduction and stress response. However, little is known about the SBP-box genes in pepper (CaSBP), especially in the process of Phytophthora capsici infection. In this study, a novel gene (CaSBP12) was selected from the CaSBP gene family, which was isolated from the pepper genome database in our previous study. The CaSBP12 gene was located in the nucleus of the cell and its silencing in the pepper plant enhanced the defense response against Phytophthora capsici infection. After inoculation with Phytophthora capsici, the root activity of the CaSBP12-silenced plants is compared to control plants, while malondialdehyde (MDA) content is compared viceversa. Additionally, the expression of defense related genes (CaPO1, CaSAR8.2, CaBPR1, and CaDEF1) in the silenced plants were induced to different degrees and the peak of CaSAR8.2 and CaBPR1 were higher than that of CaDEF1. The CaSBP12 over-expressed Nicotiana benthamiana plants were more susceptible to Phytophthora capsici infection with higher EC (electrical conductivity) and MDA contents as compared to the wild-type. The relative expression of defense related genes (NbDEF, NbNPR1, NbPR1a, and NbPR1b) in transgenic and wild-type Nicotiana benthamiana plants were induced, especially the NbPR1a and NbPR1b. In conclusion, these results indicate that CaSBP12 gene negative regulates the defense response against Phytophthora capsici infection which suggests their potentially significant role in plant defense. To our knowledge, this is the first report on CaSBP gene which negative regulate defense response.

ACS Style

Huai-Xia Zhang; Muhammad Ali; Xiao-Hui Feng; Jing-Hao Jin; Liu-Jun Huang; Abid Khan; Jing-Gang Lv; Su-Yan Gao; De-Xu Luo; Zhen-Hui Gong. A Novel Transcription Factor CaSBP12 Gene Negatively Regulates the Defense Response against Phytophthora capsici in Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2018, 20, 48 .

AMA Style

Huai-Xia Zhang, Muhammad Ali, Xiao-Hui Feng, Jing-Hao Jin, Liu-Jun Huang, Abid Khan, Jing-Gang Lv, Su-Yan Gao, De-Xu Luo, Zhen-Hui Gong. A Novel Transcription Factor CaSBP12 Gene Negatively Regulates the Defense Response against Phytophthora capsici in Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2018; 20 (1):48.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Huai-Xia Zhang; Muhammad Ali; Xiao-Hui Feng; Jing-Hao Jin; Liu-Jun Huang; Abid Khan; Jing-Gang Lv; Su-Yan Gao; De-Xu Luo; Zhen-Hui Gong. 2018. "A Novel Transcription Factor CaSBP12 Gene Negatively Regulates the Defense Response against Phytophthora capsici in Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)." International Journal of Molecular Sciences 20, no. 1: 48.

Original paper
Published: 31 October 2018 in Plant Molecular Biology Reporter
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Stress is usually considered an important factor resulting in plant injury. In this study, we identified a novel transcription factor gene, CanTF (Capsicum annuum transcription factor IIB), and characterized its role in the response to biotic and abiotic stresses. The full-length CanTF cDNA consists of 1488 bp, with a 1281-nucleotide open reading frame (ORF), and encodes a protein containing 426 amino acids with a theoretical molecular weight of 46.84 kDa. Real-time quantitative PCR revealed that CanTF is a stress-induced gene, with increased expression levels under both biotic and abiotic stresses. The expression of CanTF in pepper organs, especially roots, was highly induced by inoculation with an avirulent strain of Phytophthora capsici. Additionally, the differential expression of CanTF was observed under abiotic stresses, i.e., earlier expression was detected after cold, drought, and SA treatments than after salt and H2O2 treatment, suggesting its role in responses to various abiotic stresses. Furthermore, the silencing of CanTF by virus-induced gene silencing reduced the expression of defense-related genes (CaPR1, CaDEF1, and CaSAR82) under P. capsici inoculation. POD and root activity levels were lower after gene silencing than in controls, demonstrating the positive regulatory effect of CanTF against P. capsici. These results suggested that CanTF is a stress-induced gene involved in strengthening the pepper defense against biotic and abiotic stresses.

ACS Style

Yu-Mei He; De-Xu Luo; Abid Khan; Ke-Ke Liu; Mohamed Hamed Arisha; Huai-Xia Zhang; Guo-Xin Cheng; Xiao Ma; Zhen-Hui Gong. CanTF, a Novel Transcription Factor in Pepper, Is Involved in Resistance to Phytophthora capsici as well as Abiotic Stresses. Plant Molecular Biology Reporter 2018, 36, 776 -789.

AMA Style

Yu-Mei He, De-Xu Luo, Abid Khan, Ke-Ke Liu, Mohamed Hamed Arisha, Huai-Xia Zhang, Guo-Xin Cheng, Xiao Ma, Zhen-Hui Gong. CanTF, a Novel Transcription Factor in Pepper, Is Involved in Resistance to Phytophthora capsici as well as Abiotic Stresses. Plant Molecular Biology Reporter. 2018; 36 (5-6):776-789.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Yu-Mei He; De-Xu Luo; Abid Khan; Ke-Ke Liu; Mohamed Hamed Arisha; Huai-Xia Zhang; Guo-Xin Cheng; Xiao Ma; Zhen-Hui Gong. 2018. "CanTF, a Novel Transcription Factor in Pepper, Is Involved in Resistance to Phytophthora capsici as well as Abiotic Stresses." Plant Molecular Biology Reporter 36, no. 5-6: 776-789.

Journal article
Published: 01 September 2018 in Genome
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The AP2/ERF family is one of the largest transcription factor families in the plant kingdom. AP2/ERF genes contributing to various processes including plant growth, development, and response to various stresses have been identified. In this study, 175 putative AP2/ERF genes were identified in the latest pepper genome database and classified into AP2, RAV, ERF, and Soloist subfamilies. Their chromosomal localization, gene structure, conserved motif, cis-acting elements within the promoter region, and subcellular locations were analyzed. Transient expression of CaAP2/ERF proteins in tobacco revealed that CaAP2/ERF064, CaAP2/ERF109, and CaAP2/ERF127 were located in the nucleus, while CaAP2/ERF171 was located in the nucleus and cytoplasm. Most of the CaAP2/ERF genes contained cis-elements within their promoter regions that responded to various stresses (HSE, LTR, MBS, Box-W1/W-box, and TC-rich repeats) and phytohormones (ABRE, CGTCA-motif, and TCA-element). Furthermore, RNA-seq analysis revealed that CaAP2/ERF genes showed differential expression profiles in various tissues as well as under biotic stresses. Moreover, qRT-PCR analysis of eight selected CaAP2/ERF genes also showed differential expression patterns in response to infection with Phytophthora capsici (HX-9) and in response to phytohormones (SA, MeJA, and ETH). This study will provide basic insights for further studies of the CaAP2/ERF genes involved in the interaction between pepper and P. capsici.

ACS Style

Jing-Hao Jin; Min Wang; Huai-Xia Zhang; Abid Khan; Ai-Min Wei; De-Xu Luo; Zhen-Hui Gong. Genome-wide identification of the AP2/ERF transcription factor family in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Genome 2018, 61, 663 -674.

AMA Style

Jing-Hao Jin, Min Wang, Huai-Xia Zhang, Abid Khan, Ai-Min Wei, De-Xu Luo, Zhen-Hui Gong. Genome-wide identification of the AP2/ERF transcription factor family in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Genome. 2018; 61 (9):663-674.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jing-Hao Jin; Min Wang; Huai-Xia Zhang; Abid Khan; Ai-Min Wei; De-Xu Luo; Zhen-Hui Gong. 2018. "Genome-wide identification of the AP2/ERF transcription factor family in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)." Genome 61, no. 9: 663-674.

Journal article
Published: 29 July 2018 in International Journal of Molecular Sciences
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Chitin-binding proteins are pathogenesis-related gene family, which play a key role in the defense response of plants. However, thus far, little is known about the chitin-binding family genes in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). In current study, 16 putative chitin genes (CaChi) were retrieved from the latest pepper genome database, and were classified into four distinct classes (I, III, IV and VI) based on their sequence structure and domain architectures. Furthermore, the structure of gene, genome location, gene duplication and phylogenetic relationship were examined to clarify a comprehensive background of the CaChi genes in pepper. The tissue-specific expression analysis of the CaChi showed the highest transcript levels in seed followed by stem, flower, leaf and root, whereas the lowest transcript levels were noted in red-fruit. Phytophthora capsici post inoculation, most of the CaChi (CaChiI3, CaChiIII1, CaChiIII2, CaChiIII4, CaChiIII6, CaChiIII7, CaChiIV1, CaChiVI1 and CaChiVI2) were induced by both strains (PC and HX-9). Under abiotic and exogenous hormonal treatments, the CaChiIII2, CaChiIII7, CaChiVI1 and CaChiVI2 were upregulated by abiotic stress, while CaChiI1, CaChiIII7, CaChiIV1 and CaChiIV2 responded to hormonal treatments. Furthermore, CaChiIV1-silenced plants display weakened defense by reducing (60%) root activity and increase susceptibility to NaCl stress. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis revealed that CaChi genes primarily contribute in response to biotic, abiotic stresses and metabolic/catabolic process within the biological process category. These results exposed that CaChi genes are involved in defense response and signal transduction, suggesting their vital roles in growth regulation as well as response to stresses in pepper plant. In conclusion, these finding provide basic insights for functional validation of the CaChi genes in different biotic and abiotic stresses.

ACS Style

Muhammad Ali; De-Xu Luo; Abid Khan; Saeed Ul Haq; Wen-Xian Gai; Huai-Xia Zhang; Guo-Xin Cheng; Izhar Muhammad; Zhen-Hui Gong. Classification and Genome-Wide Analysis of Chitin-Binding Proteins Gene Family in Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and Transcriptional Regulation to Phytophthora capsici, Abiotic Stresses and Hormonal Applications. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2018, 19, 2216 .

AMA Style

Muhammad Ali, De-Xu Luo, Abid Khan, Saeed Ul Haq, Wen-Xian Gai, Huai-Xia Zhang, Guo-Xin Cheng, Izhar Muhammad, Zhen-Hui Gong. Classification and Genome-Wide Analysis of Chitin-Binding Proteins Gene Family in Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and Transcriptional Regulation to Phytophthora capsici, Abiotic Stresses and Hormonal Applications. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2018; 19 (8):2216.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Muhammad Ali; De-Xu Luo; Abid Khan; Saeed Ul Haq; Wen-Xian Gai; Huai-Xia Zhang; Guo-Xin Cheng; Izhar Muhammad; Zhen-Hui Gong. 2018. "Classification and Genome-Wide Analysis of Chitin-Binding Proteins Gene Family in Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and Transcriptional Regulation to Phytophthora capsici, Abiotic Stresses and Hormonal Applications." International Journal of Molecular Sciences 19, no. 8: 2216.

Original article
Published: 26 June 2018 in Protoplasma
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Environmental stress affects growth and development of crops, and reduces yield and quality of crops. To cope with environmental stressors, plants have sophisticated defense mechanisms, including the HSF/HSP pathway. Here, we identify the expression pattern of CaHSP16.4 in thermo-tolerant and thermo-sensitive pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) lines. Under heat stress, R9 thermo-tolerant line had higher CaHSP16.4 expression level than the B6 thermo-sensitive line. Under drought stress, expression pattern of CaHSP16.4 was dynamic. Initially, CaHSP16.4 was downregulated then CaHSP16.4 significantly increased. Subcellular localization assay showed that CaHSP16.4 localizes in cytoplasm and nucleus. In the R9 line, silencing of CaHSP16.4 resulted in a significant increase in malonaldehyde content and a significant reduction in total chlorophyll content, suggesting that silencing of CaHSP16.4 reduces heat and drought stresses tolerance. Overexpression of CaHSP16.4 enhances tolerance to heat stress in Arabidopsis. Under heat stress, the survival rate of CaHSP16.4 overexpression lines was significantly higher than wild type. Furthermore, under heat, drought, and combined stress conditions, the CaHSP16.4-overexpression lines had lower relative electrolytic leakage and malonaldehyde content, higher total chlorophyll content, and higher activity levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbic acid peroxidase, and glutathione peroxidase compared to wild type. Furthermore, the expression levels of the stress response genes in the overexpression lines were higher than the wild type. These results indicate that the overexpression of CaHSP16.4 enhances the ability of reactive oxygen species scavenging under heat and drought stress.

ACS Style

Liu-Jun Huang; Guo-Xin Cheng; Abid Khan; Ai-Min Wei; Qing-Hui Yu; Sheng-Bao Yang; De-Xu Luo; Zhen-Hui Gong. CaHSP16.4, a small heat shock protein gene in pepper, is involved in heat and drought tolerance. Protoplasma 2018, 256, 39 -51.

AMA Style

Liu-Jun Huang, Guo-Xin Cheng, Abid Khan, Ai-Min Wei, Qing-Hui Yu, Sheng-Bao Yang, De-Xu Luo, Zhen-Hui Gong. CaHSP16.4, a small heat shock protein gene in pepper, is involved in heat and drought tolerance. Protoplasma. 2018; 256 (1):39-51.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Liu-Jun Huang; Guo-Xin Cheng; Abid Khan; Ai-Min Wei; Qing-Hui Yu; Sheng-Bao Yang; De-Xu Luo; Zhen-Hui Gong. 2018. "CaHSP16.4, a small heat shock protein gene in pepper, is involved in heat and drought tolerance." Protoplasma 256, no. 1: 39-51.

Journal article
Published: 03 April 2018 in Scientific Reports
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The dirigent (DIR and DIR-like) proteins involved in lignification, play a pivotal role against biotic and abiotic stresses in plants. However, no information is available about DIR gene family in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). In this study, 24 putative dirigent genes (CaDIRs) were identified, their gene structure, genome location, gene duplication and phylogenetic relationship were elucidated. Tissue-specific expression analysis displayed the highest transcription levels in flower, stem and leaf. Some CaDIRs were up-regulated by virulent (CaDIR2, 3, 6, 7, 11, 14, 16, 22 and 23) and avirulent (CaDIR3, 5, 7, 16, 20, 22, 23 and 24) Phytophthora capsici strains, as well as by Methyl jasmonate, salicylic acid, NaCl and mannitol stresses. Acid-soluble lignin content increased (103.21%) after P. capsici inoculation (48-hour). Silencing of CaDIR7 weakened plant defense by reducing (~50%) root activity and made plants more susceptible (35.7%) to P. capsici and NaCl (300 mM). Leaf discs of the CaDIR7:silenced plants exposed to NaCl and mannitol (300 mM each), exhibited a significant decrease (56.25% and 48% respectively) in the chlorophyll content. These results suggested that CaDIR7 is involved in pepper defense response against pathogen and abiotic stresses and the study will provide basic insights for future research regarding CaDIRs.

ACS Style

Abid Khan; Ru-Jian Li; Jian-Tian Sun; Fang Ma; Huai-Xia Zhang; Jing-Hao Jin; Muhammad Ali; Saeed Ul Haq; Jun-E Wang; Zhen-Hui Gong. Genome-wide analysis of dirigent gene family in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and characterization of CaDIR7 in biotic and abiotic stresses. Scientific Reports 2018, 8, 5500 .

AMA Style

Abid Khan, Ru-Jian Li, Jian-Tian Sun, Fang Ma, Huai-Xia Zhang, Jing-Hao Jin, Muhammad Ali, Saeed Ul Haq, Jun-E Wang, Zhen-Hui Gong. Genome-wide analysis of dirigent gene family in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and characterization of CaDIR7 in biotic and abiotic stresses. Scientific Reports. 2018; 8 (1):5500.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Abid Khan; Ru-Jian Li; Jian-Tian Sun; Fang Ma; Huai-Xia Zhang; Jing-Hao Jin; Muhammad Ali; Saeed Ul Haq; Jun-E Wang; Zhen-Hui Gong. 2018. "Genome-wide analysis of dirigent gene family in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and characterization of CaDIR7 in biotic and abiotic stresses." Scientific Reports 8, no. 1: 5500.

Journal article
Published: 01 February 2018 in Scientia Horticulturae
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Guo-Xin Cheng; Ru-Jian Li; Min Wang; Liu-Jun Huang; Abid Khan; Muhammad Ali; Zhen-Hui Gong. Variation in leaf color and combine effect of pigments on physiology and resistance to whitefly of pepper ( Capsicum annuum L.). Scientia Horticulturae 2018, 229, 215 -225.

AMA Style

Guo-Xin Cheng, Ru-Jian Li, Min Wang, Liu-Jun Huang, Abid Khan, Muhammad Ali, Zhen-Hui Gong. Variation in leaf color and combine effect of pigments on physiology and resistance to whitefly of pepper ( Capsicum annuum L.). Scientia Horticulturae. 2018; 229 ():215-225.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Guo-Xin Cheng; Ru-Jian Li; Min Wang; Liu-Jun Huang; Abid Khan; Muhammad Ali; Zhen-Hui Gong. 2018. "Variation in leaf color and combine effect of pigments on physiology and resistance to whitefly of pepper ( Capsicum annuum L.)." Scientia Horticulturae 229, no. : 215-225.