Ren Fang

Dr. Ren Fang


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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28 December 2025 in Horticulturae
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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ZAZhenyu An
Zhenyu An
RKRuibin Kuang
Ruibin Kuang
SLShuhuan Lin
Shuhuan Lin
XLXing Long
Xing Long
YWYuerong Wei
Yuerong Wei
RFRen Fang
Ren Fang
Root rot disease severely threatens tropical fruit production, leading to plant mortality and reduced yields; however, the mechanisms of host defense responses and pathogen infection remain poorly understood. In this study, Fusarium acutatum was isolated from diseased Annona squamosa roots and identified through morphological features and ITS phylogeny (99.8% identity). Infection triggered a marked activation of antioxidant defenses, with elevated POD, SOD, PAL, PPO, and CAT activities. Transcriptomic and TMT-based quantitative proteomic analyses identified 23,791 and 74,403 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 367 and 609 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in root at 5 and 10 days post inoculation, respectively, relative to the control. These DEGs and DEPs were consistently enriched in pathways involving redox regulation, protein synthesis and processing, ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, phenylpropanoid and flavonoid metabolism, cell wall remodeling, plant–pathogen interaction and MAPK signaling. Integrated transcriptomic–proteomic correlation analysis showed clear positive associations between key defense-related genes and proteins, suggesting that phenylpropanoid metabolism and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging play central roles in resistance. Key genes such as CHI2, CHS, and CYP were strongly induced and validated by qPCR, supporting coordinated activation of the defense systems. Furthermore, F. acutatum exhibited upregulation of 50 pathogenic-related proteins, including 4 cell wall-degrading enzymes (e.g., CBH1, pectate lyase), 5 metabolic regulation or signal transduction enzymes (e.g., gabD, TPI, and ENO) and 3 potential effectors, suggesting coordinated pathogen strategies for host colonization. Collectively, this study provides comprehensive multi-omics insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying A. squamosa defense against F. acutatum and offers candidate targets supported by omics evidence, serving as a theoretical reference for the management of root rot.