Molecular Characterization and Overexpression of VpRPW8s from Vitis pseudoreticulata Enhances Resistance to Phytophthora capsici in Nicotiana benthamiana

RPW8 genes are atypical broad-spectrum genes that provide resistance to powdery mildew, downy mildew, the cauliflower mosaic virus in Arabidopsis thaliana, and powdery mildew in tobacco. They play important roles in basal plant pathogen defense. They also provide insights into a novel disease resistance mechanism. In this study, we report on homologous RPW8 genes in Vitis pseudoreticulata. Five VpRPW8 genes were cloned; their Open Reading Frame (ORF) sequences ranged from 1994 base pairs to 2478 base pairs. They were comprised of five exons and four introns and shared 78.66% identity. Their proteins had typical conserved RPW8 and NB-LRR (the nucleotide-binding site and the leucine-rich repeats) domains (except VpRPW8-d, which lacked LRR domains). Prokaryotic expression results were consistent with predicted molecular weights. All five RPW8 genes were located in the cytoplasm. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis showed that VpRPW8s in V. pseudoreticulata were induced by Plasmopara viticola, but nearly only VvRPW8-d genes were induced in Vitis vinifera. Furthermore, a VpRPW8 transgenic tobacco system was established. Overexpressed VpRPW8s enhanced resistance to Phytophthora capsici and VpRPW8s conferred varying degrees of resistance to Ph. capsici in Nicotiana benthamiana. Our study presents novel members of the plant RPW8 family and suggests that VpRPW8s are involved in enhanced resistance to P. viticola and Ph. capsici.