expression patterns and functional analysis of 16 members of bZIP family of TGA class in response to fungal disease in rice

Abstract Background TGA class of bZIP transcription factor are involved in plant immune responses. However, little is known in rice. Results In this study, the expression patterns of TGA in response to signaling molecules and pathogen infection were analyzed. The functions of TGA genes were analyzed by virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS). qRT-PCR analysis revealed that expression levels of TGA genes were induced by hormone treatment and Magnaporthe oryzae inoculation. The BMV: OsbZIP03 -, BMV: OsbZIP08 -, BMV: OsbZIP63 - and BMV: OsbZIP64 -infiltrated seedlings showed increased susceptibility to Magnaporthe oryzae than BMV:00-infiltrated seedlings, maybe through regulating the expression levels of defense-related genes, SA content and JA content. BMV: OsbZIP64 -infiltrated seedlings showed decreased resistance to Rhizoctonia solani by regulating the expression levels of defense-related genes. Conclusion We selected 16 TGAs from rice, and analyzed their phylogenetic relationships, expression patterns and functions in disease resistance. The results showed that OsbZIP03 , OsbZIP08 and OsbZIP63 positively regulated the resistance to Magnaporthe oryzae , and OsbZIP64 positively regulated resistance to Magnaporthe oryzae and Rhizoctonia solani .