OsMATE6 gene putatively involved in host defense response toward susceptibility against Rhizoctonia solani in rice

ABSTRACT Sheath blight caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG1-IA is the second most serious disease of rice worldwide. Elucidating the role of multi-drug and toxic compound extrusion (MATE) gene family in host-pathogens interactions may uncover a new possible way to comprehend the mechanism of sheath blight resistance in rice. We foremost explored the role of OsMATE genes against R. solani resistance through comparative transcriptomics in PR114 (susceptible) and ShB-8 (moderately resistant) at 24 and 48 hpi (hours post-inoculation) of R. solani infection, respectively. Six OsMATE genes were differentially expressed and further validated through qRT-PCR. OsMATE6 gene was identified as a potential candidate for sheath blight susceptibility as it was significantly up-regulated in PR114. OsMATE6 is conserved within the wild relatives and might be translocated from Oryza nivara during the domestication of rice. Further studies are focused to verify its role by overexpression and protein interactions to understand the molecular mechanism of sheath blight resistance.