Time-resolved dual transcriptome profiling of interactions between tea plants (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) and its anthracnose pathogen Colletotrichum gloeosporioides

Anthracnose is one of the most destructive diseases affecting tea plants and is widely prevalent in World. Due to the limited understanding of the resistance mechanisms, the effectiveness of controlling tea anthracnose is deficient, resulting in significant losses in both yield and quality. This study established a lesion coefficient calculation model using ImageJ software and identified a resistant variety (Camellia. sinensis var. laochashan) and a susceptible variety (Camellia. sinensis var. zhenong402). Using time-resolved dual RNA-seq technology, the differential expression genes (DEGs) of two tea varieties and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides during the infection period (0 h, 12 h, 30 h, 72 h, and 120 h) were figured. Genes associated with appressorium formation, enzymes, mycotoxins, and common in several fungal extracellular membrane (CFEM) effector proteins may be involved in the infection process of the anthracnose. Conversely, the DEGs related to the cell wall components, phytohormones, signal transduction, transcription factors, secondary metabolites, and pathogenesis-related proteins (PRs) may play a role in the disease resistance mechanisms of tea plants. Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) revealed modules of positively/negatively correlated genes that may contribute to defense in resistant variety. Additionally, representative PRs (PR1, CHIT, TLP, and PAL) were selected for Parallel Reaction Monitoring (PRM) quantification to clarify their potential roles in the defense response of tea plants. The findings of this study lay a foundation for further research on the mechanisms of resistance to anthracnose in tea plants and provide innovative insights into disease management strategies.