Utilizing transcription factors for improving banded leaf and sheath blight disease resistance in maize: a review

Banded leaf and sheath blight (BLSB) disease, incited by Rhizoctonia solani, is destructive, difficult to manage and gravely threatens maize (Zea mays L.) production across continents. Plant transcription factors (TFs) act as functional nodes that integrate defense signals to activate relevant immune outlets via large-scale transcriptional reprogramming of the expression of massive sets of defense-related genes (DRGs). Recent studies revealed complex changes in the maize transcriptome during BLSB infection. More than 30 TFs belonging to the WRKY, NAC, TCP, bHLH, and bZIP families, among others, have been putatively identified as core genes inducible in maize by the virulence factors of R. solani. Sadly, no progress has been made in characterizing these TFs in maize resistance to BLSB. Having reviewed the progress made so far, we propose future studies to prioritize functional characterization of the potential TFs and their manipulation through genome editing technology as well as the use of synthetic TFs to improve maize resistance to BLSB.