Integrated transcriptome and hormone dynamics uncover biphasic defense responses in sugar beet infected by Cercospora beticola
- 1Department of Plant Pathology, Biotechnology, and Microbiology, North Dakota State University
- 2Sugarbeet Research Unit, Department of Agriculture- Agricultural Research Service
Abstract
Background Cercospora leaf spot (CLS), caused by the hemibiotrophic fungus Cercospora beticola, is a destructive foliar disease that threatens sugar beet production worldwide. Despite its economic significance, the molecular interaction between sugar beet and C. beticola is poorly understood. Results We report integrated time-resolved transcriptomics and hormone profiling of CLS infection spanning the asymptomatic and symptomatic phases. Our data revealed broad transcriptional changes, with defense and hormone-related processes being most altered. We detected transcriptional signatures consistent with activation of pathogen-associated molecular pattern- and effector-triggered immunity, along with differential expression of genes encoding putative receptor-like kinases and receptor-like proteins as well as nucleotide-binding (NB) leucine‑rich repeat (LRR) receptors (NLRs). Defense activation was evident as early as 3 days post-inoculation (dpi), including upregulation of pathogenesis-related proteins, genes related to systemic acquired resistance, and the hypersensitive response (HR). At 7 dpi, several biological processes, including defense response, showed overall downregulation, suggesting a pathogen-mediated suppression of transcriptional responses. During the symptomatic phase, defense-related genes—particularly those associated with HR and numerous putative NLRs—were induced again, illustrating a bi-phasic regulation pattern. Cis-element enrichment analysis showed significant overrepresentation of defense-related WRKY and AT-hook motif nuclear-localized protein binding motifs within the protomers of genes upregulated from 11 to 25 dpi. Parallel quantification of major phytohormones demonstrated stage-dependent modulation of infection-related hormone groups across the infection cycle. Conclusion Our analysis revealed that a susceptible sugar beet genotype mounts an early and transient defense response against C. beticola, which appears to be pathogen-suppressed but later reactivated during symptom development. By integrating time-resolved transcriptome analysis and hormone profiling, our study links major defense transcriptional programs and phytohormone dynamics, providing a comprehensive view of sugar beet responses to CLS that complements and extends previous genotype-focused work.
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BibTeX
@article{ebinezer2026integrated,
title = {{Integrated transcriptome and hormone dynamics uncover biphasic defense responses in sugar beet infected by Cercospora beticola}},
author = {Leonard Barnabas Ebinezer and Mari Natwick and Lorena I. Rangel and Rajdeep Jaswal and Eric Branch and Gary Secor and Melvin D. Bolton and Nathan A. Wyatt},
journal = {BMC Plant Biology},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1186/s12870-026-09498-3},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-026-09498-3},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Integrated transcriptome and hormone dynamics uncover biphasic defense responses in sugar beet infected by Cercospora beticola
AU - Leonard Barnabas Ebinezer
AU - Mari Natwick
AU - Lorena I. Rangel
AU - Rajdeep Jaswal
AU - Eric Branch
AU - Gary Secor
AU - Melvin D. Bolton
AU - Nathan A. Wyatt
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - BMC Plant Biology
DO - 10.1186/s12870-026-09498-3
UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-026-09498-3
AB - Background Cercospora leaf spot (CLS), caused by the hemibiotrophic fungus Cercospora beticola, is a destructive foliar disease that threatens sugar beet production worldwide. Despite its economic significance, the molecular interaction between sugar beet and C. beticola is poorly understood. Results We report integrated time-resolved transcriptomics and hormone profiling of CLS infection spanning the asymptomatic and symptomatic phases. Our data revealed broad transcriptional changes, with defense and hormone-related processes being most altered. We detected transcriptional signatures consistent with activation of pathogen-associated molecular pattern- and effector-triggered immunity, along with differential expression of genes encoding putative receptor-like kinases and receptor-like proteins as well as nucleotide-binding (NB) leucine‑rich repeat (LRR) receptors (NLRs). Defense activation was evident as early as 3 days post-inoculation (dpi), including upregulation of pathogenesis-related proteins, genes related to systemic acquired resistance, and the hypersensitive response (HR). At 7 dpi, several biological processes, including defense response, showed overall downregulation, suggesting a pathogen-mediated suppression of transcriptional responses. During the symptomatic phase, defense-related genes—particularly those associated with HR and numerous putative NLRs—were induced again, illustrating a bi-phasic regulation pattern. Cis-element enrichment analysis showed significant overrepresentation of defense-related WRKY and AT-hook motif nuclear-localized protein binding motifs within the protomers of genes upregulated from 11 to 25 dpi. Parallel quantification of major phytohormones demonstrated stage-dependent modulation of infection-related hormone groups across the infection cycle. Conclusion Our analysis revealed that a susceptible sugar beet genotype mounts an early and transient defense response against C. beticola, which appears to be pathogen-suppressed but later reactivated during symptom development. By integrating time-resolved transcriptome analysis and hormone profiling, our study links major defense transcriptional programs and phytohormone dynamics, providing a comprehensive view of sugar beet responses to CLS that complements and extends previous genotype-focused work.
SN - 1471-2229
ER -