| Summary: | Abstract Background Verticillium wilt is a serious soil-borne vascular disease that causes major losses to upland cotton (Gossypium hirutum L.) worldwidely every year. The protein VIP1 (VirE2 interaction protein 1), a bZIP transcription factor, is involved in plant response to many stress conditions, especially pathogenic bacteria. However, its roles in cotton response to Verticillium wilt are poorly understood. Results The GbVIP1 gene was cloned from resistant sea-island cotton (G. barbadense) cv. Hai 7124. Expression of GbVIP1 was up-regulated by inoculation with Verticillium dahliae and exogenous treatment with ethylene. Results of virus-induced gene silencing suggested that silencing of GbVIP1 weakened cotton resistance to Verticillium wilt. The heterologous expression of GbVIP1 in tobacco showed enhanced resistance to Verticillium wilt. The PR1, PR1-like and HSP70 genes were up-regulated in GbVIP1 transgenic tobacco after Verticillium wilt infection. Conclusion Our results suggested that GbVIP1 increased plant resistance to Verticillium wilt through up-regulating expressions of PR1, PR1-like, and HSP70. These results provide new approaches to improving resistance to Verticillium wilt in upland cotton and also have great potential for disease-resistance breeding of cotton.
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