Identification of essential genes involved in metabolism-based resistance mechanism to fenoxaprop-P-ethyl in Polypogon fugax

Pest Manag Sci. 2022 Mar;78(3):1164-1175. doi: 10.1002/ps.6733. Epub 2021 Dec 9.

Abstract

Background: Metabolic resistance is a worldwide concern for weed control but has not yet been well-characterized at the genetic level. Previously, we have identified an Asia minor bluegrass (Polypogon fugax Nees ex Steud.) population AHHY exhibiting cytochrome P450 (P450)-involved metabolic resistance to fenoxaprop-P-ethyl. In this study, we aimed to confirm the metabolic fenoxaprop-P-ethyl resistance in AHHY and uncover the potential herbicide metabolism-related genes in this economically damaging weed species.

Results: Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) assays indicated the metabolic rates of fenoxaprop-P-ethyl were significantly faster in resistant (R, AHHY) than in susceptible (S, SDTS) plants. The amount of phytotoxic fenoxaprop-P peaked at 12 h after herbicide treatment (HAT) and started to decrease at 24 HAT in both biotypes. R and S plants at 24 HAT were sampled to conduct isoform-sequencing (Iso-Seq) and RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq). A reference transcriptome containing 24 972 full-length isoforms was obtained, of which 24 329 unigenes were successfully annotated. Transcriptomic profiling identified 28 detoxifying enzyme genes constitutively and/or herbicide-induced up-regulated in R than in S plants. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) confirmed 17 genes were consistently up-regulated in R and its F1 generation plants. They were selected as potential fenoxaprop-P-ethyl metabolism-related genes, including ten P450s, one glutathione-S-transferase, one UDP-glucosyltransferase, and five adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette transporters.

Conclusion: This study revealed that the enhanced rates of fenoxaprop-P-ethyl metabolism in P. fugax were very likely driven by the herbicide metabolism-related genes. The transcriptome data generated by Iso-Seq combined with RNA-Seq will provide abundant gene resources for understanding the molecular mechanisms of resistance in P. fugax.

Keywords: RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq); acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase); grass weed; isoform-sequencing (Iso-Seq); metabolic resistance; real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR).

MeSH terms

  • Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase / genetics
  • Chromatography, Liquid
  • Genes, Essential
  • Herbicide Resistance / genetics
  • Herbicides* / pharmacology
  • Plant Proteins / genetics
  • Poa* / genetics
  • Poaceae / genetics
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Substances

  • Herbicides
  • Plant Proteins
  • Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase