Transcriptome Sequencing and Analysis of Genes Related to Disease Resistance in Pinus thunbergii

Pinus thunbergii (P. thunbergii) is a gymnosperm with important economic and ecological value. In order to investigate the diagnosis and defense mechanism of P. thunbergii against Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (the pinewood nematode, PWN), the needles of P. thunbergii seedlings on the fifth day after being infected by PWN were taken as samples for transcriptome sequencing analysis. Compared with the control group, 647 genes were differentially expressed in the treatment group, of which 277 genes were upregulated and 370 genes were downregulated. Enrichment analysis showed that most of these differentially expressed genes were abundant in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, pathogen interaction and hormone signal transduction. In addition, among the differential genes, NBS-LRR genes, thiamine-metabolizing enzymes, phenylalanine ammonia lyase and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase were screened and analyzed. The analysis of the response of P. thunbergii to PWN stress and its disease resistance genes lays a foundation for the breeding of disease-resistant P. thunbergii in the future.