Interaction of PpWRKY46 and PpWRKY53 regulates energy metabolism in MeJA primed disease resistance of peach fruit

Induced resistance is a promising strategy to manage plant disease, while adequate energy supply is crucial to plant defense. Our previous study has revealed that PpWRKY45 and PpWRKY70 are involved in MeJA-primed disease resistance by regulating jasmonate acid biosynthesis and phenylpropanoid metabolism. Herein, the possible role of WRKYs in MeJA-primed disease resistance and energy metabolism was investigated. PpWRKY46 and PpWRKY53 were up- and down-regulated, respectively, by MeJA treatment. The activities and gene expression of energy metabolism-related enzymes and energy status were promoted by MeJA treatment and R. stolonifer inoculation during 60 h storage at 20 °C. Energy metabolism-related genes, including PpSDH and PpCOX15 were transactivated by PpWRKY46, but repressed by PpWRKY53. Furthermore, PpWRKY46 interacted with PpWRKY53 to attenuate the transcriptional repression of PpWRKY53 to PpSDH and PpCOX15. Taken together, our results demonstrated that the counteraction of PpWRKY46 and PpWRKY53 contributes to MeJA-primed defense by regulating energy metabolism in peaches. •PpWRKY46 and PpWRKY53 were up- and down-regulated respectively by MeJA treatment.•PpSDH and PpCOX15 were transactivated by PpWRKY46 while repressed by PpWRKY53.•PpWRKY46 interacted with PpWRKY53 to attenuate its repression of PpSDH and PpCOX15.•PpWRKY46 counteracted with PpWRKY53 and contributed to MeJA primed disease defense.