PmHs1pro‐1 monitors Bsursaphelenchus xylophilus infection and activates defensive response in resistant Pinus massoniana

Plant resistance (R) genes play a crucial role in the detection of effector proteins secreted by pathogens, either directly or indirectly, as well as in the subsequent activation of downstream defence mechanisms. However, little is known about how R genes regulate the defence responses of conifers, particularly Pinus massoniana, against the destructive pine wood nematode (PWN; Bursaphelenchus xylophilus). Here, we isolated and characterised PmHs1pro‐1, a nematode‐resistance gene of P. massoniana, using bioinformatics, molecular biology, histochemistry and transgenesis. Tissue‐specific expressional pattern and localisation of PmHs1pro‐1 suggested that it was a crucial positive regulator in response to PWN attack in resistant P. massoniana. Meanwhile, overexpression of PmHs1pro‐1 was found to activate reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism‐related enzymes and the expressional level of their key genes, including superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and catalase. In addition, we showed that PmHs1pro‐1 directly recognised the effector protein BxSCD1of PWN, and induced the ROS burst responding to PWN invasion in resistant P. massoniana. Our findings illustrated the molecular framework of R genes directly recognising the effector protein of pathology in pine, which offered a novel insight into the plant–pathogen arms race. Summary statement We first identified and functionally characterised that PmHs1pro‐1 could directly recognise the effector protein BxSCD1, which consequently initiated the ROS burst to defend against pine wood nematode to prevent the withered appearance in the resistant Pinus massoniana. Our findings demonstrated the molecular framework of R genes directly recognising the effector protein of pathology in pines and offered a novel insight into the plant‐arm race of pathogens and plants.