Identification of tomato genes and networks for resistance to Tomato yellow leaf curl virus, which threatens tomato production worldwide

番茄黄化曲叶病毒（Tomato yellow leaf curl virus，TYLCV）是一种由粉虱传播的双生病毒，严重威胁着世界各地的番茄生产.以野生番茄种Solanum habrochaites为抗源，通过经典育种方法选育出抗TYLCV的番茄品系。耐药性的分子基础尚不清楚。我们希望确定基因和防御信号通路的潜在阻力TYLCV感染。我们的工作假设是：1）TYLCV抗性基因已经从野生番茄物种中渗入; 2）抗性由通过正信号和负信号与已知胁迫反应途径相互关联的基因网络维持; 3）在抗性品系中优先表达的基因可能是该网络的一部分; 4）位于网络重要节点的基因的沉默应导致抗性的崩溃。本研究的主要目的是：1）发现与TYLCV抗性相关的基因并通过基因沉默进行确认; 2）描述TYLCV抗性的基因网络及其与胁迫反应途径的交叉作用。该项目将有助于加强以色列、约旦和巴勒斯坦科学家之间的合作，并将大大增进我们对植物-病原体相互作用的了解。

Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV), a whitefly transmitted geminivirus, threatens tomato cultivation worldwide. A tomato line resistant to TYLCV has been developed by classical breeding, using the wild tomato species Solanum habrochaites as resistance source. The molecular basis of resistance is unknown. We wish to identify the genes and defense signalling pathways underlying resistance to TYLCV infection. Our working hypotheses are: 1) genes for TYLCV resistance have been introgressed from the wild tomato species; 2) resistance is sustained by networks of genes that interrelate by positive and negative signals with known stress response pathways; 3) genes preferentially expressed in the resistant line are likely to be part of this network; 4) silencing of genes located at important nodes of the network should lead to the collapse of resistance. The main objectives of our research project are: 1) discovery of genes related to TYLCV resistance and confirmation by gene silencing; 2) description of the gene network underlying resistance to TYLCV and its cross-talk with stress response pathways. This project will be instrumental in strengthening the cooperation between Israeli, Jordanian and Palestinian scientists and will greatly advance our understanding of plant-pathogen interactions.