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Genomic structural variation in an alpha/beta hydrolase triggers hybrid necrosis in wheat

Author

Listed:
  • Yaoqi Si

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Huaizhi Zhang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Shengwei Ma

    (Yazhouwan National Laboratory)

  • Shusong Zheng

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Jianqing Niu

    (Yazhouwan National Laboratory
    Hainan Seed Industry Laboratory)

  • Shuiquan Tian

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Xuejia Cui

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Keyu Zhu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Xiaocui Yan

    (Hebei Agricultural University)

  • Qiao Lu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Zhimeng Zhang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Tingting Du

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Ping Lu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Yongxing Chen

    (Xianghu Laboratory)

  • Qiuhong Wu

    (Xianghu Laboratory)

  • Jingzhong Xie

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Guanghao Guo

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Mengjun Gu

    (Shandong University)

  • Huilan Wu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Yiwen Li

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Chengguo Yuan

    (Hebei Gaoyi Stock Seed Farm)

  • Zaifeng Li

    (Hebei Agricultural University)

  • Zhiyong Liu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Hainan Seed Industry Laboratory
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Lingli Dong

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Hong-Qing Ling

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Yazhouwan National Laboratory
    Hainan Seed Industry Laboratory
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Miaomiao Li

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Abstract

Hybrid necrosis, a century-old mystery in wheat, is caused by complementary genes Ne1 and Ne2. Ne2, encoding a nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) immune receptor, has been cloned, yet Ne1 remains elusive. Here, we report that Ne1, which encodes an alpha/beta hydrolase (ABH) protein generated by structural variation, triggers hybrid necrosis with Ne2 by activating autoimmune responses. We further verify that not only allelic variation but also copy number variation (CNV) of Ne1 are pivotal for hybrid necrosis diversity in wheat. Ne1 likely originates from wild emmer wheat, potentially through duplication and ectopic recombination events. Unlike Ne2, which is frequently selected for rust resistance in wheat breeding, the lower prevalence of Ne1 in modern wheat cultivars is attributed to its association with hybrid necrosis. Altogether, these findings illuminate the co-evolution of the NLR/ABH gene pair in plant development and innate immunity, offering potential benefits for wheat breeding.

Suggested Citation

  • Yaoqi Si & Huaizhi Zhang & Shengwei Ma & Shusong Zheng & Jianqing Niu & Shuiquan Tian & Xuejia Cui & Keyu Zhu & Xiaocui Yan & Qiao Lu & Zhimeng Zhang & Tingting Du & Ping Lu & Yongxing Chen & Qiuhong , 2025. "Genomic structural variation in an alpha/beta hydrolase triggers hybrid necrosis in wheat," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-57750-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57750-5
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