Callose plays a critical role in different biological processes including development as well as in the response to multiple biotic and abiotic stresses. In this study, we characterized the callose deposition in cotyledons of different Brassica napus varieties post-inoculated with different Leptosphaeria maculans isolates. Further, members of the callose synthase gene were identified from the whole genome of B. napus using the 12 Arabidopsis thaniana callose synthase protein sequences, and were then classified into three groups based on their phylogenetic relationships. Chromosomal location and duplication patterns indicated uneven distribution and segmental duplication patterns of BnCalS genes in the B. napus genome. Subsequently, gene structures, conserved domains analysis, and protein properties were analyzed for BnCalS genes. In addition, 12 B. napus orthologs of the AtCalS were selected for investigating the tissue expression pattern, indicating diverse expression patterns for these BnCalS genes. Responses of the selected 12 orthologs and all the BnCalS genes were characterized in the different types (AvrLm1-Rlm1, AvrLm4-Rlm4, AvrLepR1-LepR1) of B. napus⁻L. maculans interactions and B. napus-Leptosphaeria biglobosa interactions, implying their potential roles in response to Leptosphaeria infection.
Keywords: Brassica napus; CalS; Leptosphaeria maculans; defense response; expression analysis.