LAUSR

Tea leaf spot, caused by Lasiodiplodia theobromae, is an important disease that can seriously decrease the production and quality of tea (Camellia sinensis [L.] Kuntze) leaves. The analysis of circular RNA (circRNA) in tea leaves after infection by the pathogen could improve understanding about the mechanism of host-pathogen interactions. In this study, high-performance sequencing of circRNA from C. sinensis Fuding-dabaicha leaves that had been infected with L. theobromae was conducted using the Illumina HiSeq 4000 platform. A total of 192 and 153 differentially-expressed circRNAs from tea leaves were significantly up- and down-regulated, respectively, after infection with L. theobromae. A GO analysis indicated that the differentially expressed circRNA-hosting-genes for DNA binding were significantly enriched. The genes with significantly differential expressions that were annotated in the specified database (S genes) were Sigma factor E isoform 1, Triacylglycerol lipase SDP1, DNA-directed RNA polymerase III subunit 2, WRKY transcription factor WRKY24, and regulator of nonsense transcripts 1 homolog. A KEGG analysis indicated that the significantly enriched circRNA-hosting-genes involved in the plant-pathogen interaction pathway were Calmodulin-domain protein kinase 5 isoform 1, probable WRKY transcription factor 33, U-box domain-containing protein 35, probable inactive receptor-like protein kinase At3g56050, WRKY transcription factor WRKY24, mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase YODA, SGT1, and protein DGS1, etc. Functional annotation of circRNAs in tea leaves infected by L. theobromae will provide a valuable resource for future research on host-pathogen interactions.