Roles of defense signaling pathways in rice defense against herbivorous insects

The jasmonate (JA) and salicylate (SA) pathways play a key role in plant defense responses against herbivorous insects. However, the precise defense function of the two defense signaling pathways in monocotyledon plants, especially in rice (Oryza sativa L.) is largely unknown. CORONATINE INSENSITIVE1 (COI1) is an F-box protein essential for all jasmonate responses. Allene oxide synthase (AOS) and phenylanine ammonia lyase (PAL) are the first enzymes in the pathway leading to the biosynthesis of JA and SA, respectively. We silenced OsCOI1, OsAOS and OsPAL in rice plants via RNA interference (RNAi) to determine the role of JA and SA pathways in rice defense against herbivorous insects. Differences in insect resistance and defense responses between wild-type plants (WT) and transgenic plants of rice were examined. Our results suggest that the two defense signaling pathways differentially regulate rice defense against different herbivores.