Cyt02 encodes cytochrome P450 monooxygenase, increasing rice (Oryza sativa L.) resistance to sheath blight

Rice sheath blight (RSB) is a major destructive disease impeding rice production. Identifying key germplasm resources with increased resistance remains a challenge. However, the mechanisms underlying disease resistance are not yet fully understood. Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (CYP450s) serve biosynthesis and metabolic detoxification functions in plants, but there is limited information about their role in the response induced by RSB. This study demonstrated that CYT02 belongs to the CYP73A100 subfamily and is a typical member of the CYP450s. Overexpression (OE) in rice of the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase cyt02 conferred increased resistance to RSB and increased vegetative tillering. Cyt02 may increase RSB resistance by regulating plant hormone synthesis, regulate reactive oxygen species (ROS) by coordinating the activity of antioxidant enzymes, and initiate phytoalexin synthesis in response to fungal infection. These research findings have laid a foundation for a deeper understanding of the function of cyt02 and offered a potential target gene for breeding rice varieties resistant to sheath blight.