Functional characterization of four soybean C2H2 zinc-finger genes in <i>Phytophthora</i> resistance

Soybean (<i>Glycine max</i>) is one of the most important industrial and oilseed crops; however, the yield is threatened by the invasion of various pathogens. Soybean stem and root rot, caused by <i>Phytophthora sojae</i>, is a destructive disease that significantly damages soybean production worldwide. C2H2 zinc finger protein (C2H2-ZFP) is a large transcription factor family in plants that plays crucial roles in stress response and hormone signal transduction. Given its importance, we analyzed the expression patterns of C2H2-ZFP family genes in response to <i>P. sojae</i> infection and selected four candidate genes to explore their molecular characteristics and functions related to <i>P. sojae</i> resistance. Subcellular localization analysis indicated that three ZFPs (GmZFP2, GmZFP3, and GmZFP4) were localized in the nucleus, while GmZFP1 was found in both the nucleus and plasma membrane. Dual-luciferase transient expression analysis revealed that all four ZFPs possessed transcriptional repression activation. Further transient expression in <i>N. benthamiana</i> leaves demonstrated that <i>GmZFP2</i> induced significant cell death and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. <i>GmZFP2</i> significantly enhanced the resistance to <i>Phytophthora</i> pathogens in <i>N. benthamiana</i> leaves and soybean hairy roots. This study provides insights in to the functional characterization of soybean ZFPs in <i>Phytophthora</i> resistance and demonstrates that <i>GmZFP2</i> plays a positive role in <i>P. sojae</i> resistance in soybeans.