Transcription Factor OsNF-YC12 Positively Regulates Meloidogyne graminicola Resistance in Rice through OsSRZ22 Activation

Globally, rice (Oryza sativa) is one of the most important food crops, but its production is threatened by root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne graminicola). Although NF-YC transcription factors play important roles in plant growth and development, their involvement in disease resistance has been poorly characterized. In this study, transcriptome analysis revealed that transcription factor OsNF-YC12 was upregulated upon treatment with nematode PAMP (Ascr#18). OsNF-YC12 expression was induced by Ascr#18, nematodes, and jasmonic acid (JA), predominantly in roots. Functional studies demonstrated that overexpression of OsNF-YC12 significantly reduced nematode infection and gall formation, whereas knockout lines exhibited increased susceptibility. OsNF-YC12 enhanced immunity by activating the defense genes and promoting reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. Furthermore, OsNF-YC12 directly bound to and activated the promoter of OsSRZ22, and overexpression of OsSRZ22 similarly conferred significant nematode resistance. This study establishes for the first time the crucial roles of OsNF-YC12 and its target OsSRZ22 in rice nematode resistance, providing valuable genetic resources for breeding resistant varieties.