Transcriptomic profiling of Citrus sinensis leaves expressing dTALEs derived from Xanthomonas citri AT effector PthA4AT to identify executor resistance (Re) genes

Abstract

This dataset comprises RNA-seq expression profiles from sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) leaves subjected to bacterial infection with Xanthomonas citri strains expressing different artificial Transcription Activator-Like Effectors (dTALEs). The dTALEs were designed and engineered with specific modifications in their Repeat Variable Diresidues (RVDs) based on the native effector $\text{PthA4}^{\text{AT}}$ from an Argentine variant of X. citri. The main objective of this study was to compare the transcriptional variations between treatments that trigger a nuclear hypersensitive response programmed cell death (HR-PCDn) and those that lead to canker development. This differential expression analysis aims to establish a robust candidate list of executor resistance ($Re$) genes directly regulated by TAL effectors in citrus.