CSLB4 modulates primary cell wall architecture and resistance to Brevicoryne brassicae in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Arabidopsis thaliana CSLB4 loss-of-function reduces offspring of the specialist aphid Brevicoryne brassicae by 39–56%, indicating enhanced resistance linked to primary cell wall remodeling.

• Why it matters: Natural variation in primary cell wall architecture may shape defense against phloem-feeding insects, but the specific genetic determinants and wall features remain unclear.
• What they did: The study used GWAS in A. thaliana to find a chromosome 2 locus tied to aphid performance, then prioritized CSLB4 via haplotype and epidermis-specific expression data and tested two T-DNA alleles.
• The result: cslb4 mutants showed earlier sustained phloem ingestion yet reduced B. brassicae performance, alongside constitutive primary cell wall changes (including altered pectin, increased xyloglucan epitope accessibility, reduced callose, and weaker defense gene induction).

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