Protocol for detection of resistance gene expression induced by mechanical wounding in tomato leaves

Systemic resistance is vital to tomato defense research, but quantifying its response poses major challenges. Here, we present a protocol for detecting the expression level of resistance genes induced by mechanical wounding in tomato leaves. We describe steps for seedling cultivation, wounding treatment, RNA extraction, cDNA reverse transcription, and qPCR detection. This protocol has broad potential applications in studying the systemic resistance response. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Zhou et al. 1 1. Zhou, K. ∙ Wu, F. ∙ Deng, L. ... Antagonistic systemin receptors integrate the activation and attenuation of systemic wound signaling in tomato Dev. Cell. 2025; 60 :535-550.