[Objective] The study was to investigate roles of Brassica napus EINB in （ BnEIN3 ） resistance to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. [ Methods] Genomic PCR and RT-PCR were carded out to isolate genomic DNA and cDNA sequences of BnEIN3 from oilseed rape, based on the highly conserved region of EIN3 gene from Arabidopsis thaliana and the homologous sequences of oilseed rape ESTs. Expression levels of BnEIN3 were detected in three varieties of oilseed rape inoculated with S. sclerotiorum by real-time quantitative PCR.[Results] A 1 947 bp DNA fragment was obtained from oilseed rape. The fragment shared 82% identity to A. thaliana EIIV3, encoded 614 amino acids containing an EIN3 domain, and was named as BnEIN3. Real-time PCR results showed that expression patterns of BnEIN3 were drastically different in different varieties. In highly resistant oilseed rape variety D083, BnEIN3 expression level was significantly increased 72 h after S. sclerotiorum inoculation whereas in middle resistant and susceptible varieties Zhongshuang 9 and 84039, BnEIN3 expression was suppressed. [ Conclusion ] BnEIIV3 may play an important role in oilseed rape resistance to S. sclerotiorum.
