Analysis of early events in the interaction between Fusarium graminearum and the susceptible barley (Hordeum vulgare) cultivar Scarlett

Abstract

A proteomic analysis was conducted to map the events during the initial stages of the interaction between the fungal pathogen Fusarium graminearum and the susceptible barley cultivar Scarlett. Quantification of fungal DNA demonstrated a sharp increase in fungal biomass in barley spikelets at 3 days after inoculation. This coincided with the appearance of discrete F. graminearum-induced proteolytic fragments of β-amylase. Based on these results, analysis of grain proteome changes prior to extensive proteolysis enabled identification of barley proteins responding early to infection by the fungus. In total, the intensity of 51 protein spots was significantly changed in F. graminearum-infected spikelets and all but one were identified. These included pathogenesis-related proteins, proteins involved in energy metabolism, secondary metabolism and protein synthesis. A single fungal protein of unknown function was identified. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis of selected genes showed a correlation between high gene expression and detection of the corresponding proteins. Fungal genes encoding alkaline protease and endothiapepsin were expressed during 1-3 days after inoculation, making them candidates for generation of the observed β-amylase fragments. These fragments have potential to be developed as proteome-level markers for fungal infection that are also informative about grain protein quality.

A proteomics survey on wheat susceptibility to Fusarium head blight during grain development

“…Therefore, FHB-induced changes were examined within a specific fluctuating molecular context which includes: (i) increasing amounts of proteins involved in cell wall initiation and energy production at the early cell division stage, (ii) varying abundances of proteins involved in carbohydrate metabolism and stress responses during cell differentiation stage, and (iii) accumulation of starch and storage proteins upon the latter stage consisting in grain filling (Nadaud et al 2010). As already reported in Fg -infected barley grains (Zantinge 2010; Yang et al 2010a, 2010b), we noticed that grain protein patterns were slightly impacted by Fg inoculation at the three ontogeny stages studied here. This result suggests that the infectious process did not involve dramatic modification in grain development or even preserved grain ontogeny in spite of an established biotic stress.…”

Comparative proteomic analysis in pea treated with microbial consortia of beneficial microbes reveals changes in the protein network to enhance resistance against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

“…Its increased levels were also observed in response to plant pathogens P. savastanoi and Fusarium graminearum (Campos et al, 2009;Yang et al, 2010). It's up-regulation was also observed in all the challenged plants treated with BCAs either singly or in the form of consortia in comparison to challenged control plants.…”

Battle through Signaling between Wheat and the Fungal Pathogen Septoria tritici Revealed by Proteomics and Phosphoproteomics

“…qRT-PCR Analysis-Primer design, RNA extraction, gDNA removal, cDNA synthesis, and qRT-PCR were performed as described elsewhere (37,38). The Septoria tritici elongation factor was used as a reference gene.…”