Complex biological network analysis revealed the regulation of genes under multiple fungal infected silk of Zea mays

Abstract

Background Maize (Zea mays L.) is a more versatile and multi-purpose crop, primarily grown as food and feed, but now extensively applied in beauty, drug, and biofuel energy. However, the decline in production is reported to be promoted by the fungal pathogens, which invade developing grain using silk channels and hampering the quantity and quality of maize silk. Since understanding the molecular mechanisms will increase the chance of reducing the fungal infection, an integrated omics approach was undertaken on the transcriptome datasets with the multi-fungus at the maize silks. Results The available data sets were classed to A and B for simplicity, but enhancement in the analysis based on the intra and inter-transcriptomic level, keeping control data sets for comparing under the infected conditions. Hence, based on the analysis, the differentially expressed transcript isoforms were identified, which revealed approximately 39651 and 34027 transcript isoforms, 3819 and 3320 alternatively spliced regions along classes A and B. On examination, about 3212 lncRNAs were identified, among which 530 lncRNAs expressed were recognized to play a key role in multiple infectious conditions. Investigation on the complex biological network mediated by the combinations of miRNAs with lncRNAs, lncRNAs with transcript isoforms, lncRNAs with alternatively spliced genes. Interestingly, about 82 lncRNAs exhibited intersectional interactions with miRNAs, AS, and Tiso, which decoded for 103 genes. Conclusions This study might have contributed to key functions of response to stimulus, regulating the metabolic and cellular process during the development and of the plants, which eventually enhanced the plants immune or defence mechanisms.