Differential expression of chitinase and stilbene synthase genes in Florida hybrid bunch grapes to Elsinoë ampelina infection

Abstract

Florida hybrid bunch grape (Vitis spp.) cultivars with commercial value are susceptible to anthracnose disease caused by the fungi, Elsinoe¨ampelina. The Florida grape industry is keen on improving anthracnose tolerance characteristics of these grape cultivars as the cultivation of European grapes is limited in Southeastern United States due to Pierce's disease incidence. In this connection, a molecular approach was taken to identify and characterize the gene/s differentially expressed upon infestation with E. ampelina in selected Florida hybrid bunch grape cultivars differing in their disease tolerance level. Variation in gene expressions was monitored by employing Differential Display RT-PCR. The results showed significant up-regulation of transcripts ranging between 200 and 800 bp in anthracnose-tolerant (cvs. Blue Lake and Lake Emerald) grape cultivars compared to anthracnose-susceptible (cvs. Suwannee and Blanc du Bois) cultivars. The transcripts that were uniquely induced in tolerant cultivars were identified as chitinase, stilbene synthase, protein/sugar kinases and transcriptional factor. Expression of chitinase and stilbene synthase genes was validated using real time PCR analysis. The results showed that these genes were more rapidly expressed in tolerant cultivars within a day after inoculating with E. ampelina and peaking by day 3, compared to susceptible cultivars. Induction of these antifungal genes appears to enable tolerant cultivars to withstand fungal infestation compared to susceptible cultivars. Rapid expression of chitinase and stilbene synthase genes along with others genes may be partly responsible for anthracnose-tolerance in Florida hybrid bunch grapes.Further analysis may shed light on their specific role in anthracnose tolerance.

Transcriptome Analysis of an Anthracnose-Resistant Tea Plant Cultivar Reveals Genes Associated with Resistance to Colletotrichum camelliae

“…Vasanthaiah et al . demonstrated that chitinase and stilbene synthase genes were more rapidly expressed in tolerant cultivars after inoculation with an anthracnose pathogen [ 27 ]. In addition to PAL and CHS, other enzymes (e.g.…”

Expression of Class II Chitinase Gene in Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) as Response to Fusarium oxysporum Pathogen Attack

“…The chitinase was up-regulated in resistant plant of wheat, rice, grape and Acacia coa (Mohammadi et al, 2002;Shrestha et al, 2008;Vasanthaiah et al, 2010;Rushanaedy et al, 2012) but there was no increase in the susceptible plant. Shrestha et al (2008) and Orlowska et al (2012) showed that chitinase gene was induced in both resistant and susceptible plant but was induced at earlier time point in resistant compared to susceptible plant.…”

Grapevine Improvement through Biotechnology

“…Sequencing and characterization of these genes revealed their similarity with chitinase III, PR 4 and 10, chalcone synthase, and stilbene synthase. Further, realtime PCR analysis revealed that the expression patterns of gene-encoding enzymes, such as chitinase and stilbene synthase, were higher than that of other genes during E. ampelina infestation [94]. These genes are known to play an important role in plant defense against fungal pathogens.…”