Proteomic Analysis Reveals an Aflatoxin-Triggered Immune Response in Cotyledons of Arachis hypogaea Infected with Aspergillus flavus

Abstract

An immune response is triggered in host cells when host receptors recognize conserved molecular motifs, pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), such as βglucans, and chitin at the cell surface of a pathogen. Effectortriggered immunity occurs when pathogens deliver effectors into the host cell to suppress the first immune signaling. Using a differential proteomic approach, we identified an array of proteins responding to aflatoxins in cotyledons of peanut (Arachis hypogaea) infected with aflatoxin-producing (toxigenic) but not nonaflatoxin-producing (atoxigenic) strains of Aspergillus f lavus. These proteins are involved in immune signaling and PAMP perception, DNA and RNA stabilization, induction of defense, innate immunity, hypersensitive response, biosynthesis of phytoalexins, cell wall responses, peptidoglycan assembly, penetration resistance, condensed tannin synthesis, detoxification, and metabolic regulation. Gene expression analysis confirmed the differential abundance of proteins in peanut cotyledons supplemented with aflatoxins, with or without infection with the atoxigenic strain. Similarly, peanut germination and A. f lavus growth were altered in response to aflatoxin B1. These findings show an additional immunity initiated by aflatoxins. With the PAMP-and effector-triggered immune responses, this immunity constitutes the third immune response of the immune system in peanut cotyledon cells. The system is also a threegrade coevolution of plant−pathogen interaction.

Proteome-wide profiling of protein lysine acetylation in Aspergillus flavus

“…flavus infection in peanuts, several genes, proteins, and other regulators associated with A . flavus colonization and peanut resistance to aflatoxin contamination have been identified [76, 86]. Proteomic analyses of interactions between Fusarium graminearum and Triticum aestivum identify differentially accumulated proteins from both F .…”

Genotypic and Phenotypic Versatility of Aspergillus flavus during Maize Exploitation

“…We used this approach, along with physiological studies, to better characterize the transition of A. flavus from saprobic growth to invasive pathogenic colonization of living maize kernels. A. flavus is a fungus that is ecologically competitive as a saprobe on several substrates and as a pathogen of plants and immunocompromised humans [4], [5], [15], [17], [55]. In our study, we found transcriptional changes in both primary and secondary metabolism genes depending on the substrate colonized.…”

Identification of Genes Differentially Expressed Between Ochratoxin-Producing and Non-Producing Strains of Aspergillus westerdijkiae

“…As mentioned, it has also been suggested that two putative p450-type monooxygenase genes, p450-H11 and p450-B03, may be involved in OTA biosynthesis in A. ochraceus [6]. On the other hand, cytochrome P450 may be accumulated in response to mycotoxins because chemical detoxifications are important mechanisms to protect fungal cells against self-toxicity [19].…”