Transcriptome Analysis of Chinese Chestnut (Castanea mollissima Blume) in Response to Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu Infestation

Abstract

Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima Blume) can be infested by Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu, resulting in gall formation and yield losses. Research on the control of gall wasps using genomics approaches is rarely reported. We used RNA-seq to investigate the dynamic changes in the genes of a chestnut species (C. mollissima B.) during four gall-formation stages caused by D. kuriphilus. A total of 21,306 genes were annotated by BLAST in databases. Transcriptome comparison between different gall-formation stages revealed many genes that were differentially expressed compared to the control. Among these, 2410, 7373, 6294, and 9412 genes were differentially expressed in four gall-formation stages: initiation stage (A), early growth stage (B), late growth stage (C), and maturation stage (D), respectively. Annotation analysis indicated that many metabolic processes (e.g., phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, secondary metabolism, plant–pathogen interaction) were affected. Interesting genes encoding putative components of signal transduction, stress response, and transcription factors were also differentially regulated. These genes might play important roles in response to D. kuriphilus gall formation. These new data on the mechanism by which D. kuriphilus infests chestnuts could help improve chestnut resistance.

Genomic dissection of an extended phenotype: Oak galling by a cynipid gall wasp

“…The two most highly expressed chitinases were concordantly differentially and more highly expressed in mature galls (Mature > Growth and Early stages) and in older normal bud tissues (S5 > S4). Similar late stage host-plant chitinase expression was also observed in chestnut gall tissues attacked by another cynipid, Dryocosmus kuriphilus [87].…”

“…We found marked divergence in oak gene expression between galled and ungalled host tissues, as observed in cynipid-induced chestnut galls and phylloxera-induced galls on grape vines [25,87]. The clear developmental trajectory of gall tissues also contrasted strongly with the pattern observed in normally developing ungalled buds, which showed little transcriptomic differentiation between recognised morphological stages through budburst, but clear differentiation between opening buds and fully open leaves.…”

“…pallida–Quercus robur oak gall system to identify gene expression changes through gall development that are informative regarding the activity of the wasp within the gall and the response of the tree. Gall development involves expression of oak and gall wasp genes in repeatable, growth stage-specific patterns [26,86,87]. We compared oak gene expression in gall tissues and ungalled developing buds of Q .…”

Identification and Expression of NAC Transcription Factors of Vaccinium corymbosum L. in Response to Drought Stress

“…Because transcriptome data is the result of high-throughput sequencing, which aims at the global gene expression patterns, whereas qRT-PCR analysis is directed to the individual gene on the basis of the specific gene primers, the slight difference for individual gene on the basis of the two methods is reasonable. The different expression profiles shown by these two approaches usually occur [39], and the results of qRT-PCR should be more accurate. Overall, these results indicated that our RNA-seq data were reliable and the error was also within the reasonable range.…”

Recent Progress Regarding the Evolution and Molecular Aspect of Insect Gall Formation

“…Aphis galls on Rhus chinensis accumulate gallotannin, and genes involved in gallotannin biosynthesis [99], gallic acid synthesis [98], and lignin biosynthesis [97] have been identified. In the developing gall of the chestnut gall wasp, Dryocosmus kuriphilus, on the Chinese chestnut, Castanea mollissima, the expression of genes related to metabolic processes, such as phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, secondary metabolism, and plant-pathogen interactions, was altered compared to that of non-infested leaves [100]. Galls induced on elm leaves by a gall-inducing aphid, Tetraneura akinire, were shown to express the genes encoding lignocellulose synthase, suggesting the reinforcement of cell walls to improve resistance to damage by the aphid [101].…”