Transcriptome-based analysis of resistance mechanism to black point caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana in wheat

Abstract

Black point is a cereal disease caused by complex pathogens, of which the pathogenicity of Bipolaris sorokiniana is the most serious in wheat. Resistance to black point is quantitative in nature, and thus the mechanism is poorly understood. We conducted a comparative transcriptome analysis to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in black point-slightly susceptible and -highly susceptible wheat lines at different timepoints following B. sorokiniana inoculation. DEGs associated with photosynthesis were upregulated in black point-slightly susceptible lines. The top Gene Ontology enrichment terms for biological processes were oxidation–reduction, response to cold, salt stress, oxidative stress, and cadmium ion; terms for cellular component genes were mainly involved in plasma membrane and cytoplasmic membrane-bounded vesicle, whereas those for molecular function were heme binding and peroxidase activity. Moreover, activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase were higher in slightly susceptible lines than those in highly susceptible lines (except peroxidase 12–24 days post-inoculation). Thus, resistance to B. sorokiniana-caused black point in wheat was mainly related to counteracting oxidative stress, although the specific metabolic pathways require further study. This study presents new insights for understanding resistance mechanisms of selected wheat lines to black point.

Changes in Photosynthesis Could Provide Important Insight into the Interaction between Wheat and Fungal Pathogens

“…The changes in photosynthesis parameters, ROS bursts, and POD activity during compatibility and incompatibility responses can reveal only superficial changes in the plant-mediated immune defense response. The gene expression change profiles in the interaction between pathogens and host can systematically reveal the changes of physiological metabolism and signaling molecules involved in immune defense during the formation of host resistance [96][97][98]. During pathogen invasion, the changes of host photosynthesis were associated with the expression of photosynthesis-related genes [99].…”

Transcriptome‐based analysis of resistance mechanisms to Bipolaris sorokiniana, a common wheat root‐rot disease

“…The rate of damage and decreased crop yield due to this disease vary in different regions, but losses of 35% in wheat yield has been estimated in 12% of the total wheat cultivation area in the Pacific Northwest (Al‐Sadi 2021; Li et al . 2021).…”

“…2020; Li et al . 2021). Furthermore, changes in levels of enzymes involved in defence in fungal‐infected plants can also be crucial in understanding the role of these enzymes in resistance reactions and the selection of resistant cultivars (Moghaddam et al .…”

“…2020; Li et al . 2021). However, the overexpression of PR genes has potential to confer a certain degree of resistance to fungal infections in many plant species (Kaur et al .…”

Comparative transcriptome analysis unveiling reactive oxygen species scavenging system of Sonneratia caseolaris under salinity stress

“…In recent years, the molecular foundation of plant responses to abiotic stress have been extensively studied using high-throughput sequencing technologies, particularly RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) ( Li et al, 2021b , c ). Recently, RNA-seq has been used to determine dynamic response mechanisms in mangrove plants, such as Sonneratia alba ( Chen et al, 2011 ), Millettia pinnata ( Huang et al, 2012 ), and Ceriops tagal ( Xiao et al, 2016 ) under abiotic stress.…”