Comparative transcriptome profiling and co-expression network analysis uncover the key genes associated withearly-stage resistance to Aspergillus flavus in maize.
BMC Plant Biol
; 21(1): 216, 2021 May 13.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33985439
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The fungus Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus) is a serious threat to maize (Zea mays) production worldwide. It causes considerable yield and economic losses, and poses a health risk to humans and livestock due to the high toxicity of aflatoxin. However, key genes and regulatory networks conferring maize resistance to A. flavus are not clear, especially at the early stage of infection. Here, we performed a comprehensive transcriptome analysis of two maize inbred lines with contrasting resistance to A. flavus infection.RESULTS:
The pairwise comparisons between mock and infected kernels in each line during the first 6 h post inoculation (hpi) showed that maize resistance to A. flavus infection was specific to the genotype and infection stage, and defense pathways were strengthened in the resistant line. Further comparison of the two maize lines revealed that the infection-induced up-regulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the resistant line might underlie the enhanced resistance. Gene co-expression network analysis by WGCNA (weighted gene co-expression network analysis) identified 7 modules that were significantly associated with different infection stages, and 110 hub genes of these modules. These key regulators mainly participate in the biosynthesis of fatty acid and antibiotics. In addition, 90 candidate genes for maize resistance to A. flavus infection and/or aflatoxin contamination obtained in previous studies were confirmed to be differentially expressed between the resistant and susceptible lines within the first 6 hpi.CONCLUSION:
This work unveiled more A. flavus resistance genes and provided a detailed regulatory network of early-stage resistance to A. flavus in maize.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Plant Diseases
/
Aspergillus flavus
/
Zea mays
/
Disease Resistance
Type of study:
Risk_factors_studies
Language:
En
Journal:
BMC Plant Biol
Journal subject:
BOTANICA
Year:
2021
Document type:
Article