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Published on: May 21, 2020
Transcriptome analysis of trichothecene-induced gene expression in barley
Jayanand Boddu1, Seungho Cho, Gary J Muehlbauer
1Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108, USA.
Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions : MPMI
|November 6, 2007
Summary
Fusarium graminearum mycotoxins reduce barley's defense. Barley specifically responds to trichothecenes by detoxifying them or promoting disease via cell death pathways.
Area of Science:
- Plant Pathology
- Molecular Biology
- Mycotoxicology
Background:
- Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by Fusarium graminearum, significantly impacts barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) production.
- Trichothecene mycotoxins produced by F. graminearum enhance fungal virulence, particularly in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).
- Loss-of-function mutations in the TRI5 gene prevent trichothecene synthesis and reduce F. graminearum virulence on wheat.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of pathogen-derived trichothecenes on F. graminearum virulence in barley.
- To identify barley's transcriptional responses to trichothecene accumulation during infection.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of barley spikes inoculated with wild-type F. graminearum (trichothecene-producing) and a tri5 mutant (nonproducing).
- Assessment of disease severity, fungal biomass, and host tissue damage (necrosis, bleaching).
- Transcriptomic analysis to identify differentially expressed genes in response to trichothecene production.
Main Results:
- Reduced disease severity, fungal biomass, and host damage were observed with the tri5 mutant, confirming trichothecenes' role in barley virulence.
- 63 transcripts were induced during trichothecene accumulation, including genes for detoxification, transport, ubiquitination, programmed cell death, transcription factors, and cytochrome P450s.
- 414 transcripts related to basal defense responses were identified, largely independent of trichothecene accumulation.
Conclusions:
- Barley exhibits a specific transcriptional response to trichothecene accumulation, distinct from its basal defense mechanisms.
- Barley's response involves inducing genes for trichothecene detoxification/transport to mitigate mycotoxin effects.
- Barley also induces genes related to ubiquitination and cell death, potentially facilitating disease establishment.
