Aspergillus flavus infection induces transcriptional and physical changes in developing maize kernels
Andrea L Dolezal1, Xiaomei Shu2, Gregory R OBrian2
1Monsanto Company Waterman, IL, USA.
Frontiers in Microbiology
|August 19, 2014
Summary
Maize kernel infection by Aspergillus flavus triggers significant gene expression changes, including defense responses and altered metabolism. This fungal pathogen disrupts normal kernel development and impacts grain quality.
Area of Science:
- Plant pathology
- Molecular biology
- Agricultural science
Background:
- Maize kernels are vulnerable to Aspergillus flavus infection.
- This infection leads to reduced grain quality and aflatoxin contamination.
- Understanding the maize kernel's response is crucial for crop protection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the transcriptional changes in maize kernels during Aspergillus flavus infection.
- To identify key genes and pathways involved in the host-pathogen interaction.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a custom Affymetrix GeneChip® DNA array to monitor transcription of approximately 9000 maize genes.
- Analyzed gene expression profiles during maize-fungus interaction at a False Discovery Rate (FDR) of 0.05.
Main Results:
- Over 4000 maize genes exhibited differential expression.
- Upregulation of defense-related genes and signaling pathways observed.
- Downregulation of starch biosynthetic genes and upregulation of hydrolytic enzyme genes involved in host reserve degradation.
Conclusions:
- Aspergillus flavus infection induces significant metabolic reprogramming in maize kernels.
- The host mounts a defense response while kernel development is disrupted.
- These findings provide insights into maize resistance mechanisms and yield loss.
